bbko

So the American has a bank account but needed a stranger (the OP) to accept 1 million baht international transfer? Why didn't the American use his own account? This make no sense. 

The Bangkok Bank (BB) in Central Festival is my home bank, I did an extension based on retirement through them several years ago using the Wise monthly international transfer (FTT) method, while they knew exactly what I needed it was the 2 hour wait time to speak with the desk that irked me.  This year's extension I went to a local BB here on the Darkside a few weeks ahead of my extension and waited about 15 minutes to speak with the desk, I asked if I could get the same letters there or do I need to get it from my home branch and they said the letter comes from Bangkok, so it doesn't matter if the request comes from Central Festival BB or the Darkside BB, a few weeks later I went back to the Darkside BB, waited about 15 minutes again and I ordered the required paperwork and it came back about 4 days later. My extension was approved in Jomtien and now I know where I'll be requesting any future paperwork without having to wait more than an hour or two in the bank chairs.

It's been a while since I used the 800k parked in the bank method, and found the fastest way was to go to Central Festival before they opened, go to the 4th floor mall doors and wait for them to open, I'd be one of the first in the bank, get my letters, eat lunch then go to the IO in the afternoon.

As asked above, are you using the yearly 800k method or the monthly 65k method.

23 hours ago, Trippy said:

I don't understand why you just don't give the million in cash to the Russian guy? Isn't that where it's supposed to go anyways. 

Just get a receipt.

Yes, if no one in this trio had any worries, all three gather at the police station (with your lawyer) and explain the story to the police and then you hand over the money that you agreed to do in the first place.

Do you also help out people at the airport by taking their luggage in your name on international flights?

Darkside Furniture shop that specializes in wood, off of Nern Plab Wan;

https://www.google.com/maps/@12.9187995,100.9284714,3a,75y,152.68h,83.44t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sNvTlyZP2OjKdZD7Xqa5Fwg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DNvTlyZP2OjKdZD7Xqa5Fwg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D152.6836300189081%26pitch%3D6.5589325644276215%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu

If I had this problem, I'd visit the shop on Pattaya Nua, a few shophouses from the Roung Reung bus station, they repair lawnmowers, pumps, weed wacker/strimmers, etc.

In related news, I got married about 17-18 years ago and got my very first marriage visa.  For some silly reason, I thought it was good for 1 year, so for 1 year I didn't do any border runs, 555.  When my one year visa was up for renewal and I went to Pattaya immigration, they said I was on overstay, they told me do a border run and expect to pay 20k, which I did, back then there was no blacklisting.

I'm an American and I used to drink Lipton, then I tried Twinings Earl Grey, now I know why some people say Lipton is just brown water.  

Twinings is my favorite, available all over Thailand.

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

True for us foreigners and well off locals, but there are millions here that can't afford the bills from A/C use, let alone the units themselves. In my village I actually can't recall seeing any AC units in the 6 years I've lived here, and in my travels, most of the homes I see don't have any, although many do. My GF and her family do not have any, and when I told her I would get her one, she said the bill would be too high, even after I said I would give her more to cover it. they're used to living with fans all of their lives. My ex's house (mom's) is the same. Just fans since I met them.

Time to go to a local Big C food court and sit for several hours to avoid the heat. 

4 hours ago, watthong said:

And unlike the other kind of farangs: gruffy-looking, sweaty, red-faced ones in shorts and pony tail, running around barking orders in their own language to those behind the counter.

To quote your words; 

4 hours ago, watthong said:

What do you have against these folks?

Oh the irony, 555.

While I'm far from being fluent in Thai, I do know many words (a couple thousand?) and always trying to learn more.  The words I remember, it's the high/falling/low/mid tones that mess me up.  

I like those farangs that live here for many years and can't muster the basics, they make me look like a linguistic genius, 555.  Even the Thais say "Oh, you speak very good".

If you mean to ask is it ok to drive Pattaya to Bangkok on motorway 7 with a 160cc motorbike, that's a No.  Small bikes are not allowed on #7.

You can however use motorway 3, I've know people that drive their motorbike from Pattaya to places 5 hours north. 

On 4/8/2024 at 6:30 PM, CharlieH said:

We' ve had 43 the last two days and it's my 2 dogs I worry about. They can't escape the heat like we can so I bought them a nice big bath to cool down in when they want and they get to play in the hose pipe everyday.Save a thought for your pets guys. 😀

I also use the cement tub filled with water for my dogs, also when my old air conditioner was sold for scrap, I took out the blower motor/wheel and have it outside for my dogs, they love it. If it's super hot, they come inside.

Rehab centers all over the world will have folks that have trouble "being normal".

On 4/7/2024 at 12:26 PM, KhunBENQ said:

The interesting aspect:

is there a regular prison on Pattaya area or just holding cells in Soi 9?

There is an actual prison, I remember seeing it north of town, from what I read they can hold about 4000 people.

10 hours ago, rexpotter said:

Why do people with no business experience come here and decide to open a business which they have no experience in?

I did and it was successful for many years, if you're smart anything is possible.

OP, I ran a legal business (not a bar/hotel/restaurant) with my Thai wife as the owner, but it was me that set it up and maintained it, no work permit, no police payoffs, no "mafia" extortion money.  I don't know about the US/Thailand amenity workings, but I don't know we went to city hall on Pattaya Nua to get our business license. 

DM me if you want other info.

I don't know about this particular school, but all the different schools and extra classes my 16 y/o son has attended here in Thailand over his lifetime have accepted monthly payments.

1 hour ago, jaywalker2 said:

All of these online delivery companies should be banned. They add to traffic, pollution, global warming, and keep people from getting up off their lazy asses and walking to the store.

1 hour ago, MrPancake said:

 

Agreed 😄
 

Yet you admit you use them twice a day for 30 days, 555.

Let's admit the older you get, the more you yearn for the way things used to be.  Go into any bar and the old timers are stuck listening to the music they grew up on.  How many more decades till we see 60-70-y/o requesting hip hop music?

2 hours ago, MrPancake said:

I don't get it.

The money is there so WTF ?

I'm tired of watching garbage.

Can't find anything recent that doesn't suck a$$.

How or what are you using to watch movies/tv shows?

I had Netflix (no vpn) for over a year and it was ok, but in the past few months got IPTV/Firestick and it blows the doors off of my Netflix,  My IPTV has over 2000 movies/tv shows ready to watch at the press of a button. 

1 hour ago, schweizer said:

Thanks, but he is looking for one of those vendors that rent loungers and make food, 25 years ago there was one in front of Central that I used but I dont know of any that I would trust now

The beach chair vendors aren't the ones doing the actual cooking, no running water, rat infested trees, etc.  You tell them what you want and they know the shops to get it. 

I sit on the beach and just go get what I like at the food courts, bigger selection and cleaner presentation.