Firefan

Been noticing Bank of China ads/banners stating they have a Thai gold account, and also stating some interest(?) or fee or something of 2.7%. (I have no idea how calculated, paid out or whether its some initial fee or whatever).

Have anybody heard about this account and the terms? I have been bouncing around their homepage with little luck: http://www.bankofchina.com/th/en/

Cheers!

Thanks to Maestro and Chris for arranging! Was a fun night and I will certainly be back at 99 in the future!

cheers!

Will be there with a mate! Look forward to seeing some old and new faces! Cheers!

I have pulled cash before and was charged the 1% fee in line with Flyerguide; BUT that was when PNC bank was apparently handling my card more than a year ago - so my Schwab financial advisor might WELL be wrong. Normally do not pull money via debit card myself, as got local income, but will give it a shot. Personally I believe that my advisor is wrong, as Sars BNY Mellow results speak for themselves - and my advisor have confirmed PNC Bank not in charge of my card either anymore. Sars results and mine should be the same as we have the exact same accounts/cards (now).

Cheers!

Great decision. Way too many taxis, in fact, seems they create most of the dental Bangkok traffic jams!

I talked with many taxi drivers, the ones that do not try to over charge, and they still pocket close to Baht 1000/day in average - that is the reason there are so many taxis! Increasing the fare will just bring MORE taxis.

As for the ones wanting special rates, and no meter, an increase in fares would not change a thing there.

cheers!

Sars; you got any input to this? Would appreciate it! Cheers!

HSBC no longer do retail (personal) banking in Thailand.

Cheers!

Thousands of U.S. banks/credit unions issuing debit cards....and I guess the list of what someone would consider major/well known banks would be somewhere north of a hundred...expect the Flyersguide site only lists the most well known ones and/or the ones people provide info on. But regarding the Schwab debit card I expect people just refer to it as the Schwab card regardless of the particular bank is underwriting/managing the card transactions....appears Schwab is using at least three different banks which have already been mentioned.

Hi Pib, sure enough. Got the reply from Schwab as per below. Presume all Schwab broker cards now handled by BNY Mellow ten.(received my currnt card in July still stating PNC Bank on it - guess last batch). So again seems I am right. The fee is being charged. I have asked him how much. Sars; why don't you try to ask them too? Cheers!

Sars; while waiting for reply from Schwab I checked the http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange for links to both Bank of NY (the BNY part) AND BNY Mellow.... NONE of them are even on the list.... the plot thickens....

Cheers!

Hi Sars,

Had my Schwab One International account for couple of years - but just recently (when you opened account) got my latest Schwab broker debit card - and still says PNC on the back. I have just contacted Schwab to see what they say. Cheers!

transactions are handled by "BNY Mellon," which apparently do not charge any foreign transaction fee just as my Schwab Visa debit card linked to "Schwab Bank" does not charge any foreign transaction fee (I also have a Schwab brokerage account but my debit card is linked to the Schwab Bank checking account which is opened automatically when opening a Schwab brokerage account).

However, apparently for FireFan with a Schwab One "U.S." Brokerage account (like I have also), his card is linked to his brokerage account and transactions managed by "PNC Bank"....apparently the brokerage account linked to "PNC Bank" does charge a 1% fee...or maybe said another way lets the Visa 1% flow through to the customer and does not absorb the fee.

I think you are getting confused with the 1% Visa foriegn exchange fee that is indeed passed to Schwab just like Visa passes to any card issuing bank/company but Schwab absorbs that fee and does not pass it along to you. Therefore you are not charged any fee. As sars_cars stated he is not charged any fee on his Schwab One International Visa debit card nor am l charged any fee on my US Schwab Visa debit card. I used it just a few days ago and many more times over the last few years here in Thailand---no fees...always the full/0% fee Visa rate.

Sent from my Samsung S4 (GT-I9500)

Hi Pib,

Did you check the link I gave: http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange

It is CLEARLY stipulated there. Schroll down to Schwab. the Schwab BANK debit card do not charge the 1% currency exchange fee. The Schwab BROKER DOES charge.

