scoutman360

On ‎7‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 5:49 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

a couple things here...

 

1. It's not uncommon for U.S. banks to use what's called corresponding banks to serve as the middlemen in international funds transfers for whatever reason. That could be why Wells went thru Kasikorn, though Wells ought to be able to tell you if they do or don't use a corresponding bank for wire transfers to Thailand.

 

2. Yes, you did get a lousy exchange rate. In doing any kind of international xfer for Immigration purposes, you gotta build in a margin of cushion to cover fees and exchange rate fluctuations (or bank ripoffs as the case may be).

 

3. It's possible, if you get the transaction details from BKKB, you might be able to go to Kasikorn Bank's HQ and get them to issue you something called a credit advice letter that documents the transfer of your funds into Thailand. That MIGHT help with Immigration, but no guarantees.

 

This summarized well what I was going to say.  Going forward:

Option A: TallGuy's #3. Get the paper trail. The Credit Advice showing anything with your name on it or a trail to your BB account should work.

Option B: Open a Kbank account for next time. Seems like WF is using them as their intermediary bank. If your Extension expires in October, you have plenty of time to send the money home and do it again through Kbank.

8 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

And of course I always dress like I am going to a important business meeting.

You nailed it. Every time I go to the bank, I dress like a king. And they treat me accordingly. In Thailand, money talks a little, but image takes you everywhere.

On ‎7‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 10:00 PM, moontang said:

Chatuchak is a cesspool of taxi Mafia...



Correct. I had good luck at the park side (going North). At the far end there are many taxis cuing up in the middle of the road. Use them.

Alternatively, there are minibuses for about 60 baht. I used to get one going to Impact Arena in the large car park. Are they still there?

I don't see any concern for you. I assume you never met her. She found a guy to give her room and board while she tries out for this audition. Win, win for both of you (hopefully).

I also grew up in California. Earthquakes are a part of life. So many times you feel one, and you don't know if it was only a large truck driving by. You start to ignore it.

I was in the northern California big one in 1989, the Loma Prieta quake. That quake, I will never forget. Power was out for 1 day, and it took me 4 hours to drive home because the whole city was in the dark (normally 30 minutes from school).  And the scientists say these quakes are just the small ones compared to what is coming very soon.

I have been living with a foam mattress topper for many years in my rented condos with cement beds. But eventually, it just wears out. I have been saving these guys for a rainy day. Memory foam is awesome but expensive. Still, I think worth it.

https://www.comfortzonethailand.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrOW9pfuA4AIVkA4rCh3wtgQtEAAYAiAAEgI6ZfD_BwE

"I know someone will ask "did you check your payslip?". Well the answer is "No" as we don't get payslips. The money is transferred to our accounts without any documentation. "

The first red flag. I ALWAYS demand a copy of my payslip by email and by snail mail. Many times, there are mistakes in my payslip. I get them corrected. If they don't do this for you,  you have a dodgy employer. Sorry, but you had this coming to you.

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

Should be a pretty nice spike up on the Nasdaq as well. My chip stocks should soar. I guess the price for all of this is the dollar will probably continue to go lower. Bad news if you live overseas but good for people like me back home. 

It’s a pretty great set up. The market gets another leg up, talks continue like before and a deal can be made later and an interest cut rate guaranteed in July. After that the ‘uncertainty’ of no deal can be cause for maybe one or two more cuts that weren’t coming.

 

The best June ever since 1938 and watch July I expect it to keep on going. Let the people who don’t understand what is happening sit and complain. It’s rather comical. 

 

Yes, yes, and yes. Go TRUMP. Finally a non-career politician who does not need the money. No one can buy him. We need this more.

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

Should be a pretty nice spike up on the Nasdaq as well. My chip stocks should soar. I guess the price for all of this is the dollar will probably continue to go lower. Bad news if you live overseas but good for people like me back home. 

And good news for guys like me sending money back home from Thailand. I am looking forward to more spikes in the Nasdaq. I could never understand why Thailand economy has so much growth and potential but the SET completely sucks compared to the U.S. markets.

It is just recorded messages. The train operators, do you think they are going to explain everything in English and Thai? They push a button to keep people calm. But I do remember the old days when no one was on the train.

I see a lot of nit-picking here. Of course, because of many people want to stay in Thailand. Personally, I would get out of this place, in your situation. Vietnam and a few other countries offer the love to us you are looking for.

I live and work in Thailand and I must travel abroad every month. Most of the time, the immigration officers wave me through without a finger print scan. But I can see a lot of people holding up the line because they don't understand the MORE THAN OBVIOUS video in their face on how to hold their hands on the scanner. If they would follow the instructions, they would be done before the officer finished the passport stamp.

