Maps???
My Maps – About – Google Maps
Storekeeper, I missed this message a few days ago. Wise lets you hold many different currencies in the same account. I haven't tried but I'd guess Thai Baht would be on the list.
I only keep some GB Pounds in mine for the reasons mentioned earlier: it means I can just log on to Wise on my phone and send money to my Thai account or sometimes to my children in UK, pretty much instantly. Also the debit card means I have a backup and can withdraw funds from ATMs anywhere, for example I'll be in KL this month and if I run out of readies I can just go to a machine without the pain of Bangkok Bank taking the piss on bank charges on my Thai debit card.
Personally I don't do anything sophisticated so GB Pounds from my UK account is easy. It could make sense to exchange money now with the USD at such a level if you had a big purchase looming in Baht in Thailand and you were betting the Baht would rise between now and then. With the Baht around a ten year low against the dollar that might be a fair bet. Or not, I am not offering financial advice. It is simply a way of taking the risk out of future exchange rate fluctuations.
I like old school maps. Leave them in the trunk and they are there when you find yourself without signal or battery or your phone gets stolen.
I use Google maps all the time and mostly they are very good. Sometimes though it is nice to sit with a paper map and look at the geography and places of interest and maybe choose a route that Google didn't offer.
I was in and out of immigration twice every 90 days for years and the only time I had a problem is when I made the mistake of calling my first lawyer to chat with them. What a fooking stupid thing to do. After learning that lesson, it was pretty much smooth sailing every visit but I do have to admit it was fun watching idiots getting pissed off at the immi staff, at times it was hard not to laugh.
"I was a good student. I comprehend very well, OK, better than I think almost anybody," - President Trump comparing his legal knowledge to a Federal judge.
Sat here enjoying my last night in my condo. Really not sure when I’ll make it back this way. Went from 2004-2012 without a visit to the USA so know it could be a while cause I really hate flying.
So we’ll be heading to the airport tomorrow afternoon for a late flight (AM) and arriving mid day on Friday. Wow! It’s really happening.
Only AO knows this but I had been waiting several weeks to see if an offer would come through for a house on 5.5. acres back in Ohio on one of my recently deceased Uncle’s property. And just last week it did. I had asked for first dibs to see if I could be knocked off course. It didn’t work.
The amount I could get for my condo would be more than enough to pay cash for the property. More than enough even to buy or build a posh pool villa in Thailand. In the end I chose to put my condo in a trust to allow my step-daughter and youngest son from first marriage be roommates. Both of them are here and both of them have jobs and their personalities and lifestyles are a good match to make it work.
So, on to the next challenge. Time to get my chill on.
Nice Job SK..... Come on over and enjoy the last of the rainy season with all of us....
One of the nicest guys on here - I hope it all turns out how you wish it to!
Have a good flight (planes are relatively safe, don't worry so much)
Let us know how you fare, mate.
Hit the deck on Friday and checked into the hotel for a 13 day stay.
The next day abandoned the hotel and moved into a 2 bed/2 bath place in Jomtien that we’ll call home for the next 15 months.
Been in Jomtien almost a month now. Still settling in and getting used to not having jack shite to do. Mostly still getting used to the heat. Pretty fooking draining still so far. So mostly chilling so far in the day and getting an hour in the pool in late afternoon. And as previously advertised trying various eating establishments almost nightly. So far have only felt compelled to give one a shout out … Akvavit Bar & Grill in Jomtien … right about Soi 3.
Did the agent thing for the retirement visa. They do the 800K deposit and immediately take it out. Still waiting on the agent to complete that process. Meanwhile I went ahead and transferred in my own own 800K … got 37.88. I used the messaging service with Navy Federal Credit Union. Cost me $25 bucks. Basically NFCU transfers the money to the Federal Reserve Bank who transfers to your Thai bank account. I initiated the transfer on a Thursday and the money hit Thailand the following Monday. NFCU does a good job keeping you up to date with emails about confirmation, transfer and tracking numbers.
Youtuber meet up down the street around 1600 today … think I’ll drag my fat arse down the soi later to meet a couple of them. Old man Dave up in Surin of Gotolovethailand channel and Les the old Limey geezah from Rayong of the Retired and Living the Dream Channel.
Other than a couple margaritas with meals haven’t had a single drink. No left handed cigarettes either.
Cheers!
Went to a YouTuber gathering yesterday. Just sitting there listening to them reminded me so much of the characters in the forums we’ve encountered over the years. Especially the Americans reminded me why we’re often accused of being so thin skinned. We really have a hard time it seems with suddenly finding out our thoughts and opinions on things aren’t universally accepted. The seppo YouTuber cop out is to label everybody a “troll” who even in the slightest has a different view on darned near anything and everything. Some of them were talking about defamation and lawyers … reminded me of Topper’s woes with that silly thin skinned bollocks.
Had to do my fish and chips as take out to find an excuse to get the Fook outa Dodge.
You just have to look at how easily snubs, agingone and stumpo get wound up to see the issues they have inside.
The slightest little tickle and they can't handle it.
A theory is that it is due to the alarming rates of US circumcision, and the knowledge deep down that they'll never be a full and proper man.
Got a couple private messages but gonna respond here in this thread:
Not planning to build anything at the moment. Bought land and built a house in the wife’s Taphan Hin, Phichit village back in 2004. Added on to the house in 2007. Renovated the place in 2020 and added a carport just a week or so ago. On top of that bought land in Ban Phe, Rayong in 2008 which we just put on the market. And lastly bought an old house in Pattaya in 2009 which is now a complete dump and in need of a major renovation. For now I’m on a lease in Jomtien for a 2 bed/2 bath condo until January 2024.
Couple of them I wanted to meet and it’s an easy 2-3 minute stroll down the Soi to where they do their gatherings. The Brit dude, Les, from retired and living the dream is a straight up solid. Guessing he’s lost about 30-40 pounds in the last 3-4 years. Mostly from a keto type diet I learned. Don’t think I’m interested in it. But wanted to hear his thoughts.
Also wanted to meet the old seppo geezer, Dave, from GottoloveThailand. Figured if he could make the drive down from Surin 6+ hours I could drag my fat arse down the Soi to have a chat. OK dude. I like him. But won’t be going out of my way to hang with him. He’s in cahoots with some other YouTubers I just can’t stand so I’ll take my leave of that bunch.
There were a couple other YouTubers there who are retired military. One Navy and one Air Force. Didn’t say a word to either of them. Had intended to initiate a conversation with the retired Navy guy but for some reason once I observed him for a while I decided … “maybe next time”. They’re both probably 20 years younger than me.
Hey regarding my fat arse …
Well been here roughly 5-6 weeks now and haven’t had a single beer. Couple times had a margarita with dinner. Not a single beer since I’ve been here but not really a beer drinker anyway. More of a Jack & Coke type and haven’t had any yet. Did notice the 7/11 on my Soi has Jack for sale though. Looked like it had been sitting there a while. And even though there’s a spliff place at the end of my soi haven’t felt the urge to get my groove on yet. And other than one day trip haven’t had a single night out in Patters yet either. Tomorrow heading to Surin with another retired Navy guy and his wife for some elephant festival and then to Korat for a regional VFW gathering.
I found this video about 3 weeks ago and slowly (very slowly) trying to build up to a full cycle of what this guy is recommending. Right now nowhere near being able to do the full work out as quickly and as intensely as this guy but I’m feeling the progress.
Look forward to pictures of the "CHANGS"
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