Bruno123

On 2/12/2022 at 7:04 AM, KhunBENQ said:

Hard to believe that there are expats staying long-term(?) using foreign cards?

Banks must love you.

 

Not an informed comment. It's quite often the quickest and cheapest method. You obviously didn't know that.

2 minutes ago, timendres said:

It obviously depends on the bank, but my agreement clearly states that payments will be applied to purchases first. It actually shocked me to discover, which is why I remember it so clearly. That said, this was at least 10 years ago, so maybe a change was required because of new regulations.

Not every country has the same method. It could be just your card.

59 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

?

Dynamic Currency Conversion. Something in which Krungsri dabbled. Whether they still do is unknown to me.

3 minutes ago, timendres said:

Adding to the above pain, the CC company will apply all of your payments to the "purchases" balance before they apply one penny to "cash advance" balance, ensuring that you pay the usurious interest for as long as possible.

To my knowledge payments are set against the transaction carrying the highest interest. That would usually be cash advances. YMMV. 

28 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

I am not certain that the Visa/Mastercard rates lag by a day.  However when they set the rate, it is used for the following 24 hours.

 

I don't track Mastercard's rate, but Visa sets their exchange rate at midnight GMT (7AM in LOS).  I have an automated script which gets the Visa rate and Wise rate at 7:05AM every week day.  The Wise rate is always slightly better by 5-8 satang per US$.  That is equivalent to 50-80฿ per 1,000$ transferred.  Don't forget that Wise also charges .536 % in fees or about $5.36 (174฿) per 1,000$.

When I posted the conversion rate in the earlier post, the Mastercard conversion tool shows only the 15th.

1 minute ago, Golden Triangle said:

Which means listening on my tablet which I already stated above would be garbage.

What is your issue with powered speakers? It's a relatively inexpensive solution.

4 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

I believe you are confusing that with a debit card, as far as I recall CC attract a 3% fee at Krungsri, i.e. unless you can provide a link to this, no fee on CC transactions.

 

I did an over the counter transaction with my debit card, took out 150k Baht, not fee, although the staff did try to charge me 3% before I confirmed there was no fee, and showed them the link a while back.

Have not ever seen a Thai bank charge a % for over the counter withdrawals this decade; unless you are referring to DCC.

The only bank that charged, of which I saw, was the Siam Commercial Bank; which charged a 180 baht 'Admin Fee'. Whether they still do is unknown to me.

4 minutes ago, dastott said:

Thank you. So I can call them before I put a package on? I have just checked and in 2020 I got unlimited data package capped at 10 Mbps(1.25 MB/s) for 200 baht per month.

Yes. That's your best option.

18 hours ago, Don Chance said:

I read on some Thai travel blog that you could get a cash advance on a CC with no service fees and that was the cheapest way to withdraw money.  Can anyone confirm this?

Confirmed, though you'll need to have the right kind of credit card; just as it told you on that blog.

Not all banks will offer the service and some of those who do, used to add a 'service charge' almost equivalent to the ATM fee. Most will reject debit cards.

Mastercard and VISA rates lag a day behind the spot rate, but for travel money it's not really an issue unless rates are really volatile.

On a US$1000 equivalent advance right now, you'll get the Mastercard rate from the 15th perhaps; 32263 baht. With WISE you'll get the rate from today; 32,159.12

In this case, credit card wins.

Would not ever consider lending money to a bar girl. Would not even contemplate handling money from her even if she wanted to pay it back. If i want to give, I give and that's the end of it.

I helped a few people out during the bleakest 'COVID' times; though one or two fools thought they could take advantage.

The latest was one who talked about forgetting to pay for her motorbike for the past four months and when I challenged that, laughed and said that she was really just moving to a new room. Blocked.

This isn't a bar girl, but someone who works, albeit for not a lot of money.

On 2/11/2022 at 11:27 AM, dastott said:

Thanks for the replies.

 

Yes, I enabled (free) International Roaming before I left and have used it in a few countries since then to receive One Time Passwords. Have been able to connect to foreign partner networks to receive SMS and have used the AIS app on wifi to top up.

