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I discovered another wire xfer option quite by accident. It is possible to make a domestic (originating in the U.S.A.) wire transfer to BBL PLC in NY, NY (ABA routing no.: 026008691) for which the fees are smaller, or in some cases zero. Include your Bangkok Bank account number and the SWIFT code BKKBTHBK in the "additional instructions" field, and the money will get into your Bangkok Bank account in 2 days, with the same interbank exchange rate less 500 THB.

I just tried to set up a new bank on the PayPal account to which money could be transferred, with the new bank being Bangkok Bank of New York and the its ABA routing number, and the account being my Bangkok Bank account in Thailand. After inputing these information, PayPal automatically tried to do 2 trail transfers (the total amount of the 2 transfers equal to less than 1 dollar). After a couple of days, I received an email from PayPal indicating that both transfers have been rejected. Doesn't appear like it works with PayPal.

Does anyone have confirmation that the 3 million investment visa has become 10 million visa, or is that just rumor? Sunbelt?

I purchased a new condo that will be completed this year at the end-of-September/beginning-of-October time frame (considered Grade A). I plan to use the condo myself in the future, but since I don't plan to move to Thailand for another 4-5 years I would like to consider it an investment property and lease it out until I come to Thailand.

The condo unit is 166 sq. meters (living, dining, 2 bedrooms plus a study). I will fully furnish the unit once the purchase is closed. The condo includes air-conditioning, hard wood floor, ceiling lighting, and the 2.5 bathrooms are fully installed. However, neither the kitchen nor the built-in closets are included.

In general, for investment properties catering to business executives, what range of expenses should I expect to incur to fully furnish such a unit? How much do property owners who rent to business people spend on furnishing to meet their needs and expectations? Your input would be greatly appreciated.

1. This is an extension of stay from a non immigrant visa - it is not a visa. You can ask Consulate if they will issue a non immigrant visa explaining what you intend to do but if they will not you can accept a 60 day tourist visa and convert it at Immigration. I would not do this process without checking with Immigration first as specific requirements must be met in both money transfer and type of condo purchased for it to be accepted. Be aware if rules change this visa extension of stay may not be grandfathered.

2. No. You should be sure to arrive on at least a tourist visa however.

3. The extension of stay/90 days address reporting would allow a certificate of residence.

4. You can obtain a certificate from Immigration or your Embassy once on the extension of stay.

I would ask Consulate if you can get non immigrant visa - if not accept tourist. I would set up wire transfer agreement with your bank so that you can transfer funds when required. I would arrive and get current information from Immigration (you might be able to use a good visa service if you have to do this before you arrive). Only then, after being sure it will fly, would I do the transfer/buying.

One other question, just to clarification, is an extension of stay required prior to being eligible to obtain a "certificate of residence"? In other words, just having a non-immigrant visa (but not yet obtaining the extension of stay) would not allow me to obtain the "certificate of residence"? Thanks.

Yes, you can easily transfer funds through paypal to your BKK Bank account (NY Branch). Once you have set it up with BKK Bank you just login to your Paypal account and add a bank account (under the Profile menu). You will be asked to add the Bank Name, Account Type, Routing Number and Account Number. All of this should have been provided to you when you set it up through BKK Bank.

I transfer funds at least once a week through this system and so far have never had any problems (touch wood ). I try to keep the transfers below 200,000 Baht as I think anything above that gets the attention of the Thai Revenue Department.

Tompa,

You mentioned "once you have set it up with BKK Bank", what do I have to do to it set up? Thanks.

Thanks for your answers. Appreciate it.

It's downhill all the way to the beach. The "sewage farm" is under the new walkway along the beach in Naklua, but it hardly looks large enough to contain all of Pattaya's sewage, and in a few places it also appears to be caving in already. When it rains... well, it's a particularly nasty time to go swimming in the days (and weeks) after a good rain.

I'm very surprised! With the city so dependent on tourism, one would think the city government would move the sewage plan to a different location and certainly forbid the dumping of sewage into the water.

Bangkok Bank has a policy that in order to apply for internet banking, a foreigner must have "a resident Baht account holding a non-immigrant visa along with a valid work permit or certificate of residence are eligible to apply for Bualuang iBanking."

I am planning to apply for an investment visa (I'm in the process of purchasing a condo from a Thai developer that is over 3 million baht). My understanding is that this would allow me to enter the country and then while I am in Thailand apply for an extension of stay for 1 year.

My questions are the following:

1. What is the classification of such a visa (non-immigrant B, IB, etc.)?

2. Do I have to apply for this visa from outside of Thailand?

3. Will this visa allow me to obtain the "certificate of residence"?

4. If so, once I get the visa and enter the country, how do I obtain this "certificate"?

Thanks.

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I also have BofA account and have never seen this option on their Internet Banking site.  A couple of years ago they specifically told me this was not available.  What state is your account in?  I wonder if there are different rules for each state.

Can you be more specific on how you initiated the option and how each transfer is handled? You say you called a number to get the option, what number? You start the transfer from the web site and then confirm the transfer via e-mail? You say you called a number to get the option, what number?

Thanks, this would be great, especially at the prices you quote.

TH

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I have an account in California. I sign onto my online acount.

This leads to a window with 5 main Tabs.

Accounts

Bill Pay & E-Bills

Transfer Funds

Investments

Customer Service

Click on the transfer funds tab. This tabe opens up to transfer options. Select Accounts at other financial institutions option (3rd on the right). Then follow the instructions for setting up your transfer account.

There is an initial amount of money that has to be sent to the Bangkok Bank to verify the right account in Thailand. It is not alot. Mine was 41 cents. BOA will send you an email telling you when the money is sent 3 working days later.

I called Bangkok Bank central office up and asked them to tell me the amount. The told me and I went back to my computer, signed back online, and to the transfer account section.

