Ulic

Not only are prices going up, the value of the Canadian dollar is going down. 

It is still not enough. So many people keep running through the red light

as if it were still green for them. Lights are only a suggestion in Thailand.

A red light runner camera would pay for itself in a couple of days in Pattaya.

This issue is well documented in past postings on Thai Visa. Thai banks are reluctant

to refund money. Even when their ATM security video shows it is not you withdrawing the

money. Their point is you may have given your card and PIN to the person making the withdrawal.

Occasionally the fraud is wide scoped with many Thais reporting skimming theft. When the

police become involved the bank refunds peoples losses. To the best of my knowledge

foreign banks always refund your losses. I am sure you will be reimbursed. It is just a pain

in the rear. All the defensive measures have already been posted. From using ATM's at

bank branches in malls to two accounts, one with a card and limited funds, another account

with the bulk of your funds (no card) and just transfer money online from your main account

to your small account. The main thing is to be aware, show prudence in selecting which ATM's

to use, cover the keypad when punching in your PIN, set up email/SMS notification of when

withdrawals are made. Also never give your PIN to anyone unless you are fully prepared to gift

that money to them. (Wife/ GF)

22 hours ago, sfokevin said:

You say they withdrew 30,000 twice?... I did not know that 30,000 at one time was possible?... I thought the ATM limit was 20,000 a time... Or do you have it set higher and if so who knows you have a higher limit of withdrawal?...

Several Thai bank ATM's allow withdrawals of 30,000 baht per transaction as long as it is less than your home

banks withdrawal limits.These are the ATM's I use to minimize Thai bank fees. (fewer withdrawals per year)

21 hours ago, watcharacters said:

 

 

 

I have that service on the Thai bank I use but  it's not available with my USA bank.     In fact, the US bank will only call me for verification when I request a money transfer.     They will accept a fax from me but will never send one even after I offered to cover the cost of doing so.

 

I wonder if anyone has a foreign bank (home country) card that offers a text notice upon a withdrawal?

 

 

But I still wonder about the use of such a service inasmuch as  it offers "after the fact information".    i.e.   I just received notice a guy who withdrew 30k baht from my account is on the songthaew driving down the street away from the ATM he just robbed.     

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) offers this service free of charge.

I have the notification set for any withdrawal greater than 1cent, I receive a notice.

It arrives while I am still in front of the ATM. 

Chances are the children were not Thai. Child flower sellers and other beggars that

you find in tourist areas are also not Thai. They are usually trafficked children from

Myanmar who have been sold to traffickers who promise to look after them, make

sure they get an education and promise to send additional money home to their families.

The handlers are usually nearby ready to whisk them away at the first sign of police.

You are making a mistake giving money. It is an organized scam.

Not a big drinker, so no. 

Send cash WU and have her buy the flowers. Yes way less romantic but

at a quarter the cost far more practical from a cost point of view. She can

use the extra money for her favourite chocolates. 

The mark up on diamonds is incredible. Bargain hard. Pay no more than 50%

of the asking price. start with 30%. My suggestion would be to buy gold. 

I know a diamond ring is not an investment buy a symbol of your love, but

still, in 50 years when you are both gone the gold will have more value. 

I am actually surprised she can't find a job at a small hotel or restaurant. They

are always looking for girls that have some ability to speak English. The real issue

is the money is not what the girls are used to and they really have to work, not 

gossip with friends, drink and dance. I know not all duties of bar work are pleasant

for the girls but the girls do like being the object of desire as well. Lots of temptation

to go back to the life. It can be addicting whether they care to admit it or not.

1 hour ago, rufanuf said:

You perhaps ought to be asking yourself a different question. Why would you wish to post negative reviews about a business? Would it not be simpler simply to vote with your feet and never return? There's an old saying that goes "If you haven't got something positive to say, don't say anything at all."  Its conventional wisdom that proceeds the internet by about ten thousand years, and generally is the right way to deal with society.

 

If your a business owner and you have had ANY negative reviews on these pathetic websites you would feel as though it is grossly unfair if you are simply doing your best to make your way in the world. I actually don't think Thai defamation laws are insane AT ALL. I think it's right to suggest that publicly bad mouthing someones right to try and earn a crust by providing a service or facility that encourages MASS criticismn is wrong, which is effectively what the internet allows, and the parasite organisations that live off this criticism ought to be shut down. You try writing something negative on Trip Advisor about Tripadvisor. See how far it gets you!

