Soondae

K Bank has now added facial recognition for foreigners, I added mine on Friday the 20th. Of my accounts only SCB has yet to sort it out.

Yes this correct statement, Kasikorn is the money hub for WISE and offers instant transfers.

I went to SCB after receiving said message and was told they are still trying to figure out how to handle the facial recognition issue with foreigners. And I was told same as others have mentioned that I can make multiple transactions of 49,XXX per day or call to clear a large transaction. A shame as I preferred to use SCB for my swift transfers and large payments due to the better exchange rates they offered. On a similar note, I needed to visit the Kashikorn local branch on Friday (was inquiring about a debit card issue I had) and was asked for my bank book, passport and Debit card, the agent processed an update to my account adding facial ID (photo taken with her tablet), gave me an updated bank book and told me from now on I will need to use facial ID as a second security measure when making large transfers. So K bank figured out how to do it, also it seems BBL has as well, I will visit them on Monday to sort this out with BBL. SCB is behind on this issue, I'm sure they will figure it out soon.

Western Union converts on transfer with very poor exchange rates, that's how they make their money. I stopped using them a couple years ago when WISE was the better deal due to better exchange rates. However when I need to transfer large amounts such as your 30K I find that a Swift transfer from your bank is a better deal for a small flat fee and very fast. When I Swift US Dollars from my stateside bank I have the option to send in dollar currency or to let the bank exchange and send in baht. Do not have the bank perform the exchange, it is always poor. Send the original currency and let the receiving Thai bank make the conversion, you'll come out far ahead that way. I get great exchange rates from SCB when I perform a Swift transfer.

You are much better off making a Swift Bank transfer, much cheaper and when I purchased my Udon Thani home (2022), SCB gave me the current $ to BHT rate on EXAPP (was over 38 baht to dollar), I made a killing over trying to schedule multiple Wise transfers. Also I purchased a Condo around 1989 using Swift and all went well. Wise is a good choice for monthly smaller transfers, but a Swift transfer is better if large amounts are involved. However you must insure that the bank sends your home currency for the swift transfer and let the receiving Thai bank make the conversion. Your home bank will rip you off on the exchange prior to sending the Swift transfer (Just model the swift transfer in your bank APP or website and you will see the poor exchange rates).

So I brought my condo given Blue Book to Hua Hin Immigration to update my ages old TM30 at Imm request. The lady processed me an updated TM30, then mentioned to me that "Do you know this Blue Book is not in your name but a Thai?" I looked surprised... she said don't worry it doesn't matter, you are the owner. Oh I do have Non-Imm O on my annual extensions.

Multiple bus scheduled to Pattaya (4 buses I believe), however someone like myself in Hua Hin only get twice a day( on Facebook is a good post on the new service with all the times. DM to HH is 0700 and 1500). https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YoDfLM1Jg/

So some one mentioned this Tello service and I've looked into it, looks like this might be the best service for us USA EXPAT in Thailand. Can the individual or others using the service respond about using the service? I'm seriously thinking about the change, currently I have a Skype number and SMS works very rarely. https://tello.com/us_phone_number_for_abroad

This is the same procedure we went through at my condominium in Hua Hin. However our building technicians run the fiber to your room from the 3BB fiber drops and they did a very nice job. I requested that in the room they use panduit and sealant and the install came out very nice. Many people signed up for the service in my condo so our charge for the cable, panduit, supplies and installation came out to 2000 baht per room. This is the normal procedure in these older units that didn't have the infrastructure in place.

If I remember correctly, during the web based course you are asked 5 questions at the end of each video module, once you enter the correct answers you move onto the next module. I took notes during the videos to help with the questions such as how many meters to allow for stopping at 60km/hr, etc..

Only English is available on the web site: https://www.dlt-elearning.com select for foreigner. Takes about an hour then it generates a QR code to print and give to DLT.

I am a Chiang Rai fan. Small city easy to get around and the surrounding mountains are nice. Also airport close to city which makes transportation simple. How ever they do have some air quality issues during the burning season.

You use the customs form from the country of origin. And then have it translated to Thai.

I have a friend that had numerous personal items such as kitchen and some computer related that he sent them from South Korea to his girlfriend (Thai National) and there was no issue what so ever on importation. I believe it was all sent via postal. He had the contents translated to Thai on the customs declaration form as that might have made a difference?? At any rate no duty or delivery issues. I have recently replaced my PC with a Mini and components hand carried with no issue at all, so that is a good option if you can wait until your next visit home. Oh, I believe if you import within 6 months of your arrival there is no duty on household goods, I did that as well, my goods came from Cyprus. I hadn't even had my Non-O visa yet on arrival but my goods were handled by a professional shipping company.

Yep, my $1000 Garmin Colorado GPS went in the recycle bin, my iPhone with Google Maps is better here in Thailand.