stevenl

Have fun NKM, I'm not going further in another pointless discussion with you, as usual your twisting and turning everything that has been said. You've thrown your mud at the wall again, it doesn't stick.

@ stevenl

It would be very easy to implement. Similar software is already in use for internet banking.

There are no "roaming charges" to receive an SMS. Second time I have mentioned that.

Australia has one of the highest mobile phone ownership statistics in the world, per capita, for a country of only 22 million people. See below link. (dated 2007 - I am sure the stats are higher now)

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/med_tel_mob_cel_percap-telephones-mobile-cellular-per-capita

Also, the phone only needs to receive an SMS. It can be any cheap basic phone, or an old phone. It doesn't have to be an expensive smart phone.

"A losing proposition" is what the banks are doing now - and that is, NOTHING.

There are roaming charges for an SMS from many countries. If not for receiving it has to be for sending. Maybe not from yours, but for many others there are. Who is going to pay for those, the banks? Second time I have mentioned this.

Many banks don't use this software but more advanced software, you were the one talking about smartphones, which have now disappeared from your stat, and no, no losing proposition for the banks at the moment, and no, they are not doing nothing. They are taking action, what and how depends on where you are from (or better, where your bank is from and which bank you're using).

A simple authenticator (either as a keyring device or as a free app on your smartphone) will do the trick. Add biometrics if you're paranoid.

- Something you have

- Something you know

- Something you are

One of my banks have them, but if you lose it, have it stolen, or it gets broken, you're in some trouble.

No, you simply get a new one.

Great. I'm sure you do get a new one.

How do you get a new one when your bank is in Russin/UK/America/Europe etc and you are on holiday on Phuket for 10 nights????????

How do you get your money out for your holiday?

Even if someone is back home and gets your post and gives you the code over the phone, you are still waiting 3 days to access your money.

So now you've already gone to the point where you need one to get money from an ATM?

Is not going to happen.

A simple authenticator (either as a keyring device or as a free app on your smartphone) will do the trick. Add biometrics if you're paranoid.

- Something you have

- Something you know

- Something you are

One of my banks have them, but if you lose it, have it stolen, or it gets broken, you're in some trouble.

No, you simply get a new one.

Skimming is becoming more and more prevalent - what are the banks doing to ensure their ATM's are skim-free?

Also, the news report shows 3 people and lists 3 names - but then it switches to 4 and then back to 3...who edits these articles?

I have always wondered WHY the banks can't have an OTP (one time password) sent via SMS for every ATM transaction, just like they do for internet banking transactions.

The "skimmer" would also have to steal your phone - highly unlikely.

Surely this would be easy to implement and would make skimming a thing of the past, virtually overnight.

Very inconvenient, and who is going to pay for the roaming charges?

Quite a few banks have IMO much better solutions for internetbanking than the SMS passwords by the way.

"Inconvenient" - what, entering on the key pad an extra few numbers???? Most people are with their smart phone 24/7 these days. A smart phone has become like a watch/wallet/wedding ring. It goes where you go. Now what would be inconvenient is having your card skimmed and then having to cancel your card and wait around 6 weeks for your bank, if you are lucky, to refund you the money. I have no doubt these skimmers have ended many tourist's holidays by cleaning out their bank account.

"Roaming charges" - there are none to receive an SMS. There is to send one, but you are not sending, only receiving.

Taking onboard your post, the minor inconvenience using an OTP can be further minimised with any transaction under $100 not triggering the OTP, but more than one transaction a day does, or something similar.

It's just something I'm surprised the banks haven't implemented. All the hardware is in place. ATM, keypad and mobile phone and they already have similar software in operation for the internet banking.

Way to difficult to implement, is never going to happen. In your setup the banks have to pay the roaming charges, many people will find this inconvenient so will not want it, making this optional and requiring automation.

Smartphones and internetbanking are not as popular as you think, just googled, 37% of Australians have a smartphone, so 63% of people do not have one. And quite a few of those will not take their phone with them on vacation.

Plus as mentioned, the method of phone codes is obsolete.

Sorry, but really a losing proposition.

Skimming is becoming more and more prevalent - what are the banks doing to ensure their ATM's are skim-free?

Also, the news report shows 3 people and lists 3 names - but then it switches to 4 and then back to 3...who edits these articles?

Depends on where your bank is located what the banks are doing.

Regarding the numbers, did you read the article?

The biggest difference for Phuket this year was the single day of Songkranning (except for perhaps on Bangla Rd.) vs. previous years multiple days

No, that has been the same already for years and years.

