JimGant

I set my SS up so that I get direct deposit to my Bank of America checking account so I can use my BOA visa/check card to take cash from any ATM. BOA allows me to take up to $600.00 a day from the ATM and I pay about 200 baht for each time I do this and it is a lot cheaper than transferring money.

Not really. Doing an ACH transfer via Bangkok Bank New York would save you considerably.

Using BOT rates for 30 Dec: 33.36 Interbank Exchange Rate (IER) and 33.22 TT rate...

....if you transferred $10,000 to your Bangkok Bank account in Thailand, you'd end up with 331,368 baht in your account [$9990 would be transferred to Thailand, after the BBNY $10 fee, which would be converted at the 33.22 TT rate, then the Thailand-end 500 baht fee would be subtracted.] Using your Bangkok Bank ATM card to withdraw this money would be free, at least at a Bangkok Bank ATM machines.

Using your BofA ATM card, with a $600 limit, you'd need to hit the ATM machine 18 times to withdraw 331,368 baht [19000 baht 17 times, plus one more time for the remainder.] 18 x 200 baht = 3600 baht (or about $110).*

The Visa/Plus foreign transaction fee is 1% of the IER, so you'd only be getting an FX rate of 33.03, meaning 331,368 baht would cost you $10,032 -- even before any fixed fees are considered. So, total cost over and above an ACH transfer would be $142 for a $10,000 equivalency.

* I'll assume your "about 200 baht" cost is correct. However, according to many -- and also from this site SEE HERE -- your flat fee cost would be $5, plus the 150 baht ATM owner fee. So, if true, it's about $9.50 per transaction. So, we're now talking over $200 additional cost for using your BofA ATM card instead of the BBNY ACH route. Even a more expensive SWIFT transfer would be superior to a BofA ATM regimen.

There *are* ATM cards that beat the ACH route -- and considerable discussion about them on this forum. But Bank of America is certainly not one of them. And, BofA even charges for an ACH transfer (about $3, I believe), while most financial institutions do not.

Their credit cards suck, too.

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong... This thread was never about pros and cons between Non-O and Non-OA Visa. The OP was asking about the 800K baht requirement in order to satisfy his Non-OA Visa application.

Actually, sounded like he wanted to know how to extend a Non Imm O in Thailand, based on retirement -- and not the financials involved with getting a Non Imm O-A visa outside Thailand. He specifically was looking at allowed flavors in Thai banks that Immigration would accept toward his retirement quest.

The OP got caught-up on the loose definitions defining how retirement eligibles can stay in Thailand in one-year increments. Just a look at the title shows his confusion: "O-A visa" and "800k in a Thai bank" are mutually exclusive.

In fairness, he's one of many who got tripped up by confusing getting a one-year extension based on retirement with getting an O-A visa within Thailand -- which is not possible, regardless of what the Hull and MFA websites say to the contrary.

An updated "pinned" definition article might prevent such frequent circle jerks.

Based on other threads on this forum, sounds like the pitter patter of debit card feet to the counter, to avoid the 150 baht ATM fee, has resonated with the Thai banks charging this fee. Not all, or at least not all branches, apparently. But many.

Using your Debit/ATM card at the counter is transaction coded so that the bank only gets the measly $.40 or so from the network -- same as for the ATM out front -- but with no additional 150 baht gravy. Obviously, if you once were getting 140k over the counter, but now have to milk the ATM 7 times for the same, the bank smiles upon their extra 1,050 baht.

If you were just doing your Debit POS counter transaction, then walking out the door with the loot, that would be one thing. However, to then subsequently put all the loot into your SCB, or whatever, account, should have some smattering of light bulb go on in the clerk's head. Well, maybe not the clerk...... But a chat with the manager should point out that the two-step process you're doing is to his advantage -- mathematically and customer service wise.

Anyway, a chat with the manager -- or finding an accommodating manager -- might kick open the door. But, I wouldn't hold my breath.

