jesimps

1 hour ago, Maestro said:

I have seen this mentioned by several Thaivisa members in other topics and have always wondered whether it is really so.

They don't! My December TransferWise transfer to SCB arrived via TMB according to my TW receipt. October and November did arrive via BB.

5 hours ago, Thailand J said:

Over the years  all my SWIFT transfers into SCB, K-Bank and Bangkok Bank have showed as foreigner transfers.

I have always ordered USD SWIFT at the source. I have heard that ordering baht SWIFT at your foreign source may result it being show up as BATHNET transfer, and also getting a poor exchange rate to your disadvantage.

SWIFT transfers are shown as FRCI (Foreign Remittance and Settlement) on my SCB statement. All well and good, but very expensive. For that reason I've opened a Bangkok Bank account. I did a transfer this morning at a rate of 40.288 baht to the pound and the 1700 pound transfer cost me approx 13 pounds using TransferWise. Hopefully it'll show as an international transfer when it arrives in BB tomorrow. I'll receive 68,490 baht for the 1700 pounds, far more than I'd get using SWIFT, plus my bank charges would be higher.

6 hours ago, Jim7777 said:

My pension is in USD and I do lose a little bit every month SOMETIMES when I make a wire transfer because of the exchange rates but it’s not that bad and I’m actually saving money because I don’t have to worry about ATM fees anymore when using a local Thai bank.  Before with the income affidavits I used my US ATM Card only and I paid a 220 Baht ATM fee every time I used the ATM.  So I actually like this way better because I never bothered to use a local Thai bank account before.  And it encourages me to save the money that I leave behind in my bank in the States because my pension is between $4 and $5,000 USD a month as a disabled veteran and a retired military member.  

 

I have looked into Transfer Wise and maybe I just don’t know how to use it but from my experience TW sucks, it’s useless but I might not know how to use it right.  

TransferWise saves me about 2000 baht each 68,000 baht transfer I make. 24,000 baht a year. If that sucks, then you must be a very rich man.

6 hours ago, Jim7777 said:

SCB can verify your transfers from the states as well I know because I have an account with Siam Commercial Bank and I’ve verified my International wire transfers from my bank in the States by asking for the Credit Advice.  It’s pretty simple I’m sure most banks in Thailand can probably do it the same way but I’d probably avoid the smaller banks.  I know that Bangkok Bank can do it as well because I have an account with them as well.  

 

The day after your International wire transfers posts to your Thai bank account then just go to the bank and ask for the Credit Advice regarding your last International wire transfer you made and it’s a print out that verifies everything such as your name, local address here in Thailand, your bank name from the States or whatever country, the account number that your wire transfer originated from, the amount in Thai Baht of the wire transfer, the Thai bank account and account number that your wire transfer went into which will match your pass book, and everything else that Immigration would need to verify that your International wire transfers are coming from your home country.  Although you’ll probably still need an official letter from your bank for Immigration when you do your extension according to the police orders.  

 

The Credit Advice might be accepted by immigration but I don’t know, for me I just get the Credit Advice print outs every month so I have a record and a paper trail of my wire transfers from my bank in the States to SCB every month and so I know that they can be verified.  Immigration will probably just need your pass book and an official letter from your bank.  

 

I like the new rules it’s a lot easier to take care of everything for Immigration when I do my extension right here where I live instead of making that long trip to the Embassy in Bangkok once a year for their stupid income affidavits.  Good riddance to the Embassy letters.  Immigration actually made it easier for those of us who fall within their financial guidelines.  

I think most people probably  "fall within their financial guidelines."  The big problem, as far as I can see, is will the IO on duty be satisfied by what you put before him. If not, it doesn't give you much time to put things right, especially if seasoning is involved. We have to see plenty of feedback from people applying for extensions at our local offices. 

I just hope that your confidence in the local IOs is justified, you certainly have more faith than I do.

2 hours ago, zoza said:

I have just checked out an account of mine (Halifax) who are offering ''good rates'' for current account holders 29.50 pounds = 9.50 + 20 pounds for Thai bank fee=400 + % more than transfer wise at( 6.99 for 1000 ponds) Halifax also have no exchange rate less than  3.20% less than other banks current exchange rates. so not worth even thinking about it.  

Transferring 1700 pounds from Halifax plc to here using SWIFT costs me 2000 baht more than if I use TransferWise. I know, I recently did a test run.

7 hours ago, Lungstib said:

Sounds like shooting is next up for the solution.

I sincerely hope so. When they've finished they can come and shoot the noisy lot where I live, followed by their owners. Hope the poor little'n recovers ok.

3 hours ago, Percy P said:

Have a bank account that has only swift payments in it. Simple.

And lose 2000 baht month on the  transfer compared to TW.

4 hours ago, JackThompson said:

TW doesn't always use BKB, so even with an account there, you may not get all your xfers marked as foreign-sourced.

