jeffandgop

12 hours ago, Pib said:

Yeap...understand.  That's why a person would need to check the tracking number daily at the ThaiPostal web site or using their mobile app.  

 

I use their mobile app.  It's just one of a half dozen shipment tracking mobile apps like DHL, USPS, etc., I have on my phone.  

 

I already have the wife's return mailer tracking number loaded the ThaiPostal app that supposedly will give me an automatic notification once the embassy remails the passport. But I won't solely rely on the automatic notification and just try to remember to check daily.  Literally just takes 10 seconds or so to check using the mobile app.

 

Now if the embassy don't use the mailer that was bought for some reason and instead uses another mailer then I expect the current tracking number will be useless for tracking.

 

 

 

In my case the Thai Post tracking number I was given at the time I placed the order NEVER appeared on their tracking system & I was checking daily.  I received my new passport in the Thai Post envelope without knowing that it was coming.  Yes, the tracking number on the envelope was the same provided at the time I placed my order......

7 hours ago, expat1010 said:

I currently pay 126k baht annually for coverage for my wife and myself. I am 67 and she is 57. With the milestone of 70 soon approaching will I see a step change in my annual premium at 70 or should I just expect a normal annual increase?

No one can answer this question- you need to ask your insurance company.  Premiums are based on the type of policy, claim history, age, etc.

I can obtain a rate schedule from my insurance company for their various health plans and age. 70 years old may or may not be a premium increase from your current provider at that stage.  And what's a normal annual increase??

15 hours ago, Upnotover said:

 

That's because they F'd up their message.  They should have wrote *850#

Thanks for the info. So this is the msg I received after calling that number. I’m going to ignore it 

2 minutes ago, jeffandgop said:

Today’s text msg just received from True. Now they’re expanding their reach to eSIM….

”Your SIM card and eSIM require update. Please bring your SIM and ID card/passport to True Shop by May 31, 2025 at no charge. You will get FREE 3GB of data and FREE 50 mins of all-network calls when the update is completed. Check your SIM status, dial 850#. Apologize if you have already proceeded.”

 

 

And when I tried to dial 850# to check status:

11 hours ago, jeffandgop said:

Typical because it's a disorganized mess.  My cell phone service is w/True- has been for many years. Postpaid.  I don't have a SIM card; I have an E-SIM.  For many weeks now I have been getting True text messages to "update my SIM card". Weeks ago when I called to ask for the details of this "upgrade" the response was I would have better cell phone service with an "upgraded" SIM.  When I replied I didn't have a SIM, the rep responded "thank you" and that was the end of the call.

Still for weeks continued to receive True text messages to "update my SIM card"; both my wife and I went to a True store in the mall with our E-SIM cell phones to discuss this "upgrade" the rep quickly responded that it was not necessary for either of us to do anything and we left the store.

The True text messages to "update my SIM card" continue to this day.

Typical.

Today’s text msg just received from True. Now they’re expanding their reach to eSIM….

”Your SIM card and eSIM require update. Please bring your SIM and ID card/passport to True Shop by May 31, 2025 at no charge. You will get FREE 3GB of data and FREE 50 mins of all-network calls when the update is completed. Check your SIM status, dial 850#. Apologize if you have already proceeded.”

10 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

ok....and ?

Typical because it's a disorganized mess.  My cell phone service is w/True- has been for many years. Postpaid.  I don't have a SIM card; I have an E-SIM.  For many weeks now I have been getting True text messages to "update my SIM card". Weeks ago when I called to ask for the details of this "upgrade" the response was I would have better cell phone service with an "upgraded" SIM.  When I replied I didn't have a SIM, the rep responded "thank you" and that was the end of the call.

Still for weeks continued to receive True text messages to "update my SIM card"; both my wife and I went to a True store in the mall with our E-SIM cell phones to discuss this "upgrade" the rep quickly responded that it was not necessary for either of us to do anything and we left the store.

The True text messages to "update my SIM card" continue to this day.

Typical.

5 hours ago, sirineou said:

How is Yolla working out for you making calls in the US (banks Gov, etc) , I am also thinking of signing up. I would appreciate your feedback.  

I have tested it only once to call a relative in the US. It worked fine. I have every reason to believe that it will work when I need to call my bank or a government agency. (Whether the government agency will itself work or do any good is another question.)

20 hours ago, CMBob said:

By "fixed deposit account", do you mean you simply keep the funds in a separate savings account that's simply a one-year term account, an account which you can get access to (withdraw) anytime you want although you would lose accrued interest if you did so? 

Yes.

23 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You posted.....

"This year (last month) I got my bank letter and passbook update the day before applying and CM on the day of applying still required another update to the fixed account passbook!" 

 

So you did have to update your bank book on day of application.  

Yes, I did write that so what's your point? My point was I have never in 10 years been required to do that at CM IMM for a fixed deposit account.

 

Also you now mention extension is based on marriage and not retirement.  

