ToS2014

14 hours ago, Tug said:

Doubt it to expensive and retarded don’t be so jealous lol sun sand beautiful women the 5th largest economy on earth California has a lot going for it

California has a lot going for it.....high taxes, ever increasing government 'involvement' in individual and business, giving away tax payer dollars to those who don't 'contribute'.  I could go on but I'll just leave it there....

11 hours ago, aqua4 said:

You think?How about a bus load of super spreaders heading for the rural areas. If there was ever an argument against globalism then this virus must be it.

 

Globalism is a term for, in my long standing opinion, for selling out your country to another to 'help' them along.  I wonder how a certain globalism receiver country (a word that has, if one actually states it, it's somehow 'wrong' to 1.whatever billion...in the attempt to remain pc) will help the global problem.  Just glad they are helping the Italian corona issues, while rerouting supplies from the hand that fed it.  Feed and fed are two intirely different terms.  I'd opine further, but it just won't help much....but the future globalism terms and conditions will sure be interesting.  BTW I argued against globalism in my final paper years ago.  I knew it would kill my gpa, but I'm weird like that and thought college was supposed to generate 'open' thought.

stay safe all

On 3/22/2020 at 1:42 PM, Canuck1966 said:

Why not do what the South Koreans did and just give everybody amnesties for a period of time?

Because A) South Korea is a long walk from here AND under a different government.  B) Thailand has already tried the 'just give everybody amnesty' and most westerners have taken advantage of the blanket amnesty, and now are attempting to argue why doesn't Thailand just .....

While previous scholars argued for this phantom global (non border) world; well, I'd say those arguments can be readdressed.

I'm not trying to stomp on your post; rather, just share my tunnel vision opinion.

This dude should have been an actor and not a serial quid-pro-quo guy.  First he sets up all the wanna be female stars that, in all honesty, would even today do some 'things' to get in front of the camera.  Then gets his due and all of a sudden gets a movie prop.  Heck, I've had back pain for 20+ years and I don't even have a 'poor is me' media walker.  I just wonder if had the walker during all his interviews?  I'll keep that in my notes in case I ever get rung up.

I hope he recovers well from his latest medical issue, and am just wondering what will be next on his medical to do list.

OK, just a bit of harsh sarcasm.

Great idea, but how do they rearrange the line when ordering the food?  

12 hours ago, Lacessit said:

IMO no-one will be prevented from leaving Thailand, just returning.

I agree, but the logistics of 'turning an incoming airplane' to a 'departure plane' would mean the airlines would have to return to Thailand almost, if not entirely,  empty.  Just more headaches thinking about all this.

They should line up all those farangs that are dirty and don't shower.  I think some days that 'I'm just wasting water as I don't have any plans to leave the house today'.  But then I see the fire hose out washing the streets and wonder if my 'waste of water' is leading to more trash clogging up the drainage system.  I really enjoy seeing all the pictures of flooded streets after every rain fall.

I am still attempting to comprehend how washing the streets will stop someone from sharing their known or unknown medical condition.  Ahhh the light bulb just turned on....remove the dust from the streets to stop all the sneezes.

2 hours ago, Ebumbu said:

Can't they have takeaway and delivery? 

speaking directly about spreading a virus.....takaways and delivery's is a marvelous concept, except when the 'food' arrives.  I used to really enjoy eating leftovers...until I watched 3 guys eat the same 'food' in less than an hour.  The takeout boss suggested I try it because it is new, 'fresh' and everyone likes it.  It just amazes me to see the 'next' concept.

Close all the bars, etc will just make the internet slow down as more orders are placed on the myriad internet conversation/chat apps.  Or perhaps I'm mistaken and they are only reading the news and chatting with their mom about the weather in Esan.

I do apologize for my humble opinion.

On 3/14/2020 at 10:04 AM, Jingthing said:

I agree but I was wondering if not wearing one (based on the current xenophobic attacks on westerners related to low rates of mask wearing) would be looked upon in a hostile way by the officers there. 

wearing a mask won't disguise the fact that you are a westerner.  I'll end my opinion there.

