Pattaya Reports

[LittleBigMan]

That's pretty good. You have no taxable income and still able to live a reasonable life.

Not sure if you are receiving a pension and social security but aren't they somewhat taxable?

I could perhaps understand living on a small budget with lower expenses in an Asian country and getting by with that.

But mongering is still somewhat expensive. Love to know how to do that correctly as I'm close to retirement myself and need lots of useful tips and pointers.

Cheers.

Personally, there really isn't a lot to think about? It depends on your tax bracket when it comes to pensions and social security taking taxes out is an option you can say no or take this much out! I highly suggest you check with an accountant they can tell based on your bracket the projected Fed, State taxes and have them taken out prior to their deposit. I have a cousin who lives here I would estimate his pension and S. S. Is something like 32-35,000 USD, he pays no States Taxes in California and takes out something like 800.00 USD Fed for that income each year he files his return and gets the majority of it back. He's lived here for 10 years never a dull moment for him or me when he is around.

[LittleBigMan]

One has to be a US citizen or resident to open a US bank account. Schwab is a US bank.

Schwab is a bank but what they are mostly known for is for being a brokerage. You don't need to be a citizen or resident to open a brokerage account but there are stipulations. I suggest those who want to know if opening a brokerage allows for opening a checking and obtaining an ATM card can contact them just Google.

[Sharka]

Thinking a little more about it, I should state that I am retired with no taxable income. You may still be employed by someone where I could see possible issues arising.

That's pretty good. You have no taxable income and still able to live a reasonable life.

Not sure if you are receiving a pension and social security but aren't they somewhat taxable?

I could perhaps understand living on a small budget with lower expenses in an Asian country and getting by with that.

But mongering is still somewhat expensive. Love to know how to do that correctly as I'm close to retirement myself and need lots of useful tips and pointers.

Cheers.

[Java Man]

Yeah well, I just don't want to mess with all that. All I got to do is turn on data roaming on my phone, and voila T-Mobile works for me. I'm happy with that.

Yeah, I don't want to do that. Am Happy as is. He's got a good idea though. But getting a sim after landing somewhere can be hassle. (Gotta register the damn thing.) I like that T-Mobile works upon landing and getting a signal.

[Java Man]

OK, that I don't know being an American. All I can say is I've used my Schwab card in various ATM's (Kbank, Bangkok Bank, TMB) here in the Jomtien area along with side trips to Hong Kong and Tokyo with no problems what so ever with getting my ATM fees refunded.

One has to be a US citizen or resident to open a US bank account. Schwab is a US bank.

[The Cane]

I agree with the Schwab debit card for saving on ATM fees wholeheartedly. But I somewhat disagree with everyone saying T-Mobile for cell service in Thailand. I'm assuming the goal is to keep your US phone number or I'm not sure what the benefit would be. Just getting AIS or True once in Thailand and swapping the sim card is cheaper and has faster data. The answer I've found is moving your US phone number to Google Voice. So now no matter what country I'm in, what cell service provider I have, I'll always have my US number. I can make calls / texts through the phone app or even from the computer. That's just my 2 cents. Spend $20 to port your number to Google Voice and don't look back. Then you just get the local cell service wherever you go and your number will always be with you.

Yeah well, I just don't want to mess with all that. All I got to do is turn on data roaming on my phone, and voila T-Mobile works for me. I'm happy with that.

[Cohend386]

T-Mobile and Schwab abroad are the way to go! I used to carry cash around until I got that Schwab card years ago. And, I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile a few years ago. T-Mobile works exactly how you say.

I agree with the Schwab debit card for saving on ATM fees wholeheartedly. But I somewhat disagree with everyone saying T-Mobile for cell service in Thailand. I'm assuming the goal is to keep your US phone number or I'm not sure what the benefit would be. Just getting AIS or True once in Thailand and swapping the sim card is cheaper and has faster data. The answer I've found is moving your US phone number to Google Voice. So now no matter what country I'm in, what cell service provider I have, I'll always have my US number. I can make calls / texts through the phone app or even from the computer. That's just my 2 cents. Spend $20 to port your number to Google Voice and don't look back. Then you just get the local cell service wherever you go and your number will always be with you.

[Nounce]

You are correct. No US carrier sells a dual sim card phone. In fact I read the new Samsung S21 comes with the e-sim disabled so you only have the physical sim slot to use. Not sure if Apple does the same. For years I have been using the international Samsung phone with dual sims. Like you said you give up specs for dual sim functionality. The international phones come with a weaker processor than what is sold on the same phone in the US. As my Samsung S9+ is showing its age I have been debating what to do next.

You can use eSIM with Apple. You don't have to get phone from the carrier. Amazon has many dual sim phones, but it may not be the model you want.

