Wake Up

Speak with her. It happened to me also. The owner gave me all of my two months deposit back and one month free rent to leave early. Got my deposit back the day I moved out. The owner also paid to clean the condo after I left so I did not have to do anything but leave. 

I have an iPhone with no SIM card slot. 
 

I have esim from TMobile USA, True esim from Thailand and AIS data esim from Thailand. 
 

SIM cards will probably be outdated in next 5 years for most people. Esim is great. 
 

in Bangkok had no problem with the esim at True or AIS. They know exactly what esims are and it takes less than 3 minutes for them to do it. 

OP. I went through security and immigration exit at Swampy on April 9. around 6 am and told the immigration officer before he stamped me out that I needed a reentry permit. He stamped me out and then explained for me to walk through the airport to zone 2 and get my reentry permit. Once at zone 2 I was able to get the reentry permit even though I was stamped out of Thailand.
Easy and no one in line inside the small room for the reentry permits. 

3 hours ago, chubby said:

looks like the form wants BKK Banks Swiftcode as well as the Intermediary ?

 

VG says that for outgoing , that one needs to ask  BKK Bank for their intermediary NOT ask VG, so possibly there might be a difference To vs From VG ; Looks may have to attempt a call to BBL, unless it's on their website somewhere, or to confirm its accuracy

 

for Wire back to VG , then VG would confirm it's intermediary; the agent never stated if it was also JP MChase or not /the actual Swift

 

sorry I don't see how to edit posts , on Thaivisa;  VG's form also wants the BKK Bank address , mine was setup at the Exchange Bldg there at Asoke ; guess I'll have to look it up (as your OP states)

 

lastly, they said the minimum transfer amount is $100 by phone, and $1000 via vanguard.com  fwiw

 

 

Vanguard told me they prefer to use JP Morgan Chase as the intermediary USA bank and Vanguard has an agreement that Chase will not charge Vanguard customers a fee. So use J P Morgan Chase as the intermediary bank with international wire transfers from Vanguard to Bangkok Bank Thailand. 
 

Bangkok Bank Thailand swift code is BKKBTHBK. 

On 9/13/2022 at 3:53 AM, Jaybott said:

Just to add some information,  I recently transferred $5000 USD to my Bangkok Bank account through Wise.  I was charged $31.19, I made the transfer around noon and received the transfer the following day.

So if you send 50,000 check out their 300+ upfront fee.  5,000 is close to their tipping point.  Google Wise. Their fees are high.  They hook  the customers with the exchange rate mirage but the customers don’t focus on the upfront fees. Easy to calculate at the end of the transaction how many baht do you get with Wise compared to their competitors. Wise is easy but cost more for transfers over 5,000 usa dollars. 
 

Vanguard beats wise when they waive their 10 dollar fee same as other banks like Chase that waive their fees for high net worth clients. 
 

if you want to transfer 5,000 then use Wise or research their competitors. Maybe the difference in baht does not bother you but when people say wise is the cheapest they are mathematically wrong most of the time. Facts are facts. Advertising is not always factual. 

4 hours ago, chubby said:

so just curious how or what *are the JPM Chase Bank details or where/how to get them.

and the VG form ?

 

I don't plan on any immediate transfer but might like to get this option setup while I *do now have access to Medallion signatures.

 

Assuming, once set up it allows 1 way transfers from VG Brokerage to BKK Bank, and not vice versa ? (for security purposes?)

Vanguard will email you the international transfer form is you ask them.  The J P Morgan Chase swift code is CHASUS33. 

Final answer verified today.  Vanguard has a special relationship with JP Morgan Chase to be their intermediary Bank as Dante99 information above is correct.  JP Morgan Chase has agreed to not charge the Vanguard client a separate fee to be the intermediary bank. Vanguard prefers their clients use JP Morgan Chase as the intermediary bank. 
 

But you can also use Bangkok Bank NY or any USA Bank that has the swift relationship with Bangkok Bank Thailand. 
 

I decided to use JP Morgan Chase as the intermediary Bank because they do not have a separate charge and their relationship with Vanguard. 
 

Vanguard charges a wire fee of 10 usa dollars which is waived for customers with a lot of Vanguard funds in their Vanguard account.  Bangkok Bank Thailand converts the USA Dollars at the TT rate and charges 500 baht fee.  Total costs 10 usa dollars, 500 baht and the TT rate difference from market rate. 
 

I know a lot of people like Wise but be sure you calculate the upfront fees of Wise and do not just focus on the exchange rate. Wise wants to charge 337+ dollars for a 50,000 dollar wire. You could save at least 250 dollars by transferring with Vanguard or Charles Schwab or others entities. . Schwab charges 25 dollars and Bank of America charges 45 dollars.  Even though the TT rate is a little bit less than the Wise exchange rate (very close rates) the up front Wise fees are a rip off IMO for any transfer of 5,000 dollars or more. 
 

Thanks to Dante99 for your experience and information. 

14 hours ago, Dante99 said:

For international transfers from Vanguard direct to Thailand, not through Bangkok Bank New York:

 

Chase is/was the intermediary for Bangkok Bank in the US, put that on the Vanguard Form,  J P Morgan Chase Bank,  CHASUS33XXX.  That is a few years old so you might confirm with Bangkok Bank to be sure that the information has not changed.

