jfk

hi guys, coming back to los soon but need to start working to keep the funds up. i want to go to australia to drive track machines,digger and such as a friend who is already there says they are crying out for them.

does anybody know where i can go to learn about operating this type of machinery and to get a license for it in thailand.

there has to be somewhere, as a thai man has to get the same certificate and license to work at this over seas.

i realise the chance of someone who knows about this is slim but i have been surprised before about the knowledge on thai forum.

thank you in advance for your replies.

regards, jon.

THE DRAFT IS IN MY NAME, IS ISSUED BY NORTHERN BANK AND IS CROSSED ACCOUNT PAYEE ONLY. I THINK THIS MEANS I CAN ONLY CASH IT IN A NORTHERN BANK WHERE I HAVE AN ACCOUNT. CHRIST, THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS YOU ENCOUNTER WITH SMALL TOWN BANKS,THEY DONT HAVE A CLUE. I WILL GO SEE THEM ON MONDAY BUY IT LOOKS LIKE THEY GAVE ME THE WRONG DRAFT.

ok, i dont have a thai bank account but i do trust my g/f. we have been together 4 1/2 years and have been living together up until may when i came home to n.ireland to sort out financial affairs so i can go back and try to stay there permanently if possible.

i am with the northern bank and they have given me an international draft cheque payable to me. with hindsight i dont know why this was suggested to me. i told the lady i wanted to take the money out of the country and this is what she suggested. she said it is accepted with all banks worldwide and is as good as cash. if i open a bank account when i get there, can i just submit the draft for deposit. i realise it will probably take about a month to clear but i will take extra money with me to tide me over until it clears.

very tempted just to cash it in here and just take the money with me. why is it so hard to take money that is yours out of the country.it is so frustrating. any more advice is appreciated.

thankyou.

jfk - I don't really like it but in your situation (ie not planning to return to NI) I would probably take £9,000 cash plus the draft (is it drawn on a Thai bank ? It will be a lot more costly to transact if it is not). Not sure about customs but I might just take a bank statement/transaction list showing the cash withdrawal. In the unlikely event that anyone stops you, you are starting a new life in Thailand and the cash is your living expenses over there. i have taken £6k before and other posters have taken more in cash.

ok, i dont have a thai bank account but i do trust my g/f. we have been together 4 1/2 years and have been living together up until may when i came home to n.ireland to sort out financial affairs so i can go back and try to stay there permanently if possible.

i am with the northern bank and they have given me an international draft cheque payable to me. with hindsight i dont know why this was suggested to me. i told the lady i wanted to take the money out of the country and this is what she suggested. she said it is accepted with all banks worldwide and is as good as cash. if i open a bank account when i get there, can i just submit the draft for deposit. i realise it will probably take about a month to clear but i will take extra money with me to tide me over until it clears.

very tempted just to cash it in here and just take the money with me. why is it so hard to take money that is yours out of the country.it is so frustrating. any more advice is appreciated.

thankyou.

forgot to mention draft is in my name. can i lodge this in my g/f account if i endorse it or do i have to open an account when i get there. i,m getting a non o visa so dont see any problems with opening an account. they are used to seeing me come in to get money of my c/card over the past 4 years. also should be able to get letter from village boss to say i have been living there on and off for 4 years.

what do you think?

jfk - you also forgot to mention that you don't have a Thai bank account !

(I am going to assume that you would not want to remit the money into your G/F's account)

I assume that the draft is either for £9,000 (Sterling) or equivalent in Baht, and drawn on a Thai Bank in Bangkok. It may be in Sterling drawn on a bank elsewhere in the world (I don't know why you finished up with a draft) - perhaps you can clarify that bit.

This being the case my personal view is that you get it cancelled and (when you have a Thai bank accout SWIFT the money). There will be issues - you are likely to be in Thailand when you want to transfer the money so you may have to sweet-talk someone in a UK bank and hold your instruction until you can give them the go-ahead, with Thai bank details. Get someone's name and direct phone number or you will finish up in Bangladesh, Edinburgh or, God forbid, Wales.

Plan B - is to get an international bank draft for all your money. This should probably be drawn on Bank of Bangkok, Bangkok (like having a Lloyds Bank cheque drawn on London). I really do not know how well the Thai bank will handle this but take your G/F (and preferably the pu yai ban as well) if you can.

forgot to mention draft is in my name. can i lodge this in my g/f account if i endorse it or do i have to open an account when i get there. i,m getting a non o visa so dont see any problems with opening an account. they are used to seeing me come in to get money of my c/card over the past 4 years. also should be able to get letter from village boss to say i have been living there on and off for 4 years.

what do you think?

thanks guys. i currently have an international draft cheque for 9000 from my bank. should i give it back to them and get them to "swift it" or just keep it and present it to the bank when i get back to thailand. i could just send a little of the remainder of my balance by swift and carry the rest in cash as it is well under the amount allowed to take out of the country?

thanks for all your help,it is very much appreciated.

