yzak

You are welcome. I don't know how you can check Thai bank ATM rates as the banks don't list ATM rates...they only list their TT/Sight Bill/Notes/Draft/Cheque rates. If by chance you were using this currency exchange webpage often referenced in ThaiVisa posts their statement where it says, "For ATM Rates, Select TT Currency Type" well that is a completely bogus status just to generate continuing visits to the website for page count and ad purposes. Now the Thai bank TT Buying Rate will usually be pretty close to card network rates, but the two rates are completely different.

You know why Thai banks don't list their ATM rates, well, it because they use card network rate unless they happen to offer you a DCC rate which you have the option to refuse.

I only use Visa logo cards for ATM and counter withdrawals and have never been offered a DCC transaction option (or whatever warm, fuzzy name the bank may give it to disguise a DCC transaction), but I see folks with Mastercard logo cards seem to be offered DCC transactions frequently.

In case you don't know you can find the Mastercard exchange rate at the Mastercard Exchange Rate Webpage, but unfortunately it's always one business day behind. However, the Visa Exchange Rate Webpage shows the current day rate. Keep in mind the Visa rate is referenced to U.S. Eastern Standard Time which is 12 hours behind Thailand in time...not sure about the Mastercard page reference time zone. Also, note on the Visa page if your card is issued by a European bank their is another link to check as rates for European bank issued Visa cards are slightly different...sometimes the rates are just a tad better...sometimes a tad worst in comparison to a non-European bank issued Visa card.

At the ATM, it will tell you the conversion rate, and that is what I mean by checking their exchange rates. Hmm, if the ATMs use my card network rate, then how come each ATM I check gives me a different rate? Was this the DCC rate that you speak of? I will keep my eye out for this DCC crap and insist on using my card network rate which is something I feel better about. Thank you.

When you do a counter withdrawal using your card (i.e., Mastercard, Visa, etc) you get the exchange rate provided by the card network (i..e., Mastercard, Visa, etc) not a Thai bank rate.

Same applies for an ATM withdrawal unless the ATM also offers a DCC transaction and you accept...then you'll get a bank rate several percent below the card network rate. Always say No to a DCC transaction/option offer and then continue on with a regular withdrawal to get the higher card network rate.

Now any foreign transaction fees applied by your card-issuing bank will still apply whether it's an ATM or counter withdrawal.

Sir, I am very thankful for this knowledge as I never knew that declining the initial prompt for the conversion is something that I could do...wow. I believe what you are talking about is what I am thinking of. Every ATM does ask me if I want to go ahead with the conversion or simply continue. I also said yes to the conversion. This is my error, correct?

I will try at the ATM next time and see if it works. Thank you very much.

Currently, I jump around to different ATMs to check on their rates and just choose the best one on that day because they change regularly and all banks offer different rates. It can be a bit of a hassle so what you have informed me of is greatly helpful and I will ask for the exchange rate provided by my card. Thanks again.

I have a Mastercard debit and I've used it quite a bit at various atms to withdraw cash. I am wondering which banks/atms usually have the best exchange rates? I've been using Bank of Bangkok but other times different banks if the rates on the ATM were better. Any preferences?

Also, other than getting a thai bank account, is there an alternative over the counter way to withdraw cash from a debit card with better rates/lower fees? Thank you~

2. The labor ministry will not be doing your one year extension. Those are done at an immigration office.

Can you translate this into thai? work permit from MoL and the 1 year extension from Chiang Rai office. but I am sure I would need to get the work permit first from the MoL and then take it to the immigration office.

My employer is in the process of getting a work permit for me but I am afraid of any misunderstanding and confusion since the company translator is out of town.

1. What is the official word for: work permit

2. and how do I say: work permit with 1 year extension from the Ministry of Labor?

If you could write this in Thai and in a way that is the irrefutable, that would be a relief for me. Thank you!

Thanks folks. I learned a lot about gift giving in general from your comments. Thank you again.

I recently went back to the States and when I came back to Thailand I brought awesome oregon micro brews, smoked salmon, tons of nuts, beef jerky, and godiva chocolates. My Thai friends deserved the best! However, when I gave it to them, it was seriously very weird. Each person. It was like they didn't want it or something and it was taken so nonchalantly.

I gave many gifts to my friends before and it didn't seem like they were too happy. I thought my gifts were just bad But now...I am sure my gifts are good enough...so this was a bit strange. Maybe they don't like receiving like that?

I didn't give the gifts out in a big way either, I just said I brought a little something and simply handed them the stuff. All I wanted was a happy thank you!

On the other hand, I gave a gift to my foreigner friend and she nearly cried in joy...

Please let me know if you have similar experiences or tell me that it was just a one time thing.

Thanks Kanook, thanks John!

Thank you for the quick reply and the info. Very helpful!

I will be in Chiang Mai in 2 weeks but I am arriving late on a Friday night. It will be midnight probably. Is there a bus that leaves to Chiang Rai during that time? If not, is there a place I can chill out before I head out? I will get a room if there aren't any other ideas, it's just that I'd rather not since I am staying just a couple hours and catching the early morning bus to Chiang Rai. Help me kill 7 hours

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So during the last 30 days of my 90 visa, I get my work permit and I go with the required documents to get a 1 year extension. Am I allowed to go to any immigration office? I will work in Chiang Mai. Is the work permit harder to get than the non-b visa? I am a bit worried since it only gives me 30 days to obtain that visa, if I do not get it, then I have to get my non-b visa again.

