Living in Thailand

[M P Lurker]

A close friend (Thai) has been taken to police station after someone has set her/him up with drugs in the room (or maybe not setup), and beaten and forced to sign a confession.

Fortunately its not my GF but someone close to her.

What is the best approach to this to avoid being sent to prison? I presume it is costly.
Doea bribing have to occur before court cases?

This is no joke

[Taiwan Laowai]

I read through the old forum and there are several post discussing having a bank account with HSBC or such in HK or Singapore.

And it seems there are quite a few people do stock trading from Thailand.

Who would be a good firm to have a brokerage account with? specifically if I want to trade US options such as covered calls online from Thailand? I can use Fidelity from Bangkok, but will have to remit money back into the US.

From their website HSBC HK has an investment account, but it looks mainly for trading stocks only. In the US, I can open an account with Fidelity.

If I work in Thailand and get paid there and park my money in HK or Sing, I would like to buy US stock and try to sell some covered calls. (US stocks because I am familiar with Microsoft and Yahoo and such, but nothing to limit me to the US market, just I don't know anything about Europe or HK or China or Thailand...)

Thanks,

fly

PS. I found interactivebrokers.com, will take a look to see what they offer

Go with Schwab and remit your money back to States if you can meet the US$25K minimum (doesn't have to be maintained at this level though). They offer most stocks and stock options listed on the various US exchanges as well as a good selection of CDs, bonds, and money market funds.commissions are not the lowest of all US brokers but low enough and you can more than make up for this from other advantages (higher rates on flexible money market funds and lower margin rate charges). Also, the debit card which rebates all ATM charges is a big plus. You can do everything online with them and get serviced over Skype whenever you need immediate customer service (they have an office in HK too).

If you want something more flexible and extensive and have to have your money in Asia, try Saxo Capital Markets out of Singapore. Most US and stocks and options are available or can be approximated with their CFDs and you get access to all other kinds of great stuff. Oil, gold, and silver spot products, dozens of currency pairs (largest selection of any currency broker), you can write or buy tailor made OTC currency options, trade futures, and get access to large amounts of low cost leverage whenever you want to utilise it. Carry trade interest rate differentials are also very competitive compared to other currency brokers. This capital market provider is a subsidiary of Saxo Bank based in Denmark and your assets are segregated from the firm's liabilities as required by Singapore law. You can fund it in one of 15 currencies (Thai Baht is not one of them though) and switch among them as you like. Online service is great with a real time chat function.

Interactive Brokers is great (lowest currency pair spreads I've ever seen) and the product lines are very extensive (all types of listed options, futures, stocks, etc). But, its really geared for hedge funds and institutions (around 90% of their business I believe) even though they are willing to open retail accounts. Their online platforms are extremely cumbersome and not at all user friendly. You will not even get an accurate reading of your single transaction P&L since they assume that most customers attach the Interactive software to their own in-house systems which monitor these things. And forget about customer service. They are not well equipped to deal with non-sophisticated retail investor type issues.

I've used both Saxo and Schwab on extended trips to Thailand and the internet connections I've had there support these online platforms just fine.

[Redfield10]

I took the figure of $46,500 from US News and World Report and I suspect it covers a very wide range of institutions and positions from lecturer up to full professor. If you average all those variables, I think it's not that out-of-line.

Relative to the numbers of people teaching, the positions and salaries you describe (which I also referred to in my original post) are not that common and near the top of the spectrum. Increasingly, institutions are dropping tenure as being too costly. Also, this average is only talking about salaries and doesn't include grants, or outside work etc.

I can also add a personal note to this. The last time I applied for a job in the US, in 2004 at a first tier college in upper NY state, I was offered $49,000, which I refused. They then upped it to $54,000 saying this was the ceiling for an Asst. Prof. I turned that down, as well. I was also offered $44,000 at U. of Montana and $48,000 at New Mexico Highlands U. I don't have a PhD, but have an MFA, which in the programs to which I applied is usually considered a terminal degree. I also have considerable experience.

There are so many colleges and universities in the States, that it's simply unreasonable to assume that other than perhaps places at the level of Cornell, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, Yale, Harvard and well-known state schools pay anything like you're describing.

To bring it back to something relevant... I'd hazard a guess that the average salary at a Thai university is probably around 35,000 baht/month. For example, Thai faculty at public universities routinely make only about 25,000/month. But, there are several people, like me making at least 5x that much or more. But, that's not anywhere near the average.

Here's the latest survey from the Chronicle of Higher Education.

http://chronicle.com/stats/aaup/rati...atingscale.htm

The figure you quote is too low no matter how you slice it.

As you can see the average salary for the lowest tenured professor category (associate professor) at an average type univeristy. No, I'd have to say below average. (a University that offers a Master's degree, but no PHDs.

Is between 75k and 85k. And that is for only 9 months of teaching as stated in the survey. And includes no research or outside income. So a professor's total salary is usually much higher than that. (I know what I'm talking about being close to the situation.

An instructor at a mediocre institution who has not made tenure or isn't even on tenure track might make 45k. But that's definitely at the very low end.

[Flyhere]

I read through the old forum and there are several post discussing having a bank account with HSBC or such in HK or Singapore.
And it seems there are quite a few people do stock trading from Thailand.

Who would be a good firm to have a brokerage account with? specifically if I want to trade US options such as covered calls online from Thailand? I can use Fidelity from Bangkok, but will have to remit money back into the US.

From their website HSBC HK has an investment account, but it looks mainly for trading stocks only. In the US, I can open an account with Fidelity.

If I work in Thailand and get paid there and park my money in HK or Sing, I would like to buy US stock and try to sell some covered calls. (US stocks because I am familiar with Microsoft and Yahoo and such, but nothing to limit me to the US market, just I don't know anything about Europe or HK or China or Thailand...)

Thanks
fly

PS. I found interactivebrokers.com, will take a look to see what they offer

[Old Thai Hand]

Ever since I first came to live in Thailand I've noticed a "fire sale" mentality that seems to just suck people in no matter what the product: Clothes, food, watches, costume jewelry, whatever. If a crowd has formed to rummage through the stuff then it must be good, right?

A couple of days ago I was on Silom Rd. and I noticed a CP product sale (eggs, frozen hot dogs, etc.) on the steps of the CP Tower. If my information is correct, CP is the the largest agricultural corporation in the country. I've seen this street front sale before, but today it had more of that "fire sale" look than I remember.

I know that in most countries a good deal is a good deal, but in Thailand it is a downright frenzy. Any thoughts on this?

While I don't know the background to this particular event, I do know that with the sharp increase in the cost of consumer goods, especially food, there might be a bit more of a feeding frenzy (no pun intended) than normal. Interestingly, most of the major suppliers of food and tolettries have been given the green light by the government to increase prices even further. Things are getter tougher, that's for sure.

[Fon Tok]

Ever since I first came to live in Thailand I've noticed a "fire sale" mentality that seems to just suck people in no matter what the product: Clothes, food, watches, costume jewelry, whatever. If a crowd has formed to rummage through the stuff then it must be good, right?

A couple of days ago I was on Silom Rd. and I noticed a CP product sale (eggs, frozen hot dogs, etc.) on the steps of the CP Tower. If my information is correct, CP is the the largest agricultural corporation in the country. I've seen this street front sale before, but today it had more of that "fire sale" look than I remember.

I know that in most countries a good deal is a good deal, but in Thailand it is a downright frenzy. Any thoughts on this?

[M P Lurker]

I love the Thonglor Area and especially J-Avenue, Great places to hang out and plenty of Non P4P opportunities

I don't know J-Avenue but Google Maps is great.
Plugged "J Avenue, Bangkok" into search box and immediately came back with lots of markers clustered around Thong Lor 15 (plus a few spurious totally misplaced markers). Didn't take more than a minute to find this.

So ISGers, searching the web for a place in Thailand is relatively easy these days.

Although sometimes you have to know the correct "Google" spelling used. Google Maps doesn't accept partial words.
e.g. my mobile phone has Nokia Maps downloaded for Thailand has "Thong Lo 15" although just "Thon" will do to get a list of streets starting with those letters. But no J Avenue.

[NicFrenchy]

Maybe off topic but if my memory serves me right, Soi 42 is a one way street and you can only go from Rama4 to Sukh (so it can be a Pain when coming from the BTS and try to grab a bike)

I love the Thonglor Area and especially J-Avenue, Great places to hang out and plenty of Non P4P opportunities

[Zap2003]

Old Thai HAnd

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with all this info.I think any monger shold treat you with a beer . I am heading to BKK this year and I would definitely want to meet you in a nice club one night(my treat) in case you are interested. Regarding the list that you provided with which area from that list will be closer to the action?


Happy hunting

[Flyhere]

... Are you working on Ekamai or Sukhumvit? Depending on how far down Ekamai you go, there are some reasonably good condos at the far end near Petchburi, (for example, on soi Wat Pasee, Ekamai 23 there are 2 good ones: Petch Tower - about 15,000 for a 1 bedroom and HiTech at about the same price)...

Thanks for the names, they definitely help locating things on the map. Not sure where the final work location will be, but it's possibly near Soi Rubia Sukhumvit 42 (I'm still learning the Thai map system), on Google maps the area looks about 1/4 mile directly south of the Ekkamai BTS station. Ekkamai 22 looks quite a distance north of that.

I see a quite a few agencies advertising on BKK craigslist plus lots of condos for rent.

Thanks again.
fly

[Old Thai Hand]

Thanks, that's what I was planning anyhow, to get a hotel room for a couple of weeks, then look around. Will have better questions then.

Fon Tok: Thanks, will research info on the BTS stations.

It looks like work is near Ekkamai station, so I'll look into 2-3 stations either side of that. I see Phra Khanong and On Nut on the South side, and Thong Lo, Phrom Phong, then Asok on the North side of the line. Any comments or suggestions for these areas? I think I will start off looking for a 1-br luxury condo, and go from there.

fly

Thong Lor is very expensive, but a great area with lots of good restaurants and clubs.

