jfchandler

OK... thanks to the above post, I took another look at ASN's web site, and see more info on their programming.

It's interesting to note, they talk a lot about their coverage for NFL football and NHL hockey, but appear to be silent (absent?) about NBA (basketball) and MLB (baseball). [Paren explanations added for the non-U.S. folks reading here...]

From looking at their programming schedule, looks like any coverage here of pro baseball and pro basketball will continue to have to rely on ESPN, which is pretty spotty and inconsistent, as mentioned above. ASN does talk, however, about their rights to cover NCAA basketball and football, including from the Pac 10, though.

Here is the link from their web site re programming: http://www.asn.tv/eng/content.html

For those of us "real" football starved folks, here's their language re NFL programming:

National Football League (NFL)

NFL is one of the most popular sports league in North America. During the NFL season, ASN features over 50 hrs of NFL programming per week, including up to 4 LIVE games per week during the regular season, coverage of all playoff games including the Superbowl and Probowl. ASN features more NFL games in Asia than ever before.

NFL Gameday

A weekly half-hour program of recap of all the previous weekend’s NFL action.

NFL Total Access

NFL Total Access is uniquely structured to see the game through the participants’ eyes. Covering all 32 teams, NFL Total Access features interviews with players, coaches and other key league personnel. Using the most advanced technology, NFL Total Access has the ability to go live to any NFL team headquarters at any time.

50 (FIFTY) hours per week of NFL programming during the season sounds promising, but how do they get to that total???

Up to 4 live games per week (3 hours x 4 games = 12 hours).... Some more for Game Day and Total Access...

And then what? But whatever it is, it's got to be better than what True's been doing lately.

Here, by the way, is their excerpt re NHL Hockey coverage:

National Hockey League (NHL)

The NHL is one of the four big sports leagues in North America. In ASN, you get to watch the oldest professional sports trophy in North America and internationally renowned, The Stanley Cup. ASN features over 10 hrs per week of NHL programming; at least 2 live games per week during the regular season and up to 5 live games per week during the playoffs.

If you read the background about ASN, it indicated they have a license to broadcast NHL games in Asia, along with various other U.S. pro sports. The question, of course, is what mix of different sports they will bring to the channel. They also supposedly have the license to broadcast a variety of college sports. So I think it will be very interesting to see how they balance college vs pro, and the amount of different sports they decide to show, even within individual seasons.

There are a variety of "sports" pubs around BKK, and particularly in the Sukhumvit area. Some have many screens and can show many different games at a single time. And I believe I've seen even some that promise if a game is being broadcast, and customers want to see it, they'll change the channel to accommodate the wishes of their customer. Can't remember which one made that promise though...

All of the various major Asia-accessible satellite sports channels can be found in pubs around BKK. The unanswered question, though, is which existing Asia satellite feed or station, if any, is carrying NHL content???

What the poster said above about U.S. banks requiring the sender to be physically present at the home branch to make an international wire is generally true....but there are exceptions.

Some banks allow you to pre-authorize sending from one designated account to a designated foreign account before you leave home, as long as you do the paperwork first. A few U.S. banks actually allow people to send international wires via online banking. But it is certainly true, those are the exception, not the rule.

Re the poster above about 10,000 baht limit on withdrawals... Generally, Thai ATM machines are programmed to allow up to 25,000 or so baht per withdrawal (unless they're short on money, and then the amounts come down, such as when they run out of 1,000 baht bills in a particular machine). For example, if the machine only had 500s left, you'd get a maximum of 25 500-baht notes, etc etc.

At the time time, your home bank and card typically set a limit on how much you can withdraw with that card per day, not per transaction. That daily limit on ATM withdrawals is going to apply to a 24-hour cycle, no matter how many ATMs you use or where you use them.

On Monday, in a touristy part of Sukhumvit about noontime, I ran into a Kasikorn ATM that only had 100 baht notes left -- no 1,000s or 500s.... Maybe a sign of the changes stemming from the 150 baht ATM fee...and Kasikorn not charging it. Or maybe that machine just hadn't gotten it's refill since the weekend....

My U.S. bank also refunds "ATM fees" worldwide...

