Kwarium

After contacting Kasikorn and SCB helplines today (and Krungsri branch staff previously) the concensus is that Thailand has no TOD (transfer on death) or beneficiary assignments to bank accounts. Interesting to hear of other experiences such as @gomangosteen who says he set a beneficiary with Kasikorn. It seems @freeworld has it right, as I was told by the two helplines that even joint account owners do not become owners in the case of the other owner passing. It seems the last will is indeed the best way to go, even for ‘simple’ bank accounts! Live long and prosper, but be prepared… right? Edit: Kasikorn says that both joint account owners must be present to make passbook counter withdrawals. Krungsri says either owner may do so. TIT!

SCB (along with Krungsri) have no beneficiary options available for savings accounts. They (call center) advised for my wife to use my atm card upon my passing. But if she notifies the bank of my passing, then documents from the Thai courts will be required. TIT In the case of a joint account, as either owner can make withdrawals, this type of account would not be a problem if one owner dies. It would still require court docments to close the account though. Of course the account would automatically be closed after a few months of no balance.

I recently opened a joint savings account with my wife as Krungsri Bank said that is the only way for her to easily gain access if I was out of the picture. Unfortunately the account cannot be accessed by phone app. They seemed concerned that one of us could use the money digitally. But either of us can empty the account at any branch. No logic? TIT

I can’t find anything online or on Wise dot com about any fee increases. The new look showed up in March 2023. I use Wise twice per month USD to THB and the fee is 89 cents plus point six percent. A direct SWIFT bank to bank transfer becomes cheaper at about eight thousand USD. About a fifty dollar fee. I

Pretty happy with the four week turn around to the Issan village! The “New Generation Passport” has the alpha-numeric passport number perforated through every page. Laser technology? While working in Bangkok, I carried a laminated credit card sized color copy of my passport in my wallet. Any photocopy shop can make it for about a dollar. ✌????️

Just an update re the OP question, exactly four weeks to renew US passport by mail from Issan. Someone mentioned the US Embassy Thailand website now says 3-4 weeks where previously it said 2-3 weeks. FYI: I used the US Embassy Thailand website, filled the form online, printed the form and checklist which needs to be included, paid online using Thai CC, went to the bank to teach them what a 100Bt bank draft is, stapled 2 photos using 4 vertical staples with only 1 staple into the second photo, mailed everything off using Thai Post EMS for ~70 Bt. My passport issue date is 18 days after I mailed The application. Upon checking the state.gov passport status page, it also showed “passport mailed” that day. Mailed from US passport printing office in Arizona to US Embassy Bangkok. 27 days after I mailed the application, I received an email from ACS Bangkok stating my passport(s) were mailed by Thai Post with a tracking number. Received the following day. Thai Post tracking page was updated about 8 times in 20 hours. Excellent experience all around, aside from the bank being a bit frustrating. Btw- Why do they return the 2nd photo? It was clipped inside my old passport, so maybe they think Thai immigration will want it? Why do they say your 2nd passport will be returned 8 weeks later? Maybe if applying in the US? I did “check the box” for the larger passport, but luckily it is only 5” x 3.5” like all passports. ???? YMMV

No reason to panic. “It’s not a loss until you sell low”, is what I’ve been told. It is a very good time to not check the brokerage account too often though! My plan is to not begin to draw down my 4-5% per year unless my balance is near an ATH. Maybe 5 years from now? Good luck. Stay strong! BTW- While we’re not checking actual balances, its good to play around with Monte Carlo statistical outcomes on portfolio visualizer website!

In Udon a shop called Master Key can more than likely get you a new remote and program it. They are on Naresoun Rd, the traffic light nearest Udon Immigration, 1 short block off of the “T” with Posri Rd. Actually, if you come out the”L” road that immigration is on, you’ll run right in to it! Not literally, please. Good luck!

Yes, the pricing is ridiculous. Paying 8,800 Bt for Day 1 as a couple. The hotel price was previously just under 3,000 for two. Day 5, even in Issan near our home, is only slightly less. Thai citizens are getting no break from the regime or from the hotels. Someone said it is “their country”. Yes, “they” being the idjiots in power and control.

David143, you finally made it! What a (sometimes) patient guy! 555! Congrats!

i was thinking of those not in Social Security. More information: https://www.scb.co.th/en/personal-banking/stories/how-to-choose-social-security-gold-card-and-health-insurance.html

Congratulations to 78 newly minted Thais! Dated the 5th but published today? One thing to remember to do after you have your Thai ID is go to your local government hospital (Insurance Department) and have them register you for the Gold Card 30 Baht health care. It just takes 5 minutes and it is not done for us automatically just because the ID is issued.

I just spoke with MedConsult Clinic. The PCR test with English certificate is still 2,000 Bt. Results in the evening if tested before 9 am., otherwise next day results. A Rapid Antigen test is 500 Baht with a certificate and immediate results. Walkins accepted, or you can book on their website. They are open every day including the upcoming holidays Dec. 5th and 10th. The USA accepts either the PCR or Rapid Antigen test, but be sure your airline is ok with the Antigen test for boarding. I just confirmed with ANA that either test is fine for boarding in BKK headed for USA. A self or home rapid test is not ok. Ymmv. Happy Holidays!

