steve73

21 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Get one if these. Combined pressure and flow switch pump controller. Global house. Starts the pump on low pressure and keeps the pump on until the flow stops.

I agree, these are perfect when low voltage prevents the basic pressure switch from shutting the pump off on a dead-head, but they are sensitive to voltage surges, and they're relatively expensive to replace when they keep failing.... ref. my previous post.

I've been using TW to send GBP to my Kasikorn account for almost 3 years (usually 2 or 3 transfers per month).

In the early days if TW used KK as their local partner, it was coded as Intl on arrival in my account, otherwise it arrived as coming from a "dummy account", but it was pot luck which local partner they used. 

About a year ago, TW started suggesting that you "tag" each transfer and request which local partner they should use.  For me it would always arrive via KK and coded as Intl.

Then earlier this year after they introduced the "funds for long stay" option, my transfer have always gone via the KK local partner, but are now coded coming from "dummy account" with a MCL00001 code.  (I have seen some reference either here on TV or on the FB TW page, that this code is acknowledged by KK bank as an international transfer when issuing the letter, although I personally have NOT tried to confirm this with my KK branch).

In summary, as far a I can establish, using the "long stay" option SHOULD usually result in an Intl coding only when sending to a BBK account.   Sending to other banks MAY result in an Intl coding, and acceptance of such (if supported with other documentation) may depend entirely on your local Imm. officer.

Personally, I don't actually need to show my transfers as Intl since I keep the necessary funds in Thailand, but I have been keeping a close watch on the unfolding situation as my circumstances may change in the future.  IMO for GBP-THB transfers TW is significantly cheaper overall than any other methods available, and this is the main reason I use them. 

FWIW, I have just opened a "Borderless account" with TW, and can now feed it with GBP, convert it to THB at any time the rate looks favourable, and then hold the THB until the appropriate time of the month to send it to my KK account.  As yet, I'm unsure how this THB transfer will be coded on arrival......

2 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

If you decide not to make use of your return-flight, do remember to cancel it even if you are not entitled to any refund.

Strange as it may seen, but some airlines actually fine you when you don't show up without having cancelled the flight.

https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/03/airline-no-show-fee/

 

The current wisdom is not to cancel... then if the airline makes any schedule changes before you were due to fly, you can decline and be entitled to a refund, or a re-booking to suit yourself. 

Most airlines plans for a few no-shows anyway, and are often glad if a there are a few that don't turn up.

Obviously these comments only apply to a return leg.  If you no-show on an outward leg (e.g. use another carrier) then you also forfeit your return.

I've never heard of anyone actually being charged for a no-show.  You've paid for the ticket - it's up to you what you do with it.  In fact if you don't use your flight, you should be entitled to a refund of the tax paid as part of the ticket, but many airlines won't allow this - or they claim their cost of applying for it exceeds its worth.  I have heard of people who have successfully claimed the tax without going via the airline, but it was a few years ago.

edit... perhaps if your ticket class does entitle you to a refund, you must actually cancel it to get get the refund...  and that it what the charge would be against.  In any case, leave it as late as possible to cancel, just in case the airline makes a change, or indeed if you change your mind... since you can't re-book a cancelled flight without paying again.

500k/yr is plenty unless you're a alcoholic, whore-monger, or coke addict, and you'd certainly be better off trying to live on that here in T/L than in most western countries,

I know plenty of guys living here on a basic state pension from US, Oz, UK, or other European countries (some as low as c. 25k/mon).  Obviously the "agent" route is necessary for the annual extension, and health problems would certainly be a problem for them...  But it's their choice.  Who are we to tell them that T/L doesn't want them and they should go back home.

Some of them even manage to keep permanent girlfriends (and help their families) as well, so for a single guy it would be much easier.

Accommodation really can be as much or as little as you want.  In most areas of T/L you can rent 2/3 bedroomed houses for around 5-6k upwards, or basic Thai style for 1.5-3k (for 1 or 2 bedrooms).  If you want the additional facilities of a condo, then you're looking at 5-6k up for a basic studio room.

My advice to the OP at 70 (if he's still around) would be "go for it"... you might not get the chance again..!

On 9/8/2019 at 8:14 AM, MJKT2014 said:

There is always a need to work harder on social skills if one walks in a room asking for assistance. Buying crypto isn't always cheap. So far we've had coinbase recommended twice that doesn't work in Thailand.

I opened a CB account from within T/L, although using my UK PP, and UK address that my UK bank account is registered to... No need of any VPN est, although it was about 2 years ago I did this, and I accept things may have now changed. 

Obviously I can't cash out directly to a Thai bank, but I can trade between CB coins OK, and can send CC's from my CB to any other address... eg. to a Thai based crypto exchange, and then cash out from there to my Thai bank.  

On 8/16/2019 at 1:54 PM, jacko45k said:

Only those planning to use income to support an Extension application.

Perhaps need to clarify also, only for citizens of those countries whose embassies have refused to certify their monthly income, i.e US, UK, & Oz. 

