General Reports

[LittleBigMan]

Roti lady' prepare s her Food on the Floor.

This is very common and when they do you would be lucky if it is done on tile floors! The majority of the floors being used to prepare food in your normal countertop have just as much bacteria as the bathroom. The sponge or towel they use to clean the countertop or floor I put a good amount of money that my boxers are cleaner? 555 LOL.

[Chan Chalupa]

Eating at modern malls with more international operating vendors their standard of hygiene is much better than Thai market or cart food although many try their best. I live with Thais shop and eat regularly at Thai places I don't think a lot of hygiene if I did I would go hungry you do the best you can and go with those who you haven't gotten sick. I eat a lot of salads out of experience best to get it from places like Foodland, Tops, or a major market that has a salad bar. I have seen stuff at markets and homes of Thais who I thought did a good job of hygiene come away shaking my head.

No matter where you eat in my opinion in Thailand there are rats and mice everywhere even in the 5-star restaurant or hotels you can agree or disagree won't change what I've seen.

When it comes to Ice, no matter where you eat it is delivered in a side cart back of a small covered truck seldom clean, and the workers handling bagging have no gloves. As far as I know, I've not ever been sick I've been to their factories, that sell volume Ice, and local bottled water just enjoy you don't want to know less you know the better. Prior to Covid, I was on Beach Road, a well know hotel middle of beach row that had one of the best buffets all of a sudden table next to me an Australian family wife jumps up screaming "That's it I'm not eating here " if you can't eat there where are you going to eat. As she was reaching for salt and pepper she ended up stroking the back of Micky mouse LOL, so use to it like many we just keep eating.

Roti lady' prepare s her Food on the Floor.

[LittleBigMan]

Eating at modern malls with more international operating vendors their standard of hygiene is much better than Thai market or cart food although many try their best. I live with Thais shop and eat regularly at Thai places I don't think a lot of hygiene if I did I would go hungry you do the best you can and go with those who you haven't gotten sick. I eat a lot of salads out of experience best to get it from places like Foodland, Tops, or a major market that has a salad bar. I have seen stuff at markets and homes of Thais who I thought did a good job of hygiene come away shaking my head.

No matter where you eat in my opinion in Thailand there are rats and mice everywhere even in the 5-star restaurant or hotels you can agree or disagree won't change what I've seen.

When it comes to Ice, no matter where you eat it is delivered in a side cart back of a small covered truck seldom clean, and the workers handling bagging have no gloves. As far as I know, I've not ever been sick I've been to their factories, that sell volume Ice, and local bottled water just enjoy you don't want to know less you know the better. Prior to Covid, I was on Beach Road, a well know hotel middle of beach row that had one of the best buffets all of a sudden table next to me an Australian family wife jumps up screaming "That's it I'm not eating here " if you can't eat there where are you going to eat. As she was reaching for salt and pepper she ended up stroking the back of Micky mouse LOL, so use to it like many we just keep eating.

[LittleBigMan]

So the IRS tells me someone may have used my social security number to acquire employment, and they say I might want to put a fraud alert on my credit. I looked around and couldn't find any good info on how that might effect me once I'm overseas such as banking, wire transfers, buying a condo, etc. Anyone had any experience with this? I wouldn't want to make it impossible to access my bank accounts.

On another note I once tried a wire transfer to Thailand from my current bank and had some major issues. My bank actually ran the wire transfer via Bank of America instead of themselves. Is there a specific bank in the US that someone recommends if moving overseas? Does anyone use Charles Schwab in that regard? I already know they are good for reimbursing ATM fees.

I have been here for close to twenty years now Pattaya. I have a number of banking accounts as a backup in case something happens I try to cover everything so I have access to my money in case something happens. I also have a Charles Schwab investment account with a checking that provides me with an ATM card my Social Security goes into that account. Yes, they provide ATM charges back but it has been some time since the last few years don't do withdraws out of Thai ATMs any longer prior I mainly use Aeon and there is only one place in Pattaya that has a branch of the machine.

ATM's here normally charge you 150-220 baht for the use.

I believe by today's techno standard you can go online to your bank or credit union and put a notification on your credit card that you are traveling and unblock your card for a certain period. I started to do this years ago after I got stuck in Hong Kong on standby tired of waiting I was able to get a seat on Air Asia back to Bangkok, but when processing my credit card it was rejected there was a block lesson learned. Not as easy just to pick up your phone unless you prepared your phone for travel plus some banks if not all you call then you have to push a number of buttons wait and wait to actually get a person.

