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32 minutes ago, TonyClifton said:

Go to the Fortune Mall instead.  You'll be in and out in 10 minutes.  

Do you meant Fortune Town IT Mall (Rama IX) or is there another Fortune Mall?  If the Rama IX mall, that's pretty much my most hated area of BKK since I seem to get in a 1-2hr traffic jam every time in the vicinity; going to CW might be faster for me (from Ratchadamri).  In any case, I had no idea you could do 90-day reporting there and a forum search came up empty, as always.

Still getting:

Failure of Web Server bridge:

No backend server available for connection: timed out after 10 seconds or idempotent set to OFF or method not idempotent.

Looks like I'll have to go to Chaengwattana personally, what a pain in the arse. The 7-day-before limit will be expired tomorrow.  Can anyone tell me if I also have to drag my (non-Thai) wife and child down to report, or can I do it for them?  (I am sure this has been answered before, but a search was useless and I don't want to look through a 119 page thread).  

Last time I got a nasty comment from the CW officer about why I didn't report online (answer: site not working then either). Not looking forward to yet another long trip to the CW hellhole with a cranky toddler.

Schwab almost immediately matched the $4.95 rate. (I have accounts with both, but prefer Schwab).  Price war in full force for US brokerages, e-trade also dropped commissions in response.

I love Priority Pass (PP), especially in Asia. Many of the PP lounges are actually nicer than many of the biz class lounges, so a couple of times I have used PP even when flying biz class. 

As some others mentioned, credit cards are a great way to get PP, and actually may have better benefits than purchasing directly from PP.  I actually have two (US) cards, Citi Prestige and Chase Sapphire Reserve that each provide me with PP access. They both have hefty annual fees but you can credit travel costs, so net fee ends around $200.  Citi also give fourth night free on hotels (not to mention big sign-on bonus for both), which easily covers the $200, so in effect the PP membership is free. Similar story with Chase.  Citi also allows two guests to be brought into the PP lounge, while Chase allows unlimited, so if traveling with friends or family these are a great deal. I know the Citi card is also available in Thailand and some other countries.

So, if you do much traveling at all, there are credit cards that provide the PP essentially free (depends on what country you are from, of course) and are very worthwhile.

17 minutes ago, sjaak327 said:

Actually, sorry to say this, but your claim that drivers from (or to) the Airport NEVER put on the meter is laughable as well as a straight lie. I can counter that, on many arrivals, I have NEVER experienced a cab driver quoting a flat fee, absolutely never. I repeat, NEVER. Yes on two occasions I had a guy with a dodgy meter, but both times I just paid the regular metered fee and that was the end of it. My apartment did not suddenly move a whopping 10 kilometers away from BKK :)

 

Bangkok Taxi drivers are for the most part a fine bunch, and I fail to see how Uber drivers would be any better, Uber isn't exactly known to take vetting seriously. You like to pay more, sure, use Uber or AOT, for the rest of us, the regular Bangkok taxi driver will do nicely. Maniac drivers are part of the general picture and I don't believe for one minute that your average Uber driver or Grabcar (which mostly ARE the very same Bangkok taxi drivers by the way) would be any safer. Marketing works on some people, the more down to earth people just smile and continue using cheaper services.

 

Next time try actually reading the post before posting complete nonsense and calling someone a liar. I said the van taxis never put on the meter. Are you telling me the larger suv/van taxis always put on the meter for you?  Sorry, that's a complete load of BS. Absolutely, completely false. Even at my hotel residence the staff don't even try to get those guys to use the meter, they would be blatantly refused. So look in the mirror before calling others "liar".. You fail to see how educated white collar office workers (typical Uber black driver) would be better than the average taxi driver in Bangkok? This is so senseless I'm not even sure how to respond. Anyway, enjoy your taxis, seems you are with your own kind so it's best for all.

Definitely some laughable posts here defending the taxi drivers.  On short trips we mostly just drive and park at Swampy, but on longer trips we generally use Uber/GrabCar or AOT.  

Regarding taxis, we have a small child and buggy, so generally need a taxi van rather than the smaller cars. technically, these are supposed to also use a meter, but this literally NEVER happens, either to or from the airport.