 

Vanguard has a special form for International Wire Transfers, once done you can send future transfers to designated transferee without making a new form.  My recollection was that was a form submitted by mail.

Thank you. Chase is the intermediary bank for wire transfers to Vanguard. 
 

Bangkok Bank New York said to use the NY branch of Bangkok Bank as the intermediary bank to send money from Vanguard USA to Bangkok Bank Thailand. 
 

You are correct Vanguard needs a form with a medallion signature guarantee from my bank which is Bank of America. 
 

I am going to fill out the forms and when I am in Bangkok I will see if this works and is correct and file a follow up post with the specific information. 
 

If anyone has performed a Vanguard international wire transfer to Thailand in 2021 or 2022 please let me know if this is correct or if I need better information on the intermediary bank being Bangkok Bank NY or Chase or ….

Many thanks. 

5 hours ago, Jaybott said:

If you plan on doing more wire transfers to Bangkok Bank, I suggest opening a Wise account and get the debit card.  The debit card is from a USA bank, you'll be able to make an ACH transfer from Vanguard to your Wise account. Then do a transfer from Wise to Bangkok Bank.  This way will be easier and cheaper than doing International wire transfers.

Thank you. I use Charles Schwab to take out 25,000 baht a day and they refund the atm fees.  I have calculated the wise cost versus the wire transfer cost and wise is hundreds of USA dollars more expensive on a 50,000 dollar wire transfer. The Vanguard wire fee is 10 dollars then Bangkok Bank fee of 20 dollars plus 500 baht and I get the TT rate. Wise gives a good rate on the back end but makes it’s money on the front end. Much more expensive than 30 dollars and even with the exchange rate difference if any wise is more expensive for any transfer over 5000 to 10,000 USA dollars. ????

I called Bangkok Bank in New York today.  They said to add them as the USA corespondent bank for Vanguard.  I think I understand the process now but would appreciate some advice and confirmation by someone who has used Vanguard before and sent a wire transfer to Bangkok Bank in Bangkok. Thank you. 

Does anyone use Vanguard in USA to wire transfer money to Bangkok Bank or a Thailand Bank. 
 

if yes Vanguard wants an intermediary bank name and swift number in addition to Bangkok Banks swift code and address in Bangkok. 
 

Can you help me understand what intermediary bank I need and is this an additional charge. 
 

I have spoken to two people at Vanguard and both told me Vanguard cannot send a wire to Thailand which I know is incorrect. 
 

if any of you use Vanguard for international wire transfers please help. Thank you. 
 

On 8/30/2022 at 7:18 AM, RedArmy said:

Just enter thailand on a Visa exempt entry, extend that for 30 days - Providing you have a Thai bank account in your name, stick in 800,000 baht, then apply for your 90 days Non O visa followed by a 12 month extension - Simple process.

Is it required to extend the exempt entry by 30 days?  Or can you simply apply for the non O 90 day visa while during the exempt entry stay ? 

On 8/18/2022 at 7:22 AM, bamnutsak said:

What are the fee(s), daily/single-use limits, and exchange rates, for using a BBL ATM Debit card at an ATM in the U.S.?

 

I looked on the BBL site but the real contract is only available in Thai (PDF).

 

 

Personally I wouldn't rely solely on a BBL/TPN Union Pay debit card.

I agree. I am not relying on it solely. I am wanting to be able to use it if I don’t come back to Bangkok for over a year. 

On 8/15/2022 at 7:51 PM, Pib said:

OP,

You said the Mastercard debit card costs Bt700 to obtain....where did you get that info?   

 

The Bangkok Bank website says Bt100 for initial issue and then a Bt300 annual fee.   I have the Mastercard debit card and those are indeed the cost. 

 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Cards/Be1st-Smart-Card/Be1st-Smart-TPN-Mastercard

Bangkok bank officer told me the card was 699 baht. So I declined. 

5 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

Maybe switch to the

 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Cards/Be1st-Smart-Card/Be1st-Digital

 

I think there are both virtual and physical versions of this card. It is Mastercard endorsed. I think you can apply using the mobile app. Bualuang mobile app.

 

Assume you have internet banking, and also use the mobile app? Make sure you extend the validity of your SIM card, and register for internaitonal roaming and WiFi calling if available.

 

 

For those with SCB check out the Planet Card, could be handy for international travelers.

 

Thanks for the information. I have a friend in USA who told me his Union pay works at 95 percent of places just like Mastercard and Visa. Apparently UnionPay and Discover Card from USA have a joint venture agreement so UnionPay is widely accepted in USA now. 
My Bangkok Bank app has my virtual debit card so I will bypass paying 700 baht to switch to a Mastercard debit card. 
will also top up my phone online to keep it current. 

I have a Bangkok Bank debit card that is UnionPay. They now have a debit card  that is Mastercard but costs 700 baht to obtain. 
 

has anyone successfully used their Bangkok Bank debit card to make purchases in the USA?
 

If yes then was it UnionPay or do I need Mastercard? 
 

