Pattaya Reports

[QUOTE=AggieDad1;2537121]You are correct. No US carrier sells a dual sim card phone. In fact I read the new Samsung S21 comes with the e-sim disabled so you only have the physical sim slot to use. Not sure if Apple does the same. For years I have been using the international Samsung phone with dual sims. Like you said you give up specs for dual sim functionality. The international phones come with a weaker processor than what is sold on the same phone in the US. As my Samsung S9+ is showing its age I have been debating what to do next.[/QUOTE]You can use eSIM with Apple. You don't have to get phone from the carrier. Amazon has many dual sim phones, but it may not be the model you want.

[QUOTE=TheCane;2537201]T-Mobile and Schwab abroad are the way to go! I used to carry cash around until I got that Schwab card years ago. And, I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile a few years ago. T-Mobile works exactly how you say.[/QUOTE]I agree with the Schwab debit card for saving on ATM fees wholeheartedly. But I somewhat disagree with everyone saying T-Mobile for cell service in Thailand. I'm assuming the goal is to keep your US phone number or I'm not sure what the benefit would be. Just getting AIS or True once in Thailand and swapping the sim card is cheaper and has faster data. The answer I've found is moving your US phone number to Google Voice. So now no matter what country I'm in, what cell service provider I have, I'll always have my US number. I can make calls / texts through the phone app or even from the computer. That's just my 2 cents. Spend $20 to port your number to Google Voice and don't look back. Then you just get the local cell service wherever you go and your number will always be with you.

[QUOTE=Cohend386;2537308]I agree with the Schwab debit card for saving on ATM fees wholeheartedly. But I somewhat disagree with everyone saying T-Mobile for cell service in Thailand. I'm assuming the goal is to keep your US phone number or I'm not sure what the benefit would be. Just getting AIS or True once in Thailand and swapping the sim card is cheaper and has faster data. The answer I've found is moving your US phone number to Google Voice. So now no matter what country I'm in, what cell service provider I have, I'll always have my US number. I can make calls / texts through the phone app or even from the computer. That's just my 2 cents. Spend $20 to port your number to Google Voice and don't look back. Then you just get the local cell service wherever you go and your number will always be with you.[/QUOTE]Yeah well, I just don't want to mess with all that. All I got to do is turn on data roaming on my phone, and voila T-Mobile works for me. I'm happy with that.

[QUOTE=Jwdub;2537190]OK, that I don't know being an American. All I can say is I've used my Schwab card in various ATM's (Kbank, Bangkok Bank, TMB) here in the Jomtien area along with side trips to Hong Kong and Tokyo with no problems what so ever with getting my ATM fees refunded.[/QUOTE]One has to be a US citizen or resident to open a US bank account. Schwab is a US bank.

[QUOTE=TheCane;2537477]Yeah well, I just don't want to mess with all that. All I got to do is turn on data roaming on my phone, and voila T-Mobile works for me. I'm happy with that.[/QUOTE]Yeah, I don't want to do that. Am Happy as is. He's got a good idea though. But getting a sim after landing somewhere can be hassle. (Gotta register the damn thing.) I like that T-Mobile works upon landing and getting a signal.

[QUOTE=Jwdub;2537192]Thinking a little more about it, I should state that I am retired with no taxable income. You may still be employed by someone where I could see possible issues arising.[/QUOTE]That's pretty good. You have no taxable income and still able to live a reasonable life.

Not sure if you are receiving a pension and social security but aren't they somewhat taxable?

I could perhaps understand living on a small budget with lower expenses in an Asian country and getting by with that.

But mongering is still somewhat expensive. Love to know how to do that correctly as I'm close to retirement myself and need lots of useful tips and pointers.

Cheers.

[QUOTE=JavaMan;2537575]One has to be a US citizen or resident to open a US bank account. Schwab is a US bank.[/QUOTE]Schwab is a bank but what they are mostly known for is for being a brokerage. You don't need to be a citizen or resident to open a brokerage account but there are stipulations. I suggest those who want to know if opening a brokerage allows for opening a checking and obtaining an ATM card can contact them just Google.

[QUOTE=Sharka;2537592]That's pretty good. You have no taxable income and still able to live a reasonable life.

Not sure if you are receiving a pension and social security but aren't they somewhat taxable?

I could perhaps understand living on a small budget with lower expenses in an Asian country and getting by with that.

But mongering is still somewhat expensive. Love to know how to do that correctly as I'm close to retirement myself and need lots of useful tips and pointers.

Cheers.[/QUOTE]Personally, there really isn't a lot to think about? It depends on your tax bracket when it comes to pensions and social security taking taxes out is an option you can say no or take this much out! I highly suggest you check with an accountant they can tell based on your bracket the projected Fed, State taxes and have them taken out prior to their deposit. I have a cousin who lives here I would estimate his pension and S. S. Is something like 32-35,000 USD, he pays no States Taxes in California and takes out something like 800.00 USD Fed for that income each year he files his return and gets the majority of it back. He's lived here for 10 years never a dull moment for him or me when he is around.