 

I called AIS support at the airport just before leaving in 2020 to suspend the package I was using (think it was unlimited data for B200 a month but can't recall exactly). They also enabled International Roaming during the same call. I cannot seem to find the package I was using before on the app, it just says Lucky Traveller SIM but doesn't give other details.

 

The SIM card has never been taken out of the phone. I have enough balance to pay for the B350 unlimited data package offered on the app, and the expiry isn't until November. So, I just select a package from the AIS app and start using?

 

Thanks again.

350 baht Unlimited? 1 Mbps? That's 374.50 baht.

If you had a 200 baht Unlimited 10 Mbps pack before, then call the AIS call centre to ask them to re-apply a 10 Mbps pack.. If they refuse, ask for an MNP code in order to change networks to someone who will offer you that pack. They will likely find the offer and apply it to your account. 

21 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

The only thing I 'get' is that anti smokers have no recognition of other people's rights and seek to impose their views on others.  I am considerate - even to myself. I don't smoke in my house, even though I live alone - why? I don't like the smell of cigarette smoke either.  However, outside I don't have a problem with it - the smoke dissipates. I'd suggest those that do are simply focusing on it because of their anti-smoking views.

So everyone who has a different perspective is anti-?

So if I set up my drum kit outside your house and start playing at random times throughout the day and night, I can state that I am outside and the noise dissipates?

Will that make you an anti-drummer?

Stop being quite so defensive and try to understand the valid points being made.

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I'm not talking about smoking areas in restaurants, but rather some restaurants that allow smoking and some that do not. 

 

If you want to smoke, go to a smoking restaurant.

 

If you do not want to smoke, go to a nonsmoking restaurant.

 

Owners that want to allow smoking allow smoking, owners that do not want to allow smoking do not allow smoking. 

 

People get to choose were they want to go. Why is this not a reasonable solution?

It's not a reasonable solution. If it were, where are all these establishments?

5 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

I didn't 'pick it up' - I enjoy it and have no intention of stopping.  Do you own a car or a motorbike - most probably yes. So you have no problem with your exhaust fumes polluting other people's lungs? Or do you walk everywhere to avoid that happening?

 

The justification is that I have a choice, you do not make other people's choices for them - please try to understand that concept, this is no China!

No one suggested that you should stop. The suggestion is to be considerate to your neighbours if possible. 

Again, transport is often a necessity; smoking cigarettes is not. You might get it in the end.

14 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Is cooking food or getting drunk a natural human trait?

 

Having restaurants that allow smoking, and restaurants that do not allow smoking would allow for both smokers and non-smokers to be considerate of others.

 

Both smokers and nonsmokers would be able to enjoy their meals without curtailing the enjoyment of others, yes?

 

 

Food is a necessity. Sometimes you need to cook it.

As to getting drunk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIDJ-sTuoO8

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

No, the common areas are no smoking, apparently smoking is permitted in the individual units. Please try to follow along.

  

How would the smoker know they're annoying their neighbors? The OP is has not contacted. Again, please try to focus.

YT...take a moment.....perhaps you need to take a cigarette. Your posts are becoming increasingly bizarre.

First of all, I have suggested that the OP should have spoken to.the smoker in the first instance. If you weren't in such a haste to argue, you would not have embarrassed yourself with such a question.

Secondly:

Quote

I moved in here late 2018 there was a reassuring note on the wall of the elevator that said something like “Do not smoke on the balcony. Do not disturb your neighbor.” or words to that effect.

The OP had good cause to believe that we would be able to enjoy living without disgusting cigarette smoke invading his home.

8 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

What I am saying is that the business should be able to designate their facility as smoking or non-smoking. Post signs that state clearly whether smoking is or is not allowed. People can choose go where smoking is allowed, or go where it is not allowed. Let the market work.

 

Not sure how often one would call for a booking are at a business they had never visited before, (certainly not more that once) but it would be easy enough to ask if smoking is permitted before confirming the booking, yes?

Market? Is there something wrong with you? These are people, not products for sale. 

