kimothai

I use SKYPE when I want to call the USA or when I need someone to call me (from USA).  SKYPE works great for voice calls.  Some financial Institutions will not allow a VOIP such as SKYPE or Google voice (PayPal will kick you out immediately).  I've been using Mint for the last 18 months (which is part of T-Mobile now) for receiving OTPs from my Bank and USA credit card.  So far it works great with no problems receiving text OTPs.  I don't use it for anything else such as voice or data - it's way too expensive for that but I do use it when I go back to the USA (since it's already paid for).  I use an e-sim for the Mint service which I installed while living in Thailand.  You'll need an e-sim compatible phone and be willing to spend about $200/year.  I used a relative's phone number for years. I would notify him via Messenger that an OTP was coming, and he would relay it to me via Messenger.  Sometimes that can be inconvenient due the time difference.   

For repair of small appliances/tools you may want to try the Father Ray Foundation on Sukhumvit.  If you enter via the road (road that Big C Extra is located on) that runs parallel to Sukhumvit it's the first building on the left.  There are usually security guards around that can direct you.  It's been a while since I've been there, and I assume it's still operational since covid.  The kids/young adults that work there may be handicapped but they are very smart and accomplished at repairing things. 

7 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

They'll blame the foreigners soon for using too much water to bathe in, and fill their swimming pools.

Or worse yet if they ban bum guns. 

I haven't had any problems as of yet. Last week I was watching NETFLIX in the Philippines (on tablet) while my gf was watching here in Thailand on TV. Not a family account. 2 users on the account (1 password) 

As of April 17 I was able to pull up the log in page. Didn't try to log in. 

I've donated books in the past to the library at the Father Ray Foundation located in Pattaya.  You can call them and explain your situation.  

I quit eating at these food troughs a long time ago.  If this is what they think is acceptable for customers, I question what is acceptable for the kitchen.  

On 3/18/2024 at 2:33 PM, eisfeld said:

Every Central in Thailand that I've been to had dedicated big bike parking. Ask the parking attendents for the directions, sometimes it's not easy to spot.

The motorbike parking at Central Festival in Pattaya has become a nightmare since they allocated space for the big bikes.  Simply not enough space for non-big bikes.  Smaller bikes are parked on top of one another.  My solution is to simply not to go there anymore.  I go the extra distance to Terminal 21 where there is plenty of parking.  If I absolutely have to go to Central, I'll park across the street and walk over.

On 3/16/2024 at 2:58 PM, Tropicalevo said:

After buying many computers here in Thailand, both laptop and desktop - I have both, my only recommendation is buy a pre-assembled if you go for a desktop one.

My current one was built to spec, quite expensive and has given me lots of trouble. It has never worked properly. Latest problem - it restarts itself. Even if I am in the middle of something. Windows 11 (I hate it) settings are set to never sleep and never restart but to no avail.

I had that same problem with PC WIN 11.  The PC would randomly shutdown or restart.  Turned out it was UPS software for auto-shutdown if power loss.  The software made my desktop think it was a laptop in respect to the power settings.  Was never able to resolve the problem so I just use the UPS without the auto-shutdown feature.  I have idea if you are using a UPS.  Just thought I would mention it.

"She speculated that she may have unintentionally cut him off".   Now there's a laugh.  Driving in Pattaya, seems like I get "unintentionally" cut off half a dozen times just going to the grocery store.  

On 2/22/2024 at 1:57 PM, gamb00ler said:

When did you last get a "cash advance" or do an ATM withdrawal using the Schwab debit card?

I've done it many times since 2021 and my experiences have been 100% consistent.

 

My experiences using Schwab's debit card have been different than yours.

It is VISA who sets the exchange rate, not Schwab.

 

Currently, VISA's rate is 35.76 per US$, Bangkok bank's rate is 35.70 and Wise's effective rate (after fees) is 35.57.  Since using the debit card incurs exactly 0 fees it is currently the BEST rate of those I checked just now.

 

How did you determine the exchange rate that you were given for a Schwab debit card transaction?  What was the source of the rate that  you used in comparison when you determined that the debit card rate was terrible?

 

When planning to get a "cash advance" on my Schwab debit card, I always comparison shop to Wise and Thai banks.  I get the Schwab exchange rate from the VISA company's website at :

https://www.visa.co.uk/support/consumer/travel-support/exchange-rate-calculator.html

When the cash advance hits my Schwab account, the exchange rate I receive is 100% in agreement with the VISA web page rate.

