Relocation To Thailand

[Kirneh]

Greetings to the erudite Farang community in Thailand. I have been monitoring the Thai Visa Forum for a while and have been impressed by the expertise there and the often humorous, verbal jousting I see in the postings. This posting is a request for information and advice. My wife, who is Thai, our two little boys and I will relocate from the US to Thailand on/about June 2005. To that end, I would appreciate information and advise specifically addressing the below questions, and any other pertinent question I should have asked but did not. For background, I am retired and meet all the income and other requirements for a non-immigrant visa. I have lived and worked in Southeast Asia, including Thailand for a number of years and speak and understand Thai at a basic level. My wife is a permanent resident in the US and is currently in the process of applying for US citizenship. Our two small boys both have dual citizenship status. Here are my questions:

I have been told that my wife as a “returning Thai” can ship household effects to Thailand duty free if she has been out of Thailand for at least a year, as evidenced by passport entries. Is this correct? And, if it is correct, are they any restrictions on what we can ship (I assume no porn, drugs, weapons, etc. which would not be part of our shipment anyway).

What sort of inspection are the household effects subject to upon entry? Any particular precautions we should we take in packing and labeling items.

I know that the US does not recognize dual citizenship, except for children up to 18 years of age, but how about Thailand? If my wife becomes a US citizen, will she loose the right to own land in Thailand? Will she loose any other rights?

If she maintains a current Thai ID card and Thai passport, will she be able to travel to and from Thailand on her Thai passport and then enter and exit the US on her US Passport?

What passport should our children be traveling on? Thai out of and into Thailand and US out of and into the US?

Are there any US Banks or correspondent banks in Thailand that would provide a”seamless” way to manage money transfers back and forth? If not what is the best means of banking in Thailand?

I appreciate any input you may have to these questions and any other good advice.

Kirneh

[KevinN]

Are there any US Banks or correspondent banks in Thailand that would provide a”seamless” way to manage money transfers back and forth? If not what is the best means of banking in Thailand?

This is about the only question that I can answer with and authority.

There are no banks that can get your money into Thailand for you as the Thai banking authority does not use electronic transfer numbers.

The best way I have found is to keep your US bank, have your money deposited there and then have an ATM/Check card, Use the ATM/Checkcard to transfer from your US acct. to your Thai acct. at your Thai bank, I do this monthly for a fee of 60 baht.and I use SCB. here in Thailand.

[hkthai]

I know that the US does not recognize dual citizenship, except for children up to 18 years of age, but how about Thailand? If my wife becomes a US citizen, will she loose the right to own land in Thailand? Will she loose any other rights?

If she maintains a current Thai ID card and Thai passport, will she be able to travel to and from Thailand on her Thai passport and then enter and exit the US on her US Passport?

What passport should our children be traveling on? Thai out of and into Thailand and US out of and into the US?

Are there any US Banks or correspondent banks in Thailand that would provide a”seamless” way to manage money transfers back and forth? If not what is the best means of banking in Thailand?

I appreciate any input you may have to these questions and any other good advice.

Kirneh

I carry a Thai and US passport. When I travel to the US, I use my US passport to enter the country. When I go back to Thailand, I use my Thai passport. I have been asked on a few occasions by US Immigration and Thai immigration whether I carry another passport. I have shown them my US/Thai passport with no problem whatsoever.

As far as the property issue, I am not sure about the law. However, I do own property in Thailand.

For the banking question. I maintain an account in both US and Thailand. When there is a need for funds to be transfered to Thailand, I faxed a TT authorization letter to my credit union. My instructions are then verfied verbally and the transfer takes place the next day. Total cost = $30 USD (US Bank) 500 baht (Bangkok Bank). I would imagine that if this can be done through a credit union, it can also be done with a major US bank.

[lopburi3]

1. Two little boys - have you checked what their education is going to cost here? If not I suggest you do so - I do not know your expectations but quality education is very expensive.

2. You will need to open a bank account and it should be in a Thai bank as foreign banks normally have one or few locations and are designed for company business rather than personal accounts. Wire transfer is the normal method of currency exchange. Keep a bank account open in US for retirement pay and tax.

3. The US allows dual citizenship at any age. Don't know where you got the idea it was not allowed. Thailand has no laws so dual citizenship is allowed but for males there is a Catch 22 as they must register for military service and they may require disavowal of any foreign citizenship. In the case of US citizenship it might not be valid if done under duress. But it sounds like you have many years before that is an issue and laws may have changed by then.

