mike111

Any recommendations on dental clinics in BKK?

Just need a check-up & probably some plaque cleaning.

Thanks for info.

Not trying to sound like a cheap Charlie but do you tip the Grab/Panda delivery couriers? or is the delivery service already included so tipping is not expected?.

Haven't been there for several years.

Any recommendations on good pizza restaurants there?.

Hi,

I'm looking for a rennovator/handyman/etc for doing some small repair jobs in a condo such as replacing broken tiles.

The condo in at Jomtien.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

20 hours ago, Thomas J said:

No, I have a retirement visa.  They asked for my passport but that was it. 

They probably consider a retirement visa equivalent to a WP.

5 hours ago, fdsa said:

What about "stablecoin" cryptocurrencies? If sending USDT you will lose 3-5% on fees.

CC are too risky with huge fluctuations and lots of security issues (sites being broken into & coins stolen).

The commissions you've mentioned are also steep, though Western Union probably isn't too far behind on fees.

TW doesn't operate in Thailand, possibly due to overly strict financial regulations.

Bangkok.

Spoke with the Bangkok call centre + branch. Both said a WP is required and that an in-person visit to branch is required.

5 hours ago, Thomas J said:

You can transfer at your bank.  I have Bangkok bank and wire transferred back to the USA.  However be aware they will convert your baht to USD and you will only receive the buy rate which will be a noticeable reduction.  I don't know if you routinely transfer but some banks including Bangkok bank offer dual currency accounts.  You can have your home country's currency and a second in baht.  If you want to transfer to baht, you exchange when the rate is good and place in the baht portion of the account.  If you have money in the account in your home countries currency and want to transfer it back, you pay only the wire transfer fee since the currency is not being exchanged.  I have not used Dee Money but I do have an account in case I ever needed it. 

Did your branch require a work permit to enable international transfers?.

1 hour ago, topt said:

Some posters have reported they are able to do this without a work permit.

If you have the relevant paperwork (either showing brought in or tax paid on it) then you should be able to set this up - just need to find willing bank staff which I know isn't always easy......

I've already spoken with my bank  & they require a work permit. Doesn't seem like like they're willing to flex an inch.

8 hours ago, userabcd said:

Banks, moneygram, western union.

 

Do not recommend but there is bitcoin?

Banks require a work permit to transfer funds overseas. I'm looking for a service which can be online so Western isn't an option either.

The issue is not the difficulty of navigating an app but the inherent security-risks in mobile banking. And the way their app now operates it's required to use their app + the bank's app so a double dipping of worries.

As I've mentioned TW isn't applicable for transferring from Thailand overseas.

I was hoping to use Deemoney but they dropped the option of adding a bank account on their website & they now require using their app to get a QR code and to scan it with the bank's app, which is too cumbersome and insecure.

Any alternatives? AFAIK Transferwise isn't an option either.

Thanks

Has anyone used DeeMoeny for transfer to Oz? how does the money appear in the account? as an international funds transfer or some domestic deposit?.

Thanks

Thanks ????

Hi,

Anyone here using Saxo bank? any experiences using them, especially from Thailand?.

Thanks

Hi,

Does TW also support THB->foreign currency transfers, e.g. THB->AUD?

Thanks

Hi,

How can I transfer funds from my account (Bangkok bank)  to IB without costly international wire transfers?.

In Australia IB accept domestic BPay payments, and in other countries there's sometimes a domestic IB banking account which funds can de deposited directly. Any similar options in Thailand?.

Thanks

You're probably right about the missing VT4...it's been a while since I've been to newer VT projects as I usually stay in VT2A/B. The price difference is not minor and I couldn't really find a justification for paying the markup for staying in 5/6. VT2 is a very short walk to the beach and there are 3-4 groceries just at the main entrance to the project. A winner in my book and many other tenants as well, as there's always traffic there (of course in some months more than others).

