naka

Putting the issue of 'bar girls' or 'good girls' aside for the moment I think its terribly sad to see a 25 year old thai girl with her 60 odd year old farang husband pushing their new baby down the sidewalk in a stroller... A kid needs a young father to 'grow up with and learn from'.

Here’s a factual account of a transfer I made just two days ago.

Arranged a SWIFT transfer for GBP 8,000 in order to top up my retirement visa account

prior to renewal. The funds arrived yesterday ( after 1 day ) and I got my local passbook updated.

On a hunch, as I was leaving the bank I decided to take some cash (Bt 20,000) from my UK account using my overseas debit card.

The results were as follows.

SWIFT exchange rate to GBP 71.37

ATM card exchange rate to GBP 69.01

Funds came from same account in same bank on the same day.

This means that I paid 3.4 % more for the ATM transaction.

Plastic is convenient, but expensive for anything other than lolly money.

Nuff said.

Kevin.

Agreed SWIFT is more expensive but it's 'horses for courses'.

ATM method is fine for bringing in small amounts but the foreign exchange rates

suck. Also ATM transfers are not much good for large transactions, bringing

in a few million for a condo purchase or a million for retirement deposit.

SPEE.

KEVIN's avice is good.

Another method is to use the international 'SWIFT' system, particularly for larger amounts.

Contact your home bank by whatever method and advise them the following

Your Thai bank's name and address.

Your Thai banks' SWIFT code. e.g. BKASTHBK for Bank of asia

You account full name e.g. Alan Spee.

Your account Number e.g. 020- 3 - 01234 - 7

All major international and Thai banks use this SWIFT system, more expensive

for small amounts but cheaper for larger amounts as the exchange rates are better than credit card rates. Charges are around $ 25 / transaction.

Given his unearned income ( Grandma's will ? ) Khun should invest in some commas, quotation marks, grammar lessons etc.

Thanks for the info Dr.PP, I was unaware that I could go directly from

a 60+30 tourist visa to a retirement visa. I already have the required

local bank account and funds so will pay a visit to immigration in the next few days.

Thai Embassy in K.L. is on Jalan Ampang No. 206 ( 206 Ampang Road ) about 2 kM down from the huge Petronas twin towers.

Visas issued in 1 working day. Applications between 9:30 and 10:30 only.

Collections between 11:30 and 12:30 only so don't be late.

Possibly the best way from the airport to the City ( about 100 kM ) is by the KLIA Express train, very fast, clean and comfortable

( the station is inside the airport, look for the lifts with the KLIA EXPRESS sign ) cost is R.M. 35 single journey (Bt 350 approx.)

Another option is the airport bus at R.M. 20 or a taxi at R.M. 90.

The Embassy is not very busy and you should be able to go through in ten to twenty minutes.

Meter taxis in K.L. are probably among, if not the cheapest in Asia at Bt 20 flagfall including first 2 kM and Bt 5 per additional kilometre ! so it's super cheap and easy to move around and the drivers are somewhat taken aback if you tell them to keep the change, like ... hey, this is unusual.

Bukit Bintang 'district' is the center of the city and there are many, many hotels of all classes in this area. To get to Bukit Bintang from the KLIA Express station just jump on the monorail when you get off the express, costs all of Bt 12.

Hard Rock is on Jalan Sultan Ismael at the Concorde Hotel, half price happy hour between 4 and 9

T.G.I.F. is on the same road ... sorry 'Jalan'.

Have a good trip, K.L. is an ultra modern, clean and organised city albeit

without Bangkok's 'dynamics'.

Regarding Air Asia, I don't think they have a BKK - KL flight just yet the only appear to list BKK - Johore which is in the far south of the country.

You can check on their website airasia.com.

Flights by Thai or MAS are around Bt 14,000 return or cheaper if you can get a package.

Dr. PP

'Single/Divorced'

I mentioned this because information on this site (not the forum) states that an 'O' visa is a 'Dependent's visa'.

I was asking if this would be the same category for someone who does not

have local dependents, e.g. someone who is single or divorced.

I also notice that there is another category on this site described as 'O' 'Other',

strange that they should use the same terminology.

I am indeed over 50 and have adequate local funds and will probably go to Penang or Kota Barhu for the initial 90 day visa as I am currently on a 90 day tourist visa and understand that I am not likely to be issued a retirement visa on the basis of a tourist visa.

.

Will I need to take bank statement, medical form to get this visa

Can someone please clarify the type of Non immigrant visa ( 90 day, single )

required for someone who later wants to obtain a retirement visa.

This site states that an 'O' visa is for someone who has a Thai dependent/spouse.

What about someone who is currently single/divorced ?.

What paperwork is required for this 90 day, Single entry Non. Imm. Visa ?.

I am currently in Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa, I am retired over 50 and divorced, and now wish to obtain a Retirement visa.

I understand I will need to have a local bank account with at least Bt. 800 k in it in order to get the Retirement visa but my questions relate only to obtaining the initial 90 day Non. Imm. 'O' as I understand I cannot go directly from a tourist visa to a Retirement visa.

What is the correct terminology for this (90 day 1 entry Non. Imm. 'O') ? .

Can I get this visa at the Penang Consulate.

How many days to issue.

Is a minimum local bank balance required for this 90 day O visa.

( it will take a couple of weeks for the 800 k to arrive from overseas )

Any advise would be most welcome.