wanderingstar

>> I am looking to move to an offshore bank that is not looking to fleece its customers at every opportunity. However, I suspect my search will be a long one!

Hi Bonio. Me too.

If you come across one would you please share with me on [email protected]

Regards

Hi.

Can anyone please tell me if I can draw US$ or other international currency on ATMs in Poipet [Maybe in casinos?] or is there anywhere in BKK where I can do this?

I am a S African on a 1 yr B multiple entry visa and have been drawing money for the last year from my SA acc and getting the internet rate - which has ranged between 3.8 up to 4.5 and today it`s R1.00 = Bht 4.1

Plus having to pay the dam_n Bht 150 fee for any size transaction up to the max of Bht 20,000.

That Bht 150 fee was costing me R15.00 in SA.

The rate to exchange cash or via bank transfer has been around Bht 2.5 = R1.00 since I got here. Quite outrageous, so the ATM was a blessing.

But the *#@<!* Banking Mafia have struck again.

The end of last month I drew money at the Internet rate but today a new message comes on the ATM screen telling me the rate is now R1.00 = Bht 2,57 - the same as the thieving bank to bank rate.

That Bht 150 fee is now costing R56.60 in SA.! [More swearing]

So my other choices are:

1. Western Union. Expensive +- 8% commission
2. Use Paypal to send money to an American friend in Tlands bank in Hawaii and he draws on his ATM here and puts into my acc 5% fee.
3. Take a bus to Poipet Cambodia and draw US$ there - if I can.
4. Go on ito Siem Reap and put up with the BS mafia taxi / bus racket spend a night there and back again or try a lodge in Poipet.
5. Overnight train to Penang [fairly pleasant if the train has a decent crew - which it didnt last visa run] also spend a night there [spending a night in 4 & 5 will also enable me to draw cashon 2 days]

All ideas appreciated

I would also appreciate being Emailed at [email protected]

Regards

G

Hi. I am over a 50 + ex-pat highly skilled in my field but with not enough money to retire. I came over here on a double entry 2 month visa enabling me to look for employment or a JV. I do not speak Thai .

A young ex-pat who resides here and is fluent in Thai - has businesses and properties, and wants to go into a specialised Joint Venture with me. He says he will put me on his Co books as an employee at a salary of 50,000 Baht a month [Which I wont actually get though] and this will entitle me to get a 1 year visa [renewable].

As this raises some Qs I ask for advice:

1. What happens if we have a falling out within the 1st - or subsequent years - and I choose to terminate the JV - does my visa automatically expire - or can I stay on until the visa runs its course?
   
2. If he chooses to be nasty can he have me deported? Or would that create problems for him?
   
3. What is my Income Tax situation on the bogus salary of 50,000Baht officially shown. Am I liable to pay tax on money I dont get?
   
4. Is he committing an offence by reflecting a bogus salary?
   
5. Is it serious enough for him to get into real trouble - or can he 'buy' his way out?
   
6. If he tries to make trouble for me revoking my visa [Can he do that or is that up to Immigration]?
   
7. If he tries to make life difficult for me, do I have any recourse?
   
8. Can I complain to Immigration, Inland Revenue, my Embassy and or the newspapers.
   

Any sound advice is appreciated