Kenny202

I did go and have a look It was very obtuse and about buying stuff overseas was more on safety and protecting your account. I didn't paw over it for hours but couldn't find any clear information easily. And it appears they certainly go out of their way to intentionally have it this way

By the way how do credit cards work these days? Used to be if the credit card company / purchase was paid for before the end of the month of the purchase there was no interest. Still be ex rates etc if applicable of course

It would probably be more expensive delivering "gifts" here and there than the few percent I would get on the credit card buying a few things here that I may actually need

I have found that also or I seem to remember it that way. The cost of the purchase was similar in Aus dollars to Thai baht as I checked after the transaction. Was a couple of years ago though

I don't tend to take part in these petty squabbles but you seem to make a habit or this along with your "captain obvious" motherly advice on "maybe you should get a Thai bank account" lol.......and steering a post around to own off topic non related issues. Fenugreek? I don't need or use a credit card and would like to retain it as an emergency fund. I have had other cards not used for some time since I been here cancelled or credit limit reduced to nothing. What part of this in the OP didn't you understand or you couldn't join the dots as to the point of the post as everyone else did? You are not a mind reader but you certainly make a lot of assumptions. One of them being everyone else is some kid of moron that needs to have pointed out they should get a Thai bank account lol

You probably didn't read my OP and maybe missing the point. I have a Thai bank account and Mastercard which I use everyday. I just want to keep my Australian Mastercard active and not have it inactivated or the credit limited so I can keep it for emergency use. Just trying to find out how much that is going to cost me

Sorry not 100% sure on the terminology lol. In layman's terms you mean you will get a few percent lower rate than what you would see on XE currency exchange? That for purchases right? I was reading for Visa they have a worldwide ex rate or something. Mine is a mastercard. With companies like Ali express...they will give you a choice of currency you buy in I think?

I been here around 8 years now and still have a credit card with zero balance but a sizeable limit. I don't need or use a credit card and would like to retain it as an emergency fund. I have had other cards not used for some time since I been here cancelled or credit limit reduced to nothing. Just wondering if I used that credit card in Thailand for online stuff like Lazada, Ali express or even general things do they do the ridiculous ex rate thing or ??? I am pretty sure if you withdraw from an ATM it does the bank ex rate which is appalling. I think I have used my Australian credit cards and debit cards for things on Ali express and I remember there was no loss at all, parity per the advertised daily rate....not like where the banks give you an ex rate 20% lower than advertised rate. How does it work these days....talking online purchase...maybe in store Central or Big C? Just use it a bit here and there keep it active.

Yeah birds do need some sort of company and you need to get them at the right age too. For eg female birds can be right shunts (big surprise there lol) particularly one that hasn't been hand reared and used to being handled from a baby

You're missing the point. Many use agents as the have no choice, don't have the funds in the bank. I agree if you used an agent thinking you were going to save time and they wave a wand and make all your paperwork appear and forms signed you would be sadly mistaken. Having said that the yearly requirement for marriage / child visa is not a great deal more complicated than retirement (I have had both). The biggest hassle is the first year getting witnesses etc but after that fairly straight forward and routine. I always have the correct forms, photos and copies ready. Never a drama

Oh ok, I thought maybe the 60 day extension would void the current parental extension I have now. Sorry for the many questions ???? Really do appreciate the advice from all

My super a similar amount maybe a bit more and you must have been lucky. My super last 8 years has done nothing with CFS. Has grown then dropped....then recovered....then dropped again with covid and now Ukraine. Dropped about 20% at the start of Ukraine actually but has since bounced back. I reckon in 8 years...now...I am about back where I started 8 years ago. It would have been better in a fixed interest bank account. But like I said I am in a fairly if not the most conservative fund they have. Still doesn't seem to be any guarantee of fund slipping backwards though. When you say minimum 4% di you mean annually I assume? How did you set it up? Did you get any help or advice from Colonial or did you just do it off your own bat or use a financial adviser. I think last time I checked they didn't event want to give information on setting up a pension account. I mean ok they can't give you financial advice but surely they can give you a run down of their product and benefits. I have just found them to be as lazy, non helpful and evasive as dealing with a government department. I still don't see the difference between a pension and just leaving your money in there. You have done well by the sound of it but can you elaborate on how the pension gave you a better return? Maybe not in the current climate, all thing being normal $250k AUS dollars invested properly should give you a return of at least 10%, $25,000 PA and that should more than enough to live in Thailand leaving your capital intact. It doesn't look like the Super companies can manage to do it though...at least mine can't

