naugastyle

Just want to be sure: is there ANY difference between sending THB from a US Paypal account to a Thai Paypal account, OR sending USD to the Thai Paypal account and then converting it to THB? Since it's all Paypal, is it all the same?

I have 15USD in my Thai Paypal account that for some reason I wasn't able to convert upon receipt (when I've received in other currencies I get a link asking if I want to convert to THB now). I can't even convert it after the fact, and add it to my THB balance. But to convert and withdraw such a small amount alone requires a 50 baht Paypal fee.

I currently need to send myself some money from my US Paypal account. That's why I'm wondering...can I send it in USD, which hopefully will add to this 15USD already there and I can convert it all at once. And if so, am I getting the same amount I would if I converted it to baht on the US end? I realize with normal banks the answer is "no", but not sure about Paypal.

Depending on the amount I transfer, it may be cheaper through my normal bank w/ 30USD transfer fee instead, just wanted to check this option first.

Thanks. Yeah, I saw that but I'm trying to go mid-October so I can't wait for this visa on arrival scheme. It seems they were repeatedly delaying it because they couldn't agree on which countries should get it.

Meanwhile, I've already started the visa process, which was AWFUL. So I can answer my own questions, for others who need to know.

1) I think so. I had a real one (but cancelable) but there is a service in the same building that will make fake ones for 300 baht.

2) I ended up booking 3 nights, but I think 1 might have worked. I wasn't sure because I'd seen other info online saying you need the booking for the full amount of your trip...crazy.

3) Yes, just show up whenever you have all your documents together. I have no idea why the website mentions scheduling.

4) Yes, courier costs 230 baht and you address the envelope yourself to make sure there's no mistakes.

5) No longer possible to use agents. Fingerprints and photos in-person are required.

Hi, I live in Mae Sot and was hoping I could really take care of this visa online. But I called the visa office and they said I still have to appear in person in Bangkok (I assume Chiang Mai is an option too, but with night buses, Bangkok is more convenient).

Was wondering:

1) Will the visa office accept an incomplete flight booking (showing the itinerary but not paid for yet)?

2) How many days do I have to reserve a hotel for? I would use booking.com, which doesn't require payment in advance, but I'd still have to enter my credit card info and have never canceled with them before. So I'm a little nervous about even fake booking for longer than a day or two.

3) Do I just show up at the visa office any day I want? There's all this information about "appointment scheduling" on the online application site, but NONE of the things that are described in the info pages happened. All I got was a link to print a PDF.

4) Is there an option to have the passport mailed back to me so I don't have to travel to Bangkok twice? Alternately, can someone else pick it up for me?

5) Those of you who have used agents, how much longer did it take vs DIY, and what's the average cost of using an agent? Even if I take night buses two nights in a row to avoid hotels, it would still cost at least 2000 baht to cover all the buses and food. But I'm running late, have only a month to apply, and wondering if an agent would be too slow to justify any savings.

Thank you!

Hi. My hard drive died very suddenly, but luckily on the same day I'd happened to back up on to my external drives. I've had no luck trying to restore it myself, because I'm getting errors when I try to erase it.

I don't feel that comfortable replacing the drive myself, even though I've done multiple types of installations on my old desktop computers. How much does the Mac repair place in Kad Suan Keow charge for doing this? For anyone who's had this done there, do they have hard drives in stock, and how much do they cost? I don't live in Chiang Mai and am unfortunately in the middle of a project, so I'd like this done as quickly as possible.

How many hours' driving is 150km? From the border, how long does it take to arrive in Dawei?

Also, is the 7-day visa restricted by area, or can you go anywhere in the country as long as you do it within 7 days? (not sure if it's written on your stamps?). Could I cross at Phu Nam Ron, go to Dawei for a few days, up to Mawlamyine, then return to Mae Sot on this 7-day visa?

This is a requirement on the Bangkok embassy website:

"(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)

If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of the country where you are currently staying."

If I don't have a visa (just on a 30-day visa-exempt stay in Thailand), do you think that's good enough? Did they ask for any residence certificate or just look at the visa in your passport?

