Wasa

12 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

BTW it is the end of W S as we knew it. Superbaby, the best gogo for totty on W S has indeed closed. If they couldn't make it, what hope is there for the rest?

 

I also see that the child abuse that has gone on for years still goes on in front of our oh so great volunteer police. I saw a very young ( about 4 or 5 ) girl being exploited to make money by spinning a hula hoop. The long standing one where the girl does contortions is still there, except she is quite tall now. I think she has been going there for nearly 10 years.

Yeah, but how do you know the closing is anything other than just part of the natural progression of life.....businesses do not continue forever.

It may be due to something as innocuous as the owner simply wishing to retire....if it was a foreigner he may want to go home.....he may have sold the business and it will reopen in a few weeks after a refurbish/remodel.....it may be more sinister such as he may have contracted a sickness of some kind and be walking (excuse the pun) away from the street to battle it......who knows.

Or as you seem to be implying, they may well have closed due to financial stress or trouble with the City Hall.

Let's find out first.  

On ‎9‎/‎11‎/‎2015 at 0:34 PM, kerrysum said:

Like how stupid is this? Like Pattaya has ever changed? C'mon Never been there, never wanted to go there, and will never be there. Any questions?

But friends do try to sell a condo for dirt cheap.... No thank you!

Just one rather obvious question, like if you've never been there, like how do you know it has never changed.....?????

5 hours ago, ageless1 said:

So if my GF has a child or more,  a home and a job nearby but not in a bar and she has strong family ties, getting the visa is going to be easy? My GF fits some of those criteria but not all, I've been thinking of taking her home to meet the extended family and just might do that given your advice and experience

Given the criteria you have described, providing you can establish the legitimacy and enduring nature of your relationship, I think you shouldn't have too many problems. The first girl I took back was similar to yours, she had a child and a steady 4 year, verifiable employment history in a salon. She also lived with her mum and sister and of course, her daughter. So clearly, having such strong societal and employment ties, she was able to demonstrate compelling reasons for her to return to Thailand. She got a visa first go.

The second girl I took back did not have a child and did not have a job as I asked her to leave it so that she could travel with me in my job. At that time I had been in Thailand for a quite a while and was established in Pattaya having been working previously in Laem Chabang, so was able to demonstrate to the embassy that she would be coming back if for no other reason than the fact that I was coming back there anyway as that was my home. However, they still refused her the first time. We had only been together at that time 5mths or so I think. I just simply lodged another application about a month later and included some additional information and she got a 3 month single entry. Since then, she has had 3 more visas with no problems and currently has a 12mth multi entry.

Of course, as mentioned elsewhere, you have to provide everything else, i.e. sponsor letter, bank statements, photos, records showing length of relationship such as photos, LINE messages etc.        

11 hours ago, bazza40 said:

I don't know what's going on.They seemed to have clamped down on visas for GF's recently. The concerns are whether the GF has adequate financial support while in Australia, and also if they are a risk of overstaying. More later.

 

50% correct. After successfully obtaining 6 out of 7 visa applications including three multi entries, I can tell you that the financial support issue is well down the list of embassy concerns. Particularly as the embassy is well aware that (most) Aussie guys, especially the more mature type that travel to Thailand with the intention of finding a Thai wife, are financially established and fully capable of supporting their partner whilst she is in Australia.  

The first criteria they look at are the applicant's familial and social ties back to Thailand. It is these ties that will ultimately compel most girls who may be contemplating overstaying their visa to return to Thailand within their visa conditions and the embassy know this from decades of experience and data analysis.  

If your girlfriend has a child/children and tangible family ties, coupled with a job or property ownership, she will usually be granted a single entry first up. She may then get one or two more before they will grant a multi-entry. If she is childless, cannot prove her employment status (i.e. a bargirl) and has remote family ties (i.e. she lives in Pattaya whilst her extended family live in Khon Kaen) then of course, you’re going to have to work very hard to convince the embassy authorities to grant her even a single entry visa.

All of this will be done before they look too hard at your own finances.  

