srowndedbyh2o

Thank you everyone for your feedback. Much appreciated. I actually ordered a new Toyota Veloz in Pearl White almost two months ago. Unfortunately,  Pearl White seams to be the color of choice for most, so long delays in delivery. When I spoke with the dealer a couple of days ago they are telling me it could be several more months. I kinda like the red color anyway, so I thought I’d let them know I’d be ok with the Red vehicle if it would speed up delivery of the car. By the time the car gets delivered, the 2023 models should be coming out.

The Honda BR-V had been at the top of my choices of new vehicle, but every dealer I went to, or called said there were none available, and could not be ordered. Well, the new model BR-V has now been announced, but the base price is now 915,000 (but many upgrades). The base price for the previous model was 765,000. That’s a pretty hefty increase, and I fear the same increases will occur with other vehicles.

Was looking at a 2022 dark red mica metallic Toyota Veloz. Would the interior of dark red color vehicle get too hot in the Thailand sun? How does a dark red hold up in Thailand? Would the red color start to prematurely  fade in the Thailand sun?

Thanks

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

I think the notice your passport is to be sure you are aware of the requirements that you need to meet for your next extension of stay application.

Thanks ubonJoe. That makes sense.

I’ll go ahead and update my bank book the day I go in to do the report since the notice does say “…you must show the deposit account again on 17 SEP 2022”

Also, do you think it will be OK to go in a few days early to do the report (my first report)? I hate waiting until the last minute and I always try and get things done early if at all possible. Just in case there are any issues.

After reading another post about a bank verification letter for a retirement extension, I’m even more confused, so I thought I would start this separate post to help clarify my questions.

I am located in the Provence of SiSaket.

I am using the 800K in the bank method for proof of funds for my retirement extension.

I did my first retirement extension showing my BKK Bank book and a verification letter from the BKK Bank branch where I opened my account.

I will need to do my first 90 day report in Sept.

In my passport is an attached notice stating;

“Upon approval, the deposited money must remain in the bank account for a period of 3 months, not less than 800,000 baht. Then, you must show the deposit account again on 17 SEP 2022”.

So, firstly, I assume I cannot go into immigration a few days (week) early to do the 90 day report since it states a specific date (17 SEPT 2022)?

For the proof of funds in the account I’ll need;

A copy of my bankbook updated on the day I do the 90 day report.

A standard, signed, ‘proof’ verification letter from the bank that states the funds are in my account, also done on the day I do the 90 day report.

A “12 month” (3 month) bank statement which comes from BKK Bank in BKK verifying the funds have not dropped below the 800K during the 3 month period before the 90 day report.

Also, since there is the requirement to have the funds not drop below the 800K/400K threshold during the periods before and after future extensions, will I forever more need a 12 month statement that comes from BKK Bank in Bangkok for every extension? Or will the standard proof of funds verification letter from my bank branch, along with my bankbook updated on the day of the extension be sufficient to show the required funds are in my account and that they have not dropped below the required limits?

Thanks.

13 hours ago, Pib said:

replaced with "Wood Polymer/Plastic Composite (WPC)" planks

Thank Pib. I’ll look into the “WPC” material you posted and see what I can find locally. Still need to figure out the best way to make the frame to attach the WPC onto. I’ll have to take a look at the place nearby where we live that does the metal awnings and see what type of frame they use. If they are strong enough I may just buy the frames from them and then install the WPC instead of the metal. If the frames aren’t strong enough maybe I could find someone that could build the same frame out of a stronger material.

Another option is an awning I’ve seen online at HomePro that are only 750 Baht. Maybe I could purchase one of those and replace the metal with some WPC. I’d have to do some modification since I need a width of about 164cm. The closest HomePro is a little over an hour away. Online I couldn’t find any WPC roofing at HomePro, but they do have WPC outdoor flooring. I’ll have to take a look and see if that would work, although being for outside decking, it is probably designed to allow water to flow out between planks.

Or…I could just go with the metal awning.

Like I mentioned before, we have metal roofing on the house and also the two carports. The metal carport roofing is only about 45cm below the windows, so it’s already pretty loud when it rains. If the noise from the awnings is too much, I could later replace the metal with WPC when I find some.

Thanks again.

On 12/26/2007 at 11:30 AM, Pib said:

The wife and I will soon be the proud owners of a new house in Bangkok and we want to add a metal awning to the front of the carport and various metal awnings over certain doors and windows. While we plan to ask the company selling us the house, we sure would appreciate other recommendations.

Any recommendations as to specific type of metal awning to buy and companies (name and location) to buy from? Thanks and Happy Holidays.