Drivers were generally demanding 600 baht from the airport to central BKK a couple of years ago, absolutely no less. Of the past several times we took a taxi, we had these experiences:

1) Roads were jammed, so driver absolutely refused to take us into Bangkok. Instead, he drove to an out of the way BTS station (at a fare that should have gotten us into Bangkok), and demanded that we get out with our luggage. To those that say they would refuse, really? You'd risk your family to argue with a nutso taxi driver?

2) After leaving airport, the driver demanded 800 baht to Bangkok. I refused, countering with a 600 baht offer, the normal going rate at that time. He started yelling and screaming, pulled over on the expressway and demanded that we get out right there.  So, of course I agreed to his price, but after he started again I took my phone out to take a photo of his car ID.  When he saw this he went BALLISTIC, looking absolutely homicidal, so of course I put the phone away.

So, you tell me, do you really want to deal with this? All of my friends that travel here, often from Singapore, always complain about the experience from the airport as well. Lack of seat belts, rude, bad smell, crazy driving, you name it.

Of dozens of Uber and Grab Car rides, I had only one bad experience, which happened to be an off-duty cop driving like a maniac on our trip to the airport. Otherwise, perfect, clean and polite.

Bottom line, I would now absolutely NEVER get in a Bangkok taxi with my family. Yeah, maybe 90% of the rides would be fine, but what about those 10% with a nutso driver?  I simply do not believe the apologists that always defend taxi drivers here; more likely they only defend taxis because they resent those willing and able to pay more for a much better and safer alternative. Sorry, but my family's life is worth more than the few baht I would save by taking a taxi.

Any other recommendations for colonoscopy Dr. at Bumrungrad?  I just contacted them an was told that Dr Chucheep does NOT do colonoscopies, but rather I need to select one of the regular gastro docs.  I could go to another hospital (maybe Samitivej), but our family has had all of our care at Bumrungrad so it would be my first preference just for comfort purposes.

I did search the forum, but couldn't find any other clear recommendations. 

4 minutes ago, ocddave said:

Holy Cow, I thought I was a slacker....555 

 

I think I have only about 1200 km on ours over the last 3 months ;-)

OK, to fairly compare our "slacker scores", I should disclose that we are still two weeks short of a year and we spent more than two months out of the country. Plus, we sometimes go a week without driving -- we try to walk during cool season (short this year) and/or when the jams look particularly horrible. We typically use BTS when the little one isn't coming along. Anyway, I am a little embarrassed about how few km we have on the car, so it's nice to know we aren't the only ones. If the car measured hours used like a plane, accounting for those 1.5 hour, 2-km trips, no doubt the story would seem different - but that 1.5 hours, with our screaming toddler in a smelly taxi driven by a doped-up lunatic, would truly be torture

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You could submit their applications for their extensions as your dependents when you do yours but they would not be completed until your extension stamp is done so that a copy of it can be attached to them.

Do they already have non-o visas or a previous extension? 

They already have extensions, but they were done months after mine and the process required many hours at CW (not fun with a small child), so I just wanted to be sure we could do the new extensions concurrently.  Sounds like we can, thanks for your always-helpful response.

This is related, but slightly off from the main topic:

Can follow-on visas/extensions (terminology nazis please leave it alone if not technically "visa") be obtained for one's family (foreign spouse and child) at the same time as the retirement extension?

More specifically, would it be necessary to first go through the entire extension process, THEN queue again to use the newly stamped extension for purpose obtaining follow-ons for the family?  If so, it would result in a very long day(s) at CW given the snails-pace processing that miraculously accelerates just before "quittin' time"; more likely it couldn't even be completed in the same day.

Direct response from someone that has done it would be appreciated so I don't needlessly drag my family for many extra hours at the CW cattle waiting area.

9 hours ago, dorayme said:

Just North of Lumpini Would be in the area between Ratchadamri and Withayu (Wireless) Roads.

 

You might look at Royal Place 1 and 2 on Soi Mahatlek Luang 1 and Soi 2 or find something closer to PhloenChit. They are not far to the North of Lumphini off of Ratchadamri........

.