2 hours ago, manfredtillmann said:

i have been unsuccessful in obtaining a multi entry visa for my (than - now wife) girlfriend on three different occasions over the last 2 years.

no matter what guarantees i gave! and, yes, i am and have been an australian citizen since 1984.

 

I was in the same position. Used a visa agency the first time around and she was knocked back. They told me we need more photos, SMSs etc. to prove our relationship. We already had given over a lot of these so I was very skeptical about this. I asked to see the decision letter from the Aussie embassy  and when I read that I realized that the embassy officer was most concerned about the lack of compelling reasons for her to return to Thailand, not the prior history of our relationship. (My girlfriend does not have a child and she was not working then as she was making trips with me in my work to Vietnam and Singapore) These are the two very important considerations for the deciding officer.

The visa agency I believe did not prepare our submission very well so I paid them out and did the next one myself. She got her first single entry a month or so later. Since then she has received two more single entries only despite me deliberately ticking the box for a multi-entry and also explaining the reasons why we needed it in the explanation box provided for that purpose (I was working 6/2 FIFO at that time and a multi-entry would have made life more easy)

This year we applied from the Manila embassy (I am currently working in the Philippines) and she got the multi-entry straight off. They seem to be less concerned here.

A few years ago I had a different thai girlfriend who had a child and also a long standing job of 5 years in the same salon. Her boss gave her a letter of employment. We used an agency the first time around and she received a multi entry straight up. I did the next two visas myself and subsequently got two more MEs without even asking.

As someone else here said, it is the forces compelling her to return to Thailand which they will look into the most (after establishing the bona fides of your relationship)

After 7 visa applications of which six have been successful I consider myself somewhat of a subject matter expert in this area........         

5 minutes ago, Petchou said:

What is mentioned in the article may be partially true. But it sounds like the other side is greener like usual from biased farangs.
Concerning Visa, try US, Canada and England visa, anyone who is not from Europe or Western countries will suffer, the decision made by embassy are irrational and process extremely difficult. Thailand visa is quite straightforward and given even to people who don't deserve it.

Language, most farangs think they are entitled to everything, lazy, don't make any effort to learn, if someone make decision to live in a country, it's normal to learn the language.

Internet connection is not the best in the world but far from being poor connection, I have never experienced any problems and can stream football games, movies,Conn is always on.

Some are born complainers.

Get a life

Try Los Angeles, Paris and other big cities before talking about traffic.

Agree.......try the traffic in Manila, makes Bangkok look like a walk in the park.......or my former hometown of Sydney, driving from the city out to the western suburbs at 5.00pm on a weekday afternoon.....

The funny thing is with all you men saying the sex industry is the only thing bringing in money into the country what a load of shit.

It's about time you sleazy men ended up going home and let Thailand run Thailand.

Spoken like a true woman, so you're here for the temples hey?

You sound like my chain smoking aussie ex......and by the way, Thailand IS running Thailand, I don't think us farangs have much say in it....

Good luck to her, it's an industry riddled with crime, disease, drugs and despair. The country might start to be a decent place with less of it, although you cannot get rid of it completely, filth is best swept away as much as possible.

What a load of rubbish! Moralistic clichés completely without basis. Crime, disease, drugs and despair exist in every society for many reasons and are not necessarily the result of an open sex scene, just look to the super religious USA as a prime example. Despair can be felt by people of all backgrounds.

As another poster said, people come to Thailand to get away from the mundane existence of their western life and sample the exotica of Thailand and it's sex industry. I have had a few western female friends over the years come to visit me in Pattaya and almost without exception one of the items on their to do list is a visit to a go-go bar.

Having lived in Pattaya for a while I have known gotten to know a few of the working girls there. For the most part they are happy with their lot and are normal people trying to get ahead in the only way they know or that their life circumstances have allowed.........they weren't born into (relatively wealthy) middle class western society as most on TV were. The most common motivation I see with them is that they are working to save towards a house back in their village for themselves, mum & dad and their kids and the sex industry provides them that opportunity. I have never really witnessed or experienced a higher than normal background level of crime, disease, drugs and despair.......in fact I am often amazed at just how non-violent it is inside the Pattaya bars and go go bars......violence is more prevalent in Australian nightclubs where you can look at someone the wrong way and get your head knocked off in a split second for no reason at all.

