RDahlin

As most expats in thailand are finding out, as of December 1, 2019 Bangkok Bank New 

York has stopped transferring monies initiated from USA banks.  With many calls to

the USA I have found that   1.  ACH transfers from a USA bank to Bangkok Bank New York

will be rejected because  2.  Bangkok Bank New York now requires that all ACH transfers

be designated at   (International ACH Transfers),  

My personal bank and now finding out that accounts of others in the USA using other banks

do not do the International ACH transfer,    in the past they have just been designated as

ACH transfers.   My bank with deep investigation has determined that they are not able to do

the designation as required and they personally suggested that i set up my retirement as a

direct deposit right into a thailand bank.  

Alternatives    1.  Direct wire, cost of about $45,   2.  Western Union, (be aware) when i tried to use

them, I paid $30 fee on the USA end, and then in thailand they would only disburse my funds at about

26.5 baht to the dollar,  3. Transferwise.com   which has a decent fee that is good for small transfers, larger transfers

are charged a much higher rate,   4.  Direct deposit from your income source to your Thailand bank account  5.  For those receiving 

monies from Social Security,  a direct deposit can be set up through  SSA in the philippines utilizing form SSA-1199-OP107   ( file attached below in Word Format and also in PDF)  contact information for SSA, Philippines is  +632-530-12000 or email   [email protected]   

***  with the direct deposit form mentioned above from the SSA, I have found that 2 thailand banks that i know of refuse to sign the bottom of the form, but i have been assured by the SSA office in the Philippines that that signature is not needed,  they are only wanting the pertinent information listed on the form as well as the bank to direct deposit to, with account number and the SWIFT number to initiate this action ***

I am sure there are other routes, and it would be nice if you have a system that works to post it here so others now with the above issue, has an alternative to turn to.   Please if you have worked around this major issue for us Expats in thailand,  Post here so others can maybe follow your lead.  Thanks

i am about 100 km north of korat, between Sida and Chayaphoum ,   can someone give me a location where i can buy fingerling talapia.   

7 hours ago, Sailor42 said:

You are quite correct. Once you have found this well-hidden office, the experience is always pleasant, efficient, and positively helpful. If you can do your immigration business here, I highly recommed it, the staff there make it as close to a pleasure as any immigration business possibly could be. As opposed to the Driving licence/ Department of Transport office in the city, which is not the same at all!!

Up until recently i have dealt with the immigration office in JT near pattaya.  the experience there was quite different and sometimes challenging compared to this office in Korat.    I am hoping my 1 year renewal next year goes as well

4 hours ago, tomster said:

Here you go:

 

https://bit.ly/2SYGzZz

 

Is there more than one immigration office in Korat or is that the only one?

I am not sure about that,  i live north about 100km   so all my focus and research was on this one

July 31, 2019 coming from the North, ( Khon Khan area),   I noticed a mileage sign that said Nakhon Ratchisima15 km, just a bit further there was an intersection where we turned left which goes to ChokChai and Buriram,  ( This is just a very short distance before the split of highway 2 where you go left to NakhonRatchisima or right to Sariburi).  This highway that you turn onto is 4 lane and nice, I did look for a highway number but never did see one, we followed this for about 10-15 km, (educated guess), I was not driving. This highway intersects with Highway 224, you must turn left.   At the intersection looking to the right and in the opposite lane, on 224 I could see the New Makro sign.   At this intersection we turned left and shortly thereafter I saw a sign that said Suraneree Industrial Complex 1km.     But the easiest landmarks to look for  were 2 walkovers that you must pass.  The first one is not long after turning onto 224, and then just past the industrial Center, there is a traffic light and the 2^ndwalkover, **Keep going on 224,getting into the right lane. Passing this 2^ndwalkover, driving in the right lane, watch for a U-Turn sign, It’s a small sign and there is no light. Make a U-Turn here* and after doing so get into the left lane.   Watch closely, it’s probably at least 200 meters if not closer to 300. There is a larger building on the left, (had a few trucks parked in front of it), with a sideroad just beyond it, lining that road is a block wall on the left.  Also right where you turn from 224 onto this side road there is a bus stop with a bench.  There is an Immigration sign there, but  its small and easy to overlook,   Turn down this road for maybe 200 meters and Immigration is on the right.  *** I would like to make a comment here about this Immigration Office, these people were extremely polite and helpful, making it a pleasant experience***.  I had to do a change of address as well as a 90 day.  Everything went very smooth and fast from the moment I walked in the door where there were a number of volunteers to help to the 90 day completion, which is in a different building.***

People will not stop their way of driving reckless unless there

is dire consequences.    (their pocketbook)  In the years I have lived

in thailand i have rarely seen any enforcement for this.  Daily I see

motorbikes and cars pass by (in a public setting) driving at horrific

speeds.   Do i ever see police enforcement, never  

I live in Pattaya and often go to BKK. I have done the bus, and minivan but have found a much easier

method and that is to take Skytrain to the new airport and then from the 1st floor you can catch a direct bus

to pattaya. Skytrain is about a 20 minute ride and the bus which leaves every hour on the hour (134 baht)

takes about 2 hours. buses are nice, air conditioned. When using a minivan you are putting your life into

someone elses control. those guys drive like maniacs.