OK,well "Death & Taxes" have always been one of life's true rules,i have for the most part just paid my taxes due and shoved the death part in the "nothing i can do about it" file.Their our 5 to 6 million taxpayers(USA expats) living offshore and another 40 million living in America holding (maybe) offshore accounts.The Majority of us(taxpayers our sane,and pay our fair share on time).I am in "Deep "Brown Stuff" now for not being "Told by my stateside tax preparer about this major issue".The aforementioned guy works for one of Americas largest Tax services,and you will find them in every mall & "Walmart" each Tax year....."BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART"!Expats
need "Expert "Offshore Tax Advisers" as the penalties for failure to be vigilant and diligent on these yearly matters is"Life & Death' to your retirement and financial well being.I have(in the process of retaining the tax experts(www.taxesforexpats.com)(
I am "NOT" being paid for passing on These experts contact information,just letting you know that i have "Checked out their business" and they our very highly though of.They have a very comprehensive web site,information tax blog,the owner speaks Russian,English, and is able to converse in other languages(check out on "linkin")recommend by the IRS,BBB,and other Tax professionals.I can only say that i am "Very worried" of the future,without my wife,money,Thailand,health care and Thai family.If this gets your attention,then i have done you a very good favor,take heed!Chok Dee.Luckkybuddha999
Luck is everything to a Thai,both good and bad.Thais for the most part,never buy,marry,or make any kind of important decision without praying for "Good Luck",and doing "tam boon"(the giving of money) to perhaps get a better chance at acquiring that special thing in their life's.The "F.A.T"acronym stands for"farang ATM Trophy",and you(Me) our the special thing in their life's!This post is not about "bitching about being used",but rather the real reality of your retirement(marriage) too a much younger Thai woman.Life is full of trade offs,and if you choose to marry into a Thai family,then expect to pay for it(always!)I have a house full of relatives(not mine by choice),but my wife's family,and they will never leave as long as my wife is married to a farang.This is winning the Thai lottery for the majority of Thailand's 65 million people.I must stress the fact that Thais on average make less than 300/400 US dollars per month if they our lucky!Marry a farang with a retirement pension of two thousand plus or much more a months is hitting the jackpot big time for at least 60 million Thais..This does not mean it is a "Bad Deal" for you or me,just the way it is.I read many posts on many expat sites dealing with the issue of "MONEY & THAIS",well it is mostly crying over the fact that you our not the"Prince Charming" you thought yourself too be!Thais our poor(mostly!),you on the other hand our not.I have maybe 15/20 years of life left if i am lucky.I know the score.I need somebody to look after me when my time comes.Most Thai will honor their commitment to the marriage deal(it is a business deal,make no mistake!)and will care for you as long as your money lasts(make very good retirement plans,do not out live your money).This works very well if you understand the game rules.The number one rule in this game?If you can't walk away from it,then "DO NOT PLAY"!Chok Dee,luckkyybuddha999
I am very sure that the "Buddhas" behind me have seen many floods in hundreds of years they have kept vigil over this ancient "Wat"!I visited this area about 3.5 years ago,and it was hot & dry.The visit to this "Wat" & many other's was about this period of the year(Nov/Dec),and in the middle of the flood waters of this present year!The water has receded,but the clean-up will take many months and much money.I am firmly & safely encamped 700km from Bangkok & most of the current problems.I was not prepared for a major ecological and economic disaster,that i now must deal with.Life is uncertain at best,and bad things our part of life's adventures.I think i am in "denial" in the way i have so far dealt with this current situation...maybe that works for me?This is going to hurt money wise for sure!Thai people deal with "Bad trouble" in a major different way than Western/European foreigners.I have pretty much acted as if i was back in the "States",not living as a expat in a "Buddhist" culture and country.Thais pretty much take most problems as if they our "SUPPOSED" to happen,and flooding is just normal for them.No Thai will store anything of value on the lower floors of a "Baan",if they have a two floor home.Flooding occurs every year,and has for tens of thousands of years in S.E. Asia.The fact that the world is getting warmer,and the climate is rapidly changing for the worst is a bad omen for much of this part of the world.Thailand is a very flat country,and its biggest city(Bangkok)sits at 2.5 meters above sea level(i am told)tides and monsoons do not work well with the location of this major city.If(when)current sea levels rise,due to climate change,Bangkok and similar located cities will be "screwed".I did not think about this when i decided to retire and relocate to Thailand,now i am seeing replays of the movie "Water World" in my nightly mind wanderings...Chok Dee,sawasdee khrap.luckkyybuddha999
The worst is over,except redoing a lot of work that was completed over the last two years.If you move to a third world country,you our on your own!dangers come in many forms,and you will have to take care of shit.I am still out of my home...maybe Dec i can come back and let my readers know the full story...luckkyybuddha999
