Retirement Visa Extension and Wise (Transferwise)

[Big Boy]

No, the rate is agreed at time of transfer, and it arrives as Baht.

[sateeb]

Maybe I missed something several pages back, but how did Bangkok Bank get involved, and what happened with this particular transaction that K Bank couldn't help with?

Is this "strange route" something that you need to worry about going forward?

Not 100% on this but I heard somewhere that Bangkok Bank is the Thai banking partner to Transferwise. That's why I opened an account with BB as the funds seem to appear quicker in my account than it did when I banked with Kasikorn.

So maybe when you use TW BB is the receiving bank and they forward on to other Thai banks. Just speculation

[lomuamart]

I think that's correct. When I get my credit advices each year, the paper trail is shown as coming through Bangkok Bank to KBank. And I don't use Transferwise. B Bank is the correspondent bank - I think that's the correct expression.

[Big Boy]

Bangkok Bank are (were) one of several partner banks of which Kasikorn was one. Things change, so I will watch closely to see if this becomes a regular occurrence. If it does, then I will have to change, but I wont go anywhere near the Bluport Branch again.

[HHTel]

I've been with BKK bank for 20 years and always found them helpful. I've never used the sub-branch in Bluport but I agree with BB that the one next to MV gives an excellent and very helpful service.
Regarding TW, I usually have the money in the bank (Bangkok Bank) within a couple of hours. The best timing was less than one hour but that's not the norm.

I didn't realise that BKK bank were the Thai partner to TW, but from experience of a couple of years transfers, that would appear to be correct.

[Big Boy]

The entire transaction this time was strange. Normally I receive notification the money has been sent within seconds of its arrival. This time I received notification it had been sent, but it didn't arrive. I enquired why, and they told me to be patient, and it would arrive in about 6 hours. That is not how Transferwise normally works for me. Either something has changed, or my latest transaction went wrong. I will monitor, and change things if necessary.

My point is, shit happens. It took me over 3 hours to rectify a transaction only 2 days old. What would have happened if I had a rogue transaction when I was preparing my paperwork in June at visa renewal time?

[Dannie Boy]

Well I think you know the answer, you’d be up to your neck in it!!

[Governor]

Of course let's not forget that, at least in my humble opinion, much of this boils down to the sheer bloody mindedness of some Thai Immigration staff, who want a paper chain that meets with their own specific requirements, there is no consistent approach to the actual immigration rules throughout the Kingdom, and I suspect that's not going to change.
We can supply statements from out overseas beanks, a pdf receipt from Tranferwise that provides the required information, but thet want a credit advice, the bank book and a statement and letter, all providing the same information.
I do think that some officers, not all, take great delight in pouring through submitted docs to find something that doesn't comply with their specific requirements and, in my experience, take great delight when they find something.
The older I get, the more tiresom I find some officers attitudes, but I know I'll never change it, and it's only once a year.

[Big Boy]

A happy ending. I received a phone call from Bangkok Bank as I walked around the lake. My Credit Advice was ready for collection.

I stopped off at the bank on the way home, took a number and set down. Next thing I know is the girl behind the desk started calling me by name. I went to the front of the queue and was handed my Credit Advice and 2 complimentary calendars. Such pleasant/helpful staff in that branch.

[sateeb]

Don't know if this a Forum record. Money sent 2.10pm, arrived in my Bangkok Bank a/c 2.18pm

Edited..FX rate 41.2

[Big Boy]

No, 5 out of the last 6 times for me, that would have been snails pace. Less than a minute. I seem to remember HHTel had a similar experience recently as well.

[huahinjim]

A happy ending. I received a phone call from Bangkok Bank as I walked around the lake. My Credit Advice was ready for collection.

I stopped off at the bank on the way home, took a number and set down. Next thing I know is the girl behind the desk started calling me by name. I went to the front of the queue and was handed my Credit Advice and 2 complimentary calendars. Such pleasant/helpful staff in that branch.

BB - I had the same issue getting money transferred to my Kasikorn account via the Bangkok Bank. I contacted TransferWise and they amended their system so that all transfers are now made direct to the Kasikorn Bank. They did add a rider saying that on occasion it may still route via Bangkok Bank but in 12 months that has not happened.

And I agree that the staff at Bangkok Bank outside market Village were always extremely helpful.(Especially one young man who happened to be a keen Liverpool FC supporter - he was rewarded with a few items from the official LFC shop when I returned to Liverpool to visit family )

[Big Boy]

Yes, I gave been doing this for over 2 years now, and just the one blip. When the incident happened, I was considering changing to Bangkok Bank, but it seems a genuine gremlin in the system. However, although a rate occurrence, I do fear for those who request their Credit Advice after several months each time, but I guess records would go back a long way.

[HHTel]

Just did a transfer from TW (same every month) and it's way off the norm.

Firstly I had to use a security code sent as an SMS to my phone before allowing to sign on. I'm okay with that as it shows security.
Did the transfer as normal and the message I got back was that they've received my money and is scheduled to be in my bank in THREE DAYS. i.e. 15th February.

So from a record of minutes to an opposite record of 3 days!

Yes, I know it's Friday, but has never been a problem in the past.

[Big Boy]

I think the security SMS is standard now. Probably something to do with the bank holiday today, followed by the weekend. Beware, it was when something like this happened to me recently that my money went through every bank in Thailand en-route to me, and took me several hours to sort my credit advice.