Aware of that and yes the 30k is ridiculous but some pay that much and more if uninformed. Knew a Thai lady paid 50k on behalf of her husband a couple of years ago. Obviously didn't do the due diligence and wasn't her money / her concern anyway

Many people have gotten the 60 day extension when they are on one year extension without a problem and then applied near the end of the 60 days for the new one year. But if you apply for a new parent extension at the end of the 60 days don't you have to go through all the initial stuff you have to do for the first year of a parental extension? getting 3 people from the moo baan to take photos in your home, come to immigration once or twice for meetings and interviews etc. After the first year no need for any of that. That is what I am trying to avoid by keeping my current extension going. I was wondering if they take into account you have already done all that stuff some time ago or need to start from scratch and go through the rigmoral again. Have you asked them about it? I can recall a report of Koen Khean not requiring the 2 months and it was approved by Division 4 headquarters that is now located in KK. I will ask them for sure Joe, get my missus to call on Monday. I haven't checked for a year or two but last time I did check (maybe 2 years ago) they were rock solid on 2 years. Didn't want to discuss it at all. Will report back on this thread Monday, Tuesday

But from what I understand I can still leave my money in current super.....change funds etc and draw down as I like anyway. The only difference with a pension is there is a formal amount transferred regularly. Not disputing your choice or doubting you here by the way, and appreciate your advice. I am sure I must be mossing something. It's just on the surface I don't see or understand the benefits of a pension over and above just leaving it in the existing fund. I assume you can leave your Super in the fund and draw down on it as required after maturity age? Can you clarify what the benefits are over and above what you have mentioned.

Thanks mate, yes they certainly are! They recently had a class action against them for mismanagement and had to pay out around $500 mill I believe. Management driving around in luxury cars etc. Not sure what they are like now, haven't dealt directly with them for a year or two but they were totally useless as far as direct answers to questions etc, very evasive. Would make zero effort. Reminded me of the entitled attitude of banks in Australia back in the 70's 80's were they were treating your money as if it were theirs...(in all the wrong ways) and acting as if you should be bowing and scraping to them. I am hoping after their wake up call and public shaming they have made some improvements

Not being argumentative here but for the sake of clarity I know for a fact they don't have funds available, This is why 95% of people use agents this way. It is possible an agent would try and steer you towards retirement as it may be easier for them but with that comes insurance requirements and greater amounts of money in the bank for longer periods. Only other reason would be you have too much money and happy to throw away 20-30k to avoid a little bit of paperwork (which you end up doing mostly yourself anyway) and someone holding your hand. You still have to provide them with all the copies and documentation, photos etc anyway.

You current extension will still be valid since you are extending it for 60 days to visit your child. So what you are saying Joe is I can essentially extend my current extension by 60 days keeping my current parent extension in place. Is that difficult? If so that would be excellent. Is it a leave the country and come back in thing? In all honesty a lot depends on when my money comes in and having it in the bank for the required 2 months. If anything may be short only a few days or a week so just need to buy some time. (5) In the case of parents, the father or mother must maintain an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month throughout the year or must have deposited funds of no less than Baht 400,000 to cover expenses for one year. I did read that, and it could be open to dispute. I just don't know how much luck you would have standing on your digs with them though. Although my IO seems to be better than most, things like this seem to be "up to them" and arguing about it only seems to turn things into a smarty pants competition where you are going to lose. I think also these parental / marriage extensions are approved at head office (Korat) and maybe it is their directive to demand the 2 months.

That's not correct. I have lots of mates on Marriage extensions using an agent method with no problems at all....and the parent visa is nearly identical to marriage. (An agent without spelling it out doesn't necesarilly have to be a third party farang run visa company or person).