There are several condos on Ekamai. I used to live there. Are you working on Ekamai or Sukhumvit? Depending on how far down Ekamai you go, there are some reasonably good condos at the far end near Petchburi, (for example, on soi Wat Pasee, Ekamai 23 there are 2 good ones: Petch Tower - about 15,000 for a 1 bedroom and HiTech at about the same price). However, since traffic on Ekamai is pretty congested, unless you are working on Ekamai, this might not be a good option.

The rule of thumb is the further east (not south) you go (i.e. away from downtown), the cheaper it will get. There are some new places around On Nut that will be a fraction of what you'd pay around Asoke and will still be only a 10 minute ride to Ekamai on the BTS. Phra Khanong (soi 71) is also relatively cheap. But, there might not be much near the BTS. If you go up 71, about 10 minutes by taxi, you can find many more reasonable places off the main street. But, just so you are aware, this area and further east towards On Nut is very Thai. There won't be too many foreigners around.

I've attached a link to MrRoomfinder that lists a lot of places by district which should give you a good cross-section of price ranges. The areas you want to look at for your location are: Klongtoey - (some are near the BTS or MRT, but at least it's close even if you take a taxi), Phrakanong and Wattana.

http://www.mrroomfinder.com/apartments_bangkok.php

[Flyhere]

...<snip>... If you don't mind a bit of walking around, I'd get a hotel room for a week, select an area and just walk up the soi. There are often 'for rent' signs outside of buildings that would never advertise online...<snip>

Thanks, that's what I was planning anyhow, to get a hotel room for a couple of weeks, then look around. Will have better questions then.

Fon Tok: Thanks, will research info on the BTS stations.

It looks like work is near Ekkamai station, so I'll look into 2-3 stations either side of that. I see Phra Khanong and On Nut on the South side, and Thong Lo, Phrom Phong, then Asok on the North side of the line. Any comments or suggestions for these areas? I think I will start off looking for a 1-br luxury condo, and go from there.

fly

[Fon Tok]

-snip-Would like to get some tips from the old-timers in Thailand on a long(ish)-term condo rental...Any advices would be much appreciated. If I make it there, would like to hook up with a few of you, and I owe you a beer or two.

Task a look at the Bangkok Craigslist. They have private owners advertising their apartments for rent. I know several people who've found good places for good prices.

Also, apartments are cheaper the farther out you go on the BTS line (e.g., On Nut, Mo Chit). Short term month-to-month is harder to find (and more expensive) than a 1-year lease.

[Old Thai Hand]

Hi All,

Would like to get some tips from the old-timers in Thailand on a long(ish)-term condo rental.

I am based in California, but have recently starting to pick up some work in Asia again, just finishing a short gig in China, my next potential project is in BKK for 6-12 months, around Sukhumvit 42. I think a condo near the train is the best option.

I got a suggestion from a local for Oakwood corporate housing, a studio goes for 47,000 bahts a month, near Surasak BTS station. A friend who goes to BKK often suggested Windsor Suite Hotel at 40,000 bahts a month for a room, and said nearby rentals go for 20,000 baht a month including internet and utilities (not sure studi or 1 bedroom).

Browsing the BKK real estate websites (bangkokpropertyagents, thaiapartments, siamrealestate), I found 1-br in the 18,000-65,000 range, Sukhumvit seems a bit more expensive, with quite a few choices around 25K-35K a month, not sure about furnishing and utilities.

1. Are the more modern high-rise condos around Sukhumvit more desirable? (and safer)?
2. Is it fairly easy to find furnished rentals? who normally covers utilities? I prefer not to have to worry about utilities for 6 month stint.
3. What would be a ball-park average? Are those online ads fairly representative of the market?
4. Are these mostly minimum 12 months? and not month-to-month?

Any advices would be much appreciated. If I make it there, would like to hook up with a few of you, and I owe you a beer or two.

Most condos/apartments will be furnished. The online ads tend to often be out-of-date. But, the rates they quote are more or less what you'll pay. But, the selection is quite limited, tends towards the higher end and not a good indication of what is actually available.

It all depends on what you want, (studio, 1 BR) at what level you want it, (basic, luxury) and location. For an outsider coming in and not knowing the lay of the land, you'll probably end up over-paying a bit. If you don't mind a bit of walking around, I'd get a hotel room for a week, select an area and just walk up the soi. There are often 'for rent' signs outside of buildings that would never advertise online.

The first question you need to ask is, where do you want to be located? Then perhaps people on here can be of more help.

[Old Thai Hand]

Hi there,

thanks very much for your frank replies and my sincere apologies for not replying earlier, but "circumstances beyond my control" prevented me from rejoining this discussion sooner.

The bottom line is probably, that I "shall not want" (in the biblical sense) at THB 80-100K.

One point not mentioned in any of your replies is medical insurance. I gather, that the quality of medical care in Thailand is world class, but places like Bumrungrad don't come for free.
What is medical care like outside of BKK?

And above all: How do you expats and LOS-retirees arrange for medical insurance and what does it cost in Thailand?

Thanks again for your help.

The best expat insurance is BUPA (Blue Cross). If you buy the top policy with the out-patient option it will cover you at all the international hospitals like Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital and Samitivej.