Peter Denis

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Leave it in your UK account, transfer it to your Thai account using Transferwise and online UK banking.

24hrs from UK to Thailand, and XE exchange rate.

I usually move 3,000 GBP every 3 months.

Go with BritManToo's advice! For sure it is the  most economic solution as TransferWise uses the REAL exchange-rate and only charges a modest fee to have the funds next day or day after in your thai account.  The difference between using TransferWise and regular banks to transfer money abroad is HUGE, and they are faster and more transparent.  With TransferWise you can also 'play' the exchange-rates and transfer at the moment when the rate is favourable (e.g. by requesting an email rate-alert).

2 hours ago, ujayujay said:

If you come to Thailand with a on arrival Visa or Tourist Visa, you need a return Ticket to anywhere anyway.

As Steve187 already wrote, a return ticket is not required when you fly and already have a Tourist Visa.  When you fly in without a visa, you will get a Visa Exempt on arrival and then you need a return ticket.  Actually it need not be a 'return' ticket, you can also book the cheapest one-way flight to a near-by country and not make use of it (a so-called 'burner' ticket).

Very surprised to read the bad experiences some ThaiVisa members had with TransferWise. 

Approx every month I sent money from my European bank-account to a Thai bank-account and never experienced any problems.  On the contrary, compared with WesternUnion or bank-to-bank transfers, TransferWise is way cheaper, super-fast (next working day arrival) and fully transparent during every step in the process (e-mail notifications).

In previous posts I read that for transferring money from US there are cheaper and quicker solutions, and that there is more admin involved. 

Would be interested to know if there are also Europeans that had bad experiences with TW when transfering EU-money to Thailand.  Because if so, I will be more cautious in recommending them to my friends/relatives as I am doing now.

Note: Another TW-plus is that you can also opt to receive a daily exchange-rate notification in your mail and/or can set a rate-alert (so you can 'play' the exchange rates to pick the moment when it is best to transfer).

Small list of - mainly - non-mainstream quality movies:

• Dersu Uzala, from Akira Kurosawa
• Dodeskaden, from Akira Kurosawa
• Zorba the Greek
• The Big Lebowski, from the Coen Brothers
• Pennies from Heaven (both the US movie with Steve Martin, as well as the original TV series by Dennis Potter)
• Everything from Stanley Kubrick, e.g. 2001 A Space Oddysea, Doctor Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket
• The Men who Stare at Goats
• Most movies starring Kevin Spacey
• Amelie Poulain
• The Bear
• Festen
• ...

55 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Seriously, are we all that worried? If you get pinged pay the fffine, otherwise your here to fill in forms??

Not worried about the fine (it's peanuts anyway), but the prospect of a possible refusal of extension by the IO or a non-compliance stamp in my passport I am not too keen about.

1 hour ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Could you inform me of a cheaper way to transfer the equivalent of 800000 baht in sterling rather than use TransferWise to my Thai Bank Account ?

Hi Jumbo, as I am not a UK citizen I am not familiar with different UK options. If you do not get the response from a fellow Brit on the present post, you could consider posting a new thread explicitly asking for cheaper ways than TransferWise to transfer the equivalent of 800.000 THB in GBP to a thai bank account.

5 minutes ago, elviajero said:

The good advice is: If the office you’re planning to extend at insist on a TM.30 report it is a good idea to make sure the person/s responsible makes the report. 

I agree with Elviajero's remark.

If you are in Thailand on visa exempt or SETV, or only stay at hotels/guesthouses it is most probably not worth the effort to file a TM30.  However, if you are here on an METV (like the OP), chances are you may want to extend your 2 month stays at the local Immigration Office.  And then you could get fined (or worst be denied your extension).  So, if you are staying at friends/girlfriend, it is not a big effort to print out the form, fill it in and having it stamped at your local Immigration Office or police-station, and keep the stamped copy in your passport. 

Note: In past I applied already for 2 extensions during my METV stay, once at Si Sa Ket and once at Ubon Immigration Office.  I was not aware of TM30 and they did not ask for it, and I got the extension without hassle.  But I don't want to risk being fined or extension turned down, so I now have the filled-in TM-30 stamped at the local police station close-by (took 10 minutes, and had to show my passport and my girlfriends ID-card).

My story, which could be helpful for the OP >

I recently found out on the Thai Visa forum that to be in compliance with Thai legislation, the Thai authorities always need to be informed WHERE a foreigner is staying.