Of course that is completely false. The QR code is 2” x2” and in the top right of the A4 Thai vaccine certificate.

Sad that the lovely Scala is no more. The bigger picture is that Thailand has no concept of preservation, artistic or achitectural attractiveness, or any concept of what might create a pleasant environment for locals and visitors. Singapore had big plans do bulldoze everything that was old, or not modern and shiny. Somehow, there was intervention and the older places that survived are a gold mine of social and cultural draw. Unfortunately, the Old Seventh Story Hotel along an old road in a green space, with an old brass accordian door lift, was swallowed up before they came to their senses. Thailand shows no sign of making any chnages to their ‘new, shiny and concrete is better’ philosophy. How about the way they decimate old trees or just rip them out all together? No concept of what makes an attractive environment. PS- I don’t think Scala could have been saved due to the disaster that is Siam Square.

Sorry about the loss of your friend. I hope he went out without too much suffering. Too bad it was probably alone as hospitals are not allowing visitors. 43 million of us have died this year if it’s any comfort. Those with or without money in the same boat. iMHO, our financial situations are due to life choices. Hopefully your friend had a great time which resulted in no money left at the end! Perfect outcome!

No one has mentioned that adding a single ground rod in an old unearthed moobahn makes you the only ground (earth) for a large area and who knows how many properties? On the other hand, there certainly is an earth connection somewhere, maybe you haven’t noticed it. Even my little village in Issan (under PEA) added ground rods on the supply poles many (5?) years ago. Good luck. Be careful!

Here is another option, and it’s cheaper. I have been happy with the quality of this brand. It also has the rcbo, or ground fault interuptor. https://www.globalhouse.co.th/product/detail/8859042812070 Btw- Electrical supply stores are usually quite a bit cheaper than the big home stores.

Amazon US is the answer I found after exhausting many local options. Search Amazon renewed and look for sellers with high volume of positive reviews. Amazon’s International shipping program estimates and collects import duty, which will be refunded if not actually collected by customs. My 11” ipad Pro arrived in one week, brown box, like new condition. Without looking for the receipt, I think it cost me 13,000 Bt. all in. I also got $40 refunded to my credit card. Good luck! Btw-The seller I used was Platinum Deals, fulfilled by Amazon. Import fees of $39.31 were refunded in full. (10.5” iPad Pro 64Gb)

Same here! Started right up after a light wiping of dust. Amazing what a few months old battery can do! Weeks can drift by without a start. Went for an 11km blast on local newly paved curvy roads just to keep the 4 carbs fresh. CB600FY running like a top! Two pairs of led lights up front make it 15km/hr faster! ???? ps-I may have posted this pic, but not lately. Bike porn, she’s 21 now!

???? Smelling like a rose. Retired just before Covid-19 and became an ‘upcountry geezer’, as one poster disparagingly labeled us. So happy and lucky to be away from the big smoke, living in my wife’s quiet village in our own house. Nowhere better in the world to be stuck on semi-lockdown for two years and counting. Plenty of fresh delicious food, unlimited clean well water, cheap high speed fiber Internet. Yes, definitely “tired of the nonsense” of delayed vaccinations, worldwide media highlighting the very worst from every country around the world, lying and cheating politicians everywhere, restrictions on travel, resurgent Covid due to entitled nuts thinking vaccines are a conspiracy, etc... Agree with the posters above who say to stop reading the news. It can easily become an addiction and it will influence one’s outlook and mental health negatively. I am defnitely staying in Thailand, but can’t wait for the all clear for some nice long trips! Good luck all!

Sorry, I didn’t notice the no stock on shopee! I got mine from Thaidee Homemart on Lazada, but it looks like they have no stock ... of anything. (They also have a facebook page that isn’t updated.) Looks like another Covid issue. I’m also seeing no stock on generators anywhere. Too bad for sellers.

Certainly the vehicle engine would need to be running. It’s great that it works in an urgent situation! Diesel Generator seems like the best solution. Of course mine was shipped 1-1/2 days later than I was told. TIT!

Mor Phrom Line account also finally accepted my ID beginning with an 8 when the hospital registration staff set it up. It seems they did something on their pc to make it work. I really don’t know. The problem there was it never gave me an appointment date or location (or any option to choose.) The hospital staff said I would get a call in a few months. i showed up at the vaccine center one morning to enquire why no appointment, no call and an incorrect phone number was entered. The English speaking registration supervisor (a pharmacist from Udon General) was super helpful and explained I should have been given an appointment. I got my shot on the spot since I am over 60. This was at Rajapaht University Udon. Ymmv, but making an extra effort can pay off.

The OP tool is definitely a knock off. DeWalt batteries cost about that each! This set (from this seller) is confirmed genuine and with two batteries, a great deal. https://shopee.co.th/DEWALT-สว่านกระแทกไร้สาย-18V.-รุ่น-DCD776C2A-มอเตอร์แปรงถ่าน(ชุดดอก109ชิ้น-แบตฯ2ก้อน-แท่นชาร์จ1อัน)-รับประกันศูนย์-3-ปี-i.34508432.1143277445