PPGuy

Yes, unusually I had an issue with a couple of transfers yesterday. These were UK bank to Wise transfers which didn't show as being received by Wise until about 4am Thai time today. I had sent them early Monday from my UK bank but Wise were showing 'money not received' all day. A bit unfortunate given that the rate dropped by about Bt0.65 in the meantime. Was unsure if issue was with my UK bank or Wise, but seems to have been a Wise issue. No direct notification from Wise of any reason but their website did have a notice of possible delays when I looked at their 'contact' page. Oh well, no big deal and having made over 400 transactions with them over the years I can live with the odd glitch or two.

Seems that Thailand should be talking to the FIFA 'sales agent' Infront as they have the media rights for the Qatar WC. Singapore just signed up ten days back and needed to pay $22m, an increase of 10% on the 2018 deal. https://media.sportbusiness.com/2022/11/fifa-and-infront-secure-world-cup-value-increase-in-singapore/ This article also makes mention of the status of the Thailand deal and the fact that similar deals involved a high degree of brinkmanship. Interestingly, the name 'Infront' would be familiar to those who follow past FIFA deals. They were involved in the media rights for the 2018 WC and were, at that time, headed by a chap called Blatter. This being the nephew of a certain similarly named chap who headed FIFA. Hmm. Since when they have been taken over by Wanda Group, but continued with the younger Blatter as CEO of Infront. So, that's Ok then.

So, who is playing possum now?

Pump and dump?

This is a recent video from the youtuber, 'Rides 4 Kickz', with some booking info for the ferry that some may find of interest. It features his return trip from Samui to Sattahip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXCUkcpwvTw&t=248s This is his initial trip to Samui: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FggLJSWsAZo&t=17s

As I noted, I am living in Thailand and applied for the CC account from here. The CC verification process needed me to visit any UK Halifax branch with proof of ID (passport) and address (UK licence). Once I had the CC account I then applied for a bank account with same UK address - I was back in Thailand by that time. No further verification needed at this point. I was able to open the bank account based on the previous verification for the CC account. If you already have a CC account with Halifax, with UK address, I would expect you could also set up a current account with them based on same address info, even if you are in Thailand (as I did). Your expiring UK licence may not be a problem as you will already have a history with them. Of course, their checking process may have changed in the meantime. Give it a go.

I opened the current account whilst I was living in Thailand. I used a family member address in UK in the setup process (also have UK driving licence with same address, which helped with initial verification requirement - for that I had to visit a UK branch during a rare trip to UK). Once opened I changed my address details to my long term Thai address. That was about 5 years back, so requirements may have changed since then. As I noted, having a Thai address does impact on receiving new cards.

I set up a First Direct bank account a few years back with a UK address. Then changed to my Thai address / Thai mobile with no problem. I migrated from using their calculator login gizmo a couple of years back to a Digital Secure Key. Use this both for their App and online access. Works fine but I seem to recall having to call them to assist with the setup process.

If your Halifax CC has a UK address for you it should be no problem. I initially opened a Halifax CC, with a UK address a few years back and subsequently opened a bank account with them. I then changed my address to Thailand with no problem. Only issue is that Halifax will not send new cards to Thailand. Easy option is to just keep your UK address on record.

If you have a Halifax CC can you not open a bank account with Halifax? Would that not solve your problem?

Nordwind fleet info is here: https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Nordwind-Airlines?refresh=1 Their B777-300ER planes have 486 capacity with one class economy config.

This was in the earlier thread. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/free-vaccine-clinic-in-downtown-bangkok-to-remain-open-after-all/

A family member obtained this at the DLT in Chonburi. Seemingly the Banglamung location does not offer that service. This was a few years back so may have changed.

There was a period, about a year back, when transfers to BBk, even though 'long stay in Thailand' was selected, was shown as a local transfer. IME, that was the only period, since that specific purpose was introduced by Wise, that FTT was not shown by BBk. Wise do advise that such a designation is not guaranteed but it has, in the main, been consistently applied. So, it does make a difference, until it doesn't..........

Another article on the German proposal, from the UK Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/26/germany-to-legalise-cannabis-for-recreational-use

I had an issue with Wise / my UK bank over a missing transfer about 2 years back. The email I used to contact Wise was their Support email - [email protected] - this was before their name change so likely just delete the 'transfer' part of the email. Eventually it turned out that the bank faster payments system had a glitch that caused the transfer to Wise not to be completed. It took a week or more to be resolved as my UK bank were insistent that the transfer did go ahead and Wise, similarly, could not trace any receipt. After many calls to my UK bank they finally admitted the problem was at their end and I received compensation for their poor service on the matter. Wise were excellent in the way they clearly investigated the problem and reported back to me in good time.

This smells to high heaven.........

Interesting that the German cyber security head was also in with the Russians. Not just the recent Chancellor(s) are heavily linked to [Russia]. https://www.dw.com/en/german-cybersecurity-chief-fired-over-alleged-russia-ties/a-63479838

This earlier thread may have some pointers. https://aseannow.com/topic/1167830-defaulting-on-credit-card-debt/ There may be some other similar topics is you do a search on AN (via google would be best).

Does that problem also apply to transfers into a multicurrency account with Wise, if you have one? That might fix the issue as Wise MC accounts accept transfers from other payers, you can then transfer to Thailand as and when needed.

This article gives some more detail on the tax impact on rental income but the basics match with your comment. https://www.hlbthai.com/thai-rental-properties-and-personal-income-tax/ But, as with all things Thai, caveat emptor.

Does that also apply to rental income?

This is a review of Diana Estate which might be of interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBrg_0O2D7w

The OP may have been referring to this topic from a couple of years back. https://aseannow.com/topic/1190377-thai-banks-now-charging-atm-fee-plus-a-5-transaction-fee/ The responses on that thread also seem to have debunked that comment.

Excellent information from @DannyS1951. Ref your point 7 on not expecting HMPO to make contact should there be a problem. My experience on that was positive in that HMPO did contact me by email, with no prompting from me, and the problem was quickly resolved. This was early last year and it concerned having 2no 'live' UK passports but only wanting 1no to be renewed (I had supplied full copies of both in the application process). The response was from 'SouthportTeam4' was was efficiently dealt with by the team member. As an aside, both current passports were needed to be cancelled at time of collecting the new one. Yes, just a sample of one and others may have negative experience, unlike mine.