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The two reports are based on US law and applicable to US Citizens/residents.

There are two laws regarding reporting foreign bank accounts - one as mentioned has been in existence a long time and requires a separate report to US Treasury Dept (not IRS) by June 30 if during the preceding calendar year you had aggregate deposits in foreign bank account of more than US$10,000 at any time during the year. The report goes to the Financial Crimes Information Center (FinCen). The other relates to foreign financial assets (bank account, stocks, bonds, etc.). The reporting form is part of the annual US Income Tax return. The amount that triggers reporting depends on filing status (married, single, etc.) and residence in USA or outside USA - currently if single and residing in USA, the trigger is US$50,000; if single and not residing in USA, the trigger is $US200,000. If I recall correctly, to qualify as not residing in USA, you must be living outside USA for at least 330 days of the year. This link has more information along with links to IRS guidance: http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/IRS8398-info.pdf Another part of that law requires foreign financial institutions to report information on US Citizens/residents that have account in their institution. The regulations implementing that requiremwnr were still in the comment stage the last time I checked, which was sometime last year. From some reading, it appears the USA and some countries were drafting agreements to implement the requirements for all their financial institution. I seem to recall an article in Bangkok Post that Thailand was negotiating such an agreement.

My best wishes Jim.

My first visit to Pattaya was in 1985 - BBB did not exist; nor was there a Boyztown. On my first visit, on Pattayaland Soi 1 there were two gogo bars - Gentleman Club and almost nexr door was My Way. Going South continuing on at the end of walking street was Club 69 (gogo bar - Siam Bayshore is located there now). Also, a bit before Club 69 was Cafe Paris (if I recall the name correctly) which was just a gay bar with many free lancers (cabaret show on weekends). In North Pattaya was Adam & Eve (gogo, boys put their street clothes back on when they finished dancing and were seated in front of stage) - at that time I was told that Adam & Eve was the oldest gay club in Pattaya - they also had a wet massage show that was very sexy. Also in North Pattaya was the Homex Inn - a gay hotel with swimming pool and bar. On subsequent visits, more gay bars appeared - Cockpit, BBB, and Amor in Pattayaland Soi 3 (yes, Amor was originally a go go bar - later becoming a restaurant - as I understand it, Richard kept the Amor name because the sign was already there -- Cockpit was located opposite BBB - I think where Splash is located or very near. In the North, there was Nautilas Club (boys swam nude in a glassed in tank) and Memories Club. Back then, the gogo bars usually had 1 to 3 boys dancing - they actually danced - and rotated often - a lot more fun to watch, IMO, than a dozen or more standing on stage and barely shuffling their feet.

A friend who is a volunteer US Embassy Warden received a request from the US Embassy in Bangkok to let folks know that there is an American expat in a Pattaya hospital who is in dire need of "A" Negative blood, and it seems that there is almost none available in Thailand. Normally, blood donors in Pattaya must go to Bangkok or Chonburi to donate, but the Embassy has advised that the Chonburi Blood Bank will be in Pattaya this Wednesday, Dec 5., at the Big C Extra on Pattaya Klang(Central Road) on the second floor from 11 am to 2 pm. No appointments are necessary. All blood types will be accepted, but the Embassy especially encourages donors with "A" Negative or "O" Negative blood to help a fellow expat. For more information, call 038-278-905 and speak to either Khun Aoy or Khun Ploy.

I recently heard an ad on the radio for Food Panda. I checked out their website - but have not tried to order anything, yet. They apparently operate in Bangkok and Pattaya (you select your location to get restaurant listing). You then select your location (e.g., Jomtien). You may see "closed" on some of the listed restaurants - that means it is not within their delivery times - you can still look at their menu. The delivery fee varies - some show "0" and others show different amounts - some above a 100 Baht (I will certainly not be ordering from those). URL: http://www.foodpanda...taurants/index/ I have used door to door and WOW (I am not located in their free delivery zone) - I tend to select restaurants from WOW because Door to Door has a higher delivery charge plus 10% service charge. My best delivery service is when the bf goes out and brings it back . I use to order pizza from a place that didn't have a dlivery charge if order was for more than 240B - but quit using them after they took order and didn't show up - when I called back, they wouldn't answer the telephone. I tried one of the bigger outfits with a 4 digit number - pricey and I didn't like the pizza. My last two times, I ordered from New York Pizza - 30B delivery charge - but IMO, a very good pizza. I had bf give them address and directions the first time; now that my phone number is in their system, they have my location on file.

