Greenwich Boy

Currently in Luang Prabang. I needed data to get some train tickets sent over. Paid 399B to AIS before I left Thailand, all pretty painless. Off topic but was pleasantly surprised with the exchange rate. Got over 650 Kip to the Baht in more than one place. Prices have increased a fair bit though.

On 3/3/2024 at 6:04 PM, george said:

Was the transfer instantly?

Great exchange rate or not?

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

On 2/29/2024 at 7:09 PM, dayo202 said:

I didn't use a UK bank for the transfer I use revolut.

BBL changed me 200฿ because the transfer came up as a swift transfer from revolut

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

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

13 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Thai coffee liqueurs. Name? Picture? I would be very interested to give it a go.

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

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

3 minutes ago, JayClay said:

I believe the proof of funds is no longer required when applying for a METV.

 

For the confirmation letterd, if they are still asking for it then I'd just create a jpg saying "not needed for tourist visa"

 

For the travel history, when I applied (before they relaxed the requirements) they very specifically asked for copies of stamps in passport pages to support this requirement.

 

 

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.

30 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Sorry, 10k for an individual, 20k for a family, visa exempt.

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

6 hours ago, V8M8 said:

Singapore's in bound auto passport lanes are only for Singapore citizens or resident visa holders.

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

I am here for 4/5 months of the year. I try to enter on a TR60 but with short trips to other countries I often re enter visa exempt. My own method is simple, if I don't have a flight out booked, I go down the onwardticket route. Reckon I get asked at check in 50% of the time (looked at not checked on the system) For me $12 well spent wether it is checked or not. Peace of mind and one less thing to worry about.

In theory as a snowbird this is excellent news for me. If it gets abused by people getting multiple back to back 90 day VE entries it will be short lived. From my personal selfish point of view I would rather they do not consider limiting the number of VE's per year as I like a few weekends in neighbouring countries. Maybe the old 180 in 360 rule for VE entries will prevent abuse. Just thinking out loud.

41 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Okay, but better with Sydney Consulate as they don't ask for any accommodation details 

Agreed, was not aware of the Sydney option so thanks for that. As a Brit I included a copy of my Oz ETA instead of drivers licence last year. Hopefully this works in Sydney as well 

7 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Did you have to provide 60 days accommodation proof as required by their checklist?

I book direct. I provided a short email from my landlady confirming my stay of 60 days at x address. It was legit but could really have come from anyone.

I got a SETV from Canberra last year. I had no onward flight. I included in the application a note explaining that I may extend after 60 days and was unsure when I would be leaving. Accepted, no problem. Passport with visa back in 8 or 9 days most of that being Aus Post

30 minutes ago, geisha said:

But did you have a thousand ( slight exaggeration) taxi drivers shouting and touting you at arrivals ? Ugly beaches, invasion by the nation I won’t name , humidity, heavy rains , it’s not the Bali I knew ! The Balinese though are a pleasure , kind , helpful and mostly honest IMO.

Also speak very good English. 

A little harsh, I get someone I know to pick me up from the airport otherwise the taxi system can be a bit of a zoo. Bogan Australis is a pest in some parts ????. Not seen any draft dodgers here in Sanur. From May to August the weather is lovely. Low humidity and almost no rain. I will move on early September

32 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

How many days does the initial VOA get you on arrival?

30 days. As all VOA's are paid for now (500k) all can be extended

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Something like that deters me actually. I don't fancy going back to Bali because the VOA requirement is back. Not really about the money though, more to do with having to queue in slow moving inefficient long lines!

Evisa is available for Bali. I arrived last month and paid on arrival. No queue. Having said that the queue for immigration was horrible and extending the visa took two weeks and requires three trips to immigration if an agent is not used