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    1. 36

      60 Minutes blasted after replacing harris word salad…

      Here's another. A young person of color is walking down the street and gets stopped by a pollster who asks who will they vote for. The person takes in the blonde hair, blue eyes and the paper-white complexion of the pollster, then glances around and sees people who resemble those January 6 patriots, and realizes their's is the only dark skin within sight. "I'm going to vote for the racist guy, yessir!" These things are ALWAYS suspect IMO. E.g., they come out with a poll result that 95% of the people believe in God. You will not be told that the poll was taken in front of a Catholic church on a Sunday morning. And then there is the fun stuff. In the primary a few months ago Biden was running unapposed; a third-party candidate's name was on the ballot but she had dropped out. For a laugh I voted for her, a New Age charlatan. The laugh will be when all is said and done and the electorate data has been analyzed someone will claim that there is a growing trend of acceptance for magical-mystical grifter candidates. But if today a pollster would ask the question of me I would say I'd vote for DT because I want the Dems/libs to be so scared that they get off their butts and VOTE.
      bendejo in Political Soapbox
    2. 45

      Reasons of change

      Your logic is a bit odd, bro. What you are talking about is like feeding stray dogs that expect everyone to give them roast beef sandwiches without doing anything. I downloaded Grab one day after my now wife and I asked 10 taxis to take us home (30 minute trip) and use the meter. Now I only use Grab or Bolt. If a taxi stops and asks me where I am going, I ignore them. If they are persistent, I tell them to F off. It's funny because it's true! I totally agree. How does that work?
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    3. 45

      Reasons of change

      Admittedly, I took a regular taxi today. Only because I was standing outside a hopsital on crutches with a broken leg. One of the hospital staff members told the driver where I was going and helped me into the car. Foolishly, I assumed it was legit. two blocks down the road I notices he hadn't turned on the meter. He asked for 500 baht. I refused. He begged and also begged to take the tollway which cost 110 baht and took 12 minutes longer than taking the main roads. They are required by law to use the meter. If most of them are breaking the law and overcharging, why use their service. And why in the h@!! would you tip them? I rarely tip because they rarely use the meter with no questions asked. In those rare circumstances, I let them keep the change or give a small tip. With the driver today the total was 322. NOT 500. As I was transferring the money and he demanded and begged for 400, so I tipped him the exact amount. Regular taxis should be grateful to even have a passenger. Not overcharging and refusing to use the meter or denying people rides. Both actions are illegal and the public has been encouraged to report the drivers.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    4. 93

      Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

      Erm, no!
      JamesPhuket10 in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
    5. 45

      Reasons of change

      This is exactly why taxis and grab drivers have been in so many very violent brawls. The Grab drivers must do their job according to the price. They get to choose to accept and pick you up or not. You can tip them if you like, but they cant overcharge or demand tips like taxi drivers do almost every time.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    6. 93

      Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

      Oh no, not another one please, no it is not standard for Thai women to be the dominant partner, that job is left up to American women as I saw on the two occasions I worked in the USA. My Thai partner cooks both Thai and Farang food at home and she and I decide ourselves what we each want to eat. Have you not noticed a large number of Western restaurants all around Thailand, they are frequented by Thais mostly as they are well outside of the tourist areas.
      JamesPhuket10 in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
    7. 112

      Thai Police Bust Multi-Million Baht Sex Toy Smuggling Ring

      did they smuggle it in the country through varioud bodily orifices?
      digbeth in Thailand News
    8. 45

      Reasons of change

      Your logic is a bit odd, bro. What you are talking about is like feeding stray dogs that expect everyone to give them roast beef sandwiches without doing anything. I downloaded Grab one day after my now wife and I asked 10 taxis to take us home (30 minute trip) and use the meter. Now I only use Grab or Bolt. If a taxi stops and asks me where I am going, I ignore them. If they are persistent, I tell them to F off. It's funny because it's true! I totally agree.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    9. 45

      Reasons of change

      Your logic is a bit odd, bro. What you are talking about is like feeding stray dogs that expect everyone to give them roast beef sandwiches without doing anything. I downloaded Grab one day after my now wife and I asked 10 taxis to take us home (30 minute trip) and use the meter. Now I only use Grab or Bolt. If a taxi stops and asks me where I am going, I ignore them. If they are persistent, I tell them to F off. It's funny because it's true! I totally agree.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    10. 6

