Jeffrey346

18 minutes ago, sencelebi said:

I always transfer my money from Wells Fargo to my Bangkok Bank account. Make sure they enter as a loan for the purpose of transfer in case of you need to take money out of Thailand. And have them transfer as a US currency.

Wells Fargo charges $45 for the wire transfer but good thing about it is when they transfer US currency to your bank account here you get to exchange it at TT rate not a market rate. TT rate is always 5 cent higher than market rate. For example, I transfer $50 K to my BKK bank account and today's market rate is 32.50 but TT rate is 32.55 then bank always calls me after they receive the wire transfer and tells me the rate is 32.55 and they ask me if I want funds available to me at this rate or do I want to wait , I always tell them to give me the best rate they can. then after brief hold they always give me 3 to 5 cent more so exchange rate comes to 32.60 , not too many people know about this.

Why not save $40. and transfer to BKK Bank NY You get the TT rate and pay only $5.00

19 hours ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Perhaps it the IPTV provider. I get no buffering on live streams or catchup using cheapest 30mbps Docsis or unlimited 10mbps 4G networks. No need to go for higher speed internet I find.

Could be the IPTV provider or perhaps the IPTV Box you are using.

19 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Rats can chew through concrete, better off having more hungry cats around.

 

Or get a snake...

5 minutes ago, billsmart said:

I order from Lazada a lot. I've had very good service from them including prompt refunds when I returned items. It's, of course, not as big as Amazon and does not have the variety of products it has.

I order 2 or 3 times a month from Lazada. No such thing as prompt refunds from Lazada. Refunds take a week to 10 days. I don't consider that prompt.

There are lots of reasons to buy from Amazon. Yes, you can find some same items on Lazada but if not satisfied after 1 week, kiss your money goodby. 

Amazon Global usually has a much better selection than Lazada. Amazon collects VAT and Customs charges upfront and you usually have the goods in 5 working days.

I have had 3 orders from Amazon in the last 6 months and received 50% of the custom charges back as Amazon always overstates those charges. eBay Global Shipping will never refund any Customs charges.

I ordered an Android TV Box from eBay Global who guarantees delivery as Amazon does.

The box was stopped in customs and sent back to eBay. I did get a full refund.

I ordered the same box from Amazon. It went through customs in 30 minutes without a hitch. I ordered a second box.. same experience. I received customs refunds on both boxes as well.

The Net cost from Amazon my be a few bucks more but they will take anything back and 5 day delivery is very acceptable.

BTW Amazon states when they will ship your order and when it will arrive. My second TV box was shipped 2 days late but arrived on the quoted delivery date. Amazon refunded all shipping costs as they shipped late. Like I said above.. There are good reasons to buy from Amazon.

As far as I can remember it has always been July in KK and Nov in UT

36 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

We don't know what additional conditions were attached to this verification issue.

 

I have a feeling that it somehow might involve guarantees which hold the Embassy in question liable for costs associated with someone not having enough money when for example they overstay, need to be repatriated for some reason, lie in a coma for months and run out of money.

 

It will all be about money one way or another, we just don't know exactly what they want thas the embassies have rejected outright.

That's ridiculous. I don't see how any Gov can hold an Embassy responsible for any individuals actions.

1 minute ago, marcusarelus said:

There are threads on opening bank accounts in Thailand.  I don't know why the poster would not read them. 

This is not about opening bank accounts in Thailand.  It's about US banks and moving the required monies to Thailand. 

2 minutes ago, RCS said:

Not entirely sure.  I was depositing more than that so the issue never arose.  If so that is just for opening the account.  I have had periods when there was less than that in the account and there were no extra fees or notice about it.  Better to just contact them and ask to be sure.

Exactly what I will do.. Thanks

1 minute ago, RCS said:

Not fully correct.  They have brokerage accounts and combined brokerage/bank accounts.  For the bank accounts you need a US address.  For a brokerage account they have accounts for US citizens and non-US citizens.  For non-US citizens they redirect you to their nearest overseas office to your location.  I opened a Schwab One account, which is for US citizens living overseas, and did everything online and through mailed signed application forms.  I don't have a US postal address or IP address.