I walked down Soi Chaiyapoon last night (stumbled, actually) and saw that I was the only Farang on the street. Great for me, not so much for the bargirls.

I cannot remember a better time to be in Pattaya.

[QUOTE=Cohend386;2537308]I agree with the Schwab debit card for saving on ATM fees wholeheartedly. But I somewhat disagree with everyone saying T-Mobile for cell service in Thailand. I'm assuming the goal is to keep your US phone number or I'm not sure what the benefit would be. Just getting AIS or True once in Thailand and swapping the sim card is cheaper and has faster data. The answer I've found is moving your US phone number to Google Voice. So now no matter what country I'm in, what cell service provider I have, I'll always have my US number. I can make calls / texts through the phone app or even from the computer. That's just my 2 cents. Spend $20 to port your number to Google Voice and don't look back. Then you just get the local cell service wherever you go and your number will always be with you.[/QUOTE]Not sure what you mean by saying it's cheaper to get a sim (which I did for many years) but now switched to t mobile and my bill is 55 a month every month of the year even while in Thailand for 2 months at a time (even Medellin same) , please tell me where I save more money by getting a sim on top of having my t mobile, thanks, I land I turn on my phone and done, haven't looked back since, no more blood sucking att I had for many many years!

[QUOTE=Explorer8939;2537647]I walked down Soi Chaiyapoon last night (stumbled, actually) and saw that I was the only Farang on the street. Great for me, not so much for the bargirls.

I cannot remember a better time to be in Pattaya.[/QUOTE]I don't know why people would always worry about a high and low season before. I guess they wanted to come at a time when they would have to share all the girls.

[QUOTE=RacShack;2537655]Not sure what you mean by saying it's cheaper to get a sim (which I did for many years) but now switched to t mobile and my bill is 55 a month every month of the year even while in Thailand for 2 months at a time (even Medellin same) , please tell me where I save more money by getting a sim on top of having my t mobile, thanks, I land I turn on my phone and done, haven't looked back since, no more blood sucking att I had for many many years![/QUOTE]I have T-Mobile and I pay US $50/ month which includes taxes. In Thailand I use my AIS Sim. AIS has much faster data than TMo and my Thai friends have an easier (and cheaper) time calling my Thai phone number than my US phone number. Outgoing calls in Thailand cost about B1. 00/ minute with AIS and incoming Thai calls are free. Calls to the US from Thailand are US. 09/ minute, but I don't do that much. Family and friends reach me via What's App or Viber.

Yes you can save money this way. T Mobile puts my TMo account on vacation hold and I don't have to pay the $50/ monthly fee while I'm gone. This only works if you leave for a month or more. Don't think its applicable to 1-2 week trips.

[QUOTE=Allover;2537699]I have T-Mobile and I pay US $50/ month which includes taxes. In Thailand I use my AIS Sim. AIS has much faster data than TMo and my Thai friends have an easier (and cheaper) time calling my Thai phone number than my US phone number. Outgoing calls in Thailand cost about B1. 00/ minute with AIS and incoming Thai calls are free. Calls to the US from Thailand are US. 09/ minute, but I don't do that much. Family and friends reach me via What's App or Viber.

Yes you can save money this way. T Mobile puts my TMo account on vacation hold and I don't have to pay the $50/ monthly fee while I'm gone. This only works if you leave for a month or more. Don't think its applicable to 1-2 week trips.[/QUOTE]Their you go now that makes sense, good thinking, and love to have the option as well, and yes I totally forgot about T mobile will put your account on hold for a month or more! Brings up another subject I do all the time, my car insurance is with Allstate and one of my cars are paid off, so when I travel (a month or more) call Allstate and put only requirements (pip) needed on that vehicle and they send rebate check " !

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;2537626]Schwab is a bank but what they are mostly known for is for being a brokerage. You don't need to be a citizen or resident to open a brokerage account but there are stipulations. I suggest those who want to know if opening a brokerage allows for opening a checking and obtaining an ATM card can contact them just Google.[/QUOTE]I had a Schwab Bank Account when I was residing in the states. After notifying them on my intentions of moving to Thailand, Schwab then transferred my holdings into a Global brokerage account and issued me a ATM card connected to it.

[QUOTE=RacShack;2537734]Their you go now that makes sense, good thinking, and love to have the option as well, and yes I totally forgot about T mobile will put your account on hold for a month or more! Brings up another subject I do all the time, my car insurance is with Allstate and one of my cars are paid off, so when I travel (a month or more) call Allstate and put only requirements (pip) needed on that vehicle and they send rebate check " ![/QUOTE]I'll try that with my AAA auto insurance. Thanks for mentioning it. T-Mobile and my cable and internet providers allow me to save when I leave the country as well.