I also asked my Schwab BROKER directly - and after meddling around the subject, they confirmed to me too. Finally I HAVE compared rates with the VISA homepage and always get 1% less (well +/- a few parts of 1% sometimes). They ALSO charge the 1% at point of sales transactions btw.

Notice that the Schwab BROKER debit card is actually issued by PNC bank and NOT Schwab BANK. I think that is the reason. In case of an American having linked his Schwab BROKER account up with his Schwab BANK account - he might be using the Schwab BANK debit card - and is therefore NOT charged the 1% exchange fee.

Anyway; PLEASE ask them yourselves! I did! Oh, and be prepared for them not to really answer your question! "yes sir! It's fee free" (they mean no annual fee or ATM fee from their side) "yes, sir! we reimburse the ATM fees"(true!). But give them above link and ask them to confirm the 1% on broker debit cards... I did!

In short: if it says PNC BANK on the back of your Schwab broker card you ARE charged 1%.

Cheers!

That very well could be the answer....your Schwab Visa card linked to your Schwab U.S. brokerage account (it was a U.S. account, right?...or was it an International account) is issued through PNC Bank and they apparently charge a 1% fee. Sars_cars Schwab Visa card is linked to his Schwab International brokerage account through BNY Mellon Bank and they do not charge the 1% Visa fee because they absorb it for the customer. And for me with my Schwab Visa card linked to Scbwab Bank they do not charge the 1% Visa fee because they absorb it for the customer. I appears to come down to whether your card is linked to a brokerage or bank account, and even when linked to a brokerage account apparently it's different for Schwab's International Brokerage account and Schwab U.S. Brokerage Account.

Yea, I've recommend that flyerguide web site numerous times to other folks, but it does have errors in. Example: I also have a St Farm debit card which does not charge any foreign transaction fee...been using it for years....in fact I used it within the hour at my nearby AEON ATM....just checked my bank account an got a 32.11 exchange rate which exactly matches Visa's full/0% fee exchange rate of 32.11. A lot of that information on flyerguide is "crowd-sourced" info based on feedback from users of that web site and sometimes they feedback incorrect info, but with that being said, is still a great website for a person to start their hunt for fee free/low cost cards.

Hi Pib; yes Flyerguide can have errors for sure. Meanwhile my account (I am not American) is the Schwab International One broker account - the only Schwab account the original poster would be able to get with Schwab as he is a non resident alien just like me. That one has nothing to do with Schwab Bank as we know. My card is as mentioned in the flyerguide link handled by PNC bank. I believe even the USA Schwab One broker accounts are handled by them. Any card that says handled by PNC would have the 1% fee according to flyer guide. My card for sure has. I wonder how Sars card can be linked to Schwab via BNY Mellow Bank....? Your card does not surprise me then.

I still believe that Schwab BROKER debit cards charge the 1%, as that is what flyerguide say, what I have seen and what Schwab confirmed to me themselves! As for a US broker account debit card, it really has nothing to do with the OP as he is not American, but even THAT card seems to be charged the 1% according to Flyerguide. Flyerguide actually focus on the US based cards - so I am happy to get to tag along at only 1%! Would love to hear what Sars thinks?

Cheers!

I think you are getting confused with the 1% Visa foriegn exchange fee that is indeed passed to Schwab just like Visa passes to any card issuing bank/company but Schwab absorbs that fee and does not pass it along to you. Therefore you are not charged any fee. As sars_cars stated he is not charged any fee on his Schwab One International Visa debit card nor am l charged any fee on my US Schwab Visa debit card. I used it just a few days ago and many more times over the last few years here in Thailand---no fees...always the full/0% fee Visa rate.

Sent from my Samsung S4 (GT-I9500)

Hi Pib,

Did you check the link I gave: http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange

It is CLEARLY stipulated there. Schroll down to Schwab. the Schwab BANK debit card do not charge the 1% currency exchange fee. The Schwab BROKER DOES charge.

