As things get back to normal in Chiang Mai, I hope those of you who live in or around the city and were affected by the flooding, are recovering. I’m fortunate that while I live only 100 meters or so from the river, my little neighborhood escaped without damage. We dodged a bullet though, had the water been any
higher it would have been a different story. Others were not as fortunate, I know, and my heart goes out to you. It’s tough to be so powerless against mother nature, but we shouldn’t forget that it is mother nature that otherwise gives us the incredible beauty that surrounds us here —along with the occasional reminder of who’s really in charge.
While I usually talk about upcoming events, I need to devote some time this week to
asking for your help. It seems that about this time every year we find ourselves short on people and long on things we need help with. This year is no exception. We had grown very comfortable with all the effort Dave McComas made on behalf of the club, which is a nice way of saying we took him for granted. We knew he wore a lot of hats, and we knew we were vulnerable, but we drug our feet about doing something about it and now we’re paying the
price.
Look, I know almost all of us are retired. I also know that this is a volunteer organization. I think it’s fair to say that if we’re looking for work, it’s probably the kind that provides some income. To give a little of our time for free is OK, to give all of our time for free is a tough sell. The trick in this club is to have enough people lending a hand now and then that no one has to shoulder too much of
the burden. Unfortunately, the latter is exactly the position we find ourselves in right now.
We need help on our Welcoming committee, which is responsible for handing the registration table at our events and helping new and prospective members with making the transition to Chiang Mai. It doesn’t require any special skills nor require a lot of time, especially if we have a handful of people to rotate the events around. It
can be fun, too, because you get to meet a lot of people.
We also need help with our Program committee, which is responsible for organizing our monthly General Meetings. It’s another way to help that doesn’t require a lot of time. Their toughest challenge is finding speakers for the meetings, so they could really use someone who has been around a while and knows people who could potentially speak to the
club.
The Events & Venues committee needs help, too. Some events need very little, but now and then we need a lot. The annual picnic/BBQ is a good example, it’s not easy putting on an event for 150 people without help.
Finally, we could use help with the weekly newsletter. We need people to write content about the various topics we cover, and we would like to find
someone willing to put it together every week. That last one sounds like a lot of work, but it really isn’t, and it’s perfect for someone with a creative flair.
Please consider giving us some of your time, it can only make things better and more enjoyable for all of us. If you have any interest at all in stepping up, please send a message to info@changmaiexpatsclub.com and let us know how you can help. Believe me, it would be greatly appreciated.
That’s it for this week, I hope all is well, and please be safe.
-Kent
Weekly Survey
There is no survey this week, please check again next week.
Join us for the best breakfast/brunch buffet in Thailand!
Remember, this is just a reservation (no
pre-purchased ticket required), but we ask that if for any reason you make a reservation and then are unable to come, please send us a quick email to info@chiangmaiexpatsclub.com and give us the names on your reservation that need to be cancelled. The email can be sent as late as 9:00am the morning of the breakfast,
and enables us to give your seats to someone else.
Also, we wish we didn't have to bring this up, but we need to remind you of a couple of things. This is an "all you can eat" buffet, not an "all you can eat and then take home" buffet. So sorry, no "to go" will be allowed from the buffet. Also, you can go back for more as many times as you wish, but please don't pile a plate full of food and then leave it to be thrown
away. It's not considerate, and extremely wasteful. Thanks for your understanding.
When:
October 5th at 9:30am.
Where:
The Duke's - Ruamchok.
Cost:
Click the link below to reserve your seat(s) and save 100 baht, lowering your breakfast cost to 345 baht (from 445 baht without a reservation) by clicking the link below and reserving your seats. Children under 12 are 245 baht.
Complete video series is now available for purchase!
As an expat living in Thailand have you thought about what will happen when you're gone? Don't leave your loved ones and friends
with a big mess - plan ahead with our comprehensive "Prepare for End of Life in Thailand" video series.
Earlier this year, our sold-out, 4-part presentation series helped over 125 expats in Thailand learn how to create a solid end-of-life plan. At the time, we had over 100 people tell us they would not be able to attend, and inquired whether we would repeat the program. Attendees raved about the valuable information and practical tools
they received:
"This series has really helped me understand what my plan needs to be, and how to accomplish it."
"Quite possibly the best B1000 I ever spent!"
"The handouts and checklists are proving quite valuable as I put together my own end of life plan."
Now YOU can access the complete video series on demand. Get the peace of mind of knowing your healthcare wishes will be honored, your assets will transfer smoothly, and your loved ones won't be burdened. The package includes:
- Access to all 4 video sessions (including Q&A)
- Comprehensive planning documents like a Living Will, Emergency Plan, and
more
- Free admission to our all-day workshop in October where we will assist anyone that would like help in preparing their plans and documents
- The opportunity to get your LIVING WILL drafted and executed by our legal expert for ONLY 3000 BAHT!! (This offer is being offered ONLY to those who have either attended the sessions in person or have purchased access to the
videos)
Don't wait until it's too late. Purchase the "Prepare for End of Life in Thailand" video series today for just 1000 THB. Get more information and enroll now at: https://tinyurl.com/yxy3bndh
Still thinking
about it…? Check out the Top Ten Reasons people don’t have an End of Life Plan by clicking the link above.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE SESSIONS IN FEBRUARY - Since you paid to attend the sessions, you will have access to the videos for no additional cost. You will shortly receive an email with instructions.
CEC Annual Picnic/BBQ November 2
Get ready for our biggest event of the year. We're returning to the spectacular Horizon Village Resort for an honest to goodness western picnic and BBQ, catered by our friends at The Duke's.