My next step was to verify the ability to transfer from my BOA account to my Bangkok Bank account by telling BOA the amound Bangkok Bank said they received.

Once that was complete, they informed me my transfer account to Bangkok Bank was now active and I can transfer money immediately.

I dont have the number I called at the Bangkok Bank but you can probably get it from their website online. http://www.bbl.co.th/Bangkok+Bank/main.htm

I wonder if money could be transfered this way via Paypal by just adding Bangkok Bank's ABA routing number. Has anyone tried this with Paypal?

How is the Wong-Amat beach compared to other beaches in the Pattaya/Jomtien area? Is it relatively clean (both sand and water)? I'm planning to be in Pattaya next month, and considering a hotel in the Wong-Amat. Thanks for your input.

Is it a general practice for developers in Pattaya to sell more condo units to foreigners than the 49% allowed by law? I recently bought a condo in Bangkok and was assured by the developer as well as CBRE, their sales agent, that they would only sell up to 49%, so registering the unit would not be an issue. Does anyone have experience with other developers in Pattaya? Anyone with experience with Raimon Land's Northshore - did they also have the same policy as the View Talay developer of selling beyond the 49%?

I'm considering Pattaya as one of the potential places for my retirement (5 years from now). I'm interested in hearing from people who have already retired in Pattaya, particularly on how you spend your time there. This would provide me with a better idea on the types of activities available to retirees there. Thanks for your input.

Does anyone have experience in leasing out their condo through CBRE? What are your experiences? Any other highly reputable agents you could recommend? Thanks.

I purchased a new condo in Bangkok through CBRE, and the construction is expected to be complete some time in June/July time frame.

For final inspection, does it make sense to have a professional who has better knowledge regarding building contructions to be with me? If so, any idea on what type of company I could hire for this purpose and what are the costs?

Similarly, for closing/transfer, is it necessary to have a lawyer or other professional person(s) with me? I've gone through closings in the States without any legal help and have had no problems.

Thanks for your input.

What tax will I have to pay if I lease out a condo (approximately 80,000 baht per month, no other source of income in Thailand)? Do I pay tax once a year, or is it on a monthly basis? When is tax filing?

Thanks for your help.

about 70,000-80,000 baht per month, but remember that if its a co lease you will get hit for income tax. If you want an agent to find you a tenant they will charge you 1 months rental. But beware that in my view the markets going to get very flooded and that you may find rents falling in 12 months time. also the 160m2 markets rather small for 3 beds (i assume its 3 beds). Market at 70k plus generally wants 200-250m2.

Thanks for your input. Not really sure if it's even worth the trouble (tenant, depreciation, tax, etc.), as I'll move to BKK in a few years anyway. Thanks again.

I've purchased a condo recently through CB Richards Ellis (over 3m baht, Thai developer, etc.), which, from my understanding, allows me to apply for a "Non-Immigration B" visa for entry, convert to "Non-Immgration IM" visa and apply for 1-year extension to stay. The condo is expected to be completed later this year, and I plan to apply for the visa/extension upon closing.

For visa and extention applications, would I need to present the Foreign Exchange Transaction Form (showing the funds I've transferred into the country), or is presenting the Title/Deed sufficient. The reason I'm asking is the following:

Through CBRE I've transferred the funds directly to the developer's account. When I transferred the money, CBRE asked that I include "For purchase on a condo" in the wire instruction. CBRE subsequently sent me the "official receipts" from the developer, but I did not receive any Foreign Exchange Transaction Form. Will this be an issue down the road when I do apply for the visa and extension?

Thanks for your advise.

no is the answer shouldnt be diffuclut right now, but give it another year then it will be significantly more difficult. whats the building and Ill tell you the rental

Thanks for your help, it's the Domus, between Soi 16-18, which is scheduled to be completed later this year.

I've bought a luxury condo in the Asoke area near BTS that will be completed by the 3rd quarter of this year. My plan is to move to Thailand in about 3-4 years and live in the condo. Meanwhile, I plan to lease out the condo. Is it difficult to find a tenant for such a condo (about 160 sq. meters, on par with he top tier developments, 5 minutes from BTS/MTR)? Approximately what price per sq. meter would I be able to lease it out at?

Thanks, everyone.

I saw some nice furniture at the Modernform showroom in Sukhumvit (above California Wow gym), but the selection is fairly limited. Can you recommend other shops in Bangkok with high quality, modern furniture?

Thai Embassy in my country of residence (Vienna, Austria) turned down my application for 1 Year.

www.lawyer.th.com

1. Have you (or anyone) had experience with the consulate in Shanghai in obtaining a Non-Im "B" visa based on investment of a Condo? I'm currently on assignment in China based in Shanghai (U.S. passport), so this would be the most convenient place for me to apply. How difficult is it to get a Non-Im "B" here?

2. Can you verify that with a Non-Im "B" visa that once I entered Thailand I could apply for a one-year extension with multiple re-entry, which would permit me to stay without visa runs yet come in and ou of the country during the year?

3. I'm a bit confused, as I saw IM visa being mentioned somewhere else in this forum. What's the difference between Non-Im "B" visa and an IM visa?

Thanks for your feedback.

Is there any good gym(s) frequented by gay men in the Sukhumvit area (Nana/Asoke)?

I've purchased a condo but do not plan to live in Thailand until about 2-3 years from now. I do come to Thailand regularly (about 4 times a year). Regarding a non-immigrant B for purchase of a condo, should I apply now and then apply for extension when I am in Bangkok plus multiple re-entry, or should I wait until I move to Thailand? Thanks.

I come to Thailand regularly for short stays and don't have a Thai visa. Will I still be able to open a bank account in a Thai bank for use when I visit?

Thanks for your feedback.