curtklay

I have had this occur several times, and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced it.
It involves cashiers at Big C and Tesco telling me my Visa credit card won't work, when in fact, they are not using the terminal correctly. Initially, I thought it was just lack of training or ignorance, but I am now suspicious that this is some kind of game they are playing with the Farang. The first time it happened, I called my credit card company to see if there was a problem. They said there was no problem with my card, (including international transactions) and that they could see there was no attempt to run a charge by the store. They advised me to call a Manager if it happened again.

Today a clerk slid my card through the terminal, pushed the green button to send the data, then pushed the red button which cancels the transaction. She did this twice, then told me I wasn't authorized to use the card. I told her to call a Manager. Instead, she slid the card again, pushed the green button, but didn't push the red button, and the authorization went through instantly. I clearly saw her pushing the "cancel" button on her previous attempts, and it appeared to be intentional.

Another time, the clerk slid the card twice and told me it didn't work. When I said call a Manager, she turned the card around, slid it through again, and magically it worked. Obviously the magnetic strip wasn't being read because she was reading the wrong side of the card. This same cashier did this on 2 different occasions!

I would like to think that these were honest mistakes, but it has happened enough to make me suspicious that this is some kind of fun they are having. Let me state that there is nothing wrong with the strip on my card, no problem with my balance, or any other factor that would cause my card to be rejected. The terminal is simple enough for a chimpanzee to operate. Each time, all I have to say is "call a Manager", and somehow they immediately figure out how to make it work without any help. The pushing of the "cancel" button, and the reverse orientation of the card certainly make me suspicious, although I can't imagine what the motivation is. Am I paranoid, or have other TV members had this happen to them?

Please...only serious replies. Thanks.

Hi all,
I have been renewing my "extension based on retirement" annually by keeping 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. I go to immigration with my updated passbook showing 800,000 baht has been seasoned for 90 days, a letter from the bank confirming such, and all the other usual paperwork. There has never been a problem. 6 months ago, I started receiving US social security which is automatically deposited in my US bank account monthly. I would like to start using this income to satisfy part of my financial requirement using the "combination method", and want to be sure I understand how it works.

My social security is about $1000 per month (let's call it 30,000 baht or 360,000 baht annually). The way I figure is, I could reduce the Thai bank account to 440,000 baht making the combination total of income and savings 800,000 baht between my Thai and US bank accounts.
My understanding is I go to the US Consulate and get a letter confirming my income, which I bring to immigration with my bankbook and letter from the bank. I have read here that when obtaining the Consulate letter, no proof is required; they take your word for it. However, I can and will verify my income with printed monthly statements showing the deposits. I am not looking to deceive anyone. I just want to reduce the amount of money I need to keep in the Thai bank.

So here's my questions:
1. Am I figuring the logistics correctly?
2. How long before my renewal date at immigration can the Consulate letter be dated?
3. Do I still need the bank letter, or is an updated passbook enough?
4. Is it true that under this method, the 440,000 baht in the Thai bank does not need seasoning?
5. Am I correct that the 360,000 baht income can stay in my US bank?
6. Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Does anyone know if 2 fingers raised in a "V" symbol has a different meaning than "Peace" to Thais? Whenever I take someone's picture, they almost always raise the index and middle finger in the familiar symbol made popular in the sixties. It seems so common here, and rather outdated in the West, so I'm curious if it has another meaning that I'm not aware of.

I'm thinking about skipping next year's Songkran fun and spending the week in Singapore. Having never been there, I'd like to find a good tour package. It will be just my wife and self, and I know that we would like to see the zoo, night safari, Universal Studios, and the incredible architecture. Beyond that, I'm open to suggestions.

I'm hoping for some good recommendations and advice from you guys. Hotels restaurants, things to do, etc. It would be especially nice to find a tour operator who can plan a fun filled vacation week, and handle all the transportation. Your experiences will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your input!

I know this has been asked before, but I'm going to ask it again just to be sure.
I will be going to Nan Immigration next week to get my second "1 year extension based on retirement" to my US type O visa.
This time I want to also get a single re-entry permit (TM.8) to have on hand in case I decide to leave Thailand for a trip, although I have no plans to do so at this time. My question is, do I fill in the section asking when I intend to leave and return, or just leave it blank?
Previous posts say to fill in fictitious dates.   If that is correct, can the dates be anytime during the valid year? Would it be advisable to pick a fictitious date toward the beginning, middle , or end of the valid year? Does the fact that I do 90 day mail in address reports (TM-47) have any bearing on the dates?

Logic tells me to leave the dates blank, but I know TIT and all logic must be suspended. Thanks in advance.