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Anchorman69 wrote:

Are any of you collecting social security disability while living in Thailand? If so, how do you update/refile every other year? How do you do your corespondance with Social security?

I am retired military. I draw a pension from the Navy retiree department, SSD and VA compensation.

Thank you

Bob

Greetings,
     Like you, I am a Veteran (USN). I currently live in Chicago, with plans to move to Thailand in the near future. I have traveled to SEA for a number of years now. i currently receive SS disability. At no time has any Federal agency requested any subsequent information, let alone required my presence. Any additional money I needed I withdrew directly from an ATM in the local currency. There is a business in Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) that specialize in helping expats acclimatize themselves to living in Thailand (specifically Chiang Mai). Some of their information can be used throughout Thailand, and is posted on the net.



I also receive periodic emails regarding living in Bangkok ( ). The best suggestion I can offer is to ultimate contact the US Embassy in Thailand, as well as the Thai consulate (I am fortunate in that there is a Thai consulate in Downtown Chicago that I can easily visit).

Really? I live in Oregon and I had to refile with SS after 2 years. Strictly a paperwork drill due to my rating with the VA. I plan to have my mail sent to a relative. I am looking for other ideas as well. I am familiar with ChiangMybuddy. Their fee includes transportation to and from immigration. I plan to live in Isan in Chaiyaphum. I have heard a lot of good things about Siam Legal, I plan to use them for legal issues and my initial Visa apllications. I am from NY so while I am here visiting prior to going to Thailand I will visit the Thai embassy there. Also an international drivers lisence. There is a Bank of Bangkok and a Bank of Thailand in NYC. If I can avoid fees by banking with either in both countries might work out well. I still have to inquire about that. Thank you

Bob

Thanks for the starter kit link. Good info

US Embassy in Manila, PI have office that handles SS for Americans living in Asia.   I use that office to apply for benefits and deal with one problem and both were handled without any problems.  I would assume SSD issues would also be handled through that office.  All my contact was using e-mail except for phone interview, they called me at scheduled time.  US Embassy in Thailand will refer you to Manila when SS issues.

VA issues are different.  In Thailand you have two options for possible help concerning VA benefits.  Join one of the VFW Posts in Thailand (Google "VFW Thailand for locations).  The other helpful source might be JUSMAG Thailand (Joint US Military Advisory Group) located in Bangkok.  I had a friend that contacted JUSMAG about VA benefits and they were able to help with info he required.

Anchorman69 wrote:

Really? I live in Oregon and I had to refile with SS after 2 years. Strictly a paperwork drill due to my rating with the VA. I plan to have my mail sent to a relative. I am looking for other ideas as well. I am familiar with ChiangMybuddy. Their fee includes transportation to and from immigration. I plan to live in Isan in Chaiyaphum. I have heard a lot of good things about Siam Legal, I plan to use them for legal issues and my initial Visa apllications. I am from NY so while I am here visiting prior to going to Thailand I will visit the Thai embassy there. Also an international drivers lisence. There is a Bank of Bangkok and a Bank of Thailand in NYC. If I can avoid fees by banking with either in both countries might work out well. I still have to inquire about that. Thank you

Bob

Unfortunately for me, I was not in the USN long enough to retire. Outside of Medical, my issues with the Gov't is strictly as a Civilian, so I have no insight on matters of Military paperwork. My SS checks are solely due to medical issues of civilian origin. i also don't have enough income saved/generated to "retire" in LOS. My option will be to commute between Thailand/Philippines and Chicago (as I will be still have an apartment in Chi-town). To be fair, I will also be returning to the States to file my Tax returns, which will generate some additional income. My initial option will be to obtain a one-year self defense ED visa to establish an address, and bank account, probably in Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, or Khon Kaen. Bottom line is that I will have multiple addresses. As far as Banking goes I plan to have multiple bank accounts in Thailand (with the help of the Thai Military via the Self-Defense ED program). One bank account will be solely to transfer funds from my accounts in the States bank to bank. The other account will be for my transactions strictly in Thailand (I ultimately want to keep any financial transactions in Thailand strictly segregated from my finances in the States. On the whole there is no fees for bank to bank money transfers (at least for my bank accounts). There is the option of US banks that have branches in Thailand (Notably, Citibank or JP Morgan/Chase; ). I hope this helps.

Lamorn

As far as International DL are concerned, the validity in Thailand is limited based on what I have read on other Forums. As part of my initial transition to Thailand, I intend to apply for a Thai license. There are sites and documents that can be studied in preparation for the exam.



This site simulates a DL test, which I found helpful (if not dated)


Lamorn

Straydog wrote:

US Embassy in Manila, PI have office that handles SS for Americans living in Asia.   I use that office to apply for benefits and deal with one problem and both were handled without any problems.  I would assume SSD issues would also be handled through that office.  All my contact was using e-mail except for phone interview, they called me at scheduled time.  US Embassy in Thailand will refer you to Manila when SS issues.

VA issues are different.  In Thailand you have two options for possible help concerning VA benefits.  Join one of the VFW Posts in Thailand (Google "VFW Thailand for locations).  The other helpful source might be JUSMAG Thailand (Joint US Military Advisory Group) located in Bangkok.  I had a friend that contacted JUSMAG about VA benefits and they were able to help with info he required.

Thx for the info regarding The Manila Thai Consulate. Manila is my goto place when I apply for my ED visa, as I have friends and relatives there. I have used the US Embassy in Ermita once. Most of my business in the Philippines I had was conducted at the office in Angeles City (Clark).