smileplur

Is it possible for retirees to obtain a CC in Thailand with a substantial deposit of cash in a fixed deposit account?

Of course. That is called a secured credit card. Banks prefer it, as they have nothing to lose. They can only gain from their primary sources of income, interest and merchant charges.

Thank you very much spoonman had a look at the rates and prices are good hop it is safe and one more thing my car is in my name not a Thais name I not give thai lady every thing I not stupid like a lot I see on this forum .

No worries mate. I would go out there well before you departure though and check the price....... just incase.

I would second that advice. We went the day before our departure to confirm that we could get the monthly rate. They said it was possible when we called, but we wanted to make sure. I don't live too far away, so we drove out to make sure. We found what I posted above.

Just a note about my own observations at the long-term parking lots at Suvarnabhumi .... My wife and I went there to ask about obtaining the monthly rate to leave our car there when we went to America. We were going to be gone for 21 days or so. We attempted to get the monthly rate, as it was affordable for us. They refused to give us the monthly rate. We were told we must pay the daily rate since we weren't going to be leaving the car there for the entire calender month. They told my wife that would also be the case if we stayed for 45 days. The car would get the monthly rate for one month and then pay the daily rate for the additional 15 days. That made it very expensive for us!

Thanks for that all.

Just need an emergency card, convenience. I loathe credit and esp credit cards. Sometimes you just need it, car rentals for instance. Some online purchases.

I'm tempted to move to Krungsri. Just not enough banks and atms. Getting better though.

For the purposes of having a Credit Card, why do you need an abundance of branches and ATMs? Unless you are planning to take a cash advance on the card which would result in a "no grace period" situation, you would never need to use an ATM or go into a branch. I'm not sure where you are located, but Krung Sri branches and ATMs in Bangkok are literally everywhere. They are every bit as common as Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank. Their network seems to be much larger than Siam Commercial Bank's network in Bangkok. I cannot speak for other provinces or areas. The number of branches and ATMs shouldn't have any impact on your decision for obtaining a Credit Card. Good luck! If your salary is stable and can be verified with pay slips and and statements showing the monthly deposit of your salary (I needed 6 months of statements from UOB where my salary is deposited), getting a First Choice card should not be a problem. As I said, that's why I have two cards. The First Choice card was a "sure thing" according to Krung Sri. They told me they have had teachers from the Philippines obtain the card with a much lower salary than mine.

I stand corrected. I knew something didn't feel right when I was posting before bed last night. I was thinking of Train-Inn rather than We-Train. Yes, wetrain used to be a close option to Don Muang. I am not sure if it still exists or not. I will try to ask a friend who lives in that area at work today if I remember to do so!

I can't help with a cheap guesthouse near Don Muang, but I thought We Train was near the train station. It'd be closer to go find a flop house on KSR than go to Hualamphong. I may be mistaken and have ,y names mixed up though.

I should add tat they did nothing else. I mean nothing. They didn't even check my blood pressure.they do know me after going there for damn medical certificates for one reason or another over the years, driving license, etc. They didn't even look at my passport. They simply asked the number!!

Sukhumvit 77 Clinic. Like the name suggests, it's in Skhumvit 77 (aka: On Nut). It's opposite Big C, about 5 minutes walk from Sukhumvit Road. 400 baht including the blood test for Tertiary Syphilis. It takes 10 minutes. It's always accepted. I haven't been able to find it cheaper or faster. In fact, I'm not entirely convinced they even check the blood. Tertiary Syphilis would be apparent to the naked eye should one have allowed the disease to progress to that stage. I'm pretty sure they would have no hesitation signing off that a person was negative based on a regular exam action using their eyes, but together insist the blood test must be taken per government regulations. This was accurate last week when I had it done fir my annual renewal.

It's been a whie sinceive checked, but I previously found long term rates at te airport a bit pricy! Are there any other options out there? In the US, there are usually a lot of smaller lots that ar privately owned near major airports with free shuttle services. Does something like this exist over here?

I've been with AIS for many years. I've heard these carriers offer significant discounts if you threaten to eave. I never had a single problem in many years, but my last bill was 100 baht higher than usual and I can't figure out why just yet. I just got an SMS telling me ow much they were charging me for this cycle. DTac has a plan that's cheaper and suits my needs. I might give AIS a call and tell them about the deal. I wonder if they might offer me a similar deal. It's wortha shot if the discounts can be that significant! Is this really normal when you call and tell them you're considering switching carriers?

