sawadeeken

59 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

Hmm strange that. We donated thousands of baht of baby accessories to an orphanage near us recently.

IF THIS IS INDEED TRUE and NOT grossly EXAGERATED....... Then Good on YOU......

59 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

We also give money to beggars we see at the markets we just do not tip in restaurants

Personally I think 'Beggars/scammers' do quite well without my donations...... I think there are too many of them (some genuine needy, who probably do well) that have narcotic habits themselves, Or maybe support leaches like Sons/Boyfriends with habits, Etc. or 'They' could work...... Just my own 'little thing'.......

BUT I don't find near the number of scammers 'working for a meager living' in 'honest jobs' as in  Thai restaurants........

1 hour ago, Rc2702 said:

 There are different ways to help people besides handing over a few baht after a couple of beers but if it makes you feel good, so be it.

Totally agreed.... Many other ways....... Are you saying that 'this is you'????? And you are charitable in other ways than 'Tipping at restaurants'........ If so..... God Bless YOU (as my Mom would have said).....

22 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

I can understand that position. If you eat out once a day, every day, and the tip is 20 baht, then you are saving 140 baht a week, thats 4480 baht a year or $140 a year. 

 

Now on the other hand, I can easily figure out how to save $140 a year without interrupting my small change tipping. Maybe not hit the Dispensary in LA or Vegas when I hit the ground? Cut my beer back?

4 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

It's $222/year.

NEVER MIND........... He Made his point...........

3 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

I never feel guilty but then again I don't congregate in touristic areas where tipping is the norm. 

Selfish people 'never' feel guilty.......... even if they are.........

NOT TO WORRY.... You are in the 'minority' so I think the poor Thais will survive without your help...... There is still a majority of Foreigners who will pay their way (tip a little) and I think the Thais working will survive as they did for centuries eating rice and a bottle of 'fish sauce' to flavor it............

11 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

The general rule I have followed for a good while is as follows.

 

I no longer tip.

 

 

There are many players on your team 'Cheap Charlies' (and I know a lot of you)........ But I haven't come across any winners yet, on your team.......  LOL .....

49 minutes ago, suzannegoh said:

It's always been that way.  One of the less appealing characteristics of the expat community in Thailand is that people are excessively concerned about how much other expats spend.

AND those same Expats are so selfish/self centered that they don't care about (similar to HiSo Thai's) the 'poor lives' of those serving them and helping them enjoy their retirement........ THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SHARING ---- PURELY SELFISH.....

1 hour ago, Vacuum said:

Just because you are brainwashed with the tipping system in your "first World  country", does not mean that you have to enforce this system worldwide. If you're rich enough, feel free to stand in any corner and hand hand out your 20baht bills to show off your wealth.

Sounds like a personal attack on forum.......

I'm not brain washed...... I am a quick thinkes and very attentive to myself and others around me...... Maybe something to do with my mother's (Bless her -- RIP) teaching when younger..... she taught me that 'IF' I can afford a luxury, no matter how slight, consider those serving me who may not be able to afford those same luxury........ Luxury can be defined as drinking at a comfortable bar with sexy ladies enticing you to come there vs. buying that beer and sitting on the steps in front of your 7-11.... OR..... going out to eat a prepared meal when your budget only allows for buying a loaf of bread and a pack of bologna and sitting on the front steps of your 7-11 ot Familymart....

I know Ex-pats who will walk 4 miles to save 'bus fare' ..... Good for them ..... AT LEAST they don't try to sneak on the bus and 'ride-for-free'.........

YOU SAY... "does not mean that you have to enforce this system"

I SAY..... How warped you are to think that I will go out of my way, or waste my time enforcing this......... I am wise enough to know that you can't change a 'Cheap Charlie'.... So I will just continue on as I do trying to be considerate of those who must serve me (as in Thailand)...... (Knowing that the poor workers are already accustomed to the 'Cheap Charlies' who want to enjoy things but seldom/never TIP)

YOU SAY..... feel free to stand in any corner and hand hand out your 20baht bills to show off your wealth.

