LAZARUSDAL
American expat in Thailand
Forum posts
56
About me
American
Lives in Saraburi, Sara Buri
Speaks english
Registration: 27 January 2019
Secure your financial assets as an expat in Thailand by Cheryl
Hello everyone, As we navigate the exciting world of living and working in Thailand, it's essential to make informed decisions about our financial future. We鈥檇 love to hear about the different investment options available for expats: ...
I use Etrade mutual funds and Coinbase for digital coin investment ... have for years , only have local bank accounts for paying for day to day expenses , invest in Thailand ...lol .. other than having bought a house outright for cash 6 years ago ... Read More
Using an agent for retirement Visa by wozzlegummich
I been watching videos and reading a lot about using an agent to get an AO retirement visa. It's expensive but it looks like they circumvent the need to put a large sum of money in a Thai bank. Also, they do all the leg work.Are聽they legal and ...
you can not change or circumvent the rules .. it is against the law for the agent and you ... they set the rules and you should obey them ... 800,000 baht season 3 months is the rule as they don't want dead beat retirees on the national health care ... Read More
Utilities and cost in Jomtien by midge6262
Hi we are moving to Jomtien in June and would like to have a rough idea of utility and service costs for a large 2 bedroom condominium, there will be two people living there I understand that we cannot be given an exact cost but would appreciate an ...
in Saraburi with 2 AC units running on low for 1/2 a day's for the one and all night for the other , both set at 28 we paid 3500 baht for the month but very hot and humid so had to do ... still far less than what I would pay for heating in upstate ... Read More
Your first days in your home in Thailand by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Do you remember the first time you set foot in Thailand? One of your main concerns must have been the settling down process in your new home. Share your experience and tell us what it was like to find your new home in Thailand ...
@Cheryl my mother in law was on the look out for a place for us in a quiet secluded neighborhood where her sister lived , we first rented a row house just down the street and when a row house became available we bought it , cash with no negotiation ... Read More
Buying a house in Thailand by scbrock
Currently, I own a condo in Phuket but it is a studio so rathersmall and noisy during high season.So a friend a Thai lady introduced me to her best friend thathas a house for sale. As most people know foreigners cannotown property here but can own ...
@scbrock well enjoy ... but I am a retired engineer and have no use for beaches ... sand and salt ... not my thing ... warm balmy breezes and great cheap food and , almost no traffic are my thing .. I have extensive hobbies that keep me plenty busy ... Read More
Buying a house in Thailand by scbrock
Currently, I own a condo in Phuket but it is a studio so rathersmall and noisy during high season.So a friend a Thai lady introduced me to her best friend thathas a house for sale. As most people know foreigners cannotown property here but can own ...
another thought ... why live in Phuket one of the most expensive places in Thailand ... just to say ... I live in Saraburi 90 km north of BKK a 1100 sq ft house 2 bed 2 bath in a nice Thai neighborhood in the town with city water and sewage and ... Read More
The cost of Living in Thailand in 2023 by Mickael
Hello everyone, As every year, we invite you to share your experience on the evolution of the cost of living in the region or city where you live in order to answer future requests for information from new members of the site who would like to ...
@williebafc yes I have several million baht in the bank locally for health care ... piss on insurance paid for it for 40 plus years and never used it should have self insured from the beginning and invested the monies in the market ... I would be ... Read More
The cost of Living in Thailand in 2023 by Mickael
Hello everyone, As every year, we invite you to share your experience on the evolution of the cost of living in the region or city where you live in order to answer future requests for information from new members of the site who would like to ...
So living in Saraburi 90 km north of Bkk, own a house 1100 sq/ft 2 bedroom 2 baths concrete row house , cost 800,000 baht cash, so no rent or mortgage .. we do our own cooking for the most part from local stuff at the open air markets so food costs ... Read More
If you take thaiwife to western country, how much providing? by expatfan1111
Hi.So if you travel to thailand to find a wife, and bring him back home to a western country, how much you should provide money for the wife?im figuring out something like, when you are in the thailand, something like 300usd a month will be enough ...
I am married now 10 years and have retired to Thailand after we wed and lived in the US for 8 years ... no problems , 26 year difference , large family here for social support , and I certainly make my monthly contribution , to every thing for 3 ... Read More
Bank card in Thailand by Barladak
Hello!Can I get a bank card in Thailand without being a resident of the country? (I'm from Russia).If yes, which bank?
