Youbloodybeauty

Last week did my first transfer with Citibank and seems we got the TT bank rate OK and no Citibank fee for doing it.

The only thing, when I set the transfer up I chose for myself (from funds transferred) to pay the Thai Siam Commercial bank charge.

Now, I have no idea what that charge was as there is no indication on the recieving account. The person recieving the amount in Thailand asked the bank but they couldn't say what the fee was.

I'm thinking next time to let the receiving account wear the fee so I will probably see how much it is.

I'd just like to know any fees but I'm still happy with the process through Citibank and the amount was in the Thai account the next business day.

By the way before transferring I checked the Siam Commercial bank TT exchange rate with the "good" exchange rate that we have recieved in the past from Xwing in Sydney (no fees) and the TT rate was similar so I'm thinking just use Citibank in the future for either big or small transfers. Also, a problem with Xwing is you have to visit their office, Citibank can do it online.

3 hours ago, JAG said:

Like this?

Haha that would sort out those pesky scooters, maybe a some bazooka's for the minibuses :D

Although, might take the sister-in-law a while to prepare one of those units after the setback this week.

Nose jutting (just) out of Makro carpark and a car hits/scraps by her and he was coming from far and plenty room.

Cost for nose out: 20,000baht damage to other car plus our car 10,000baht.

17 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

More relevantly - in practice the right hand lane is generally for cars whereas the left hand lane is for scooters and four wheel vehicles driving very slowly

Relevantly, I'm talking about the road in the piccy below. Does the right lane look smoother? :) It's 60km/h but plenty driving at 100+

Sitting in that right lane even at 80km/h with plenty tour minibuses (in that area) you will have them sniffing your clacker. Extra slow vehicles, scooters etc ride on the far left and stay out of the 2 main lanes.

Makes me laugh on this road seeing cars at 100+ cutting the curves. On a left sweeping curve they start in the right lane and end up in the scooter lane and back out to the right lane lol.

Anyone know of a decent defensive driving course?

1 hour ago, digibum said:

Defensive driving is defensive driving.  You either learn it or you don't.

Serious question, anyone know if there are many defensive driver courses in Thailand?
A quick Google search and seems there are very few. Maybe I'm missing if they are in Thai language.

Would love to get the relo onto one of these courses. My white knuckles are evident sitting the in-laws car. She constantly sits in the right-hand lane on the high speed roads in our area. Apparently the right lane is smoother  

...never-mind the speeders ripping up behind her.

8 hours ago, Naam said:

no such thing! our lot is lined with 120 of these Ashoka trees on two sides and i have nowhere realised a dry spot . correct is they grow really fast. every other year we trim them down 2-3 meters.

How tall do you let them grow?
I'm guessing not too tall as you would need a very high ladder with the height they grow! :)

I take it, lopping the top off these trees is no problem?

2 hours ago, djayz said:

Probably the same reason why so many younger native English speakers can't formulate a single sentence without using "like".

Like it drives me to drink listening to those around me at work these days using "COOL".
Mostly both people ending their conversation with "cool".

Get rid of your shag pile carpet, that's sure to trap Thai odors.

Thanks Oxx, that's it.

Also as samuijimmy mentioned "cemetery tree"

Other common names: Cemetery tree, Indian fir, Mast tree.

http://www.iplantz.com/plant/1273/polyalthia-longifolia/

Cheers.

9 hours ago, samuijimmy said:

I have heard it referred to as "Cemetery Tree" here, but cannot add more than that even after search Google.

Thanks jimmy,

Yes I've been searching Google.th for combinations of tall, narrow, fence line, shade, tree, plant etc viewing Google images but can't find it. I think common, I've seen them all over in Bangkok used along fence lines.

Anyway, appreciated will have a go with cemetery tree. Otherwise might have to make a trip to a local plant nursery!

Cheers.

Hi, I've seen this tree many places but can't find the name of it.

Would like to read up on it and maybe plant along our fence line for some shading.
Interested to know how fast they grow :)

Anyone know the name of it please?

Thanks.

2 hours ago, Bay Ridge said:

Is Slumberland,  Dunlopillo, Sealy, Serta...etc.

Are there any suggestions

Best for my bad back is the simple/very reasonably priced Thai made coconut coir filled bed.
Heavy and tough as nails!

I can have the worst sleep on these (as-is)  BUT the the trick to add a good latex topper and sleep heavenly :)

Actually, I bought one in Australia and you'd laugh at what I paid.

Edit: BTW Latex beds can be hot to sleep on. We had a full latex before (the coconut coir) and it was HOT. The difference is you do not sink into these harder beds with a latex topper on top. Have better support and good thing is they are cheap in Thailand.
 

A few weeks ago we arrived at Phuket airport and for the first time in maybe 50 visits to Thailand I noticed a queue after grabbing our suitcases off the conveyor belt.

Normally just walk straight out but this time a strange sight, queue at least 40metres long and luggage was being scanned. After our spot in the queue reduced to about 20meters people started to just walk past the x-ray machine and so did we.

