samtam

What about the practice of putting up a price on a condo sale, once you have an interested party willing to buy? I've seen that a couple of times. In both cases it drove away the buyer. One of the condos, now three years later is still on the market. Go figure.

HSBC is not an American Bank. It's British. Any foreign banks, such as HSBC & Citibank can only have one branch here as they are non Thai companies. If you want a Thai bank owned by a foreign bank, then try Standard Chartered, OUB...others too I'm sure.

My narrative was a bit confusing, especially the bit you've quoted back to me, Jim Gant. What I was trying to say was that when they say "yes, in THB" they do not know what they are doing; only if the slip shows a THB figure is it actually a THB figure. If it ever shows a FCY figure then they have done the transaction at their rate, which we agree is not a good one. I agree with what you're saying and indeed what kiakaha is saying. Most cashiers are not properly trained nor are they aware of the problem, or if they are, they have been trained to feign ignorance, as it's in the favour of the merchant.

See my earlier post under this subject in jobs economy banking....

Whether you have the notice (stapled) into your passport about 90 day reporting, or not, you do need to do a 90 day report with the appropriate TM.47 form completed. Failure to do so will result in a fine. I'm sure lopburi will confirm.

I agree with you that this forum, and lopburi in particular have been extremely helpful and I had the same result applying for the retirement visa (extension of stay) - painless, except for the waiting at (Suan Plu, Bangkok) Immigration Bureau.

Remember you will also need a re-entry permit if you want to exit the kingdom, (multiple or single, depending on how often you travel out of Thailand).

Unless it's a highly paid job with fantastic perks including good accommodation in the best neighbourhood, I wouldn't even think about it. Actually, I would. I wouldn't go to Manila period. It sucks. The Philippines sucks. I know this a generalisation, but it's not one I could apply to many countries, but I haven't been to Bangladesh, Nigeria etc. (Apologies to all nice Filipinos, Bangladeshis, Nigerians etc.)

I wonder if others are aware of the problem that arises when you use a credit card issued from another country. I use one issued out of Hong Kong and when the bill comes for me to sign, it shows both the THB amount and the HKD (HK Dollar) amount, plus a narrative that states that I have been given the choice to pay in THB or HKD. Firstly, I am rarely asked in which currency I want to pay, and secondly if I state in THB, and they confirm "yes", it will be done at the exchange rate that has been fixed by the local bank through whom the merchant clears. (This is very often a cra--y rate, and I always prefer my HK bank to effect the transfer; the banks here use the best rate to them.) I have discovered that if the bill only shows a THB figure, the transaction is indeed in THB, and the b.s. that you're given that the HKD rate is purely indicative is just that - b.s. The exchange has been effected. Not all merchants do this, but Siam Paragon do, and some of the hotels. It's a bit of a scam here by the banks and the credit card companies. To avoid it specify that you want to pay in THB, and make sure there is no foreign currency figure shown, (whether described as "indicative" or not).

Interesting point maybe:

My wife is called 'Bee' but thats not her real Christian name :

Christian name, or first name?

Sounds sensible to me. I had similar issues doing mine....the delay after Songkran. I think that's pretty standard. Better to keep him onside, rather than cause a ruction. I know you feel he has you over a barrel, but isn't it the same with tradespeople anywhere? Thailand is no different. Try and get someone you trust and who will look out for your interests to make sure he completes asap, if you're not going to be in Thailand before it's finished. I tried the same, but unfortunately the guy I asked didn't really bother, and I returned to the finishing touches, (well one or two more days), from UK, from the airport, jet-lagged and very very p-o'd. Good luck!

It's the same old same old, I'm afraid. Songkran usually puts a kybosh on all building work, and takes them an age to get back on track. If you want it finished, and he's done a reasonable job, I think you should pay. It's not a lot of money, (IMO). Getting new contractors especially when you're away is a dodgy do.

I believe TG (and others?) are going to introduce the same restrictions now applicable in Europe/US regarding liquids...by the end of this month? May? Read this in one of the local rags (Nation?) over the last few days.

In fact I actually asked a Pakistani why he and his family lived in UK but retained their Asian

customs

Surely an important difference for the Pakistani is that he's a British subject, he can vote, he gets the (dubious) benefit of the NHS, etc etc. In Thailand a foreigner gets none of that.

There is really a very important distinction.

I have a dehumidifier which I brought with me from Hong Kong where they were de rigeur because of the high humidity. I have never used it here. Let me check it out and see if it's still in working order, and I might be willing to sell.