In Thailand,if they wear a uniform or stand out from the "Norm",then they our "Phu Yai"!I am of course not wearing a uniform in this picture,so i am not the"Phu Yai",only being shown respect as per Thai customs.This was the funeral for my wife's father "Boon" two years ago in "Si muang mai" in "Isaan Country".If you decide to move here,then your home grown usual "feelings" towards police and other official looking types,needs readjustment.I have a very hard time in that department,do to the fact they(officials in Thailand) have their hands out for "Tea Money" in most cases of contact with a "Farang",or just about any Thai they can bully!Bribes our the normal way of conducting business here.Thailand's upper 10% of elite control the other 90% of Thai people.If you want to break down the numbers it is scary.Thai police.Military,Civil officials,Multi-National Corporations with Thai Majority Boards control everything that happens in Thailand.Corruption is the number one problem in this country.The rules of the game our always about "Money and saving face",not about morals,or doing good for the majority of poor Thai people.I know a little about "Buddhist" beliefs,and "Greed" is not at the head of the list of doing "Merit"!The buying and selling of favors is a very entrenched way of life in Thailand.The adjustments you need to make,our many and bothersome,if not amoral!I can get anything i really need(or want!),if the price is acceptable to the "Phu yai"!Thai people would never question any person who they believe is "Phu Yai" to themselves.I can tell you ,almost every single Thai you meet,want to ask you many questions....."Many questions!"The simple reason is "Phu Yai or Phu Noi" for that Thai asking the questions.Yai equals "Big in English,and Noi equals Little".The reason is they do not want to lose face showing to little or to much respect...it is a strange dance!luckkyybuddha999
Mother Sawat,My Mother-in-law and "Major Domo"...No Shit and you better believe i treat her with the utmost respect and humility.I do not do humble well,but i have made a "Big Exception" in this case!All Thai mothers our "Phu yai" or "Big Boss" in EVERY THAI FAMILY!My friends and readers better pay close attention to this little bit of hard learned advice,your Wife is in total submission to her mother in all matters period!I have taken the responsibility of caring for her after the death of "father Boon",some two years ago come this Jan 6th @ 6:00pm ,with a once in a "Blue Moon" hovering overhead as he went to "Buddha"...I know the exact time as i was holding his hand(Thai Hospices).I made a promise to care for his/my family and his wife,that was made to a dying man of simple means and needs.I see Boon everyday on my computer,alive,dying and in death.I always smile and "Wai" his pictures,and let him know i have kept my word.I guess you might be wondering what this has to do with Sawat,my wife and my marriage?It is simple really,just letting go and excepting my Thai family and their culture.The simple part is knowing my promise to Boon,the hard part is learning how.Sawat is one of the smartest women i have ever came in contact with over my 62 years of life.I marvel at her ability to keep her large and extended family on a level course, all the while being a widower without any help from the Thai government.The Social security of Thailand is up to the children,and first in line is your wife(Forever!),then the next oldest women in the family,Then the eldest son...Of course if you our married to that Thai daughter,then you jump to the front of the line!Number "1" Rule,if you marry in Thailand,then you marry the "Family" and your "Big Boss" can make it a "Living Hell" for you if you do not except her "Phu Yai" in the family...i have had worst "Jobs".Luckkyybuddha999
How do you know when things our going "south" in your marriage,retirement or health?The "Deception" part,is usually of your own refusal to be 'Honest with yourself" in most cases!Living in Thailand,i have had many opportunity's to 'Deceive myself" on many fronts.I am "Guilty" as sin!Life is full of opportunities to lie,especially if the "Truth" is too hard to accept.I am posting this little rambling of lying,not because i am remorseful of my less than stellar record in the above mentioned areas,but because it is a 'Mainstay of self deception"!Living in a Thai home,full of Thai people,including my wife Amporn,the need to "LIE" about what is real,and what is not,is always staring me in the eyes of my present state of life.I tell myself,"Yes,I am in control" of my everyday life here in Thailand,but reality is much different than my deceptive view.I am "farang",my wife is Thai.In Thai culture,"Family Trumps" all other matters.I am loved,needed,and in some cases shown respect at times.The fact of life for men like myself,you our way down the scale of "What is important" to your "Thai wife & Family"!I am like many men,getting long in tooth(62),and my body is not what it used too be.I find that not admitting to myself, the ever increasing health issues,is easier than accepting the truth.If finding ones self swimming in ocean full of sharks,it is wise to head to shore.I love my retirement,Thailand,my wife & family.Deception is a strange bed fellow.If i was really honest most of the time,than i would look for safer waters to swim.luckkyybuddha999
OK,well "Death & Taxes" have always been one of life's true rules,i have for the most part just paid my taxes due and shoved the death part in the "nothing i can do about it" file.Their our 5 to 6 million taxpayers(USA expats) living offshore and another 40 million living in America holding (maybe) offshore accounts.The Majority of us(taxpayers our sane,and pay our fair share on time).I am in "Deep "Brown Stuff" now for not being "Told by my stateside tax preparer about this major issue".The aforementioned guy works for one of Americas largest Tax services,and you will find them in every mall & "Walmart" each Tax year....."BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART"!Expats