If you are visiting Thailand as tourist and stay in Hotels or Guesthouses while visiting the country, it is the duty of the Hotel or Guesthouse owner to report your stay to the local Immigration office (and that’s why Hotels almost always ask for your passport when you check in).

But it seems that this also applies when you are staying at the house of Thai friends or your girlfriend.

So my girlfriend needs to report that I am staying at her house, and the TM30 is the official form to be used for doing that.

Normally that filled-in official form has to be presented within 24 hours of your arrival in a Thai friends home at the local Immigration Office of the province you are staying.

In our case that means the Immigration Office in Si Sa Ket.  But that’s +70 kilometer from my girlfriends home!

And I read on the Thai Visa forum, that in case there is no Immigration Office in the province you are residing or if the Immigration Office is too far away, you can also present the filled-in TM30 at the local Police station.

The local Police Station simply needs to fill-in and stamp the Receipt of Notification part on the bottom of the document.

And you just need to keep the stamped copy of the TM30 in your passport.

In the past I have never had such TM30 filed, but last time when I re-entered Thailand overland at the Chaim Cambodian border the Thai border official told my girlfriend that she needed to report me staying at her house.

We didn’t do this, and we had no trouble later on.  But it seems that if you did not do this and you have to go to an Immigration Office for some reason during your stay, you can be fined.  And since Thailand is getting tougher on reinforcing their immigration laws for tourists and foreign residents, it is better to be in full compliance.

After all, it is little work.  Just filling in the TM30 form and submitting it to your local Immigration Office or police-station to have them stamp the Receipt of Notification part on the bottom

22 hours ago, Griffo63 said:

I think it depends on how much you’re transferring in. If you bring in (say) £1000

in my case then Transferwise is good value because of their low charges and good rates. If you bring in £10000 then a regular Foreign Exchange house is better because they won’t charge on a large amount and will give a good rate whereas with Transferwise you’ll get the same rate as previous but pay 10x the charges. 

Not entirely correct.  The TransferWise fee consists of a fixed part (3 Euro) and a variable part according to the amount you transfer.  For 1000 Euro the total fee is 7.96 Euro (approx 0.8%), and for 10.000 Euro the total fee is not ten-fold but 52.74 Euro (approx 0.5%). 

There have been many posts in the Forum that for really big amounts there are cheaper solutions than TransferWise, but they would be hard to beat in the 1000 - 5000 Euro transfer range.

 

45 minutes ago, steve73 said:

Systems such as Transferwise always beat bank TT rates even including any fees, (and definitely better than banks cash rates). Except for US $ transfers, where bank TT rates are much better. 

Superrich cash rates are usually the cheapest and is probably a good way if you're arriving from abroad.

Fully agree with the above.

In my experience TransferWise is the most transparent (no surprises - informing you by mail of every step in the transfer process), quickest (next day or day afterwards funds are available), and almost always cheapest solution (they use the mid-rate between buying/selling and only charge a very modest fee for their service).  Also, you can 'play' the exchange rate fluctuations with them to be kept informed of best moment to transfer your funds. 

If you prefer cash conversion after arrival in Thailand, you will almost certainly get best conversion-rate at SuperRich.

As one poster mentioned: DON'T use the Bank or Exchange booths on arrival in Bangkok, but head for the SuperRich booth on the Ground floor where you can take the train (booth is next to train ticketing machines).  The rate difference is definitely worth the small detour (and if you take the train to downtown BKK it's not even a detour).

8 hours ago, Pib said:

The money is indeed transferred from your account, however, you can send to a bank account in someone else's name or you own name.

 

Correct that third parties can not transfer to your Transferwise account "to fund the transfer".....the name on the account funding the transfer must match the person's name on their Transferwise account.  See below from the Transferwise website talking the funding of a transfer. 

 

This restriction is not to confused with people paying into your Transferwise Borderless Account because one of the purposes of a borderless account is to receive payments from folks....like they are paying for a product/service you sold them.

 

https://transferwise.com/help/article/1662886/paying-by-bank-transfer/paying-by-bank-transfer

 

 

To avoid any misunderstandings > In order to use TransferWise you need to open a TransferWise-account (done in a minute).  When doing so you have to make sure that the name for your TransferWise account matches the name on your bank-account (if your bank account is on the name John Smith your TransferWise account should also be on the name of John Smith).

If that's the case, you can then use your TransferWise account to send money from your bank account to any bank account worldwide. It's the most transparant, fastest and almost always also the cheapest option to transfer money since TransferWise uses the mid exchange rate.