Smoking is not a natural human trait. It's a nasty habit that you've picked up; polluting your own lungs and those around you. There is no justification for it.

But, saying that, if you want to smoke, that is up to you. But do it in a way that doesn't curtail someone else's enjoyment. Be considerate and allow others to do the same.

9 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

But clearly the OP would be better off in a snow smoking facility, while the OP's neighbor would probably enjoy a building where he was free to smoke as he pleases, yes?

Troll mode today?

He already is in a non-smoking condo.

The OP already lives there. Should he move every time something happens? Loud music by a neighbour and he should move?

If you want to be anti-social, move away from people. Life isn't about doing exactly whatever you want, whenever you want.

There are millions of us in this country alone. Should we all ignore each other and do as we please or do we need to have our lives regulated because we cannot be trusted to take care of our lives in a reasonable manner?

If you know that you are upsetting your neighbours, but don't care because you want to do whatever you want to do, then what kind of person are you?

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I think it best that we condominiums that allow smoking and condominiums that do not, that way people can choose.

 

Same with bars and restaurants. Owners that want to allow smoking should allow smoking and those that don't want to allow smoking should not allow smoking, again, giving people a choice. 

The choice is communicate and be considerate of one another. It's the lack of consideration that enrages people, not so much the smoking.

No restaurant owner wants to hurt his business by excluding customers. Nor would a condo developer. 

I might like to listen to my music robustly, but I have neighbours and I must consider them. 

There's a good chance that the OP's neighbour had no idea there was a problem. Reporting him is only likely to get his back up and him to dig his heels in. He has a habit, possibly linked to stress. So how is adding stress to his life going to help? Is total humiliation the goal?

Communicate pleasantly in the first instance. Then he might feel so bad about disturbing you that he is willing to try something different.

Shout at him or scold him and you'll both be upset and possibly angry.

8 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I think it a good bet that the same guys that worry about second hand smoke are also terrified of covid.

Are you attempting to insult fellow members with that comment or do you have some scientific basis for your totally off-topic comment?

Seriously one of the most pointless and nonsensical posts I have seen in a while.

\I don't like smoke in my apartment, second hand or otherwise. Even from cooking. Ready for that good bet? Why you would write such a silly thing is only beknowst to yourself. Perhaps you can share your insights.

1 hour ago, alextrat1966 said:

No way! I don’t believe you…. You actually don’t think that the 300,000 THB second hand old Jap car isn’t the absolute best and the one and only option when buying a car in Thailand? 
 

Wow! Am I dreaming? This is a unique moment!! ????????

Now, in all seriousness. 

 

Get a grasp, my post isn’t about what I can or can’t afford, and neither is it to mock those who can only afford a Toyota. 
 

My post is to mock those who bash everyone who doesn’t buy what they think is the only appropriate thing to drive in Thailand (5 year old, cheap jap car). And so they will accuse you of many weird things for the mere fact of buying something they don’t recommend. Check the “Motoring Forum” for many such examples of this occurrence. 

Unique moment huh? I'm not sure so, since you posted similarly earlier.

If you weren't in quite such a haste, you might have taken note that in fact the Norwegian was driving the Ford Ranger.

Should we take your behaviour as typical of a driver of an S class Mercedes?

9 hours ago, Boyn said:

TBH i would not want to live in a place so controlled that you cannot even smoke on your own balcony

You will be telling me what time to go to bed next!

That is not the point. The point is that you both have to live there. Would you prefer to live with an angry neighbour who hates you and is out to get you or a placated neighbour who appreciates the effort you have made in trying to mitigate the effects on his quality of life?

Human rights applies to the other person involved too. Be nice and reap the rewards. Be nasty and keep looking over your shoulder.

Too many fools in this world who think money buys everything. 

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

and what ?     tell him he can't smoke on HIS BALCONY anymore .....      Lol   ...... some here don't understand common sense.

The "some here" would appear to be you.

When I had a similar issue with my next door neighbour, I spoke to him about it and he organised a fan to blow the smoke in another direction. Didn't always work, but he made an effort. In the end, he had to move.

So who here doesn't have any common sense?