P.S. I got the international Kindle, and you can download books wirelessly within Thailand, so that seems like the best way to go. (better selection of books than you can get here, and there's only a $2 charge for downloading (either added if you're paying the US price, or included in the price if you're paying the price in whatever country your credit card is from).

Or, you can download to your computer, then upload to your Kindle, saving $2 (the Kindle DX doesn't have the international download option, so that's the only option you have).

Just in from Tiger Woods, recovering from a spousal nine iron to the chops:

"Man, am I glad I married a Swede, and not a Thai, as Mom wanted..."

THAI AIR will always beat AirAsia and NOK if you book just a few day in advance - and no extra charges for luggage, seat allocation, credit card fee.....

You're saying there's a chance the price *may* go down a few days before departure? (Of course the other side of that coin is that it may be 'sold out' if you wait that long.)

Interestingly, sometime in the last day or two, TG raised there CNX-BKK cheapo fares from 1030+855 to 1160+855.

I have found that you can get cheaper flights by phone than on the internet with Thai Airways.

The 1030 + 855 baht price reflected on the internet is exactly what I got by phone to TG (whereby I was instructed to finalize the purchase in person in a timely manner to lock it in).

But, until Siam07 pointed me back in the right direction, I too thought phone purchases trumped internet purchases.

though, they somehow "hide" those fares a little, to make it not toooooo easy for "rich Farang" to find it.

Ok, thanx for pointing me in the right direction. I guess I didn't click around their website enough.

A lot of blackout days for their 1035 + 855 baht fare to BKK, which is understandable (denoted as "sold out," although there are seats available, at higher prices). I assume on-line reflects the same availability info I'd get if I tried to buy at the TG counter at the airport....?

And, do those "sold out" signs ever come down at some time close to takeoff time?

Just bought a ticket on Thai Airways, CNX-BKK, at the CNX airport. All inclusive total: 1885bt.

Made the reservation on the phone, then had to pick the ticket up within two hours. This is the way we've done it now for several years, as this is apparently the only way to get the cheapest TG tickets (could probably do the same with the TG ticket office downtown).

However, a few years ago, I could also find these same "cheapest" tickets on the Thai Airways website, and thus save myself a trip to the airport to obtain. Today, and for a long time past, I haven't seen these "cheapest" tickets offered on their website (the latest cheapest offered, all inclusive, was 2655bt for CNX-BKK). Yes, they do throw out great deals randomly -- today was Saigon-BKK, yesterday was Melbourne-BKK. But, the great deals we've managed to get direct with their operation at the airport, seemingly anytime we've wanted, are no longer available on-line (unless, maybe, randomly).

Am I missing something? Is their a little-publicized link out there?

How do others get their best deals on TG?

Thanx.

You can send a SWIFT to USAA. And, per the BB website, believe it's only 300 baht. A lot cheaper than the $35 USAA charges for going the othe way.

You use the Bank of New York Mellon, and their SWIFT code, as the intermediary.

See HERE and click on "Foreign Incoming Wire Transfers."

From the BB website on ACH transfers:

Important Note

You cannot transfer funds from Bangkok Bank's account in Thailand to your account with banks or online payment service providers in the US via Bangkok Bank's New York branch and the ACH system. If you initiate direct debit or ACH debit transactions [from Thailand] to Bangkok Bank's New York branch, banks in the US and online payment service providers may suspend your account.

Interestingly, when I set up ACH to BB with USAA, I answered the question about my account in Thailand as something like "I don't have authority over it." As such, the transfer particulars were set up as "push" only. No trial deposits required.

I got curious, so I set up another ACH to BB (to a second account), this time indicating I *did* have authority over it. Well, as advertised, USAA sent two trial deposits to my account in Thailand. But then, USAA notified me that the BB system had advised that no "pull" operations were allowed -- so it defaulted to a "push" only operation.