I say...... What warped thinking causes you to think that i would stand in any corner' to show my appreciation.......... I just do it the normal way by putting in their hand..... ensuring the boss don't 'skim it'.....

After reading most of the previous 19 pages I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of farangs living in Thailand that could not live in a 'first' or 'second' World Country because they don't have enough money to live on.........

So many are so poor that they have to 'think hard' to decide whether to leave a tip... OR.... Do without another beer or even maybe several days tipping could pay for a 'cheap' girl off the beach for a short-time..... So terrible to be a 'POOR Farang' and have to face such torment all the time.......

My Mother (rest her soul) raised me to give a little thought to 'what it is like' to walk in those other peoples shoes (trade places for just a while)..... I STILL REMEMBER THAT....... And I came from a country where there was opportunity and 'INCENTIVE' and therefore I (as many farangs) here have 'some money'....... Therefore if it comes to walking or ride the Bus....... I will Pay for the bus (even though it costs as much as 4 beers) IN COMPARISON to those who don't like to walk and try to sneak a ride on the bus for free........

This (THAILAND) doesn't offer the opportunity or incentive as WE FARANGS had and some ot them turn to thievery.... but others DO WORK (As in Resturants) and struggle along and come to serve my food -- In serving me I can't help but observe them and compare what it would be like 'in their shoes'.... And just that alone is enough for me to want to add just a bit of improvement to their life -- even 20 baht....... 20 baht won't hurt me and it sure does give me a warm feeling to help them.......

And MIND YOU.... In Thailand the rich like to get richer so desperately that they have no thought to their 'underlings'... and bosses in Resturants often (NOT ALWAYS -- but often) keep all or a lot of the tips intended for the help (I and my wife has become friends with many workers enough to ask them about tip money -- assuring that we won't tell the boss -- and they will confide i  me what happens with the tips (It's appaling in many cases)...... So nowdays I put it in the workers hand(s) 20 baht to 2 or even 3 workers won't hurt me and the smile of thanks is a reward to me for the beer I could have bought with it....

IMHO        In My Humble Opinion........

7 hours ago, SammyT said:

General rule of thumb I was told was that leaving money in the black folder thing ends up in the communal tip jar, giving money directly to your waiter or waitress can go straight in their pocket. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that some owners skim off the top of the communal tip jar though. 

If you have a thai gf/wife discuss with them or if you are close friends with food workers ask around......... There are some as you suspect with tips shared by communal tip jar..... but when you learn what really happens in  a large percentage of the eateries (not counting most HiSo places) ..... You will be appaled in Many (majority) of cases...

On 8/23/2018 at 1:11 PM, Fairynuff said:

Tipping IS required in Thailand, just not everywhere. Street food stalls, definitely not. Local style restaurants not really unless the person serving you is particularly good at service and not the owner. Taxis I round up to the next 10 baht or for a nice driver a real tip. Hotel restaurants will normally add service but I generally leave a bit extra for good service. I’ve basically learned appropriate tipping from Thai friends

Another Thing I find is that a VERY large percent of Proprietors KEEP the tips for the establishment or only give the poor worker a portion of the tip..... I usually leave only the small change in the folders (especially when the 'boss' brings the bill) and find the waiter/waitress and hand 'paper-money to them as tip...... In places (not Hi Class) that I 'frequent' often I often send a 20B or more to the COOK..... It passes on good 'vibes' and leaves me feeling good too.......

BUT too many 'Proprietors' wind up with your 'Tips' instead of the workers...... $9 a day is often the workers wage (plus eats, but nothing expensive).... So I try to see the worker puts it in 'their pockets...... 

5 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

I'm informed to the extent that my Barclaycard (UK) charges an international fee and if the visa DCC rate is not selected at the time of purchase, the exchange rate is very poor.

Great!!!!! Maybe we are getting somewhere now, And hopefully others will be informed by this thread........

Since you are familiar with that 'one card' it could be of great benefit to you also to go online and learn more about Barclaycards as well as others.... You can go online and sign up for many airline/hotel cards that will offer you sign-up bonuses of 50,000 - 100,000 points.... good for 2-5 free nights or a couple flights... Just for getting 'their' card......