I prefer a house. I also like having a dog. Security is an issue, but I installed an alarm system which includes inside motion sensors (the type that is not set off by pets) in case someone decided on the roof entry. I live in a village that has security (they patrol on bicycles throughout the day and night - about 20 minute intervals) - if the alarm goes off, a strobe light turns on & security is here within a minute or two -- of course the primary function of the alarm is to scare off the burglar(s). The system has a sim card and calls my phone if the alarm goes off. Although it has gone off a few times, it usually is by accident - opening a door or window & forgetting it is "on." When I get the phone alert, my first act is to call the bf - who usually informs me he is home and "forgot" to turn off the alarm when he came in or took too much time before turning it off. Recently, we both were together when I rec'd the phone alert. Security said they responded, checked the perimeter, and found nothing amiss. The alarm does shut off after about 5 minutes - it has battery back up - not sure how long it lasts, but I know it is more than 8 hours. Initially I had a problem with bf coming home after I had gone to bed and not turning it on before coming to bed. Although I kept getting on to him about it, it didn't seem to do much good. Then one night when he forgot to turn it on again, someone did try to break in (removed some window slats in outer kitchen window - no alarm there, but it is on the door between the inner and outer kitchen). Fortunately, the back up system worked - my dog's barking lasted longer than usual and seemed to be a different pitch. I went downstairs and although she had quit barking, she was standing at the glass door between the two kitchens - when I looked, I saw that some window slats had been removed but there was no one about. I saw the alarm was off - turned it on and went back to bed (3am) - the bf had slept through it all. The next morning I showed the bf the window and he got all excited and reported it to Security and later made a police report - but, the important thing was he hasn't forgotten to turn the alarm on since.

I don't go out for breakfast much, preferring to eat at home. Some of the preceding posts mentioned sausage gravy, pancakes, and Jimmy Dean sausage (presumably meaning "patty" sausage instead of as we say in USA "link" sausage). You can get all three at Purple Space Monkey on Soi Chaiyapruek (traveling from Jomtien Beach Road toward Sukhumvit, it is on the left just past the new Jomiten 2nd Road intersection). Unfortunately, during low season, they do not open early for breakfast - they do open at 8:30am on Saturday & Sunday. I usually go for the biscuits with sausage gravy (they put a fried egg on the biscuit before pouring the cream gravy with large chunks of crumbled patty type sausage) - breakfast includes a choice of either coffee or orange juice. A few times, I have ordered the pancakes - two large served with plenty of maple syrup to pour over it - I haven't ordered it in a while, but when I did, I was able to order patty sausage as a side dish. On the weekends, they have brisket available - for breakfast, a sandwich, or a dinner plate - which was tender and tasty. As another poster mentioned, it is not easy to get to without having your own transportation; but it is the only place I have found in Pattaya that serves biscuits and sausage gravy (which is something I really enjoy as it is home cooking in the part of USA I come from).

If you originally register with Amazaon and create your account when in the USA, as I understand it, no problem getting all the books they have even when using a Thailand URL - however, in my case, I registered and created the account from Thailand with a Thailand URL. I used a USA credit card and have my USA address as part of registration - so when the particular books were not displayed as available in eBook format, I presumed they didn't have a Kindle edition - however, my brother in USA is also reading the particular series and said when he went to Amazon, they showed up as available in Kindle. Later, when I specifically looked for those books on iBooks and they were available in eBook format, I could only surmise that my having registered with Amazon from Thailand was the problem - as with initially trying to get iBooks app for iPad until I found I could register with USA iTunes store from Thailand without having a problem. I find both iBooks and Kindle display to be somewhat similar. What I like is I can make the print large enough that I can read without having to put on my glasses - something I have to do if I want to read print pages.