Did they require a $25,000 opening deposit?

2 minutes ago, zydeco said:

No. I actually got the notice when I went into my branch office a couple of weeks ago to open a second account.  I have the social security account, but I wanted to have an online ATM account too.  When I went in, gave them my passport and my SS account passbook, they gave me the notice and had me sign and date it.  I sent a copy to SS in the Philippines and they said "looks new, don't know," and said they were passing the info up the line to Baltimore.

Thanks very much for the update.   I have my SS direct deposit to US Direct Express who is affiliated with SSA. I also have their debit card that I use for US purchases. 

Monthly, I transfer to BKK Bank NY via ACH. Direct Express charges me $1.50 and I do not have to go to BKK Bank to withdraw funds. It has always been the best deal for me. 

I don't know if Direct Express has the capability to conform to IAT coding but will inquire.

3 minutes ago, zydeco said:

It's a matter of changing the coding process, apparently.  Bangkok Bank will still accept transfers but the sending institution must change to IAT (International ACH) coding. That is what it says on my notice from BB.

I never got a notice.. Was it via email?

18 minutes ago, RCS said:

Did you make it clear you are a US citizen.   I opened my account 10 years ago but my account is located and administered in the US.  At that time the HK and Singapore branches were just for non-US account holders.

 

No, this was done by their automated online system. I will call them next week and see what can be done.. Thanks for your help.

16 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

You can do it for $30 using Transferwise and might also get a slightly better exchange rate.

 

https://www.finder.com/transferwise

$25 if you open a Schwab one account (but I think you need to invest some money to do so, not sure the minimum amount)

 

https://international.schwab.com/public/international/accounts_products/accounts/brokerage_account

 

 

 

 

Looks like the minimum to open an account is $25,000. In addition, when you click on Open an Account, they transfer you to Schwab Singapore and you loose the ACH advantage.

3 minutes ago, RCS said:

I use a Schwab brokerage account in the US for that purpose since I also don't have a US address.  It is called a Schwab One account and is opened through their SF office.  It is not technically a bank but provides Debit card and Checking services as well as stock brokerage services.  My SS payments are direct deposited and then periodically I do an online wire transfer to my SCB account.  I suspect other brokerage companies like Ameritrade offer similar services.

Thanks, I'll check it out..

Someone said BKK Bank NY will no longer take ACH transfers after April 1, 2019.

Does anyone know of a US bank that will open an account online without a US address?

Where are you located in KK?

2 minutes ago, johnjohn2 said:

The guy from Khon Kaen who said Immigration took his US bank statements was lying. I just called Khon Kaen immigration and was told basically what we already know. They didnt know about the US stopping the letters as well. When asked about showing monthly income she said since we are the only two countries the main center probably doesn't care. And to have the money in the bank two months prior.

Keep in mind..  it depends who you talk to at any IO

1 minute ago, Phuket Man said:

A 12 month extension for marriage is quite easy to obtain in Khon Kaen.

Income or bank balance is required at every Immigration Office.

 

I was there last week. They want:

All the normal stuff plus House and family photos, a visit to your house and 2 Thai Nationals to vouch for you.

4 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

But at some offices, this is quite a rigamorole to go through.  If in the Jomtien area, you had better own your own condo, or at least ensure your landlord is a high-ranking Thai govt-official, so they won't try to skewer him through you. 

 

Or, like with retirement-based (and maybe easier to keep it based on retirement), you can just pay an agent and all the "problems" magically vanish, including the need to prove any money at all (beyond the cash agent-fee).  No witnesses, no 30-day "under consideration" period, no cross-examination of the wife as if she is a traitor, etc.

Yes you are correct. Here i n Khon Kaen they make you jump through hoops to get a Marriage Visa. 

In  Savannakhet, they only require your marriage certificate, house book and your wife's ID card.. No income required.

2 minutes ago, Will27 said:

I wonder if this means that there will be a big increase in trips to Savannakhet for visas.

I'm going next week to change from retirement to a Marriage Visa.. B400,000 is a lot more acceptable to me tan B800,000.