Bob

Yep, learned that years ago. After the long flights (and sometimes running to the plane to get to Chiangmai), I hardly want to worry about having some baht around. I usually don't have to hit the local ATM for 2-3 days (generally have 6000-8000 baht with me).

Asstro, can only speak about Siam Commercial Bank (and used the 30-day tourist stamp to open it up). No fees to open up the account, either mine or the bf's. Transfers between the account (which I do online) cost nothing. Got the ATM card and there was no fee for that. I can use the ATM anywhere in Chiangmai province (my account is based in Chiangmai) without any charge but, if I use it in other provinces, I get charged either 40 or 50 baht (that's my best memory on that as I've only used it once or twice elsewhere). Not sure about fees to pay bills online as I haven't done that as yet (but it doesn't cost anything to just check your balance online or to transfer funds from one account to another). When I want to top off the account, I wire transfer from my bank here in the US (and my bank here charges me $40.00 to do that so I don't do it often - maybe once a year or so).

Lol. Bingo!

I opened an account at Bangkok Bank and Siam Commercial Bank just on the 30-day entry visa. Bangkok Bank won't let you do the internet thing without a work permit (probably a correct interpretation of the Thai law) but Siam Commercial Bank doesn't seem to care (I can use the internet with my SCB account). Probably different everywhere and bank to bank.

Just checked a rt ticket on Korean Air in August between Incheon and Chiangmai.....was over $1,500.00 in economy! Always was thinking about another route to CNX but this won't be it. Guess I'll continue on EVA to BKK and then go north (someday I may check out the China Airline flights between Taipei and CNX and those are quoted as $541.00 for August).

Geez, given the guy took a dive off the 7th story, we really didn't need to hear a graphic story about the injuries..... Hmmm. While I don't claim to be a genius (I did watch a few episodes of Barney Miller once....), anybody want to bet that the cause of death was blunt force trauma with the ground?

Well, other than being jealous, I do hope your arms don't get too sore. And, for god's (or buddha's sake), don't exit the plane before it lands! Have fun.

You know, GSG, you're right! For example, nobody has had heard any noise at all from the construction project to install the water pipeline to the reservoirs in Pattaya. I think tiny aliens must be doing it in the middle of the night. And they're damn slow too!

Lol. My guess is his real name is Chris Hanson. To each his own, but hooking up with sex partners over the internet seems a bit risky to me. I'd just never gamble that a stranger on the internet is telling me the truth (or that I'm the only one in the world he's saying that to).

If the BOT is announcing publicly that it's jumping in to stop the depreciation of the baht, it's probably a fair bet that this will accelerate the depreciation.

While I have nothing against baht bus drivers (hey, they're just trying to make a living), I suggest the word "sometimes" be replaced with "once in a blue moon." In my experience - Pattaya and Chiangmai - I've only known of one occasion where a driver actually limited an overflow crowd. As to the official "fare", I've witnessed a few arguments when the rare falang tries to only pay that. When I've actually asked (I did it a few times just to see what they say), I was told more than the official fare on each occasion. And, while I'm not sure about the rules (maybe it actually is legit to charge more late at night), see what you have to pay a baht bus to take you to the Jomtien area after about 11PM or midnight. Usually, it's a minimum of 40 baht or at least that's what they say.

33.11? Heck, that's an increase of 6.8% since February when I was in LOS. Hey, every little bit helps (and it encourages me to delay topping off my account in Chiangmai!).

An airplane will be successful if can be economically operated and is at least somewhat convenient to the passengers. I just can't see how the A-380 will be anything than a long-term disappointment (and, possibly, a disaster) to Airbus. It's just too damn big (how'd you like to go through immigration with 500-700 of your closest travelling buddies?) and I can't see how the airports of the world are going to find the money to re-configure their airports for the double shutes to unload the beast. Most importantly, look at the fuel use - which is the #1 issue with respect to the cost of flying. If Boeing's 787 ever gets in service - providing the actual fuel-use matches the claims being made by Boeing and providing one of those fancy carbon wings don't fall off - then that's the only answer that's currently on the drawing boards. The aircraft with the best fuel/mile/passenger ratio is the aircraft to purchase by any airline and it's that statistic that will decide the winner for Airbus or Boeing.

I found that the VIP bus to and from Pattaya is not only cheap but more comfortable and a lot less stress inducing than riding in a car wildly racing down the freeway. Better view and room on the bus (VIP bus has decent seats, good air conditioning, etc.) and, although it takes about 20 minutes longer, I'm not stressed out from the trip. Try it, you'll like it (I actually use it not because it's cheaper but it's more comfortable, at least to me). But I do agree that the regular "fan" bus is pure torture. Did that once....but never again. Felt like a roasted chicken when I arrived.

Well, using intellect like that would rank you in the top 1% of the intelligencia of the Thai cops. There have been so many deaths over the years that the Thai cops have ruled a "suicide" where the circumstances are simply puzzling (wallets and gold chains gone, hands tied behind the back, etc.). And I'm sticking with my story: Your honor, I was just peeling an orange on the corner when this guy backed around the corner six times into my knife! Honest!