A few years ago I signed up for a service called Wise! If interested you will need to take the time to learn and figure it out for yourself but I've found so far it is the best way to get your money if you have a Thai bank Account! There are a number of banks that won't allow you to exceed 50,000 baht at a time I have a number of accounts with Bangkok Bank that do allow.

Wise gives you the best rate by far any service I have used if the international market rate is 35.10 that is what you are going to get, minus the ACH debit card fee which is lower than what you pay using an ATM machine plus a far greater exchange rate far greater if Charles Schwab refunded me the fee. Today I wired my pension and my S. S. Deposited into Charles Schwab checking plan ahead depending on the amount it might take 24 hours into your Thai account. I figure out that if you do like 1000.00 USA Within a 24 period just after you click submit you get a notice on your phone it is already in your account even before they have taken it from your account in the USA.

Timing is everything when home for larger amounts I've done large amounts like $30,000 USA Plus to my Thai accounts, I log on and make the request not using ACH, but another method choice is they have a HQ branch of Wells Fargo in New York, I get their account number to have my bank wire the money to their account reference number and one they get it the money is in your Thai bank account.

In comparison, when I see over each month used to take it out of the ATM, but now because of getting a better higher rate, I getting a few Thousand baht more each month. Many retirees doing Immigration O, monthly method use Wise once a month to show the transfer of 40,000 or 60,000 baht. Once your account is set up they will ask why you sending money just click " living expenses "

Good luck.

[HorseTrader]

Your bank may vary, but generally you can get this all settled before you go, or if a card gets blocked, a quick call or customer support can resolve it, its frustrating, but just takes a short time to resolve.

I was forced to cancel one of my cards while in Thailand about 8 months ago. Cancellation was quick and easy, just one call. Getting the replacement card while in Thailand took many calls and 4 days. Dealing with USA banks for card cancellation is a 24/7 thing, but I could only deal with card replacement problems during USA business hours. After 4 days waiting for my replacement card, I still had activation and password problems which required USA telephone support (several issues) plus internet access (set new password).

Recommend that none of us travel to Thailand without backup financial arrangements (e.g., 2+ ATM cards, 2+ credit cards, cash).

[KumuMan]

So the IRS tells me someone may have used my social security number to acquire employment, and they say I might want to put a fraud alert on my credit. I looked around and couldn't find any good info on how that might effect me once I'm overseas such as banking, wire transfers, buying a condo, etc. Anyone had any experience with this? I wouldn't want to make it impossible to access my bank accounts.

On another note I once tried a wire transfer to Thailand from my current bank and had some major issues. My bank actually ran the wire transfer via Bank of America instead of themselves. Is there a specific bank in the US that someone recommends if moving overseas? Does anyone use Charles Schwab in that regard? I already know they are good for reimbursing ATM fees.

This is why Banks are criminal, they will charge a transaction fee to transfer internationally or even domestic. Schwab and other brokerage accounts wave this fee (at least for me) but you'll need to check with them first. However, It may take up to 1 day for the transfer.

Ripple, the company and XRP the token will eliminate all the reason you mentioned above. Blockchain technology in money transfer solutions. Transfer done within seconds (like sending an e-mail) and only cents for any denomination of $ transfers. The US is desperately trying to stall this technology until the Banks run by Wall Street figure out how they can control the trillions of dollars lost daily (like 12 trillion per day) from this ultimate tech that will dominate how money is settled worldwide instantly.

[Mr Enternational]

So the IRS tells me someone may have used my social security number to acquire employment, and they say I might want to put a fraud alert on my credit. I looked around and couldn't find any good info on how that might effect me once I'm overseas such as banking, wire transfers, buying a condo, etc. Anyone had any experience with this? I wouldn't want to make it impossible to access my bank accounts.

On another note I once tried a wire transfer to Thailand from my current bank and had some major issues. My bank actually ran the wire transfer via Bank of America instead of themselves. Is there a specific bank in the US that someone recommends if moving overseas? Does anyone use Charles Schwab in that regard? I already know they are good for reimbursing ATM fees.

It only stops someone from opening credit in your name. If you are at the store and want to apply for a card then you simply go online and turn the block off. Get approved then turn the block back on. Has nothing to do with you traveling, only with new credit.

I use Schwab. Simply take money out the machine. You do not need a transfer. You can call them to raise your daily withdrawal limit temporarily (24 hours) or permanently.

[GrapeMan]

So the IRS tells me someone may have used my social security number to acquire employment, and they say I might want to put a fraud alert on my credit. I looked around and couldn't find any good info on how that might effect me once I'm overseas such as banking, wire transfers, buying a condo, etc. Anyone had any experience with this? I wouldn't want to make it impossible to access my bank accounts.

On another note I once tried a wire transfer to Thailand from my current bank and had some major issues. My bank actually ran the wire transfer via Bank of America instead of themselves. Is there a specific bank in the US that someone recommends if moving overseas? Does anyone use Charles Schwab in that regard? I already know they are good for reimbursing ATM fees.

For fraud and stuff, many banks and credit cards allow you to do a travel notification, which is exactly to prevent issues from popping up while traveling abroad. Some have sunset this and just take a look at the chargers, others you can do it online or with a call. Your bank may vary, but generally you can get this all settled before you go, or if a card gets blocked, a quick call or customer support can resolve it, its frustrating, but just takes a short time to resolve.

[TooDirty]

So the IRS tells me someone may have used my social security number to acquire employment, and they say I might want to put a fraud alert on my credit. I looked around and couldn't find any good info on how that might effect me once I'm overseas such as banking, wire transfers, buying a condo, etc. Anyone had any experience with this? I wouldn't want to make it impossible to access my bank accounts.

On another note I once tried a wire transfer to Thailand from my current bank and had some major issues. My bank actually ran the wire transfer via Bank of America instead of themselves. Is there a specific bank in the US that someone recommends if moving overseas? Does anyone use Charles Schwab in that regard? I already know they are good for reimbursing ATM fees.

[TConor]

The ice in Thailand is safe to consume. It's all from filtered water from factories.

For those with sensitive stomachs and food poisoning concerns, only eat at restaurants and malls and mall food courts. That's what I try to do. The outdoor food stalls are a risk.

I ate from a turkish kebab stall at Tree Town in Pattaya last year and got the worst food poisoning of my life. I couldn't move for two days. My next trip I plan to only eat at the malls and hotel. Conveniently, malls are everywhere in Bangkok and Pattaya.

Just stick with the ice with holes in it and you will be fine.

[GrapeMan]

Dude just go upstairs to the 4th floor and go outside and cross over to the other side and tell the driver 1000. I have done this literally 100 times. I do not know why people keep obsessing over these taxi services or paying more than 1000.

Yeah I'm pretty much on the same point. A regular taxi will generally not give much of a shit and take the fare. Same goes for leaving from Bangkok city proper.

[Mr Enternational]

How reliable is Cebu Air flying out of Bangkok to Manila? Would you recommend a different airline..

Never had a problem. They keep writing to me saying my points are about to expire.

[HornDog 3]

How reliable is Cebu Air flying out of Bangkok to Manila? Would you recommend a different airline.

Thanks for the response.

[GatorAk]

The ice in Thailand is safe to consume. It's all from filtered water from factories.

For those with sensitive stomachs and food poisoning concerns, only eat at restaurants and malls and mall food courts. That's what I try to do. The outdoor food stalls are a risk.

I ate from a turkish kebab stall at Tree Town in Pattaya last year and got the worst food poisoning of my life. I couldn't move for two days. My next trip I plan to only eat at the malls and hotel. Conveniently, malls are everywhere in Bangkok and Pattaya.

I stick to American chain restaurants or higher end restaurants. I leaned my lesson onetime eating at night market stalls, which led to me being out of commission for days.

[Mogwai]

Vietnam finally switching back to pre-COVID 90 day eVisa on August 15. They made it even better saying it's multi entry now. Guess I'll move home base from Japan / Korea to Vietnam soon. I've personally been waiting for 1 of the SEA countries (not Malaysia) to reinstate a 90 day Visa.

Why is this news in the Thailand thread? I believe Thailand needs to react quickly to lengthening their Visa to at least 45 days or Vietnam will dominate tourism in SEA.

I think Vietnam will not dominate, because the majority of the tourists have to get back to work after a couple of weeks, and therefore cannot take a 45 days vacation.