8 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Not a problem if you transfer the money so it is shown in both accounts on the same day.

Just a side question about 400K/2months for a married extension.....how long do I need to maintain the 400K threshold after my initial renewal visit (...come back in 30 days)?  I'm just curious as I'll ask my Jomtien IMO when I go drop off my 6th stack of paperwork.  Thanks in advance.

On 2/28/2020 at 1:16 PM, realenglish1 said:

I can see your cup is half empty

imagine if all the people......comes to mind.  If a single upstanding Thai female employee is affected......mmmm kisses around after sharing all the lollipops and who knows what else.

On 2/28/2020 at 3:22 PM, canuckamuck said:

He had something greatly valued by many people and he paid to get rid of it. If there isn't more to the story than the guy is a true representative of the Thai school system he was brought up in.

America is by far a perfect country.  Unless drunk on your own hubris there simply isn't a 'perfect' country.  Enjoy your new citizenship while thousands point their compass to the US.

8 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That is due to USAA not being able to do the transfers in the IAT format,

 

I can assure you it works for SSA. I have seen a recent post by a person doing it for VA benefits. I have also read that your military  retirement payments cannot be direct deposit to there.

You have to set up the SSA transfers at your Bangkok Bank branch and they will send the SF 1199 form to Manila.

The SSA and the VA now have direct deposits now to any Thai bank.

 

Those can only used to prove the source of your income if needed.

 

The 400k baht has to be in the bank for 2 months on the date you apply. And perhaps during the under consideration period.

That may be the best option since you will not have 12 months of transfers to show in May.

Thanks as always for sharing your wisdom.  

I had a follow up question to my bank (USAA) and just spoke to them and I hope what they informed me helps others in my situation so I'll share their (USAA) answer as to why they cannot send/transfer funds in the IAT format....to be short...."we cannot send any money transfers via the IAT format since we are not an international bank".

Perhaps I'm making this more difficult on myself; however, my logic is...why in the world can I utilize my debit card worldwide as a cash advance/withdraw.....and the bank cannot 'send' money, (they can send a international wire but as previously noted, I just dislike giving money to a bank to hold and move my money), seemingly like it does via my Visa debit card.

Grrrrrr.... I'll 'hang up now'....Thanks again Ubonjoe. 

Thanks for all your replies.

I have all my Fed benefits (retired mil pay, VA, and SSA) going to my USA bank (USAA).  I called them prior to my initial post and they can not or will not transfer any of my funds via the IAT format to the BKK branch in NY because of 'their rules and it is considered a domestic transfer'.  I really don't like paying 'the bank to handle my money'....but am getting to the point that it will be a necessity due to the new Thai Immigration stipulations.  I have for the past several (5 plus) years used my debit card as a cash withdraw  at my local BKK branch, and then directly deposited into my BKK account.  This was the cheapest way that I could find to not pay fees 'to the man'; however, Thai immigration cannot certify that my funds came from an international and verifiable/legit source.

My initial question was raised due to the Bangkok Bank branch in NY website stating that they require my bank address, local address, etc....  As I am looking into changing my direct deposits to the NY branch and paying lower fees for them (Bangkok brach in NY) to send the funds to my local account.  This avenue would be cheaper than an international wire transfer from my USA bank directly to Thailand.

However, I am still researching if the VA and the US retired military pay system/s can direct deposit my funds into the NY branch via the new IAT system/format that will suffice the Thai immigration stipulations showing 'international funds transfer'.  I have researched/read that the SSA can deposit the funds in the proper 'format'.

As my extension of stay, based on marriage (have had this for 5 plus years) is due for renewal in May 2020, I cannot show/provide proof of my international transfers for the preceding 12 months; I'm contemplating of just opting to wire the 400K THB over as I still have the two (or is it three, as I have read numerous conflicting accounts) month option.