4. You wife will continue to be Thai and able to purchase land in her name.

5. Believe your understanding of import is correct but have never checked closely - expect a close inspection and problems if you have more than one of things you would normally only have one of.

6. Health insurance?

[frequentatore]

Don't show your name on the paperwork. Used stuff is OK but she can do it only once. I know a Thai guy who shipped his stuff from the US; he had done the same thing years earlier but the customs checked their files... He refused to pay anything and tried to get some help elsewhere...

Months later, he realized that he had no choice but pay the customs. During that time they had decided to increase the fine; he believes they punished him for being stubborn... 100,000 Bahts (in 1991) for a few appliances...

If you are planning to send your kids to an international school, check the costs before everything else! It's VERY expensive...

[Aussie]

1. Two little boys - have you checked what their education is going to cost here? If not I suggest you do so - I do not know your expectations but quality education is very expensive.

If you want to give your kids international education prepare for $25,000 for both, per year.

[Ajarn]

Are there any US Banks or correspondent banks in Thailand that would provide a”seamless” way to manage money transfers back and forth? If not what is the best means of banking in Thailand?

This is about the only question that I can answer with and authority.

There are no banks that can get your money into Thailand for you as the Thai banking authority does not use electronic transfer numbers.

The best way I have found is to keep your US bank, have your money deposited there and then have an ATM/Check card, Use the ATM/Checkcard to transfer from your US acct. to your Thai acct. at your Thai bank, I do this monthly for a fee of 60 baht.and I use SCB. here in Thailand.

Kevin, I'm not sure I understand you correctly.

There are no banks that can get your money into Thailand for you as the Thai banking authority does not use electronic transfer numbers.

Banks in the US all work through NY Bank to make electronic transfers to Thailand. Anyone trying to send money from a US bank to a Thai bank has to use the following bank info from NY Bank...

Bank of New York

Street Address: 1 Wall Street

City: New York

State: New York

Zip Code: 10286

ABA #: 021000018

[KevinN]

I tried everyway to get a regular transfer to Thailand,,even offered to open a CITIBANK acct, either here or in the US or both, if I had money in a citi US bank I could draw on it at ATM other than that they said "NO WAY".

The only way, I was told by all banks in thailand, was SWIFT money transfer and that was to spendy and a pain in the arse every month,,so i do it the way I stated,,with my ATM/CHECKCARD from my US bank for a fee of 60 baht,no matter how much or how little I transfer.

I was told by Bank of Asia,TFB,BKK bank,SCB, CITI, that the banking authority of Thailand did not use electronic transfer numbers,so that option was out,,if they did use them then the social security admin. of the US could put your checks directly into your Thai acct. same with all pensions,,but since they don't,the only way I can get the money from my union pensions,as they will not send a check out of the country,is to do it my way,and SSA would send a paper check to Thailand,but that would be another costly pain in the Arse.

My pensions will be in the bank in the US today,and tomorrow,5 minutes after I go into SCB here in town,my money that I want transfered will be in my Thai acct. for a fee of 60 TBH.

[Ajarn]

I tried everyway to get a regular transfer to Thailand,,even offered to open a CITIBANK acct, either here or in the US or both, if I had money in a citi US bank I could draw on it at ATM other than that they said "NO WAY".

The only way, I was told by all banks in thailand, was SWIFT money transfer and that was to spendy and a pain in the arse every month,,so i do it the way I stated,,with my ATM/CHECKCARD from my US bank for a fee of 60 baht,no matter how much or how little I transfer.

I was told by Bank of Asia,TFB,BKK bank,SCB, CITI, that the banking authority of Thailand did not use electronic transfer numbers,so that option was out,,if they did use them then the social security admin. of the US could put your checks directly into your Thai acct. same with all pensions,,but since they don't,the only way I can get the money from my union pensions,as they will not send a check out of the country,is to do it my way,and SSA would send a paper check to Thailand,but that would be another costly pain in the Arse.

My pensions will be in the bank in the US today,and tomorrow,5 minutes after I go into SCB here in town,my money that I want transfered will be in my Thai acct. for a fee of 60 TBH.

Oh, you're talking about, for example, depositing your check in a citibank in the US and having it automatically showing up in your Thai-based citibank account, right? Yes, you're right. You can't do that. Your way of using the ATM is best, under your circumstances

[duke69]

open an HSBC account in Singapore and keep US$.

