Thaibeach

Watch out for RBC. It might sound like it's free, but it's not! Here's their strategy, which will only be revealed to you as you start processing the transaction:

• they convert your funds from CAD to USD at a horrible rate 
• they transfer USD to your Thai bank, where you may or may not be subject to a bad/decent/fair rate

That first step means that you effectively lose 2.5% (or more), so there are a bunch of better ways than RBC.

Not as popular here as some methods, but I use XE.com, which gives a very fair conversion directly to THB and charges no additional fees. They link directly to your bank account if you set it up that way. They're a little slower than some other methods (usually a week from start to finish).

I cannot speak to the implications of the money arriving to your bank in THB, which is how XE delivers.

Ultimately, my advice is just to avoid RBC. They suck.

Why not just use it at Big C or Tesco or even 7-11 for a relatively small purchase a few times a year? Then it won't get flagged as inactive and there should be no changes the the account. A few % hit on a B200 purchase is certainly worth it.

I have a "no foreign transaction fee" VISA (no annual fee), so the exchange rate is VERY close to the one on XE.com

No fees for cash advance if you can get a back teller to do it. Even factoring in the B220 ATM charge, the rate is still better than the cash rate at SuperRich.

You just have to prepay the VISA so that there's enough of a credit/balance so that the cash advance doesn't trigger instant interest.

Pool was closed at Novotel Suvarnabhumi when I was there 2 days ago. 
 

They sent this by email: As part of measures set by the Thai government and following the recent announcement by CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration), inbalance fitness & swimming pool remain closed until further notice.

17 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

I know Facebook are for teenagers

This made me laugh. No self-respecting teenager would be caught using Facebook.

The current platform of choice is TikTok. Facebook is for the 40+ crowd in the west. Thailand is a little behind, but not that much.

That being said, FB is a good resource to reach the older demographic that sells condos.

2 hours ago, robblok said:

I have a 3080 and nice clean case.. what kind of fan is that ? (i got water cooling)

Noctua NH-D15.

Silent, and my overclocked 8700k runs at less than 40C under load.

For those interested in builds vs. desk setups:

I had an RTX 2080 in there for a while, but then sold it for a profit and reverted to the GTX 1080 in the pic. Waiting on a 3080...

Should be no problem. I just received a shipment of coffee, soap, etc. from Thailand to Canada by DHL. 

I used the service that KhunBENQ linked a few days ago (Aug. 25), as I’ve also used them several times in the past when I fly in Premium Economy, which doesn’t include Fast Track. 

Totally smooth — was met at the gate as we deplaned, and was escorted to a Fast Track lane that had 0 people in line, despite the fact that regular immigration was overflowing. Was also escorted to baggage claim, through customs and upstairs to the Bangkok Air check-in counter. 

Despite the sign at Immigration saying “Show boarding pass and voucher for Fast Track”, I didn’t have to show anything. 

1200 baht per person, paid in advance. Print the voucher and show it to the person that meets you at the gate. No ground transportation booked, as we flew out to Samui a couple hours later.