So, there's no way I can physically log onto USAA and attempt to "initiate" an ACH transaction from Thailand. That option just isn't available. Nor can I log onto the BB internet banking site to try this -- that option isn't there.

A few years ago, BB hadn't yet placed a block on ACH "pull" operations, so you then could physically initiate such an operation. And, unlike SWIFT transfers, where additional information related to security is required, ACH transfers originating outside the US were restricted. This is why, apparently, Bank of America suspended ACH operations to Thailand (they've now been reinstated).

And, as of Sept 2009, the Feds have tightened up even more with cross border ACH operations -- focusing particularly on money *entering* the US -- and the ACH sytem. New security software is now required, and fines for violations increased (since you still can physically do a "pull" into the ACH system -- unless, like BB, you implement a firewall).

Here's what I got when I recently went to the Virginia taxation (TAX) website. They, like many, are scrambling to avoid fines by having you 'certify' that your ACH payment transaction did NOT cross the border:

New federal banking regulations have imposed additional reporting requirements on all electronic banking transactions that directly involve a financial institution outside of the territorial jurisdiction of the United States at any point in the process. These are called International ACH Transactions (IAT). At present, TAX does not support IAT. If an international transaction is processed by TAX as a domestic transaction, it may be rejected by your bank, subjecting you to late penalties. By instructing TAX to process your electronic banking transaction, you are certifying that your transaction does not directly involve a financial institution outside of the territorial jurisdiction of the United States at any point in the process. If your transaction is IAT, you will need to make payment using a paper check.

Anyway, too much information, I know. My concern is that "push" operations will, if they haven't already, come under similar scrutiny. And ACH to Thailand will be stopped, at least until the new procedures and software (expensive) can be put into place.

it's her clinic first, then a little coffee shop, followed by a pet shop and maybe another shop. You can park in front of these shops.

Thanks for that.

I wonder what Jarunee does Monday thru Thursday before 2PM (since the clinic is closed)? Is she, maybe, teaching? Would love to know the particulars of the 'why' behind her jump from Grace. Anyway, just wondering out loud, as she really is a top-notch lady and professional.

well, face behind a mask)

......which reminds me, Jarunee has the prettiest eyes, especially when highlighted by the mask.

That, and decent parking, may make the decision......

How is the parking? (Never had any problems at Grace.)

Also, interesting hours -- only appointments after 2pm, except Fridays and weekends...

Will probably try my first SWIFT transfer in a few weeks. Will post how it goes.

The easiest way for a SWIFT with USAA is to set up a template for each account in Thailand where you regularly send money. These templates are given names, and when you call USAA to do a wire transfer, you just mention the template's name -- and the amount you want sent. They'll, of course, ask a few security questions, pre-established between you and them. You can do this by phone call during CT business hours, using the toll free Thai number. Or by fax. In the latter case, they'll normally call you back at the registered Thai phone number they have on file. Cost for an international SWIFT: $35.

If you have a Bangkok Bank account, it's a lot easier -- and cheaper -- to do an ACH transfer (saving you at least $25 over a SWIFT). You can set this up, without human intervention, on the USAA site. Then, it's strictly key strokes to send the money -- no phone or faxes involved. (Plenty of info on ACH with Bangkok Bank on this forum, so I won't elaborate.)

I've forgotten the default ceiling on ACH transfers. But, no matter -- I raised it up to my requirement with a simple phone call to USAA.

ACH transfers between USAA and Thailand take two business days, while SWIFT transfers normally take one business day. So if you're in a hurry, it'll cost you. But, a two-day ACH is usually just fine -- and a few days quicker than Bank of America, and several others, that use a middleman, CashEdge, who also adds additional cost to an ACH transfer.

A USAA ATM card costs about 1.5% off the interbank exchange rate (IER) per my rather lengthy spreadsheet, when I was going this route (even more when you include ATM fees on the Thai side). An ACH transfer costs less than half this, so that's what I've been doing of late. (USAA says they only charge the 1% foreign transaction fee, but the figures I accumulated say otherwise.)