And even though the Thai ATMs I use here don't charge any fees themselves (because I only use the NO FEE ones), my U.S. bank has been automatically refunding the 1% VISA fee that also doesn't show up separately (since it's deducted via a slightly lower exchange rate) on ATM withdrawals. But they don't do it at the time of the withdrawal... They do it cumulatively at month's end.

To the poster above who said True's programming lineup is all U.S. centric TV....

That may be true in some respects (principally because the U.S. probably CREATES more TV programming than other countries), but it's certainly not true in many other respects... For example:

SPORTS: True's programming lineup is FILLED (now and the past) with various versions of European football matches virtually 24/7 on multiple channels (as an American, of course, we call it soccer). In contrast, Americans are lucky to get one or two pro football games per week during the season, and shoddy coverage of professional baseball and basketball, and worse for everything else. I'm just guessing here, but for sports, in terms of hours of programming, True's mix has got to be 90% European - 10% American or more...

NEWS: I personally don't care for it, but forget finding FOX News on True, and forget finding the U.S. version of CNN here. Instead, there is BBC News, which is great, and the European version of CNN. So for news, I'd hardly call that U.S. centric. Rather, some might consider it actually a bit tilted toward Europeans on balance.

I'm glad other folks, including Brits here, are fighting to keep BBC Entertainment in True's lineup. Although not my cup of tea, I know it's a good channel with quality programs. But just know, the fight you're waging now is one Americans here have been waging for years to try to get some better balance to True's sporting lineup.

At least, you've had BBC Entertainment all these years, until the recent plan to take it way. For Americans, we've NEVER had a decent balance of sporting coverage here relative to European coverage. And of course, Americans aren't the only ones who are interested in American pro sports.

This web site - http://www.myp2p.eu - is another pretty good resource for finding and watching streaming versions of U.S. sports.

I and others haven't seen anything from True on the pricing of their new sports channel (ASN) coming June 1. But the general impression is, it likely will be added to their existing Gold and Platinum lineups as part of those packages.

The change is part of a broader reshuffling -- BBC Entertainment, STC and Animax out, and ASN, Nickelodeon and AXN Beyond in.

I think it's great that the TBA is now talking about reducing the extortionate ATM fee they recently adopted and that was then adopted by many, but not all, of the Thai banking companies.

But for me, reducing it won't make a difference. Even if they go from 150 baht to 50 baht or whatever per withdrawal, I'm still going to look for NO FEE withdrawals.

Remember, even right now, Kasikorn Bank (green), Bank of Ayudhya (yellow) and Government Saving Bank (pink) ATMs remain FEE FREE!!!

I've been using Bank of America and they charge me anywhere from $10-13 (330-430 baht) per withdrawal fee. It's added up to hundreds over the last couple years. The last time, I got fed up with it and just brought cash.

Any Americans tip me off to the bank they use with lower fees?

Almost every and any U.S. bank is going to charge you LOWER fees for foreign transactions, such as staying in Thailand, than BofA... They are just about the WORST for someone living or traveling abroad. You need to search Thai Visa and the other threads about the ATM fee issue to find MANY MANY better banking options. Which would be best depends a bit on whether you are a tourist or full-time resident.

I was and am a BofA customer in the U.S. because they have ATMs everywhere there. But in Thailand, I avoid anything to do with BofA like the plague, and NEVER use their ATM/check cards here.

For those who aren't into reading all the posts that get put up here... here's the simple bottom line...

YOU DON'T NEED TO PAY 150 BAHT EVERY TIME YOU USE A NON-THAI ATM CARD TO WITHDRAW FUNDS IN THAILAND

Thus far, Kasikorn Bank (green), Bank of Ayudhya (yellow) and Government Savings Bank (pink) all remain fee-free, along with possibly some other smaller bank companies.

Ayudhya still good as of Sunday night....

So one posted incident of fraud by an bank employee makes all Thai banks suspect? And I suppose the US banks never had any problems?

Longball, you obtusely miss the point, even though I highlighted it in bold...

