MiclB

This is the way a democratically elected republic squashes a tyrant; coup? -not!

heybruce, on 04 Nov 2014 - 13:32, said:

rubl, on 04 Nov 2014 - 11:13, said:

heybruce, on 04 Nov 2014 - 10:42, said:

The practice could be greatly restricted simply by being more transparent on military spending, but that doesn't seem to be in the works:

"A few days ago, Prayuth appeared angry when Thais demanded the government increase transparency. He reportedly said, “I beg you not to dig up anything. There is no benefit in so doing. My government is here today to solve problems. I have so many burdens on my shoulder. My wife is also in this difficult situation. I just want some kind of moral support from you. I need your understanding. But the media has tried to dig up many issues. So have some politicians. I must say that you cannot do that for the time being.”" http://thediplomat.com/2014/10/thai-junta-beset-by-corruption-scandals/

I suspect that if there were a serious investigation into how these generals made their money, there would be a corruption scandal that would implicate a great many senior officers. That wouldn't look good for a military junta promising reform.

Allegedly that is. The same goes for 80% or more of the politicians and a lot of the more 'successful' businessmen allegedly as well. You were probably told that long, long time ago. Mind you with the 'right' people doing it you might have less problems what that.

Remember that a crime committed by a democratically elected person is not less a crime. If at all you might even consider it a more serious crime.

Anyway, whose's left to draft a new constitution? Maybe the UN should indeed take over for 10 to 20 years.

Allegedly indeed. Until there is transparency in military spending, and transparency in income sources for the officers responsible for military spending, these things will only be allegedly. As the quote makes clear, PM General Prayuth isn't interested in transparency. That makes one wonder how serious he is about fighting corruption.

I don't believe there is such a thing as a 'right' person to benefit from corruption, but in view of your rapid diversionary response to my post you seem to believe the military must be protected from legitimate concerns about corruption in the ranks. Do you think the military should be shielded from corruption enquiries? A crime committed by a person in uniform is no less a crime. If at all you might even consider it a more serious crime.

I wouldn't mind letting the UN draft the new constitution. In fact, I think picking a constitution from some established democracy and changing the name to Thailand would result in a better constitution than the current process.

Agree, the more transparency the better. Unfortunately, that horse is a bit slow getting outta the gate.

I can't side with the UN idea quite. They haven't finished up anything much well that comes to mind; but, maybe that's just me.

Your final sentence/idea is a great one, but in this case a "face-saving" issue just might arise as a barrier, ya think?

Don't know the form number, but..

last year I had around 400,000B in a passbook/ATM account with Bangkok Bank. I simply walked into the local branch and told them where in the USA to send it, basic stuff--act #, swift code, tel #, etc. In and done about 7 minutes. No hassle.

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Bangkok Bank's policy is: If a savings account has been inactive for more than one year "and" the account balance is less than Bt2,000 there will be a Bt50/mo maintenance fee applied. Once the balance is at zero, your account will be automatically closed.

So, if you keep the account balance at or above Bt2,000 while you are gone for an extended time the bank won't do anything with your account except continue to pay interest, apply an annual debit card fee assuming you have a debit card, etc. So, say you were going to be gone for 3 years and had a debit card that had annual fee of Bt200....as long as you left Bt2,600 in the account it would not drop below the Bt2,000 trigger level "and" no user activity until around the 6 to 7 year point....3 years of Bt200 being deducted bring it down close to Bt2,000 and then another year of no user activity before the maintenance fee kicks in....but with a little bit of interest being earned it basically gives you another year....an then the Bt50/mo fee would start depleting your balance and that would take around 3.4 years to deplete your balance. If leaving for X-years and don't plan to access the account even with your debit card overseas to show user activity, then leave enough funds in the account to stay at or above Bt2,000. Other Thai banks generally follow the same policy because Thai bank polices and fees are very similar.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/WEBSERVICES/HELPCENTER/Pages/FeeTable.aspx

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Where one poster mentioned opening an account in NYC I'm going to assume he meant open a Bangkok Bank NY branch account. That branch does not open retail accounts; it only accepts wholesale/cooperate accounts. But of course you can at any time use the NY branch branch ABA/ACH routing number to transfer funds through them to deposit in your Bangkok Bank account in Thailand--no account with them need to do that.