Firstly, can you get Australian super while in Thailand. Answer - yes, but it may depend on your fund. About 9 years ago my fund could only pay into an Australia-based bank; now international deposits can be made into banks in most countries. I prefer my pension to be paid into a bank in Australia - higher interest rates, and I can choose when to transfer money here when the exchange rate is "good". Into my Australian bank will be fine. I would rather control how I send it here and maximize ex rate. Thirdly, lump sum, pension, draw down, and taxation. These all really depends on your financial circumstances, whether you have paid tax on your contributions when they went in (rather than when you withdraw), etc., etc., etc. If your fund cannot answer these questions, then you need to get documentation from your fund about your entitlements, and seek advice from an Australian financial adviser (you can ask family/friend in Australia to do the latter on your behalf). Personally, I paid tax on my contributions as they went in Not sure if you will be able to answer this....but my contributions were all bog standard employer contributions. No salary sacrifice or lump sum contributions. Would there have likely been tax paid on these as employer contributions. Going to a financial adviser or accountant to find this information is pointless (tried it before) as they just don't have the information available to them. Only the super company has the records and info and they don't seem to want to check on it. Pretty much there attitude is we wont know until we process it. I took a pension, rather than lump sum, as I calculated that I would be better off over the long-term. Here is the part I really don't understand, and that is how a pension is more beneficial financially than leaving the money invested and just drawing down as required. Is there a higher interest rate for money invested in a pension scheme? The only thing for me might be making me a bit more disciplined having to live on a specific budget. I was also vaguely warned against setting up a pension as if not done correctly you could also void the tax free thing as a non resident and you are converting your tax free super to a different entity. I must say at the time it didn't really sound right to me I am quite loathe to go to a financial planner. From what I understand they try and steer you to what is more in their interests, and to be honest remotely from Thailand I wouldn't know where to start. I would only consider using one on a strong recommendation from someone else. Appreciate your detailed reply and hope you can give me some insights into the benefits of pension over draw down

Thanks Joe. What I am most worried about is losing my current Parent extension and having to start that horrible tedious process again....carting people up to immigration for interviews etc. I am guessing a 60 day extension isn't going to keep my current extension in place. If I did void my current parental extension and go on another extension temporarily, and reapply for parental on my O/A even say a month after this current one expires....do they make the process any easier or quicker as you had one before for 3 years or start from scratch? I read the requirements on a Parental extension. I always thought it was money in the bank same day you apply, but the requirement doesn't actually say that....it says nothing except 400k in the bank. You could assume either. My IO office (KK) does require 2 months but I wonder how it would go pushing the point that there is no legal requirement? Not too good I would imagine ????

I'll try again.... 1) Anyone know / have experience how long you have to give an "agent" to get a parent ext done? I don't mean a farang type visa agent. (If this is too obtuse answers to other questions appreciated) 2) Parent extension need money in the bank 2 months before? 3) Normally with a parent ext if you did have the money in the bank for 2 months....can you apply on the very last day of your stay until date? (I know not advisable but circumstances / timelines may not leave me much choice but to apply maybe a few days before or even the actual day). 4) Is there any leeway on Parent extensions (aka the same as 90 day reports) where you have up to 7 days after the stay until date to reapply for extension or it has to be done before stay until date? Appreciate specific answers if possible

Not interested in this sort of stuff or your favorite agent or you don't like someone's agent or any other squabbles please. More interested in specifics I asked and people have experience not motherly advice. threads practically dead / hijacked already

No I wont be doing it in that way with a third party agent, and probably best not to directly mention those sort of specifics. I will have to ask the "agent" for sure.

Thanks bro. I did delve into the pension thing a while ago and I couldn't really see any difference or benefit in getting a pension over just drawing the money down yourself as need. Obviously in maybe once a year lump sums. Is there something maybe I am missing there? I think I was told you could withdraw lumps of money when you wanted it leaving the balance in the fund? The Super company wont give any financial advice at all, in fact I don't think they are allowed to. Because of my birth date I believe I can actually draw on my money at 58yo but no one, including the Super company seems to be able to tell me if there are tax implications and you don't know until it's done. Went through a ridiculous thing with them where they were saying ask your tax agent....and my tax agent was saying how would I know? they have all the details of contributions etc...I don't. My super is pretty basic employer contributions....there were never any lump sum or salary sacrifice contributions. I have asked some of these questions before without much luck. usually guys like us expecting to get their money in a year or two but hadn't done it yet. Thanks again for your help mate