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chris2004

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Posts posted by chris2004

  1. I know this has been raised many times (and i did check) but just wondered what the latest position is. I previously got my extension based on income but now am looking to get it based on 800k in the bank, (to avoid the Embassy's extortionate charge) assuming i can get a reasonable amount of interest. What deposit accounts are acceptable to immigration to use for the 800k account. I presume they have to be ones where you can withdraw money immediately (with or without penalty). In the current market what sort of interest can one get on these accounts and where do BMs usually deposit their 800k.

  2. she borrowed 60k on the car from the pawnshop.

    She owes 200k on the finance.

    Pawn shop is 7% a MONTH on the 60k!!!!!!!

    Bit depressing really.

    If she walked away from the car, she wou8ld still have to pay the loan right?

    Not 100% sure how pawning is done with cars but in case of land, the actual ownership is transferred to the pawn shop (or person who gives you the money) and if you cannot pay back the money with interest, the land can be sold. I assume it's the same with the car. The pawn shop would sell it and pay back the finance company afterwards. But this is only my assumption based on the practise with land and property for pawning in Thailand. 7% per month is very very high. For land it's usually around 2-3% per month.

    The maximum legal rate of interest in Thailand is 15% per annum. For terms of less than a year, I believe it's 1.5 percent a month...and these are rates for UNSECURED loans.

    If you buy a motorbike on HP the interest is likely to be at least 2% per month.

  3. It is ALWAYS better to buy than to rent IF you are going to stay somewhere for any length of time. Buying here in Pattaya was the best thing i ever did. Not only did i lock my accommodation costs in at 71 to the Pound but i can now live rent free for the next 20 years. The key thing is to buy in the right location and for a good price. I am sure there will be some bargains for those wishing to buy later this year.

    • Like 2
  4. Yes i got my tgf's passport there a couple of weeks ago. Service very good. We went in about 11 am got a number and an approximate time. Went back 2 hours later, waited 30 minutes, got the paperwork done quickly and the passport arrived in the post about 6 days later.

  5. To summarise, it seems that some of the dog loving gliterati on here seem to think the Russian forex crisis started over a year ago. Actually it didn't start in earnest until July this year. Prior to that the rouble exchange rate was around 32 to the US dollar from at least 2010 until the middle of this year. It is now trading at around 53 after a huge dip to around 72 in mid Dec. As one of our well-informed respondents claims, Russians may well have booked their holidays in the peak season in Thailand before the Forex crisis hit them, but the reason they may not have arrived, despite Thailand remaining a good value for money destination compared to Russia, is that they were surcharged by their tour companies to make up for the poor Rouble/baht exchange rates.

    Thanks to most of you for your thoughts and explanations.

    What sort of rate do Russians get if they want to transfers sums into a thai bank. The main banks don't seem to quote a TT rate for roubles, just for cash e.g. Kasikorn now 0.39. So if a Russian was buying a condo the money would have to come into a thai bank at 0.39? That must make the affordability even worse.

  6. Truevisions is very good especially for HD. If you are used to seeing programmes in HD you can never go back to SD. People say it's expensive but i pay 50 baht a day, come on that's less than a beer. For hundreds of channels and dozens of HD channels.

    • Like 1
  7. ATM's here are for mugs. i never use them. get your life/finances organised and you wont have to either. coffee1.gif

    And how do you get your money here?

    Let us share your wisdom.

    Not many will believe, but the overall best rate is achieved by bringing cash and exchange at the specialized money changers.

    Today you get:

    USD: 32.78

    EUR: 40,1

    GBP: 51.2

    (no fees attached)

    Try to beat it,

    Yes I know this is not the no. one tip for expats living here (like me tongue.png ).

    That's fine most of the time but there is a risk like my friend who got all his holiday cash stolen on his first day here.

  8. Don't buy an expensive phone from Tukcom. My last Samsung i bought via Lazada. Came in a sealed box, COD and 20% cheaper than the main shops (using one of their deals).

  9. I did a quick search but just wondered what the current situation is regarding FCAs. I intend to transfer a largish sum in Sterling but obviously want the best baht rate i can get. 51 at the moment but maybe it will rise (ever the optimist). Can i transfer the Sterling now into a FCA and change to baht at some future date. What charges if any are applied (it seemed Kasikorn charges a lot) and what interest if any would one get on the deposit. I could leave it in the UK but can only get silly low interest.

    Thanks for any information for current FCA users.

  10. ^ +1

    I would recommend them also.

    Personally I am with Tokio Marine, they are not the cheapest around but never had any problems with claims or repairs (YMMV)

    I got Tokyo Marine insurance free with my new car. They started ringing me every day 4 months before the insurance expires. Totally pissed me off. I am going with AXA via AA Brokers.

  11. For 2m Baht, SWIFT transfer in STERLING from a UK bank account to a Thai bank account.

    Even with the SWIFT and receiving bank fees you WILL be better off overall than using a Forex company, PayPal or Western Union.

    I sent £50,000 in October and believe me, I did a lot of research.

    As for buying a house, you will NEVER own the land on which it is built, so be very careful how you spend your money !

    PS. I have just seen your other thread, look into a USUFRUCT over the land and house.

    Also, if you tell the Thai bank a large amount is coming, the Head Office CAN offer you a slightly better rate, my wife managed to get a few satang more per pound by calling SCB as advised by another forum member.

    Can you please tell us which Forex company. I always thought PayPal/Western Union were expensive. I am transferring 50,000 pounds as well soon so each satang counts.

    He said DON'T use a forex company, make a SWIFT transfer via your bank.

    Sophon

    Sorry i misread his original post.

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