I also asked my Schwab BROKER directly - and after meddling around the subject, they confirmed to me too. Finally I HAVE compared rates with the VISA homepage and always get 1% less (well +/- a few parts of 1% sometimes). They ALSO charge the 1% at point of sales transactions btw.

Notice that the Schwab BROKER debit card is actually issued by PNC bank and NOT Schwab BANK. I think that is the reason. In case of an American having linked his Schwab BROKER account up with his Schwab BANK account - he might be using the Schwab BANK debit card - and is therefore NOT charged the 1% exchange fee.

Anyway; PLEASE ask them yourselves! I did! Oh, and be prepared for them not to really answer your question! "yes sir! It's fee free" (they mean no annual fee or ATM fee from their side) "yes, sir! we reimburse the ATM fees"(true!). But give them above link and ask them to confirm the 1% on broker debit cards... I did!

In short: if it says PNC BANK on the back of your Schwab broker card you ARE charged 1%.

Cheers!

Pib: we cross posted, but as you can see they DO charge 1% foreign currency conversion fee if you use the broker issued card (schwab One International debit card - and also even a normal USA Schwab broker account). I also asked them and they confirmed. Sneaky indeed, but with the 150 baht ATM transaction fee refunded and only 1% in conversion fee, they are still the best I could find.Some others charge up to 3.5%(!) with NO refund of ATM charge, AND even a cash withdrawal fee from original bank! Auch!

Cheers!

Ripper; simple; if he is more than 6 months in Thailand he needs to get the Schwab International One account. But Schwab Bank have as per above the BEST terms as no 1% currency conversion fee (build into the rate) - so if just for currency purposes seems smartest to open that.

If want US bank or broker account he NEEDS to have a US address - maybe he could make that at family address or similar? After that they will not really care (unless he TELLS them, as he did...).

Cheers!

And to prove my point that Schwab BANK do NOT charge the 1% conversion fee, but the SCHWAB International One broker account DO charge:

http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange

Case closed!

Cheers!

Ps. Some lucky American have their Schwab broker account linked with their Schwab BANK account - so be smart and use the BANK debit card, not the broker one (if you have both).

SAS; are you a US citizen/have US address? That could make it a different thing. Also note that the Schwab-Global is a 3rd account (for US citizens only) that some people confuse with Schwab International.

Jim; We agree! Schwab BANK does NOT charge the 1% conversion fee. Schwab International One debit card DO charge the 1% (build into exchange rate).

Both of the refund the transaction fees (automatically).

Cheers!

Pib; you are almost right. I have the Schwab One International account. They DO charge the 1% conversion fee (from Visa). The DO refund the 150 Baht transaction fees (automatically) though.

Schwab BANK (only for US citizens or residents with valid US address) does NOT charge the 1% conversion fee. (and refunds transaction fees).

Confusing eh?

Cheers!

Hi Tom!

Bought it here so did not have the import hassle. Have seen a few around, but not many. This is the Honda CRX Del Sol JDM (japan import) SIR 1993 - so a very old lady.... fit though!

Cheers!

My old car alarm seems to have given up it's spirit - and since my insurance do not cover theft (and car still looks cool! ) I want to after install a new alarm.

I have googled a bit but am no expert! Will get someone who is to install, but any tips on:

Will any alarm do, or will it need to have Honda (or even model specific) specific specs?

Any good place to buy/get installed at reasonable prices?

See when googling "remote start" function - darn cool - but don't want it to take off without me! (aware will only start if in Park/Neutral but that is if installed correctly..TIT..).

Any tips, experiences or ideas highly appreciated!

Cheers!

My car alarm seems to have given up it's spirit - and since my old Honda have no insurance against theft (and still look cool! ) I want to get a new one installed. I know VERY little (read; nothing!) about car alarms and tips when want to buy an after install (will get a pro to install it - not me!).

I.e. any idea where to buy/get installed (Bangkok area)? Price levels? Online sources to check (my google finds only international pages) Etc.?

Will any alarm "fit" - or will it have to somehow have some Honda specific (or even model specific) specs?

