Mail In Thailand

[GPage]

I would like a little information on the mail services that are available on Phuket. I will be relocating permanently in 6 months and have a number of questions regarding forwarding addresses, mail receipt, etc... Is it possible to obtain a post office box prior to relocating? How is mail delivered - if at all? What's the best way to have mail sent to Phuket from the U.S.?

I will be doing a change of address for some accounts and with my bank. Also, I would prefer a permanent address or P.O. Box on Phuket for pension correspondence prior to my arrival. What is the best way to initiate this process? Any suggestions?

Thanks much for any assistance given.

Peace

[lopburi3]

Well the mail is delivered 6 days a week except for holidays here in Bangkok so I would expect the same in Phuket. Not sure if your bank is going to be able to handle a foreign address and required postage. You might want to use a forwarding service instead and change to on-line statements if they have them. I don't believe you can obtain a PO box by remote. Believe most people find keeping a US address, even if just a Mail Box type place, to be beneficial. I have mail sent to sister and about the only thing that needs forwarding is yearly 1099 from bank and cards. It is also advisable to keep a credit card or two and you will find it hard to obtain here and a US address is much better than a Thai address for international purchase. I expect others will have Phuket specific information.

[GPage]

I would like a little information on the mail services that are available on Phuket. I will be relocating permanently in 6 months and have a number of questions regarding forwarding addresses, mail receipt, etc... Is it possible to obtain a post office box prior to relocating? How is mail delivered - if at all? What's the best way to have mail sent to Phuket from the U.S.?

I will be doing a change of address for some accounts and with my bank. Also, I would prefer a permanent address or P.O. Box on Phuket for pension correspondence prior to my arrival. What is the best way to initiate this process? Any suggestions?

Thanks much for any assistance given.

Peace

[GPage]

Well the mail is delivered 6 days a week except for holidays here in Bangkok so I would expect the same in Phuket. Not sure if your bank is going to be able to handle a foreign address and required postage. You might want to use a forwarding service instead and change to on-line statements if they have them. I don't believe you can obtain a PO box by remote. Believe most people find keeping a US address, even if just a Mail Box type place, to be beneficial. I have mail sent to sister and about the only thing that needs forwarding is yearly 1099 from bank and cards. It is also advisable to keep a credit card or two and you will find it hard to obtain here and a US address is much better than a Thai address for international purchase. I expect others will have Phuket specific information.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the info. I guess I will have to find out from some retired types exactly how they arrange for pensions, etc. Maintaining a U.S. address is a good idea. I'll keep hunting.

G

[lopburi3]

I am a retired type and have my pension sent to my US bank. I have a wire transfer agreement with them and give them a call when I need $6-9000 sent to my Thai bank. As the cost per transaction is high it is best to move larger amounts this way. I use my Thai bank ATM card to obtain cash as needed. Believe this is the method most expats use. You obtain the best exchange rate as you have bank send USD and the conversion takes place in Bangkok.

[corkscrew]

I would like a little information on the mail services that are available on Phuket. I will be relocating permanently in 6 months and have a number of questions regarding forwarding addresses, mail receipt, etc... Is it possible to obtain a post office box prior to relocating? How is mail delivered - if at all? What's the best way to have mail sent to Phuket from the U.S.?

I will be doing a change of address for some accounts and with my bank. Also, I would prefer a permanent address or P.O. Box on Phuket for pension correspondence prior to my arrival. What is the best way to initiate this process? Any suggestions?

Thanks much for any assistance given.

Peace

It is a good idea to keep a US address as well (you'll want this as you will want to keep your US driver's license). You should have all your income stream directly into your US account. Pay US bills via your US credit card and have your US bank handle paymemts of your credit card bill.

Get an International Driving Permit (from AAA) before you come here. Once you have Non Imm status you can get a Thai license.

[lomatopo]

I would recommend changing your U.S. address to that of a trusted relative or friend in the U.S.A. Failing that, at least a mailbox at the nearby UPS store or the like, but not a USPS office, for ~ 18 months or more. At a UPS store you'll have a street address, with or without use of the "PMB nnn". This is good for banks, credit card companies, driver's licenses, and is handy as you can also have any mail-order items delivered. The relative, friend or UPS store can forward important mail (i.e. the jury duty summons; if a registered voter remove yourself from the list.) (For state income tax exclusion purposes, the UPS store option is easy to explain.)

As soon as you get to Phuket go to the nearest Thai Post Office and arrange a P.O. Box, and as back-up for the first 90 - 180 days, a P.O. Box at the nearest Mail Boxes Etc. or the like.

Once you get settled you can phase over delivery/forwarding to one of the Thai PO boxes and/or your residence.

[lopburi3]

Just want to point out that I do not believe you do not need a US address to keep your US Drivers Licence. I have been using my Bangkok address for the last 15 years for my Florida licence. All you have to say is that you intend to return to that state if/when you return to the USA. For those from some states, that offer you the chance to pay State income tax, keeping a drivers licence may not be at the top of the agenda.

[TBWG]

I would like a little information on the mail services that are available on Phuket. I will be relocating permanently in 6 months and have a number of questions regarding forwarding addresses, mail receipt, etc... Is it possible to obtain a post office box prior to relocating? How is mail delivered - if at all? What's the best way to have mail sent to Phuket from the U.S.?

I will be doing a change of address for some accounts and with my bank. Also, I would prefer a permanent address or P.O. Box on Phuket for pension correspondence prior to my arrival. What is the best way to initiate this process? Any suggestions?

Thanks much for any assistance given.

Peace

Hi GP

Easy to open a PO box at any local post office, however not sure if it is possible without appearing in person.

In my experience Thai post service is pretty good and reliable, I have never had anything go astray,

TBWG

[joealx]

Check out www.jbmailromm.com (mail forwarding service in Pahrump NV).

I receive my mail every two months via Express Mail.

Snail Mail is sort of obsolete now. I think That I can do business, on the web, with every service account that I have.

For getting cash, the thing to do get a no-fee or low-fee debit card WITHOUT an ATM surcharge (just a normal 1% exchange fee)

[Thaiquila]

Just want to point out that I do not believe you do not need a US address to keep your US Drivers Licence. I have been using my Bangkok address for the last 15 years for my Florida licence. All you have to say is that you intend to return to that state if/when you return to the USA. For those from some states, that offer you the chance to pay State income tax, keeping a drivers licence may not be at the top of the agenda.

Yes, indeed.

These policies are definitely state by state, not federal. States without state taxes of course are not an issue.

Some (many?) states require you to surrender your US drivers license if you do not pay state tax there. Enforcement of this again will vary. Cali is reputed to be the most aggressive, heavily penalizing RETURNING expats if they used to live there, stopped paying state tax, and then moved back.

Edited May 6, 2006 by Thaiquila