There's something for everyone at Horizon, from just enjoying the gorgeous grounds, to visiting the zoo (a big hit with the
kids!), swimming, guided tours through the entire resort, and more. We'll also have a variety of table games to relax and enjoy, a full bar, and live music. It's a great way to spend the day!
A big hit in recent years has been the Golf Ball Drop, the annual fundraiser for children's charities conducted by the Chiang Mai Rotary Club, and we're doing it again this year. Buy your numbered ball (there's only 300 so your odds
of winning are far better than the lottery!), and if it ends up closest to the marker after being dropped from a hot air balloon you win 30,000 baht. Second prize is 10,000 baht, third prize is 5,000 baht. We'll publish a link here next week to buy your ball(s), then come join the fun. And don't forget, there's hot air balloon on the ground for kids to play in, and up-and-down rides for kids of all ages in the Ball Drop balloon.
A full menu will be published next week, along with a list of the optional activities (and cost) offered by the resort. Use the button below to buy your tickets now and beat the rush!
A couple of months ago at our General Meeting, Chris Smith, who heads up the Geeks Club in Chiang Mai, and who is perhaps our longest tenured active member (#21 out of 2000+), started our Learning Series with an interesting and informative look at A.I. The presentation was videoed and we thought you might like to take a look at it, particularly if you were not there to
experience it in person. Enjoy!
The **FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report)** filing deadline is **April 15**, the same as the U.S. federal tax return deadline. If you miss the April 15 deadline, the IRS automatically grants an extension until **October 15** without the need for a formal request.
The FBAR must be filed by U.S. persons who have foreign financial accounts
with a combined value exceeding $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. Filing is done electronically through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) using FinCEN Form 114.
No additional extensions are typically granted beyond October 15.
Tax Filing and Personal Tax planning is still keeping American International Tax Advisers team busy during this time of year. Feel free to contact Chris by email or call 094-681-9734 for a free consultation.
Testimonial
The AITax Advisers were knowledgeable about the unique challenges and requirements for expats, and they helped
me navigate the complexities of filing my taxes from abroad. They were also able to identify deductions and credits that I wasn't aware of, which ended up significantly reducing my tax bill.
Overall, the process was much smoother than I anticipated, and I feel confident that my taxes were filed accurately and in compliance with all US tax laws. I will definitely be using this service again in the future and recommending it to other expats in my
network.
“Enhancing Quality of Life through Learning within a Multicultural Community”
Lifelong Learning Payap announces upcoming courses. For more information, to register for a course or to be added to our mailing list, please go to
our website, www.lllpayap.com.
Thank you for contacting us. Here are the details and the attached of our promotion for members of the Chiang Mai Expats Club.
Beat the Burning Season Blues with a Vitality Boost!
Are you feeling worn down by the haze and smoke of burning season? Refresh and rejuvenate with our exclusive IV drip therapies at Boston Health POLYCLINIC, now at a breath
of fresh air with 10% OFF! From energy boosting VITABOOST to detoxifying Liver Therapy, we have the perfect blend for your wellness needs.
But hurry, just like the season, this deal won’t last forever! Book your session today and give your health the green light it deserves.
Club sponsor CNX insure has arranged a special group discount of 10% for club members with the respected London-based health insurance company, HealthCare International.
If you’re not yet in Chiang Mai but want personalized advice on becoming an expat in Thailand—covering visas, banking, licenses, and more—book a video call appointment through the link below. Get expert guidance tailored to your needs
before you arrive!
Mr.Thomas Carden of the American International Tax Advisors, in Bangkok, has agreed to give a presentation to anyone interested in learning more about the new Thai tax laws that were enacted in 2023 for tax foreigners living in Thailand. This Tax law became effective on 1 January 2024. If you have questions about how to prepare for this new tax on foreigners in Thailand, Mr. Carden will be able to answer those questions.
We will meet this Saturday, the 28th of September, on the 2nd floor of the Raintree Building at 2 p.m. There is no charge for this question-and-answer time, but be aware that they are looking for new clients to do things like register for your tax ID number and prepare the necessary papers you need to file for the 2024 tax period. They may make a pitch
for that, but you are under no obligation just because you attended this free Q&A.
Please come if you have questions. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided.
You are welcome to arrive without registering due to the short
notice we've given, but if you plan to attend and could email
Visual Credits: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TAX ADVISERS, Bangkok
November 10th Congregational Meeting
Save the Date
Consider Joining CMCC Membership by speaking to Pastor Hanna
You can also give to
CMCC via Wise.comThe clearing time for a Wise transfer is 60 days. Please update your administrator or ask if you have questions. administrator@cmcchurch.org
Please Prayer for the hiring of a Thai National for the Church
Office.
For more information please visit www.cmcchurch.org, the CMCC Facebook Page for "Chiang Mai Community Church" or contact our church office using the emails above.
The CMCC Mailing Address is P.O. Box 18, Chiang Mai 50000,
Thailand
The Chiang Mai Expats Club (CEC) publishes various types of information for the purpose of helping fellow expats become acclimated and thrive in Chiang Mai. While we try to keep such information current and accurate, we do not have sufficient resources to provide assurance as to timeliness and accuracy. We advise members to confirm the information for themselves.
**
Mail Address
P.O. Box 166 Phrasing Post Office สำนักงานไปรษณีย์ พระสิงห์ 43 Samlan Rd., T. Phra Sing, A. Muang 50200 43 ถ.สามล้าน ต.พระสิงห์ อ.เมือง จงเชียงใหม่ 50200 Chiang Mai Email is preferred method of communication.