I’ve been doing some research into window awnings for our home and came across this old aseannow (Thaivisa) post from back in 2007 and was wondering what type of awnings you ended up going with, and pros/cons of your choice.

Thanks for any input you could share.

Anyone else have any ideas, suggestions?

The house we want to add some awnings on is a typical wooden Thai style home. There is a place nearby that does the metal awnings with the curved front edge, and those look like they would not be too much trouble to install, but the responses about the noise in the rain with metal awnings has me re-thinking this. However, that said, the entire house is metal roofing including 2 car ports down the sides of the house, so I can’t imagine metal awnings would add much more noise than we already “enjoy”. ????

7 hours ago, Bubbha said:

Many thanks for all of the great replies and sharing of experience.

physicaladdress.com looks interesting as they are very competitive on price, don’t outsource their business operations, and get really excellent reviews on TrustPilot.

I think I will try physicaladdress.com.

Please post back letting us know how the signup process went, and your opinion of the service. Although I’m very happy with the service I receive from virtualpostmail.com have been contemplating changing over to physicaladdress.com due to the monthly cost of their service. I’d be interested to see if they ‘make up’ for their low monthly cost with other fees or cost of mail forwarding.

13 hours ago, Jaybott said:

however you want; DHL, FEDEX, etc. or US Mail (about 30 days) but a lot cheaper. 

I have all my letters forwarded using standard USPS 1st class mail. My virtual U.S. address is in Nevada. Usually takes 10 days from shipping day to arrival, and costs from $5.20 for a single letter to $14.46 for 5 letters (ATM cards) mailed in a single oversized envelope. CC/ATM cards I don’t have them open and scan. I just have them forwarded to me in Thailand. When I get mail, I don’t usually have them forward mail immediately, I usually wait a week or so in case more mail arrives and then have them forward everything at once to save on mailing cost.

Oh, and my Thailand address is way out in Isaan. No street address. Just District, Subdistrict, Province and house number.

I’ve been using virtualpostmail.com  Works great. If you don’t get a lot of mail each month, their $20/month plan allows up to 25 pieces of mail per month and the price includes 10 scans per month. If you need more, their $35/month plan allows unlimited mail and 50 scans. That said, I have been considering changing over to physicaladdress.com since they are about half the price of virualpostmail.

Both have Florida addresses available.

I'm adding the Toyota Veloz to my list. Has a lot of perks for the price, and has the best (slightly) ground clearance of the list.  

9 hours ago, KhunLA said:

https://www.zigwheels.co.th/en/compare-cars/honda-br-v-vs-mitsubishi-xpander-vs-suzuki-xl7

Thanks for posting the link. Info a bit dated, but still a great quick comparison chart.

On 6/15/2022 at 1:41 PM, AAArdvark said:

Are there any good seafood restaurants along Patong beach?  Something other than the usual tourist traps

I'd suggest a place, but you'd need a time machine to get there.

Maybe it was a reaction to a high concentration of pesticides sprayed on the plants?

11 hours ago, DavisH said:

Do you need a mini mpv like these? How about a nissan almera honda city? They are quite large in size, more fuel efficient, better performance and cheaper than either of the suzuki or the brv.

Thanks. I spend a bit of time out in the country and wanted a vehicle with a little more ground clearance and that could handle a bit of driving on dirt and/or not so great roads. Also would like a vehicle that’s a little more ‘boxy’ shaped with more height inside the back when the seats are folded down or removed.

Back in the U.S. I had a Honda Element for many years. It looked really small on the outside, but inside there was tons of room, and it was built like a truck. Very solid vehicle. Wish I could have brought it to Thailand!

3 hours ago, nchuckle said:

Trust you are using a good vp

NordVPN

5 hours ago, Jaybott said:

I'm unfamiliar with Cash App but can you do bank to bank transfers instead? 

The 'Cashapp' is a sort of bank. You can deposit money into it, and also transfer funds to a regular bank, or send/receive funds from other CashApp users.

5 hours ago, DineshR said:

The way I have done it is to set a new email in Thailand. Then on your Iphone under settings, click on your name and log out from your US apple ID. The login with your Thai ID.

From reading other posts, this does appear to be the way to go. Thanks your input. ????

5 hours ago, nchuckle said:

You need to create another Apple ID using Thailand as the location (region). This involves signing out of your current id. Once you have created another id you can easily switch between the two. So once signed into your new Thai region id you can download the Thai apps you want ,then switch straight back to your us Apple ID. You will then be able to use the Thai apps while back on your us id and all your existing apps are unaffected . I’ve actually done this so speak from experience! Here is the link with instructions on how to change id .