I would second the recommendation of Royal Place or otherwise on Mahatlekluang, depending on exactly where your office location would be ("North of Lumpini pk" includes three streets as mentioned).  We live on Mahatlekluang 2 (not Royal Place, but a newer, more expensive condo). The advantages of this area are (1) wide, walkable sidewalks along Ratchadamri, not cluttered by vendors; (2) almost immediately next to BTS station, which is far more comfortable than the Tube or NYC subway (I have lived in both London and NYC); (3) across from Royal Bangkok Sports Club, which can provide a soothing green-space view depending on your condo facing; (4) very short straight-shot commute to Lumpini Park, which could easily be done by walking or cycling but best ONLY in early morning; (5) short walk to the Skywalk system and malls around Siam/Central World/ Ratchaprasong. [Note that the vast majority of BKK is not even easily walkable, let alone good for cycling, so keep that in mind]

This area is much less hectic than Asoke, so if you are looking for (relative) serenity it might be a better choice, but Asoke would be better for a wide variety of food/nightlife, etc at your doorstep. We (married couple) far prefer Ratchadamri to Asoke, but many or most singles and newbies might initially prefer the vibrancy of the Asoke area. 

Langsuan Rd (parallel to Ratchadamri) is also relatively nice, but suffers from the usual crappy and narrow bangkok sidewalks and doesn't have many condo options

FWIW, I just went through the process of collecting my blue book for a new Honda (ended up with HRV, no folding rear seats killed the Civic practicality for us) about a week ago.

I had provided the dealer with proof of residence (from embassy) and passport copies. I paid cash so nothing else was supposedly required.

However, for bluebook collection, the dealer subsequently asked for a copy of my visa, which I duly sent to him.

A couple of days later, he asked for a SIGNED copy of my visa, which I also complied with.

Finally, he said I must accompany him to the DLT to prove I was a "real person"...

I resisted this last request, instead suggesting that his DLT guy take my physical passport to the Bangkok DLT office..which he did (I provided new signed copies just in case)..and viola! I finally got the blue book.

The dealer told me there was a new boss at the DLT and therefore new rules. This being Thailand, that didn't really surprise me, and from other comments here it appears that there really are (could be?) some new rules, real or imaginary.

FYI, I don't have a work permit, and I was led to believe any long-stay visa/extension would work, but never really got clarity on exactly the DLT was looking for. Could spell trouble for those trying to buy without any visa, but who really knows, it could all change overnight.

I am just coming back from Honda and tryied the HVR... It's almost good driving car... but there are too many mistakes in my opinion !

First mistake : the price is really HIGH !

2nd : The CVT gear box automatic is just really really not working good.. just like having somebody that can't hear what you are asking for... it should change gear way more faster instead of making suffuring this poor engine and making so much noise !! Incredibly disappointing compared to the Mazda CX5 gear box.

3rd : The cruise control is just DELETED, like many other cars here there is nothing to set it up really.. I Mean a dedicated screen with speed writen on so you can choose wich speed you want to drive.. and not just only show speed you are driving now !

3th: the rear views are able to be closed.. but you have to push a button for that !!!! it doesn't close while you close your car with remote key.. isn't that really stupid conception ??

otherwise it quite a good car, a bit heavy for the dimension and not really fast car from 0 to 100... Toyota Vios beat it without any worry !!

So... i'll pass on this car, maybe BRV seems to be a less ripoff.. have to try it to know the road feeling.. but no cruise control.. not manual gear box, also such a shame !

I miss too much my car that I sold before departure : Citroen C4 Picasso.. so comfy and realy smooth drive with plenty space for family, quality materials and all tech gadgets .. desperately trying to find an erzats of this kind of top notch MPV here.. but i have the feeling It won't happen soon.

Uh, mostly not true, unless perhaps you are talking about the lowest end versions.

1) Price is not high if you compare to the competition in Thailand. Looked at the CX3 at similar price? I have, so tiny in the drivers seat that my elbows hit the side when turning (and I am not a large guy). I found nothing that was a better value here in Thailand

2nd) CVT is fine if you buy the version with paddle shifter. Around Bangkok, CVT is no issue whatsoever since there is plenty of low-end acceleration for those that like to jackrabbit start up to the next jam or stoplight. Maybe if you want to drag race on the expressway the CVT won't be ideal, but once again it does have a paddle shifter. I have never noticed any excessive noise.