If you need it, get it even at a high price unless it is really prohibitive is my motto. When I was weighing buying an iPad or getting the much cheaper Kindle from Amazon, I downloaded their Kindle for PC to give it a try - that is when I discovered the books I wanted were not available for distribution to Thailand - Amazon, at least, unlike Barnes & Noble will not display eBooks that are not available if you are using a Thailand URL. With B&N, you order the book and then they send you an email telling you it is not available. Some friends that had iPads said they had no problem getting books from iBooks - one reason I chose the iPad (besides being able to do many other things besides reading books). After registering on my iPad at the iTunes store, I couldn't find the iBooks app to download to the iPad. It seems that if you register using a Thailand URL, you get a different iTunes store and they don't offer iBooks at all. Well with a bit of searching about, I discovered how to register with the US iTunes store - no problem getting iBooks downloaded and purchasing the books I initially wanted (and several others since then). I do enjoy using the iPad to read books - I find what I want, purchase it, and it is downloaded and ready to read in a matter of minutes -- also, with eBooks, you don't run into the "out of print" problem. I order from both Amazon and iBook if it doesn't show up as available in eBook format (I know, I could use a proxy server and re-register using a different user name, password, and credit card with Amazon - but more hassle than I care to go through). I find Amazon much easier to navigate than iBooks to find books I might be interested in. If you know a particular title or author, iBooks works well - but not for general searching for items of interest.

When an American says truck stop food - it is usually meant as a compliment as long haul truck drivers know the best places to eat good "homestyle" food served in large portions at a reasonable price. RMPM certainly lacks the ambiance, but the food I have eaten there is very good - for me, I usually order either the chicken fried steak or the meat loaf (for those not familiar with chicken fried steak - it is usually made with tenderized meat, breaded like you would for making southern fried chicken and then fried as you would for the chicken - thus the name). In USA it is usually served with mashed potatoes and cream style (white) gravy - RMPM serves a large portion of both with plenty of gravy to pour over both the potatoes and meat. I don't go there often, but the bf doesn't mind going there and picking up a "take out" order. Although many Thais don't like farang food, that is not the case with the bf - he likes both the meat loaf and the chicken fried steak - when picking up for both of us, we order one of each and then share, so we enjoy both. But, twice this last month he said the waitress told him "no meat loaf" and that the cook who knew how to make it had left -- so, I was happy to see that it was recently served - maybe next time, they will have it.

Yesterday, I started to make the same suggestion for the lab here in Pattaya and then realized the OP was looking for a place in Bangkok. I don't know if there is a similar "laboratory" setup in Bangkok; but, there are numerous hospitals any of which can provide the blood test. Most take about an hour to get the results back and usually involve seeing a doctor, who orders the test - so probably around 2,000 Baht or so at one of the International Hospitals. The Pattaya City Expats Club has a list of hospitals in Bangkok and provinces with links to their websites if known - http://www.pattayaci...HEALTH- CARE.pd Click on Listing of Health Service Providers on the page that comes up.

They now offer two group policies - the newer one is through Khun Neng who is usually at the Tavern by the Sea when they meet - he gets there around 11am. The one Neng brokers allows you to join up to age 65 and continues coverage to age 75. But if you try to get any Thai health insurance whether group or individual, they will exclude pre-existing conditions including any illnesses that can be caused by that condition - I know of one person who looked into getting a policy from a Thai health insuror and was told they would exclude any heart related problems because he was taking blood pressure medicine. I prefer the Pattaya City Expats Club over the other one - it is a non-commercial social organization and you do not have to be a member to participate in most activities; however if you are a member, you can get discounts at some businesses and restaurants including Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (on room, medicines, dental) and Phayathai Sriracha Hospital (room, medicines, physical exam, and MRI/CT scans) - Phayathai is in Sriracha, but their prices tend to be lower than BHP. Also, they have two breakfast options from 9am to 11am - a full buffet with western & Thai food for 220 Baht or either coffee/tea & toast (refills) or fruit/fruit juice (no refills) for 95 Baht. There is no requirement to purchase either, but they do encourage participants to get one or the other to support their arrangment with the Amari Resort (the meeting is in their Tavern by the Sea Restaurant) - the Amari does not charge them for using the facilities including the audio/visual equipment. Their meeting program starts at 10:30am - many get there around 9:15 to 9:30 for the opportunity to visit with other Expats before the program starts.