Change into Baht only when you need.

The baht is forecasted to weaker in the next couple of years against the US$ (mainly because the US$ will recover against Yen and Euro).

Than you can call HSBC with almost same time zone, perfect english speaking (not like in a Thai Bank) and get some money transferred to your HSBC account in Bangkok (in Thai baht by law).

Hopefully one day the law will change and allow us to keep accounts in foreign currency.

********************

Regarding the shipment, use a professional shipping company and be prepared to TIP the custom about 200/300 US$ (the ship agent will inform you), 99% you'll be the first one to open the container. If they are going to open the container and inspect (pissed off for not having got any tip), be sure that something will get broken!!!

**********************

Dual citizenship, as far as I know, is allowed in USA.

**********************

For sure your wife can own apartments in Thailand, not totally sure about land (90% also land without problem).

************************

Good international schools will kill your cash flow (if you're retired)

*********************

enjoy

[lopburi3]

Banks in the US all work through NY Bank to make electronic transfers to Thailand. Anyone trying to send money from a US bank to a Thai bank has to use the following bank info from NY Bank...

Bank of New York

Street Address: 1 Wall Street

City: New York

State: New York

Zip Code: 10286

ABA #: 021000018

I don't know where you get that information. Thai banks have a SWIFT address that is used by a US Bank to route money here. In the case of Bangkok Bank it goes to their New York office first and is then sent onward. The only information you need to provide is your local account number/address/and the swift account number (in the case of Bangkok Bank this is BKKBTHBK

Perhaps the SWIFT transfer uses the New York bank address but you do not use it.

Kevin uses a debit card type withdrawal at bank counter. This seems to be very cheap but have not seen any posts yet from others changing to this system (as I would expect) so maybe he has a better bank branch that others. But only specific exchange rate information would prove the real cost. If really the same at the TT rate for 60 baht it should be a hot item.

[Ajarn]

Banks in the US all work through NY Bank to make electronic transfers to Thailand. Anyone trying to send money from a US bank to a Thai bank has to use the following bank info from NY Bank...

Bank of New York

Street Address: 1 Wall Street

City: New York

State: New York

Zip Code: 10286

ABA #: 021000018

I don't know where you get that information. Thai banks have a SWIFT address that is used by a US Bank to route money here. In the case of Bangkok Bank it goes to their New York office first and is then sent onward. The only information you need to provide is your local account number/address/and the swift account number (in the case of Bangkok Bank this is BKKBTHBK

Perhaps the SWIFT transfer uses the New York bank address but you do not use it.

Kevin uses a debit card type withdrawal at bank counter. This seems to be very cheap but have not seen any posts yet from others changing to this system (as I would expect) so maybe he has a better bank branch that others. But only specific exchange rate information would prove the real cost. If really the same at the TT rate for 60 baht it should be a hot item.

As I understand it, US banks use ABA numbers, not SWIFT codes, and the intermediary bank to bridge the different systems is NYBank...Maybe it's just the US banks that have to go through NYBank for wire transfers to Thailand banks? I got the NY Bank info from citibank, and it was required information for setting up wire transfers from my stock brokerage accounts to Thailand, too.

I also use a citi debit card getting money, but I've been doing it less since the rate dropped from 43 baht to the dollar a couple of years ago. Citi does use the TT rate, and the first 5 debit card uses from a non-citi ATM are free, then it's something like 1 or 2 dollars after that. It's not very clear in the statements I see...

[lopburi3]

As I understand it, US banks use ABA numbers, not SWIFT codes, and the intermediary bank to bridge the different systems is NYBank...Maybe it's just the US banks that have to go through NYBank for wire transfers to Thailand banks? I got the NY Bank info from citibank, and it was required information for setting up wire transfers from my stock brokerage accounts to Thailand, too.

US banks use ABA numbers between members and Citibank is a US bank but I am talking of wire transfer and for a US bank to Thailand most use SWIFT code. Some may use that bank you mention but do not believe all do and I know that you would not need information like that to set up a wire transfer if you know the SWIFT code.

But guess we are getting off-topic here and apologize.

[Ajarn]

As I understand it, US banks use ABA numbers, not SWIFT codes, and the intermediary bank to bridge the different systems is NYBank...Maybe it's just the US banks that have to go through NYBank for wire transfers to Thailand banks? I got the NY Bank info from citibank, and it was required information for setting up wire transfers from my stock brokerage accounts to Thailand, too.