BTW, as far as I know it is possible to get insurance coverage from Cigna Global, which is a reputable and long standing company. If that is the case there would be different coverage and conditions, just as Bupa Global and Bupa Thailand are not the same coverage/conditions.

No, post offices closed today.

This company will stop insuring you when you reach a certain age. Unlike many other countries Thailand does not protect the elderly against discrimination by health insurance providers.

Of course insurers discriminate, that's their profession: select the good risk at healthy premiums, and leave the bad risks to others.

What are your terms and conditions?

Surely you don't expect us to know that?

Look at your fare rules.

Use your brain

Please don't draw a conclusion too quickly, I didn't buy any ticket yet, but was just looking for general information.

And that general information does not exist, too many variables.

If he buys a Korean air ticket, he'll be able to cancel and reschedule w/o a fee, at least his return flight anyway. I bought a cheap fare when I did this too, so it must just be the airlines policy?

FRom the Koren Air website under FAQ Booking and Ticketing: "Depending on the fare type you purchased, there are rules and restrictions that follow such as non-refundable or refund fee. "

Every company has many different tickets, some with the possibility of refunds, some without. It may be that Korean Air is easier with refunds than some of the others, I don't know, but: it depends on the ticket.

We do car rentals as well. We always chech the DL of our customers, before they collect the car. No DL, no Car, that's simple. I think Avis do the same.

His mother has the license, but he'll be driving without license.

What are your terms and conditions?

Surely you don't expect us to know that?

Look at your fare rules.

Use your brain

Please don't draw a conclusion too quickly, I didn't buy any ticket yet, but was just looking for general information.

And that general information does not exist, too many variables.

Thai IDP only with 5 year license, 5 year license only with non-immigrant visa.

Certain areas still feel a bit busy, but many vacancies everywhere.

Just curious why there would be an alcohol ban on the 12th? Sangkran is on the 14th through 16th according to my calendars.

Strange that because Songkran always falls on the 13th to 15 th

Songkran is on the 13th, with on the 12th, especially in Patong, already some watergames.

As usual incorrect information from Thai embassies/consulates.

I was refused had International DP, doctors certificate, but they also wanted residence certificate.

Yes, I know that varies with where and who you talk to regarding getting the Thai license but my main worry was whether my UK license would extend to cover using a scooter with IDP provisionally until I find a way to get a Thai license.

You may get away with it on police checkpoints, but not legally. So in case of an accident you could be in big problems since you'll be driving without valid DL.

When I got an IDP from the AA a few years ago they stamped entitlement for car and motorcycle even though I dont have a UK motorcycle licence except for the 50cc moped catagory entitlement that was done away with

in the 90s ( I think ?? )

If you have an IDP stamped with motorcycle entitlement you shouldn't have any trouble at police stops or at the DLV

converting the licence without doing the whole kaboodle.

I would apply for an IDP and hope they stamp the car and motorcycle entitlement...its useful at the police stops before you get the Thai licences.

I hope that will be the case with entitlement for scooters as well. Then I will have to see how it goes with trying to get Thai license....one day they can say no, next day yes.

Officially: the IDP needs to be accompanied by the home license, and is only valid for the categories on the home license.

You have a car license with an endorsement for small motorbikes. In Thailand such an endorsement does not exist, only a full motorbike license. This implies that your endorsement here has no legal value.

DL offices though are known to give motorbike licenses to people who have this endorsement.

No problems at all.

I find the lagoon more dangerous than the sea: more unprectiable, it gets quite deep suddenly, and strong currents when the tide is going in and out.

...they speak like they are doing people a favor.....come here, spend loads of money....and if you die, you die ...???

(....one problem is there is no liability.......wrong, but never wrong....)

...open up a beach......'oh, okay, I guess we will put some lifeguards there too'....gee, thanks....

(.actually getting into the water....having proper equipment.....and saving people....that may be another matter..)

..a few recent drownings. I recall it being said by people on the beach, watching, 'Oh, we thought he was joking'...or something to that effect..

A lifeguard just saved somebody, so you really think writing 'actually getting into the water....having proper equipment.....and saving people....that may be another matter..' is justified?

^^ ^^

As i said in EDIT in #16

..Possibly at times on a big bike confronting a small animal,i do agree with what you say, but other than that is a sweeping generalisation as i interpret it..

Yes, it would be a generalisation if somebody said: always increase speed and run the animal over.

As I said: it depends on the situation, but acceleration may be the best option, And that also applies to a small Wave or Click of 110 cc or something.