Johnniey

28 minutes ago, faraday said:

Biggest problem I experience here, is the farangs that love to argue & moan.

 

Exactly and THAT is the reason many Thai won't work for them. They want everything done perfectly and although  they are often stupid enough to pay well above the going rate, they don't understand certain aspects of the Thai timeless culture. 

15 hours ago, pgrahmm said:

One daughter's school has a full day of Christmas programs schedule....

I read in the Thai news that schools have been told they can celebrate Christmas but have to wear appropriate clothes during the mourning period, i.e no red. Also, music should not be Christmas carols but songs written by the king or royal songs.

1 hour ago, Patsycat said:

Merry Christmas everyone!!  I'm off to Edinburgh to spend it with my family.

 

I have a new great nephew who was born last month, so will be the first time i see him.  His sister is 18 months and a wee rascal!!

 

The rest of us are all adults ranging in age from 32 to 90!!  Lots of fun every time!!

A wonderful city(if you know where to avoid) where I went to University. Have a great time!

53 minutes ago, LammyTS1 said:

International transactions are totally free for me.
I have a UK MasterCard that allows me to withdraw cash from inside the branch thus avoiding an ATM fee. My card issuer also does not charge a fee for making international transactions or even to withdraw cash. I then pay the balance on the credit card same day so no interest charged. Completely free.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

Well you are one of the lucky ones. I have always had to pay international transaction fees from one of the banks, usually the one being transferred from.

2 hours ago, possum1931 said:

I wasn't swindled, I refused to pay and opened an account at another branch.

Anyway you mean that the British Embassy actually gave something for free??

If you are right, could anyone enlighten me and tell me what letter the BE charge

around 2600 GBP for?

He said, "I had to get a 'certificate of residency' from immigration to open a bank account at Kasikorn. "

6 minutes ago, KMartinHandyman said:

Christmas being a celebration of the birth of Jesus can inspire everyone, especially those who are troubled. It's a reminder he is here to help those in need that they are not alone.

I suspect he is trolling a bit but well said. 

There are many who are not religious, like me, who understand the charity that comes at this time of year, especially for alcoholics, drug addicts, and even the sex addicts in Pattaya are catered for.

10 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

 

What about those who have no family? Do you recommend that they sit around and look at pics on the internet of happy families? There will be widows who will think of their deceased spouses, divorcees who think of their exes having fun with someone else. Ahh yes, happy times.  

    Ok, I am being a  prat, but  keep a thought for those of us that are alone. I dread having to call in to my family to do the  Christmas call. My sister is going to again ask why I am not there for dinner and that I am not very family focused.    :) 

Sounds like you chose to be alone.

I know many who chose to leave their families to come to Thailand. Should I allow them to dictate whether I wish the rest of the members a Merry Christmas or not? They don't have to read the thread. 

I know some people will be alone and that might be sad. My father died this year and it was particularly important that we chipped in to get my mother to be here with her grandkids. Like, I said, Christmas is a time for family to get together.

22 hours ago, Dan5 said:

2. Foreigner with Long-stay or Tourist Visa

1. Passport and one of the following documents:

2.1 A letter of reference from one of the following:

1. Embassy or international organization
2. An official document from another country, such as a document from the  relevant agency giving evidence of the customer’s right to receive pension funds
3. Customer’s home bank to Bangkok Bank via the SWIFT messaging network
4. Person acceptable to Bangkok Bank e.g. branch officer, customer, government officer or company executive
5. Educational institution located in Thailand and acceptable to the bank
6. Company that is acceptable to the bank, confirming the customer is in the process of getting a work permit

http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/DailyBanking/Accounts/SavingsAccounts/Pages/Default.aspx

(Click on the Tab "open an account")

But of course no one pays attention to the above. I'm interested in practical knowledge, not useless documents.

 

Why not just get a yellow house book?

On 16/12/2016 at 11:42 PM, muffy said:

What a joke asking for a work permit .I have a retirement visa and it is better than any work permit .