23 hours ago, sharktooth said:

You need to check, but I’m sure transferwise only works from YOUR named account, to YOUR named account. I don’t think third parties can transfer to your account. 

That's not correct.  With TransferWise you can send money to any account worldwide.

You don't need to be tech-savvy too.  Their website is super-simple, service is very fast (money in account next day or day after) and completely transparent.  They use the official mid-market rate (mid-rate between bying/selling) and charge only a modest fee for their service.  Additional advantage: if you have time to wait, you can 'play' the exchange rates and send when the rate - which fluctuates constantly - is advantageous (you can also have this automated to receive daily rate-updates or be notified when the rate is above the target you did set).

Hi, do check out WETRANSFER > https://transferwise.com

For transfering money from abroad to a thai bank-account Transferwise is as good as always the best option.  They use the official mid-transfer rate (the mid-rate between selling/bying) and charge only a modest fee for their service.  Money transfered is normally next day or day after already on the thai bank-account, and Transferwise is very transparent and informs you of every step/stage in the transfer process.  Also you can 'play' the exchange rates and transfer when the exchange rate is best > so no surprises nor hidden costs - you know exactly the amount in THB that will be received.

NEW > In case you do not have a thai bank-account, Transferwise now also issues a FREE debit-card.  You transfer money from your bank-account to that debitcard bank-account in THB (or any other foreign currency for that matter) at same unbeatable mid-transfer rate, and with that debit-card you can withdraw those THB at any Thai ATM.

 

Hi, I am not affiliated with TransferWise but in my experience it is by far the best option for transfering money.

1. TransferWise uses the actual mid-conversion rate, which is very hard to beat.  They charge a modest fee for their service (fee is a fixed % of the amount transfered, but the % is lower when the amount to transfer gets bigger);

2. Money transfered with TransferWise is usually next day or day after already on the target bank-account;

3. YOU choose the moment - and thus also the conversion rate on that moment that will be applied.  When I want to transfer money I check twice a day in the week preceding my transfer to pick the best rate (a conversion rate graph of previous week/month is available at the click of a button).

TransferWise is very transparent during all steps of the transfer process, no surprises no hidden fees.  When you click GO you will know the exact amount that will be transfered.

>>> A simple money transfer from bank-to-bank is done on minutes (and the money is there next day or day after).  But for your particular case, I would suggest that you order a FREE TransferWise debit-card (takes approx 1 week before you have it). Then have the Euros from the Spanish property-sale transfered at no cost on your TW account of that debit-card, and then transfer the money from this TW account to your Thailand bank-account at a convenient moment picking a 'high' conversion rate.

No rain today in Khun Han (south of Ubon / Si Sa Ket).

Previous days - approx 10-20 minutes of light rain mostly during the night.

Maybe this is off topic due to the specific nature of the OP's question.

But when transfering money abroad it is wise to check up front what exchange rate will be applied as well as the bank transfer fee, and the time it will take to have the funds on your thai bank account.

In my experience, making use of TransferWise < https://transferwise.com/ > is the fastest, cheapest and most transparent way to transfer money.  TransferWise applies the actual middle exchange-rate between selling/buying (always better than any bank selling rate) and charge very modest fees for their service, and money is on your Thai bank account within 1 or 2 days while you are being kept up to date on the steps of the process by e-mail and on-line.

 

Found this LINK (but doesn't have a date, so might be obsolete) - accordingly Villa Market should carry Dos Equis and many other European and North American brands

https://tastythailand.com/where-to-buy-beer-over-the-counter-in-bangkok-thailand-domestic-and-imported/

 

Villa Supermarket – One of the best supermarkets for a good over-the-counter beer selection in Bangkok is Villa Supermarket. It has several branches around the city usually selling all the Thai and Asian brands, as well as a fair selection of European and North American beers.At Villa, I’ve bought Budweiser, Fosters, Heineken, San Miguel, Kingfisher, Dos Equis, Guinness, Coors, Samuel Adams, Newcastle Brown ale and a fair number of other brands.

Some Villa Supermarkets are better than others though. The branch at Major Avenue Ratchayothin (just renamed ‘Suzuki Avenue) has an excellent selection of domestic and imported beers, as does the main Villa branch on Sukhumvit Soi 33 just down the street from Emporium Mall.Villa also sells mainly imported food, so if you’re looking for British, American or Australian bar snacks to go with your beer, Villa’s the place for that too.

