24 July that was in 2019

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Medical certificate required for drivers license and vehicle purchases effective February 19.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

200614 Tony Richie Funeral in Tao Ngoi

Google map led us through a ten minute detour on the way to a temple in Tao Ngoi.  It was a complete circle. Keeping calm was a challenge.                                     

Once there I was offered what I thought was water, it wasn't.  It was the Thai version of white lightening.

Got dizzy a few times from the heat and blood pressure medicine. It's a side effect common to this medicine  I learned.

Cooled down once pouring cold water over my head.

Left the funeral probably a half hour early

Link to Google album 200613 Tony Richie Funeral

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Tony Richie passed away 11 June

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

200129 One year retirement visa extension January 2020

Local SIAM bank representatives had no idea what the requirement by the immigration department was, but acted as if they were on top of the facts. Even though I told them I needed a one year print out, they handed me a six month print out and a letter indicating my present balance. I did have to return to the bank to get the correct printout. I did not have to pay a second fee, which brought me back to a more pleasant mood.

The local Immigration office requires a complete 12 month history (printout) of deposits. I Understand on the same day Khon Kaen Immigration was satisfied with a three month history..

The local office also required a 12 month history of my american Bank account which I was able to get online. I am not very comfortable with the idea of then having that information.

I can not attest to the validity, but the Immigration Inspector advised me that this would be the last year monthly transfers will be considered.  In the future the transfer of 800,000 baht must be made three months before applying for a visa.

I may consider transferring my banking to Bangkok Bank. With an office in New York, I would avoid transfer fees which amount to $360 per year. On the other hand, the possibility of leaving Thailand for good is back in play.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Message from US citizen service BKK: Voting While Overseas

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: <acsbkk@state.gov>

Registering to Vote and submitting a ballot is fast, easy, and can be done from anywhere in the world!

Start by confirming your voter registration with your state.  Some states require absentee voters to register annually so you may need to re-register.  Go to FVAP.gov to connect to your state's voter portal to register to vote, request a ballot, and more.  Once you confirm your registration, follow a few simple steps to vote in the 2020 U.S. elections:

1.   Request Your Ballot: Most states provide the option to request ballots through

200116 There's a few new forms

Was surprised to find myself as the only 'customer' at the Sakon Nakhon  Immigration office while doing the ninety day report.

New extension application is due next month. First time in years without the embassy letter. 

There's a few new forms the friendly officer handed me to bring back with the application

• Acknowledgement of penalties for a Visa Overstay
• Acknowledgement of terms and conditions ....
• Application for extension
• Non-Immigrant o retirement VISA request form 

Three of these forms are new to me. In previous years It was only the extension request.

Bank letter has to be on the day of the request. 
I asked if I could do that the day before.  The answer was:  NO." 

Keep in mind all immigration offices function by the same basic rules and may require other documents

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Viamas Ranch

Some interesting and informative videos at youtube worth checking out



 
I've also added Viamas to the link list where you can also find their facebook page

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

When you take your phone with you

Google Map records a timeline of everywhere you went.
According to the timeline I left the house at 5:50 pm on January 9.  I took a bit of a detour because it took me 22 minutes to get to Champions Bar.

Timeline also added some pictures, even though I have since deleted those pictures from my phone.

I nursed one beer for half an hour and then departed

It wasn't the school. Google timeline added a question mark.  That allows me to make corrections.
It was actually the restaurant next door to the school

Spent close to an hour at a family birthday party

 checked out the action at WanSby which is less than a minute drive from my house

My WanSby album is here  

You can also find them at https://www.facebook.com/WanSby/

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Crackdown on working tourists

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

191215 Saturday evening, six thirty five: where is everybody?

epilogue:  It was quite the opposite Sunday night was busy
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

191112 Hideaway Music/Blues pub reopens with a new identity "Home of the Blues " at a new Location

I found them in Google Map looking for: " "Hideaway Music/Blues Pub "

Who is google kidding 14 minute walk from my house, no way. Google map got some pictures of the place.

Home of the Blues is also on Facebook

Have to go see what's on the menu

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Extended use of mobile devices

My 1300mAh power bank  recently died.  It lasted two years and was frequently used.  

I replaced it with a 3000mAh power pack which has three USB ports, a flashlight and a digital readout of the capacity percentage.

I use the power bank most often on my $10 boom box which I hook to my motorcycle.

Power outages are quite frequent during the rainy season. The power bank extents the use of various USB devices from mobile phone, portable wifi, headsets and fans

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Rainy Season Power outages likely

TM 30. 
Not all immigration offices seem to be aware of recent changes and are still using previous procedures.
What is certain is that you should have the 90 day report (TM47) and address report (TM 30) verifications stapled to your passport. I have yet to see a deadline date for TM30 to be completed.

Power outage

Still very common during the rainy season.  Had one in my area two days ago. Apparently it only affected this area. Looked at the sky toward Big C and the whole area was well lit.

I have rechargeable flashlights in each room.  Was able to boot up my laptop and portable WIFI and resume watching the movie within minutes. 
USB fan kept me cool till power returned over an hour later.

Important here is to keep all battery devices charged



สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

TM30, the dust has not settled yet

There is a petition drive underway by expats.  I don't hold much hope out for that.
Bureaucracy always wins, even when it makes little sense.
Best option is to find the simplest way of doing it. Thai immigration online services

Have not seen any deadlines when everyone will have to have a TM30 on file.  Did my  90 day report just a week ago, no mention of the TM30 requirement at that time.

Article below by Richard Barrow  (Facebook link) 
Been reading Mr Barrow articles on and off since the day I got my first internet connection in Thailand. His website is well worth following


สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

190706 Been open a few years, now the sign

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

190515 Thailand Mandatory Health Insurance clarified UPDATE: June 13

190613 The health insurance requirement goes into effect July 1.  The headlines in the days to follow should be a further clarification of who is affected. Most insurance I have seen advertised was quite reasonable until age 70.

When the news  first broke I was in a bit of a panic mode, ready to start packing
Hours after first reading the story (with some experience in media and propaganda) I realized the full story evolves over days, weeks and more, till all the facts become clear.  

Even now all the facts are not clear, but my question "... does it apply to NON-RE ?" has been answered.  

What it does show is the inadequacies of some of the local media which should have reported the full facts from the beginning.  It would have avoided a lot of panic and heartburn.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

190423 Been a few years since they paved in my immediate neighborhood

Might finally do away with that pothole intersection
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

U.S. Federal Benefits Payments can now be transferred to all Thai Banks

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

,,, food spoils quicker in hot temperatures

Green fabric intended to create a shaded area is also great in holding back dust. The double layered east wall keeps the morning sun out. Cement structures absorb the heat when exposed to sunlight at increased capacity

I use baby powder around the house to keep crawlies like ants, roaches and the like  away. If you have outdoor trash cans a light dusting will keep the ants away.

Many foods taste best when freshly prepared, while other foods seem to taste better when reheated. Stew is one of those meals I prefer to cook and freeze and reheat in a matter of minutes.

I shared some stew with a few friends. Now every time they visit they ask for "Stew."

Keep in mind food spoils quicker in hot temperatures

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon