THE_DRUID

I'll have a look but i'm really looking for a Manchester departure for the 2nd week in February but the prices coming up are way too high at the moment,i was going to leave it until around 3 months before departure unless something in a reasonable price range comes up.

What did you get thrown out for?...I thought you were banned anyway?

If you exit Soi Lk Metro onto Soi Buakaow then you turn Right for Oasis(It's on the opposite side of the road on the corner of Soi Chaiyapoon). Hole in the wall(Tin Cups/No Name) Thai eaterie is South if coming from LK Metro but North If coming from Oasis.

I originally mentioned Pooks for you Villa with my 'tongue firmly in cheek' too

A Bar that predominantly employs Katoeys

Hole in the Wall(Tin Cups) is a stones throw from where you're staying(Drunken Duck) Villa and they do takeaways too! ..You could even saunter down to 'Pooks' while they knock your grub up for you

It's on the same side of Soi Buakaow as Oasis a-go go a minute walk heading North.It's a smallish place with no 'official' name i'm aware of,me and mates call it 'Tin Cups'(because when you sit down they give you a Tin Cup with ice and complimentary water on the tables),last time i was there(June)they seem to have extended it a bit towards the back and re-decorated.I also recommend the place for authentic Thai food.At certain times of the day/night you'll be lucky to get a seat there and may have to communally share a table with others.A mix of Thai/Farang customers frequent the place.

Ok Yesterday i received confirmation (and the form to sign) informing me that my application for The Halifax Clarity Card has been approved.I applied for the Card over the telephone because i already had a Halifax One Credit Card and had to have that Card temporarily 'put on hold' whilst my application for the clarity card was being processed(because you can't have more than 1 Credit card issued by The Halifax running concurrently apart from a charity card).The adviser told me not everyone is guaranteed the 12.9% per annum rate,for my application she told me that the 12.9% rate was applied for and thankfully i got it).I've now sent the form back to The Halifax and await my card and Pin to arrive.Then it'll be all systems go for my next trip(end Sept/Oct) when i'll test the waters with it.

Yeah money saving expert is an excellent website for tips. moneysavingexpert.com/travelmoney

Can't confirm whether the Halifax Clarity card Take it's ex rate from the following link but i done a search and it's the only Mastercard Currency converting tool i came up with. Mastercard Currency Conversion Tool

Thanks Irish boy and Bazle for confirming.I will definitely try to aply for a Bank account at the Kasikorn next time i'm in Funtown in October.

As i mentioned when i called into my local branch they told me you can't have more than one C/C issued by the Halifax(unless one C/C issued by The Halifax was a Charity C/C) so i would have to close the C/C i have at the moment then apply for a Clarity Card in 30 days time!!! Then i phoned The Halifax and they told me that i don't have to wait 30 days but reiterated that i would only be able to hold One C/C issued by The Halifax(unless i had another C/C with them which was a Charity card) and that if i wanted to apply for the Clarity C/C then they would De-activate my existing C/C until i know whether or not i am accepted for a Clarity card.If i am not eligible for a Clarity card then they will re-activate my current C/C and i would be able to continue to use it.So this is what i have done i applied on the phone and they told me that they weren't able to give me an instant decision,they gave me a Reference number and told me to call them back in 48 hrs(which is tomorrow) when they will let me know if i've been accepted for the Clarity Card. So again conflicting information given out by different departments.

After posting the above a few days ago regarding The Halifax Clarity Credit Card yesterday i decided to give the Halifax a call.I explained to the adviser on the phone that i already had a Halifax Credit Card and she confirmed that i would have to close that card/account down if i wanted a Clarity Card.However she said that she can put my existing Halifax Visa Card on Hold whilst i apply for a Clarity Card and if i got turned down for the Clarity Card The Halifax will be able to reactivate my existing Halifax Credit Card(There was no mention of having to wait 30 days before applying for the Clarity card once i had closed my existing Halifax C/C,so conflicting stories yet again from an adviser in a branch and an adviser on the phone!!!).I did the application over the phone and they gave me a reference number and they told me i have to phone them back in 48 hrs to see if my Clarity Credit Card application is succesful.I will post on here an update on the results of my application in the next few days.

Thanks Irish boy for posting some good advice regarding my queries about Kasikorn Bank accounts.

Thanks for the reply.I take it by 30 day standard Visa you mean a Visa you got from the Embassy/consulate and not the 30 day stamp you get on arrival in Los.I ask this because their are conflicting stories/experiences being posted ,irish boy mentioned that he had no problem opening a Kasikorn Bank account without a Visa and some people are saying you need to show a Visa? I imagine it's possibly 'Hit and Miss' and each branch may be different depending who you are dealing with.

I found this useful info on the 'Net'. Banking Setting up a bank account in Thailand is easy and quick, as long as you have your passport. You can bring in practically any amount of money, though getting it back out is another matter, as discussed in the section on Transferring Money From Abroad. Practically anyone living here should do this immediately. There are few legal restrictions as long as the money originates from abroad, though you will get a savings account, not a checking account. Cheques are seldom written here and are normally restricted to business transactions using company accounts. You can get a local ATM card immediately, as is standard practice, but not a chequebook. For large purchases, you can go to your bank to arrange a bank cheque to carry to the vendor. Your ATM card will work in any ATM machine regardless of bank. You will be given a bank book. You will not be mailed detailed bank statements from the bank as in many western countries. You should carry this bank book with you whenever you do a transaction with a teller. They will put the bank book into their machine, and your transactions will be printed on the pages of the bank book in order. If you do a lot of transactions (ATM, deposits) without bringing in your bank book for a long time, then one line may include a combination of many transactions in value with no itemization (one line with code ACM for ACcuMulated). You can use any branch of your bank for most transactions such as depositing local cheques, but you will find that a few services are available only at the branch in which you opened your bank account. The same goes for cashing (vs. depositing) a cheque -- you must go to the branch number on the cheque of the issuing party, as is written clearly on the cheque, if you wish to cash the cheque. You can call the bank (phone numbers below) and find out where the branch is. For depositing a cheque, if the issuing party uses the same bank as yourself, then the money will usually be available for withdrawal immediately upon deposit. However, if the cheque is from a different Thai bank, then it will clear in two days, e.g., if you put it in Tuesday afternoon then it will be available for ATM withdrawal after 6:30pm on Thursday. If you deposit it before 10:00am, then the funds will usually be available the next day after 6:30pm. When you fill out a deposit or withdrawal form, be sure to use a duplicate form (carbon or chemical) so that you make two copies. They keep one and they stamp the copy to give to you as a receipt and with a computer printout on it having your name clearly typed. If your bank is poorly managed so you are stuck with no carbon, then just fill out two forms separately, as it won't matter. Make sure to bring your passport if you want to withdraw cash at the counter rather than at an ATM. Which bank is best is up for debate. I don't like Bangkok Bank because for so many years they didn't even offer English on their ATM machines though that eventually changed, but they still were slow to accomodate those who can't read Thai. My favorite has always been Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), which had good English from the start in 1994, including in their ATMs, almost always has good service, and maintains a good reputation. Another bank, Kasikorn, formerly "Thai Farmers Bank" (but they are not just for farmers; that's just their origin long ago) also provides exemplary quality of service, is very modern, and has a good reputation in the hi-so financial community. These are the top three for foreigners. Bangkok Bank stays in there because the previously staked claim as the biggest Thai bank in southeast Asia. Technically, foreigners are now required a work permit to open a bank account. Nonetheless, the banks serve many tourists who wish to put their money into a local bank and use a local ATM account for their stay here, especially if they're staying for one to three months. It's reasonable to expect that a work permit and other documentation are required to open a checking account, but not a savings account tied to an ATM card for withdrawals. Like many foreigners say, if one branch refuses you, then just go to another branch of the same bank, or else another bank, and it's rare to be rejected more than 3 times. Many people get it in their first attempt. Transferring Money To/From Abroad Besides using a credit card as discussed above, there are other ways of transferring money from abroad. Some require setting up a bank account in Thailand, which is easy and quick as discussed in the previous section on Banking. There are also branches of several foreign banks in Bangkok, as also listed previously. Western Union is the fastest way to send money, e.g., same day, but is the most expensive way. You have to go pick up the money at the Western Union office. They are located in certain Central Department stores in Bangkok. To find out which ones, call 02-254-9121. I've used the Central on the corner of Phloenchit and Wittayu, though the Western Union outlet was hard to find and in a remote part of the store. Wiring money from an overseas bank account to your Thai bank account (or vice versa) usually takes one to three days, though sometimes it can take more than a week, depending upon the banks and the system used. It can also be pretty expensive. If you plan to deposit a cheque written to you personally, try to make sure the cheque is written to your full name, for example Joseph Antonio Blow instead of Joseph Blow. This is because your Thai bank account will be in your full name, and branches and central offices have been known to reject deposits without the middle name in it. It depends on the bank and branch. I've had to argue with a few of them, and the time and effort to prevent this makes it worth avoiding this issue. One of the cheapest ways is to send an international cashier's cheque or money order which you prepare at a bank, e.g., Siam City Bank as recommended by several people. Such a cheque should be sent by a registered international courier, e.g., DHL. These couriers are listed on our page on Postal and Courier. Notably, do not use the post office Money Order service. You don't get a money order cheque. It's a farce. Go to a Bangkok Bank or a Thai Farmer's Bank instead. There is an alluring advertisement on the website of the Communications Authority of Thailand (who is in charge of the post offices) at http://www.cat.or.th/new/postal.htm, and you'll see a Money Order place in post offices. Again, don't use it. Here's my experience. To send money or to receive cash, you will need your passport in hand. There are generally no restrictions on receiving money, but sending money is another matter, as is walking out of the country with money. Many new regulations were put into place as a result of the 1997 economic collapse and currency speculation which caused the Thai baht to fluctuate and become more unstable. Transferring money will require an invoice from the remote receiver, and you should bring as much documentation as you can. Currently, it is said that you can walk out with up to 50,000 baht. To convert Thai baht into cash without any other documentation, you will need to bring your plane ticket and your passport. [The latter part of the above section has a lot of TBD to be added.] Transferring Money Within Thailand by ATM Transfer If you already have a bank account in Thailand, it's quick and easy to send money to someone else's bank account in Thailand, or to some company's bank account. This is a common method of payment. The only trick is that you must go to an ATM machine owned by your bank. For example, if you have an SCB (Siam Commercial Bank) ATM card, and your girlfriend has a Kasikorn Bank (KBank) then you must go to an SCB bank ATM to transfer the money. You cannot use a Krung Thai Bank ATM or a Kasikorn Bank ATM or anything except an SCB Bank ATM. Likewise, if you girlfriend wants to send some money to you, then she must go to a Kasikorn Bank ATM, not an SCB ATM. The ATM machines vary, but the process usually goes like this: 1. Put in your ATM card and enter your PIN number. 2. Choose English language :-) 3. Choose "Transfer" 4. Choose the receiving bank 5. Type in the recipient's account number 6. Type in the money amount to send 7. Wait a moment. The ATM will retrieve and display the recipient's name for you to verify it's correct. It's very easy and quick. The money is instantly available to the other person. Keep the receipt. If you need it for tax records, then you should photocopy or scan it, because most of the receipts fade very quickly (thermal paper). The receipt will have the sender's and receiver's account number, transaction number, amount, date and time. It won't have any names on it. Notably, interbank transfer often fails after 10pm, though transfers within different accounts of the same bank usually work 24 hours/day.

Thanks for that info Irish boy. Kasikorn sounds like its the one to go for if i decide to open a Bank Account in Los.I can live with leaving only a small amount in the account and the yearly charge of 200 Baht.Which Branch in Pattaya of The Kasikorn do you suggest?I believe their is stilll an ATM withdrawal charge.True? if so how much per transaction is it? also i hear if you use the card in a different province to where you opened your account in,then their is a charge.Is this true? If so how much is the charge?

Overstate in what respect??

I called into my local Halifax last week enquiring about the Clarity Visa Card and you are only elegible for one if you already don't have a Visa Credit card with the Halifax, i already have one.The advisor told me that in order to apply for one i would have to close down/Cancel my present Visa Card and wait for 1 month before i can apply for the Clarity Visa Card and then i was still not guaranteed that i would be accepted for the Clarity Card.I stressed that i also have 3 other types of investments/accounts with the Halifax but i was basically told by the advisor that this counts for nothing.You are not allowed to have more than one Visa Card issued by the Halifax at one time apart from having a 'charity' Credit card i was told.Their are no usage fees but you will incur a 12.9% APR which monthly roughly works out @£1 for every £100 in cash you withdraw.This is the best Credit Card out there at the moment for withdrawing cash on(but don't forget to also take into account the Thai Banking ATM usage charge of 150 baht per transaction. Here's the Link to info about The Halifax Clarity Credit Card Halifax Clarity Credit Card

Certain issues have already been posted on this thread about opening a Thai bank account and it can be something of a mine field for a foreigner to get a Bank account up and running.It's possible but hit and miss as reported.

Brian,I have just opened a Lloyds/TSB current account,it took about a week for my Card and Pin to arrive .You can order Sterling T/C's with Lloyds/TSB commission free as long as you order them either on line or on the phone using your Debit card from your current account to pay for them.If you go into a branch and order them however you will be charged 1.5%. I Telephoned the Travel money hotline to enquire about T/C's and the highest denomination they do is £200 Sterling T/C's.When you phone you have to state the denominations you want and tell them what branch you want to pick them up at.If you have them delivered then the charge is £4.50 to cover the cost of Registered Post. Hope this info helps.i haven't ordered yet as i am not going to Los until the last week in September but this is the way i will be purchasing T/C's from now on.The Nationwide charges come into affect November so this trip will be the last time i use the Nationwide Debit card in Los(apart from emergencies).It's a Mixture of T/C's and Cash from now on for me.

More bad news from The Nationwide on the T/C's front.They stopped this service on July 31st.It looks like they are really turning the screw on their members.It begs me to think what kind of different service they are now giving compared to Banks?Poor interest rates.Multiple charges for card usage,stopping their Travel money service.Time to cut loose methinks.Fuck the Nationwide.

Thanks Bazle and Obsession for the insight on answering my questions on Thai Bank accounts.

It was in todays Money section of The Mail on Sunday

Looks like i'll also be opening a Bank account next time i'm in Los.Just a few questions posed to those that already have Bank accounts in Los Banks. 1.What is the best way to deposit cash is it by bringing over Foreign Cash converting it and then depositing it? 2.is it just depositing foreign cash into you account where they then convert it? 3.Is the best way to transfer/wire money from a your home country Bank account to your Thai bank account? My main angle if the questions is to find out which is the cheapest way to get deposits to your Bank account. 4.Finally is their a specified amount of cash you have to have/keep in a Thai Bank account to keep it a 'Live' account? I ask this because as i don't live in Los i wouldn't want to keep a large amount of cash in my account whilst i'm not there. I'd appreciate any feedback on these questions. The Druid.