[The Cane]

I've been with T-Mobile for 10 years. Yes, it works in Rio, Thailand and elsewhere. Once you arrive in a foreign country, turn on Data Roaming. Once you get a signal T-Mobile will send you a text advising you of unlimited data at up to 2G speed and texts at no extra costs. Local calls are 25 cents USD / min. I don't bother with that, I strictly use WIFI calling, as it's free. I've made and received calls using Soi 6 wifi. If you want faster speed, T-Mobile has an International Pass for $5 USD / day. I avoid that by using a Mobile Hot spot with a Local sim.

I've run into ATM's that won't accept the Schwab card, even though they're part of the Plus or Star network. I just use another bank's ATM. ALL my ATM fees are refunded. The back of the Schwab card has the networks it works with. BTW, I'm currently riding out the pandemic wave in Thailand.

T-Mobile and Schwab abroad are the way to go! I used to carry cash around until I got that Schwab card years ago. And, I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile a few years ago. T-Mobile works exactly how you say.

[Jwdub]

My broker warned me strongly not to change my address to an foreign one when I went overseas for a few years, as there would be a ton of extra tax-related paperwork to fill out, so I ended up getting a mailbox with a physical address from a company I've been using. It's about $30 a month.

Thinking a little more about it, I should state that I am retired with no taxable income. You may still be employed by someone where I could see possible issues arising.

[Jwdub]

Reread what I wrote and I see how you could have come to this conclusion based on what I wrote. However, what I was trying to say is that if you are not an American, the services of Charles Schwab refunding you ATM fees is likely not available. Correct me if I am wrong because I would like to save 200 baht per each 25,000 baht withdrawal I make, several times per week. My option now are Aeon ATM machines but they aren't conveniently located for me

OK, that I don't know being an American. All I can say is I've used my Schwab card in various ATM's (Kbank, Bangkok Bank, TMB) here in the Jomtien area along with side trips to Hong Kong and Tokyo with no problems what so ever with getting my ATM fees refunded.

[Jwdub]

My broker warned me strongly not to change my address to an foreign one when I went overseas for a few years, as there would be a ton of extra tax-related paperwork to fill out, so I ended up getting a mailbox with a physical address from a company I've been using. It's about $30 a month.

The only additional tax form that I've annually been filling out due to me residing in Thailand is the FBAR form stating that you have over 10 K US $ in a foreign bank account. It takes less than 5 minutes to fill out online. I've been using my Pattaya address on my Federal tax 1040 with no problems.

[Java Man]

so I am not 100% sure of this, but I just switched domestic USA carriers from AT&T to T-Mobil. The reason I switched, aside from a $200 annual savings with the T-Mobil unlimited calling, data and texting plan in the USA is that T-Mobil promises (promotes) automatic unlimited texting and unlimited data (on their sim card) in over 200 countries including Brazil and Thailand, the 2 countries. Ha! But I am bringing 2 cell phones to Brazil just in case the T-Mobil promise is not a reality.

I've been with T-Mobile for 10 years. Yes, it works in Rio, Thailand and elsewhere. Once you arrive in a foreign country, turn on Data Roaming. Once you get a signal T-Mobile will send you a text advising you of unlimited data at up to 2G speed and texts at no extra costs. Local calls are 25 cents USD / min. I don't bother with that, I strictly use WIFI calling, as it's free. I've made and received calls using Soi 6 wifi. If you want faster speed, T-Mobile has an International Pass for $5 USD / day. I avoid that by using a Mobile Hot spot with a Local sim.

Not totally sure of the Schwab refund policy and which countries they cover, but I had no problems as Canadian getting ATM refunds when I use their card. But maybe policy have changed since my last use as I have not been traveling overseas for 2 yrs (actually about year and half) due to Covid restrictions.

I've run into ATM's that won't accept the Schwab card, even though they're part of the Plus or Star network. I just use another bank's ATM. ALL my ATM fees are refunded. The back of the Schwab card has the networks it works with. BTW, I'm currently riding out the pandemic wave in Thailand.

[Sharka]

However, what I was trying to say is that if you are not an American, the services of Charles Schwab refunding you ATM fees is likely not available..

Not totally sure of the Schwab refund policy and which countries they cover, but I had no problems as Canadian getting ATM refunds when I use their card. But maybe policy have changed since my last use as I have not been traveling overseas for 2 yrs (actually about year and half) due to Covid restrictions.

[IHeartIpa]

My understanding is that it is much more difficult for a tourist to open a Thai bank account now. Just what I read a couple of years ago. No personal experience. I also opened a Thai bank account as a tourist..

It is but its a numbers game. You may have to go 10 different banks to get an account. Not necessarily different companies, just different physical locations. It makes no sense that one Bangkok bank would approve you but the location 2 km away wouldn't but TIT don't expect things to make sense LOL.