There are two English speaking Expat Clubs in Pattaya - there are two group health insurance policies available (the same brokers and polices are available at either of the two clubs - Pattaya City Expats Club meets at the Tavern by the Sea (Amari Resort) and Pattaya Expat Club meets at Mercure Hotel - they both meet on Sunday. One of the policies offered through AA Brokers has a cut off for joining of 59.5 and ends when you turn 65. The other policy offered by Khun Neng allows you to join up to age 65 and ends at age 75. Coverage is about the same for both. Both, as with all Thai health policies, exclude pre-existing conditions. When coverage stops, it is my understanding the brokers can get you an individual insurance policy, but at a much higher premium - most likely with the same company that underwrites the group policy (perhaps if you develop a "condition" under the group policy, it will remain covered when switching to the individual policy - a good question to ask I would think before taking out the lower cost group policy to start with).

WOW offers free delivery within a specific area - unfortunately, I am in Jomtien area that is outside of the free delivery zone - so there is a delivery charge. Door to Door offers a similar service, BUT they have a delivery charge and add 10% service charge.

Index on Sukhumvit also has a selection of office furniture including office chairs - prices vary, the better chairs are around 10,000 Baht. There is also another place next to Big C South -- it is adjacent to the parking area in the same row of businesses as the Office Depot store. Several choices with prices generally 7,000 Baht to 20,000 Baht (I bought a chair a few weeks ago - it was on sale for 50% off because they were trying to move inventory as they were closing for remodeling) - I don't know if they have reopened or are still remodeling.

At yesterday's Pattaya City Expats Club meeting, one of the members that lives near Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration on Jomtien Soi 5 said that construction has started on Jomtien Soi 5 for a new drainage system (whoopee - when finished, maybe we can get there without swimming when it rains). But, he warned that one half of Soi 5 is dug up and traffic is still two-way resulting in more congestion than usual and no place on Soi 5 for parking - he recommended that for the near (and maybe distant) future, if visiting Immigration, you may want to park on Jomtien 2nd Road or Jomtien Beach Road and walk.

The Pattaya City Expats Club has a webpages listing the most common reasons for Immigration giving a long stay extension along with requirements/documents: http://www.pattayaci...tendingStay.pdf Until you reach age 50, the most common are Education, Business, or Married/Related to a Thai. Although studying Thai used to get you a one year extension, Immigration has cracked down and for most are granting 90 day extensions - so, every 90 days, back to Immigration with paperwork from the school and 1,900 Baht for the extension. But, after getting a few extensions, don't be surprised if the Immigration Officer speaks to you in Thai and expects a certain amount of comprehension (source for that tidbit is Barry, the former UK Honorary Consul that works as an "Immigration Assistant" at the Jomtien Soi 5 Immigration Office). But, if you enroll in a course of study at a University, it is my understanding that you can recieve extensions for a longer period dependent on the requirements of the course of study. Near Pattaya is Asian University that has both undergraduate and graduate programs taught in English. For more information, their website is: http://www.asianust.ac.th/ The Pattaya City Expat Club website mentioned above also has a link to the English version of the Immigration Police Order that lists all categories (reasons) that Immigration can give a long stay extension up to a year. That webpage is http://www.pattayaci...sion%202008.pdf

If you are in Thailand, you can buy from the Apple Store Thailand website - http://store.apple.c...e/family/iphone - they show the iPhone4 is 20,900 Baht and it is unlocked. The Apple Thailand store is located in Singapore. They have free shipping if order is over a certain amount (2,000 Baht, as I recall). You can also track the shipment online. A friend ordered a computer from them and it was delivered in 3 or 4 days - no duty charged by Thailand (not sure, but if I recall correctly, Singapore and Thailand have a free trade agreement).

You mention that PCEC helped regarding opening a bank account. They also offer a Visa Assistance Service for those that have questions about various Thai Immigration matters - to obtain this assistance, their Newsletter shows the following contact: Visa Assistance Information email Darrel-pcec@inbox.com. Since they helped with the banking information, why not take advantage of their Assistance Service - maybe it will help you sort out the correct from the incorrect information that is so prevalent when trying to find your answers from internet searches.

thaiworthy wrote: I met my bf in 1992 and we also had a LDR for 10 years. When I retired in 2002, I came here and we moved in together - my biggest concern was whether we would still be compatible living together rather than my visiting twice a year for a couple of weeks in holiday mode. My 2nd concern was whether I would find living in Thailand to be okay as being somewhere on holiday and living there are two different things. Well, I have now lived here for over 8 years and the bf and I are still together - so it worked out very well and I am probably happier now then I have ever been. He isn't the lovely lad of 23 I met, but even at 42 he still looks great to me.

