Pattaya Reports

[Nixonbd]

I have left Thailand to get vaccinated but will return soon.

Given the closed bars and massage shops, what are my options for fun?

Costa Rica and Panama are open, albeit with their own restrictions.

[LittleBigMan]

Okay. Let me try again: there are plenty of ladies hanging around Soi Buakhow at night, are there short time hotels in the Soi Lengkee / Diana area?

There are plenty in the area the ladies will know but let them know unless it is what you like a shithole! It has been a long long time but once told a Beach Road girl went to a place S / H just off Beach Road Soi 13 something I think the one where the Starbucks is on the corner? It was cheap something like 150 baht? The towels were basically used newspapers.

On Soi Baukhao, just outside the LK Metro next to the closed Climax outdoor bar or few doors down is Jasmine Villa use it a few time years back not sure what the cost now. If you got a motorbike many use the Love Inn just off 3rd Road or Viva up the road from the Big see extra on Klang.

[Knobrm]

I opened a bank account with Bangkok Bank on 2nd road (opposite Soi 6) in 2017 while on a visa waiver. Provided I transfer substantial amounts at a time (like 10 k euros), SWIFT transfers from Europe are not expensive. This is one thing I like about Thailand. It's not just the overheads that are low, the exchange rate is also OK, not some fancy scamming exchange rate like banks in South America hit you with.

If I were to name one thing that I would regret about Thailand if I settled elsewhere, that would be it: easy access to my money.

Once you mentioned that branch, also recall someone saying it being farang friendly in addition to the couple of others I know. Sure there are others, in other cities too. If problem, might help if tell you moving here and buying a house and need to transfer 15 M baht for that purpose. Sorry need to go to some other bank if you can not...everything here is driven by money, not only pussy...

Re transfers, Transferwise (Wise they call themselves now.) is even cheaper, and the fee is effectively a percentage of the amount and pretty much same regardless of the amount, so no need to send a lot at a time and still low cost. If big amount, still cheaper than SWIFT transfer as the rate they use is better than banks use for SWIFT receptions. I was using SWIFT transfers before, but since I learned about Transferwise, not after that.

Typically next day in BKK bank account here when send from my bank in Europe so easy to manage in real time online.

So really is much better to open an account if frequent visitor, esp if you dont have one of those US fee-waiving cards. No worries about credit card fraud either as can use local ATM / debit card for all payments.

Online banking I think still requires one year visa (I think, not sure, but was so when I opened my acct), but that is not necessary.

[Explorer8939]

Yes. There are.

Great, thanks. The ladies will know where they are.

[Mr Enternational]

Okay. Let me try again: there are plenty of ladies hanging around Soi Buakhow at night, are there short time hotels in the Soi Lengkee / Diana area?

Yes. There are.

[XXL]

I opened a bank account with Bangkok Bank on 2nd road (opposite Soi 6) in 2017 while on a visa waiver. Provided I transfer substantial amounts at a time (like 10 k euros), SWIFT transfers from Europe are not expensive. This is one thing I like about Thailand. It's not just the overheads that are low, the exchange rate is also OK, not some fancy scamming exchange rate like banks in South America hit you with.

If I were to name one thing that I would regret about Thailand if I settled elsewhere, that would be it: easy access to my money.

[Explorer8939]

Eyeglass shops. Grocery stores. Office managers.

The usual places where most of us go to get Hot Free girls.

Okay. Let me try again: there are plenty of ladies hanging around Soi Buakhow at night, are there short time hotels in the Soi Lengkee / Diana area?

[LittleBigMan]

When it comes to ATM, although I live here and have a few Thai Bank accounts my main source of Baht comes each month from the ATM I've been doing this for as long as I can remember. In my own simple way, I have a number of Credit Cards, Debit Cards from different institutions that are interlinked so if one goes down I have a backup. In 15 plus years never have had a card sucked up but did have a problem years back with Aeon when the machine didn't dispense money but took it out of my account. A simple call to my institution back home was placed back an audit requested to Aeon month later resolved. I was also shorted once by a Bangkok Bank ATM without going into details they lied one of the reasons I will only do so much business with any Thai Bank.