But after I pay and get my extension and all goes well, that's it? I am done? No more piles of paperwork for 1 year or other visa runs or trips to the office? 555 I doubt it.

You should be able to pick up your WP as soon as it's issued, once labour have proof you have entered Thailand and got the 90 day non 'b' entry stamp in your passport.

Should be quick as you cannot legally start work until you have the WP physically in your hands.

You must apply fro an extension of stay at the Immigration department in the area where you are employed.

If you get an extension then you would still need to report your address to immigration every 90 days.

Since you already have approval of you work permit application you should be able to get it shortly after you returned from getting the non-b visa.

If the company can get all the required documents you should be able to get the extension of stay on the same day applied or at least a 30 day under consideration stamp.

Requirement for the extension is here in clause 2.1. Immigration Bureau Order 327/2557 basis for extension of stay and Immigration Bureau Order 138/2557 documents for extension of stay

Thanks guys, that really clears things up and is extremely helpful!

So during the last 30 days of my 90 visa, I get my work permit and I go with the required documents to get a 1 year extension. Am I allowed to go to any immigration office? I will work in Chiang Mai. Is the work permit harder to get than the non-b visa? I am a bit worried since it only gives me 30 days to obtain that visa, if I do not get it, then I have to get my non-b visa again.

But after I pay and get my extension and all goes well, that's it? I am done? No more piles of paperwork for 1 year or other visa runs or trips to the office? 555 I doubt it.

The company I will work for has already started the Work Permit application since that is how I got my approval letter. So basically, my goal now is to get that work permit. But I do not know what comes with doing so. It will be a 1 year work permit with extensions possible after each year. What else do I have to do now? Will the company take care of everything? Do I still have to do border runs or something? Any more fees I have to pay? Anywhere I can read about this?

Thank you!

Could you still put them in order?

You could make the trip through Laos but I suspect it would be an adventure doing it.

Lol. Thank you.

I am in Chiang Saen district and I was wondering if it would be okay for me to go to vientiane through Laos instead of going to udon thani? What would you suggest? It seems like it would be a lot longer if I went to udon thani first, but then again less complicated?

I want to keep costs down as much as possible and so I will go it alone. I am also a Japanese citizen so I believe I can enter without a visa and for free.

Thank you again for all the advice.

You will get 15 day visa exempt entry. See: http://www.laos-guide-999.com/visa-exemption.html

Thank you kindly.

I want to keep costs down as much as possible and so I will go it alone. I am also a Japanese citizen so I believe I can enter without a visa and for free.

Thank you again for all the advice.

You will have to pay for a Lao visa on arrival. It will be 1500 baht or $35 dependent on which country you are from.

You will have to spend at least one night to get your visa. You apply the morning of one day and pick it up the next afternoon.

There are no other charges at the embassy other than the 2000 baht for the visa.

Thanks a lot for this information. Exactly what I wanted to know!

I have all my documents in order for a single entry non-b visa and I will soon go to Laos to receive my visa. I am curious as to what the cost will be.

It says 2,000 baht for a single entry non-immigration b visa. However, I am hearing that there are other charges? Excluding the transportation costs and lodging (I believe I have to stay there one night to receive my visa?), are there any other official fees I must pay to cross the border and back to get this visa? Or is the 2,000 baht the only thing I must pay the government? Thank you, this helps tremendously.

It makes a difference on based upon what you apply for a visa and if it is a single or multiple you want.

If for a non-B without a WP nomally you only get a single entry and some companies sent their employers to a particulair consulate because they have good experiences with them.

non-b for me!

Are we allowed to fill in the pdf forms with our computer? Instead of writing everything in pen?

I have nearly completed all the paperwork and I am working closely with my employer to receive my visa and work permit. Currently, we are filling out the WP1 form and my VISA application but I have some questions that I would like to run by any folks here who have done this before.

1- I am in Thailand without a visa because Brazil is one of the few countries who receive a 90 visa free stay. However, on the WP1 form, it asks me for my visa number and what kind of visa I have. What do I write?

2- It also asks about the number of entries. I guess more is better but not too much? I strongly believe there shouldn’t be any problems with the work permit after I get the non-immigration “B” but it’s safer to have more than one entry right?

3- There is a part about a guarantor in LAO PDR and an address in Laos. Okay to leave it blank as I never set foot in Laos before?

4- Is it okay if my form is in English? Or should I write it all in Thai?

I just got my photos taken yesterday with my employer and I will hand the paperwork in as soon as I am sure about the questions I have. I will keep you guys updated and write a mini summary about this process too because I think it may be helpful amidst all the crackdown I have heard about.

Thank you very much, Jin.

I want to mention since nobody did yet.

 

Choose Savannakhet over Vientane, for faster and better service.

I heard Vientane was the best and most used. Savannakhet is better now?

Vientane seems more clear on what I need to bring as well.

I have a disc lock with alarm I use when out and about only 485 baht, it works well give warning first then if touch again goes off.

 

Had the more expensive Xena before and it was over sensitive so took the battery out.

 

I don't have security problems at home but the way IMO is what  ' charlie42 '  suggest, why not get 2 lots. 

where did you buy it? I am looking for such an alarm.

Thank you once again administrators of thaivisa.com. The process does not seem so difficult since you have cleared my confusion. I am in your debt.