In order to get a 90 day stay, you would need a Non-Immigrant Visa (several are issued for specific purposes (e.g. B - business, Ed - Education, O - Other). There are specific qualifications for each type of Non-Immigrant Visa and will require documentation to support the reason for requesting this type visa -- e.g., letter from a Ministry of Education approved school enrolling you as a student for ED, copy of marriage certificate and wife's ID card (an O visa is issued for this category), work permit for B, etc. - Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has information - specific requirements for the different types of visas can be found here. The Non-Immigrant Visa gets you a 90 day stay when you enter Thailand - the permission to stay can be extended up to one year providing you qualify under various categories (e.g., retirement, married to a Thai, employed with work permit, etc.). Sometimes, the Tourist Visa is referred to as being for 90 days -- on entering Thailand you get a permitted stay of 60 days. A tourist visa permission to stay can be extended at a Thai Immigration Office for up to 30 more days. Visa on Arrival -- applies to certain countries - period of stay depends on the country - generally does not apply to most western countries, e.g., USA, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada. Visa Exempt -- Citizens of certain countries are exempt from having a visa - most citizens of western countries will get a 30 day permission to stay when arriving in Thailand at an airport (there is a requirement they have ticket for onward travel, but it is very rare for an Airport Immigration Officer to ask to see it) and 15 days at a land border (there is a requirement for having a certain amount of funds with you - more likely to be asked for evidence at a land border than the airport, but is seldom asked for). Citizens of some countries such as Mexico and, I think, Brazil are visa exempt and get a 90 day permission to stay because they offer reciprocal entry type requirements for Thais). A 30 day permission to stay can be extended for up to 7 days. All extensions of stay require a fee of 1,900 Baht. You can also apply for a multiple entry Non Immigrant Visa (visa is valid for one year and until it expires, you will get a permission to stay for 90 days every time you enter Thailand). There are also double and maybe triple entry Tourist Visas issued by some Thai Embassies/Consulates. The best place to get information on which Thai embassies/consulates issuing such visas at Thai Visa Forum - you can wade through the various posts or if you register (no fee for registering), you can post your question.

I agree with Bob. There are reporting requirement imposed on foreign banks that may decide to not want to bother with it and not allow US citizens to hold accounts - it will all be dependent upon how the Regulations implementing the law are written. That said, my guess is that Bangkok Bank will follow whatever reporting requirements are imposed as they have a Branch operating in the USA. But, stay tuned. . .

From articles that I have read, the person arrested was Thai, but is apparently a naturalized US citizen. Thailand's Computer Crimes act probably covers the offense - Section 14 and 15 in particular: computer crimes act

I doubt the rules have changed for Non-Immigrant "O" Visa - it is more likely the main Embassy instructing their Honorary Consuls to more diligently follow the rules. I received a Non-Immigrant "O" Multiple Entry Visa in 2002 from the Honorary Consul in Dallas, Texas (no paperwork whatsoever was required) - I just told them I wanted to visit for a while to see if I really wanted to retire here. I know of others that used the Honorary Consul in El Paso, Texas - likewise minimum or no documentation required. I read that Hull in UK was also very easy to get one. If you go to the Thai Embassy's website for USA, UK, Canada, etc. they will list several reasons for being granted the "O" Visa - but, they also list the documents that are required to support the application. The Embassies and Thai Consulates (staffed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel) tend to be very strict about the documentation; whereas in the past, as mentioned, the Honorary Consuls were very very loose and issued the visas. So, again, IMO it is the Embassy's requiring their Honorary Consuls to be more strict in following the rules for issuing such visas. As to the Lawyer angle -- don't doubt it - they are probably very familiar with the paperwork required including what constitutes adequate documentation and provide it with the application (legitimate documents?? or tea money involved??). The fee may be well worth it to avoid the hassles involved with the Tourist visa and having to get other ones from neighboring countries -- if you read messages on Thaivisa.com you will see several where the applicant was refused another tourist visa because they had "too many already."