The USAA MasterCard (debit and credit) also costs about 1.5% off the IER. But, there's a 1% rebate on all purchases using their credit card (.5% rebate for the debit card in signature mode), so using their MC credit card in Thailand costs about the same as an ACH transfer. Thus, using the USAA MC credit card for shopping in Thailand, and using the Bangkok Bank card in ATM mode only, for needed cash from ACH transfers, maximizes plastic security in Thailand -- and costs about .5%. Not the best you can do -- cost wise -- per recent and lengthy discussions on this forum. But a lot better than most.

USAA does offer a Visa credit card. But transactions with it don't, I believe, have the 1% rebate feature. And, their transactions ride the MC/Cirrus network, so there's no potential upside of using the Visa/Plus network.

And, as said by many, customer service is tops.

From other threads, I understand Jarunee has left Grace for another clinic. She's the only dentist I've ever had at Grace, as I've only had annual checkups and cleanings. And whether I got her thru luck of the draw, or whether she was the designated 'checkup and cleaning' dentist, I don't know.

But it's time again for my checkup -- is there now a new, or different, 'checkup and cleaning' dentist at Grace? If so, how does she compare to Jarunee?

Or, if I'll now just get luck of the draw, any horror stories?

Bottom line. Who stuck with Grace, but wish they'd followed Jarunee to her new clinic?

Thanx.

my birthday is 24.7.1960 ; so im 49 years old yet

According to the Thais, you would already be 50 ("in your 50th year on earth")

Would that fly with Immigration?

Tabian Baan (house registration), 1 copy;

Was that an absolute requirement?

If so, is that just a quirk of Melbourne -- or do others also require that of spouses with Thai wives?

Their toll free number from Thailand is: 001-800-531-87220

Mon-Friday: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM Central time

Sat: 8-6

If I move from country to country too fast or change my spending habits quickly they will freeze my accounts immediately.

On their website, you can click your credit and/or debit accounts, go to "manage travel notifications," and fill in your travel itinerary for the next 90 days.

Now, having to go to their website every 90 days to 'refresh' my Thailand 'visit' isn't convenient. However, they, without any quibble, opened a permanent file on my plastic to say, 'expect most activity in Thailand, some in the US.' Good stuff!

They have toll free numbers from Thailand.

Now, if she is living overseas long-term, and not traveling on her American passport, she is not behaving like an American citizen and might not be able to get this SS $ sent to her here.

The US doesn't care what passport she used to enter Thailand, as dual citizenship is not prohibited. I can't imagine why, when it comes time for her to apply for her spousal benefits, anyone would look at the stamps in her passport (or search databases for the equivalent). She is now a certified, bona fide US citizen -- with NO requirements for how long she can remain outside the US (unlike if she were a Green Card holder). Plus, by obtaining her US citizenship, the SS requirement for her to have lived as your wife for 5 years in the US no longer applies (which may or may not make any difference in your case).

She'll have no problem with Immigration to get annual extensions -- it will be an extension based on 'being a Thai national.' She could have gotten that the same day she landed in Bangkok. But, it will cost the same as for your annual extension, plus she'll even be required to do 90-day reporting (even tho' a Thai citizen).

Why, however, the cost or the 90-day reporting hassle? At some point, leave Thailand on her US passport (needed to clear the last entry), then re-enter on her Thai passport. How this game is played -- and that both Thai and US immigration are well familiar with it -- can be found in many threads on this forum by searching 'dual citizenship.'

in my case Bangkok Bank. I can bring money here anytime for $30 wire transfer fee,

If your US financial institution allows ACH electronic fund transfers, as most do, you can save $20-$25 by using the Bangkok Bank New York routing scheme. See HERE

Too bad you used LA to get your O-A visa. I assume you only got a single entry visa, as that's all they have been issuing for O-A categories. So, you've only got a single one-year permission of stay vice the ability to get nearly two years here had you been able to get a multiple entry Non O-A.

