SurfRider

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Thanks Eyes!

There are two "Mike's" - I assume you mean the one to the north of the smaller one.

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Does anyone know if there's someone who makes custom made shoes in the Pattaya / Jomtien area (or anywhere in Thailand)?

Preferably running type shoes, but anything would be better than nothing.
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"But two of the same kind?"

Yes, PRECISELY, and using the same name and address. He opened secondary accounts that are exact duplicates (different account numbers, of course) of his first Checking and Brokerage accounts. I've been intending to do the same, but haven't yet gotten around to it.

Doesn't seem that strange to me. What if you wanted to have several Brokerage accounts at the same Broker to contain different types of investments? I've had two Brokerage accounts at E-Trade for years - never been questioned.

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I recall one case where Schwab sent the new card via FedEx to the customer in Thailand - I'm not sure about the others, but will try to find out.

E-Trade did the same for me a few years ago when I had a problem. Two cards were sent via FedEx at their expense, but the problem was an erroneous closing of my accounts due to their security people detecting what they thought was a hacking incident with one of my accounts-- so it was their fault - but it took 2 months to resolve.

On a related issue, I asked Schwab if I could get a duplicate debit card and they said no. For security reasons, they won't issue duplicate cards. I told them that I spend a lot of time in Asia and didn't want to risk losing a card or finding out that it wouldn't work in an ATM because of a card malfunction. They said that they deal with replacing cards overseas all the time and always accommodate customers as fast as they can.

One friend here opened secondary Schwab Checking and Brokerage accounts as a hedge against this potential problem.

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All their accounts are standard domestic Schwab accounts using U.S. addresses. Three of them live here full-time and only use their cards here - one lives in San Fran and uses it both here and there.

Not quite sure of the relevance of the question, but that's the answer.

I also use an ATM at a nearby CIMB bank because it allows 30K Baht withdrawals. This is one ATM that has hosted the hacked cards, but DOES NOT have a card skimmer, so I assume it was an "inside job" when their accounts were hacked. Presumably "inside job" means either CIMB or somewhere along the VISA network and not Schwab.

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A bit off-topic, but still relevant.

Four friends who have Schwab ATM Debit Cards have had their accounts hacked after using several ATMs in Pattaya and one in San Francisco. Random charges popping up in Russia and other far-away countries. Schwab resolved the issues, but it took some time. They had to issue new debit cards with new account numbers. It took some time for the new cards to arrive in Thailand and they had no access to their accounts for that period.

I try to avoid this possibility by only moving funds into my Schwab account when I need to make a withdrawal, then pulling the funds as soon as possible.

I suggested to Schwab that they adopt a security measure that Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) uses here. SCB notifies you via SMS text message as soon as any debit hits your account. I do monthly SCB transfers on-line and the SMS arrives on my phone in no less than 5 seconds after the transaction-- with a phone number to call if there is any question about the transaction.

Schwab thanked me for the suggestion and said they would pass it along to their security department. It seems that sending a few cheap SMS messages flying around the planet would be better than chasing funds in places like Russia, changing account numbers, and sending plastic to remote places like Thailand. Only time will tell if Schwab agrees . . .
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"Indian/Thai restaurant somewhat across from Big C but further north"

Which Big-C???  -- North, Central, or South Pattaya?

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I've been using proXPN for over 3 years, but **NEVER* leave it running in the background and only launch it when I need it - so our needs are obviously quite different. Why would you leave it running when you don't need it???

I've also used it for streaming HULU videos from the U.S. and downloading restricted YouTube videos - no problem. Both not normally possible in Thailand.

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"constant popup reminders on the free version"

It gives you an option to upgrade **ONLY** on your first WWW access after launching proXPN, not "constant popup reminders" -- A small price to pay for security and USA IP access - Let's be fair and honest here . . .

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Here is a free VPN that will re-locate your IP to the USA - they have both a free and paid version, but all you need for this purpose is the free version.

http://download.cnet.com/ProXPN/3000-2144_4-75218501.html

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"Plus, if HE hits the breaks, there are no obstructions as you fly over your driver's head!"

Been using them for nine years - no problems - can't say the same for the blue pick-up trucks.


"When flying pigs become presidents ..."

How did Obama get into this discussion? . . .
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One solution is to use a Moto-Bike Taxi instead of the pick-up trucks.