Or maybe the Chiang Mai consulate does not make this requirement at all?

This is months late, but I went from Mawlamyine to Myeik overland in early November, and depending on the quality of bus, it ranges from 9-12 hours each Mawlamyine - Dawei, and Dawei - Myeik. Yep, that's a pretty big range of time. Road between Mawlamyine and Dawei is in absolutely terrible condition. Between Dawei and Myeik a little better, but more winding through mountains which also takes time.

I've left luggage in MBK before, but can't find definite proof Terminal 21 has the same type of facility. I am going there for a few hours on the way to the airport and would like to put my bag in storage. Does this service exist there?

On a somewhat related note, I also need to print something before going to the airport. Are there internet cafes inside the mall or very nearby outside?

Thanks!

My mom went yesterday to the Thai consulate in Amsterdam and applied for a multiple entree visa, she didn't get one as they said that the new police since this year was to give only single visas so that was what she got, a single visa only!

Sorry to hear that! I got a 1-year multiple-entry non-O in Amsterdam June 2012 and they were so easy and relaxed about it. Very disappointing that this has already changed.

How can I find out for sure if I can get a 30-day visa exempt stamp on arrival from Myanmar at Mae Sot airport? It seems like I should, since I can at other airports and that's the rule for foreigners that fly in. But I'd like confirmation. Nok Air doesn't know, and the Immigration Bureau's website doesn't have contact information.

I'm getting a new visa in Yangon at the end of the month. Been in communication with the officer there, who is quite responsive. She confirmed that while they do have double and triple tourist visas available, you must show air tickets indicating all those entries are coming up within the valid period of the visa.

Since I'll be returning via land and don't know exactly when my next departure is, the officer suggested I get the single-entry non-immigrant O (I have a letter from my organization) instead, and get a re-entry permit when I'm ready to leave again.

So I just want to make sure I understand the timing.

Just as an example, let's say I enter Thailand on November 1st, my duration of stay is approximately until January 30th.

If I want to leave for a trip in December and get the re-entry permit beforehand, then upon my return to Thailand, do I still only have until January 30th to stay in the country? Or do I start a new 90 days when I arrive?

If I DO get a new 90 days whenever I enter, then let's say I want to leave again in February, can I just get another re-entry permit? Or is there a limit on the validity of the visa I'll be getting in October?

This is a little new to me because I've had two 1-year multiple-entry visas before this.

I am probably leaving Thailand permanently by the end of April. I'm just wondering what's the most cost-efficient visa method to last that long while fitting in a Christmas/New Year's trip, a late-February trip, and a Songkran trip. If what I've said above doesn't work I can consider getting multiple tourist visas on the next two trips instead.

Last time I was at Mae Sot (July) they they would not accept $10 had to be 500 baht

I just went last week and they told me it was either 500 baht or $10. Been hoarding $10 bills for that purpose!

Just wondering about the "explanation" necessary for expedited visa. The first time I went to the embassy, I actually had a flight out the next morning and showed proof (which they didn't care about). No questions for same-day visa. The second time I went, I just viisted the embassy when I had time (two weeks before my departure and I hadn't booked a flight yet), and they did question it. I have no idea why I wrote my actual departure date, but I didn't have a ticket to show anyway if I lied and said it was the next day. But I explained that I don't live near Bangkok (true) and really had to get back to work but must have my passport to travel. This was March 2012. Not long after that, I heard they got stricter with the same-day visa and required proof of a flight out.

Now that the road from Myawaddy is open, I still won't have a flight. Was going to send passport to an agency for standard processing, but I might have a reason to be in Bangkok to visit a friend. My visa's definitely run out and my next border crossing must be done October 5th. And I still am not living in Bangkok. Is that kind of reason sufficient--like if I'm there on Monday, need to get back to work on Tuesday, and must leave the country on Saturday (by road)--is it likely that they'll give me a same-day visa? Or is having a flight ticket in hand the only acceptable "explanation" for expedited visa ?

Ah, after some slow scrolling through Google Maps, I see a post office: Pomprap.

Also, are there any other wholesale shops selling jewelry findings (chains, metal rings, clasps) NOT in Chinatown?

Hi, this might be a random scenario, but need some advice.

I'm arriving on a night bus from Mae Sot, usually gets to Mo Chit around 5AM. Then have a flight out of DMK at 4PM.

I'd like to buy some materials in Chinatown and mail them back to my office in Mae Sot.

- Is there a post office in Chinatown, reasonably close to Sampeng Lane?

- If not, which malls are post offices actually located in? I'm not seeing definitive proof there is one in MBK or Central World, according to their websites. OR is there an office VERY close to a Skytrain station? I ask for "very close" because I don't know Bangkok that well and will probably be carrying luggage.

- Can I store luggage safely at Mo Chit? Would love to go to Chinatown without the luggage.

- I've taken the free shuttle from DMK to Mo Chit (BTS) once before...I assume it is also free on the way back? Is there some kind of sign in English to indicate which buses are going to airport? In the middle of the day--I guess around 1pm--how long should it take to get to DMK from Mo Chit BTS?

Thank you!

I am on 1-2-call and haven't received text messages in nearly 2 weeks. I can send messages, and can make & receive phone calls. I definitely have enough credit and a long validity period. It seems I have plenty of space in my phone memory. My friends who are sending me SMS are not getting error messages in return. Has this ever happened to anyone else?

After test-buying products on my new website with Paypal (which I had used for merchant services years ago successfully), it turns out that as of April 24th they are phasing out credit card processing from non-Paypal members. That would be the vast majority of our customers. If you Google the error "The card you entered cannot be used for this payment. Please enter a different credit or debit card number" you will see it's been happening for a long time (not just in Thailand), but a rep finally admitted to me they are removing this option completely (despite it still showing up on the checkout page their developers designed).

Anyone have any idea of sites besides Paypal that don't require startup fee or monthly fees? I don't mind paying a fee for each purchase, but as a new, very small business, I cannot afford to pay fees when we could easily go a full month without any orders. Kasikorn, our bank, has its own processing gateway but your business needs to be running for 3 years already. Siampay has startup and monthly fees. Moneybookers has monthly fees. It seems like most of the feedback on Thaiepay is bad. What else is out there?

Thanks. So should I assume there aren't any manufacturers based in Thailand? I've never asked the shops where I buy chains & other components where the products come from (both in Sampeng and Warorat in Chiang Mai). Would really love to buy within Thailand, but if I'm buying from a shop that only sells Chinese products anyway, there's no reason not to just use the sites you linked...

Does anyone know of shops in Bangkok that sells things like necklace chains, beading wire, keyrings, etc online? My studio is not in Bangkok, and I don't often have time to get there.

Normally when I've bought these supplies, I shopped in Sampeng area. I took business cards from a couple shops the last time I was there after confirming they could send stuff to me, but then when I actually tried to order, the minimums were really high. Possibly these shops are too small or locally-focused to find it worthwhile, so I'm wondering if there are other suppliers out there that I can simply shop online? It would also be great to be able to see shops with more options, as even the shops I like are sometimes limited in certain product categories.

Thanks for any pointers!

The main thing I'm asking has been stated plainly in this forum multiple times: that you must convert to baht before sending. i.e. don't send 10USD to someone, send them 300THB.

But the conversion goes through Paypal anyway. Is there an actual difference in rate whether the conversion is done from the US Paypal site while sending vs. the Thai Paypal site while withdrawing? And if you're sending money from your own account in the US to your own account in Thailand, then it's not a matter of simply forcing someone else to pay the fees.

I can understand that as the receiver, if I get money in baht I don't have to deal with conversion and I have no fees to withdraw. But didn't the sender get hit with fees for doing the conversion? And is it the same amount of fees I would have paid as the receiver, or is it less? I'm just trying to figure out why it makes a difference.

