Thailand Thread

[*Robert* 2]

I use my local Credit Union and do wire transfers through Bank of Bangkok's headquarters in New York City, to which ever branch it's going to in Thailand, which happens to be in Chiang Mai. Luckily, it only counts as a domestic wire transfer, and only costs me $15 no matter what the amount.

Edited May 5, 2009 by roi_aggie

[AaronLV 12]

Here's the website for a Thai restaurant in Las Vegas called the Lotus of Siam. http://www.saipinchutima.com/

It was the reviews that made me pick this place, and we were not dissapointed. They recommend reservations, because it isn't that large and located in a strip mall, and they get lots of customers. We were lucky and got in without reservations. The food was great, and there is no comparison to any of the other Thai restaurants I've eaten at. They specialize in Northern Thai food (aka Issan) and they don't hold back on the heat!

I took Nam to Lotus of Siam tonight, it was her birthday so I figured some good Issan food would be a good place to try. The food was great. We will definitely be going back to eat there. When I looked at their website it recommended reservations, and I was thinking, "A thai restaurant off the strip, that you need to make reservations at??" Well I did what they recommended and made reservations on a Wednesday night. Well it was a good thing, there was at least a 1/2 wait when we got there for people without reservations, and every table was filled the entire time we were there. After eating the food, I understand why.

[HYENA 4]

Here's the website for a Thai restaurant in Las Vegas called the Lotus of Siam. http://www.saipinchutima.com/

It was the reviews that made me pick this place, and we were not dissapointed. They recommend reservations, because it isn't that large and located in a strip mall, and they get lots of customers. We were lucky and got in without reservations. The food was great, and there is no comparison to any of the other Thai restaurants I've eaten at. They specialize in Northern Thai food (aka Issan) and they don't hold back on the heat!

I took Nam to Lotus of Siam tonight, it was her birthday so I figured some good Issan food would be a good place to try. The food was great. We will definitely be going back to eat there. When I looked at their website it recommended reservations, and I was thinking, "A thai restaurant off the strip, that you need to make reservations at??" Well I did what they recommended and made reservations on a Wednesday night. Well it was a good thing, there was at least a 1/2 wait when we got there for people without reservations, and every table was filled the entire time we were there. After eating the food, I understand why.

Sounds great...glad you had a nice time! I'm sure we'll be on a food hunt once she comes (she's a foodie but she's leung mat when it comes to "her" food) LOL!

Finally got NVC receipt notice...not long now!

Yes Danny, Scott and his wifee were drinking this afternoon. We got to see her slam a pound of craw-fish. The funny part is none of us knew how to eat them and needed a demo. A huge storm rolled through and knocked down the Dallas Cowboys practice field but it didn't stop our party. The highlight was ordering her a Michelada (Corona, limes and Tabasco sause) She squealed when she drank it. I think that was a good sign.

I'm blaming the whole thing on Hyena. Nok was saying when does the rain stop? It never does.

LOL! Yup, I did it all! I have mysterious powers...I can even annoy the thunderstorm gods!

Squealed when she drank it? You've got a live one! LOL! Nice to see people are having fun though.

[HYENA 4]

Money Transfers

We are sending in Packet 3 next week so it looks like we are 6 - 8 weeks from the interview. I'm sure those who know me are going to be shocked but we have a Pre-POE checklist. Lots of those things are going to take time and small amounts of money. In addition my girl (along with other members) is adamant about following protocol and giving 1 months notice at the hospital. Since the thought of waiting an additional month after getting the visa and missing summer doesn't sound appealing I want to pay her living expenses for approximately 4 weeks. We have worked out a good plan to reduce the expenses but the combination of everything is going to add up. I have previously done 2 small paypal transfers but don't like to rate they charge and and wait time for them to put the money in her account. Western Union seems crazy expensive and Bank of America charges a $45 wire service fee. All seem to give a poor exchange rate.

Can others share their experiences with sending money. Think I should post this in the larger forum?