Mr Somkiat allegedly abused his authority as a teller by transferring some 700,000-900,000 baht from GHB's interest accounts into his personal bank accounts every day for a year-and-a-half.[/b]

That isn't an indicator just of one guy gone wrong, as he obviously did. That's an indicator of a banking system that doesn't effectively monitor and take safeguards against FRAUD.

Do I think the same thing could have occurred without being detected, for a year and a half, in a U.S. FDIC-regulated bank... NO!

Do I think the same thing and worse could have occurred in the U.S. stock market with brokers and traders and such... Just ask Bernie Madoff

Naam, I was clear in what I said, and what I meant...

I have an SCB account and SCB ATM card.

But, in my own personal protest over the new 150 baht fee for foreign ATM cards, I'm am trying to NOT do business with the Thai banks that have adopted it, and instead do my Thai banking business with those that have NOT.

So I meant what I said about SCB... better to bank elsehwere!!!

I know I'm an American red-neck for sure....

Red-neck, and face, and legs, and arms, etc etc...

Fell asleep on the beach in Phuket last week, and came away with a nasty burn....

Guess I fit in "real good" here in Thailand!

Do a search here on TV (ThaiVisa) for something called ASN ( All Sports Network ). There was a thread on it just this past week.

It's a new channel that True/UBC supposedly will be adding effective this June 1 (less than one month from now). Supposedly, its focus will be broadcasting a whole range of U.S. sports, including hockey (and football, and basketball, etc etc...)

Just how satisfying the new channel will be, remains to be seen.

You could have your GF give you an enema....

I am looking for a bar, where I can smoke, have classy music (jazz/piano), not too noisy, great environment. Outdoor preferably, with a nice view. Reasonably priced.

There's a couple of places down on Sukhumvit Soi 11 that may well fit the bill. Sorry I can't be of much help all I can tell you is that they're on the left hand side. (named Zanzibar and Rosabieng Garden I believe).

Rosabieng is a favorite Thai restaurant of mine, maybe 200 meters down Soi 11 from the Nana BTS station. Great food, reasonable prices, indoor air con and outdoor very large patio seating. They serve drinks of course, but it's really more restaurant than bar. It's not noisy inside, but it tends to be noisy outside with their live music (usually pretty good jazz band and vocalist, but not quiet). They have a small pond nearby, but other than that, the only "view" there is of the female eye candy that hangs out in the neighborhood.

Zanzibar is closer to Suk Road, maybe only 100 meters down Soi 11. That's a restaurant and bar, the music tends to be lighter and less loud, plenty of outdoor patio seating. But again, other than local ladies, nothing much in the way of a view.

Whatever True/UBC does, I just hope they add some more soccer (football) games to their channel lineup... Just can't get enough....

Another reason why I love to keep LARGE sums of money in my Thai bank accounts....the really secure, safe banking system that exists here... In particular, note the BOLDED section below....

Banker arrested with B15m in cash on way to Cambodia

By: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Published: 2/05/2009 at 12:00 AM

The Crime Suppression Division has arrested a once-outstanding employee of the Government Housing Bank (GHB) in Si Sa Ket province for allegedly embezzling about 400 million baht.

Somkiat Panyaworakhundet, 33, who had previously been recognised as an outstanding staff member of the Government Housing Bank was arrested with 15 million baht in cash yesterday. He was charged with embezzling a total of about 400 million baht from the state-run bank over the past few years.

CSD deputy chief Pol Col Supisal Phakdeenarunart said the division's officers arrested Somkiat Panyaworakhundet, 33, a teller at GHB's Saint Louis Soi 3 branch, foiling his attempts to leave the country at the same time.

Mr Somkiat was arrested yesterday morning as he was driving his brand-new BMW 5 Series along the Nakhon Ratchasima-Buri Ram Road in Si Sa Ket province, heading in the direction of the Thai-Cambodian border.

Earlier GHB president Khan Prachuabmoh asked the CSD to arrest Mr Somkiat after discovering irregular movements of money through his accounts. Suspicion started when ATM-supervising staff of GHB tracked the irregular movements.

The finding led to the conclusion that Mr Somkiat had embezzled about 400 million baht from GHB.

CSD Sub-division 1 chief Pol Col Pornsak Surasit said the suspect was aware that the police were hunting him, so he was trying to escape with the cash to the neighbouring country. Police managed to arrest him just before he reached Cambodia, the officer said.

