bangkokgalaxy

I'm not stuck on WU. If you know of any better options, would love to hear about them. Thanks.

Hello everyone. I have approx 100k baht in cash on hand (not in a bank) and I want to send it to a personal bank account in the USA. I do not have a Thai bank account. Can I walk into a Western Union branch in Bangkok (or another transfer service) and hand over cash for transfer to an overseas bank? Online research on this subject has been confusing. For example, some sites say "you can transfer cash" but they really mean via an online app that links to a Thai bank for a bank-to bank transfer, which I can not do. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you, Hummin. Do you have any insights on how/where to locate and find potential staff who would be receptive to your salary suggestion? That's the key challenge.

A new charity that will help non-owned soi cats in Bangkok is looking for staff. This includes people to help trap cats for TNR sterilizations (trap, neuter, return), a driver for a delivery vehicle, and a community liaison (someone who can speak/write both Thai and English to go into local neighborhoods a couple of days per week to interact with locals, update mobile cat databases, and distribute flyers and educational materials on street cats. The charity is having trouble getting any responses to various ads on Facebook and other Thai-focused job search websites. Given the state of the Thai economy, and that people need jobs and income, what is the best way to locate and reach potential Thai staff?

Hello Everyone, I am trying to estimate the tax bill for a person with the following scenario: -53 years old, single -On a Retirement Visa (65k a month method) -In Thailand more than 180 days in 2024 -All transfers/remittances to Thailand are from 'self employed' income earned in 2024 in the USA (and transferred from overseas) -All income for 2024 NOT from Pension, Social Security, Savings or investments -Total income remitted to Thailand would be (65k x 12 months = approx 780,000 for the year). Question: What tax rate/amount might would apply to this individual? (assuming 780,000 a year transferred to Thailand?) And, if this person opts to have ALL of their taxes assessed and paid in the USA, on their 2024 tax returns, how does this person avoid double taxation in Thailand?

The challenge: this charity is not a juristic person (i.e. A Foundation). It's a legitimate entity under the control of the Dept. of Livestock, but it can't enter contracts or own things in its own name. We thought about creating a company to "hold" assets and sign leases on behalf of the charity, but from what I see it is very expensive (over 100k, if I'm correct), which is a lot for a charity. Any ideas or workarounds would be appreciated.

A local charity is purchasing a second hand vehicle. It has to be transferred into the director's name, but only to hold the vehicle (on behalf of the charity). How can the charity ensure they the vehicle exists as their own asset, even though it will be registered in the name of the acting director? Is there some type of contract or power of attorney to consider?

I am searching for a used truck. I need a mechanic to inspect the vehicle before I purchase it. Can anyone recommend someone in Central Bangkok area?

Thank you everyone. Very useful information!

Hello everyone. I'm on a retirement visa and use the 65k a monthly income method. I need to transfer money from my Thai bank back to the USA to pay US-based bills. Is it an issue (or raise red flags) to send money back to pay bills that was originally brought into Thailand for retirement income? Just want to make sure an IO doesn't make an issue when it's time to do my yearly extension. Thanks in advance.

He won't tear them out and replace them. But he's willing to refinish (paint). I am investigating how to do a "proper job" so I can communicate it to him and he can then hire the right person to do it correctly.

Hello everyone. My landlord would like to refinish the cabinets in a condo unit. They are simple, laminated particle board cabinet doors (see pic). I have read that this process involves cleaning, priming, light sanding, then finishing with a proper paint for kitchen area surfaces...as summarized in this article: https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/cabinets/styles/painting-laminate-cabinets-qa/ Does anyone have any experience with this type of project? Also, I think it might be easiest to remove the cabinet doors and take them to an offsite contractor who can do this multi-step process with less disruption than doing it in an occupied rental unit. Any referrals or sources in the Bangkok area would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I have an account at Bangkok Bank. I need to transfer 100k Baht to my US Bank. The problem is that nobody at Bangkok Bank can tell me the total transfer fees and how much will I actually receive at my US bank once the transfer is completed. I completed a 'test' transfer where I sent 3300 Baht from Bangkok Bank mobile app to my US bank (this included a 300 baht bank fee to BK bank). A few days later, my money arrived at my US Bank which showed "Burger King Deposit" of $81.92 USD (which means another middle man is taking a fee) I inquired about this at Bangkok Bank and they can't say what the "burger king" fee was for, or if I transfer a larger amount if mysterious middle-man fees will take a large percentage of any large transfer (i.e. 100k baht). Does anyone know 1) how to transfer money with a transparent (and accountable) fee structure? and, 2) is there a better way to make Thai Bank-to-US Bank transfers where there are no surprise fees? I can not use a service like Western Union because they only transfer to individuals, not banks. Any ideas out there? Thanks in advance.

