Soondae

On 6/20/2025 at 11:23 AM, CallumWK said:

Krungsri, TTB and LH Bank all have working facial recognition

 

 

There is no limit per transaction for foreigners because facial recognition with Kbank is for Thais only

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.

On 6/19/2025 at 1:41 PM, MJCM said:

A safer bet, if you require faster wise transfers, is Kasikorn bank as that is still the partner bank with Wise. Transfers to there with wise arrives in minutes (more often seconds)

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).

On 2/1/2025 at 9:31 PM, LOG54 said:

Thank you..I thought blue book was only for thais and for propery address and a farang name could not be in it but a farang could have a blue book (with property direction) + a yellow book with his name written as living in the property.. but according to what I read "permanent" visa is needed .. non 0, business etc but not tourist..

Thanks a lot

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

On 10/21/2024 at 5:46 PM, Alldar said:

I would like to have 3BB fibernet installed at my condo in Pattaya.

 

I was talking multiple times to 3BB and to the condo management and from what I understood 3BB is only responsible for installation of the fiber optics cable at the ground floor of the condo. They say they cannot install the cable to my room. They advised me to talk to condo management to get a technician install the cable to my room. Condo management refused that as they say they cannot do it and the 3BB must install the cable to my room.

 

In the shop they offered to get some technician install the cable to my room for about 3000 baht. As I understand this technician is 3rd party subcontractor and if there would be some problem with the internet 3BB might say that the technician did the bad work.

 

Is this your experience as well? I am pretty shocked by this. Also shouldn't the cable installation be free of charge up to some length? I read somewhere that up to 300m it is free of charge. I am living on 8th floor and it is surely less than 300m but they still refuse it.

 

Did you pay this 3rd party technician to install the cable to your room?

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..

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.

On 5/7/2024 at 3:47 PM, gargamon said:

Used to have garmin hand held GPSs. Google maps on a phone are much less trouble. Garmin GPSs are now in the trash bin.

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

Absolutely, even you can use external contractors to remodel your condominiums. I just finished remodeling my villa in Udon Thani with no issues other than you need to notify the complex of what you are doing and the contractor needs to follow their rules as far as hours worked, ( I believe they register with the villa complex) etc.... Same went for my condominium remodel in HH.

The only time I have had online rejection was when my annual extension was expiring before the new 90 day report period would have extended me past that date. I went to HH PKK Imm and they extended my 90 day past the Non IMM O extension date, but reminded me that my extension was due in the next month......This past 90 day I was in the same scenario, so rather than chance the online rejection with Songkhran holiday in the same timeline, I opted to go to the IMM office 15 days prior to my 90 day due date and had no issue with the report, once again they reminded me my extension was going to be due in two months.

I think a lot of the rejections are on account of extension due dates? Like to hear from the forum members if they feel this is the issue or not. I'm not sure if a human reviews our TM47 requests or if it is done by AI? Peoples thoughts...

9 hours ago, bangkokgalaxy said:

I'm not stuck on WU. If you know of any better options, would love to hear about them. Thanks.

I know that you don't have a Thai bank account, but I thought I'd mention for others that as of this week Kashikorn is now offering international Swift transfers. 

On 4/19/2024 at 6:06 AM, mania said:

Just wondering but Wise charges about $142 for 800k Baht / 21,800USD

 

What does a SWIFT cost these days for same amount? Lastly is Domestics Wire Transfer from US Bank to Bangkok Bank NY out of the question these days?

Out of the question these days, due to US intel banking laws change a few years ago, only way to use the BBL ABA in New York is for SSA payments and treasury payments such as US Tax return.

On 3/29/2024 at 10:15 AM, brianthainess said:

Thanks My 90day is due 16th so i'll leave it till 3days later, to avoid the masses.

Mine was due on 11 April, so instead of waiting for later... I went early, 29 March and was only 2 of us in the office at Hua Hin. You can do the 90 day report 15 days early why wait for all the people whom will be there after the holidays?

I just purchased the Nissan Calibre only had a month but really like it. My Nissan dealer in Udon Thani threw in lot's of extras. I had the cash but when dealership offered 4 years at 0% interest, I said why not. I can use the cash for other things.... 2.3L diesel has plenty of power, I opted for the automatic 2 WD 4 door model. Bangkok factory called back to say my color was not available but offered me the upgraded Black Edition model for only 5000 baht more in my color, a savings of 30,000 baht and the BE came with nice rims and 18" tires. Overall it was a pleasent purchase experience.

As far as the TM30 is concerned, it should not be any issue for you which is the question you are asking... correct. You need not change TM30 every time you move around. And as far as the border run at Nong Khai is concerned, it also is not an issue as Dr Jack clarified. I know an individual that made the trip from Hua Hin, taxi to DM airport and fly to UTH then taxi to border.... stamp out then back in reverse the process finish in 1 day.

3 hours ago, BenStark said:

Indeed there is no need to move your account, since you can do all administration at wherever branch

The only reason I could argue with your statement is that an out of province account will be charged 15-20 baht per ATM transaction even though at BBL ATM. If that isn't an issue to pay the small fee per transaction then I agree with your comment.

22 hours ago, Guderian said:

I got a new passport while in the UK last September. As soon as I arrived back to Pattaya in October I got the visas transferred from the old one and the new passport into the Immigration system. I also got it into the SCB banking system, and thought that was probably it. Now, though, someone has pointed out that both my driving licences have my old passport number on them and I should get it changed and new licences issued. There's still over 5 years validity left on the licences, so a long time to get caught out.

 

What is recommended, to update the licences with the new passport number or ignore it and hope nobody queries it? I must admit, in almost 20 years of driving here I don't recall the cops ever checking my licence with my passport details. Is it something important or is it just a cosmetic matter? If I change it, I assume they'll charge me the usual amount for replacement licences, are there any other costs for the service? Thanks for any insights.

So I was in a similar situation with about a year left on my license validity. I went to the DLT in Cha Am and inquired if I should get updated license with new PP and they replied "No don't bother now wait until next renewal" which I did with no issues whatsoever.