NoDisplayName

Okay.........I guess I was confused with this bit. it appeared you were trying to work out the actual annual percentage rate of interest you'll be getting, but that would be impossible without knowing what interest rate is offered after the promotional period.

The coding information I gave was from Bangkok Bank. I logged onto my account and viewed a statement of recent activity. The transfers I made a day before Songkran and last night were coded differently.

Yes. I know that, and you know that, and immigration "should" know it, too. But switching bank branches and switching fixed accounts and switching immigration offices...........how you say, "Amazing Thailand." Be prepared for anything. It doesn't cost me anything, just may have to wait an extra day.

Always on PC for Wise, usually for Bangkok Bank. Last night's transfer was on PC only. Not sure why Bangkok Bank would code it as MOB, since I'm not involved with them in any way for the transfer from Wise. Only use the phone app on rare occasions when I want to transfer cash from my main account without ATM card to my spending account with ATM card.

Fortunately not a problem. I have 800K in the bank, and have already done a retirement extension, but I've switched bank branches and have a new fixed account covering the entire year for the next extension. I'm just collecting FTT receipts at the new branch to avoid potentially having to go back to Bangkok some time in the future if/when immigration (incorrectly) asks for proof of foreign transfer.

You are correct. Last night "funds for long-term stay" arrived in seven seconds, listed as "transfer from a/c at other bank." That is the first time in the past few years a transfer has been given that coding. All other "long-term stay" transfers have shown as "international transfer." No idea why this one is different. Earlier transfers were mostly done in seconds, unless over a weekend, or last month which took four days due to songkran. *edit* Also noticed a change in the channel code. Earlier transfers were "AUTO" (auto debit/credit), but this one was coded "MOB" (mobile banking).

Yes, I've read them. That 3501 baht is 3.5% for one full year. You don't get that. You only get the promotional rate for 158 days = 1515 baht. What comes after (days 159-365) is unknown.

Well, okay then. Good luck arguing with the bank manager when you don't get the promised 3.5% over an entire year when all that was promised was a 5-month annualized promotional rate.

How much interest do you receive after 158 days?

Wise uses the same realtime conversion rate (+/- a couple satangs) you'll see on XE.com, so compare that to what your bank charges for currency exchange. Sent $1K last night, selected "funds for long term stay", received in my Bangkok Bank account in seven seconds. You can get alerts from Wise to your email, daily baht rate or an alert when the conversion hits your target rate.

Lemme try to make it clearer. Consider these two offers: The first offer will give you 3500 baht in interest after 158 days. The second offer will give you 1515 baht in interest, equal to 5 months worth of 3.5% interest.

YES! Ezzackly..........almost. Over the 158 days you get a "per annum" rate of 3.5%. That means you get the annualized rate prorated over a specified promotion period, which in this case is 158 days. You do NOT get that rate for one full year. That's why the ads say you get 3.5% "per annum" and NOT that you get 3.5% interest. When you buy a 6-month CD, you get a per annum rate. If the per annum rate is 4%, then at six months you get 2% in interest deposited into your account. After the 6 month period, if you don't withdraw your funds, the CD will often reset with a lower NON-promotional (lower!) interest rate. In this case, you get the per annum rate over 158 days. Have you considered why the bank doesn't specify what happens at day 159 when the promotion ends? You have been confused by bank terminology into mistakenly believing you'll get the special rate for at least a full year. That's why they do it that way.

This is a 5-month promotion. You are guaranteed a specified interest rate over 158 days. The interest rate after the 158 days is unknown. Your 2.31 conversion does not apply.

Right. Do the math. You do get an average rate of 3.50% per annum, but only over the 158 days as specified in the advertisement. At day 158 you have a total of 1515 baht in interest accumulated, at 3.5% pa over the five-month period. But what happens at day 159? Your interest rate will drop from 15.8%, but to what? Unless the bank gives you 3.50% interest for the remaining 7 months of the year, you won't be getting that 3501 baht interest. Must be a reason the bank doesn't tell you what the rate drops to for the other 207 days of the year. I'm betting on a rollover to 0.50% per annum, giving you an additional 283 baht interest for 7 months.

Are you sure you're getting 3.5% for the year? I'd assume that's the average over the first five months. I'd bet that on day 159, your balance rolls over to 0.5% for the remainder.

The US embassy does have a program to repatriate destitute Americans, but if for emergencies only, and is rarely used. The lady has to show that she is truly without funds and has exhausted all other options.

Wait. Isn't that a protected job? I bet the smart cars are out now.

I caught crabs in my garage of all places.

Did I read correctly? The lady called a taxi driver at 4am and was quoted a price? The article said called, so she didn't just flag down random mototaxi on the road. It would seem she agreed to the price, and then he drove out to pick her up. Was it only after he arrived that she tried to dispute the fare that she had apparently agreed to?

Not that they're actually being used in ukraine, but at 35 tons, they're less likely to get bogged down in the sticky ukranium spring mud than the 60-70 ton leopards and challengers.

How was he deceived? Unless she promised not to leave with his valuables while he was showering, it's just simple theft. Chinese "business" hotels have solved this problem. The bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling glass walls so you can observe your guest while showering.

You'll know it's fake when the cop tells you it is, but then lets you drive off after paying a non-receipted "fine" of several thousand baht.

You're right. I don't know. But have seen plenty of scams in Thailand not to take a side based on appearances. This one seems plausible, but I'm skeptical. Wouldn't be the first time someone tried to pawn costume jewelry as gold. The best cons have a good backstory the pulls at the heartstrings.

Amazing Thailand! SE Asian hub of shooting yourself in the foot.

Okay. Guy has 1000 baht to buy a cheap gold-colored necklace, instead of buying milk for his kid. Tries to sell cheap gold-colored necklace at a gold shop......to buy milk for his kid. Gold shop employee wasn't completely fooled. Call me skeptical, but, you know, the thing.