andymodo

This is why I posted to Thaivisa -a good spritited dicussion and advice - end result, I not going to waste any time with Infinity and I talked to a knowledgable accountant back in Oz instead and now feeling pretty comfortable...thanks all for raising the red flag (which I should have seen myself)!

It is almost always the case that someone looking for a financial advisor in Thailand is looking for a low-risk investment with a higher return than can be gotten from a bank.

The FA will of course promise to deliver this, but cannot. The FA's objective is to secure investment in products which will yield him (the FA) upfront commissions which will wipe out any possible returns in the first 2 years of any investment. The investor is unfortunately a willing victim chasing higher returns.

I'm sure you're right but I'm looking for advice on investing outside Thailand and what taxes I would be liable for in those cases. I'm not looking for mega returns but I am looking for more than the 3-4% on offer here. For example, my Australian 5 year TD is at 6.9% (less 10% withholding tax). So I was interested in just chatting seeing as he is coming to my office...but maybe I should just find a good tax accountant?

Hi,

Anyone had experience, good or bad, with this firm, based in KL? I was cold-called the other day and wondering whether I should bother meeting with them - any member experience would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hi,

I got my iPad2 screen fixed at MBK two weeks ago. First I had taken it into Apple only to be told that it they could only replace the iPad at a 30% discount ie 12,700 Bt. When I asked her if I had any other options, she suggested taking it to MBK (to my surprise), but warned me that it would void the warranty. I asked her if they used original parts and she said that the good ones did but wouldn't give me name. No surprise there. I did a quick search on Thaivisa on my way to MBK and found glowing reviews for Tan Telecom on Lvl 4 of MBK, so headed up there. He quoted me 3,000 Bt for an original replacement, and showed me three others lined up for the same thing! He said he did about 10 a week. It's a very busy repair centre and seems thoroughly professional.

2 hours later I had a new screen and I certainly can't tell the difference after two weeks of heavy use. I know it voids the warranty but for 9,700 Bt savings I can live with it!

no water in sutthisan yet

Hi,

I use OzForex - www.ozforex.com.au - they offer very good rates and customer service (they will phone you to answer any questions, confirm transfers etc; and it can all be set up over the internet, with the details of your Oz bank and your Thai bank ( set mine up 5 years ago so not sure if it still just as simple). They tell you exactly how much in THB will end up in your account here before you confirm the transaction so there is no guesswork at all.

Once set up, transfers only take a few minutes every time from your pc. All the rates and costs are clearly stated on the site. I've been using it for 5 years in both singapore and thailand to transfer money from Oz ...

Hi,

I have just got a permanent job offer but not sure how to read it...can someone help or suggest an accountant I could talk to. The components I am unsure about are:

Provident Fund @ 13% year (this is employer contribution, not sure if I get this back when I leave the company, it looks like it is only fully vested over 4 years)

GDP estimated at 5% (absolutely no idea what this is)

There is also provision for a mortage at fixed deposit rate plus 2% which is excellent but I am not a permanent resident so probably wouldn't qualify

Any advice? Thanks a lot!

just a thought - after i'd spent a while looking for a good dictionary, with easy to use keyboard and good dictionaries, and looking at about 10,000Bt outlay, I decided to get an iphone (second hand from a brilliant seller at mbk, 16,000 Bt) and couldn't be happier - the keyboard is really excellent and there are several good dictionaries as well as flash cvards etc that can be downloaded from itunes app store for a couple of dollars each...and the nice thing is that more new applications and dcitionaries seem to be coming along all the time...

kikenyoy i think you have created a run on tintin box sets! b2s was sold out and so was the boomerang site that rikker suggested. b2s still had plenty of single dvds with two episodes on each for 139 Bt so i picked up a couple of those and am enjoying them - but in english, understanding the thai is going to take me some work but it seems like a good level...thanks for the tip

note that the b2s i went to was the one at central world, so the others may still have it...

kikenyoy i think you have created a run on tintin box sets! b2s was sold out and so was the boomerang site that rikker suggested. b2s still had plenty of single dvds with two episodes on each for 139 Bt so i picked up a couple of those and am enjoying them - but in english, understanding the thai is going to take me some work but it seems like a good level...thanks for the tip

Hi, I was just in Bali and used my KBank ATM card to withdraw IDR during the whole trip. However, when I got back and looked at my statement, it seems like I had got an IDR-THB exchange rate about 30% below the market rate.

But since my statement does not include the amount in IDR I am relying on my memory so might be confused. Has anyone had a similar experience?

hi, i'm going to a karaoke night in a few weeks with thai colleagues and clients and i want to learn a couple of thai songs cos i'm sure they'd love it (not the singing, just the gesture!).

anyone know some good popular thai songs. not TOOO daggy because i'll be making a fool of myself enough already...

thanks for your advice all....just letting you know i went with jack from kkeasyhome..we didn't get around to viewing anything until today (I kept putting it off) but saw 6 places today and I took the first one ...jack really listens well and understood what i was after, clean, simple, nice design and well finished...at 45K for a 120m2 2 br condo at premier condo in suk 24 i think it is about 5-7k over market price for that building but it is really well renovated and has really tasteful furniture ...i told him i hate things like cushioned salmon-pink bed-heads and cheap undersized leather sofas...and he knew exactly what i meant...he didn't charge anything but whatever commission he earns on it is well deserved.

I highly recommend Jack to anyone out looking.

Are you staying here as a single or with family (and children)? How many bedrooms are you looking for? Any company car that requires a reserved parking lot at your residence?

Hi...I am in my own and looking for a two bedroom place...i will probably buy a car at some stage so would be looking for a car space too..

See my post "A 2-bedroom/2-bathroom Condo in Sukhumvit Soi 24 for Long Term Rent" for details and photos. If you are interested in my Condo, please message me.

Thanks for that , the place looks good but I would really like to look around at what is available before plunging in, so still looking for a good agent...

Hi, can anyone recommend a good Thai language tutor for a beginner? I'd prefer someone who can travel to my apartment for lessons if possible, in Sathorn area, a couple of times a week....

Are you staying here as a single or with family (and children)? How many bedrooms are you looking for? Any company car that requires a reserved parking lot at your residence?

Hi...I am in my own and looking for a two bedroom place...i will probably buy a car at some stage so would be looking for a car space too..

I have just arrived in bkk for a year or more and looking for an apartment but don't have time to look and also need advice on location as my workplace is a bit out of the way...at ratburana, but i want to live somewhere central, close to a bts, that also has reasonable access to ratburana without squeezing through too many traffic jams.

can anyone recommend an agent who would listen well to the kind of place i'm after and recommend appropriate places around the 30-50K range? ideally they would have a car and could drive me to the different apartments but not necessarily...and is there a standard charge agents make for this service?

look forward to any advice anyone can give....thanks!