pagallim

55 minutes ago, PFMills said:

 

Am I correct that you compared exchange rates at the same time or a day or two apart. Also my experience in the past is that internet posted rates are not always the same as you get.

 

And of course it’s good to know that you don’t get bank charges either end. BB can charge up to 500thb for TT transfer

SCB update their rates usually throughout a normal working day (https://www.scb.co.th/en/personal-banking/foreign-exchange-rates.html#), so the rate applied will be the actual when the transfer hits your account.   Wise of course quote the actual rate you will receive, regardless of exchange fluctuations.

I've been with SCB for 15 years now and am happy with the services and efficiency they provide.   I believe that the core customer service princlples of all Thai banks are virtually the same, with the variance in service levels happen on occasion through individual branch anomolies and poor staff.

15 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

@Pagllim - I may need to offer you an apology.

 

 

I have no problem doing that when/if I am wrong.

 

 

Having boldly stated that WISE rates were always better, I thought that I should do a current calculation. I haven't got time to do a full comparison (on a 'working' day) but it seems that on a transfer of 2m Baht, bank to bank is 2,643 Baht better (before local Thai bank commission). On a GBP 2,000 transfer WISE was only marginally better.

 

I will investigate further, and apologies from me.

No problem.   Like many, I've been using Wise/Transferwise for a few years, always in the belief that I was using the most beneficial method.   As I said previously, its only been through the deterioration of service that I've looked again at home bank to Thai bank transfers.   In my case, HSBC now permit international transfers using their App, same as their on-line account, which is much more convenient.   Because of their low transfer charges (or free in some cases), as opposed to the escalating rates as a percentage by Wise, a typical monthly pension transfer may only be one or two hundred baht better with Wise.   However, I know that if I make a transfer from my bank late p.m. on a working day, it will be in my SCB account in minutes, and will show as a FTT if needed for visa extension monthly income purposes.

12 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

You are wrong on several counts.

 

WISE higher charges are ALWAYS negated by a much better exchange rate. I get free international transfers with HSBC but it is considerably better for me to use WISE.

 

29 out of my last 30 transfers have happened in under 10 seconds......only one was delayed a few hours, and never until the next day. Make sure you are transferring Sterling into your WISE account and then instruct the Baht transfer from there.

No, I am not wrong.   Below is a photo of a Wise transfer that I did on Tuesday 31st January, reaching my SCB account on Friday 3rd February.   Wise charges are of course based on a percentage of the amount being transferred, so the better exchange rate is of greater value with large amounts, but of course so is their fee greater and negates some of the benefit being gained as opposed to banks with very low or now foreign transfer charges.

I'm putting this in the context of monthly pension type transfers which typically will not be huge amounts, and the benefit of gaining FTT credit each month regardless of which Thai bank used.   There is of course the advantage with Wise of a guaranteed rate (which is something of a gamble also, as it could rise as well as fall, same as a bank to bank 'live' transfer).   Again, a couple of shots of SCB's TT exchange rate for transferred pounds sterling as of close of play yesterday, and the actual Wise rate currently being given.

I've been weighing up the scenarios for some time re Wise transfers.   Although I've used them for the last few years, my actual extensions have been based on lump sum rather than monthly income.   I will continue this for my next extension in April.

However, I've become less and less happy with Wise, you initiate a transfer where it tells you it will happen in seconds, and eventually lands in your account 2 days later.   I'm talking transfers on normal business days, no weekends or holidays.

Whilst Wise offer good exchange rates, these can be negated by whatever low fees your home bank are charging.   As an example, HSBC in the UK charge a flat 5 pounds for my typical monthly pension transfer, a lot less than Wise charge for the same amount and thus negates any advantage, particularly as my HSBC transfer will definitely show as a 'FTT' in my SCB statement.

So, whilst I'll continue to hold the lump sum value in a 'just in case' scenario, I'll be doing online transfers from HSBC to SCB each month and will go for the monthly income option in 2024.   My SCB branch are pretty slick at providing whatever documentation Immigration require.

An example from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=46"+waist+denim+jeans&rh=n%3A1045564&ref=nb_sb_noss

Came across this thread a couple of weeks ago, having 'Google'd' Mitsubishi EP-305R Automatic Pump.   Some background.   We've been in this house for 15 years now, and our 'normal' village water supply has been usually fine for day to day purposes.   It's a two storey house, 3 en suite bathrooms upstairs, 1 bathroom downstairs.   There's a solar hot water system on the roof.