Googling a bit I see "remote start" as an option - that sounds pretty darn cool (a friend has on his bike) but on the other hand I do not want it to take of without me!

Am well aware it will only start if in Park/Neutral - but that is if installed 100% correct...TIT....

In short; ANY tips, experiences and ideas would be highly appreciated! Cheers!

That might well work (a bit). Caffeine is well known in fitness/body building circles as an appetite suppressant and seems to assist in the fat burning process too.

Try to reduce/eliminate rice/noodles/simple carbs at the same time, and get most carbs needed from veggies (cooked and raw) with whatever protein source you prefer. Update us soon! Cheers!

Pinfold; thank you for your interesting input here. Thailand is no longer cheap for medical unless public hospitals (some of which I hear is very good). Guessing the medical tourism (which again is caused by medical "inflation" abroad) is the driving factor in prices going sky high in international hospitals.

I recently changed from my thaihealth.co.th (1M) Baht health insurance to healthcareinternational.com emergency+ (15M Baht) as having 1M baht cover is simply not enough here anymore if want international hospitals.

Cheers!

I cook with it, use it for body and face, massage, shaving oil, eat it in home made chocolate, throw in smoothies, make popcorn and so much more! Best thing ever. The health benefits are numerous as the OP's article mention.

Seen it in; TOPs, Villa, Central and even some pharmacies and many health food stores. Get a bottle with a pump for easier use. Does not go bad as easy as other oils so keep it at room temperature for it to remain liquid and easy to use.

Cheers!

Green; Iherb DO ship to Thailand. Here is what you should do:

1. order for no more than (about) USD 50/order to avoid Thai customs and for sure less than $80 in order to get the below shipping option.

2. no more weight than 4 pounds (about 1.8 kilos)

3. then 1 shipping option costing only $4(!) will pop up (the no shipment options are the full courier services that you don't want to use anyway as attract customs fees like bees to honey! ) It is called: Global Priority Mail by DHL.

Then just order more than 1 package ($4 shipping) if needed. If your first order use code YOQ460 at check-out for an additional $10 of your order -order over $40 - and $5 if less.

The packages take 2-4 weeks to arrive. I have had more than 20 packages delivered over the last 2 years - all arrived safely.

Hope helped! Cheers!

Generally on Thaivisa OBVIOUS advertising will be removed by the mods, but since the OP states he does not work for the company it is not advertising but simply a good experience.

The other reason to be a bit hesitant about posting specific company names (or person names) here is the rather strict laws in Thailand about "slander" - but as I mentioned; in this case the OP has nothing to fear there as a positive experience!

Back to the subject; I can certainly see the logic for people that are old and/or have tons of pre existing problems that will never be covered anyway; to focus on best possible accident insurance (and add whatever "riders" one can get for sickness Etc.). It's cheaper and will cover the same.

In fact; many that live here without any health insurance whatsoever(budget reasons/self insured or whatever reason), would be wise to at least pick up an accident insurance - ensuring immediate treatment in an (accident) emergency. Some here are on a very tight budget - and doing sports (or just walking the streets!) can easily end in injuries that they can not afford to fix - or worse; the extra time lost in an emergency by not having a recognized card - could mean the difference between being cured, and being a vegetable...

Accident insurance with covers from 5000 Baht up to 500.000 Baht exist - the one I just got from AXA pays 62500 Baht per accident and cost just 2000 Baht a year! - I cut 1 beer/month and got that instead! (double win!).

Before somebody point out that 62.500 Baht is way too little - I fully agree - BUT its better than having NO card in the pocket. Treatment will start no matter what.

Personally I have seen a measly 200.000 Baht health insurance cover (AIA) being accepted at Bumrungrad intensive, and treatment being performed till person stabilized - with the first 1-2 weeks costing 1M Baht (full time in intensive,special dialysis machines and high end auto immune meds) and only when stabilized did the hospital admin come to discuss the further financing. Now; an accident insurance would not cover in that case of course - but we are more likely to get in an accident than coming down with a 1 in 100.000 rare auto immune disease.

Cheers!