Greenwich Boy

Just transferred 20k to my Bangkok Bank acct and paid attention to details this time. Transaction time 12.15pm today. GBP THB Spot rate 45.41, I got 45.28. Money received in BB 12.17pm Revolut fee 25B. Unlike another poster I do not pay any fees to BB (can't explain the difference) Not advocating Revolut over Wise as I do no yet have a Wise acct just reporting my own experience. As an aside I have used Revolut to withdraw cash and pay for hotels in 8 or 9 countries in the last year without hassle

I have just checked my last transfer from Revolut to Bangkok Bank. Revolut fee approx 30B. No charge from BB. Must admit I don't really know what a Swift transfer is

Most of my Revolut transfers are very quick. As others have pointed out delays do happen for a number of reasons. Confirmation of fees recently attached

I only stay in any one country for a few months at a time (visa permitting) and have had a Revolut account for years. Until recently they applied a mark up on THB as an illiquid currency. That does not seem to be the case now. As a Brit I convert GBP to THB in the app at very close to the spot rate and send it to my Bangkok Bank account. Think I paid 30B or so for the last tranfer. Cash withdrawals in other countries is also free (up to a certain monthly limit) at the same exchange rate. Local bank fees obviously may apply. Over the years I have had my card skimmed twice. Fraudulent purchases were refunded quickly and a new card sent to my hotel (Vietnam and Indonesia) within 5 days. Many friends use Wise and I will open an account and get a card as back up when I go home in the summer

4 teaspoons of instant coffee dissolved in a little hot water. Add one tin of evaporated milk, one tin of condensed milk and half a bottle of Sangsom. Mix well. Job done, one litre of industrial strength coffee liquer ( like Baileys) Serve ice cold. Try it

Yes, they still blatantly burn the roadside leaf litter but when they set a fire in the hills it can cover a huge area

The vast majority of fires in the north are not agricultural but deliberately lit forest fires which can be difficult to access and put out. After burning the 'free' hed thob mushrooms are picked and sold for mega bucks

Not a recommendation as such but there is a bus from Da Nang to Pakse in Laos bus (friends have done this in the last month) There is a Thai border not far from there. You do need a Laos visa in advance which you can get in Da Nang as there is no VOA. Sorry, no further details

Perfect thank you

I will be returning to the UK in June and having read reports here (can't find them) that the METV requirements have been relaxed a bit I might apply for one and complete the full set of tourist visas! If anyone has applied succesfully recently perhaps they could clarify some points from the embassy website. 1. Bank balance of £5k for six months. Do they need six separate bank statements or is money on application ok? 2. Confirmation letter from employer or pension statement. I neither work or take my pension. Will showing the bank statement above work or am I scuppered. 3. Travel records of the last 12 months. Will a word document simply stating where and when I have been be sufficient? If the METV gets rejected am I likely to get a SETV and just have to swallow the cost difference? Many thanks

I normally go down the SETV route and one border run (UK passport) Currently in Hoi An after a cheap flight to Hanoi from Chiang Mai, a few days there then the train down to Da Nang via Hue. Build up to Tet thia weekend, having a ball.

I have done pretty much what you are thinking of plenty of times from CM. You can easily enter on a TR60 and extend by 30. Forget about on line go to immi at Central Festival in the mornings. Quieter than immi near the airport. You will need a TM30. Then fly out. Vietnam is a great choice. Direct flights from CM to Hanoi, Danang and Saigon. Spend a few days, fly back visa exempt. Get a 30 day stamp, extend for another 30 in the same way if you like. Job done

Perfect, I have about 12k equivalent in various currencies. Not expecting to get asked but one less thing to think about

My 'direct' flight next month from Singapore to Chiang Mai is now going via DMK where, presumably, I will clear immigration. Not expecting any difficulties as I have been away for a few months but I do have an extensive travel history to Thailand and a nearly full passport so will cover all bases. I have a confirmed hotel booking and (real) flight out within a fortnight but not sure of the cash equivalent requirement just in case they ask. Is it 10k or 20k? Solo traveller, UK passport, visa exempt entry. Thanks

Nope. I have used them a couple of times. UK passport.