US banks use ABA numbers between members and Citibank is a US bank but I am talking of wire transfer and for a US bank to Thailand most use SWIFT code. Some may use that bank you mention but do not believe all do and I know that you would not need information like that to set up a wire transfer if you know the SWIFT code.

But guess we are getting off-topic here and apologize.

Not off topic at all, I think. This question comes up fairly often, and there seems to be quite a bit of confusion at times....on my end, too

When I went through the process of setting up wire transfers from my citibank to TFB, I did it by phone with my citibank manager. I gave her all the TFB account info, including the SWIFT code. She did it all in real time, with me waiting...A moment later, she came back and told me that it was kicked back for not having enough info, and that the SWIFT code showed as 'unknown'....She talked with someone else for a moment, then told me what I've repeated...That US banks only use ABA for routing wire transfers, and any request to wire money to a SWIFT-type bank would have to go through NY Bank. Later, when I went to setup my wire transfer for my Ameritrade account, I also did it by phone (they didn't have a form online). They also said they needed the ABA code (and street address) for NYBank in order to make the transfer...

I would guess that though this info is probably known to most in the bank, and is done as a standard 'inside' process. But my friend at the bank, being new in her job and never having done an overseas wire of this type, was confused until a co-worker clued her in, and she mentioned it to me, but it's not something most bank customers would probably need to know about (being that it's a normal part of the routing process)...Just a guess

[rito]

Hi all,

FYI...my wife and I shipped our household goods from US to LOS. US end easy enough...Thai interesting experience. Used shipping company in LA with Thai rep. Paid about $850 for approx 2000lbs. In wife's name only. Upon arrival, no duties paid. However; paywork was screwed. Wife name spelled two diferent ways in two different places (hard to imagin when they had a copy of her Thai PP )

Customs agent says we're required to adjust paperwork before release of goods. DIY-major pain in the ass or pay money to middleman agent (about bth 5000). 30 min later go to warehouse, ID stuff, no problem. Paid another bth 1200 , agent says "customs no open, inspection no, no see, mai pen lai... welcome to Thailand go to www.customs.go.th for more information

Rito

[Sophon]

I think people are getting their apples and oranges mixed up here.

ABA (American Bankers Association) routing numbers are used for identifying specific U.S. banks and are used by the American clearing houses for domestic U.S transfers. No non-US banks have an ABA number, and ABA numbers are not used in any way, form or shape for international transfers.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a communication network used by every major bank worldwide for international transfers. The participants have SWIFT addresses (also called BIC codes) that identify the parties in a transaction in much the same way as ABA codes do for a domestic U.S. payment. Practically all international transfers are sent through the SWIFT network. Smaller U.S. banks without the necessary international correspondent banking network route their international transfers through other, larger banks, and when they make domestic cover transactions they probably use the ABA number. But I find it very unlikely that ALL U.S. banks would route their transfers to Thailand through Bank of New York. It's likely that some smaller U.S. Banks do, but in my opinion there is no way major U.S. Bank likes Citibank would have to go through BoNY.

It's true that SWIFT transfers can be costly, but the fees can vary wildly from bank to bank and depending on how quickly the funds need to arrive in Thailand, so it pays to shop around. But generally it's a good idea to "pool" your money and make fewer, larger transfers, as the cost can easily be in the 20-30 USD range. For large transfers it can be the most cost effective way to transfer money, as long as your bank don't charge a percentage based fee. If you really want/need to make an international transfer then you really don't have any alternative to a SWIFT transfer.

Of course as mentioned by others there are other ways to get your money to Thailand such as cash, travellers cheques or ATM withdrawals. Depending on the circumstances all can be viable options.

Just my take on the situation. Sorry for getting long-winded.

Sophon

[lukamar]

We transfer money to our accounts in Thailand all the time from our Credit Union (not even a bank) in Canada to Thai Farmers and Ayudhya. We transfer Canadian funds as American dollars are transfered through Chase Manhatan. As previously stated it's only reasonable if larger $ amounts are transfered or the fees will kill you.

[peterzxr]

Are there any US Banks or correspondent banks in Thailand that would provide a”seamless” way to manage money transfers back and forth? If not what is the best means of banking in Thailand?

This is about the only question that I can answer with and authority.

There are no banks that can get your money into Thailand for you as the Thai banking authority does not use electronic transfer numbers.