I have two unsecured credit cards in Thailand. Both are with Krung Sri. I have a First Chiice Card. I applied for this first, as the bank said it was easier to get for most people. They said they didn't have experience with faring applicants, ant they could only help me with the application at the bank (ensuring all the documents were in order, signed, etc.). From there, the application is sent to the credit department for evaluation. It has nothing to do with the branch in my experience despite many threads that state otherwise. The girl at the bank and even the bank manager don't make decisions about extending credit, unsecured or otherwise. They just forward paperwork. At the same time, I applied for a Platinum Visa Card which had sone additional benefits (airport lounges, etc.). They were right.

My First Choice Card arrived about a week later. That was plenty for me. I didn't expect a full-blownPlatinum Card. Nonetheless, it came in a nice package about 5-6 weeks after my application. So, it certainly is possible! I don't have an extremely large salary as a teacher, but I have been with the same job for several years. Despite haing a savings account with Krungsri, they weren't interested in any details about it. They wanted statements for the previous 6 months from the bank my salary is deposited into. They Lao wanted my most recent salary slip. It was as easy as that!

No, all of my bills are automatically charged to the card (except rent and car payment) and I collect points for miles instead of paying 7-11 for the privilege of Counter Service, using the ATM or anything els. Just one bill for everything with 45 days interest free grace. Againg, it is possible and was quite easy in my case!

Let me inject some of my own reality. I have seen a test (a stick dipped into a urine sample) that tested for several substances at once. There were several "windows" on the stick that would change color to show a positive result for each substance. I believe there were 5 substance "windows" on the stick. That was 15 years ago or so. I would imagine they have gotten a bit better and developed more sophisticated, cheaper test equipment. Of course, it would be cheapest to buy test kits that tested for only one substance, i.e. methamphetamine.

That's the late bill. It means your payment is past due. If you ont pay before the date at the bottom embedded in the text (Thai), you have to pay a 40.00 THB late fee.

I meant to ask "... What do they test for, specifically?

I'm just curious about what they get or. Does anyone know? I take codeine prescribed by my doctor here in Thailand (Samitivej Hospital) for pain associated with my leg. Dothey check for opiates? If so, should I carry around the silly little bag from the hospital which has the doctors name and drug name on it? Or, are they simply checking for amphetamines or methamphetamines since these drugs seem to be the major problem here?

I can't speak for Trendy and UK Passports, but the US Embassy gives you the letter with the new passport if they see you're on an extension of stay. You don't even have to ask for it. It's given for free as well. I'd imagine it's the same, as it's SOP!

17 to 25 is an inflation of almost 50%. I can imagine the frustration. I bet that most TV experts who criticized the students as being out of order would go berserk if their big LEO's go up from 50 to 75 baht a bottle!

I don't drink Leo, but where are you getting it for 50 baht? That's a bargain! I didn't think they sold it that cheap anywhere in Thailand anymore. Please tell us!

If you have a 4 year degree you can pick up a teaching degree in elementary education at Ramah rude during a period of two summers. It's from a university in USA. I here its not cheap but the guy said it was good. Check it out!

Do you have a link to this program? I can't find anything by googling the name you mentioned. I have never heard of it, and I have been looking at different options for quite some time. New programs seem to be popping up all the time. Simultaneously, programs that catered to the rules that were applicable not too long ago are shutting down frequently (i.e. PGCE). They want a MEd if you don't have a license from back home. That is my understanding. It seems to me that a PGCE isn't enough for them to grant you a permanent license any longer. That is unfortunate because I know quite a few teachers who have spent large sums of money for these programs. Some of them have a MEd program where the credits can roll into it. Unfortunately, several do not. That means these people are out of luck if their goal is a Permanent Teaching License in Thailand. See above for my thoughts on continuing to teach on waivers. The fact that the goalposts change so frequently lately should make anyone hesitant to put large sums of money into further education if the sole purpose is to remain in Thailand to teach. A teaching degree from Thailand might not pass for much back in your own country or elsewhere should you decide to move on (or be forced to do so). That's why I am very hesitant to continue studying. In America, there are a few fast-track programs to get a certification without having to take any Masters Degree program. Ultimately, I may end up doing that due to my own person situation (18 month old son and his education).

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Wow. Been in the school over 7 years.

Until this year no problem teaching long time with extension.

Did you do anything special to qualify for additional extensions?