Post #2 is spot on.

Arrange a SWIFT transfer (Americans call it a wire transfer from the old telex days) - the boring answer is Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication - see Wikipedia for more details.

It will cost £20 - £25 depending on which bank you use.

Send it in Sterling you will get a significantly better rate at the Thai bank end.

The amount is not an issue, if you do it through Nationwide and have to put a reason for transfer you can put down "personal expenditure", "for property purchase" etc,etc.

Should take 3 - 4 working days although HSBC managed it in 2 on one occasion.

These rarely go astray but if yours does you have an audit trail from the UK bank to Thai and an enquiry to the remitting bank should see the query resolved within a couple of days. Very rare, especially if you manage to put the correct details on the transfer.

Now about taking that much cash - mislay that and you are totally <deleted>'d. Why bother.

At SCB I always get a phone call asking if I want to convert on the day of receipt or wait.

thanks guys. i currently have an international draft cheque for 9000 from my bank. should i give it back to them and get them to "swift it" or just keep it and present it to the bank when i get back to thailand. i could just send a little of the remainder of my balance by swift and carry the rest in cash as it is well under the amount allowed to take out of the country?

thanks for all your help,it is very much appreciated.

Post #2 is spot on.

Arrange a SWIFT transfer (Americans call it a wire transfer from the old telex days) - the boring answer is Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication - see Wikipedia for more details.

It will cost £20 - £25 depending on which bank you use.

Send it in Sterling you will get a significantly better rate at the Thai bank end.

The amount is not an issue, if you do it through Nationwide and have to put a reason for transfer you can put down "personal expenditure", "for property purchase" etc,etc.

Should take 3 - 4 working days although HSBC managed it in 2 on one occasion.

These rarely go astray but if yours does you have an audit trail from the UK bank to Thai and an enquiry to the remitting bank should see the query resolved within a couple of days. Very rare, especially if you manage to put the correct details on the transfer.

Now about taking that much cash - mislay that and you are totally <deleted>'d. Why bother.

At SCB I always get a phone call asking if I want to convert on the day of receipt or wait.

Post #2 is spot on.

Arrange a SWIFT transfer (Americans call it a wire transfer from the old telex days) - the boring answer is Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication - see Wikipedia for more details.

It will cost £20 - £25 depending on which bank you use.

Send it in Sterling you will get a significantly better rate at the Thai bank end.

The amount is not an issue, if you do it through Nationwide and have to put a reason for transfer you can put down "personal expenditure", "for property purchase" etc,etc.

Should take 3 - 4 working days although HSBC managed it in 2 on one occasion.

These rarely go astray but if yours does you have an audit trail from the UK bank to Thai and an enquiry to the remitting bank should see the query resolved within a couple of days. Very rare, especially if you manage to put the correct details on the transfer.

Now about taking that much cash - mislay that and you are totally <deleted>'d. Why bother.

At SCB I always get a phone call asking if I want to convert on the day of receipt or wait.

hi guys, want to take my money back to thailand in a few weeks. a little apprehensive about taking it in sterling cash form.

total about 18000gbp. not much i know but any suggestions on how to get it there with no fuss is appreciated. all totally legit from sale of house but would like to avoid questions from customs if possible. currently have 9000 in international draft that i am going to present to bank when i get back to thailand. remainder in cash.

all suggestions are appreciated. anyone just took cash and winged it?

thanks in advance.

jon

I want, or rather my wife wants, to import a kangaroo or two. Has anyone any experience in doing this, or can offer any advice?

We own nearly 5,000 rai of land in various parts of the country and she is thinking of setting up a zoo on one of the estates.

Just grab one of the many stray dogs walking around. Shave him/her, stick a couple of springs on his/her hind legs, put an apron on it (apron will have a pouch) and your,re laughing. fannys your antie.

Is this a pucking fiss take? Two kangaroos = One zoo. Don't worry about providing a big parking lot or lots of refreshment stalls you won't be needing them.

maybe with 2 kangaroos on all that land it can be a sort of african/thai/aussie safari where you can drive around for hours ( maybe in a modified camoflaged 4wd tuk tuk) hoping for a glimpse of the elusive roo. I think the annual qokka soccor match would be hit, maybe chuck in a few tassie devils for good measure?

If this is not a wind up, no problems buying roo,s or wallabies,provided you can get a valid import licence, any of the reputable exotic animal traders can get them for you and providing everything is legal will deliver to your door.Nignoy

Maybe it is becasue they want us to start drinking, and enjoying the good local produced stuff.

