RichardThailand

I had success at the Bangkok Bank in Exchange just opposite from Terminal 21. Thank you everyone for your advice and help.

Sounds like this could be a new hobby. Bank hopping. Hopefully someone here has recent experience of opening an account or some contact at a bank. Seems banks don't want my money :-(

Bangkok. Terminal 21

I just today tried Siam commercial bank and also TMB bank. But all they could say was "we need a passport and work permit".

So how and where can I go to open an account? How do people open a savings account to hold money so they can apply for retirement visas?

Note I am currently here on 30 day vis exempt.

A checking account would be very difficult to get and would not be accepted by immigration.

You will want to open a savings account.

You will just need to try different banks and branches to get your account open.

Perhaps somebody will come along that is familiar with the area mentioned to suggest one.

Thanks.

I would like the two accounts. I was hoping for one that I could get with an ATM card but you are saying "a checking account would be difficult to get". Does that mean many members here don't have checking accounts?

There's a Citibank right at that location. I wonder if any members have experiences with Citibank for setting up accounts.

I would like to open a bank account for a regular checking (ATM) account and also an account that would hold the required money for a retirement visa.

Any suggestions on a reliable bank in BKK near Sukumivit AsoK where this is easy to do. I am looking for a bank where they have someone who can speak English.

Also what type of account should I open to deposit money for the retirement visa?

Thanks,

Thanks for your help. How long does it take to get the double entry in laos? Is it reliable with always giving double entry for all nationalities. My gf is from Philippines so just wondering if it is the samd for people from that country.

I would like to go to cambodia or laos to get a tourist visa. Can someone explain the differencd between a single and double entry visa. Also what is it with extensions. Can i extend the visas. What's the longest I would be able to stay?

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

Where did you go to get this insurance set up? Was it a web site or some office in BKK ?

Thanks

I've just moved here and hope to stay for a long time. Can someone give me some pointers as to what companies most expats here are using for medical insurance. Currently I am here on the visa waiver and my intention is to go for a retirement visa. Would I be able to sign up with an insurance provider while still on visa waiver?

My girlfriends mother has just gone into hospital. She needs to send some money to help as soon as possible.

Does anyone have ideas on how best to do this? She's not so concerned about money transfer costs. Just wants to get the money there as soon as possible. She has a bank account in the PI and parents have banking card access to that. However I am thinking money transfer would be quicker but not sure where to go.

We're located close to Asok right now so if anyone knows some place in that area it would be even better.

thanks

I work offshore. And I had been living in Thailand for 9 years. I was refused entry 2 Months ago, so I got a flight to the Philippines. I love it there, and I WILL NOT be returning to Thailand. The Filipino lasses can have some of my money instead. And they can all speak good English. No such issues with Visas, and Beaches there would knock spots on anything Thailand has to offer. So its a no brainer and win win, me,.. And, lose lose for Thailand...... Simple eh ?

You sound like a person who has just arrived in the Philippines. Yes there are a lot of good things about the country but speaking from the experience of more than a couple of thousand days spent living there (not in the red light areas) I would suggest you take great care. There are very many things that are better in Thailand which are not obvious to a person who just arrived in PI or even to a person who has been there for many years. You oversimplify when you say "win win" for you. If it were so good there then why is it that almost every guy I met during my time there no longer lives in the country.

If you're touring between cities then check out this bus company. 1/4 price of the high speed trains, very easy to book and they are very safety conscious. I feel safer taking a 5 hour trip on one of these buses than in a typical 5 minute taxi ride in BKK.

http://willerexpress.com/en/?mid=157

Elite card? I'm wealthy, not stupid. Rules could change at any time, then what? If it gets to be any more of an issue to visit, I'll simply go elsewhere.

I thought the same way as you and got married.

I am not saying you are stupid.

But I was. I thought I new everything and I went from being happy to feeling I made the biggest mistake in my life. Only consolation is that I hear there are quite a few others who feel stupid to have got married when it was not necessary. If only there had been something like that Thai visa Elite at that time it would have saved me five years of hell that started about 5 minutes after the marriage ceremony.