It took me about a week to get set up with Schwab. Two people here told me about Schwab and their no fees worldwide, no banking fees and no games (PLUS they give the life FOREX rate-I log on check the rate and that's what's coming out of the ATM on the Thai side...my old bank scalps the rate by a few baht). They have no fees for anything (no kidding). I just looked at my statement and saw a $22 ATM refund on this statement. They refund ALL ATM fees (even if they're not Schwab initiated. When I talked to them to ask why and how, they said they make most their money off investing and banking is a way to draw people into the investing field). They're right; every time I log on, it has "brokerage account" instead of "savings account"...just their lingo and the way it's set up makes you think "I should be investing" but for now with money being an issue, I'm happy with no min bal fees, no atm fees worldwide. She's got a card and I transfer whatever she needs. Early on I had to notify their automated system of foreign withdrawals but once the system sees a pattern, you neeedn't call.

Edited May 7, 2009 by HYENA

[HYENA 4]

I forgot to mention, I signed up with Schwab without going outside of my house, transferred money from my old account electronically to get started and they have some personal welcoming agent who calls you and walks you through their website, explain what they're all about and how it works. That personal attention was nice to have-new to me. He spent a good half hour with me on the phone. I told my Lawyer about them and she said "yup, already heard about em, already have em" so I guess it's not a new secret; just new to me.

[dvddvd 0]

I forgot to mention, I signed up with Schwab without going outside of my house, transferred money from my old account electronically to get started and they have some personal welcoming agent who calls you and walks you through their website, explain what they're all about and how it works. That personal attention was nice to have-new to me. He spent a good half hour with me on the phone. I told my Lawyer about them and she said "yup, already heard about em, already have em" so I guess it's not a new secret; just new to me.

IMHO, Yes, Schwab is the way to go. Best ATM service and customer service I've ever experienced.

We are leaving for BKK in less than a month and we can't wait to get back.

Cheers

[*Robert* 2]

Here's the website for a Thai restaurant in Las Vegas called the Lotus of Siam. http://www.saipinchutima.com/

It was the reviews that made me pick this place, and we were not dissapointed. They recommend reservations, because it isn't that large and located in a strip mall, and they get lots of customers. We were lucky and got in without reservations. The food was great, and there is no comparison to any of the other Thai restaurants I've eaten at. They specialize in Northern Thai food (aka Issan) and they don't hold back on the heat!

I took Nam to Lotus of Siam tonight, it was her birthday so I figured some good Issan food would be a good place to try. The food was great. We will definitely be going back to eat there. When I looked at their website it recommended reservations, and I was thinking, "A thai restaurant off the strip, that you need to make reservations at??" Well I did what they recommended and made reservations on a Wednesday night. Well it was a good thing, there was at least a 1/2 wait when we got there for people without reservations, and every table was filled the entire time we were there. After eating the food, I understand why.

I'm so glad to hear you and Nam ejoyed going there, and that the food is still good, and the place is still busy!

I will definitely be going there when Ooi and I go to Vegas next month! We'll be staying at Tahiti Village for a week and I can't wait for a vacation!

[HYENA 4]

I forgot to mention, I signed up with Schwab without going outside of my house, transferred money from my old account electronically to get started and they have some personal welcoming agent who calls you and walks you through their website, explain what they're all about and how it works. That personal attention was nice to have-new to me. He spent a good half hour with me on the phone. I told my Lawyer about them and she said "yup, already heard about em, already have em" so I guess it's not a new secret; just new to me.

IMHO, Yes, Schwab is the way to go. Best ATM service and customer service I've ever experienced.

We are leaving for BKK in less than a month and we can't wait to get back.

Cheers

Have a safe trip, eat lots of spicy!! Can't wait to take our first trip back after settling in here (my guess is it'll be about a year)?

[dvddvd 0]

I forgot to mention, I signed up with Schwab without going outside of my house, transferred money from my old account electronically to get started and they have some personal welcoming agent who calls you and walks you through their website, explain what they're all about and how it works. That personal attention was nice to have-new to me. He spent a good half hour with me on the phone. I told my Lawyer about them and she said "yup, already heard about em, already have em" so I guess it's not a new secret; just new to me.

IMHO, Yes, Schwab is the way to go. Best ATM service and customer service I've ever experienced.

We are leaving for BKK in less than a month and we can't wait to get back.

Cheers

Have a safe trip, eat lots of spicy!! Can't wait to take our first trip back after settling in here (my guess is it'll be about a year)?