I didn't need to imply that BB had walk-in service in NY, I am fairly sure they do not. But, a customer can use their 800 tel contacts to ask questions, etc.

I can go to my US bank online account and arrange a transfer to BB NY Branch (via ACH) and specify my BB Thailand account number and the deposit goes in fast. A customer can always Skype BB in Bangkok and make inquiries thru their automated system (for pennies in Skype charges).

As I am in LOS annually for several months I never have dealt with inactivity fees.

I've used BB online banking for a couple of years from the USA. They have a cust service at the New York location.

www.bangkokbank.com/ibanking

Hat's off to Slipper for a comprehensive plan, that obviously works for him. In fact, it seems that everyone has a plan 'cause if not they wouldn't be keeping it. Interesting post anyway.

My Issan wife of 39 years, mother of 2 very well educated (US citizen) children and more than a few grandchildren never raises her voice except in laughter and when on the telephone with another Thai. I always just figured it was because she didn't grow up with a phone her ear as most of may have.

And to answer the "yank" comment--The term evolved from early American folklore and was stuck on the GIs by Europeans during the WW excursions of the early 20th century. Internally, in the USA we call northerners Yankees and they return the favor by calling southerners Rebels, terms which usually are scoffed at. We usually need more that a nickname-term to get bothered.

We are a couple traveling on 2 dif kinds of visas; mine is a non-imm "O" and hers is a TR. Her visa will be in a 30 day extension period and mine will run out at about the same time. We need an additional 28 days. The plan is to do a quick turn around from Nong Khai and return to Thailand with each of us to enter with an "Exemption". Although this sounds like it will work, with the recent changes, etc, I will appreciate input. thanks,

Assistance please. I am planning to secure a N I "OA" visa via US consulate early 2015. After entry and still under the same visa, I assume I need an exit permit to return to US and then I expect to re-enter about 4 months later. My questions: 1) Are the 90 day reports required during absence, especially since in excess of 90 days?

2) How do the absence periods effect the visa? i.e. after re-entry when would extension be needed?

Any add on tips are welcome. Thanks

All good advice to use agoda or booking. Either may refer you to Thong ta Resort ( there is a residence too). I use this a couple oftimes annualy; not fancy but safe, free transport, snacks and 7Eleven nearby, and only runs about 23USD. enjoy

Yes, agree but too late its already issued as single. The timing will be a bit tight but doable. But, how about the land entry, can I get 30 days that way?

I've been out of Thailand since last winter and lots of new rules have me puzzled. Will be over in Nov under TR

Visa and will apply for 30 day extension. At the end of 88 days I will visit Laos a couple of days and attempt to re-enter Thailand. I will have a follow-on ticket out in under 30 days so a visa exemption would work if available. Can I get a 30 day exemp upon re-entry via land (as oppsed to 15 day) or do I need to fly back. Will be on US passport. Any info will be much appreciated.

Maybe it just doesn't have an auto-start function. Try clicking 'my computer' and it might poop up with the other drives

As a couple (US/Thai-US) couple with tickets from Texas to winter in HH/ChaAm area early Dec we are getting very concerned about the Ebola threat.

The govt here seems to be lying/withholding info or is too incompetent to act. All kinds of issues: is Thai still clear of this stuff/if we get there and SHTF will we get stuck/what about refunds for air tickets if we don't go/?????

Any updates pls.

You've got it backwards.

There's no need to hide your overseas capital gains from the Thai gov't because there's no tax owed anyways in Thailand. The issue is that if the OP is a US citizen, then even if he becomes a tax resident of Thailand the US will still want him to pay US taxes.

If you're a citizen of any other country in the world besides the US that I'm aware of that taxes capital gains on securities (not talking about property), once you become a tax resident of Thailand then you have no capital gains tax obligations to your home country.

This is one of the major benefits of living in Thailand that's often overlooked...

There's no need to be a superstar at trading to take advantage of being a tax resident of Thailand. This also applies to more long term investments held inside or outside of Thailand which hopefully is relevant to many expats, as well as expats who work here who should be paying a lot less tax on their employment income than in their home country.