For the past 6 months, the village water system pressure and quality has deteriorated quite markedly, and for the past 3 months not enough pressure to supply the upstairs bathrooms, and a very evident lack of filtration.   We'd been put off taking matters into our own hands having been given assurances that the problem was going to be fixed imminently, which of course it hasn't.

So, having decided that the only proper remedy was to install our own water storage and a pump for consistent pressure.   First problem was where to site it.   It's a fairly large house with quite small exterior spaces that are mostly shaded by trees or roofs.   The only logical place was next to a shrine which is off our drive/car port.   A couple of large trees were in the spot, so they obviously had to come out, which was a nightmare in itself.   Once levelled and the concrete layed we were good to go.   

Because it's at the entrance to the house, I didn't want some monstrosity of a tank, so opted for a DOS Water Pac Pro, 1500 litres, with the Mitsubish EP 305 R to give good pressure to the upstairs and solar hot water tank.   Also planned to install a two phase filtration arrangement to remove the sediment and debris issue.

The tank arrived last Sunday, and it was installed yesterday.   Took overnight to fill it once it was the pipework and electricity was plumbed in, so used it for the first time today.   What a difference!   The pump itself it quiet when in use, and every tap or shower is a joy to turn on now.    Over the next few days, I'll be painting the blue pipe a light grey to blend in with the rest of the area.  Here's some photos of the saga for those who may be interested.

3 hours ago, couchpotato said:

Last month spent 3 nights at the "Natee, the Riverfront Hotel"..not far from Good Times but it is in the middle of the small bar/restaurant street, so can walk around in the evening to eat or drink.

Lots of parking, easy reception, excellent breakfast and very nice rooms overlooking the river.

Definitely recommend.

 

Stayed there a couple of times also, and agree with most of your points, certainly in terms of its central location.   However, double the price that the OP was thinking of spending (circa 4K/night), and whilst having river views, is quite well set back from the water.   Decent breakfast though.

30 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Amazing! Yet again Safe & Trusted Thailand for tourists.

With respect, anywhere near Hell Fire Pass on the Death Railway??

Yes, Hellfire Pass is within the Sai Yok National Park, and the resort in question (Sai Yok Mantra Resort) is a few kilometres to the north west.   https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sai+Yok+Mantra+Resort/@14.3509544,98.9216438,12.35z/data=!4m9!3m8!1s0x30e46972246111e3:0xd40d509829d88723!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d14.379983!4d98.8895879!16s%2Fg%2F11jg4kntp3

1 hour ago, eezergood said:

She is readily available via facebook - Chantal Fernandes

 

Problem is that unless you're aware of this, there is no link or information from what would be considered the appropriate means, i.e. the British Embassy website itself.

I made such a list for her quite a number of  years ago.   I detail my pension providers with respective reference numbers, along with their addresses and email/phone numbers.   The UK embassy contact details etc.   Family she already knows about, and that just about wraps it up.

Phuket Bicycle Shop are Giant (as well as Bianchi and Scott) dealers, in fact they will get you any brand (both my Trek's I got from them).   

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054493478169

13 minutes ago, 2009 said:

Thanks for the info guys,

 

A bit off topic, but do any of you have experience doing a chartered long distance sail from Phuket to Singapore?

 

Something we have been wanting to do at some point maybe a year or two after we move to Phuket.

Join the Phuket Yacht Club group page on Facebook.   Several members of the club charter their vessels, usually catamarans, both crewed and bare boat.

Khao Kad on Cape Panwa is right up there, where it's the viewpoint from the road looking over Ao Chalong and Koh Lon, or further up at the views tower with its 360 degrees outlook over the island.

53 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

even patong is within 30 minutes from Phuket town
there many many gated communities off of Chao fa road heading to Chalong
 

Indeed, though time of day dependent.   As the OP mentions working in Phuket Town, I suspect to and from home will be at 'peak' traffic times.   Size of house/family if any requirements aren't mentioned.   I mentioned Boat Lagoon as it's at the end of the Bypass so easy to get to Central etc, and also pretty much direct into the centre of Phuket Town.