My wife hasn't been back to Thailand in about 15 months and it has been about 2 years for me. It'll be our first trip back as a married couple.

She's mostly excited about the food, family, friends, and THE FOOD. I'm looking forward to the whole thing.

dvd

[BishopMnA 0]

Hey Brother dvd,

I have to admit that I'm jealous about your upcoming visit to Thailand! I'm 100%+ sure that you'll have a great time!

AAm and I haven't been back in TWO YEARS!!! Honestly, at times I think it has effected me worse than her...she's on the phone with her family for at least an hour a day...but I really think I miss them, and Thailand more than she does <haha> I'm sure thats not really true...but...I bet you catch my drift. For as much as we on this thread love our fiancees/wives, I think we all seem to love the country of Thailand just as much... Before AAm moved to Thailand I went there to visit her at least 20 times...so...its been quite an 'rehab' for me to have to be away from Thailand for this long...

AAm and I still own our house in Chiang Mai and the 2004 mazda sitting in the driveway, all paid off! So, when we go back...we're really 'going home'...its quite wonderful... Honestly, I wonder sometimes why we still try to 'grind it out here' in the USA. But, we're very happy...and maybe after we get AAm's citizenship, and she can fully move back/forth between the USA and Thailand, we'll pack it up and get-the-hello-outta-dodge!

But anyways...AAm also really deserves the opportunity/experience to live here for as long as she likes...

I do have some good news though...AAm and I will certainly be going back within the next few months for her Daughter's visa interview. So, besides being thrilled over her daughter coming to live with us in the USA, I'm also thrilled that we'll be able to go back to Thailand for a bit at that time. Now that I think about it...it might not be a bad thing that its a few months out...cuz I imagine it is QUITE hot in Thailand now...(but nothing that a couple dozen Singhas couldn't get me through )

Peace and God Bless,

MK+JC+AK

[BishopMnA 0]

Howdy All,

AAm and I got a great picture of her kids via email this morning. May is 14 and Met is 15 (don't even ask me how to spell their real Thai names)

I thought I'd share it with you guys I really love these guys!

Peace to the thread,

MK+JC+AK

[daboyz 36]

Howdy All,

AAm and I got a great picture of her kids via email this morning. May is 14 and Met is 15 (don't even ask me how to spell their real Thai names)

I thought I'd share it with you guys I really love these guys!

Peace to the thread,

MK+JC+AK

Nok loved the photo. I told her Doi Saket. Hope I got that right.

[BishopMnA 0]

Howdy All,

AAm and I got a great picture of her kids via email this morning. May is 14 and Met is 15 (don't even ask me how to spell their real Thai names)

I thought I'd share it with you guys I really love these guys!

Peace to the thread,

MK+JC+AK

Whoops! That should say that May is 14 and Met is 19 (not 15). Met is very cool...great young man. I can't even begin to explain how much he has really 'stepped-up' and been the 'Man of the House' since AAm has been here. He's currently finishing his first year at the university in Chiang Mai...

God's peace to the thread...

MK+JC+AK

[BishopMnA 0]

Brother Scott - you got it right...Doi Saket. Is Nok missing Doi Saket yet? I used to go up the 300+ steps to Wat Doi Saket several times a week, watched the entire process of them building that MASSIVE seated Buddha...quite spectacular. I think they took about 3 years to build it. Of course, I always had a couple Singhas at the 7-11 once I came back down...

Normally AAm wouldn't go up there with me...always said, "TOO HOT!" !!!!

Peace,

MK+JC+AK

[daboyz 36]

Brother Scott - you got it right...Doi Saket. Is Nok missing Doi Saket yet? I used to go up the 300+ steps to Wat Doi Saket several times a week, watched the entire process of them building that MASSIVE seated Buddha...quite spectacular. I think they took about 3 years to build it. Of course, I always had a couple Singhas at the 7-11 once I came back down...

Normally AAm wouldn't go up there with me...always said, "TOO HOT!" !!!!

Peace,

MK+JC+AK

I've actually never been to that Wat. I went to Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai which also had alot of steps. Fortunately they had a Tram there. Nok and my sister walked up. I was lazy and took the Tram.