What do you mean it is better?

On 16/12/2016 at 7:35 PM, LammyTS1 said:

Here in Pattaya, avoid Kasikorn in central festival at all costs. I opened accounts 2 months ago.
Went into kasikorn with all docs required but because I had a tourist visa, had to pay 12,600 baht for insurance. Told them I don't need, already have insurance. She told me that without a work permit, I had to take out insurance. I got up and left.
Walked next door to Bangkok bank and opened 2 accounts in no time at all. 700 baht for ATM card and no minimum deposit. I needed a residence certificate for each account but they accepted just the one I had on me.
I walk into Bangkok bank all the time and receive good quick service each time. No problems.
Just as been mentioned before, each branch of every bank is a franchise and every manager and every worker will have different rules!


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Well in Pattaya, they probably have so many opening accounts and then dying, it is a profitable business. 

Plus naive tourists paying 700 baht for an ATM card. Thye tell them that they get some kind of insurance for that but if you read the small print it isn't true.  Also, they cheat the said customers when they make international transactions.

On 15/12/2016 at 8:11 PM, ukrules said:

I had to get a 'certificate of residency' from immigration to open a bank account at Kasikorn.

 

As far as I'm aware they will accept this instead of something from your embassy who have no idea where you live, etc.

 

They charge 500 Baht for this 'certificate' which is just a letter. Tell immigration that you need it for opening a bank account, this is similar to the letter they issue for a new car, it's valid for 30 days after it's issued and the reason it's issued is mentioned in the letter.

 

It was a few years ago when I last got one of these.

They never charged me for such a letter. This letter if free, you were swindled! 

3 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

 

Very difficult to make a cynical comment when he posts a picture like that. Devious chap he is, silencing potential critics through the sly use of a kid's happiness.

 

Hopefully, the kid doesn't get clothes or a dictionary like I did. Yes, seriously, a french english dictionary. I did get hot wheels one year, but never a train set.  For some strange reason I remember always having bacon and french toast on christmas morning.

Little did Santa know you'd be writing flawless English one day, which was being read by thousands.

6 hours ago, Rc2702 said:

No idea. have you managed to get christmas crackers as I'm after some? 

Central Khon Kaen has these.

Cobra

3 hours ago, lemonjelly said:

To think that Joesph fell for "it's a virgin birth" story!!


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If you don't celebrate Christmas, better go post elsewhere. 

For many, even those who are not religious like me, it is a great traditional time of year when family get together.

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Micro aggression! 

Care to explain, I've no idea what you're on about.

3 minutes ago, colinchaffers said:

 

Its a pleasure, thats my son Harry just after we put the tree up in our house in Kabinburi, merry christmas ho ho ho


Sent from my SM-G935F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app
 

 

It's a great photo. It's a great time for young kids. All mine are older now but they'll still be here and have a lot of fun on Christmas day and Hogmany.

19 minutes ago, thequietman said:

I'm sorry, I don't understand.  Whose money was he spending??

Thais, especially drunks, often spend money they haven't earned. 

Probably had a bucket full last night spending the rich foreigner's money.

Merry Christmas to ALL members and their families.

Wishing everyone a pleasant holiday season.

Not sure if I'll put up my lights this year, partly due to the King's passing and partly due to laziness.

Johnniey

5 hours ago, sipi said:

I couldn't agree more. As one of Thai Visa Forums founding 8 members who passed away just recently and his respected family have asked for absolute privacy I couldn't think of a more deserving winner, in private.

He joined 3 years after me. He certainly wasn't one of the founding members.

I nominate meadish_sweetball

2 minutes ago, smokie36 said:

 

Well you are not known for hiding your exquisitely fashioned fridge of beer...I was shown a picture lol.

 

Merry Xmas to all the contenders btw!

It's 2 weeks til Christmas!

I nominate Arkady for his valuable experience in the Citizenship process.

Can we nominate more than one person? I see some have already done so.