I recently printed out my proof of payment from each agency (mil retired pay statement and VA/SSA letters).  I asked my local IMO (Jomtien) if these letters would suffice as proof that I 'earn legit funds' and just transfer my money via my debit card.  The first individual said no, need Thai bank book copies and letters, I provided my bank book and the response was 'no good you make money in Thailand and just deposit into bank or you have fake money'.   I asked for a supervisor and he said (to the point) that "I can use my own computer to make these fake letters.  This is why we change rules so people like you (me) can not fake the system any more."  I politely said thank you and almost had steam coming from my ears when I left the IMO office.....as I am really trying my best to follow all the rules.  To be accused of being one of the 'visa buyers' or have fake (illegitimate) funds, nearly reaches the point of me relocating to my 2nd 'spot' where the immigration system is much easier (and cheaper) and there is great deep sea fishing.  The 'only' issue to relocating to my other 'spot' is my Thai wife.

OK, I'm overly verbose, but, I'm also tired of trying to follow the rules and seeing all the 'fakers' have no recourse against them.  The only recourse is, seemingly, directed to one/those who has legit funds and is attempting his best to follow the rules.  I guess I live on the wrong planet by simply using my USA debit card to 'move my funds' to Thailand;  I should 'get out of the house more often' and understand things better.

I'm not sure if anyone is still following this thread but I have several followup questions.  First and easiest, BK Bank NY states that I need to provide the address of my Thai BK bank address.  Is this address the main branch in Bangkok or a small branch that I utilize?  There are numerous branches in the Pattaya area and would like to clear that 'first' hurdle.

tks

19 hours ago, Parsve said:

The only rights I am asking for is that my reports should be equal handled whatever IO I go to and whatever officer that I happen to come to, that the police and other officials treat me as anyone else, even treat me as if I was a thai, that is what democracy is about, no one is “better than another”.  Probably there are corruption also in Australia (I have never been there so I do not know) and in USA, but in no way as it is in Thailand.

I also would like to see Thailand as a country, like other democratic countries where you not have to pay more for getting street food or get into for example a museum or a national park just because you are a “farrang”, that is another part of the democrat policy. I would like to see Thailand treat their own people equal never the less if they are poor or rich. I would like to see the police make people following the rules and laws that are decided of the government.

If you can tell me that any of those statement I have  mention above is wrong, I will apologise.

I hear you but.....Thailand is not your home country.  I've heard countless debates how 'bad' Thailand is and how the farang wishes the country acted/ruled like their own.  No country is alike and all can be criticized to one degree or another.  IF a visitor here doesn't like it....well the solution is simple. In my humble opinion, us farangs have 'taught' the Thais exactly how to treat us.

9 hours ago, jojothai said:

Yes the baht is too strong  but so is the usd.

Currencies are very difficult for me or you to judge. The experts have a hard time making calls.

The IMF said 2 days ago that the USD is 6 to 12% too strong.

A lot of talk in the markets that USD should fall.

IMHO usd could fall about 5 to 6 % soon.

That is likely to push the baht higher in the short term. So best to wait.

If you switched after say a 5% further rise, then you balance the risk of a further baht rise against the gain when the baht peaks and goes into a downtrend. That has to happen at some point and many people hope it happens soon.

 

Some contrarians say the euro is due to rebound. It looks possible.

GBP is undervalued but too risky due brexit.

Switching currencies can be costly. Consider the costs if you are resident here and may need the money in baht later.

 

There is another option here in thailand that you could consider, to buy gold. The spread buy to sell is very small. In theory if usd falls gold will go up and likely match any rise in the baht. Then when the baht falls the gold price here in baht should go up.

But gold has other risks for price movement. Currently very bullish but that could change, so if the money is savings that you dont want to see rising and falling then dont buy it.

However, depending on your financial circumstances many financial advisers say its a good idea to have some of your assets in gold as insurance if their is major crisis.

From my experience advisers tend to suggest about 5% of assets.

I am only suggesting that you look at this as an option. Its down to individual circumstances.

If you have a thai wife she may love the idea of holding some gold.

Mine was very happy when i bought some.

 

I am not a financial adviser.

I do hold some physical gold here as above. With trump in power, who knows what will happen next.

 

"....With trump in power, who knows what will happen next...."  And all the 'experts'  informed us/pushed their personal financial 'belief' that the US markets would tumble with a Trump 'win'.  You are on point with the latter of your statement....who knows what will happen next.....