@kschindl you do realize a work permit and earnings statement indicate you are a resident ... did you not read the question ? Read More
Purchase insurance from Thailand or U.S.? by vinster
Hi all,I'm moving to Thailand from the U.S. in a few weeks and have some insurance questions.1. I'm guessing that Thai providers would be much cheaper than American companies. Should I buy insurance from Thailand or buy international insurance while ...
retired living in Thailand full time , preexisting heart condition , stable and controlled with medication, and eating right and daily exercise, as for health insurance , easier and far cheaper to self insure and pt the monthly money in to Etrade ... Read More
Good news! Entering Thailand as a nonvaccinated visitor/tourist by Aidan in HCMC
A friend Of mine visiting from Canada returned to Vietnam tonight聽 from his air-border run to Bangkok, Thailand.His only requirements to enter Thailand (without enduring a quarantine), were 1) a PCR negative test result taken within 72 hours ...
@Aidan in HCMC聽why would anyone travel unvaccinated and put the local population at risk ... mind boggling聽 Read More
Is 1 million Thai baht too much for Sin sod Thailand by Dazzling Racoon
Hi friends, I鈥檒l explain my circumstance and appreciate any constructive advice. Try not to judge me too much or tear me apart if you do. I鈥檝e done my research on the topic and understand the sliding scale on expected sin sod ie. 100k - ...
I was asked for Sin Sod and we worked out the expenses for the modest 100 person wedding and other expenses then the family put up gold and cash from the bank to make a good show at the wedding ... so family attending think I am decently well off ... Read More
volunteering anywhere in thailand without paying some organization? by johnscrochet
Hi! My wife and I will be in Thailand indefintely. Some time in Bangkok and some up north. Is anyone aware of a way we can get involved with community projects on a local level? We recently spent time in some Favelas in Rio de Janeiro hanging out ...
And if they catch you .... they will deport you they are very serious about their visa system .... do not play stupid that will win no points ... you will have to find an organization that will support your volunteer visa application first ... then ... Read More
Writing a book about my life in pattaya. by pussygaloresports
I have lived here in pattaya since 1996 until present running successful businesses. Now I'm writing a book about my life and how I came to pattaya and how I never left. I owned pussy galore sports bar for 18 years. I am looking for anyone who ...
wow talk about ego ... writing a book about exploiting young vulnerable woman ... nice ... glad you were so successful ... were they ? well paid ? safe ? encouraged to go on to better things ? I guess the name of the bar says it all .... ... Read More
Safely setting up agreement between Thai shareholders and an Ex Pat by Chuck4Fun
Hi everyone! I'm really thrilled to find this forum and hope that I can find some ideas and solutions with issues I face: I have two Thai partners where I am a 40% shareholder and they,30% each. We needed to register a company in order to do ...
you really gave away the shop ... where did you think you had 40% ... no documents to prove it then ?, and you misrepresented your stake to the government ... you have been false on to many levels for this to fly ... run fast ... Read More
Living in Thai by Andreia Cruz
Hello, my name is Andr茅ia, I'm Brazilian, I'm going to live in Thailand in September for two years at first, with my husband and two small children. I'd like tips for living in Thailand. My children will study at Wells International ...
we are in Saraburi 90 km north of BKK ... a small easy to get to town with nothing gf interest ... a great place to live a nice quiet away from so much of the tourist sort of foolishness ... of course if you want to come up this way let us know ... ... Read More
Living in Thai by Andreia Cruz
Hello, my name is Andr茅ia, I'm Brazilian, I'm going to live in Thailand in September for two years at first, with my husband and two small children. I'd like tips for living in Thailand. My children will study at Wells International ...
I with my Thai wife who lived in the US for 6 years has no interest in going back, also partly because of the cost , but it cultural now ... yes the US is rude and crude versus living here, and the energy required to muster , plus now the covid ... Read More
Living in Thai by Andreia Cruz
Hello, my name is Andr茅ia, I'm Brazilian, I'm going to live in Thailand in September for two years at first, with my husband and two small children. I'd like tips for living in Thailand. My children will study at Wells International ...