3rd) cruise control in Thailand? Seriously? About 1000th on my priority list, have never used it once here. Maybe for those that really live in the sticks, but even in the US I was rarely able to use cruise for more than a few minutes before some bozo cut me off or slowed in front of me.

3th -- whatever "3th" is) Flat out wrong. Mirrors close by pressing the remote twice (hold the second time), so, yes, it can be done remotely. Mirrors then automatically unfold when started.

BRV is a cheapo version of the HRV for those on a budget, needing 7 seats and not minding a weaker engine in a larger vehicle. Very plasticky Honda City feel to it.

Overall, the HRV has been absolutely ideal for a congested area like Bangkok. Can't comment about usage in rural areas, but that's not really what the vehicle is intended for.

Closet competition for HRV with me was the new Civic, but after learning that the fold-down rear seats have been deleted for the Thai version, it has serious practicality drawbacks... and it's wider stance and turning radius are also drawbacks for tight spaces in Bangkok. CX3 is minuscule inside, Juke is a Joke for teenage girls, CRV and CX5 feel too bulky and boatlike to drive. So, given Thailand's very limited choices, HRV was the obvious winner (forgot to mention the full set of airbags, rare for "death-road" Thailand)

What would the fees be if you used a U.S. Citibank savings account ATM card to withdraw 35000 baht (or whatever the daily max is) from a Thai Citibank ATM (such as at the Asok Citibank branch)?

As noted in other threads, Citibank still charges U.S. clients the ATM fee (not so for those from select other countries and/or Citigold clients).

Not sure if the limit is different at Asoke, but as of two days ago at Centralworld the maximum per transaction was 50k and the fee was 180bt. You can also do repeated transactions up to your card daily limit. The fee works out to 0.36% (or zero if your card reimburses fees and takes no fx spread), which is a very cheap and dead simple vs other options.

I've been using my Schwab chipped debit card for cash advances/counter withdrawals/in bank transfers at a Krungsri branch here in western Bangkok with no problems so far...done it twice over the last two months...I pull up to the $1000 daily standard Schwab limit. No Bt200 fee when doing it this way like in an ATM. But as many posts have mentioned some Thai bank branches will accept a debit card for in bank withdrawals and some will not; instead they just say no-can-do and point you to their ATM...all depends on the branch's policy.

In my case, it wasn't a policy issue, the transaction simply failed.

Do you know if your transactions are done as POS or ATM withdrawals? I ask because you mentioned the $1000 limit, which I believe is the standard Schwab ATM limit. My POS limit was set at $15K and ATM limit at $6k but the transaction was still declined (they tried twice -- bt 200k and 180k) at the BKK Bank branch I tried. Since no PIN is involved I would suspect it's POS.

I tried BKK Bank with my (chipped) Schwab card because I have an account there, but they didn't seem to care, so maybe I'll give the Krungsri at Centralworld a go next time. I have massive (to be reimbursed) fees at Schwab this month but don't want to abuse their generosity again. Otherwise will give my Fidelity card a try when I get it back from in-laws in the Phils.

There are a bunch of threads on this topic but none (that I am aware of) that have been updated recently, so I thought I would do so. I am buying a new car next week so was looking for the easiest way to move a over a fair amount of THB in the easiest/most efficient manner. I also wanted to find the best method for future withdrawals.

Note that I do have Schwab and Fidelity ATM cards, which reimburse all fees, but like others here I prefer not to abuse the privilege by making an excessive number of withdrawals with ripoff fees.

Anyway, summary of recent ATM withdrawal limits for those banks in central BKK that I have used:

TMB: generally 30k, but some are lower. 200bt fee.

BKK Bank: mostly 25k in those I have tried. Some 20k. 200bt fee.

KBank (green): seem to mostly be 20k, but might vary. 200bt fee.

Krungsri: 30K in the two branches I have tried. 200bt fee.

*Citibank* (Central World BKK): 50K and the fee was 180bt vs 200bt at other banks. I did two consecutive here, for 100K.

Obviously, Citibank is the top choice with a fee of 180bt/50K = 0.36%. BKK Bank is 200bt/25k = 0.8%, for comparison.

