funlovinkid

I moved some substantial cash into Thailand at various points in the past when the exchange rate was favorable, with the intention of either using the funds for living expenses or buying a condo.  At the time, I was under the impression that, as long as I kept my copy of the Bank of Thailand Foreign Exchange Transaction form to prove the original source of funds, I would have no problem either buying a condo or moving the funds back out of the country if I so chose.

A friend recently informed me of two potential problems with my assumptions above:

1)  the Land Office might not approve the purchase transaction for the condo if the BoT FET form is beyond a certain date;
2)  moving the funds back out of the country could result in a 30% tax on the funds transferred.

In addition, I'm concerned with the "Purpose" code which was used on the FET form for each transaction, as they're all a bit different:

1)  318131 Others (please specify details): to which was written "For living expenses or investment"
2)  318131 Others (please specify details): to which was written "Living expenses"
3)  318052 Gratuity of Private Sectors: to which was written "For living expenses or investment"

I selected the code in the first two transactions above (and provided the written description), but in the last transaction above, the transacting bank chose the code and typed in my description of the purpose.  Since I didn't have access to the official description for each code at the time, I naively assumed that the bank would choose the correct code to match the written description that I provided them at the time.  Now that I consider the meaning of the official description for the code they used, I'm getting a bit paranoid.    

Does anyone out there have any experience which might clarify the situation a bit?

Hi all,

I have a new (2011) Toyota Vios with 5K kilometers on it, which has been through both the 1K and 10K mileage checkups at the Toyota dealer with no problems found.  However, the engine is constantly 'pinging' (also known as 'knocking', I believe), regardless of the fuel I use.  I always use at least grade 91 'benzene' (not gasohol), which is sometimes marked as '91 Unleaded' at the pump.  I took it to the dealership a couple days ago and carefully explained the problem, but they pooh-poohed it and said if there were any problems with the fuel/air mixture (or anything else which could explain the pinging), there would be a warning light on the driver's console.  They ended up telling me to get my fuel from either Shell or Esso, and to avoid the other fuel stations.  I then filled it up completely with '91 Unleaded' at the nearest Shell station, and the pinging continues.

I know it might help if I start using 95 octane gasohol, but it's the most expensive fuel available at the pump, and it seems ridiculous if it's not necessary.  The car is capable of using '91 E20' fuel (which I think is a high-quality gasohol), but I happen to live in Chiang Mai, and I'm told that it's not available here.  So I continue to use 91 benzene.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you get it resolved?  I know that engine pinging actually causes engine damage, and I would like to get this figured out!  Many thanks to any thoughts or suggestions.

I'm planning to move from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and I want to have a car there.  So, I plan to visit CM for a few days and rent a place to live, and also buy a car and park it at my new residence, while I return to Bangkok temporarily to pack up and ship my stuff to the new residence in CM.  I have an existing Certificate of Residency for my Bangkok residence, issued by Thai Immigration in BKK. So, when it comes to buying the car, I know from reading other posts that I will need proof of residence in order for the Dept. of Land Transport to register me as the new owner, but I'm wondering if it would be best to use my existing BKK Certificate of Residency for that purpose, or if I should try to get a new one in Chiang Mai based on my new CM residence address after I've established the lease agreement for my new rental there.

I'm not sure if it's necessary (or important) to have the registered owner of the car have a legal residence in the same province that the car is registered in - and if it is required, is it a problem to change my legal residence afterward?

Also, if I do have to establish proof of residency in Chiang Mai for this purpose, will a newly-signed apartment lease agreement be sufficient, or will I need to provide other documents like utility bills, which establish residence over a period of time?

Many thanks to any advice, suggestions, solace...

I plan to move from Bangkok to Chiang Mai relatively soon, and I would like to find a moving company that I can trust. I also don't have a new place established yet in Chiang Mai, so I would need the company to have the ability to securely store my stuff in Chiang Mai until I get established. Has anybody out there had a good experience with some company in that respect?  Many thanks for any feedback!  

I plan to move from Bangkok to Chiang Mai relatively soon, and I would like to find a moving company that I can trust.  I also don't have a new place established yet in Chiang Mai, so I would need the company to have the ability to securely store my stuff in Chiang Mai until I get established.  Has anybody out there had a good experience with some company in that respect?