You are getting a Work Permit? You need a Non-B. 

On ‎6‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 11:38 AM, hodgefw said:

If you don't mind my asking, where was this? I'm in Bangkok and running into a similar issue.

 

The Krung Thai branch in Empire tower wanted my Tax ID card (worked here a long time, never had one). I think I will check the Silom complex next (I work in Sathorn). I have the paperwork, my passport, my work permit(which is linked to my Tax ID#), I know my Tax ID#, but still no luck at the first place I checked.

 

Thanks for verifying that some will work without a physical Tax ID Card.

Siam Square branch.

5 hours ago, Mango Bob said:

Why is the military still doing the police job.  They still think they own the country.  Just another type of coup you pay who going to vote for you even if the people didn't vote for them.  A coup is a coup no matter how you do it.

 

Uhmmm, maybe the country is lawless, and the BIB have not been effective in enforcing laws so the military had to step in? Could that be why the military is doing the police job? I could say more, but that would offend people who think democracy works everywhere.

I got my refund put on a Krungthai Prompt Card, thanks to the recommendations on this thread. However, it didn't go easily.

The first branch told me that they don't issue Prompt Card and sent me to another branch. The next branch insisted I show them a copy of my "Tax ID Card" which I don't have and never had (although I do have a tax ID number). Then, finally, the 3rd branch copied my passport and work permit and in 15 minutes I walked out with my new Prompt Card.

I have since depleted the card and deposited all the cash into my Bangkok Bank savings account. Nothing is simple around here.

Don't shoot the messenger. This war against Trump is all taken from standard Dems protocol. So so many people here sipping the media Kool-Aid. Last time it was the GOP calling for Impeachment and ready to vote against Obama. The war for power never ends, and stupid people like you all act like sheep and take sides and vote them back into office. 

All the hate messages I read here about Trump are the same messages I read about Obama.

Watch a few episodes of Ghost Adventures, you might change your mind. Some episodes will make the hair on your neck stand up.

But I agree that the "Jesus is the Son of God" thing may need some thought, open to interpretation. I am not knocking His message, and badly needed influence on our world today. The New Testament was written 30-90 years after his death. Who was there? A bunch of illiterate poor fishermen who could not read nor write.

How did their experience become reality 90 years later? Probably not. The details don't matter. It is the message that counts.

I can sympathize. I was once a singer, with strong voice, but since moving to Thailand have had weekly hoarse voice come and go. The usual "acid reflux" excuse proved wrong. Doctors always start with their "most common" list. You need to rule all these out in order to get to a specialist. I recently found that clearing my throat (bringing mucus up from lungs) is causing my hoarseness. I have yet to find a cure.

They are switching to another type of plastic that can be recycled. What percentage of recyclable material actually makes it to the recycle center? Another ineffective move.

Clearly contract work. 1-2 years contract max. Teach the Thais, then send the expat home. Not so available for those who live in Thailand.

On ‎5‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 8:10 PM, Thailand J said:

You did very well. Probably you've bought BP in the 1970's when it was $1 +. I have a friend who bought Disney stocks way back then. She said she could get into the theme park for free once a year with her Disney stock certificate.

 

I put my retirement money into index funds in 2007, which was the worst time ever. This is how S&P 500 index compared to BP and Shell since. Not that S&P is the best investment but it's what I have and what everyone knows. This is total return, considered dividend reinvested.

 

2009 The broad market took a big blow from the housing market collapse.

2010 BP was soaked by the oil spill.

2015 BP and Shell both had a terrible year when oil price dropped to $40.

  

All 3 investments are up significantly  since 2016, hope the up trend continues.

 

 

I like this graph because is just shows that everything goes up and down together, no matter where you invest. But it also confirms what so many professionals say, just buy the S&P500, and you will do better than all the people trying to gamble with their money.

4 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Not a fan of paper assets.

Every year they let a monkey select stocks and than an human real expert but the monkey usually does a better job selecting the winners.

I once saw a TV show where they had monkeys chose a stock, children chose stocks, and professionals chose stocks. I remember that the children chose companies that they liked, such as Disney. The bottom line was that the professionals came in last for stock performance... LOL

On ‎5‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 6:49 PM, HNWI said:

Ark ETFs are a good call for the lazy investors.

I would like to understand your logic. ETF's are just a mutual fund that can be traded daily on the fly, just like a regular stock. Lazy investors should stick to regular mutual funds, IMHO.