86Tiger

I would not say unexpected to start seeing office closures of banks or any other business.  Wife has told me branch of BBL we use often has closed in Udon.  Probably more of a surprise they have lasted this long.  Got to remember the country has been shut down for 2 years with no realistic end in sight.

Expect more closures and empty office space all over country.

As 3 phase is the standard for residential installations rather than exception there is no advantage to removing.

Any qualified experienced electrician will have no problem with 3 phase.  There are very few qualified electricians, but quite a few experienced.

I furnished my entire place from IKEA here in Turkey.  It has served 4 years very well and shows very little wear from 3 destructive kids for 2 years.  This was my first experience with IKEA and I will not hesitate to use them or recommend in the future.

But more to your question, identifying quality:  I look for things like real wood vs press board, the feel and/or thickness of fabric indicates higher quality, real leather vs faux leather, the thickness and type of padding, the material filling cushions, etc.  Notice how joints come together and are secured.  Also, the look and feel of the finish is good indicator.  Sometimes it is not apparent but looking at details such as these is a good start in determining over all quality of a piece.

Back to OP original problem:  Bank of America has evidently made changes.

I have had BofA visa card for over 30 years.  Used it extensively and exclusively overseas since 2004.  There would occasionally be a problem that could be resolved with simple phone call.  As I was overseas, they had given me a number a real person would answer that could fix whatever issue I had in couple minutes.  It had been dream service for many years.

As of May that number no longer rings a real person.  It goes to the recorded menu he!! of every other customer service number.  And of course, the person that eventually does answer the phone reads from script because every single one goes through the exact same steps.  Needless to say I can no longer get issues resolved in couple minutes.  As matter of fact my card has been locked since July.  I must go to a BofA branch with 2 forms of ID in order to get it unlocked.  They will not even discuss it any further.

So, I haven't been to US in over 2 years, don't have any idea when I will be back and there are no branches outside of US.  That card {may as well say that bank} is absolutely useless.

Moral of the story:  Get away from all the mega banks where you are nothing but another account number.  Use a small bank that wants your business.  Get to know the people that work there.  Send them Christmas gifts so they remember you.  Establish a relationship with small bank and you can do anything you need with a phone call.

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

After the Thais cured rabies years ago, or claimed so, I guess it was only a matter of time...

1 hour ago, johng said:

 I totally agree   so what about the other tests  just to enter a restaurant or enter a national park ?

 

50 minutes ago, lujanit said:

Thais also claimed they developed a cure for ebola.

Wow!  We are brutal today....

1 hour ago, LikeItHot said:

I use my Wise card. Load it just before purchase. Only card that works for me here.

I go with this.

I have been impressed with how well the Wise card works.  The card would be worth having even without ability to make bank transfers.

All I got:

My goodness..........

28 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

You could be right.....A convention center is taylor made for a Casino conversion...

 

Does Pattaya really need yet another huge empty mall? I think not...

 

 

With these deals need has nothing to do with it.

Some one sees profit to be had.  Tax payers beware........

What does the tax on salt have to be to actually have influence on decision to purchase or use?

I mean salt is dirt cheap, if you doubled the cost with 100% tax it would be insignificant to influence behavior.  At least for me, but what do I know.

I have been out of Thailand for most of past 5 years.  But have no problem at all with banking.

I have accounts with Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn.  I use banking app on phone for both. Both apps set up in Thailand with my Thai cell number and email address.

My Thai cell service is with True, I stopped by office and had them turn on international roam for my prepaid card.  I can top up my cell card with either bank app.

Of note:  I do not receive OTP for transaction with either account.  It may have been something I elected to op out when setting up the apps, I just don't remember.  But I say this as evidence banking out side of Thailand is not necessarily dependent on operation of Thai cell service outside of Thailand.

YMMV

8 minutes ago, GrandPapillon said:

it's usually very fast, sometimes a few seconds, and the exchange rate is known before the transfer, and it's also cheap

 

I usually use my credit card,

 

WISE is a smart business, they have identified 3 problems that "expats" were facing and provided the answer to them,

 

even though it wasn't probably not easy as a business to put in place with all the compliance burden

Wise transfers are great but another option they provide is a Master Card debit card.  I can load my account with USD and their card will make transaction in any local currency while never charge fees, and no ATM fees (though the ATM owner will always take a nip).  It is so cool to make airport purchases for example and not be left with pocket full of local currency in change I will never use.  The card will operate as debit card or credit card so no pin required and can be used for internet purchases.

I like the transfers but I have really been impressed with the debit card.

YMMV

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

Is there an explanation of why Thailand, and other countries: Brazil, China, Russia, Argentina, are not part of this?

 

And might it not be easier, and faster to just buy this drug from Pfizer already manufactured. No need to set up a factory, obtain precursors, etc?

 

 

Best guess: they don't want to pay for it; they don't want to set up the strict controls required to insure quality or security of the process/product.

But that is just off top of my head.

My last 2 have come from Robinsons.  Sealy posturpedic, firm with soft topper.

But mattresses are like women, every one likes something  different that is why they make so many options.

20 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

The Power of the CC..... I learnt that a long time ago when dealing with so many Goverment departments--in another life.

 

You write back to them TomKorat33, appealing against the decision ---questioning the decision, stating why your wife should be allowed, and you CC the letter to the Embassy's  Ambassador/your Congress-Person/ your Senator/your Local newspaper....etc ...etc 

You dont even need to send it to half the people you have written CC at the end of your letter.

 

Everyone in these sort of organizations has to cover their bottoms-- I have lived and dealt with government dept in 4 different countries--

 

Trust me you will get a response.

 

 

I will agree with this.  I call it going nuclear. 

A congressman or senator phone call to State will get more done in shortest amount of time than any thing known.  No one wants to be subject of congressional inquiry for any reason.  No low to middle level government employee wants any attention what so ever from higher ups.

And if your congressman is in an election year great and wonderous things can be achieved.