You are picking only some of what I wrote.  To refresh:

(I've) never (been) required by CM IMM to update my fixed deposit account passbook on the day of application for the annual EOS- for either previous based on retirement and now presently based (on) marriage

 

 

20 hours ago, CMBob said:

That's the first report I've ever seen or heard of the "same-day-as-application" bank paperwork involving annual extensions here in Chiangmai.

I do presume you're talking about an extension based on retirement and keeping 800k baht in the bank.  And you only mention the bank letter.....weren't you also required to produce an annual statement showing you've maintained the 800/400k baht figures as required?

Actually based on marriage (400K required but I kept 500K +throughout the many years now of having this fixed deposit account)

21 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That's actually the norm.

CW would also require update on day of application for extension.

Some io even what to see "activity" 

You can achieve both by small deposit and have teller print out last page of bankbook. 

Beg to differ. Never required by CM IMM to update my fixed deposit account passbook on the day of application for the annual EOS- for either previous based on retirement and now presently based marriage.  Regular savings yes, never fixed deposit.

On 3/25/2025 at 2:33 PM, CMBob said:

Unless this is a new requirement, it wasn't the case when I converted from exempt to Non-O three years ago.  I obtained the bank letter the day before application.  I also had the funds in the bank for a long time (as in years) so there was no need to show the funds came from abroad. 

Edit: My experience was with Chiangmai Immigration.

For the last 10 years I've maintained a fixed account to park the necessary funds for my annual EOS at the CM Imm.  I've gotten the bank letter and passbook update up to 7 days before applying for my extension.  This year (last month) I got my bank letter and passbook update the day before applying and CM on the day of applying still required another update to the fixed account passbook!  

On 3/22/2025 at 4:36 PM, BritManToo said:

Ok, it might be different for those of us on family extension.

Never had an updated 90 day report provided/processed at the time of my annual EOS based on marriage to a Thai..

24 minutes ago, stament said:

I am looking for group cover for a school for employees and students. Is this something medical companies offer? I know they offer it for staff but not sure if you can also get group cover for students (besides accident insurance). 

 

Thanks in advance.

 

pm sent

23 hours ago, Mason45 said:

I tried Yolla and it knocked back my 2 different credit cards

First contact yr card company to ensure that they didn't block the transaction.  Then try reaching out to their customer service?  I had no trouble using my credit union Visa card.

nil

On 3/19/2025 at 5:15 PM, steven100 said:

no one uses Skype anymore ....  it's all LINE app 

Ridiculous statement.  Whether it be Line or What's App or similar those could/cannot be used unless the other party has the app as well.  Try calling U.S. banks or government organizations using those.....I used Skype for all reaching my bank, social security admin, etc.

On 3/2/2025 at 6:07 AM, Mason45 said:

I just came across a site that appears similar to Skype by the name of Yolla. I typed in my Thai phone number and I received an activation code. Australia is one of the many countries that you can call. I haven't tried it yet but the call rates appear to be very competitive.

After researching I decided on Yolla.  Very inexpensive to call the U.S. and no monthly/annual fees...pay as you go

10 hours ago, topt said:

Would be nice however calls to landlines/mobile numbers was never free with Skype.......

For infrequent usage however Skype was cheap enough and MyTello maybe a potential option for some

Not entirely true...When making toll free calls (800#) to the U.S. & using my VPN I never had to pay...

20 hours ago, TheAppletons said:

OP must be referring to this:

 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Save-And-Invest/Save/FCD-Fixed-Extra

 

 

Thank you.

10 hours ago, Isan Farang said:

Just checked on BB website and the FD interest rate seems to have taken a big jump, i am wandering if depositing saving funds from HSBC offshore to open this account is going to cause an issue with the supposed new tax reporting thats floating around

 

• Deposit Terms and Interest Rates
  • USD 4- months Fixed Deposit Account, interest rate is 4.35% p.a.
  • USD 7- months Fixed Deposit Account, interest rate is 4.20% p.a.
• Promotion campaign is effective from February 3, 2025 – May 7, 2025.

Pls post the link.  I am not finding a fixed deposit rate above 1.80%

8 hours ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

 

There are fairly high thresholds for filing Form 8938. It isn't linked to whether one has to file a tax return, but instead to the aggregate value of specified financial assets held outside the US.  

 

For single persons resident outside the US, the threshold is the aggregate value of specified foreign financial assets of $200,000 or more at the end of the year or $300,000 or more at any time during the year. For single persons resident in the US, the thresholds are $50,000 and $75,000. Higher thresholds apply to those filing jointly, both for residents of the US and non-residents.

 

Details here:  https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8938#en_US_2020_publink100045144

And for married couples the thresholds are the aggregate value of specified foreign financial assets of $400,000 or more at the end of the year or $600,000 or more at any time during the year

2 hours ago, Cardano said:

Well done you if that's the case, and if true is a very rare exception rather than the rule. Which company is this so your claim can be verified against their T&C's? 

Read my clarifications I added 3 hours ago for better information