Note I also attempted to do an in-bank withdrawal (Schwab card) at BKK Bank Siam Paragon, but that failed. The staff attempted the transaction twice but it was rejected, even after I made sure my POS and ATM limits were adequate. They could not provide a reason for the failure. Perhaps it may work at other branches, but I have not yet attempted it.

Finally, I also have the ability to do transfers via BKK Bank's NYC branch, but from previous experience I found this slower than expected and not that cheap after various fees are included (FX rate spread + .25% fee + NY branch fee).

So, going forward, I will most likely do 2x Citibank for my typical 100k monthly THB cash need. Overall, the net fee % is far lower than other alternatives, so it'll save a fair bit of money (for Schwab and Fidelity, in my case).

Again, just an update for those that are facing this common issue. Experience may vary with your own card (note: I temporarily raised my Schwab ATM/POS limit to a high number before proceeding -- some cards have very low limits)

As some have indicated already, the answer to this question is a no-brainer, and certainly if your particular "nanny state" is the U.S. (You specified dollars as currency, so theoretically it could be a variety of other countries including THE nanny state, Singapore). ALWAYS pay in local currency. Period.

For CC charges, if you accept dynamic conversion (pay in $) you are guaranteed to be screwed by an extra 3-5% in fx spread depending on which particular thief (err, ok, merchant and his bank) you use. Some merchants even attempt to charge in your home currency without asking you, although Thailand is not as bad as a place like Hong Kong where many/most big merchants will FORCE you to use DCC (they will not accept credit card without it -- have been in many disputes over this).

Depending on your particular credit card, you may also get hit with a 3-4% "foreign transaction fee"....key point here: You will STILL be hit with the foreign transaction fee even if you select payment in US$, because the language is intentionally deceptive (called a foreign "transaction" fee rather than "conversion" fee).

So in total, you could pay an extra 6-8+% if you have the wrong card and pay in US$

However, if you choose one of the many credit cards that have no foreign transaction fee, and choose local currency (THB), you will get an excellent exchange rate plus any other benefits that the credit card may offer (e.g., 10-20% discount plus points for one of my Citi cards, 20% off all Uber rides for my Capital One card).

So, shop around for the credit card and ALWAYS pay in local currency. Better even than using cash via a fee-reimbursing, no fx-charge ATM card such as Schwab or Fidelity (both of which I also have, but I almost always use a CC)

-----------------------

Edit: I noticed you used the word "favourable" so I suspect your particular nanny state is actually not the U.S.

It occurred to me that there MAY be an additional option: converting the baby's initial 30-day waiver to a non-O, as I did for my original non-O. Ubonjoe (or anyone else) do you know if this is possible? Although another day wasted at Chaengwattana is probably more painful to me than an overseas trip (or a root canal), it would still be helpful to know if this is a viable option.

Thanks for the responses, but I think the relevant issue has been missed.

We already have a U.S. passport for the baby. Two others (UK and one more) obtained soon. I do know we can leave Thailand with only the birth certificate.

I also realize that the baby can stay indefinitely in Thailand, but AFTER we leave the first time, that no longer applies. And we WILL leave, as I indicated, already a trip scheduled to Singapore to visit friends and at least two others in the near future to visit grandparents and other relatives/friends. We are simply not the type to go many months or years without overseas travel.

So the question is specifically about getting a non-O visa for the baby so that a legal extension may be filed for upon return to Thailand.

After searching I haven't found a clear answer so here goes (details to follow):

1. Father (US passport) in Thailand on non-O extension of stay (retirement)

2. Mother and wife (UK passport) here on extension of stay, following on from my extension.

3. Our extensions expire Feb 10, but we intend to renew them before then.

4. We have a two-month old baby (US/UK citizen) born in BKK that has not yet left Thailand

5. Singapore is my former home of many years, and we regularly travel there, although I recently gave up my PR there.

With that background, my question is about getting our new baby the legal right to stay in Thailand.

We have a late January trip to Singapore, unrelated to visas, so are interested in getting the baby's non-O there. Yes, I am aware of Singapore's reputation with regard to visas, but again, it is a place I have ties to and visit often. I can think of no reason I would ever go to Vientiane (or Penang, honestly), especially with a baby, so a visa from Singapore would be ideal.

