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dclaryjr

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Posts posted by dclaryjr

    Us Bank International Wire Transfer Fees..?

    in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments

    Posted

    So why not get a new ATM card? Probably the magnetic strip damaged. If it your bank just change and open a new account elsewhere. People can still use ATM cards in Thailand if linked to major systems such as Cirrus or Plus.

    That's what I'm doing. I opened a Wells Fargo account that allows me four free ATM withdrawals anywhere in the world (under their Military Banking plan). So it's up to my B-I-L to find a place to do the withdrawals that doesn't add a lot on his end. But I'm just thought I'd ask and maybe uncover something better.

    Us Bank International Wire Transfer Fees..?

    in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments

    Posted

    For several years, I've been sending $800 to $900 a month by depositing it in a separate account and having my brother-in-law withdraw it via ATM in Thailand. They had to make multiple withdrawals with some fees in order to get the whole amount but it was cheaper than a wire. Last week my brother-in-law called and said the ATM card wasn't working--this was a month after I deposited the money. My first thought was "Oh sh1t!" because he's making the mortgage payment on my house. I did some marathon sessions online with various banks and found out that there are a lot of programs out there for moving money overseas (especially to India) but none of the programs semed to apply to Thailand. So I went ahead and shelled out the $30 to wire two months worth but in the meantime I'm looking for alternatives. $30 a month to send $900 seems a little steep!!!!!

    Retirement House, Buy Now Or Later

    in Real Estate, Housing, House and Land Ownership

    Posted

    4 -  When buying a property should I keep out the way and let my wife take over the  Buying process so as the seller might put up the price if they think a farang is

    Interested in buying the property. ?

    I'm making payments on land and a house that I've haven't actually seen with my own two eyes! My brother-in-law took care of it all. I thought I was making a land purchase until my wife told me the house was going up as well. I have mixed feelings about it but at least I know that when I do retire (in 8-10 years), I will have a residence that's paid for in a good location, and will be able to live well on my retirement income. Meanwhile, my family has a nice weekend retreat to go to (near Khao Yai).

    Thai Wives

    in General Topics

    Posted

    Next February will mark the 30th anniversary of my wife's arrival in the U.S. Unlike what a lot of posters have said, she has had very few Thai friends other than one close friend that she used to work with in Thailand. She doesn't care for gambling. What she did was work at assimilating into her new surroundings. She went to work almost immediately which was a challenge because of her limited language skills. But I worked with her and refused to speak to her in that broken, BG style. To this day I correct her and she's eager to add to her vocabulary. She spent ten years waiting on tables at Denny's and made much more than her coworkers in tips because she realized good customer service got rewarded. She's always had a love of sports so she became a fan of American football (Emmitt Smith was her boy :o ). She also started running and working out and now, at the age of 60, she teaches several spinning (stationary cycling)classes a week. I guess it basically came down to attitude. She saw her new home as a land of opportunity and decided to make the best of it.

    The tables will be turned in a few years when we retire in Thailand. I will be the Stranger in a Strange Land. I only hope I do half as well as adapting as she did.

    Wire Transfer Surcharge

    in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments

    Posted

    Just one more thought....

    When you wire funds to a Thai bank, the originating bank will charge you (USD20-30 is normal range) and the receiving bank will charge you (THB500-THB1000) is normal range). Frequently, however, you will also find another USD10-25 'disappearing' in  transit. That is yet another fee imposed by the correspondent bank through which the transfer is routed and you should expect it to turn up frequently, particularly on wires to Thai banks.

    I don't know what kind of amounts the OP is talking about, but the discussion in the "Bank Of America To Bangkok Bank Ltd" thread sounds like a good solution if the amounts are good.

    Anyone Here Do Exercise?

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    Actually this is not quite true according to the latest research.

    For older people weight training is even more important than cardiovascular exercise.

    Ideally there should be both but if you are only going to do one when you are older weights it is.

    I play squash and do weights.

    I am completely addicted!

    When it comes to health and fitness, you can find research that will back just about any position you want to take, and find two studies that totally contradict each other. But I do believe doing a well rounded program is best for most. I've shifted away from doing weights to doing bodyweight exercises-no gym required. I still need the gym to get in my 1-2 hours of racquetball a day but I gather that I'll have to switch to squash once I move to Thailand.

    Golf & Property In Thailand

    in Sports, Hobbies & Activities

    Posted

    Dear Les,

      I joined Green Valley, in CM, about a year ago.

    Hey Greedy!

    Have you played Lamphun? That was my favorite CM area course I played on my trip (didn't play Green Valley).

    Also wondering if anyone has played Khao Yai CC lately. When I played it (has it really been five years), the native grasses were starting to take back the fairway--conditioning was going downhill fast.

    Santiburi Golf Course

    in Chiang Rai

    Posted

    During the week-ends some people might be playing but during the week it is not busy. If you play alone you might do the round in a little bit more than 3 hours, if you are with some other players together and you have a break once in a while you could be done in 5 hours.

    Five hours for a weekday round? :o

    Calling Mobile From Overseas

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    We use Lingo (a VOIP service like Vonage) and it cost 7 cents a minute from the U.S. to a cell phone in Thailand.  It used to be .12 for a mobile or outside of Bangkok but they recently made it .07 across the board.

    dclaryjr,

    How about US$0.0475 to Thai mobiles :o

    http://www.pennytel.com/index.htm

    Cheers BO

    That's terrific if you want a phone number based in OZ! My VOIP service is also my local phone number as well. I had Vonage but gave it up after a year because they still didn't have numbers in my area code. So considering I was able to fire my local phone company, 7cents works out just fine!!.

    Retirement Visa

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    "Income Letter" from the US Embassy...

    What exactly does this say? Is it just boilerplate -- or does it say something like, 'Joe Shmoe earns $x in retirement per year.'

    Curious, because as Air Force retired, pension amount will only go up every year

    We know that's true in $$$$--just hope it hangs in there in Baht!! :o:D

    The 10 Best Movies Of All Time

    in ASEAN NOW Community Pub

    Posted

    Not in order but...

    From Russia With Love

    Dr. No

    Dr. Strangelove

    Where Does It Hurt (back to back Peter Sellers)

    Donovan's Reef

    The Longest Day

    Dr. Zhivago (teenager falls in love with Julie Christie)

    Godfather I

    Godfather II

    Mulan (I watched that thing so many times with my grand daugter that I have it memorized1) :o

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