Is it uncommon to stay for such a long time at one school? There seem to be two types of people who teach here (at my school anyway). There are several people like me who just stay. We realize we have a good thing going. Every year our salaries go up. We know the system. We know how everything works. There aren't many surprises from day to day. We all know the expectations. We follow them, and we all try to do the best job we can to improve things year after year. These teachers make up the core of the department I work in. Our positions within the department reflect the length of time we have been there. The school has over 5,000 students, so different departments are different in how they operate. I stay in my department because it is the most laid back.

The other type of teacher is more common. These are the transient types. They have lengthy resumes with jobs all over the place, both geographically and nature of their employment (language school, kindergarten, primary, secondary, etc.). Most of them see out their contract. Then, they move on. Once in a while, they go off to a different department. Nonetheless, they never seem to "settle down". I suppose they are more common because they are the type of people that are drawn to distant lands to work and live in the first place. In Thailand, that work just happens to be teaching English because it is one of the few jobs they will allow us to do legally; although, the goalposts continually change and it may not always be how it is now.

As for my extensions, I haven't had any problems. I haven't had to do anything out of the ordinary. I sat through a few of the tests on two occasions. They weren't fun at all. I passed the first one, but I think anyone should be able to pass that test. I am still curious what the shutter settings on a camera and their functions have to do with teaching English to students in Thailand, but I don't think Krusapa will ever enlighten me about that. Last time, I missed passing Section #2 by 2 points, so that was a bit irritating. Other than that, I haven't done anything. I should note that I have never taken the so-called Thai Culture Course. I'm not sure why it wasn't required of me. All of my colleagues required it for their waivers, but I have asked many times over the years and been told I didn't need to concern myself with it. I don't think I will ever get an answer to that either. I suppose taking it in the future could show some sort of advancement or progression in the eyes of TCT if I encounter problems somewhere down the road. For now, I am good. I will require my third waiver next September. A lot of things can change in that time, so I am just sitting tight and watching carefully.

My TESOL Certificate isn't your average Text and Talk program. I did take 15 credit hours of graduate level coursework at a well-respected university in America prior to coming here. My coursework represents half of a Masters Degree in TESOL. I don't know how that plays a part in any of this. Until now, I haven't pressed the issue by highlighting this coursework on my transcripts. At a glance, it would be difficult to differentiate between these courses and my undergraduate classes which resulted in my BSc in Finance and Business. I simply double-dipped in my last two semesters because I had already decided that I would try living in Thailand upon graduation. I was broke, so I spent a year in Korea prior to taking my job here.

So, I guess we will see what the future holds! Things are always exciting here in Thailand with all of these requirements. More often than not, they are essentially meaningless. I looked at the "tests" as a tax on teachers. I know several people who paid their money, got their receipt, and submitted those documents for another waiver on more than on occasion. They never actually went to the testing center or bothered to take any tests. I figured I might as well give it a shot if I was going to spend the money! Nobody ever checked. These people have been fine. So, it's just smoke and mirrors ... smoke and mirrors.

Good luck to ya! I'm sure you will sort things out. Language schools and universities don't have this requirement, so there is still work out there. Finding a language school that is 100% above board and helpful with the work permit and non-immigrant visa can be a challenge from what I understand; although, there must be some diamonds out there. Chok dee na khrap!!!

The answer is simple ... No! A new passport isn't going to renew or reset anything with TCT. As mentioned above, you have a unique number in their database that isn't tied to only your passport number. You can search by your name and see your waivers on their website. All is not lost. It is possible to get a third waiver per the Krusapa website. They made an announcement on 6 August to this effect. It is in Thai on their website. Schools and HR Departments all over the country are in a frenzy and don't know the rules. My school said 'no' third waivers were possible with studying. Over and over I heard this. So, we decided not to put our faith in someone else. A teacher went to Krusapa himself. He was granted a third waiver with no conditions. He was at the office in Bangkok for 20 minutes. He had an 'interview' for all of one minute. So, don't believe everything you hear. Get your things in order and walk in yourself. I will be facing the very same situation next year at which time I will have been at the same school for nearly 7 years. I am not very concerned about it. This is Thailand. There's always a way even when everyone else says there isn't.

I've done it with my son. Thai / American. The process has already been described. No problems for me.

Riel is more or less used as change. They don't have coins. Larger transactions require dollars. I guess you could use Riel, but many businesses dont want a huge stack of them. It's quite nice not dealing with coins.