Given I'll be older than dirt this year (i.e., 60), there would be absolutely no intelligent reason for me to do the 30-year-lease deal unless, at a minimum, I was allowed to transfer the balance of the lease after my death to my thai friend. So, unless I could transfer a the lease balance by a Last Will and Testament (and, as GB suggests, I'd verify that for sure with a competent Thai lawyer), this option will go out the window. Based on the newspaper reports over the last couple of years (indicating there is some momentum to blow up the house "company" deals many falang have done), I don't believe the company deal is either safe or legally viable. That leaves buying a condo or renting a house or condo. The rents I've seen appear to be quite reasonable and perhaps that's the best, economically, choice to make. That option also allows you to not be on the hook forever should you wish to abandon the Thai scene due to ill health or other reasons. I saw one very nice condo in Chiangmai that the sale price was $130,000.00 (US) whereas the rent was $700.00 per month. With those numbers, it makes no sense to buy the thing in my view (but, of course, the rentals can always increase over the years). Hopefully I'll be in Chiangmai for the next entire winter (definitely renting during that time) and that'll give me the time to hopefully make a semi-intelligent decision.

GB, if you're willing, a couple of questions. I've considered the 30-year-lease deal as well as outright purchasing a condo. With respect to the 30-year-lease deal: (1) Is buying a house this way about the same cost as the outright sale price to a Thai (meaning, do you end up paying less because you're not really getting full ownership)? (2) Can you will the balance of your lease to, let's say, your thai friend? (3) Do you, the lessee, pay all ownership costs? And, in connection with that, am I right that there are no property taxes per se? [something inside me - the idea that I hate to spend $60,000.00 to $90,000.00 on a house and then have it evaporate (for me or an heir) after 30 years - just tells me it isn't a good deal, at least not for the long term. On the other hand, I'll be dead by then so why should I care? hehe]

Yes, enjoyable postings and comments. Everybody approaches their life with their own rose-colored glasses and often what one experiences is based on what your own mind has confined you to in the past. And I don't for a moment believe that those people who become disillusioned with Thailand (and start asserting that all or most of the Thai people are only after your money and are worthless - which exactly what was posted on the other forum) were not disillusioned the same way in their own country. After a few years of reading the various gay forums (mainly Ned's, GB's, and GP's), I became to believe at times that somehow living in Thailand longterm led to an expat becoming bitter and jaded; however, I've eventually come to learn that most realistic and reasonably happy people stay that way regardless of experiences and that jaded and bitter people eventually show their colors (i.e., self destruct). I've had a lot of experiences with divorce proceedings as a professional and I'm always amazed that a lot of people move to different locales with the notion that "hey, my unhappy times are associated with this place or those particular people and I, being the grand old person I am, can move to a new good place and have a new, happy, life." Unfortunately, for most, the baggage they brought catches up to them months or a few years later and they move again to fix the problem again. A little inner reflection and change of attitude would have done the trick in the first place, presuming an older adult is even capable of that major change. It's all about one's own personal attitude and how you have trained your mind to perceive things. Some may call it naivete and, if that's what it is for me, I'm actually happy as hell about that. Life is generally good both here and in Thailand for me and I'm hopeful that continues until it's time to take the dirt nap.

Frankly, laurence, I can relate to all of those (I actually rarely drink at home but drink much too often when in Thailand). I don't mind being happy (and probably occasionally drunk and generous too) when I'm back in LOS in October. Hell, only have one life to live....

Heck, if the Thai government would proceed to issue the new identity cards to everyone, we wouldn't have to worry about trying to remember the damn month abbreviations in Thai. But I suppose that they will get back to doing that shortly after they finish the water pipeline to Pattaya! haha (or, perhaps, after I finish saying "karakadakhom" five times!).

Was something I typed up many years back and, if I could find the Word version, I'd post it again (I'm sure I didn't toss it but I can't find where I stashed it). Here's a clearer photo of the original though:

Hmmm.....probably best, at least from my personal point of view, has been education expenses. Also a motorsy helmet. Oh, a hot water shower thing for his momma.....a rather big hit. Oh, some dental and medical stuff too. Probably many other things I can't currently recall. Worst or dumbest things I've spent money on in Thailand? Probably too much booze...hehe. And maybe the second time I bought him a mobile phone (it only took me twice to learn there will be no third or fourth or fifth...). And probably many other things I can't currently recall (and I am thanking my brain for not dredging up other expenses that pissed me off).

I always thought you got the international driver's license here in the states (in my area, one goes through the AAA office). But I don't have a clue if you can drive legally in Thailand with it....probably but heck if I know.

Thanks, GB, for the info and taking the time to respond. Concerning the 800,000 baht and 3-month requirement, I'll just wire the funds to my Chiangmai account 90 or more days before I apply for the retirement visa. I'm going to try it in Chiangmai with just the 30-day-on-entry visa (and will advise way down the line if that's a problem up there).

Ultimately, it's my plan to start living 5-6 months per year in Thailand and, depending on how that goes, longer periods of time. Hopefully I'll start this winter with a 3-4 month time period. Wondering if you might answer a couple of questions (I'm going to try to get the retirement visa with the 30-day upon-entry visa and use the 800,000-baht-in-the-bank financial option): 1. For the first time you get the retirement visa, I'm presuming that you don't have to show that the 800,000 baht has been in there for three months. For renewals, you need to show that. Correct? 2. Before I leave after the first 4-month time period, I need to go to Immigration Office and get a re-entry permit. I presume then it's okay even if I wait 6-7 months later to re-enter? 3. If I take a short trip up to Luang Prabang, for example, still have to get the re-entry permit before you go?