I am under the impression that Thai wines are taxed at the same absurd rates as imported wines. The government isn't hip to the health promoting qualities of wine and/or doesn't give a fig about anything but money for the beer/whiskey mafias.

try tesco. they have a red and white that is made in bangkok(not fruit wine) only 250 baht.

red is especially nice.

I had picked up Michael Moore's documentary entitled "SiKO" a month or so back but just got around to watching it today..twice, once alone and once with my wife (Thai). I have lived outside the US for 7 years now, but I didn't think I was that out of touch, I didn't think it was THAT bad. We were both stunned and appalled by what we saw and we got to talkin about how the health care system is here in Thailand. So far I'm pretty impressed, I would say the Value for Money ratio in the health care system..and note I call it a "system" here not a Industry like it is in the US, is probably pound for pound the best you can find, even more than say food or accommodation.

Comments?

got mugged in my local town, elbow dislocated, bit drunk.

went to hospital,they operated on me and kept me there for the night.

cost only 4000 baht- excellent.

only problem was when i was admitted guy took my bag with mobile and credit card to keep safe for me and then it disappeared. rang my mobile a few days later and someone answered!

Hi,

I want to get a maid but I'm not sure how much to pay... Any ideas what a fair price would be for a maid to come once a week to clean a 1 bedroom apartment and do some laundry? (in Bangkok)

How much do you guys pay for your maid if you have one?

Thanks for any help

guy from nz in my village pays a lady 500baht per month to keep his house clean and he earns about 500,000 baht per month outside thailand.

cheap bast**d or what??

i just clean my own house. done properly that way.

hi guys, replys to my question are minimal. can someone who knows about these things please contact me. i didnt send the money by swift, dont have a thai bank account and didnt want the hassle of having to deal with stupid questions from uk customs. the money is less than 10/000 gbp.

my northern bank assures me that an interntional money draft is the same as walking into bangkok bank with cash.

i can show receipts of the withdrawl from my uk bank.

i have been in thailand for 4 years so the bank knows me from going in and out with my g/f and getting money via my creditcard. i want to deposit into g/f account when i get there, i trust her no problem.

advice please.

kind regards

if you have working permit or other supporting document then u can.

Thai Bank needs stack of papers about who are you,how you get the money and why you put the money in that bank..

I've done that before and believe me it wasnt easy as they say. But anyway worth to try

so what do you think? ok-not ok. i got it from northern bank, n.ireland?

hi,

want to take some of my money to thailand to put in the bank. my bank here in the uk suggested international money order. they said it is universally accepted and i just present to the bank in thailand i want to put it in.

is this ok?

thanks

hi guys,

back home in the uk at the mo, and hatting every moment.

want to return to los in about 3 months. i want to teach english when i get there as i dont want to come back to the uk again if i can help it. i dont have a degree.

looking on-line i see many courses in thailand and also tefl courses here in the uk.

cost in thailand is about 600 gbp but in the uk its ony 215 gbp.

is the course here the same as the one in thailand? it certainly appears that way.

it is with uk-tefl.com and there are classes throughout the uk.

thanks for your feedback.

regards.

If you plan to only teach in Thailand, and nowhere else, the TEFL in Thailand will be more useful to you, because it will give you some exposure to Thai culture, difficulties encountered by Thai students learning English, and evaluated teaching practice in a simulated Thai classroom. If there is a possibility that you may teach anywhere else, get a CELTA or PBGC in the U.K. Thai employers will not distinguish between a Thai or U.K. degree, but any other employers will.

What exactly is your educational background?

just the usual gce,s (6) btec national diploma business and finance and numerous sales and management courses with o2 uk. i have lived in thailand for close to 5 years now and live in uttaradit. i dont want to have to come back to the uk anymore and as long as i can get a wage about 25-30,000 baht i would be more than happy. i think i have a lot to give and just want to settle there with my wife.

regards

hi guys,

back home in the uk at the mo, and hatting every moment.

want to return to los in about 3 months. i want to teach english when i get there as i dont want to come back to the uk again if i can help it. i dont have a degree.

looking on-line i see many courses in thailand and also tefl courses here in the uk.

cost in thailand is about 600 gbp but in the uk its ony 215 gbp.

is the course here the same as the one in thailand? it certainly appears that way.

it is with uk-tefl.com and there are classes throughout the uk.

thanks for your feedback.

regards.

hi, i have dual citizenship, i live in n.ireland. i have 2 passports, uk and irish.

i am going to get a non-o from hull that will do me 15 months. i will leave one of my passports with family with the form filled in to get a non-o from hull later.

i go to thailand for 15 months then go to singapore or somewhere i can fly cheap to.

get my family to submit my other passport to hull and get another non-o for 15 months.

get it sent to me by secure post to my hotel in singapore.