Sorry but what are FET's??

Foreign Exchange Transaction certificates/receipts, the piece of paper you receive when you exchange foreign cuyrrency.

If a person transfers money using Bangkok Bank's Ach transfer system from the UK or US are they suppose to get one one these Foreign exchange transaction certs?

Or when they go to a exchange booth and exchange money for Thai Baht?

Every foreign currency exchange transaction anywhere generates a receipt or a record. If you do an ACH transfer you have a record of that transfer, and when the funds are received in Thailand there is also a record of it. What you need to do is go into your bank in Thailand and ask them for a receipt (or FET) of any transactions you do involving foreign currency exchange - note also that your passbook will record the transaction as a inbound foreign currency exchange.

I took my gf to act as interpreter into the local SCB Naklua Branch this morning and got nowhere with FETs etc. The manager was not interested and said I should go talk to the main branch in Harbor Mall Pattaya Klang. But it does not look promising.......the manager did not know what FETS are......when I updated my book bank it just shows my USD Philippines salary as a simple transfer deposit, the entry does not indicate anything about it coming from abroad as foreign currency.....hoping I can get these FETs at the main branch.

Ive had this problem. Set up an international transfer facility on your account while you're still in Thailand. You will need proof of income in Thailand to do so. They will probably use an OTP system for international transfers so just be aware to keep a thai phone number alive whilst in the UK. Also be aware that after two years BoT requirements are that the bank will check you're still employed in Thailand to keep the international transfer facility. But it sounds like you're leaving permanently so you may not be worried about this.

OP, you should look into getting a Hong Kong bank account, even better set up a Hong Kong company and instead of getting a salary send invoices from your Hong Kong company for your work. Hong Kong has zero company tax on income earned outside Hong Kong. Singapore is similar but I don't know as much about it. Will cost about $1000 US to get a Hong Kong company set up with bank account, google search it, many many consultants can do this for you.

Ironically I had just started doing this when I got the SCB letter. I have been introduced through a very good business friend to a consultant in this area.

This consultant has told me that personal bank accounts in Hong Kong are very difficult to get. Most of his clients set up Hong Kong companies with bank accounts.

I think this is what I am going to do. Fees are a little higher than you quoted, as it includes a HK bank account. But overall not too bad.

Get an AUD Citibank account in Singapore, you can move it any where then.

I will investigate this.

It's not just Thailand.

My (now ex.) Luxembourg bank decided recently to :- a. Refuse to accept my salary transfers from my employer in Hong Kong and b. Refused to transfer my existing funds to Thailand.

It's all about money-laundering and arse covering

Currently moved to Lloyds Offshore (Premier Account) in Isle of Man, how long before they suffer the same issues is unknown, but it's not going to get any easier.

Sounds interesting, I'm going to investigate that facility.

Buy gold and stuff it under your mattress. It will always be worth something even if you listen to Harry Dent who talks $750 an ounce. Paper money is loosing value constantly. You can go in and buy gold for cash no passport nothing. The money disappears off of the radar screen. Its the last great storage for wealth.If you can buy land do that land never looses its value same as gold. With paper money always keep a wheel barrow handy.

Wow! An inflation hawk when the big danger today is deflation. Not to mention gold is always the worst possible long term investment.

The gold price in 1976 was USD 180 an ounce. Now USD 1200 an ounce. Plenty of capital lost elsewhere. Shares,options or CFD's, anyone? Someone who bought Kodak as a long-term investment would not agree with you. Market darlings such as Apple could be extinct in a decade.

Property may be a better investment long-term; however, gold is instantly liquid. I'll bet the citizens of Zimbabwe would like some under their mattresses. What's a prime property in the middle of Detroit worth now?

Deflation is only a danger to the economic theorists fixated on growth without any reference to social or environmental costs. Pensioners like me say bring it on, please.