The best way I have found is to keep your US bank, have your money deposited there and then have an ATM/Check card, Use the ATM/Checkcard to transfer from your US acct. to your Thai acct. at your Thai bank, I do this monthly for a fee of 60 baht.and I use SCB. here in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, but the above is absolute crap.

Obviously someone who knows very little about transferring money internationally might have a problem with something so easy but I have recently transfered a coule of thousand pounds from the UK with no problem whatsoever.

Just ask at your Thai bank and they'll give you the information that you need to pass on to your US bank in order to carry out a transfer. Now, what with US banks being so incredibly anal, they may say they WON'T do something but that doesn't mean it CAN'T be done.

[peterzxr]

I think people are getting their apples and oranges mixed up here.

ABA (American Bankers Association) routing numbers are used for identifying specific U.S. banks and are used by the American clearing houses for domestic U.S transfers. No non-US banks have an ABA number, and ABA numbers are not used in any way, form or shape for international transfers.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a communication network used by every major bank worldwide for international transfers. The participants have SWIFT addresses (also called BIC codes) that identify the parties in a transaction in much the same way as ABA codes do for a domestic  U.S. payment. Practically all international transfers are sent through the SWIFT network. Smaller U.S. banks without the necessary international correspondent banking network route their international transfers through other, larger banks, and when they make domestic cover transactions they probably use the ABA number. But I find it very unlikely that ALL U.S. banks would route their transfers to Thailand through Bank of New York. It's likely that some smaller U.S. Banks do, but in my opinion there is no way major U.S. Bank likes Citibank would have to go through BoNY.

It's true that SWIFT transfers can be costly, but the fees can vary wildly from bank to bank and depending on how quickly the funds need to arrive in Thailand, so it pays to shop around. But generally it's a good idea to "pool" your money and make fewer, larger transfers, as the cost can easily be in the 20-30 USD range. For large transfers it can be the most cost effective way to transfer money, as long as your bank don't charge a percentage based fee. If you really want/need to make an international transfer then you really don't have any alternative to a SWIFT transfer. 

Of course as mentioned by others there are other ways to get your money to Thailand such as cash, travellers cheques or ATM withdrawals. Depending on the circumstances all can be viable options.

Just my take on the situation. Sorry for getting long-winded.

Sophon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Sophon - just about sumed it all up and stopped me getting angry with people who don't know how transferring money actually works.

Oh and just to agree with you - no way, absolutely no way would Citibank EVER bank with Bank of NY for something like this. I've worked for 'em and you can take it from me that they can transfer their own money anywhere in the world without any help from Bank of NY.

What most people from the US should do though is try and deal directly with the main New York / Chicago / L.A offices of their banks because the people working there are the ones who actually make the transfers and know how to do it.

Edited March 31, 2005 by peterzxr

[Ajarn]

but in my opinion there is no way major U.S. Bank likes Citibank would have to go through BoNY

Oh and just to agree with you - no way, absolutely no way would Citibank EVER bank with Bank of NY for something like this. I've worked for 'em and you can take it from me that they can transfer their own money anywhere in the world without any help from Bank of NY.

Reality check for both of you. CitiBank US does use NY Bank for transfers to Thailand. I know bcause I'm a customer who uses them to do just such transfers on a semi-monthly basis. And I've just updated the required transfer info again, which also includes the NYB ABA number and street address...

Notice that I'm not denigrating you, or putting you down in any way.. I'm just simply correcting your misconception.

[skycop]

If you want that one year visa then how do you get money into a thai bank? Write a check into that Thai account? You got to prove that money thing.

skycop

Are there any US Banks or correspondent banks in Thailand that would provide a”seamless” way to manage money transfers back and forth? If not what is the best means of banking in Thailand?

This is about the only question that I can answer with and authority.

There are no banks that can get your money into Thailand for you as the Thai banking authority does not use electronic transfer numbers.

The best way I have found is to keep your US bank, have your money deposited there and then have an ATM/Check card, Use the ATM/Checkcard to transfer from your US acct. to your Thai acct. at your Thai bank, I do this monthly for a fee of 60 baht.and I use SCB. here in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Gary A]

I use Citibank in the US. I found out that Citibank in Bangkok may as well be Boonie bank anywhere. There is no advantage to using Citibank here in Thailand. Transferring money is however VERY simple. Twice I have wire transfered money on-line from my Citibank USA to the Siam bank here. Citibank charges a flat $30 no matter what the amount and the charge by the Siam bank was very small. The exchange rate was either exactly or very close to the exchange rate on my Yahoo home page. In both transfers I had my money the very next day.