A bit more expensive, but it's door-to-door and they ACTUALLY have SHOCK absorbers, as opposed the the blue pick-up trucks. Much more maneuverable and faster in traffic.

100 Baht from Jomtien to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital in 10 minutes, as opposed to 45 minutes on three pick-up trucks for 30 Baht. No comparison, IMHO . . .
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My guess is that it's highly doubtful that whatever attractant Biogens uses would be available anywhere in Asia, let alone Pattaya or anywhere in Thailand. You would probably need to import it from Biogens.

The trap I suggested makes its own C02, but needs to be replenished every two weeks to remain active.

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From what I learned from a YouTube video on the Biogents mosquito trap, it uses ultraviolet light to attract mosquitoes. I bought another brand of ultraviolet trap awhile back, but it didn't trap any mosquitoes. After doing some research, I learned that mosquitoes are NOT attracted to ultraviolet light, but ARE attracted to carbon dioxide.

Here are instructions on how to build a simple cheap trap that is apparently very effective. It was invented by some Taiwanese high school students.

http://www.diyhappy.com/quick-and-dirty-mosquito-trap

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naruwan/151675034/in/photostream/
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I bought a Galaxy Grand in April - very happy with it. On Summer promotion in Thailand for half the cost of an S3, S4, or Note-2.

Here's the link to the user manual for the Galaxy Grand:

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/201301/20130122142803906/GT-I9082_UM_EU_Jellybean_Eng_Rev.1.0_130117.pdf

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It is the responsibility of any CEO or CFO of any corporaton to maximize profits and minimize expenses.

Given the proliferation of Thailand's Schwab Debit Card Expats- taking advantage of Schwab's liberal reimbursement policy toward the Thai Banker's Assn. 150 Baht per transaction usury fee - I would expect that the enormous cost to Schwab of tolerating this policy would eventually pop up on their radar screen and force a decision to write Thailand off as loser.

For all Expats currently taking advantage of the Schwab ATM reimbursement policy, let's hope I'm wrong . . . Of course, there's always the AEON ATM no-fee option, but I know many Expats who don't bother with AEON because of Schwab's liberal fee reimbursement policy. Only time will tell.
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For whatever it's worth, it might be useful to mention that there have been recent reports of Schwab closing accounts of Expats living overseas.

"Schwab just closed my US account probably because they assumed that I lived overseas. It was a great run while it lasted. They suggested that I apply for their international account. It appears that the debit card the international account issues has the same features as the US Schwab one. The one main difference is that the US account is a banking account while the international one is a brokerage account."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/646955-schwab-one-personal-international-account/?p=6511874
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"I am still not 100% positive that Ubon immigration will be aware of or honor the 6 month rule when I go for my application"

Take a copy of the Thai Language letter authorizing the 6 month validity period with you to Immigration.

PCEC-NOTICE-THAI-IMMIGRATION-NEWS-JUNE-6.pdf

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Anyone needing to do a retirement extension and using an Embassy letter, would be well advised to take a copy of the Thai Language authorization letter with them to Immigration.

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I'll bet YOUR house, not mine . . . stay tuned . . .

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"No matter what "assets" an individual has access to if these remain outside Thailand an extension of stay will not be granted unless the required level income of income is demonstrated or a chunk of the aforementioned "asset" is transferred into a Thai bank"

And one week ago you probably also believed that the validity period for an income verification letter would not be extended past 15 days.

Maybe best to be a little bit more flexible minded - nothing is cast in stone - never say never - background forces may be at work . . .
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Again, my point was NOT evidence of INCOME, but ASSET VALUE! You appear to be confusing the two categories. They're completely different and not related.

If the asset value is considerably greater than the required 800K Thai bank deposit requirement - it should be allowed, in my opinion. It WAS allowed by a Thai Consulate in the States when I first applied for a Thai Visa.

Would you rather have your money rotting to nothing in a Thai bank as opposed to working for you and producing a consistent income and asset appreciation? Do you understand anything about investing???

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Yes - rode through it with a lot of distress and pain on paper.

Had no choice - potential tax consequences and loss of dividend income would have been catastrophic.

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"Perhaps the immigration people know that many "investments" are not worth the paper they are written on"

It depends on how savvy and experienced the investor is. I've never had any investments like that and I don't know any other investors who have either.

For immigration to assume such an absurd premise would be more ridiculous than requiring Expats to report a never changing address every 90 days . . .

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