(edit: & possibly Denmark, although I read somewhere that they've backtracked and are now providing certified income letters again.)

More than 10 years ago I was doing a 90 day border run to Cambodia by minivan, for my Non-O ME, and when my Passport was returned to me before coming back into Thailand I noticed it was the wrong one (photo looked only a little like me).  Lots of searching by the Thai "agents", and frantic phone calls, and it turned out someone else had been given mine, and was now headed back to Pattaya...

So I was told to use the "wrong" passport to go back into T/L, and then met up with the other van that was waiting in Chantaburi to swap...

I was pretty nervous going back through Immigration, but it was all OK.. other than having the wrong address on the arrival card.  But if I hadn't checked, then who knows what might have happened...

2 hours ago, PJPom said:

Check what MCL0001 means, I found the meaning on here posted by another and according to Kasikorn it means “ international fund transfer from other bank with API system “

This was acceptable to my IO last month.

That is good to know... My passbook doesn't show that particular code, and I couldn't find anything on the web-site. 

My previous transfers have sometimes been recorded "International Trading and Factoring Centre" when coming via TW's local Kasikorn banking partner, but "Dummy Account" when coming via one of their other partnering banks... But it does appear that the 0001 code is new though.  

On 8/7/2019 at 2:07 PM, steve73 said:

TW have recently added a new "Reason" for sending money to Thailand..... "For Long Term Living" or some similar description... and apparently using this does result in arriving funds being coded as International...  I've just received some funds using this method and will find out tomorrow when I can see whether it was coded correctly.... 

Failed... It was coded as Dummy Branch - MCL0001.. i.e. Domestic transfer... 

edit.. perhaps should have added.. that was to Kasikorn.

As well as a NW account (that is currently still working - fortunately, but for how long?) I also have a Bank of Scotland one...  They require telephone authorisation for many activities, but they do accept a Thai mobile number.  

Rather than sending a SMS code to your telephone, which you type into the web-page like most organisations require, BoS show you a code on the web-page which you need to enter (or speak - clearly) into your phone when they auto-call you..  Seems to work OK, and it gives me a back-up.

Alternative to using a Thai mobile number would be to use a trusted friend/relative in the UK.  Get the SMS code sent to their number and then have them SMS/e-mail/FB etc it on to you. 

Not ideal obviously since you would need to co-ordinate your activities with them. 

On one of my early visits to the kingdom about 12-13 years ago, and long before anyone worried about the TM28/30's even though they were law even then), I hired a car and spent a couple of weeks doing a whistle-stop tour around the South, from BKK down the East coast, then back-up the west coast.

I never spent more than one night in any one location, although without checking the map to be sure, I may have spent more than one in the same province.  Most days we were up early, breakfast in a roadside shack (if it wasn't included in the "hotel"), keeping off the major highways as far as possible, and spending the afternoons parked up with a hammock on some remote beach.  Most days not deciding to stop for a hotel until we'd eaten, and often well after dark... We also spent one night in a tent on a deserted beach.

This type of "holiday" would not be possible if one had to report to the local Immigration office every day (although since I was never if one place for more than 24 hours this requirement would be moot even now).  Most of the small resorts/hotels/guest houses we used were unlikely to have registered their foreign guests (although it's likely they might be more strict now) and my TGF always used her ID anyway.  Often the provincial centers with the local Immigration Office would have required back-tracking the next day, to report a location after I'd already checked out, or much further/longer if over a weekend. 

I realise that the hotels are responsible for registering the TM30's, but IF the TM28 system were to be strictly enforced then it would be impossible to comply in this situation. 

41 minutes ago, Greenhill said:

On 7/16/2019 at 3:04 PM, berybert said:

Elite visa  ? 5 years hassle free. 

& Bloody expensive!!!!!

Sorry berybert - I'd missed that.

Greenhill.... 1/2MM bt - chump change for an oil worker...!!

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned the Elite visa (assuming they're still being issued..??)

OK, it's expensive at 500k for 5 years, but it's multi-entry with no limitations on stay (other than 1 year max, but that's not relevant here).  It's almost a perfect fit for the OP, making many short visits.

This may last long enough to take the OP to age 50, or for 1MMbt, you can get the 20 year option..

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Is that of any benefit? They likely have not changed to be always using KBank, and may still transfer via TMB or indeed Bangkok Bank next time. 

Until TW sort out their system properly (if at all) this may not be of any benefit.  My last transfer (Jun -24th) to my k-bank went via TW's K-bank local partner (without me asking) but it wasn't coded as intl.  Previously when going via k-bank it has always been coded as Intl, (whether I requested it going via k-bank or not).

FWIW, I heard from a friend yesterday, who managed to get his extension last week based on income where he'd missed one of the monthly transfers, so used his US credit card to withdraw cash, and then deposited this into his Thai account early the following month.

I'm not going to mention which office since it bears little relevance to anybody's own application, and I'm sure nobody would plan for it, but does indicate that some offices are maybe being lenient.  

