Up2u

Often overlooked in Thailand retirement planning is having adequate health insurance or the ability to pay for a major medical event. The NHS or Medicare does not cover you when you live abroad.

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In my view, noise (especially during high season) could be an issue but not security. The condo projects where I live and my friends have no security issues. Depending on your location noise could be the issue as VT2,Vt7,Jomtien complex, VT Residence 3 and 4 have noise from straight bars on Thappraya and the Rompo market. The firework work noise is not nearly the problem it was since the crackdown on vendors along the beach.

Well, I thought I was, now I don't know. My original entry tourist visa was converted to a Non-immigrant O which has been extended for the purpose of retirement(for many years). My friend's original entry visa, non-immigrant OA, has been extended for the purpose of retirement for several years now. When I go to immigration and my documents are first screened, I confirm the question I am here for my retirement visa, at no time is the word retirement extension used by staff until the words "extended" are stamped in my passport. That said, people should understand that they are not getting a visa when they renew but a one year extension.

Talk to people in your building. I don't think DHL is necessary. In my building, I am notified of international mail and I must go to our business office and sign for it.

You must contact (call) your Thai bank, and request the deposit amounts in USD. I monitor my Thai bank accounts online. The number for Bangkok Bank is 1333.

Good info, Thanks!

I agree with Bob. And Bkkguy is right, a farang should understand his entry visa has been extended to stay for one year for the purpose of retirement but the reality is retirement visa is a well understood terminology when visiting immigration. The immigration staff understand this and even the immigration signage says "retirement visa".

It's not nice to ask a girl her age!

We were talking Pattaya and a Big C Extra which is not a typical Big C. In bkk I recommend Villa Market.

Getting his number is no problem, he's a regular and is always fishing (farangs), looks good from a distance but you can tell he's very well traveled as he approaches.

Me too, I long for a good old Nathans (Costco) hotdog. Villa and Friendship do stock Oscar Mayer, which doesn't cut the mustard for me :-)

I am also a fan of Big C Extra. The concern was it would change dramatically when they bought it from Carrefour but that hasn't been the case. Their meat section doesn't match Foodland or Villa but they also have interesting items from their bakery.

Really, which dictatorships do consider a better viable alternative to a democracy? Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Kim Jong, Saddam Hussein, Qaddafi? Living a gay lifestyle would be more enjoyable under under what dictator? We are not talking about the the European age of imperialism and colonization, democracy is not a religion.

From the Chiang Mai City News, social order campaign begins. No alcohol sales after midnight in bars and restaurants? http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=4387

I guess I missed something, is the new Prime Minister also a taxi driver?

In Pattaya, Sunee and Jomtien complex are enjoyed by the local expats and the touristy feeling you get from Boyztown is far less prominent.

Krazy Dragon?

There is a difference between demolishing illegal structures that encroach on the public's right to use the beach and indiscriminately banning all beach chairs, umbrellas and services. A balance for all beach lovers must be found. I hope the Phuket model is not used in Pattaya. These new orders should not be viewed as "gay" related.

She's back! http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/426148/she-back-yingluck-returns-on-schedule

The Land of Smiles is an advertising slogan but my feeling is the Thai people are in general a happy people and that was long before the generals ordered them to be happy. For now I like to believe the most positive of what lies behind the Thai smile.

The Africans mentioned I bet here on a holiday like many tourists and I see them occasionally also. There is one African who is a regular and I suspect here illegally, and is definitely looking for "friends". I saw him on one of the gay social networking sites but quite frankly is older, heavier and not easy on the eyes. He hangs around by VT5 and the Sea Falcon.

Many people, most of the democracies of the world, and many Thais I know passed judgement on May 22. I know I did.

She certainly had style and grace over substance but I could say that about some other leaders.

To me, Yingluck and Suu Kyi are not cut from the same mold.