It was reported that police seized about 15 million baht in cash from the banker.

Pol Col Pornsak said that in a subsequent search of Mr Somkiat's luxurious house in the Lat Phrao area, police found expensive audio systems, furniture and another brand-new luxury BMW sedan. The house is estimated to be worth about 40 million baht.

Police found that Mr Somkiat's bank accounts held about 400 million baht.

The GHB president said the suspect had not embezzled any money from the bank's clients, but that he had made off with the cash that belonged to the bank.

Mr Khan described GHB's first case of embezzlement as shocking.

Mr Somkiat allegedly abused his authority as a teller by transferring some 700,000-900,000 baht from GHB's interest accounts into his personal bank accounts every day for a year-and-a-half.

He allegedly made about 30 transfers per day, with each transfer amounting to 30,000 baht.

Transfers were made via ATMs to numerous accounts Mr Somkiat had opened with several banks located in the Siam Square area of Bangkok's Pathumwan district.

According to Mr Khan, Mr Somkiat made the transfers after working hours, a time when GHB had already finished its daily clearing.

"Mr Somkiat showed no signs of irregularities at all. He acted like an ordinary office worker who came to work by bus," Mr Khan said.Mr Somkiat had won an award for being an outstanding member of GHB's staff, and he had earned the trust of clients at the branch he worked at, the bank's president said.

As he was an outstanding staff member, the bank's management had not initially suspected him of the crime.

Mr Somkiat said briefly in a press conference yesterday that he did not have any gambling debts, but that he just wanted the money to buy his house, cars and other belongings.

-- Bangkok Post

SCB has been charging the 150 baht ATM fee since the beginning, and 20 baht before that. Better to bank elsewhere...

Thanks for helping keep us on point, LM....

If talking about Capital One is as far astray as we get in this thread, then we're doing 100% better than almost every other thread on TV!!!!

PS - One thing that would be interesting... I'm thinking of opening a new account with Kasikorn, presuming they stay on the NO FEE list... I want to do my Thai banking business with banks that treat me fairly as a customer, in my view.

If anyone is having in-branch dealings with them now, it would be interesting to talk to one of the branch managers and mention the 150 baht fee issue, and see what they say... As in, trying to get some read of whether they are just SLOW or they're not going to do the fee.

If it turns out they're not going to do the fee, every time an expat opens a new account with them, we ought to mention, we're doing it in part because they've kept their ATM network free.

Thanks for the info, OMR.... Sounds like it will be part of their regular package... that's GREAT!!!!

fyi, it was interesting.... I was watching the Angels baseball game Sat. on ESPN, and noticed when they showed the box score graphic on the screen, it was showing as the YES network....

That's the name, I believe, of the HK cable operation that ASN is part of, if I recall correctly, from what I read yesterday. So it kind of makes sense they'd be carrying a MLB baseball game now...in Asia...since they supposedly hold the Asian rights now...

BTW, is it just me, or does ESPN here seem to be ignoring the Celtics-Bulls playoffs series??? I checked the True schedule, and saw a bunch of other games, but not any from the Celtics, including the upcoming final game 7 of their series...

ASN....please come to Thailand SOON!!!!!

KK, you have some kind of obsession about people on tourist visas??? Makes me really wonder about you...

I don't have a tourist visa....and I've never had a tourist visa for staying here... So I'm assuming you don't mean me...

Great that you can do $5 international wire transfers... Congratulations... But the average expat living here most certainly is paying much more than that...on average....

And no, I don't do wire transfers here either.... But I do know typical U.S. bank fees....

Jack, if you actually read just the past couple pages of posts in this thread, you'll find the answers to both of your questions...

Re international wires, I suspect, U.s. banks don't do too many, so their high fees reflects that... Plus, they're just soaking folks with fees. Domestic wires these days tend to be $25 or so by comparison, depending on the bank. Each bank is different, and each sets their own fees. Needless to say, there are exceptions to the rates I've mentioned. But I deal with a lot of banks, and the amounts I mention are pretty good averages.... Thus, I'm less than interested in sending wires to Thailand...