 

4 hours ago, BigWillyBurns said:

Anyone ever stay in New Siam Palace Ville? 

>> Yes, and I recommended it to you a few posts higher.

Since 2 years I stay there everytime I visit Bangkok, as it meets my main criteria:

- located in Rattakosin (old Bangkok), at walking distance from many landmark places (I don't like having to take public transport all the time)

- in a lively area (Rambuttri / Khao San Road) but without the drawbacks (no all-night parties going on near)

- nice and clean air-con rooms

- reasonable price, surely for what you get: good free buffet breakfast / free us of swimming pool + towels

Two things to take heed:

- Ask for a room in a quiet part of the hotel, as there is one wing of the hotel where the bathroom faces the busy intersection bridge road which can be noisy at night

- It is posted in the elevators, but I did not notice it first time: Each time you want to have your room cleaned, you have to tell reception otherwise they deliberately - for privacy reasons - don't clean it. 

Enjoy your stay!

NOTE: If you can get the Rambuttri Village Plaza for under 900 THB for a double room, that's also worth considering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stayed there a couple of years ago and at hat price it is very good deal!

Hi, I would recommend the New Siam Palace View hotel.

It's at the end of Rambuttri road (near Phra Athit) and in my opinion perfectly located in Old Town Bangkok - close to Khao San and at walking distance from Thammasat University.

The Hotel has good free buffet breakfast, a large free swimming pool and elevators.

Note: There are 5 New Siam hotels situated on Rambuttri, but this one is best and strangely enough also cheapest (because it is at the very end of Rambuttri road, which is actually an advantage because you don't have night parties close-by).

Using the link attached https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293916-d8445225-Reviews-New_Siam_Palace_View-Bangkok.html

you can book for approx 1100 THB for a clean aircon double room.

TIP: Do request for a quiet room, as some of the rooms' bathrooms face the very busy bridge road and can be noisy during the night. 

 

Hi, I am in a somewhat similar situation as the OP.

I currently am residing in Thailand on a multiple entry visa which is valid till November 25.

But I will be in my home country in September/October and plan to apply end of October once again for an METV as that would be valid till end of April 2019, which would be much more convenient for me.

But doing so there would be an overlap of approx 1 month of both visas.

Will that cause a problem when applying for the new visa or would the Thai embassy just stamp/cancel the old - but still valid - one?

 

 

23 hours ago, chakatee said:

didn't read OP's post correctly, sorry

Thanks anyway for reading the post and trying to be of service.

Bbest already suggested to check out the option of taking a Gold or Platinum Visa or MasterCard.  In many cases they include travel insurance, but conditions vary per issuing bank, and in some cases there are age restrictions on the travel insurance provided.  But for sure it is worth checking this out.

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Be sure to mention you stay most of the year in Thailand when applying. This may mean you don't need travel insurance, since Thailand seems to be the country you're living in. This could also mean that when the time for pay-out comes and it becomes clear you spend most of the year in Thailand a travel insurance can refuse pay-out.

Thanks for your reaction. 

Indeed, I am trying to check out the option of taking Thai personal insurance, since I am already in Thailand.  But the first responses I got from thai insurance companies, is that you need to be a permanent resident to be eligible (and I am here on a tourist visa). 

Reason I am checking out that option is that it turns out taking travel insurance for my 'bridging period' before I leave, is not self-evident as most insurance companies want you to be both resident of their home-base country as well as taking the insurance before starting your travel.  There are a few companies (like Nomads) that do provide travel insurance when you are already traveling, and do not require that you are a citizen of the insurer country.  But they are rather expensive, hence I am looking for less expensive alternatives.

Note: I have to admit travel insurance in Belgium and Netherlands is very very cheap compared with USA or UK, so I am somewhat biased when checking out the rates (covering the18 day period is more expensive and covers less than what I paid for my present annual insurance).

 

Hi, I am a Belgian citizen and stay most of the year in Thailand.

I did take annual travel insurance before departing, but it is limited to 90 days per trip and my present coverage will end September 3.

I will fly back home on September 20, and so I am looking for an affordable insurance solution to cover the 18 day 'bridging period'.

I already checked with my current insurance company and unfortunately it is not possible to prolonge the 90 day-period.

And scanning the internet there are only few companies that offer travel insurance when you are already travelling. 

Nomad's being one, which would be my last - but rather expensive - resort when I do not find a better solution.

But maybe there are THAI insurance companies that offer health insurance to non-resident foreigners for a limited period.

If so, I would be interested to hear about options along that road.