js007

Surely, changes in exchange rates can have some effect on who visits Thailand and who stays home. For example, if the Austrailian dollar were to suddenly start buying you 85 baht, you'd probably start seeing a lot more guys from Australia. On the other hand, the slight changes we've seen of late probably aren't enough to make much difference.

I'm sure I saw the "shit hitting the fan" as early as 2005 or 2006. The housing bubble was more than obvious. Unfortunately, I didn't take my own advice. I didn't short any of the banking stocks back then. I just stayed away from them. I'll have to go back and see if I made any posts about financial stuff way back then.

I started reading this forum and then I realized it was started three years ago. Foreign mafia? My guess is that they operate so long as they don't step on any locals. Money laundering? Where is the money coming from for all the Pattaya condos? Many of them are unoccupied. It's almost like the owners don't care if they sell the individual units or not.

The public may be "harmed" via inflation, but the businesses may do well and hence hire more workers. Maybe it's a wash? Don't forget, it wasn't that long ago when the baht was 38 to the dollar, and the world didn't end then.

It's still in a trading range, no? As for the Thai economy? It should help their exports. Then again, who do they export to, mainly? All of the developing nations are hurting right now.

Looks like fun. Is the Benihana restaurant still in Royal Garden Plaza?

Assuming we're talking about an actual hotel and not a guesthouse, I always liked the Sabai Lodge, although I haven't stayed there in a while and I'm not sure what kind of construction noise there would be in the area at this point. And if money were no object, there are all sorts of new hotels in Pattaya. The Hilton, for example, might be fun.

Funny.

Maybe people are just looking at the rates on the exchanges. I just looked at Yahoo and they show a rate over 32 a few days ago. By the time the banks get their cut, maybe it didn't get quite that high.

I haven't checked the exchange rates lately, but Indonesia has been in the news the past few days. Apparently, it's currency is having difficulty. And I think the dollar is up a bit against the Malaysian currency, also. Asia is apparently having some trouble. Maybe some of us from the west will get a better exchange rate for a while.

I don't really follow all this, but apparently, as part of the "Affordable Care Act," some of the Medicare reimbursements to doctors will be reduced to help pay for the cost of the new Act. And in response, many doctors will no longer see new Medicare patients. It's all in a state of flux and could change at any time. Fortunately, health care in Thailand isn't always expensive. If you're healthy, it might pay not to worry about it all if you're a US citizen, but for the Medicare Part B premium and the penalty if you don't sign up.

I hope you're right.

I think it will work, so long as long as you set it all up, initially, with a US address. One time I was at breakfast and the guy next to me was talking to someone from Las Vegas via Magic Jack and his laptop. I guess that was before they had apps for the smart phones. Still, if it worked then it should work now.

With regard to Medicare Part B and those living overseas: There's a penalty for each year you don't sign up for Part B after you're eligible. For example, you're eligible for Medicare Part B, but living in Thailand. You could sign up, but Medicare doesn't do you any good in Thailand unless you return to the USA for treatment. Still, there's a penalty (10% of the premium) for each year you don't participate). And you're not automatically enrolled in Part B if you're living overseas, so pay attention. And for those wondering about Medicare Part C? That's an plan whereby insurance compa

I think there's a small charge, per year. Here in the States, they advertise on TV, indicating that the cost is $19.95 per year.

If you ask me, a "plunge" would be something on the order of 33%. As for the Thai baht at 32 to the dollar, that's not that much out of line to where it has been trading over the last few years. I'd like to see 38 or so again, so I could stock up my Thai bank account with baht, but I'm not holding my breath.

The economic headlines always make me laugh. They're talking about a "plunge" in the Thai baht, and yet it's only gone down by a few baht per dollar. Hardly a plunge.

You might look into some of the guesthouses that might have an arrangement with a nearby hotel as to pool use. For example, some of the guesthouses on or near Soi LK Metro might have arrangements with the hotels in that vicinity. And don't forget, even if you're not a hotel guest, you can usually use a hotel's pool for the payment of a small fee. That's what I'd do. A month at a guesthouse might only cost you 20,000 baht or so.

With all the delicious food in Bangkok, why would anyone go looking for American food? And I'm not sure what that is anyway.

The place always seems to have a crowd for breakfast. They must be doing something right.

You guys should try shooting in Raw. That way, you make all the adjustments on the computer in the first place, for whatever that's worth.

The Nikon 1.8 is a lot cheaper and it's a good lens. With the 1.4, you get a little more speed, but is it worth the cost? Anyway, taking pictures at night can be a lot of fun.

Here's a thought: maybe you can renew you California license online, even though it has expired. It might be worth a try.

Can a person buy Twinkies in Bangkok?

Now that I think about it, the last thing I'd be looking for in Bangkok would be "American food." Think of all the good food in Bangkok. Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Malaysian, Vietnamese, etc. Some of the best food in the world. Take advantage of it.