punworthy

If I understand this correctly, ACH transfers (non-IAT transfers) from the US thru NY branch to Bangkok Bank Thailand will be honored UNTIL April 1. I did one a few days ago and it went through.

Like the poster above, I too, need to transfer 200K baht into my Bangkok Bank account and assume I can do these non-IAT transfers again in February and/or March. Would rather not send a wire. Is this still do-able for the next few months? Seems like it should be.

15 hours ago, Mango Bob said:

Sorry to inform you but effect 1 Apri 2019 Bangkok Bank will only accept International ACH.  I asked my bank in the US about it and they inform me they will not be doing international ACH transactions.  You should check with your bank on this.

Checked my bank and you are right. So, am resuming my Direct Deposit SSA payments with Bangkok Bank and will do a monthly/combination method. I knew nothing about the IAT format and this was extremely helpful. Also, using my passbook as "evidence" with a confirmation letter seems to be correct. Thanks for all the help.

Since I can no longer get an income letter from the US Embassy, then what kind of bank statement is required at the bank to comply with the monthly income method? I transfered >65,000 baht this month thru the Bangkok Bank ACH system from my US account and it says "FTT" on my bankbook and online it says "Foreign Transfer."  I will do this every month until my next application in December. I have read I have to get a 12-month annual statement and produce a letter from the bank confirming this.

But Bangkok Bank has said they can only produce a 6-month history, not 12 months. It says this online, too.

I went to the Silom head office and got this information from several staff. What kind of statement is this called? Dreading a trip to LakSi just to ask this, just not getting an understanding at some branches. There's a Bangkok Bank down the stairs at immigration. Surely they would know. Any info helpful. 

On 12/3/2018 at 11:22 AM, Burma Bill said:

I have been living in Thailand for 18 years and I am an insulin dependent type 2 diabetic. I have NEVER been able to get medical insurance, even back in the UK, and it is not for the want of trying! However I do have a comprehensive accident policy with Bangkok Bank - no problems. Treatment for other medical conditions I have to fund myself. 

Hi all,

I am a type 2 diabetic and have been for 28 years. I have been insulin-dependent for most of those years but managed to reduce the dosage a little bit mainly with diet. I weighed 131 kilos (177 cm tall) and my doctor said if I get a gastric bypass the diabetes would be cured. Had the operation in 2009 and lost 45 kilos the following year. It did not cure the diabetes. Although today I weigh 67 kilos.

Gastric bypass operations cure some people who have had the “cultural” version of diabetes. i.e., onset by bad eating habits. Everyone is different. Both my parents had diabetes. But while heredity loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger.

The following year I found another doctor who put me on a vegan diet. He also claimed it would cure diabetes. 3 months after starting it, I passed out in a parking lot. I had a one-night’s stay in a hospital. I had not cut back on my insulin enough to meet the new diet’s regime. I continued the vegan diet for another year, but due to my small pouch, I could not get enough protein from most vegan food. But there were beans. While it is true that there is more protein in 100 calories of broccoli than there is in 100 calories of beef, I began to dislike beans so much that I eventually stopped eating them. I could not eat too much of anything else. Eventually, I developed edema in my legs and anemia from protein deficiency. I could barely walk then. I have had to wear compression socks for these past few years, but exercise moderately now and eating plenty of dense, animal protein.

I agree with the comments about pre-existing conditions and appreciate this gent’s comment, in my case-- to get personal accident insurance in lieu of renewing my policy next year. Thank you.

I hope this has been helpful.

I just got back from the US with an iphoneXsMax. Have questions about it, but am doubtful anyone can help me-- other than questions about a new purchase. When it comes to sales, they are always very chatty. If I'm not buying, and need customer support about something I just bought, they just walk away. It will take me 10 seconds to assess if this is a real Apple Store. As mentioned earlier, A Genius Bar is essential, and English-speaking Genius Bar even better.

If there is no Genius Bar and I hear just one "I dunno" or "no have," then it is not a genuine Apple store.