Does anyone have any suggestions on airlines that give good prices for return trips to Cambodia? I would like to go there for a couple of weeks apply for a Thai tourist visa and then return to BKK. Is it easier or cheaper to fly to PP or Siem Reap? In the past I have been to both places a couple of times so on this visit I am not really bothered if I was to go to either city.

I am here on visa exempt and will extend another 30 days. After that I would like to leave the country for a couple of weeks, apply for a 2 month tourist visa (can I get longer) and return.

I have a reasonable budget of about $100 a day for hotel and food. I would like to stay in a safe place where I can relax, hang out in coffee shops etc.

Where's a good place for me to go? Is it easier to go to Siem Reap, Laos or another place. Does one place offer a different length of tourist visa or are they all the same?

Are you quoting in US dollars? I was looking for a luxury hotel closer to around $2,000 / month. Thanks

Just an update: Uber banned in Germany

Those long established taxi companies really do hate competition that undercuts them :-) I can't blame them but you cannot stop progress.

Interesting.

User guide here - though seems the page needs updating - no mention of Bangkok or Manila.

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Uber

Also, Googling "Uber car service" brings up lots of stuff about conflicts around the world with existing taxi drivers/companies.

https://www.uber.com/ is the official site

I think conflicts can be expected when you get a service that gives much greater value than something already existing. Taxi companies have for years had a huge monopoly. I am glad there's now finally some competition with a service that sends you a message on your phone after every ride and asks you to rate the driver on a scale of 1 to 5 plus gives you the chance to comment. I have twice left some comments and I have had personal replies to these with notes telling me the comments I left will remain on the drivers records. I have also heard that uber are quick to let go of any drivers who do not meet their high standards.

I am looking for a good place to stay for a month. Requirements are:

- A hotel in a decent area far away from the bar scenes but close to cafes / restaurants.

- A hotel with good facilities, restaurant, pool, bar, cafe etc.

- Could be any part of Cambodia but I would prefer a beach area

- Safe, quiet relaxing location but not too isolated

- Some place where I might be able to negotiate a monthly rate

I have visited the country several times already and I am okay with North, South, Sihanoukville or any other area. Just looking for a decent place to stay with good facilities.

I'm looking for a serviced residence. Would prefer a unit inside a hotel with all hotel facilities. Must have's include:

- Decent area close to many restaurants and cafes.

- Swimming pool

- Washing Machine

- Stove

- Microwave

- Fitness center

- 5-10 mins walk to BTS

- Electricity, water and internet included in the rate

- Minimum 45 square meters

- Monthly rate okay for a stay of minimum of one month. No requirement for more than one month lease.

Thanks

Can anyone tell me. When I do a 30 day extension to my visa exempt will that add 30 days from the original time it originally expired or will it add 30 days from the time I go to the office and extend?

This is my first time to Thailand this year. Only other time was a trip in 2013 for about 3 weeks.

I came here two weeks ago on visa exempt. I now have an outgoing ticket for just under six weeks from now and I am planning in the next week to hopefully extend my visa exempt by another thirty days.

After this I was thinking of taking a trip to Cambodia, hanging out there for a couple of weeks and then hopefully going to get a 2 month tourist visa so I could have another couple of months stay in Thailand.

Can anyone see any problems with any of this? Also where's the best place in Cambodia to get a tourist visa? I could stay any place but maybe Siem Reap might be a bit easier as it's a lot closer.

Thanks

Why not get a job teaching at a real school so you won't have to be working illegally?

in this day and age of jet setting monks owning their own private helicopters, having a fleet of cars as well as huge residences and land holdings it might be a good idea. For people that are supposed to avoid these "monetary" holdings and lead simple lives some certainly have avoided being what they are meant to be, this would really lift the lid on graft and corruption inside the monks and their private lives.

With all the new social media out there, half the population having phones with good cameras in their pockets, and most of those people on facebook all the day with high speed data access it's getting more and more difficult to keep secrets.