| |
onera
|
Five years ago I stumbled upon this forum and lots of things have changed since then. I visited Thailand more than 20 times since my first visit in 2004.
I always wanted to spend a few months in Thailand but never had the time due to my job in the USA and limited vacation time. But things have changed now.
Yes, I am laid off from my job. And I am planning Sept-Dec in Thailand. Have not bought the ticket but most probably it will be the end of Septemeber. I have to tie up some loose ends of my online business before I put the whole thing on auto pilot and go wild in Thailand.
I am also drawing close to 2K $USA as my unemployment benefits. It will last for 6-months. But the problem is that I have to recertify my unemployment benefits every two weeks by calling a 800 (toll free) number to the State's Depart of Employment Security.
My question is - is it possible to call the 800 number from Thailand. I have never called 800 number from Thailand. So I don't know if it is possible or not.
If anybody from the USA has done this or currently doing this, can you please share your experience?
Also, any other advice when I am in Thailand. I have asked a friend of mine (a Thai girl) to find an aprtment for me.
Though I am not broke, but I have to be very careful about how I spend money while I am in Thailand this time. Before, while I was in Thailand on vacation I really did not care about money that much because I wanted to enjoy my vacations and not think about money.
Any other advice from experienced Thailanders about how to enjoy my stay in Thailand without spending a lot of money.
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:05 am on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
DaffyDuck
|
Quote: from onera on 1:05 pm on Aug. 10, 2009
Five years ago I stumbled upon this forum and lots of things have changed since then. I visited Thailand more than 20 times since my first visit in 2004
Cheers - 25+ times since my first trip in April 2003 
Quote: from onera on 1:05 pm on Aug. 10, 2009
My question is - is it possible to call the 800 number from Thailand. I have never called 800 number from Thailand. So I don't know if it is possible or not.
Get yourself set up with a VOIP phone, or a VOIP service on your mobile phone (for example, TruPhone on iPhone does a great job), or a stand-alone Skype phone - any of those can call USA numbers, including 800 numbers, and they show up on the USA side as a regular USA phone number (which probably works better for you, than if it claimed to be some foreign exchange).
Quote: from onera on 1:05 pm on Aug. 10, 2009
Also, any other advice when I am in Thailand. I have asked a friend of mine (a Thai girl) to find an aprtment for me.
You may be better off conducting the search yourself - find apartments you like from online apartment sites, check into a cheap hotel for the first week, and then check out the apartments until you find one you like. If your friend is a bargirl, and in her early 20s, she may not be much help - if she's a non p4p girl, and in her late 20s, and on her own, you stand a better chance of her being able to help.
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 1:52 am on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
don5252
|
Maybe it's a situation that wouldn't be comfortable, but to save money on a hotel if your G/F hasn't found a suitable apt. by the time you arrive, maybe stay at her place for a few days, it's an offer some girls in PTY have presented to me if it was needed
Good Luck, great way to ride out the unemployment funk on Uncle Sam
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:34 am on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
expatchuck
|
Think about a Magic Jack. Google it.
That's what I use to call the US. Unlimited calls free of charge to the US and Canada.
I have an Atlanta number and am very happy with the service and it works with 800 numbers.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 5:01 am on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
|
|
thaiaficionado
|
You can make 800 calls from Thailand, but international charges apply. I was collecting unemployment while making trips to Thailand, but didn't have the option of calling an 800 number. As I recall, I had to sign and send in a postcard, this was the State of California, stating I was still unemployed. A few times I missed the deadline because I was in Thailand, so they didn't send the benefit that month (was about $1400 I think, barely enough to pay the rent).
The unemployment office called me about missing the replies, and I told them where I was. The officer thanked me for my honesty, and said they couldn't send the benefit for those months since I was out of the country. However, I didn't actually lose the benefits since I could claim them later, as long as I remained unemployed. So I still received the full maximum 6 months of benefits distributed over 9 months.
I had been making so many trips to Thailand (8 in 24 months), that I decided to relocate permanently in 2004, and have been busy drinking beer and banging bar girls ever since. 
And if you want to save lots of money, eat thai food.
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:08 am on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
onera
|
expatchuck and BK, thanks for the magic jack idea and the reference to it. I have seen MJ coomercials here in the USA.
So, while in Thailand, I can plug in the MJ in my Laptop connected to a high speed internet connection and call the USA?
So, I need to find a high speed connection? Can I take my laptop to an internet cafe and connect to their high speed line for hourly charge? Or should I get one in the apartment?
I do agree that I should get the apartment after I reach there.
I am also planning to relocate to thailand but I have to wait till 2011 when I will cross over the half a century mark of this life on earth.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:44 am on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
horntoad
|
You can use your magic jack anywhere that has a high speed connection although you will need a phone to plug into your laptop. Any phone will do. I used Magic Jack in Thailand and Argentina and was very pleased with the clarity.
|
Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:11 pm on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
retiredintahoe
|
If you are going to use the Magicjack in Thailand, one thing that I recommend (aside from reading the thread referenced by BK) is to install the Magicjack onto your laptop BEFORE you leave the USA.
For some small number of people, the installation is a nightmare. For most, the installation is a breeze. You might as well find out which group you belong to ASAP.
BTW, when you use the Magicjack you have a USA telephone number. That means others can call you by just dialing your number and you can call as if you have a USA telephone.
I use it regularly without problems...
|
Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 6:53 pm on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
retiredintahoe
|
I've noticed that Radio Shack sells the Magicjack (for the same $39 price). If you decide on a Magicjack, it might be a good idea to buy it from them. You don't pay the shipping (about $7 if I recall) if you buy it in the store AND if you have big problems I think you can return it to Radio Shack for a refund.
Magicjack customer support is pretty bad - I wouldn't try to return it directly to Magicjack unless I had a lot of time and patience.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:01 pm on Aug. 10, 2009
|
|
| |
|