Anyway, no big deal -- as long as you didn't need that second year to get things lined up for your extension application with Immigration. But, if your wife does decide to leave and re-enter Thailand on her Thai passport -- and you go with her -- don't forget to get a re-entry permit from Immigration (another disadvantage of that single entry O-A from LA).

As of 1st November UK Visa cards are limiting Thailand atm withdrawals to £50 down from £200

Normally, this is a call be the issuing bank, not the network (Visa).

But if married and that ends in divorce, the Farang husband can claim 50% of it`s value once the property is sold.

Even tho' the land office has a piece of paper that says the Farang didn't contribute one red satang towards the purchase?

Any case law in support of this 50/50 split?

After a few minutes of frowning at the card and the POS machine, the lady announced "cannot; credit card only, not debit card".

Amazing. Just a few days ago Langsuan posted that he'd used his debit card at a SCB counter -- and got the IER, not the DCC rate advertised by SCB for credit card 'cash advances.'

We know credit cards can be charged the DCC rate. But it's less clear whether ATM/Debit cards can be charged this, or a similar, rate for ATM transactions. Off the top of my head, Visa says absolutely not. And MC/Cirrus (per the example at Bank of Ayudaha) *can*charge DCC for ATM transactions, at least for cards issued in the US.

And I believe cash transactions at bank counters are being handled as ATM transactions by the Visa Plus and MC Cirrus networks. And so the DCC restrictions would carry over.

So, maybe SCB, if they can't gouge us with DCC rates when we use our ATM/Debit cards, just says "no" -- selectively of course.

At the counter I've been signing a charge slip instead of using a PIN.

Tough to figure. Whether the card is used in the pin mode or signature mode, both transactions ride the same Visa network. Yes, the signature mode is not real time. But Visa doesn't care -- they're collecting their 1% fee, not playing forex spreads. So, real time or not doesn't seem to figure in.

And in both cases, Visa's 1% is being passed on to Fidelity. Why Fidelity eats the ATM mode (pin) fee and not the credit card mode (signature) fee is curious. Oh well.

Currently I have automatic deposit for my California Public employees Retirement into a California credit union. It is a monthly electronic funds transfer.

You could substitute your Bangkok Bank account in Thailand for your credit union account. It would still be an ACH transfer from CALPERS, but now using the ABA number of Bangkok Bank New York (BBNY), vice the ABA number of your credit union. BBNY would subtract their fee (e.g., $5 for amounts between $100.01 and $2,000) from the amount sent; and BB in Thailand would add their .25% charge to the received amount. Exchange would be dollars converted in Thailand, at the prevailing TT rate. And as CALPERS is not "US Govt," the restriction on having to pick up the money in person should not apply.

As most financial institutions in the US now allow Internet ACH transfers to any ABA, just a few keystrokes could accomplish the same thing as having CALPERS send it directly to BBNY (the BB fees would be the same). Keeping your credit union in the loop might have advantages, including your regulating the frequency of the exchanges (the extra interest you'd earn, at today's rates, probably isn't one of them).

ACH transfers take, on average, 2 business days to reach Thailand (vice one day for SWIFT). Some financial institutions, like Bank of America, use a middleman for their ACH transfers, adding some additional time -- and a few dollars -- for an ACH to Thailand. Others require you use their "bill pay" service to implement an ACH transfer, which could add a few dollars. And some even prohibit an ACH that results in money crossing the border (however, since BBNY has a domestic ABA, not exactly sure how they could prevent this.....).

Check with your credit union on the mechanics of setting up an ACH transfer. If possible, set the transfer mechanics up as a "push only" operation. This will eliminate some potential burps if you have to set up the operation as two-way, since a "pull' operation from Thailand is not allowed. This was mainly a problem of a few years back, and today most financial institutions, after a test transfer with BB, will now automatically default to "push" only. Nevertheless, I'm sure some burps could still lurk.