leave singapore with first passport- then arrive in thailand with second passport with new non-o visa(obviously checking that there is lots of farangs when i go up to immigration desk)

both passports have different addresses. one is family home address, other is sisters address.

anyone see any problems with this working?

regards

hi guys,

i have been living in thailand now 4 1/2 years, only having to return to the uk on 2 occassions to work. i am in the uk for at least 3 months to earn some money and then i will return. its terrible in the uk and i dont want to have to come back here again unless i have to. this leads me to my question. i want to earn a living in thailand as a teacher, i know the wages are insignificant when compared to the uk but it will be enough for me to live comfortably as i live in a very rural village. i have seen on-line degrees that are based on life experience and have read that they are validated and legal. i did an on-line test and received a phone call from them(Belford University,Texas) that i qualify for my degree.

i asked was this similar to the open university on-line degree and was told yes. i asked would this be valid when seeking employment in Thailand as a teacher- yes was the response.

has anyone any experience of these on-line degrees and their validity, if any.

look forward to hearing from you soon.

take care,

jon

never mind, i found out alone. they are absolute bol***ks.

Banks and credit card companies in the Uk will not post credit cards to Thailand.

If you get the card sent through a third party, the card companies will not be held responsible for any losses or theft.

On your head be it.

they do send them,no problem. lost my mastercar,rang them up and they sent it straight out(cost the cccompant 15 pounds to send it) they didnt bill me. also organised emergency cash for me for pick up via western union.

hi guys,

i have been living in thailand now 4 1/2 years, only having to return to the uk on 2 occassions to work. i am in the uk for at least 3 months to earn some money and then i will return. its terrible in the uk and i dont want to have to come back here again unless i have to. this leads me to my question. i want to earn a living in thailand as a teacher, i know the wages are insignificant when compared to the uk but it will be enough for me to live comfortably as i live in a very rural village. i have seen on-line degrees that are based on life experience and have read that they are validated and legal. i did an on-line test and received a phone call from them(Belford University,Texas) that i qualify for my degree.

i asked was this similar to the open university on-line degree and was told yes. i asked would this be valid when seeking employment in Thailand as a teacher- yes was the response.

has anyone any experience of these on-line degrees and their validity, if any.

look forward to hearing from you soon.

take care,

jon

hi guys, have to go to maesai to get another 3 month extension on my multi 0. multi 0 visa expires on 25th feb so should i go a few days before hand so as not to upset immigration or is it ok to leave it until day before. also when my 3 months are up do i have to go home or will they give me an extension. got my multi o in hull in uk. thanks in advance.

best regards jon

Some consulates want to see a return ticket for a tourist visa, or even for a non-immigrant visa, but I believe you will have no problem getting a tourist visa form an honorary consulate in the UK without showing a ticket.

Extremely rare are the reports where a tourist arriving without a return ticket was refused a visa-exempt entry in Thailand. However, without a visa the airline is likely to refuse you boarding if you have no confirmed onward or return flight within 30 days.

--

Maestro

i am flying to los tomorrow with one way ticket. but was warned by hull consulate if no visa purchased then the airline will refuse to fly you and that bangkok will want to see visa or return ticket. otherwise no entry in los.

arriving in bangkok on 8/03/07 at 2.55 pm from frankfurt.

can book ticket online to chaingmi leaving at 4.20pm with nok.

question- assuming there arnt any delays and i arrive on-time, do you think i will make it from visa(i have non o) to baggage reclaim, to the domestic departures in 40 mins?? (i am allowing for the checking in closing 30 mins before take off).

dont want to book a ticket if i,m not gonna make it. i want this flight, otherwise i have to wait around another 3-4 hours for the next flight.( i dont want to go into bangkok thanks)

your replies are as always welcome.

regards.

It looks me very short. Will you send your bags immidiately to CM?

yes i want my bags to go with me when i fly.so you dont think i will make it?????????

arriving in bangkok on 8/03/07 at 2.55 pm from frankfurt.

can book ticket online to chaingmi leaving at 4.20pm with nok.

question- assuming there arnt any delays and i arrive on-time, do you think i will make it from visa(i have non o) to baggage reclaim, to the domestic departures in 40 mins?? (i am allowing for the checking in closing 30 mins before take off).

dont want to book a ticket if i,m not gonna make it. i want this flight, otherwise i have to wait around another 3-4 hours for the next flight.( i dont want to go into bangkok thanks)

your replies are as always welcome.

regards.

hi guys, coming out to see you all in los next week. want to take sterling cash with me. have an "O" so am staying for a year or so. is it ok to take cash over 1000 pounds. going for a year so if i declare at customs in the uk do you think there will be a problem.

maybe take receipt from bank to show i took it from there and it isnt dodgy.

your opinions are appreciated.