This is too funny. I take peoples reviews as recommendations. If your

business's reviews are on the whole negative I would not be likely

to patronize your business. If positive yes I would patronize your business.

A wise business owner sees the reviews as feedback that will help them

identify weaknesses in their business and they would have a chance to

correct them. Of course their are reviewers that want a 5 star experience

for a 2 star price and who complain about everything but that is why a

large number of reviews on a site like Trip Advisor is good. You can

see people who are whiners and also reviews that are  "friends" of

the business. I do review, I generally have positive experiences and

write so. Occasionally negative experiences and leave that review

hoping the deficiencies will be corrected. Of course I also vote with my

feet and usually never go back to a place that has been a disappointment.

You can always book an expensive fully refundable

ticket. Cancel it after printing it out. Also some airlines

allow you to cancel with no penalty within 24 hours of

booking.

Printing is expensive, photo copping is cheap. As suggested

buying a printer and printing off your own copy is probably

the way to go. You could also check the condo administration

office if you live in a condo. They may do it cheaply.

24 minutes ago, Coconut Kidd said:

Offer the police 5000 to stick the kid in jail until the 9000 is paid. 4000 is better then nothing, and the kid hopefully learns a lesson.

Yes but the amount is 15k. The declined to pay the 9k. Toss the police 4 to keep him in

jail until you get the 15K. If you have to kick the police another 2k no worries. You get

9k.

I have bought SIM cards at the airport on arrival in Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam,

but I only used them in those countries. I would not worry about the biometric

verification to buy a local Thai sim card. They will probably just scan it out of your

passport.

Buy the cheapest ticket one way to Thailand. Buy an expensive fully refundable one way

home in the 30 day return window. As soon as you arrive in Thailand cancel that ticket

and book a cheap one way ticket home when you know what return date you will need.

One more thing and this is very important. Do not let a travel agent or the check in person

attach the two tickets. If they do once you start the journey you will no longer be able to

get a refund on the return ticket as your journey has begun. Only change the date. To make sure

there is no confusion and joining of the tickets the return ticket should be with a different airline.

The fact that they ran out of visas leaves me scratching my head.

2 minutes ago, jgarbo said:

Never go to jail. Admit to anything, sign anything to stay out. Deny later. Anyway, why not take the breath test, pay a fine "on the spot, no receipt thank you" and go on home? Are you new?

The problem is this shakedown is serious money. 10k-20k. The 1-2 usd shakedown in

Cambodia, no problem. 10k-20k baht is serious money. If you have been drinking fair

enough pay your penance. Of course if you have not been drinking you are incensed.

For all those you have a couple of beers just remember .05 is a very low threshold.

Especially if you are dehydrated have and not eaten anything. Personally I am not a big drinker,

I am a big guy and I still will alternate beer and water when out and about. I also do

carry a AlcoHawk PT500. It clams to be accurate. The readings do go up as you consume

more. I just use it as an indicator. I want no trouble with the BIB.

You have a meter malfunctioning for some reason. I shower 4 times a day, flush

8-10 times a day and wash dishes etc.... (no laundry) and I use 3 units a month.

Plenty of detailed  info if you use the search window.

But the answers are.

1/ Do it yourself. Super easy. I printed the forms out in

advance and filled them in before I got to the Thai consulate.

In at 10 am, out in 3 minutes, picked up my passport next

afternoon at 2 pm. 60 seconds in and out.

2/ Take a taxi, super cheap, your hotel will call/flag on down for you

The cost will be about 4 dollars from district 1

Use Vina Sun from the airport. They use the meter and are

both honest and reliable.

3/ Depends on you nationality. I have a UK passport so I

got a 2 week visa on arrival/visa exempt entry at no charge.

Many European countries get the same. If you are staying longer

than two weeks you will have to get a visa.

Spenco sandals

It is not powdered milk, it is baby formula.

Maybe they should get some of these volunteers to work

at Don Mueang  and Swampy.

How times have changed. A couple of years ago I was flying to Manila through Bangkok

and had to clear customs pick up my bags and check in again. As I was clearing customs

the immigration officer asked how long I was staying. I told him my plan and I would be

staying just an hour or so and be on my way. He spent 7-8 minutes trying to talk me out

of flying to the Philippines and to just stay in Thailand. Prettier women, great food, a fun time

I would have if I stayed. He even called a buddy over to help with the sales pitch. I did tell

him I would be back in a couple of months. All good. Now they seem to be keeping people

out on the slightest suspicion of working I guess. I had many triple entry tourist visas

in my passport as well so while I was not working It might have appeared I was to some.