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201389

Wow! Thank you very much! I seem to remember reading something about having more than one Apple ID, but I had no idea it could be set up in two different countries on the same iPhone. I especially like that once the Thai app is installed, I could switch back to my U.S. ID and still us the Thai apps. Sweet!

5 hours ago, nchuckle said:

As far as the app which you say won’t work outside US you most probably need a VPN which allows you to set the country of your choice. The app is then 'fooled' into thinking you are in US. This is how I watch British tv when here! 

There are free VPNs but good paid for ones are better ,you can Google which are best but they include Nord vpn (which I use) Express vpn etc. They allow use on several devices. 

I’d mentioned in my OP that I am using a VPN on my iPhone and it does not help with the ‘CashApp’ since it somehow uses location tracking. A VPN can change IP address but does not change my GPS location. ????

2 hours ago, Tropposurfer said:

 

If you install a VPN e.g. Nord ... you can simply designate where you are and shuffle easily backwards and forwards via this apps settings to manage banking, or access whatever websites you like whenever and wherever you are. 

 

I use NordVPN on both my computer and my iPhone. Works great on the computer, and for most things on my iPhone, but if an app on the phone uses location tracking, the VPN won't help. 

12 hours ago, HauptmannUK said:

Bear in mind that a completely new BRV went into production in Indonesia earlier this year. No idea of Thai price or availability - but you should enquire...

Thank you. I'll do some more research. Not in any rush to buy right away, but I do keep spending money on rentals ????

3 hours ago, Jitar said:

Have you considered the Mitsubishi Expander? 

The Mitsubishi is  actually my third choice, but thought I'd leave my post at the two and see what feedback I get.

Thank you.

My wife and I are using the iPhones that we purchased and setup in the U.S. We are now in Thailand.

I tried to download the app for Tesco ‘Lotus’s’ and I get a message that says “ This app is currently not available in your country or region”.

Even though we are now living in Thailand, we hesitate to change the country/region code on our phones to Thailand for fear that some of the apps on our phones, especially financial apps will stop working.

With our phones remaining set to U.S., we have so far come across one app that does not work here in Thailand. It is our “CashApp”. It appears to work when I transfer money from my U.S. account to my Wife’s U.S. account, but the transaction ultimately gets cancelled. I’m not trying to move any money to or from Thailand, just move funds between two U.S. accounts. When I contacted the ‘CashApp’, they stated the app cannot be used outside the U.S. It does not matter if the funds I’m moving are from one U.S. CashApp account to another U.S CashApp account, or to a U.S. bank, never crossing international boarders, but the fact that the app (phone) is ‘physically’ located outside the U.S. prevents the apps use. It has some sort of ‘geotracking’ so even using a VPN on my phone makes no difference.

So my questions are;

1: If I change the country/region setting to Thailand, will there be issues with U.S. banking apps, or other apps in general?

2: What happens when I go to upgrade my iPhone and purchase it in Thailand? I assume it will come set to Thailand as country/region.

3: Being physically in Thailand, will I be Able to change the country/region to U.S., if needed?

Thanks.

Looking into buying a new vehicle. We don’t want something as large or expensive as a Toyota Fortuner or Mitsubishi Pajero, but would like something more ‘substantial’ than a Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift or Honda Jazz.

The Honda BR-V and Suzuki XL7 look to fill the bill.

If we went with the Honda BR-V we would probably go with the 5 seater option to bring the price down a bit as we would rarely, if ever need the 3rd-row seats. If we went with the Suzuki XL7 we’d probably leave the 3rd-row seats folded down, but would have the option of using them if ever needed.

Any thoughts/opinions on either brand/model?

Honda BR-V: THB 765,000

Suzuki XL7: THB 799,000

Thanks

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

Believe you have misheard - cards can be obtained at any branch for some time now

Guess it just depends on the branch of BKK Bank you go into. My wife has had a BKK Bank account for many years that she had opened in BKK. Her debit card had expired several years ago as we were living in the U.S. Her account has remained ‘active’ as she routinely made international transfers to the account. Now we are out in Isaan and have been to 3 different Bangkok Banks in two different provinces trying to get her a new debit card, and all 3 have told her only the original bank in BKK where she opened her account can issue a new card. She still has her passbook, and they updated it for her, and she can also make over-the-counter withdraws, no problem. Although they do charge her 60 Baht to do the withdraw.

10 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Those of us without OPD cover (which is most of us) always refuse meds from a private hospital in favor of buying them ourselves at a pharmacy

Thank you for pointing this out. I will be giving my insurance company a call to clarify where the line is drawn between my hospital coverage and my prescription drug plan when it comes to medications. Sounds like I may be accepting drugs offered by the hospital with the hope that my insurance will then cover it.