thaimancnx

Great experience at CM Immigration.

Went last Thursday at 3:00 for 90 day notification

I had prepared all the correct paper work at home.

Walked in door and got ticket at counter from young lady.

My ticket number was next to be served. No waiting in line.

Gave paper work and passport to man at 90 day counter and was immediately served.

Walked out the door and checked my time.

3 MINUTES and 45 SECONDS.

Can't beat that service!!!!

Butter is Better has great American breakfast. Build your own with pancakes, eggs, bacon, sasuage, omelette.....best freshest coffee in town. On Chang Klan south of Pantip Plaza 1 block

Does anyone have a reference where a Diabetic can get a Pedicure?

Sriphat has a Podiatrist who will do a Pedicure but it should not be necessary to go to a Doctor for a nail trim.

Person just needs to be trained and aware of foot problems with Diabetics.

Breakfast is delicious and uses the same fresh ingredients as BIB. The bakery goods are same as BIB which is my favorite bakery in CM... #1 baker Dao Z.

Sandwiches are great and fresh baked bread is key to any sandwich. Comparing this to Amazing Sandwich is a no contest. Amazing sandwich has really deteriated since Mike sold it. Believe me.

There is parking on Thaipae road but is limited as all parking is around Thaipae gate.

Any Schwab fee for a Cash Advance on their debit card? I know for credit cards, the typical cash advance fee is 3%.

Pib,

I really don't know all the details just that it has worked for me for several years with no charge.

Bangkok Bank manager told me they would use either a purchase or cash advance ...just know it works.

My Schwab statement description says BBL.KADSUANKAEW BR. CHIANGMAI TH type: VISA CASH ADVANCE

Perhaps on the debit card cash advance there is not a charge for cash advance since this is attached to my brokerage account and it is not a loan but actually my own money. If I do not have enough cash on deposit, Schwab initiates a margin loan for me automatically. Actually my Schwab account has saved me a lot of money in fees over the years as compared to commercial banks like Wells Fargo.

You said you used ACH for money transfer. I use ACH for bank to bank transfer in the USA because all banks in USA have unique routing numbers.

I was told I would have to use SWIFT for international money transfer because the bank routing code outside the USA is only supported by SWIFT.

Have you found a way to use ACH to transfer from USA bank to Thai bank without a charge?

I've never heard of a debit card having a $15,000 daily limit....but maybe high dollar accounts get special cards. I've also got a Schwab debit card and the terms of agreement and my testing of it reflect a $1,000 daily limit....but I've only done ATM withdrawals with it up to almost $1000.

Pib,

Your are right that the default limit for the Schwab debit card is limited to $1,000 per day at an ATM machine but can be increased by a telephone call to Schwab.

But I do not use the ATM machine but rather go inside the bank and have the transaction processed by a teller who is responsible for international tranactions. They classify the transaction as either a purchase or cash advance which in my case can be a limit up to $15,000. There are 2 limits associated with your Schwab debit card. 1) ATM withdrawal 2) purchase or cash advance.

With a purchase or cash advance you have to do it inside the bank in person and show additional identification such as your passport for additional security.

I have an account with Wells Fargo Bank which has very high fees but I need to keep the account because of clients making automatic deposits to the WFB account.

I have a Schwab One account which is attached to my brokerage account.

Client makes deposit in the USA to my WF bank and WFB sends me email alert that deposit has been made to my account. Then I use Internet to transfer the amount from WFB to my Schwab account (takes 1 business day or less). I can do this from my home using internet without going to the bank. There is no charge for this.

I then go to my Bangkok Bank and give them my Schwab ATM debit card and they make either a purchase transaction or a cash advance on the Schwab debit card which has a $15,000 daily limit. (This is not done at the ATM machine but at the desk of the person that handles international transactions.) Then I deposit the cash in my Bangkok Bank account. There is not a charge even if treated as a cash advance because the money is in the Schwab account and neither Schwab or Bangkok bank charges me. You may need to make friends with your Thai branch manager but they have authorized this for me for several years at Bangkok Bank through 3 different managers. Immediately I have the cash in my account. If I am asking for a larger amount than usual I call Schwab toll free and tell them to lift the filtering on my account for 24 hours because I want to make a large transaction. No problems.