Hi, I run a small nonprofit social enterprise. I very recently set up a Paypal account linked to my Kasikorn account, although I've had a US Paypal account for many years. I'm sorry if this is an obvious question, but I'm really afraid to make a mistake with this.

A friend of mine is buying some of our products, and wants to pay by Paypal. I've seen people on this forum insisting money must be coverted to baht first, but why? When I send a bank transfer, I send in USD (well, my bank doesn't give me a choice anyway). Should my friend be sending payment in baht? I am checking how the conversion works when filling out the sending form, and while 50USD is 1494.25 at xe.com/ucc, if I send in baht in Paypal I need only 1452 to get to a 50USD equivalent. So the same amount of USD from my US Paypal account becomes 40 baht less that is sent, BUT if I sent as USD am I hit with an even worse conversion on the receiving end?

As our shop is not online yet for the general public, the buyers & donors are only my friends. So I want to keep the fees low for both sender and receiver.

In addition, I've seen people talk about Paypal account freezes, but am not clear if there is a specific trigger for these freezes. For this small business, we are hoping for more wholesale customers and just occasional individual customers. Is it large amounts of money coming in that sends off alarm bells, or is it kind of random?

Thanks for any advice.

Thanks for all the info--wow! I am not comfortable with the idea of trying to transfer at Rangsit only to discover there's no room on the bus...I guess I'll be going all the way to Mo Chit. I'd really like to go straight to Talad Rong Kleua, so I guess it's easier to do so when starting from Mo Chit (as a non-Thai speaker).

Yeah, I was hoping for VIP since I will have already taken a long bus ride from Mae Sot. Naturally, since every other time I arrive on the Mae Sot bus at 4AM, the one time I really "need" to arrive at 4AM I'm sure the bus will be late. I've taken 2nd class to MS before and while the interior is hardly uncomfortable, it does go much slower. Not worth saving less than 100 baht.

Thanks for the airaran site...great info.

Maybe it is because I am always tired when coming through Mo Chit, but the layout seems clear when I am dropped off by taxi. (Front: tickets. Back: gates I need. Upstairs: gates I don't need. Haha.) When I'm dropped off by bus, I usually rely on instincts to find the metered taxi stand because I literally always feel like I don't know where I am. I guess I'm not really sure what tips I thought would help me understand the layout. But knowing the window numbers makes me feel a bit better!

So for those of you who have taken this trip repeatedly: I assume my Kasikorn bank card should work most places in Cambodia? And will my Thai SIM (1-2-Call) work? I can get a Cambodian SIM once I'm settled in, but I want to be able to call for a pickup once I'm on the bus to Siem Reap and have a better idea of my schedule.

Oh, my Thai is nearly non-existent, that's what Mae Sot does to people who work here .

But even an extra TWO hours would put the bus at arriving well before 1PM...the schedule on that website makes me nervous. I really hope the early timing + good weather means the bus will be on the 4hr end of things.

So...basically I get off at Rangsit and someone will be able to point me towards the Rong Kleua bus? And I can buy a ticket on board? I've usually only blearily woken up to see people get off at Rangsit, without really seeing if there are any bus stop attendent-type people...it always looks more like random-side-of-the-road. Or possibly I was blearily waking up at the wrong spot. Is it difficult to make this transfer at Rangsit when you don't speak Thai? I'm Asian, so people are not usually rushing up to practice English and help me.

Thank you for the advice!

Related question...on the online schedule http://home.transport.co.th/en/bus-schedule/254-time-table-east-central.html it says the bus takes 4 hours 15 minutes. But departure time is 5AM and arrival time is 1PM?? I was really hoping to be in Siem Reap by 1PM. Is the arrival time incorrect?

I don't know why, but after two years in Thailand (but not Bangkok) I still find Mo Chit really confusing. I will be coming on night bus from Mae Sot and want to find the Aranyaprathet bus as quickly as possible...want to leave early! I honestly am always disoriented in Mo Chit. Any tips on figuring out how to find the Aran ticket windows easily from where the Mae Sot buses drop off?