Thank you, blackcab. I appreciate your input.

Hello, I am a member of a charitable organization in Thailand that needs to purchase a vehicle. I have checked, and the charity can not put the vehicle in the name of the charity. It needs to be registered in an individual's name. Are there any risks for a foreigner (on a retirement visa) registering the vehicle in her own name under a letter of understanding from the charity that the vehicle will only be used by and for the charity? Once purchased, a few Thai workers will drive this vehicle and it will be fully insured to cover other drivers. Are there any risks or issues to consider in this situation? Thank you in advance.

Hello Everyone, I will renew my Non O Retirement Visa next week. Problem: I missed my 90-day report, which was due on Dec. 2, because my passport was at the US embassy for one month being renewed and I only got it back a few days ago. The reentry stamp in my passport from September 2, 2022, says good until Jan. 1, 2023. Does that mean I did not have to do a 90-day report? Or, If I did miss the 90-day reporting requirement, will I just pay a 2000 baht penalty the day I go to Wattana and extend my visa another year? Also, when I flew out of the country in late August (and returned to Thailand) in early September of this year, I was not given a TM6 card on my flight, and didn't see any at the airport immigration counter. Can anyone confirm that TM 6 cards are now suspended? And, that this will NOT be an issue when I renew my retirement visa next week? Thanks in advance!

Hello Everyone, I am shopping for a used van. I have never purchased a vehicle in Thailand. Can a retiree put a used vehicle in their name? Also, are there any mechanics or services that will inspect a used vehicle before you purchase it? (to avoid buying a car with mechanical issues)? I plan on avoiding dealers and looking at individual sellers. Any comments on this? Thanks

My passport expires in Aug. 2023. I have a Non O retirement visa that expires on Jan. 1, 2023. I need to renew my passport by mail with the US Embassy. When they receive, renew and send me back my passport, what happens to my active retirement visa? do they move it into the new passport, or do I need to go to immigration after receiving the new passport? (and is there a fee?)

I have not found much commentary (in this forum, or elsewhere) from American entrepreneurs who have set up Amity Treaty companies. Interested in learning about startup experiences, such as working with legal firms, and clarification on the requirements for documentation for 2 million in minimum capital (which I've heard can we avoided until 2024 or beyond) Once established, what has been your experience in maintaining your Amity Company status (e.g accounting and reporting, hiring employees, working with CPAs, etc) Thank you in advance.

Hello everyone. I am a US citizen retired in Thailand. I have a global health insurance policy with limited USA coverage (100k). I need to travel to the USA for 2 weeks. For peace of mind, I'm looking for a short-term USA medical health insurance policy to extend my coverage to 1 million USA. I've checked with my primary insurer and they can't add coverage limits. I can't find any international insurers for US citizens who are traveling back to the USA for short periods. Any suggestions?

Thanks ubonjoe.

Thanks all for your responses. Someone told me that getting a re-entry permit at the airport is for emergency only. I would prefer to do it at the airport. But I'm afraid of losing my retirement visa if something goes wrong at the airport. My flight is at 1am on the 15th. An agent quoted me multi-entry + his fees= 8k baht. Can my g/f (non Thai) get my re-entry permit for me at the Chaengwattana IO? Will an immigration officer be ok with this? Or do I have to do it? When should I/gf go to the IO to get a re-entry permit? Thank you again.

Hello, I have to leave Thailand for business in the US in mid-August 2022 and then return to Thailand on Sept 01. My retirement visa ends on Jan 1, 2023. In order not to have my retirement visa cancel, I need a re-entry permit, correct? Do I need an agent to get a re-entry permit? I have not asked the agent who usually renews my retirement visa on how much he charges. What's a reasonable fee if an agent does it for me? Thanks in advance.

I am renewing my retirement visa next month. I have been doing 65k via international transfers each month. I have one glitch: my November transfer was not properly "coded" because Transferwise unexpectedly sent the money from the USA to a third party bank, then onward to my Thai bank, which reflects as an "Interbank transfer" not "International Bank Transfer." I have already gotten a credit advice from the third party bank to verify that it was indeed an international transfer. That being said, has anyone had any issues representing themselves at Bangkok Immigration to renew their retirement visas using the 65k method? Is it better to pay an agent 15k to do it for you? And given my one small glitch (described above), will immigration cause any issues that would be more easily handled by a Thai visa agent? At immigration, are the monthly bank statements, landlord ID, and passport all I need at immigration to ensure I can renew without any hassles?

I've received a full 2-dose Pfizer vaccine in Thailand. I need to travel to France, Germany and Italy and (possibly) the UK in early 2022. Does anyone know how to covert or register with my Thai vaccine certificate to ensure easy and universal access while entering these countries, eating out, going to museums, flying regionally, etc?