Years ago I did research out of interest I went throughout Pattaya using different Thai bank ATM'S checking their rates from local and tourist locations sadly although the same bank there is a slight difference in the exchange rate if every baht makes a difference in the end I make it a point although there are only two locations here in Pattaya to mainly use Aeon the user fee is 150 baht compared to 220 and most of all no matter what card is used they don't put in their own lower rate as the other Thai Banks.

Cards are different, as noted Fidelity, Charles Schwab which I also have and I think another top of my head Citi-Bank return all fees to you end of the month. These cards for example like my other Wells Fargo when used on a Thai Bank the lower exchange rate request being asked it goes straight to the Internation rate but remember after requesting your money the screen shows a breakdown of the rate most likely will be 1% lower do not push YES to continue push NO it will revert back to the International rate. Sadly my Credit Union Debit card whenever I use it on a Thai Bank ATM I get this message.

A few years back needing to wire large amounts from the USA I also did research, in the end, settle on Transferwise which is called Wise now, all the data I got showed Wise gave a much higher rate to offset any of their fees so I sign up and gave it a try every transaction was quick and fast once you get everything set up. So if you live here or visit long periods at a time and can establish a local account you should consider this method as I have been doing for a year to cut the expense of ATM fees regardless if you are getting it free.

I get my pension money S. S. Placed in two different accounts Charles Schwab and my Credit Union I've been consolidating deposits from my other accounts to Charles Schwab. Prior I was doing two withdraws a month from my Credit Union the cost was in the range totalling 20.00 USD. Based on the average exchange rate two draws for $1000 USD max 30,000 baht. Using Wise I do a transfer once a month to my Thai bank account the fee I pay for $1000 (example) is just under $10.00 with the better exchange rate given by Wise compare to any ATM I get an average of 1000 B for every $1000 USD, although not much in USD that is $30.00.

Food for thought?

[Cohend386]

Anyone frequently visiting here should open local bank account and wire funds to that account and use local ATM card. Transfer either direct or using transferwise that in most cases is the cheapest way to get funds here. Easily one or two ST per month for free vs using credit card!

If y'all haven't heard of it there's this which is what I have: Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® account (Google it).

You get a debit card which has 0% foreign transaction fees (most are at least 1%) and better yet you get ATM fees refunded. So if there an access fee of say 200 baht for using the ATM you get that money refunded to you by Schwab.

[Explorer8939]

I have left Thailand to get vaccinated but will return soon.

Given the closed bars and massage shops, what are my options for fun?

[LittleBigMan]

Absolutely agree. Guys need to weed out who is credible and who is not on here. Lots of very active handles on here pretending they know stuff when they haven't even been to Thailand or made a 1 week visit years ago.

There should be a private section on this forum where only members who have met in person can access. Members also need to be present in Bangkok or Pattaya and active in the scene (ie. able to write current bar and girl reviews).



You clearly don't know me then!

There you have it BB? Today what you have is a lot of keyboard cowards as they term them. It is easier to criticize behind the keyboard easier for some to talk behind their backs treat them like an enemy but lack the fortitude to do it straight out!

What kills me as you noted been told in the past by others some posters aren't even real or even been in Thailand if true that is really pathetic in my opinion just degrades the website credibility and there is just no justifiable reason for doing it!

[Explorer8939]

It is my understanding that it is nearly impossible for a traveler to open a Thai bank account.

I opened a Thai bank account while on visa exempt status.

[Knobrm]

It is my understanding that it is nearly impossible for a traveler to open a Thai bank account.

Well, have to admit it is a while since I opened mine, but was on 30 day waiver as traveler when I did. Just got the residence paper from immigration (which is easy).

I'm pretty sure some branches will do still (BKK bank on 2nd road near WS and BKK bank on Jomtien 2nd road on top of Soi 5 used to be OK at least).

If not use agents like Mots or Tik Tok sure they can make it happen for a small fee...almost anything here is...

[Nixonbd]

Anyone frequently visiting here should open local bank account and wire funds to that account and use local ATM card. Transfer either direct or using transferwise that in most cases is the cheapest way to get funds here. Easily one or two ST per month for free vs using credit card!

It is my understanding that it is nearly impossible for a traveler to open a Thai bank account.

[LaoMan]

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