If not able to use or have advice about using in USA please post comments. Thank you 

reason I want to use my Thailand debit is to get some baht out of my account if I don’t return to Thailand for a long period of time. 

This is a good thing for a lot of people and helps the poor more than the rich.

Texas utilities have tripled in the past two years because Republican politicians allow the rich natural gas and oil companies do whatever they want to do. And accept  their huge campaign money and free luxury trips. 
 

At least this guy is doing something for the poor and average families. 
 

PhysicalAddress.com 

cheap and reliable. They shred what you don’t want and can forward anything to you anywhere in the world for various prices based on how soon you need the forwarded items. See all your mail on your phone or laptop upon receipt. 
 

one draw back for you  is you must sign a postal agreement. and mail them the original for them legally to accept and forward your mail. This is required by the USA post office. 
 

if you are in Thailand you have to download the form and DHL it to the USA. If in the USA can drop off the form at any of their many offices or mail by regular mail. 

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

No.

Its not Biden's proposal.

Benefits won't need to be cut if the income cap for the tax is raised adequately.

Yes Social Security is majorly underfunded and running out of money. I know what the bill says but reality is the social security system without more taxes or loans or both goes broke in the next ten to twelve years. Look at the forest and not just one tree. 

On 6/20/2022 at 12:53 PM, Jingthing said:

How SS is funded.

 

https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/how-is-social-security-funded.html

 

Mostly from SS payroll.taxes.

That is NOT borrowed money.

It is clear the social security fund will be losing money in 2032 or 2034 ( and borrow money for the future ) as the taxes will not be enough to pay current benefits. That means the future will be borrowed money. I understand Biden has a tax plan for the 200 dollars but it is also clear that social security is quickly running out of paid in money.  I can read but this is just a trick to kick the cab down the road to others. 

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Social security funding is borrowed money? Its supposed to be funded directly by SS payroll taxes, yes? The proposed bill addresses how to fund the 200 as well.

Good discussion. You have valid beliefs and we simply have a small disagreement. You could be 100 percent correct. I don’t see it as anything more than people becoming dependent on government to solve the problems they created over a lifetime. That makes government become a horrible beast. Just like all those adults that borrowed money for college and now demand the debt be forgiven or reduced. When does it end? Why does  everyone think they deserve additional money from the government other than what has already been agreed to? 
 

I don’t want anyone to have a hard life but I also don’t want the government to continually increase handouts of cash that they don’t have. And I am a firm believer of saving for a rainy day and almost every American could have done that but many chose to not do that and are now unhappy with their past choices.  So it is easier for them to blame others or life circumstances or ask for an “entitled” handout. Take care. I admit I could be wrong in some cases and I am happy I saved and wish I had a government that spent less money than they make and saved money also. ????

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Your post was preachy and here is my response.

 

You are correct that the program wasn't designed to provide full support.

 

However for various reasons it is used that way by many people. One big reason is the phasing out of company pensions. As you imply sometimes people could have built an adequate nest egg but chose not to. In other cases poverty or ruinous personal events precluded that possibility.

 

So the morality preaching you made your own bed may be apt for some but not all.

 

As far as SS funding it is not a welfare program. As this bill suggests funding can be tweaked with changes such as raising the income cap.

 

Boosting checks 200 isn't such a big change after all.

200 dollars times a lot of humans at 6 percent interest is a lot of money. Not meant to be preaching. And there certainly are people who have had terrible things happen to them financially and rely solely on social security. My mother was one of them and our family helped her financially. 
 

My Point is simply that if you live only on social security it is a tough life and it is a benefit you paid for. But to borrow money to boost the benefits and have people think they deserve it or are entitled to it and have to rely on it is financially irresponsible way of government and the people that depend on it. You can live on any amount of money and your whole adult life you chose how to spend your money. There are now consequences to our actions. 
 

thinking 200 dollars is not much money is one reason you don’t have excess money. Not meant to be a personal attack or preaching or judging just trying to be factual about life. Take care 

On 6/18/2022 at 5:30 PM, Jingthing said:

People on social security are retired. They paid into the program while working.

Social security was never meant to be the source of income to sustain your life after retirement.  It was meant to make sure some people had some money to eat.  You were expected to save enough money for retirement. Social security was a good idea Especially for those that never saved anything else for retirement. For those that live solely from social security and have no other funds then that is a tough life and of course you want more. But you made your bed and the government does not owe you anything extra. And politicians that want to give away borrowed money to get votes are doing a disservice to those that have to pay back those borrowed funds.  

OP

my first O-A visa in 2015 I had the same problem as you. My doctor of 30 years refused to sign the form because he said it made no sense. Another doctor friend of mine said the same thing. I finally found a “quick clinic” in the states and the doctor said he would sign it for 200  dollars. Rip off but I did it. 
 

what you are experiencing is not unusual. Some people have a doctor that sign it no problem but most doctors I went to did not want to sign the form.  
 

Best advice is to follow Sheryl’s  advice commented earlier or find a “doc in the box “ clinic and ask them. 
 

now I have found a doctor that will sign it much cheaper but he is located in Dallas Texas.