Our luggage wasn't scanned. I think the scanning guys started waving people through with the queue becoming massive :)

People mentioned food above. Wife always brings maybe 1/2 a suitcase full of things like chocolate, hot English mustard, macadamia nuts, honey, red wine etc etc. I know you can probably buy most in Thailand but can't be bothered arguing.

This is a great thing if they did stop it lol ...no more "Heavy Luggage" label on our suitcase and save doing my back in while lifting the heavy suitcase into a taxi.

53 minutes ago, pgs said:

Remember to add a phone number to the notes and something like 'Family Support' as a reason. If you miss those things, you will be called & it will be delayed.

Thanks for that pgs, I only posted today anyway :)

I have a Citibank Plus account, so seems the best way to go. Will be a few $10K amounts as we are having a house built.

6 minutes ago, 11223344 said:

Get Citibank Australia account - no fees to withdraw from the Citibank Thailand atm and mid exchange rate

Yes it's a good account for travel. Good exchange rate and no fees.
Problem is there are no Citibank ATM's in Phuket.
 

Cheers.

On 14/11/2016 at 6:39 PM, Peterw42 said:

 

Yes, for small amounts, under $1000, the private companies are cheaper. Once you transfer over a couple of thousand then most of the time the TT rate and fees, is a cheaper option. 

I'm up for sending several thousand $A and seems after reading through this thread, is the way to go. ie: not converting in Australia but to send as $A to a Thai bank using TT

In the past we have used X-Wing in Sydney but I have a Citibank account where I might do this TT seeing it's a large amount.

I'm just curious, why is it that Thai banks give the better exchange rate compared to the Australian banks?

Is it simply are Aussie banks are greedier?

On 30/11/2016 at 7:08 PM, pgs said:

Have a look at Citibank. Exchange rates are close to official & 0 fee.

Hi pgs, is that to any Thai bank please?

From their website it looks like you need a Citibank account in Thailand.

Thanks chinnotes!

I wonder if an insect. Normally 6 legs but these look like 4 legs with 2 feelers.

Maybe it grows up to be an ocean thingy :)

A few weeks ago I saw these little creatures up the back of a beach in Phuket, near vegetation and wind had blown them into footsteps in the sand.

There were many 100's (or more) of them and never saw them again after that day.

I've shown this video to locals but no one knows what they are.
Any idea what they are please?
 

See a video here:  Bugs.mp4

On 30/08/2016 at 10:13 PM, 4MyEgo said:

I worked 5 months, July to November, then I came here and have been here since, so I am over the 183 days, in June I sold a property which was originally purchased as an investment property, then I moved into it, so I have capital gains tax to pay

How long ago was that you rented then moved into it?
I bought our place in the mid 90's and rented it (claimed interest etc) for 6 months before moving in and lived there since ie: permanent residence.

Hoping all ATO records of that first renting are long since gone, although I've kept all tax info about it.

I'd like to rent it out again while staying in Thailand and understand there is a 6 year period before CGT steps in.

Thanks for this, extended for 1 year :)

Just one other point, as this was originally about the app on my iPad.

I have 2 SIM's linked on it and topped up one of the numbers fine but when I try the other one, a message pops up that I must use an alternate credit card. Strange but  I can't use the same CC to top both up.

 

1 hour ago, akirasan said:

Fantastic, thanks so much for the good information jtrump.

Can you let us know how you go please. I wouldn't mind getting one too.

Sick to get an International Drivers license from the NRMA every year.

Cheers.

All great info saved, thanks.

When we arrive, no more looking to buy a SIM or get change to use a public phone or ask someone to use their phone to call the relos to ask "where are you, your meant pick us up"

Hi mtls2005,

Thanks, I've up to Feb 2017 now. I'm there next month so will visit dtac and extend it.
 

Anyway, guess I could just top it up 50 baht every 30 days (if I forget over there!) and use that balance to pay for a data add-on when I'm there.

Not sure if I have roaming, I'll give it a go.

Cheers.

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

Just max out the expiry before you leave, if you're gone more than 1 year maybe ask someone in Thailand to help you?

Thanks mtls2005,

I'd rather do it myself if possible and have often forgotten before I leave.

I just went ahead and tried a refill through the app of 50 baht (it's the minimum amount). I'm in Australia and the Terms and conditions had some words that international cards are OK to use. I do have to put a security code in from the CC company that is linked to my Australian mobile but if I'm in Thailand can still receive SMS. Just have to swap SIM's

That 50 baht "Refill" just added 1 month (not 180 days) to the expiry date. Anyway, it's good to know I can do this when I'm away if it gets low.

Cheers.

Hi,

I visit numerous months a year and would like to keep the same mobile number.
Often I find my SIM expires and need to go visit a dtac store for a new one.

Anyway, last visit I had a lovely dtac girl extend the expiry date to Jan 2017 and wondering if I can do this myself.

While there last time I installed the dtac apple app so can access my account from anywhere.

https://itunes.apple.com/th/app/dtac/id366758142?mt=8

Looks like under "Promotions" I can buy data and calls for up to 30 days but anyone know if it's possible through this app to extend the expiry date say another 6 months?

Another thing, I have not made a payment through that app yet but I'm wondering if it's a problem using a credit card from another country to pay?

YBB