Bank of Ayudhya, they really are that stupid!

[Spitfire]

Have to agree with some of the above posters here. If that's the worst you've encountered here then you've been damned lucky Clive.

If it can be made complicated and difficult, then they will make it so. Nothing is ever simple to sort out here. As someone else pointed out, try opening a business.

This sort of experience will 'pale into nothing' compared with the realisation of how often, and the scale on which, you are lied to by almost everyone you meet in pretty much all situations. This is the disturbing one.

Just the way it is here.

[sandman67]

[sandman67]

Im always amazed now when I meet Thais in the UK....there are a few living in my old village who run a Thai pub restaurant thing.....

I honestly dont know how the hell they survive without getting a kicking for telling what we call bare faced lies and they call saving face, or get arrested for trying to bribe a policeman.

Imagine their confusion when they find customer service that actually means something, efficiency, helpfulness, responsibility, independant thinking, resourcefulness

....a society that moves faster than a crawl

meal and snack times taken at set times of day rather than all day

......people who work longer than they sleep

..... the culture shock must be incredible.

shame it seems to rub off so quick once they return



still, if this were like the UK we'd be off like a shot eh?

[huahinsimon]

Went to HH imigration for renew retirement visa. had the 800,000 in the bank, had the bank book and letter from bank saying bankbook was correct(100Baht) The nice lady with dark red lip stick looked very closely at my bank book, a long time. Then she said I hadn't had the 800K in for 3 months.

3 months??? I pulled out my copy of the requirements I got two years ago. No 3 months mentioned. I show her. 'Oh she says new regulations" and hands me the new list of requirements. yep, 800,000 for three months" I show her my book, 800,000 for over 4 months.. But here you take out some money and now you less than 800,000. When you put money in over 800,000 new count begin. must be 3 consecutive months."
I think, "consecutive" months. She must have got a lot of farangs on this one to know that word.
Now you have to leave Thailand and reenter on 90 day visa and reapply for retirement visa" She says. I look up at the ceiling..... I've dealt with her before.

then she says, "I can fix it for you." Ok I say.
"6000baht she says. "how about 3000 says I. "No 6000 she says and indicates the chief of station at the big desk behind her, "he want 6000"
I think, 6000 is cheaper and so much less hassel.

Lucky i went to ATM before coming here. I pass her 6000, she says,"6000 for fix, 1800 for visa" I don't try to argue this one and give her 2000 more. She gives my passport and documents to the chief of station. He waves his magic wand over them and viola I'm legal. I get my visa stamp receipt for 1800 and pass port. Do I get 200 baht change? Is the pope a buddhist?
She smiles that thick red lipstick smile. "Kop Kun ka." I give her a big LOS smile.

money grubbing??? corruption??? I mighta got my self in big trouble if this happened a few years ago. but now I know its just the ways things are. the "fix" cost is in relation to the cost of your inconvenience. and thank buddha she wasn't a sticker for the rules!!!!

Ever get house hold goods set over? customs works like this. you want complete customs form with duty charge listed for everything. take maybe 3 months or you want unofficial form, cost 22,000, can get tomorrow. Now thats a now brainer!!!!

I just wish every one was upfront with thier service charge. like tessaban with building permits, etc.


HHS

[jimk]

Snap, HHS. In January I was caught by the very same scam.

[Super Joe]

Scam ?? We're the scammers by passing around the 800k amongsts mates' bank accounts. They responded to us abusing the system

I love it that I'm now living in a country where I can take advantage of a bit of corruption when it suits me and makes things easier.
We should thank them

SJ

[PeteC]

Every time I go over here, I stop by Dunkin Donuts at Lotus and take a 12 box with me. It's gotten silly as they now ask for favourites for my next visit. Whatever works I guess. All cops like donuts! Pete

[migrant]

Scam ?? We're the scammers by passing around the 800k amongsts mates' bank accounts. They responded to us abusing the system

I love it that I'm now living in a country where I can take advantage of a bit of corruption when it suits me and makes things easier.
We should thank them

SJ

As long as I know the prices, I can budget, It's not knowing thats tough.

Maybe we should start a thread comparing what everyone pays,

"Todays graft prices"

[lomuamart]

Scam ?? We're the scammers by passing around the 800k amongsts mates' bank accounts. They responded to us abusing the system

I love it that I'm now living in a country where I can take advantage of a bit of corruption when it suits me and makes things easier.
We should thank them

SJ

That's correct. The other change last year was to the marriage/family income extensions. Previously, people were sending their Thai wives to the tax office and getting them to declare, for example, a monthly income of 20,000 THB. They'd pay tax on that, with no evidence of a business or a job, and take the receipt to Imm with their husband who could show a monthly overseas income of 20,000 THB and hey presto they've got a monthly family income of 40,000 THB and hubby gets an annual extension.
No more. The 40,000 has to come from the foreign husband alone now.