chris2004

Ordered a Power bank 6 days ago and it arrived today COD. Postage box was in good condition but the item packaging looked a bit worn and was not sealed. Power bank had a couple of small scuffs and what looked like finger prints so is either ex display, used or a return. Not impressed but at least it works.

The whole point about COD is that you can inspect the goods before you accept. If a package i ordered is not sealed and new i do not accept or pay.

It is ALWAYS better to buy than to rent IF you are going to stay somewhere for any length of time. Buying here in Pattaya was the best thing i ever did. Not only did i lock my accommodation costs in at 71 to the Pound but i can now live rent free for the next 20 years. The key thing is to buy in the right location and for a good price. I am sure there will be some bargains for those wishing to buy later this year.

Try persuading him to join the Thai Navy, it has more class and no functioning ships. They take discipline and education seriously.

Sounds like the British Navy after caMORON's cuts.

I have a similar problem with 50,000 GBP i have available from the end of January. Do i transfer then and only get say 49?, but with decent interest in Thailand, or do i leave it in the UK (with virtually no interest) and hope the rate goes up over 50. Impossible question i know and i guess for 2015 the rate will probably drop even further.

Yes i got my tgf's passport there a couple of weeks ago. Service very good. We went in about 11 am got a number and an approximate time. Went back 2 hours later, waited 30 minutes, got the paperwork done quickly and the passport arrived in the post about 6 days later.

As post #6. On my Yaris you have to hold the clutch in while starting.

To summarise, it seems that some of the dog loving gliterati on here seem to think the Russian forex crisis started over a year ago. Actually it didn't start in earnest until July this year. Prior to that the rouble exchange rate was around 32 to the US dollar from at least 2010 until the middle of this year. It is now trading at around 53 after a huge dip to around 72 in mid Dec. As one of our well-informed respondents claims, Russians may well have booked their holidays in the peak season in Thailand before the Forex crisis hit them, but the reason they may not have arrived, despite Thailand remaining a good value for money destination compared to Russia, is that they were surcharged by their tour companies to make up for the poor Rouble/baht exchange rates.

Thanks to most of you for your thoughts and explanations.

What sort of rate do Russians get if they want to transfers sums into a thai bank. The main banks don't seem to quote a TT rate for roubles, just for cash e.g. Kasikorn now 0.39. So if a Russian was buying a condo the money would have to come into a thai bank at 0.39? That must make the affordability even worse.

Yes God moves in mysterious ways.

Watched it from a download yesterday. Better than i thought it would be and funny in places. What is it with Americans and butt jokes though. They should have called it The Arse View.

The bike is only 80k new. Come on just buy a new one. Why risk any problems just to save 10-15k.

Truevisions is very good especially for HD. If you are used to seeing programmes in HD you can never go back to SD. People say it's expensive but i pay 50 baht a day, come on that's less than a beer. For hundreds of channels and dozens of HD channels.

I only ever pay cash on delivery with Lazada. I would never be happy with them having my credit card details and if the product isn't right i don't pay.

ATM's here are for mugs. i never use them. get your life/finances organised and you wont have to either.

And how do you get your money here?

Let us share your wisdom.

Not many will believe, but the overall best rate is achieved by bringing cash and exchange at the specialized money changers.

Today you get:

USD: 32.78

EUR: 40,1

GBP: 51.2

(no fees attached)

Try to beat it,

Yes I know this is not the no. one tip for expats living here (like me ).

That's fine most of the time but there is a risk like my friend who got all his holiday cash stolen on his first day here.

British colonisation didn't do Hong Kong or Singapore any harm. I suspect it's more to do with the Miliary.

Don't buy an expensive phone from Tukcom. My last Samsung i bought via Lazada. Came in a sealed box, COD and 20% cheaper than the main shops (using one of their deals).

I did a quick search but just wondered what the current situation is regarding FCAs. I intend to transfer a largish sum in Sterling but obviously want the best baht rate i can get. 51 at the moment but maybe it will rise (ever the optimist). Can i transfer the Sterling now into a FCA and change to baht at some future date. What charges if any are applied (it seemed Kasikorn charges a lot) and what interest if any would one get on the deposit. I could leave it in the UK but can only get silly low interest.

Thanks for any information for current FCA users.

My Halifax to Kasikorn using SWIFT always takes 2 working days. I suspect the money is parked for a while so they can make more interest on it.

I had the same problems so i cancelled after 6 months. They ignored me of course and still send bills every month.

^ +1

I would recommend them also.

Personally I am with Tokio Marine, they are not the cheapest around but never had any problems with claims or repairs (YMMV)

I got Tokyo Marine insurance free with my new car. They started ringing me every day 4 months before the insurance expires. Totally pissed me off. I am going with AXA via AA Brokers.

The penalty for a police stop might be only a few hundred baht but if you had an accident and wrote off a mercedes you might find yourself with no insurance and a BIG bill.

For 2m Baht, SWIFT transfer in STERLING from a UK bank account to a Thai bank account.

Even with the SWIFT and receiving bank fees you WILL be better off overall than using a Forex company, PayPal or Western Union.

I sent £50,000 in October and believe me, I did a lot of research.

As for buying a house, you will NEVER own the land on which it is built, so be very careful how you spend your money !

PS. I have just seen your other thread, look into a USUFRUCT over the land and house.

Also, if you tell the Thai bank a large amount is coming, the Head Office CAN offer you a slightly better rate, my wife managed to get a few satang more per pound by calling SCB as advised by another forum member.

Can you please tell us which Forex company. I always thought PayPal/Western Union were expensive. I am transferring 50,000 pounds as well soon so each satang counts.

He said DON'T use a forex company, make a SWIFT transfer via your bank.

Sophon

Sorry i misread his original post.

I thought UK licences were not valid here, you had to have an IDP or thai licence. Are you sure your insurance is valid with an UK licence?

I suspect there would be no major problems apart from a small fine UNLESS you were involved in an accident of some sort. Get your thai licence now, it's easy.

For 2m Baht, SWIFT transfer in STERLING from a UK bank account to a Thai bank account.

Even with the SWIFT and receiving bank fees you WILL be better off overall than using a Forex company, PayPal or Western Union.

I sent £50,000 in October and believe me, I did a lot of research.

As for buying a house, you will NEVER own the land on which it is built, so be very careful how you spend your money !

PS. I have just seen your other thread, look into a USUFRUCT over the land and house.

Also, if you tell the Thai bank a large amount is coming, the Head Office CAN offer you a slightly better rate, my wife managed to get a few satang more per pound by calling SCB as advised by another forum member.

Can you please tell us which Forex company. I always thought PayPal/Western Union were expensive. I am transferring 50,000 pounds as well soon so each satang counts.

Sounds like the UK Government, why cut back when you can just borrow more.