 

Some Thai banks may not receive SWIFT directly.  Be sure the instructions for your bank do not include an "intermediate bank."  I believe SWIFT to BKB are always direct and shown as foreign-xfers.

Yes my December TW transfer to me went via TMB.

On 2/19/2019 at 7:51 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

You didn't mention today's thread where someone, a German I believe, went to BKK CW Immigration with proof of his monthly 65K transfers from foreign accounts to his Thai bank account, bank letter and bank book and all...

 

 

And, according to the thread, the IOs at his office told him they would not accept his proof of monthly income xfers into Thailand via bank statements and such, because his country's Embassy is still issuing income affidavits, and thus Immigration wasn't willing to accept the monthly bank xfers method.  

 

That was always the case before the "famous four" embassies broke away from the norm. The amendments are for those four country's passport holders, the remainder still need the embassy letter. You or I would use our common sense, but this isn't a big commodity amongst local immigration officers. Saying that though, and going by the book, they are strictly correct.

I did a SWIFT transfer to SCB and it came up as FTT on my online statement, whereas my previous Transferwise (TW) transfers were shown as domestic. Problem was the cost of the transfer was so much higher than TW, couldn't afford to lose that much each month. I opened a Bangkok Bank account because I believe it's the only bank that shows up TW transfers as international. You have to keep an eye out though because occasionally TW can send via one of two other local banks; one being TMB. I'll be doing the 400,000 in the bank marriage visa (for the first time) on my next renewal, but thereafter, I'll probably switch back to the monthly income method. It's good to have a few irons in the fire in my opinion, as you never know what they're going to come up with next.

Being married to  a Thai I'll stay as long as my money's my own, even if it has to be seasoned. I will switch though to marriage visa. If they bring in compulsory medical insurance, I'l be off to PI probably.

Not 1 April yet is it?

Not trying to be funny here but the thread title should be "Land hers, house hers". I bought my place in the wife's name, but even if I hadn't, I know I'd have a hell of a job trying to sell up if it came to it. On the odd occasion I've mentioned it as a contingency plan, she just goes into ignore mode.

5 hours ago, robblok said:

In my mind it comes back as far too little enforcement against drunk driving. They do seem to check more during "dangerous" days but it should be ongoing and fines should be even higher and cops checked for taking backhanders to get people off.

 

Only then people are going to learn, I am quite open minded about all drugs alcohol included but that stops when people start driving under the influence and risking innocent people.

One would imagine that your heroes, with their absolute power AND article 44 at their disposal would be able to do something about this. They won't of course, it'd require money and effort. But I guess you'll still be impressed by them getting rid of a few beach umbrellas and bringing in draconian visa rules for law abiding foreigners.

There's none so blind as those that will not see.

5 hours ago, Thailand said:

I think they should redirect funds and  build a wall!

If it's to keep out illegals I'm all for it. Be the first decent thing this fellow has done.

On 2/17/2019 at 10:57 AM, BritManToo said:

You can't convince the 'I love Thailand' brigade, they will pooh pooh all posts suggesting somewhere else is just as good, until the general forces them to leave.

You even hint that anywhere on the planet is better than here and the "rosey specs" brigade'll be on you like a ton of bricks.

On 2/16/2019 at 7:53 PM, bkk6060 said:

Wrong, uninformed and judgemental.

I know several guys in Bangkok who are wealthy and have no time to waste going thru the process.

They can well afford an agent to do it for them.

Not all agent users are in your described category. Not even close.

Excellent post, I've mentioned this a few times. I know a couple of extremely wealthy guys here who use an agent and if I was in their position financially, so would I. It isn't too much hassle for me to jump through the hoops (yet), but I'd much prefer to be sat reading a good book whilst supping an ale on my balcony.

"Lives in Pattaya, naturally."

All of us living in Pattaya live here naturally. Why not just say "Lives in Pattaya"? There're private visa offices all over Thailand. Makes me think you're one of those who've never been here, yet enjoy knocking it. I love living in Pattaya NATURALLY!

3 hours ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

My own theory as to why rules are being tightened, is that the expat resident population has exploded in the last 15 years. Go anywhere in Thailand now and there will be foreigners. Go to any small village and there will be some foreigner living not too far away. In the 90's it was rare to see foreigners in the cities of Esaan, now there are many.

Immigration are just culling the herd by trying to keep the richest ones, the ones that have the least chance of being a burden on the State.

If you have any sense at all, you'll know that isn't the purpose of these rule changes. I'm not going to expand, but use your loaf.

3 hours ago, ginjag said:

To my mind there is nothing wrong with the "BORDER runner" scammers and illegals ,yes.  Why would a border runner be stopped from doing this, if he re enters and is spending money here ??  same arriving on a flight and getting 30 days free visa,  why not  ??  why limit this person to how many visits.

First one of your posts I've ever given a "like" to. Have you come to realise that it's your beloved junta who're making all these changes?