As far as shipping anything, you have to be aware that voltage here is 220 and US appliances are 110 volt so not usable without an expensive inefficient transformer. If it has sentimental value, ship it and if not it will most likely cost more to ship it than it is worth.

[ray23]

If you want that one year visa then how do you get money into a thai bank? Write a check into that Thai account?  You got to prove that money thing.

skycop

Are there any US Banks or correspondent banks in Thailand that would provide a”seamless” way to manage money transfers back and forth? If not what is the best means of banking in Thailand?

This is about the only question that I can answer with and authority.

There are no banks that can get your money into Thailand for you as the Thai banking authority does not use electronic transfer numbers.

The best way I have found is to keep your US bank, have your money deposited there and then have an ATM/Check card, Use the ATM/Checkcard to transfer from your US acct. to your Thai acct. at your Thai bank, I do this monthly for a fee of 60 baht.and I use SCB. here in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That can get a bit complicated and I'm not sure short of a money transfer you can do it, since ATM slips are not accepted. A monthly transfer is very expensive. I use the Atm put the money in the bank, show the bank where the money came from when it's time for the letter and they write the letter specifically stating, from which account the money came from. So far immigration is happy.

Members of the local VFW who use a Pentagon Federal have money transferred to the thier Thia bank automatically, how it works I have no idea.

Edited April 1, 2005 by ray23

[Sophon]

but in my opinion there is no way major U.S. Bank likes Citibank would have to go through BoNY

Oh and just to agree with you - no way, absolutely no way would Citibank EVER bank with Bank of NY for something like this. I've worked for 'em and you can take it from me that they can transfer their own money anywhere in the world without any help from Bank of NY.

Reality check for both of you. CitiBank US does use NY Bank for transfers to Thailand. I know bcause I'm a customer who uses them to do just such transfers on a semi-monthly basis. And I've just updated the required transfer info again, which also includes the NYB ABA number and street address...

Notice that I'm not denigrating you, or putting you down in any way.. I'm just simply correcting your misconception.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would venture a guess here, and say that you must be doing your transfers in U.S. dollars (not Thai Baht), am I right? If a transfer is made in USD, then the cover transaction will always be with a U.S. Bank. Likewise, if a transfer is made in British pounds, the transaction will be covered in a U.K. bank. Which bank will depend on where the Thai receiving Bank have their nostro account (account used for interbank transactions).

So if the Thai Bank, where you have your account, have chosen to bank with Bank of New York, then your U.S. bank (in this case Citibank), have to cover the transaction with BoNY, simply because that's were your Thai bank want's to receive it's U.S. dollars. It would be difficult for the Thai Bank to manage it's currency positions, if every transfer was covered in a different bank. That doesn't mean that Citibank "have to go through" BoNY, just that the Thai bank want's them to cover the transaction there. If Citibank makes transfers to other Thai banks, then whatever U.S. bank those Thai banks have chosen to bank with, would receive the cover transaction.

There might be some regulation governing which banks the Thai government banks have to use (although I doubt it), but I would find it unlikely that any such regulations would also apply to private banks. And seeing thet Citibank is by far the largest U.S. player on the international banking market, they would be the likely choice for most Thai banks.

I make my transfers to Thailand in U.S. dollars as well (albeit not from a U.S. bank), and being in U.S. dollars those are also covered in a U.S. bank - but not in BoNY.

To sum up, it's up to receiving bank to decide in which bank transfers should be covered, and it will always be covered in the country of the transfer currency.

So I stand by my original post, not all transfers from the U.S. to Thailand have to go through BoNY. No reality check needed

Sophon

[expatinasia]

I use Schwab to transfer money to 2 different bank accounts in Thailand, and they've never charged me a cent to do so. The receiving bank tacks on a small charge (for a $160,000 US transfer, I was charged 576 baht).

[teachparrot]

about shipping, i would advise you ship using a thai company in the us. go to one of the thai supermarkets and they'll be able to provide you the information of shipping companies available there. pack what you want to ship in boxes and inform the company of the number of boxes and their measurements. the company picks up the boxes from your home in the states and delivers them anywhere to an address in thailand so you're free from the hassle of dealing with customs here. i also believe you can ship a car, duty-free into thailand, providing it's used and under your wife's name.