Went to visit the showroom/office for Raimon Land's The River condo, having received an invitation to do so over Songkran. Having spent so much money on advertising and general promotion, it is so strange that they then employ inexperienced girls whose sales skills are so inadequate. Firstly to encounter them sleeping en masse on the sofas was a bit of surprise, but perhaps indicative of how little interest they have had. But then to listen to a very amateurish sales pitch, which included a number of remarks about certain things being undecided, (eg Tower B being for serviced apartments or for sale as condos), and the release of only certain floors for sale, (the lower ones) and at prices ranging ffrom THB138-144k psqm, despite the initial claim that the prices were "about THB100k psqm". Well in my book there's quite a large variance between 100 and 144. Rather ironic that the sales blah includes a reference to this becoming Bangkok's premier location. It might have been worthwhile spending a little on better training the sales team, as it's created quite the opposite impression for me and others visiting.

These prices are also pretty punchy in the current climate.

Yes, there was a CAT problem earlier on, which affected True, for most of the day. When I reported it they said there was no problem with speeds, but then they called back to say there was. Happily now seems to be resolved, although I seem to have picked up a virus in the intervening period, if that's possible.

distortedlink - you don't state which UK bank you use. I have accounts at Citibank & HSBC and both pay interest. However recently I have not been eligible for two products because they have new compliance rules that do not treat Thailand as a "permitted country". The HSBC product - an Online Saver was available to me, but is no longer, as I'm non-resident. But as slackula suggested - Jersey is a good option and tax free for non-residents of UK.

Seems to be close to the Klongtoei area again, but I'm only guessing as I can see it from my balcony on Sathorn. As this has happened three times in the last six (?) nine (?) months, you have to wonder whether it's not a systematic approach to clearing this area, some of which abutts the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, land also due for redevelopment. But that's purely idle speculation on my part.

As I said in that thread, I had no problem with the joint account, and three month fixed deposit, split into two fixed deposits of THB800k each. I applied in Bangkok, and there was no problem.

Hi Santam

Did you need to prove that your 800k came from oversea?

I have worked in Thailand for 12 years (work permit) and therefore I have over 800K in my local bank account to meet the retirement requirement. It would be silly if I have to send my money oversea and then send it back paying fees unnecessary.

Teatea

No, I did not have to prove that the money came from overseas. In fact they didn't seem terribly curious about the funds, but as I suggested, the letter from the bank, (HSBC) was very explicit, so maybe that is what clinched it.

Samtam,

Thanks for your information. However, to be clear, did the bank state that your money came from oversea? Sunbelt personnel in Bangkok office told me I need to transfer 800,000 Baht from oversea to the local bank account for three months to meet the requirement for first time retirement visa application?

Teatea

No, (as I said above), the bank did not state where the funds came from.

What's the comparable return on the Singapore stock market in the same period?

Hi Santam

Did you need to prove that your 800k came from oversea?

I have worked in Thailand for 12 years (work permit) and therefore I have over 800K in my local bank account to meet the retirement requirement. It would be silly if I have to send my money oversea and then send it back paying fees unnecessary.

Teatea

No, I did not have to prove that the money came from overseas. In fact they didn't seem terribly curious about the funds, but as I suggested, the letter from the bank, (HSBC) was very explicit, so maybe that is what clinched it.

In most cases the smaller exchange booths (of large banks too) don't have the foreign currency stock. The "policy" argument is just a line that's easier than trying to explain the real reason. As Bendix suggested, the large branches of the banks will have full service forex note facilities.

I have just (4 April) applied for my first retirement visa based on funds on a three month fixed deposit in a joint account. I was applying with my partner, and he also got the visa on the same funds basis. The funds total was over THB1.6m, in two deposits each of THB800k, both in joint names. The letter from the bank (one for each of us in our own names) stated that we had over THB1.6m in total. There was absolutely no problem. Our application was processed at Suan Plu. I was slightly nervous about the joint account situation, but my fears were unfounded. Maybe Chiang Mai Immigration applies different rules, or maybe the bank letter you used needs to be more "creative", showing that you are the owner of at least THB800k.

Thanks maestro, that's great - and makes life much easier to have the detail that you've provided.

You should be able to get a one year visa now. When you get a new passport you can take it to immigration and they'll transfer the visa into the new one.

Terry

How easy is it transfer a visa from an old passport to a new one? Is there a form to complete? Which section do you go to at Suan Plu?

Grateful if anyone can advise the actual detail of how the transfer of the re-entry permit is effected in a new passport. Is there any form you have to complete? Which section at Suan Plu Immigration do you go to etc?

Having just had my first Suan Plu experience, I know that these procedures are not obvious when you turn up there.