To answer your question about how I checked the exchange rate, I used a FX app on my phone at the moment of the transaction.  I've done this same process with my Capital One Credit Card (not debit card) and the difference was night and day.  I didn't write down all the specific numbers, but I recall the exchange rate fee of my debit card was about triple that of my credit card.  I only did this "exchange rate experiment" because a friend, who also has a Schwab account) who had heard the exchange rate with the debit card was not so good.  He was right.  Don't misunderstand my opinion of the Schwab debit card - I love my Schwab debit card, it's a perfect backup for my Capital One in case I have a problem.  I just reserve the use of the debit card to making USD purchases.  

I can't speak about the NFCU problem, but I've had the same issues with play store "not available in your country".  Because I use an Android phone that is located in Thailand (Google/play store account), I found a used iPhone that I located in America with the Apple account.  I do my banking/credit card that are country sensitive on the iPhone.  You don't need a sim or phone number in the iPhone - just an internet connection.  I'm only using the iPhone as a platform, not a phone. 

     Yes.  I (American citizen) opened a Charles Schwab International account while living in Thailand.  As part of the initial application for proof of residence (in Thailand) I used a scan of my electric bill (from electric company - Thai language) and my water bill (from condo - English language).  I did this about a year ago when I was informed by Morgan Stanley that I would need to close my account due to foreign residency (even though I did have a USA mailing address) but that's another story about how that all came about.

     After the account was approved it has to be funded with 25K USD.  I accomplished this by transferring my 2 Morgan Stanley accounts (1 brokerage and 1 Roth IRA account) to Charles Schwab International.  Each account has to be transferred separately (same process twice) but that's only if you have more than one account.  Schwab provides you with instruction for the transfer.  The whole transfer process was less than 3 weeks.  I was initially apprehensive about how difficult it would be to do the account transfer, but it turned out to be super easy.  If you use I different method to fund the account, I can't comment on that.  Note:  as a foreign resident you are not allowed to have mutual funds registered in USA so you'll probably need to convert those to something different (probably should call Schwab to determine course of action if mutual funds are involved).  I didn't have any, so it wasn't an issue.

     Once your account is open and funded you can use your Thai number for OTP's.  You can get a debit card and checking account that will be mailed directly to your Thai address.  The exchange rate for the debit card is terrible so you may want to limit use to USD transactions.  

     The whole process was a lot easier than I thought it would be.  To be honest I like Schwab better than Morgan Stanley.

Your complaints will only fall on deaf ears. Simple solution: double pane (or possibly triple pane) windows & class lanai doors. If in a condo they'll have comply with condo regulations to have same cosmetic appearance on the outside. Had a friend in Bangkok who did exactly that to kill all the traffic noise. 

I agree with everyone that says you don't need an agent to complete the LTR application.  The BOI people ate very helpful if you call with excellent English speakers.  They usually responded to emails the same day.  If you do yourself, you should have a PC or laptop and a printer/scanner along with the basic skills to make a multipage PDF file.  Good luck

I agree that this road construction could be better coordinated but that’s only half the problem (in my opinion).  The other half I’m referring to is all the double parking.  I see it everywhere and it creates every bit as much chaos/backup as the road work (especially on narrow roads such as Soi Bukaow).  The shame of it is that it could be alleviated by law enforcement which require more police presence on the roads but sadly, most know what the odds of that is.   This whole double parking, running red lights, driving on the wrong side of the road, etc, etc is like an endemic road disease in Pattaya.  I don’t expect anything to change.

I think the Tik Tokers are just being creative and figured out a way to boost the sales of offensive T-shirts.  After all, this is Thailand and it's always about the money.  Always!

On 12/29/2023 at 1:06 AM, timendres said:

 

Now that you ask specifically, I realize that I have only received transfers from Thailand to the CapitalOne 360 account.

My credit union has online provisions to wire money to Thailand, and that is how I transferred to Thailand the previous two times.

I thought I had tested 360 to Thailand, but now realize I never got around to it.

Correct. You cannot initiate an international wire transfer from a Capital One account. Only domestic transfers are allowed. I linked my Capital One to an account that allows international wire transfers. Very easy to do. Been using Capital one (including CC) for about 5 or 6 years. Never a problem. 

If you are in business class you can use fast track.  Just take your boarding pass with your passport.  If you are 70 or older you can use fast track.  If you have and LTR visa you can use also.