Very impressive reasoning and if one thinks about it, probably quite true. After a few post war decades of prosperity and relative peace, we seem to be entering into an era of great uncertainty & change on many fronts: climate change, the oil crisis, ISIS & other radical religious groups, political unrest around the world, growing inequality in developed economies, China creating land in the South China seas, the rise of robots (I saw a news clip the other day saying up to 35% of all current day jobs will be lost to robots in the next two decades) antibiotic resistant viruses, etc. etc.

The biggest problem for me is I don't have a long term stable base where I could safely hold gold, unless I deposited it in a bank safe box.

And on top of that if you try and take gold back into Australia beyond I think $AUD900 in value they will charge you duties on it

It has to be pure 24k in ingot form to get it in duty free.

Move money to another Thai bank. Done. Next?

How's is that going to fix the OPs ibanking international transfer out problem?

New bank will require the same docs to approve the international transfer capability as the OP's current bank is asking for.

I'm quite sure it will resolve it. I do many transfers into Thailand and was never asked to proof anything.

Yep. But I want to transfer out.......

Outside of this - simply attach a Papal account to your Thai account and make personal transfers to any other International bank that you have another Paypal account attached for example Australia if that's where you wanted the transfer. This method of Paypal transfer is not restricted in the same way as International transfers going directly to an overseas bank.

This is a terrible idea if you are doing a currency conversion and it's more than a few hundred dollars. PayPal's conversion rates are very bad, they take a big cut of each transfer done this way. And since it's unlikely the OP has a Australian bank account in Thai baht, there would be such a conversion.

Terrible idea but maybe a last resort if all else fails?

It seems as though SCB is asking you for proof of the source of your funds, if you can provide them with copies of your work permit in Thailand, if the money you have was earned here, that will suffice.

If the money in your account was earned overseas, provide them with copies of the paperwork (FET) showing the money was transferred into Thailand from overseas, in which case you wont have a problem.

This information is correct .The rules from SCB are applicable to direct online transfers activated by the account holder . If transaction is carried out in person at the foreign currency desk of the bank and the account holder is able to provide the F.E.T certificate and work details the transfer will succeed.

Interesting information and I understand it. reassuring also, as it means at least I can transfer my money when the times comes.......only downside is that this idea means I would have to be physically present at the bank in Thailand to do so.

To the OP, I live in Thailand but I have an account in Singapore that I keep most of my money, it's all legal, I had to show the bank proof my home address etc. It doesn't matter to them where you live, you just have to prove it. I have an account in Thailand too but keep a small amount there. I use the Singapore account to move money around.

Thanks for that. I am now investigating opening a Hong Kong account, as HK seems to be the flexible with allowing bank accounts for people who don't actually live in the country.

I have an HSBC account in the UK from when I lived there 25 years ago. Although I would not be allowed to open an account now with a Thai address, the bank is apparently okay with having my Thai address for correspondence (although in reality everything is conducted on-line). Grandfathering is the term, I guess.

To address the OPs subject more directly, you don't have to do bank-to-bank transfers. I have a Thai account and transfer money into it using TransferWise, in my case to pay lower fees. They in effect act as a middle man. Transfer money from A to them and they forward in the chosen currency to B. The facility doesn't apply to all countries so that might not any use to the OP, but there might be a company that can deal with Thailand and/or the Philippines.

Thanks for the info. Just one question, you talk about using TransferWise to send money into a Thai bank. My concern is getting it back out again after they discontinue my international transfer facility. Can I use TransferWise to move money out of an SCB account back to Australia for example?

It seems as though SCB is asking you for proof of the source of your funds, if you can provide them with copies of your work permit in Thailand, if the money you have was earned here, that will suffice.

If the money in your account was earned overseas, provide them with copies of the paperwork (FET) showing the money was transferred into Thailand from overseas, in which case you wont have a problem.

Yes, it seems that one has to be working in Thailand to be allowed the international transfer facility. So they are asking for proof of Thai based income. I can't do that as I am working in the Philippines. I can only place a nominal amount into Philippines bank as I am an expat with an offshore salary structure. So I have to put my money somewhere.