I have been married to a Thai for 9 years so , not just here for 2 years, bought a house 5 years ago cash line the Thai life with Thai family , no foreign friends or neighbors ... eat home cooked meals almost everything day , or street fair picked ... Read More
Vaccines required in Thailand by Diksha
Hello everybody, When living or moving abroad, and in particular in Thailand, vaccination against certain diseases is often required to enter the country or to avoid risks. We would like to ask you a few questions to help future expats ...
wow ...it isn't poor health ... that is contributory it is about a stupid president who convinced to many people it would go away ... he has no medical background and refused to listen to his staff expect ... he single handedly caused the death ... Read More
Vaccines required in Thailand by Diksha
Hello everybody, When living or moving abroad, and in particular in Thailand, vaccination against certain diseases is often required to enter the country or to avoid risks. We would like to ask you a few questions to help future expats ...
very well stated ... nice to see an intelligent level headed person speak out Read More
90-Day Reporting Online has not worked for a MONTH according to 1178 by GuestPoster054
Hello Friends, I just called the1178, The Immigration hotline, on Friday and they told me that the ONLINE 90-day reporting for retired ex-pats has not been working for a month and they have no idea when it will start working again. So I will have ...
remember your brower can have issues with the sire depending and what level of HTML they choose to use ... Safari, IE, Monzilla, Opera ... they have have to match exactly to be able to fully function and they as far as I know to not post the ... Read More
90-Day Reporting Online has not worked for a MONTH according to 1178 by GuestPoster054
Hello Friends, I just called the1178, The Immigration hotline, on Friday and they told me that the ONLINE 90-day reporting for retired ex-pats has not been working for a month and they have no idea when it will start working again. So I will have ...
skip the reporting at your on risk, they will eventually catch you and can eject you ... you are so warned , don't like the rules, don't play in the country and go some where else, it is their country try and get with the program , how is ... Read More
Cost of living in Thailand by MarRT
Hi everyone, I am from Poland and i don't have experience with living in Thailand. I would like to buy my own apartment in Thailand (about 2,5mln), mby something like ...
pretty much spot on living near any tourist area is going to cost epsecially for property and services ... I live in a no where town with no foreigners .. no beach , nothing of interest and bought my 1100 sq/ft cement house for 800,000 5 years ago ... Read More
Vaccines required in Thailand by Diksha
Hello everybody, When living or moving abroad, and in particular in Thailand, vaccination against certain diseases is often required to enter the country or to avoid risks. We would like to ask you a few questions to help future expats ...
They are currently not required to enter, or at least were not for me 9 months ago, they are also not redily available in Thailand , I don't live near any tourist area or major city so my town of 20,000 has yet to have a death and only a few ... Read More
English speaking expats by thailand4me
Where is the best place to live in Thailand where there鈥檚 English speaking people. I would prefer not be be in tourist area鈥檚. AM now living in Nonthaburi. Any Americans living in my area that want friendships.? I came here to retire ...
You might consider Hua Hin south of BKK, nice developing area , not yet too expensive and plenty of amenities ... was there for a weekend vaca and it was easy to manage and saw plenty of falang, forget the islands unless you are rich, Chaing Rai, ... Read More
English speaking expats by thailand4me
Where is the best place to live in Thailand where there鈥檚 English speaking people. I would prefer not be be in tourist area鈥檚. AM now living in Nonthaburi. Any Americans living in my area that want friendships.? I came here to retire ...
I live in Saraburi, my family of 12 also really speak no english, so I am working on learning Thai, I have 3 ipad apps which helps with basic stuff, hey it is their country , their culture, their language , I manage to get by but may never be ... Read More
Medication in Thailand by Lo茂c
Good morning everyone, Whether it's a simple cold or a chronic illness, medication and medicine use vary from country to country and culture to culture. When you are used to certain brands or types of drugs, being in a country like Thailand ...
So retired and I take a daily aspirin as perscribed by my US doctor , but it seems some one has put the fear of this OTC drug in to the Thai drug stores, the large local Lotus store no longer carries it nor will order it for me ... any thing else I ... Read More
Carpooling in Thailand by Diksha
Hello everyone, In order to move around in Thailand, you will have to spend time on the road; for your work commute, to drop your children off at school or for everyday trips. Carpooling could be the right option for you. We would like to know ...
it isn't really a Thai thing what with so many on the side options, we usually hire a driver and van , or just pay some one to take my brother in laws shift and we used his large truck , or around town we use the local orange vest guys ... no ... Read More
Health Insurance required for Non-Immigrant O-A Visa.
the translation is not very good for your notice , it is a new immigration rule or requirement , not a police order per sec , certainly the police can ask to see your health insurance substantiation, but then the administration falls to the the ... Read More
One year extension visa by Barry343
I am about to ask Immigration for the first time for a 1-year extension to my OA retirement visa, could someone please advise me of what information and paperwork I require to take as I believe it is very different to the 90 day visit.