      Thai woman sends husband to prison for raping 13 year old niece

      Her actions in reporting the crime will (hopefully) result in him being sent to jail, so not totally inaccurate.
      shy coconut in Isaan News
    11. 45

      Reasons of change

      Your logic is a bit odd, bro. What you are talking about is like feeding stray dogs that expect everyone to give them roast beef sandwiches without doing anything. I downloaded Grab one day after my now wife and I asked 10 taxis to take us home (30 minute trip) and use the meter. Now I only use Grab or Bolt. If a taxi stops and asks me where I am going, I ignore them. If they are persistent, I tell them to F off.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    12. 112

      Thai Police Bust Multi-Million Baht Sex Toy Smuggling Ring

      hmmm
      fondue zoo in Thailand News
    13. 10

      Why Doesnt "Me Too" Apply to Democrats?

      He doesn't deny it happened https://nypost.com/2024/10/11/us-news/doug-emhoff-brushes-off-reports-he-forcefully-struck-ex-girlfriend-as-a-distraction-in-first-public-response-to-allegations/
      Yagoda in Political Soapbox
    14. 123

      Why Do You Even Drink?

      I'm pretty much done with alcohol and coffee now. Neither of them do much for me anymore.
      shdmn in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
    15. 93

      Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

      You are right to a certain extent, the funny thing is according to the majority of Thais we all come from the same country, which is "farangLand", it does not matter if we are Russian, English, American, etc we are all farangs, we all have the same culture, I find it funny so don't take it as I am complaining. Also, the article is a little bit simplistic, there are lots of overlapping cultures in Thailand, the Thais in the south see themselves as completely different culturally to say the people from Isaan and vice versa, they even have completely different dialects and languages and would not understand each other if they were speaking in their local dialects to each other. I laughed once as I knew an Australian in Phuket for a few years and he went to Thai language school a few times a week, after a year he said he had learned a lot of standard Thai but it was not much use with his wife and her friends as they all spoke Laos (Isaan) to each other. Well-off Educated Thais do not mix with the less educated ones unless they are "conchies" (spelling?) working for them, even then, they eat at different tables as is the case when they are on a car trip with a Thai full time driver and they stop to eat. I have seen that firsthand on many occasions. In the late 1980's I was sitting in a very large house in Bangkok, it was owned by the ex-vice-president of Thailand, we were there to invite him to our upcoming marriage ceremony in Bangkok, a "conchie", came into the room with a tray of refreshments for us but saw we were sitting down so she got on her knees, walked on her knees across the large room and presented us with the drinks, I was shocked but the ex-president took it as being normal. Do Thais become very British for example when they live in the UK for decades, do they fit in and learn how to talk straight, become orderly and logical, do they heck like, they take what suits them just as the rest of us do, I have also seen this first-hand many times. So as long as we accept we will never be seen as or be accepted as a Thai, have to continue to get annual visa extensions, and 90-day reporting then all is fine but I do not intend to sit and look through rose-tinted glasses thinking I have been accepted as a local, that will never happen. But as I said I have accepted this as a fact, nowhere in the world is perfect, 99% of life here is great. Leave your wealth, and money in your home country as it is almost guaranteed we will have to go back there when very old, don't do as many do and burn the bridges to the only country which will look after them to some level when that old age point arrives.
      JamesPhuket10 in ASEAN NOW Community Pub

Beware Of Bank'S Higher Interest Rates

gguy
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gguy Advanced Member

gguy

Posted
Posted

I visited my local Bangkok Bank Branch and asked about the 3.5% offer.

The offer is a new account that pays 3.5% for 5 months and then the 3 month CD rate which is about 1.5%.

It is very difficult to move your money. You have to personally visit your branch on the expiration to request the money. The money keeps being renewed for 3 months. I think you can get your money but you lose all the accrued interest.

The bank is promoting this very hard. I was given three brochures when I entered the bank. The bank is definitely paying commissions on this product. I had all the paperwork filled out before I could find someone who spoke adequate English to explain the product. I passed and decide to keep my passbook at .75% interest.

You should also beware if you use any or all the money for the 800,000 retirement visa. You may break the chain from overseas transfer to your Thai bank account.

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PattayaParent Diamond Member

PattayaParent

Posted
Posted

It is very difficult to move your money. You have to personally visit your branch on the expiration to request the money. The money keeps being renewed for 3 months. I think you can get your money but you lose all the accrued interest.