You should look into a multiple currency account here in Thailand, most banks offer accounts with about 6 of the major currencies. If the funds have never been converted to Thai baht then there is no restriction on repatriation.

Whatever currency you hold can be converted as required.

Interesting. I deposit USD into the SCB. They convert to Baht on the day. Can I request them to not convert it, instead hold it in USD?

The problem with repatriation is that unless I can demonstrate salary slips from a Thai employer, they are going to discontinue the international transfer facility. It appears to be non-negotiable.

Yep, you're right. The Australian government openly allows the option to become a non-resident (for taxation purposes) so it is a quite legitimate tax minimization/avoidance strategy and an option that many long term Aussie expats adopt. However, as a penalty, you lose certain privileges back there (such as access to free medical care and the tax free income threshold) And they watch you like a hawk, if you were to buy an investment property back there or move money into a bank there for example, they can claim that you were never a true non-resident and potentially go after you for your earnings abroad.

I'm not sure where you are getting this from. I'm also an Australian working in Thailand, non resident for tax purposes. I've never heard you can't transfer money into Australia, the key test is that you have "set up a permanent residence" outside Australia. In case of issues send them copies of your passport exit / entrance stamps and a lease agreement outside Australia, keep your boarding passes as additional evidence. I had to do this when I returned from working in the UK and transferred money back to Australia, I had to prove non-residence to show I had already paid tax in the UK on the money I sent back.

As a non-resident you can certainly buy investment property in Australia, they can ask you to show additional proof of your non-resident status but just owning an investment property would not be enough for them to declare you a resident. Here is the ATO's page on non-residency.

https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/International-tax-for-individuals/Work-out-your-tax-residency/

However if you're trying to claim you're not a tax resident ANYWHERE, that's when they'll hound you. Sounds like that could be the case in your situation, you're working in the Phillippines but not paying tax there as a resident? I'm absolutely not an accountant or tax lawyer but if that is the case then I suggest you need to set up a plausible residence somewhere in one of the countries you frequent. Otherwise yeah the ATO will try and say "ok you're not a tax resident anywhere so by default since you're an Australian citizen, you're an Australian tax resident"

Yep, I am a tax resident in the Philippines and do pay tax here. Although as a non-resident the ATO will not know that and are not really interested in it either. As long as you pass the non-residency test they do not even request evidence of overseas earnings.

I suspect my accountant may be overly cautious, he has warned me several times to be careful moving money back (regularly) to or buying investment property in Australia. Especially so if you return there and then move into that property. Apparently this demonstrates social ties and an intent to have always intended to live in Australia?? He has told me that they (ATO) have gone after lots of people.....even one bloke who stated on his immigration card on one trip to Australia that "he was an Australian citizen returning to Australia" even though he was just going back to see family briefly. They took him to court on that, you can look that case up on the net. So now when I enter Australia I mark my card as a visitor entering Australia......

But after all that he did say what you have said above......that it is possible to buy investment property as a non-resident. He said that if they question it you can justify it by saying its a market you know and that investment in the overseas country you're living in is not safe.

I'm confused! I guess I just don't want to end up in any lengthy court battles with the ATO.

When you've taken it out of Thailand where have you moved it to? Why not move it there in the first instance without it going to Thailand first? Why would you want large amounts of money in a Thai bank anyway?

Well to be honest, I don't transfer too much really. Just sometimes small amounts to my kids or parents in Australia, otherwise it is largely untouched. I was just letting it build up and on one of my trips back I was going to use some of it to buy a condo around my Naklua base.

I suppose I am just concerned about losing the ability to transfer it. It is too much to keep it under a mattress as someone else suggested.

I am also going to buy a property in Australia eventually and I had intended some of this money would go towards that.

I can't send it to my account in Australia as I am a declared non-resident and the government may remove this status if I start depositing funds over there. That would be a financial disaster for me as Australian taxation laws/rates are onerous.

Seems I'm stuck.......will have to look for another option.