Yes to every thing as every office can interprete the rules slightly differently , and what they say goes, hope you have a polite fluent Thai speaker with you as everything is conducted in That, their country their rules, and they have no problem ... Read More
Bank of Bangkok to transfer money from the USA to Thailand? by maddletalk
I am an expat living in the Philippines, I am thinking about relocating to Thailand. Can anyone explain to me step by step how you can use Bank of Bangkok to transfer money from the USA to Thailand?
So now I am using REMITLY ... AT 3.99 A TRANSFER VERSUS 45 WITH BANK OF AMERICA, NO % JUST A STRAIGHT UP FEE AND I MENTIONED TO THEM ABOUT PERIODIC PAYMENTS LIKE MY SSN CHECKS WHICH COME EVERY MONTH FOREVER AND I EXPECT THEY WILL LOOK IN TO HANDLING ... Read More
Bank of Bangkok to transfer money from the USA to Thailand? by maddletalk
I am an expat living in the Philippines, I am thinking about relocating to Thailand. Can anyone explain to me step by step how you can use Bank of Bangkok to transfer money from the USA to Thailand?
I will certainly look into this option in the near future ... thanks for the tip ... funny my local branch in Saraburi never mentioned it as a possiblity but then again then are a local branch. copied from Bangkok Bank's own information ... Read More
Bank of Bangkok to transfer money from the USA to Thailand? by maddletalk
I am an expat living in the Philippines, I am thinking about relocating to Thailand. Can anyone explain to me step by step how you can use Bank of Bangkok to transfer money from the USA to Thailand?
Good luck with that ... Bangkok bank in Thailand does not pull monies from foreign accounts usually so what you can do is set up a send push through your USBank, I use BoA (Bank of America) and manually have to send myself monies every 3 months as ... Read More
Aranya Prathet border crossing by christian123
Hello, I am Belgian and living in Cambodia, and I just wanted to know if the overland crossing still grants a visa waiver for 30 days and 2 times a calendar year, because I sometimes read weird stuff, and, I just saw on an English-speaking site that ...
lets not be too silly now ... of course you don't show a departure ticket when coming in by land at a border crossing ... just a bad interpritation of the rules ... yoi could always get a local hotel near the boarder with reservation and to ... Read More
TM 30 form, what do you think? by Anne-Lise Mty
Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. Have you heard of the expat petition regarding the TM 30 form? We have just written a piece on the matter and would love to hear what you think of the enforcement of this section of the 1979 and the petition ...
It is Thailand their rules their way of doing things, is it tedious ... maybe to a certain extent, but it is the law, unfortunately the actual law is interpreted at the local level and enforcement is spotty at the best of times and miss understood ... Read More
Advice required: Multiple 90-day Non-Immigrant B Visas by dslplunkett
Hi there, I'm hoping to get some advice regarding Thai visa applications. I have searched around for my specific question online and in these forums but have not been able to find an answer. [b]Background info:[/b] I'm an Australian ...
YOU are really trying to bend the rules there buddy ... I talked to my family aThai attorney and you can't have it both ways as the rules are exclusive, so pick your best option and go with it ... you probably will get caught up on some small ... Read More
Soon(ish) to be Expat Canadian in Chiang Mai Thailand by bdlandry
Hi all. Canadian, male, 63, living in Toronto/Oakville Ontario. Until early this year I was expecting to work till I was 70 to build up my savings and pensions in order to live a comfortable life with my wife (Thai, from Bangkok, but family from ...
Good luck , sorry about your wife, I have a Thai wife and will be moving to Saraburi where I have a large family, also 65 this year, american from Buffalo originally, Chiang Mai is nice getting expensive, lots of expats , I would recommend Chiang ... Read More
Moving to Thailand with a disability by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Having a disability should not be a barrier to living abroad. While the intricacies of one聮s move to Thailand may be specific to the individual, certain steps can be undertaken to make the process smoother. What are the ...