However, in addition to the well-known issues with visas from Singapore, the embassy website lists no category for non-O visa except Thai spouse or O-A (Singapore citizen or PR only), neither of which apply in our case.

So my options are as follows:

A. Attempt to get the visa in Singapore, which would require a painful, time-wasting consulate visit and probably one or two extra nights trip extension for processing in the (unlikely?) event it can be done there.

B. Just wait until my next trip to the U.S. sometime this June or July, which would require 2-3 baby overstays on 30-day extensions. The non-O could probably be obtained easily in the Portland honorary consulate near our home there.

C. Some other, simpler/easier method I am missing. A visa-run trip with a baby is not an attractive option for obvious reasons.

Unless this has changed, it is my understanding that no overstay fines would apply for the baby, but I still have a strong preference for keeping things legal, if at all practicable

So, with that, do we have any informed opinions or recent experiences? TIA

I live in the immediate area. The police convoy moved from Ratchaprasong down Rtchadamri and stopped in front of the Anantara (old Four Seasons). Snapped a few photos from by balcony, but Anantara blocked my view of the culprit and I was too lazy to go down. Just now the convoy left to head toward Lumpini Park. Quite the zoo.

I looked at pretty much every newer high-end condo in central BKK that's within a 3-5 minute walk of a BTS/MRT station (Millennium did not make the cut, much too far from BTS and malls for me).

Nearly all, including those less than five years old, were in shockingly poor condition. When guessing their age, I would have guessed at least double or triple the actual age. Depressing lobbies and lifts, dim corridors, etc.

I did find a few that were in very good condition. The common denominator? They were all attached to hotels...in other words, the "Residence" tower of hotels, although not necessarily serviced apartments. In the end I chose one of these apartments to rent and rejected the idea of buying (all of these will be 30-yr leasehold with uncertain renewal). So, my conclusion is that proper care and maintenance can only be expected if associated with a hotel group. The place I am in is about five years old, but is very professionally managed and looks new inside and out...any maintenance issue is solved immediately.

Of course, I pay a rent that would cause many here to call me a clueless farang, but if you want quality here located immediately adjacent to BTS you still have to pay up for it.

Maybe Millenium Residence is an exception to the poor maintenance rule, I can't comment on that, but I can't imagine buying a condo here given the likely condition in 10+ years.

No, never been and don't have plans to go there

This whole chain of events is weird, maybe more information we don't know yet would make it better

Why so many fake passports?

Did they plan to admit this bombing or not?

How long was this planned for in advance?

Who picked the target of erawan shrine and why?

Who gave the order to do it on that particular date? etc etc....

Honestly, I really wonder if the many comments I see along these lines (along with all the ridiculous "what's the motive?" nonsense) are for real or just trolling. Could anyone really be so slow? Based on the situation, it all seems pretty obvious:

Why so many fake passports: Uh, hello, were not a shirtload of Uighers just deported from Thailand to China? Were they not trying to get to Turkey? Do you think they just MIGHT need some fake Turkish passports to do so? Obviously no longer needed when deported back to China.

How long planned in advance: Again, do you think ALL of the Uighers were deported? Certainly not, so there had to be plenty pissed off comrades left behind. Wouldn't they want revenge for their Muslim brothers? Easy peasy, fly in a bombmaker (if one not already among the group), and you're good to go.

Why the Erawan shrine: countless times it has been mentioned that this site is visited by many (Buddhist) Chinese. What better site to get back at both Thais and Chinese, as well as all "infidels"?

What's the motive: hello??? Anybody home??? why do people still ask this? Hit on the head as children? REVENGE! PAYBACK!

Virtually all of the evidence points the same direction, why is this so hard to comprehend?

So he says that the suspect arrested at the border "resembled the yellow shirted bomb suspect"? I don't think so, the face was very different, I would say that in that case the first suspect looked more like yellow shirt

I'm no facial recognition expert, but I see a similarity:

Bangkok-338972.jpg

Apparently you changed your mind since you (and your buddy green job) ridiculed the post (with passport photo) stating a resemblance yesterday? Oh, I get it, "similarity" not "resemblance"....now a nose, eyes and ears is enough? ..brilliant

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/852712-police-to-announce-arrest-of-bangkok-bomber/?p=9804087