So I guess you are trying to avoid/minimise paying tax? You wouldn't be the first if you are! If you are having your Phillipines wages deposited into Thailand they won't want you to take it out again and will make it difficult. If it is stuck there maybe best to spend it on that condo sooner rather than later even though you won't be there much to enjoy it. Or rent it out and let it earn a bit more for you?

Yep, you're right. The Australian government openly allows the option to become a non-resident (for taxation purposes) so it is a quite legitimate tax minimization/avoidance strategy and an option that many long term Aussie expats adopt. However, as a penalty, you lose certain privileges back there (such as access to free medical care and the tax free income threshold) And they watch you like a hawk, if you were to buy an investment property back there or move money into a bank there for example, they can claim that you were never a true non-resident and potentially go after you for your earnings abroad.

When you've taken it out of Thailand where have you moved it to? Why not move it there in the first instance without it going to Thailand first? Why would you want large amounts of money in a Thai bank anyway?

Well to be honest, I don't transfer too much really. Just sometimes small amounts to my kids or parents in Australia, otherwise it is largely untouched. I was just letting it build up and on one of my trips back I was going to use some of it to buy a condo around my Naklua base.

I suppose I am just concerned about losing the ability to transfer it. It is too much to keep it under a mattress as someone else suggested.

I am also going to buy a property in Australia eventually and I had intended some of this money would go towards that.

I can't send it to my account in Australia as I am a declared non-resident and the government may remove this status if I start depositing funds over there. That would be a financial disaster for me as Australian taxation laws/rates are onerous.

Seems I'm stuck.......will have to look for another option.

It seems as though SCB is asking you for proof of the source of your funds, if you can provide them with copies of your work permit in Thailand, if the money you have was earned here, that will suffice.

If the money in your account was earned overseas, provide them with copies of the paperwork (FET) showing the money was transferred into Thailand from overseas, in which case you wont have a problem.

Yes, it seems that one has to be working in Thailand to be allowed the international transfer facility. So they are asking for proof of Thai based income. I can't do that as I am working in the Philippines. I can only place a nominal amount into Philippines bank as I am an expat with an offshore salary structure. So I have to put my money somewhere.

Was living and working in Thailand till early 2015. Spent last year on rotational fly in fly out work returning to Thailand every six weeks for two weeks off. Moved to the Philippines for work in January this year and will be here indefinitely, but at least for the rest of this year. Return to Thailand for a short break every eight weeks.

Got this email from my bank (see below text) I am required to produce salary slips from an employer in Thailand (per item 4) which obviously I cannot. I still deposit money regularly into my Thai account and now have quite a lot of money in the account. I use the international transfer facility to move money out of it every now and then. I cannot shift the money back to Australia as I have declared non residency there for taxation purposes and will lose this status if I move money into the country, resulting in me losing 47% of my overseas salary. I cannot move it to the Philippines either due to the salary arrangements I have with my employer.

Is there any way around this or does it mean I am definitely going to lose my international transfer ability?

According to Bank of Thailand (“BOT”) regulations concerning Overseas Fund Transfers stating that any overseas fund transfer shall be accompanied by up-to-date documentary evidence, we are obliged to request your submission of updated documents every two years. By this letter, you are requested to kindly submit to us the necessary supporting documents (see details below) for processing fund transfers within one month, from the date of receiving this notification. In the event that the required documents have not reached us within the prescribed period, we may have no other choice but to suspend your overseas fund transfer capability via SCB Easy Net for the time being. In that case, we will promptly reactivate fund transfers for your overseas remittance via SCB Easy Net once we receive the required documents from you.

List of Required Documents:

1. Thai citizens with permanent residence overseas are required to submit official evidence confirming that they are allowed to permanently settle there.
2. Thai citizens wishing to transfer funds overseas for family members or relatives permitted to permanently settle overseas are required to submit official evidence
   showing that the fund recipient is allowed to permanently settle there.
3. Thai citizens transferring funds for tuition fees of a Thai student overseas are required to submit educational evidence, e.g. confirmation letter issued by an academic institute.
4. Foreigners are required to submit evidence such as salary confirmation or salary slips issued by their employers in Thailand.
5. All cases mentioned above require identification documents, e.g. ID card or passport.