SOP for all banks the world over unless they accept letter, 'phone or fax instructions.

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CMSteve Gold Member

CMSteve

Posted
Posted

Usually there would be a short grace period to stop the rollover and even the possabilty to transfer funds upon maturity(with previous instructions on file).

Also, many Thai banks still pay interest on on broken CD's/TD's. Although the interest paid is much lower than what would have been paid at full maturity. Its nothing like in the US, where you would lose interest and pay a break-funding fee to boot...

It is very difficult to move your money. You have to personally visit your branch on the expiration to request the money. The money keeps being renewed for 3 months. I think you can get your money but you lose all the accrued interest.

SOP for all banks the world over unless they accept letter, 'phone or fax instructions.

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12DrinkMore Platinum Member

12DrinkMore

Posted
Posted (edited)

I do not understand the issues you have.

This is a five month bond, after that you can easily move it to wherever you want to. If you need the money before you can get it with no fuss, you will be paid the prevailing savings account interest. After five months the bank has to do something, and by default they will put it on a three month deposit. And?

There is no "chain" to be broken. Absolute nonsense.

The requirement is 800,000 in one or more bank accounts (MM funds not allowed, but fixed deposits and savings are fine) for three months prior to renewal. That is all immigration are interested in.

The only real issue you have mentioned is the requirement to visit the branch where the money is deposited. This is a small nuisance, I have to agree. But nothing insurmountable. In fact it is a pleasure to visit as the service is excellent and the staff very attractive.smile.gif

Edited by 12DrinkMore
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gguy Advanced Member

gguy

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  • Author
Posted

I do not understand the issues you have.

This is a five month bond, after that you can easily move it to wherever you want to. If you need the money before you can get it with no fuss, you will be paid the prevailing savings account interest. After five months the bank has to do something, and by default they will put it on a three month deposit. And?

There is no "chain" to be broken. Absolute nonsense.

The requirement is 800,000 in one or more bank accounts (MM funds not allowed, but fixed deposits and savings are fine) for three months prior to renewal. That is all immigration are interested in.

The only real issue you have mentioned is the requirement to visit the branch where the money is deposited. This is a small nuisance, I have to agree. But nothing insurmountable. In fact it is a pleasure to visit as the service is excellent and the staff very attractive.smile.gif

According to the bank website, you receive no interest if you withdraw within the first three months. But you probably right and the website is WRONG.

Another area you are right about is that you do not have to show the funds for retirement come from overseas. Thai immigration is wrong again.

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12DrinkMore Platinum Member

12DrinkMore

Posted
Posted

According to the bank website, you receive no interest if you withdraw within the first three months. But you probably right and the website is WRONG.

The website is right, sorry I missed that.

Another area you are right about is that you do not have to show the funds for retirement come from overseas. Thai immigration is wrong again.

The requirements for the visa are here

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493

There is no requirement for the funds to come from abroad. That is, as far as I am aware, only required to purchase a condo in a foreigner's name.

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lopburi3 Legendary Member

lopburi3

Posted
Posted

1. Immigration is 800k in Thai located bank account for 2/3 months. There is no check for origin in law or normal current practice. And in any event a change of account type would not remove the paper trail even in the old system where checks were made as you keep the passbooks.

2. You only lose interest if you withdraw money prior to end of the fixed deposit period (actually suspect you lose nothing as you do not normally receive any interest until the period ends). If you do not advise them to do something else the money will go into 3 month fixed deposit until you do tell them. Perfectly reasonable and normal to my mind.

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aurelius Advanced Member

aurelius

Posted
Posted

As CMSteve said above, you can fill out a form with instructions to transfer the funds upon maturity. I've done that with Bangkok Bank. No need to visit the branch.

Totally correct.

Also, recently I've checked with Immigration on the 800k requirement and they confirmed that it can be held in a saving or fixed a/c - I had heard that in Pattaya they don't accept fixed accounts, but the official in BKK said there is one national governing regulation which clearly doesn't not differentiate between fixed or saving deposit accounts; the same official said that if anyone in Pattaya immigration was not allowing fixed accounts that people should complain to higher authorities in that office or bring it to the attention of officials in BKK. They did say that having the passbook updated as per the date of application would be useful.

Futhermore (on a roll here).. for those of us buying tax saving retirement funds at the end of the year, or companies that have to squirrel cash away to pay bonuses, this 5 month thing matures just before the due dates for all those types of expenses.

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