Most promotions require that you spend $1,000 up to $3,000 in the first 3 months.... and some have annual fee (often waived the 1st year -- in which case I cancel the card when the re-newal fee comes and keep the bonus points) Some cards will allow you to do it again after 24 months.........

1.  https://thepointsguy.com/cards/

2.  https://www.creditcards.com/signup-bonuses/

3.  https://www.businessinsider.com/best-credit-card-bonus-offers-spring-2018-5

And there is more if you search c.c. signup bonus..... Try UK as well

19 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Just to add.... whilst US cards may work that way the same is not always true of cards in other countries, Barclaycard UK for example charges foreign transaction fees and they are one of the biggest in the country.

I will guess that if you were 'informed on the subject' that even Barclay has some of it's cards with no annual fee and no Intl exch rates either..........

1 minute ago, simoh1490 said:

Just to add.... whilst US cards may work that way the same is not always true of cards in other countries, Barclaycard UK for example charges foreign transaction fees and they are one of the biggest in the country.

One of the cards I used yesterday was from Barclay Bank (Issued USA) and no 'Intl fee'.... (and 24 satang better exchange rate than the best money changer)

And even in the USA many cards have 'Intl fee'..... People must check with each card issuer to get the ones that don't have those fees........ I have 3 American Express cards, two with fees and one without..........I have Visa cards.... Some with fees and some no fees......... The UK (not being a third-world country) I feel would have no fee cards as well.......... I have a great deal of experience with credit cards and have the pitfalls and perks......... I 'very rarely' pay any interest also since I pay my total bill each month (online where ever I am) and have 'Many-many' free 'Worldwide' hotel nights earned (between 10 and 25 nights depending on category hotel) and a few free flights that i haven't used yet....

I have made a HOBBY out of 'milking' the cards rather than them 'milking me' .....

1 minute ago, simoh1490 said:

I'm sorry you had a bad night, I hope your day is better.

Nothing to do with a 'Bad night'......... PM me if you want to argue.........

11 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

There has always been a merchants fee arrangement between the bank and merchant, that's nothing new, but Visa for example forbids their merchants to pass on those charges to the cardholder so this results in either a subtle surcharge to the purchaser or padded/higher item costs. But that's the merchant side of things.....as the cardholder you also pay in some way that is separate from any merchant charges, if you didn't, everyone would be walking around with credit cards that had no foreign transaction fees, excellent exchange rates (and the forex market would take a big hit).....but they aren't, most people are getting hit by one or both of those things.

Trust you........ HUH?????

When I go to Tesco. Big C, Sizzler, MK Restruants, Etc......... I pay NOTHING MORE --- Cash or Credit Card Pay same........ LOL.....

10 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

One way or the other you will pay for that transaction somewhere along the line.....you may not pay an overseas charge, you may get a decent exchange rate but trust me, you are paying for the transaction somewhere or other.

I mentioned a couple times that it wasn't fit for everybody, but I was hopeful that it may be useful to some others......... SORRY IT BOTHERED YOU...........

As far as trust (but trust me, - you say) why should I trust YOU..... I don't even know you --- And from this reply I can't be bothered to consider it.... LOL....

As far as 'Paying for the Transaction'......... I just looked online at my 2 different charges from yesterday, (and yes they show up online just a moment after the charge is submitted in Pattaya) --- 2 different Mastercards issued by 2 different banks .. My actual charges on my bill calculated out exchange rate of 32.77 Baht to a dollar..... Yesterday, (same day) I changed $400 USD and got 32.53 Baht to a dollar....... So the Credit Card gave me 24 satang better rate than the TT exchange booth (Better rates there than 'bank' exchange booths)(Genreally best rates in Pattaya)..........

SO..... TRUST ME..... LOL..... I have documentation (and good intent)

I'm just trying to offer 'food for thought' to some who may be able to use the info and I felt that it came close-enough to fitting in with the OP.

It May not fit everybodies needs..... But..... 'Credit cards' can cut-down the need for small bills ($'s)....