I have slight hip and knee issues and have been doing physical therapy for 3 months to strengthen my legs, plus plan to bring an electric assisted bicycle for running errands, I have a home in Saraburi a nice quiet small town and will be moving ... Read More
TM 30 form, what do you think? by Anne-Lise Mty
Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. Have you heard of the expat petition regarding the TM 30 form? We have just written a piece on the matter and would love to hear what you think of the enforcement of this section of the 1979 and the petition ...
The law is locally enforced and at any time can be brought forward and enforced, just be prepared, it is a lot of administrative paper work for the Thai government, with a new head of the Department of Immigration you might have to deal with it , ... Read More
looking forward to move to thailand with NO degree by TheBasqueSurnameGuy
Hello everyone!, This is my first post in here, in which I will tell a bit about what Im currently doing, and what my expectations are. Sorry if the post turns to be a wall! My name is Francisco, Im 22 (turning 23 this month) living in Argentina - ...
So I am retiring there in Jan 2020 , married with family so a slightly different situation , but am an IT MF programmer for 20 years , I am not likely to look for work but will fall back on my other skills to stay busy , like home made hot sauce and ... Read More
Thinking of leaving Thailand by GuestPoster55
Looking for information about maybe retirement in Vietnam, or any other countries near by. Cost of living . As I'm thinking of leaving Thailand after living here for 2 years. Any information or advice would be appreciated.
Exactly the local public health system should not be taking care of 20,000,000 visitors a year for almost nothing ... foreigners want a cheap ride when they certainly can afford to pay a fair rate considering they contribute nothing tax wise long ... Read More
Thinking of leaving Thailand by GuestPoster55
Looking for information about maybe retirement in Vietnam, or any other countries near by. Cost of living . As I'm thinking of leaving Thailand after living here for 2 years. Any information or advice would be appreciated.
I have a Thai family with 14 members so always some one knows where so and so can be found, especially decent Thai food at the local's prices 45-85 baht for a meal , you can a foreigner not knowing a town can not expect to know much about a new ... Read More
Thinking of leaving Thailand by GuestPoster55
Looking for information about maybe retirement in Vietnam, or any other countries near by. Cost of living . As I'm thinking of leaving Thailand after living here for 2 years. Any information or advice would be appreciated.
I didn't mean who you married but married the family and the culture , it is their country and they are permitted to do things their way , great you have a nice house back home as do I , actually 2 in america , but also one one in Thailand and ... Read More
Thinking of leaving Thailand by GuestPoster55
Looking for information about maybe retirement in Vietnam, or any other countries near by. Cost of living . As I'm thinking of leaving Thailand after living here for 2 years. Any information or advice would be appreciated.
is 400,000 baht that much really ? wow ... any one thinking of retiring overseas should have that much saved ... but I would really know ... as for other regulations ... it seems they are no more strenuious than other countries ... best of luck, I ... Read More
Aranya Prathet border crossing by christian123
Hello, I am Belgian and living in Cambodia, and I just wanted to know if the overland crossing still grants a visa waiver for 30 days and 2 times a calendar year, because I sometimes read weird stuff, and, I just saw on an English-speaking site that ...
Unfortunately regulations are interperated at the local level and not evenly applied as many people in Thailand will attest to ... so hope for the best, be prepared and go with the flow, this is a 2nd world country and subject to local abberrations, ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Thailand? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Thailand, would you heartily say "let聮s do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
Would do it in a heart beat , but then I married a large supportive family that all work hard together supporting themselves, have a home , married 8 years, have a car and ride every day around town, stay busy with the kids nieces & nephews, ... Read More
Thailand tired of expats by Anton&Jacky
It has been a few years I have been to Thailand, and are planning to go back(Hopefully permanent). I have read a lot in the news this last year of expats leaving Thailand, the statistics of surveys done shows a lot of expats have left Thailand. Does ...
Well the government is finally tightening up on immigration regulations that have been not really enforced, plus, people are really bending the rules more than they should be , the rules were always there, some people just like to do as they want in ... Read More
Shipping bicycle to Thailand by rwcth
Is it worthwhile to ship my used mountain bike to Thailand from America? Thanks for any advice.
Well I considered the same thing, luckily when I did bring a bike from Seattle, Korean Air gave me a pass on the cost usually 100 USD as I only had one other checkable bag and was normally allowed 2 for an international fight, other wise unless it ... Read More
Starting a regular life in Thailand
So married a nice Thai woman 6 years ago and have spent those years in America settling things and letting her see my world, now we are ready to go home to her wonderfully supportive family. Already bought and own a home in a nice small town far ... Read More