I've looked at VT1, 2, 4 and 5 and in IMHO VT2 is in the sweet spot of being more upscale than VT1 and cheaper (to rent/buy) than VT4/5. I didn't like the design of 4&5 - there were no lobby doors when I visited - just an open air entrance. The lower floors seemed deserted.

I've stayed at VT2A and B multiple times. There's everything needed (restaurants+groceries, laundry, etc.), a good no-nonsense swimming pool, plenty of parking, location is a winner close to everything etc. . Couldn't ask for more. I don't see why would anyone pay a lot more for a unit in VT4 or 5.

Thailand has promoted retirement/nonimmigrant visa schemes for over 2-3 decades with even new schemes being introduced like the Elite I've mentioned. It has every intention to keep allowing foreigners to reside if they meet reasonable criteria, as in most other countries. The Elite program I've mentioned provides (in one of its instances) a 20 year residency visa - that is a pretty long commitment.

No offense but you don't provide any support for your comments , e.g. "The best caveat emptor for Thailand has ALWAYS been rent, don't buy. " - any solid facts to justify this? have you spoken with happy owners/investors or is your experience based only on hasty buyers who bought the cheapest studio they could find and now regret throwing away their money?. Again, not all projects are the same and it's the buyer's responsibility to check and re-check before spending. There are a few great places to buy/invest in (like VT2) but the vast majority are rubbish.

At the end of the day I'm not trying to convince you and we don't have to agree. If you're determined not to buy for living/investment (or both) and prefer living out of your suitcase during your years while in Thailand then by all means.

The long term commitment I referred to is the dillema between investing (say 40K$ now) vs. paying rent. It has nothing to do with what kind of residency/citizenship Thailand allows.  What would you gain from having a Thai passport?.

BTW, if residency (not citizenship) is an issue then there is the Thailand Elite program which provides something very close.

Who cares about a million other useless projects? Caveat Emptor - it's the buyer's responsibility to do their homework and ensure they're buying in a project which has a solid track-record and specs. I've looked all around Pattaya and Jomtien and yes 99% of the projects are rubbish and a sinkhole for the buyer's money. Good luck to bargain hunters looking for a 1M condo in that rice field "just 15 minutes from the beach". Or the new mega projects with horrendous construction quality and shoebox size units.

Only a small fraction of the projects are worth considering. I've stayed in VT2 multiple times and can wholeheartedly recommend it. Just go there and look around.

Well maintained referred to the project being well-kept, everything is serviced and nothing is left broken. I'm not sure what's their financials are like but even if what you suggested was true that would an anomaly - there are crooks everywhere and unfortunately uch incidents can happen.

At least in building A there's a very active committee comprised of residents who really care about the place and it's obvious how well maintained it is. They even have a website where the regularly inform of renovations which have been carried with photos and all.

6 minutes ago, Leaver said:

I'm the same.  A property in Thailand is like an anchor.  The purchase price can be working harder elsewhere, which more than covers the rent on the exact same property, and is liquid. 

 

No repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and fees to pay.  Most importantly, freedom to move whenever you like, or should you have to.    

These arguments can be said when buying a property anywhere in the world.  It's the usual dillema of taking a long term commitment vs averting it. If someone is just visiting Thailand for a short period yearly then buying a unit may not make much sense. If you're living here or visiting frequently then having your place is way better.

Comparing the property investment here vs. western countries is irrelevant - a spacious studio can be bought for around 40K USD, which is what an upscale car costs, and you have the freedom to renovate to your liking, don't have to ask permission from the owner for whatever you want to do, and you have a place of your own.

If you've done your homework and bought in a well-maintained project (like View Talay 2) then there's an active market - the place can be rented out (if you're away) and can be sold once you're ready to leave. If visited VT2 multiple times and there are always renters and buyers around, sure prices fluctuate but it's a great place to stay and hence in demand. The key point here is to buy in well-managed and centrally located project and avoid the middle-of-nowhere bargains.