willi2006

Bank of Thailand"s table of interest rates of Thai banks: http://www.bot.or.th/BOThomepage/databank/.../interest_e.asp.

In Singapore you get also about 8% on NZD without tax deduction as in New Zealand.

Bank of Thailand's table of interest rates of Thai banks http://www.bot.or.th/BOThomepage/databank/.../interest_e.asp

For large amounts consider to use www.moneycorp.com. It is mentioned in other threads.

To my knowledge based on reports in forums Thai immigration counts the red stamp day as well. If stamp says Dec 3, last day would be Dec 9, which is a Sunday. I recommend to report latest on Friday, Dec 7, to avoid a penalty.

See this thread Hotels/bars With Wi-fi http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113605

HSBC Singapore opens accounts by mail but requires the documents verified by one of their branches. To find out what other banks you are interested in require just E-Mail them or fill in the inquiry on their internet pages.

If transfering more than about 5000 GBP (7500 €) have look at http://www.moneycorp.com/. See also this thread More On Nationwide Debit Card.

Look at www.moneycorp.com

... and I was told

• to present next year ATM slips showing 65000 Baht / month coming into Thailand ...

Yes, as I reported the officer told me this. He want to see 65000 Baht / month coming into Thailand. Did not say anything about spending for what ( ) or spending at all.

But: One year is long, requirements may change, may not be enforced. May be nice to have, no must. Who knows? I don"t worry. I will see what other people report. Next year will come and I will try. In case of problems there is still the Visa option with leaving the country every 90 days and there are also other countries which welcome retirees and their money.

On 10 August 'gdhm' who lives in Khon Kaen also went to Korat and got his 1 year extension without problems

I suppose this reply of gdhm which I knew is referred to http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...t&p=1468508.

gdhm does not mention it explicitly but I think it was not his first "1 year extension" and this might be the difference. I know from other people staying in Khon Kaen who got their first extension last year in Korat and were accepted again in Korat this year for renewal. Or may be decentralization or something like load balance is enforced between August 9 and 14 or at the officers discretion. I am just guessing.

...

Full support from my side for this excellent view.

I am German and have a "Non-Immigrant Visa -O- Multiple" expired 16 July 2007. Last entry was on 15 June 2007 admitted until 12 September 2007.

Tuesday, 14 August I went to the immigration office in Korat. The officer told me to go to Nong Khai because I stay in Khon Kaen.

Wednesday, 15 August I went to Nong Khai, arrived at the immigration office at 8:50 and left the office at 9:35 with a 1 year extension up to 12 September 2008. The officer was friendly and helpfully.

I presented:

• TM.7: Reason for extension "Retirement".
  Must be filled in manually, my printed version was not accepted.
  Signed on both pages.
  Mobile number added.
  1 Photo attached.
  
• Passport with TM.6 Departure card from last entry.
  Signed copies.
  
• 1900 Baht
  
• Letter from embassy confirming income of more than 65000 Baht / month. Signed copy.
  

The original embassy letter was kept and I was told

• to bring the copy of the embassy letter next year
  
• to present next year ATM slips showing 65000 Baht / month coming into Thailand, a bank account would be good
  
• to come in person for TM.47 (Notify of staying longer than 90 days)
  
• to get a reentry permit when leaving the country.
  

No scam but normal way of operation.

How cards work overseas and how transactions are charged with fees is explained in detail here Credit/Debit/ATM Cards and Foreign Exchange - FlyerGuide Wiki

First: the required documents depend heavily on the Reason for the Extension (TM.7 bottom of page 1), e.g.

- "to spend the remainder of life": proof of address not required or

- "to support a wife who is Thai citizen or who is a permanent resident (non-Thai husband)": proof of address required.

Thus imho the discussion and even the reporting of a case in this forum does make sense only if all relevant facts are stated.

Second: Imho the most important and by applicants most forgotten rule is "The officials reserve the rights to examine or ask for additional documents, if necessary."

Thus you can only put together what is most probably required and than go and give it a trial.

Reference: Immigration Bureau.

You may try http://duans-travel.com/index.php?lang=en.

I think it is an charge for an inactive account. E.g. SCB charges for Savings Account:

"If there is no transaction for more than 12 months and the balance in the account is Bt 2,000 or less the fee to maintain the account is 50 Baht/month."

