jimgilly

1 hour ago, Pib said:

I have used my Schwab card before for counter withdrawals but it's limited to $1,000 per day whether withdrawing from an ATM or counter.  But later on I got a Cap1 no foreign transaction fee debit that allows $1,000 per day from an ATM and $5,000 at the counter....but it does not reimburse any ATM fees like the Schwab card....so I only use the Cap1 card for counter withdrawals.  The Cap1 debit card has a $5,000 daily counter limit which allows me to do counter withdrawals in the Bt150,000-165,000 ballpark depending on exchange rate....come back the next day and counter withdraw another $5K worth of baht if desired (if you have the bucks).   Doing periodic $5K worth of baht counter withdrawals is my primary way to bring cash into Thailand to top-up my Thai bank accts.   

 

Transfer services like Wise or bank SWIFTs are basically just "backup" methods for me because doing  counter withdrawals with a no foreign transaction fee card gets you the most baht at the least cost...beats Wise....beats SWIFT/ACH/IDD when all the exchange rate/fee dust settles.

Getting up to $5000 with no fees would be great, however, I take it you need a US address to qualify for the Cap1 debit card, which would disqualify me.  Scwab may still work though.  Thanks for the info.

Pib, I read through all the posts on this thread you provided and noticed you mentioned making bank counter withdrawals with your debit card.  By any chance are you talking about the Charles Schwab International account that covers all ATM fees? 

If so, would you be able to get more than $1000 equivalent a day with a bank counter withdrawal and what would the max be?  Looking into Schwab at the moment so this also be a good option.

Thanks

Thanks for the replies. 

After checking the numbers, the VISA rate 0% fee, which I get,  is better than the IDD rate so it wouldn't make sense to switch.  Plus with going the ATM route I can see exactly what I will be getting on the day I make a withdrawal and time my withdrawals accordingly. 

Does anyone know where you can find what the current IDD rates are?  I've been getting SS into US bank and then getting money at ATM with Visa debit card but this may be better.  Like to compare against the daily VISA rate.

Thanks for the replies.  I'll probably just stick with the credit union I'm with, though not perfect, at least I know what I am dealing with. 

5 hours ago, higgy88 said:

I've had a Schwab brokerage account for probably close to 40 years.  About 10 years ago, I no longer had a US address I felt comfortable using, so I gave Schwab my Thai address and they said I had to open an international account, so I did.  In a nutshell, I find Schwab international a PITA to deal with.  And anytime I have to contact them, as soon as they see I have a Thai address, Schwab USA will no longer deal with me and will immediately transfer me to international.

 

I cannot answer your question on the 25k initial deposit as that did not apply to me, and I also cannot answer your question on the ATM as I no longer have an ATM debit card with them.  I can only answer any questions you may have on their customer service.

higgy88, bit confused because you said you have an international account and weren't required to initially put in $25k but I know that is now a requirement. 

Biggest question I have is why you have problems with them transferring you to their international department when you now have an international account?  Are there other problems you've had other than that?

2 minutes ago, tonray said:

I have a regular Schwab account as I use my sister's address as mine in the USA. Customer service is the best of any financial company I have ever dealt with and when I make an ATM withdrawal, the fee reimbursement is booked pretty much the same time the withdrawal hits your account. No worries...Schwab is a great company.

Thanks tonray for the feedback.  Don't have a US address so will need to open an international account with $25k but that's ok.  Right now the money is just sitting in a credit union doing nothing.

Good luck Patrick.  It doesn't look like you'll be back but maybe not a bad decision considering everything.

Does anyone have any experience with the Charles Schwab International Account?  I know they initially require a $25,000 deposit but after that I don't think there is any minimum amount to keep the account open.  

Also, wondering how well their customer service is and if reimbursement for ATM fees runs smoothly?  Any information would be appreciated.

Any update or has covid shuttered reopening?

Meant to say "passing on the left"

Did anyone happen to notice the other vehicles passing the white car on the right?  Would have been an easy option for the ambulance driver who preferred to just keep honking his horn knowing it was not going to work. 

20 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

Fingers out Patrick, Keaow needs to give you a swift kick up the a***.

I'll have a gentle word in her ear. 

Strange post attacking Patrick.  Care to elaborate?

Any additional info on when and where it will be?

Does anyone know if Patricks restaurant in Roi Et has reopened?

4 hours ago, Rdrokit said:

Yes and it can even be a joint account. Also, if you are a veteran and receiving disability payments they can go into a Thai bank account with form VBA -24-0296a.

VBA-24-0296a-ARE international direct deposit..pdf 1.13 MB · 1 download

Do you have a link that shows where you can get your Social Security benefits direct deposited to a Thai bank and withdraw using an ATM? 

14 hours ago, fangless said:

Is that a promise?

If so CM will be much better off without your slanderous statement's.

 

PS;  I like living in Chiang Mia, even with all it's faults!

 

 

First, you need to get a dictionary and look up the definition of what "slander" is since you obviously don't know what it means and check out the word "fact" while you're at it. 

Also, I thought you lived in Chiang Mai but it appears you live in Chiang Mia so maybe the pollution isn't as bad there, where ever that is.

Last, this will be my last post as I wait to see what the air quality will be in the coming months.  I will look forward to seeing what you post once the PM 2.5 levels hit dangerous levels and others are complaining daily about how bad it is.  My guess is you will stop posting like others who promote CM until the pollution hits.  Anyone thinks I'm wrong just wait and see.

2 hours ago, fangless said:

 I am not mocking people who really suffer from  the pollution but I do not understand why people keep harping on about CM pollution.  I have lived here for many years and it is a rare occasion when I even notice it and it never bothers me.
I can only assume that most of the people complaining about it already have breathing problems or are just super sensitive to it!

 

I really do like living here, especially given all the restrictions in our home countries with Covid 19.

 

 

 

 

 

It's a rare occasion when you even notice it and it never bothers you? 

Seriously, check the map and make sure you actually live in CM because even someone who is blind would be able to determine how bad the air pollution gets. 

Also, you should be careful saying it never bothers you as there were five Marlboro guys who didn't think smoking was bad and all five died of smoking related illnesses.  Just saying.

Wait another month and see how many people post how great CM is.  Unless the pollution has already rotted out your brain to where you can't think straight, you would know nearly half the year the air you breath is toxic and dangerous to your health so don't tell anyone that's not the case.

Of course there are a lot of facts people just won't accept and this is one of them.  If you're thinking of moving to CM visit first and do it after the 1st of the year.  More than likely you will only need a few days to see how bad it really gets before you decide this isn't for you. 

There is enough you have to deal with living here and adding some of the worst air pollution in the world is one thing you can and should avoid.  Believe me - it won't be any better this season and predictably it will even get worse.

On 9/30/2020 at 1:44 PM, wwest5829 said:

Considering the number of mailed ballots this election, I chose to send my ballot by DHL directly to the county Court Clerk where it has been confirmed as having been received. If any American can afford the approx. $41.00, I recommend not taking a chance.

You're joking right? 

If you don't know the system is rigged by now you never will.  It makes no difference who wins and you just wasted $41.00.  Unbelievable.

You can forget any second stimulus check - won't happen.  What is coming in the very near future will preclude any future talks about stimulus checks as there will be far more pressing issues to deal with. 

7 hours ago, amexpat said:

That's what Russians are posting on US social media. Maybe it worked last time. 

No I'm a realist unlike yourself who knows the game is rigged.  Doesn't matter which party wins, the outcome is the same.  Country is in the tank and it's going to get a  lot worse. 

How could anyone in their right mind vote for either candidate?  The election is going to be a farce like pretty much everything else.  Save your postage as like every other election, it's not going to make any difference.