19 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I use my TW Borderless account to get my pensions paid into and then transfer them to my BBL bank account in Thailand. I have just looked at my bankbook and each TW transfer shows up as an FTT.

I suspect that unless you have specifically requested TW to manually route your payments via their BBL local banking partner (LBP) to suit your receiving account then you have just been lucky, since they use any one of 3 LBP's (although BBL does seem to be the more usual default).

Also, it seems from reports here (myself included) that TW have made some very recent (i.e just the past week) changes to their systems, and that even when payments are routed via the same LBP as the receiving account, that they are NOT being coded as international.

Hence my reference to it still being a "work-in-progress".

21 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

29 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is nothing in the police order that they have to be on the same date every month.

It states this for extensions based upon retirement. 

 

It could be one or more transfers per month as long as they total to 65k baht a month.

I fully agree with what you say UJ but as you know Thai IO's make up the rules as they go along, what i have posted is what i was told by a Korat IO when they did my retirement extension in January.

If i was to be pedantic which i'm not the police order says money transfer not money transfer(s) lol

Ditto that.. When I asked about doing monthly transfer for a possible combo method for my next extension, (at Rayong, in Feb), I was told they would all need to be "around the same day of the month".

I told them I was still too young for any pension, but simply brought over savings as and when the Fx rate was favourable, but always at least once per month, and was clearly told they had to be "around" the same day, with no reference to them not being a "pension".

32 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Thats not what i was told at Korat Immigration, 12 monthly payments into your account and they have to be on or around the same date each month give or take a few days. Now i appreciate Thai IO's all have different enterpretations of the rules, some even make their own up lol

I also transfer a couple of times per month when i run outta dosh but i always do a minimum 65k per month on or about the same date.

"...and they have to be on or around the same date each month give or take a few days."

This could be a real problem for those who have their pensions, etc, sent directly into a Thai bank account if they're credited every 2 or 4 weeks, rather than monthly (as I understand the UK & Oz pensions are paid).

For people in receipt of such, you would need to have the payment into your own national account and then initiate a SWIFT transfer on approximately the same date every month.

If you are unable to open a new national account, or cannot initiate a SWIFT transfer without being "in person", then an alternative may be to open a TW borderless account, and have your pension deposited there.  You can then to make a transfer from there at "around the same day every month", but this would only work providing TW are able to ensure the payments always go via their local banking partner to match the account holder, and even this seems to have failed to generate the international coding recently.

Still very much a "work-in-progress" unfortunately...  

I sent via TW from UK to Kasikorn on 24th June.  It was routed through their KK local branch (without prompting this time) but it arrived on 25th coded as dummy.  This is the first time a transfer sent via KK has shown as Dummy... I've had around 10 previously, some just lucky and some specifically asking them to route it that way.

After 2 months of routing it correctly on an e-mail request, via KK where it was correctly coded, but last month they ignored my e-mail and routed it via TMB and no surprise it arrived as Dummy... So blew my chances to use income for my next extension.  I e-mailed them giving them both barrels, and didn't bother to specify where I wanted it routed this month.

Unless he has sufficient income or savings to extend his visa he will HAVE to leave whether he wants to or not.  From the OP it's not clear whether he's already on overstay.  IF that's the situation then he may need to be unwillingly returned home, in preference to the arrest and IDC route.  Perhaps a medical escort (to administer sedation and/or a straitjacket) would be the only way.  It might sound harsh, but he'll have no recollection of it as soon as he arrives home. 

If he does have sufficient income to remain here legally then he really needs trustworthy full-time care, either a live-in nurse (or 2), or in a local care home that specialises in expats (there are a few of these dotted about).  Neither of these options would be cheap, although if his income is sufficient to provide a visa extension, it should be adequate.   An equivalent care-home or home-care would cost a lot more in the UK.  

Sadly, getting old is something we've all got to look forward to, and it sure beats the alternative.  

I often find notes washed up on the shoreline when walking along the beach.

Usually 20's or 100's, occasionally 500, but only once a 1000.

Along with swimming goggles, sunglasses, flip-flops (but never a pair), once even a reasonably tidy watch - which is still going strong after 2 years.  On the occasions I've asked people swimming/paddling close by if they lost it, I've never had someone say it was theirs.  I can only assume that most people are honest, and wouldn't say "yes, that's mine", unless it really was.  

Amazing Thailand..!!   

18 hours ago, khunPer said:

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, anyone can register a usefruct – or try, as some land offices will not register a usefruct for a foreigner. But that was not what I had in mind to say, but rather who will grant a usufruct with life-time to a stranger farang – the usufruct is often used within families for family land – a lease in return of a fee is much more likely.

Thanks for your clarification.

With my cynical hat on, if I was a Thai with some "spare" land in a farang popular area, then a usefruct (with a paid-up front fee, and limited to the lifetime of the holder) might be a better alternative than a lease (also paid up front, but which would be valid for it's entire term).

It could be a risky thing for a farang to take on...!!  Perhaps that why some land offices won't register them..?