The list for SCB is here Transaction Code.

I could not find a list of KTB. May be you can get one at a branch.

Search for "ltu düsseldorf" results in Ltu Airline--any Experience? - Thailand Forum

... we also have UV zappers in each room. ...

Your fear is well understood and imho all the measures are meaningful but one. Mosquitos do not go to light neither visible nor UV. They locate their victims through scent and temperature, shower and air condition help. UV zappers might catch mosquitos by accident but kill many useful insects.

Mosquito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "The females of blood sucking species locate their victims primarily through scent. They are extremely sensitive to the carbon dioxide in exhaled breath and exuded through the pores, as well as several substances found in sweat. Some people seem to attract mosquitoes more than others. Empirical studies of mosquito bites suggest that the risk of being bitten follows an approximately negative binomial distribution. Being male, being overweight, and having type 'O' blood may increase the risk of being bitten. Mosquitoes can detect heat, so they can find warm-blooded mammals and birds very easily once they get close enough."

Bug zapper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"Drawbacks

• Mosquitoes – Although many people use bug zappers to control mosquito populations, the actual number of mosquitoes that are attracted to the devices is quite low to none at all (depending on the species and area), as mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and motion, rather than to UV light.
  
• Beneficial insects, or those that are harmless to humans are killed indiscriminately.
  
• The strong UV light attracts many insects indoors or to the patio that would not otherwise be present. Those who are not killed may bring pathogens dangerous to humans or animals.
  
• Improperly designed insects zappers can incinerate insects (due to excessive power), in some instances their bodies virtually explode, becoming an aerosol which may settle onto nearby food or be inhaled by humans. This could cause contamination, as viruses, fungi and bacteria can travel on particles.
  
• Bug zappers can attract other animals or pests feeding on the dead insects if not maintained. Creatures such as Geckoes are instinctively attracted to light sources in order to feed on insects similarily attracted. Often these creatures are indiscriminately killed by Bug Zappers.
  

Given the design, placement, and maintenance consideration bug zappers are usually subject of health guidelines and or regulations for public and commercial premises, for example in hospitals and food processing plants."

To my knowledge thew issuing bank defines the charges and exchange rates for Visa and Mastercard. Interesting reading Credit/Debit/ATM Cards and Foreign Exchange - FlyerGuide Wiki

Last year my Visa card was cloned. My bank told me in Thailand phone lines of ATMs are intercepted to get the data. Even if your card is electronically read at the desk inside a bank the data go over a telephone line.

You can reduce the risk by using the card only at ATMs at banks and as rarely as possible. But you can avoid the risk only by not using the card at all.

Tomorrow April 17th is holiday, see Financial Institutions' Holidays for Songkran Festival 2007.

One major difference: Visa electron is flat, i.e. no imprint, electronic use only.

For more information see Credit card and Visa Electron.

In February I flew with LTU from BKK to DUS (18000 Baht from travel agency in Khon Kaen) and back in March from DUS to BKK (249 € via Internet). Booking via Internet is easy and quick: LTU > Buchung > Flug > Angebote für Preisclevere. There is a table showing the lowest price for each month from German airports to BKK. Nonstop from DUS or MUC only. DUS the lowest price. Clicking on the price in the table shows the date and the available number of seats. Price differs from day to day, high on weekends. Clicking on the link ฺ"BIET & FLIEG" you can offer a lower price than listed. I offered and paid 249 instead of 299 €, confirmed within 1 hour. Up to 10 days before departure you can buy a railway ticket from LTU for 30 € one way, or 50 € return, valid for all trains, from or to everywhere in Germany.

From 30 hour before departure on you can check-in via internet, select your seat and use "Internet Drop Off" or business counter at the airport.

For this low price you get less space and food as with e.g. Thai Airways. For me OK for about half the price.

In Düsseldorf I recommend to use the railway station " Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal" and not "Düsseldorf Flughafen", no need to use the skytrain.

Interesting related threads: Sending Money To Thailand, Ridiculous Forex Rates ... and More On Nationwide Debit Card

Interesting articles: Save thousands on foreign exchange and Credit/Debit/ATM Cards and Foreign Exchange - FlyerGuide Wiki.