I am home based in the US (California) and have a Thai Retirement Visa...... Back and forth every couple months....... I always use Credit Cards at Tesco, Big C, Sizzler, My 3BB cable bill, Electric bill, Top's Supermarket, ETC..... I use only cards (most of them) in thailand that have 'NO Foreign Transaction' charges or fees..... And I can look online and see the charges and calculate mu exchange rate..... And believe it or not I get conversion rates 'Better' than if I changed $100 bills at the best Money Changers on the street.....

It works great for me and just wanted to share the idea......

It is understood that it don't work for all your needs.... But..... Where it 'DOES' work...... It's great........ (You must learn which cards don't have 'fees' overseas and those that do)

I'm back and forth to the US every month or so...... If You are in Pattaya tell me what you want in Private Personal message....... I can help......... I have many $100 bills now just waiting for exchang rates to rise again so if you need 100's I can help now........ PM me.....

I do roughly a month in and a month out (in the USA)....I have a Thai Retirement Visa (renewing soon for 3rd year)......... I keep an 'International Driving Licence ' and rewew each year at home for US$20 (700 baht)..... It works great for me.......

I have a Thai friend and his sister works for a shipping agency in Bangkok called 'Shipco'....... They are 'freight' shippers and ship containers all over the world........... I have a notion that freight will be much less than baggage shippers....... I've copied and will paste her info below............

Wanna Chongchitpaisan

Finance & Administration Manager

Shipco Transport (Thailand) Ltd.

3656/69-71, 21st Fl., Green Tower Bldg,

Rama 4 Rd., Klongton, Klongtoey,

Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Office      : + 66 2 367 3344 Ext. 802

Mobile     : + 66 81 699 3197

Email       : [email protected]

Skype      : sti_cwanna

Web        : www.shipco.com

Her Name is Wanna Chongchitpaisan  (Chong-chit-pie-saan)

You are welcome to mention my name Ken Robinson (an American friend of her brother 'Toe')

I hope the info helps............. It is a big company.....

1 hour ago, keithpa said:

I saw a thai, in car, hit and kill a farang cyclist, he was smiling and laughing about it. That was his way of showing emotion, if thats the word for it. He wasnt laughing and smiling for the reason a farang would. (Dunno if that makes sense or not, cant explain it any better)

HEY............. Are trying to say that you believe that this 'Thai guy' laffing and smiling after killing a farang is a good indicator of 'all' Thais????????   I think you will find he is a 'RARE' one........

I still say that LOS (Land Of Smiles) began as a fond 'label' for Thailand and it's 'smiling' population...... It has for ages been used 'fondly'......... Only in recent times on ThaiVisa mostly, has it become used by some farang posters with 'sarcasm'........... (Mostly used sarcastically by "Thai-bashing" poster)

Edited for duplicate wording and add a line

9 hours ago, keithpa said:

 Jomtien

Are you thinking of US Dollars? I have several thousand I been holding till the rates go back up.......... I am in Pattaya (Darkside.... East side)  You May PM me

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

Go to the airport with a confirmed flight out a few hours later. This should not be a flight to Laos. You might not be allowed to board a Laos flight when you have overstayed in Thailand. If planning to return in the near future, expect a grilling from immigration on your return. Do not try to come back the next day on a visa exempt entry. That really upsets some in immigration, and they have the discretion to deny you entry. Good luck!

I should think that a ticket to your 'Home country' would be the best route out of Thailand after an overstay.......... In your 'home country it may be a good plan to go to a Thai Embassy and ask them to check your 'status' in their computer..... thereby learning what your re-entry into Thailand may encounter........... Personally, I think that once you have paid the fine and left, they won't black list you as if they caught you 'here' and on 'overstay' without you 'leaving on your own........... Good Luck........

We all may make mistakes in our life, but owning up to it and taking your punishment is 'admirable' and often 'rewarded'

As I am think on it I seem to recall that there in another way of not going to Army.......

Most will choose not to go this route...... But when you have  'dual citizenship' you can 'renounce' your Thai citizenship.and maintain your new one..........

I don't know if he can still live in Thailand if he chose this........ Maybe under the other citizenship.............

I heard this 'option' back when I was dealing with a 'pay-off' for him a dozen years back..............