So from the time I get email notice from Wells Fargo that a client has deposited into my account until I get the money in my Bangkok Bank is usually 2 to 3 days. My cost $0.00

If I need cash faster, I have a SWIFT transfer set up with Schwab to transfer to my Bangkok Bank which would cost $25. I can activate the SWIFT transfer by calling Schwab during the office hours of their International Transfer office and I get the money in the Bangkok Bank with in 1 hour. If after hours for the International Transfer office, I talk with a Schwab 24/7 agent/broker and they initiate the transfer which will be checked as soon at the Transfer office opens and then the transfer is executed.

Another advantage of Schwab is using the Schwab Debit card at an ATM in Thailand or any where in the world. If the ATM Bank charges me a fee, then Schwab will refund that fee to my account. Apparently in the transaction from the bank in Thailand to Schwab they can tell if I was charged a fee for the ATM transaction. I have been with Schwab for many years so I do not know what the requirements for this benefit is but it is really nice. If I go any where in the world with my Schwab debit card and get local currency and if the ATM charges me a fee then Schwab refunds the fee to my account. I am sure this is linked to the benefits of my brokerage account.

I have had the corn beef at Butter is Better several times.

I was not necessarily a fan of corn beef until I tried it at BiB.

It is really great and nice serving... order includes 3 half size sandwiches.

I tried to go to Da Mattia Restaurant at Chang Klan Plaza and a sign on the door says they are closed and will move to a new location.

Later I was told that Stefano was killed in an accident.

Any one know details of this?

I renewed in September on a Tuesday.

Arrived at 7:50 and left at 9:15... no problem and good service

QUOTE

Somchai said yesterday's ruling was rare: "Chalee's case is the first time ever that a judge has relied on the Thai Constitution to order government officials to compensate a victim of unlawful detention."

Perhaps this could be the beginning of Thai government held responsible for abiding by the Thai Constitution.

The strict Immigration definition does not permit volunteer work if you have a retirement visa.

Many people on retirement visa do volunteer work but Immigration in Chiang Mai is clear that you can not do any volunteer work if on a retirement visa.

I have never heard of anyone doing legitimate volunteer being retained by Immigration

Get a copy of the current issue of the Chaing Mai Expat Newsletter which has a full page dedicated to British Pubs in Chiang Mai.

The Ole Belle on Loi Kroh is a good traditional Pub with food and drinks. Clientèle is more in the 50+ group and is not far from the Le Meridien.

This is definitely not a girley bar but a very traditional British Pub.

Try the Friday night Seafood buffet at the Holiday Inn.

Cost is 500 to 600 per person but is the best selection of shell fish including King Crab, oysters, prawn, and about 20+ selections of cooked sea food.

This is one of the best seafood buffet I have had any where in the world.

I generally do not like buffets but this is well worth the money if you are a sea food connoisseur.

I moved into a new condo in Convention Condo built by Quality Condominium Company in June 2009.

I purchased the condo in September 2007 just as construction was beginning so I could get a choice location.

Thus far I am very pleased with the condo and the love the location which is north of CMU on the Irrigation Canal Road about 1.5 km north of Phu Come junction.

It quiet like living in the country because there are mostly private homes near but in 10 minutes I can be at Kad Suan Kaew.

The view of the mountains and the city are fantastic.

There are only a few units still available but the company is building a Condo across the canal and closer to the mountains called Mountain Front.

When I purchased my condo the price was THBT 32,000/sq meter for the 9th floor. Price has gone up since then but not sure... maybe 36,000 to 38,000.

The builder previously build commercial buildings like Western Hotel and Park City Hotel in Chiang Mai.

Convention Condo is the builders first Condo but the builder (Sam) is very conscious and wants to build good quality condos in Chiang Mai.

Sam and his staff were very helpful in additional amenities I wanted to add.

Sam and most of his staff speak excellent English which is a major advantage if you are going to buy during construction.

Do a Google search for Quality Condo Chiang Mai or Convention Condo Chiang Mai for more information

I am looking for an electric keyboard teacher for a little blind Thai girl that is 14 years old.

She lives in Chan Buri but any place in Pattaya or north to Chan Buri would be OK

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks