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UDON THANI EXPATS CLUB
MINUTES OF MEMBER MEETING
Meeting number: MOMM 0056
Location: Bangkok Hospital Udon
Date: Sunday, June 25, 2017.
Subject: See Agenda (Distributed by e-mail and shown on the website)
Participants: See attendance list (For Administration only)
Secretary: J.J. van Spaandonk
1. Chairman (Joop van Spaandonk) opened the meeting at 14.00 hours.
2. Administrative issues
- 21 Members, 2 Sponsors (Bangkok Bank and Boutique Hotel Much che Manta), 0 Partners
and 3 Guests attended the meeting.
- 12 members notified that they would not be able to attend.
- Quorum is OK >40% of qualifying members present.
3. The minutes of the May 28, 2017 Member meeting (MOMM 0055) have been approved. No comments.
4 a. Announcements
* The American 4th of July celebration will be held on Saturday the 1st of July, starting at 11.00 am. Same location as last year. It will be "pot luck" so feel free to bring your favorite dish. However we will have plenty of soft drinks, hamburgers and hot dogs.
If you need more infomation please contact me (Jacob) via email: [email protected] or mobile: 089 710 2545. See attached map to the distributing mail for directions.
* Upon a suggestion of our readers; UTEC’s Website now has a rubric for Classifieds (Buys & Sales). For details visit www.udonexpatsclub.com and Click at the right-column just below the Member’s Only.
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UDON THANI EXPATS CLUB
* Our member Trond Nilsen sent an email about Gyllensten Spicy Mustard.His friend in Norway, Mr. Nils P. Gyllensten, the manufacturer, is looking for customers.For more info see attachment to the distributing email.
* We received following mail of Jacky:
Dear Editor,
I was searching the web for information on honey and saw your great post here: https://www.udonexpatsclub.com/club-speakers/august-2013-speech/
I noticed you mentioned https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey in your post, and just wanted to give you a heads up that I recently wrote a blog post you might like. It’s a detailed, up-to-date 7,000 word guide on 16 health benefits of honey according to science, and includes 2 delicious honey recipes.
If this is something you’d be interested in, here is the link to the blog post: https://www.jenreviews.com/honey/
This is completely free and if you like it, all I ask is for you to link to or share the article on your site. In return, would love to share your post with my newsletter subscribers and followers onsocial media.
Either way, keep up the great work!
CheersJacky
* Volunteer 2 Thai is inviting our members to attend the opening of their new Library. The event is free but visitors are welcome to bring along a little food or soft drinks to share if they wish. It will be great tosee a few friends at V2T and it might be a pleasant day out for members looking for a change from the usual Monday the 3rd of July routine.For details and location map see the attachment to the distributing email.
4 b. Reminders
* The second course of the Learning Thai Group will start on Thursday morning July 13, 2017.Location: Coffee Station. Time: 10.00 to 12.00 am.Participation is free. Room-rent will be shared by the participants only.New members are welcome. However, some basic knowledge of the Thai language is required for a seamless joining. Just contact [email protected] for your application.
* The July meeting of the “Healthy Aging” group is on Friday afternoon July 14, 2017.Location: Coffee Station. Time: 12.30 to 14.30 pm.Participation is free. New applications / participants are welcome at the meeting location. In case you would like more information please contact Gary at [email protected]
5. Presentation by Bangkok Bank
Ms. Waraporn Srinaka (Senior Specialist – Foreign Customers Segments, Global Payment Services at Bangkok Bank Head Office) introduced the new Branch Manager Mr. Rongrote Pipattanamongkol, accompanying colleagues of Udonthani Branch Office on PrajakRoad; Ms. Pichamon, Ms. Sukunya, Ms. Somsri, Ms. Supimon,Ms. Pipattana and herself.
Preceding her Presentation, to avoid a later interruption, we firstwere invited to the Coffee Break.
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UDON THANI EXPATS CLUB
6. Coffee Break
We enjoyed a rich table of assorted cookies, coffee & tea, water and spring rolls offered by Ms. Thomas as well as the fresh made Cup-Cakes offered by the Staff of:
Much-che Manta , Boutique Hotel
http://www.much-chemanta.com/
7. Presentation by Bangkok Bank, Ms. Waraporn Srinaka
While living in Thailand, a local bank can help you do your day-to-day banking activities in Baht without the need to incur additional bank charges that may be payable when using your overseas account and cards.
In random order; the following issues were discussed:
ACCOUNT
- Thai basic Bank Accounts available to Expats:- Documents required to set-up a bank account for Foreigners:- What to do at a lost or a replacement of your Bank’s passbook:- Your wife or (girl) friend can access your account with the following circumstances:- What is the minimum remaining balance for this account ?- Can the bank tell me the balance of my account by e-mail ?- Where can I up-date my personal information such as renewal of my passbook and change of address with the bank ?- In case of deceased account, the beneficiary must show your Last Will or Testament which shall be probated by a Thai Court.- -
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
A FCD account is a deposit account which accepts funds in 14 major foreign currencies. You can withdraw, deposit or transfer funds without converting them into Thai Baht.
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UDON THANI EXPATS CLUB
- FCD Account eligible for Foreigner are:- Advantages of a FCD account for Expats are:- What is the maximum amount I can withdraw from my FCD account and receive cash in Thai Baht ?- Which rate does the Bank use to convert Foreign currencies to Thai Baht ?- How can I check my account balance ?-
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS TRANSFER
Transferring money into Thailand shouldn’t pose any difficulty from a capital controls perspective. If you make an inbound transfer, keep proof of it. You may need it if you then have to transfer money outof Thailand.
- There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency you can bring into Thailand.- How much is the fee for an incoming funds transfer from overseas to my Bank account in Thailand ?- How much is the maximum amount of Thai Baht banknotes you can take out of Thailand ?- Money transfer restrictions, as far as outbound international transfers are concerned, a Thai bank would need to verify the following details:- How much are the fees to send / transfer money abroad ?- What exchange rate does Bangkok Bank use to convert foreign currency funds transfers into Thai Baht ?- What is the largest amount I can transfer into a Bangkok Bank account in Thailand ?- Why do I need to give a purpose when transferring funds into Thailand ?- Common reasons for a bank to reject transfers are:- Do I need to provide documents to declare my purpose of sending funds abroad ?- Is there a limit to the amount I can transfer out of Thailand ?- Does Bangkok Bank provide a cost-effective channel to send funds from a US bank account to a Bangkok Bank account ?- How to transfer funds to the receiver’s Bangkok Bank account in Thailand via the internet using the US ACH system and the 9-digit routing number of Bangkok Bank’s New York branch ?-
US DIRECT DEPOSIT
- How do I open a Direct Deposit account? What are the required documents? Where can I open this type of account ?
BANGKOK BANK OFFERS INVESTMENT FOR EXPATS, SUCH:
BANGKOK BANK OFFERS INSURANCES FOR EXPATS, SUCH:
For the power-point presentation and the answers to all above raised questions and statements; please see the attachment to the distributing email of this minutes of meeting.
Thank you for your attention,
Ms. Waraporn Srinaka
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8. Open Forum
Many utilized the opportunity to have an extra coffee with cup-cake and to discuss their private banking questions with the staff of Bangkok Bank and/or entertain with fellow Club members.
9. Closing
The meeting was closed on 16.20 hrs
Next meeting will be on Sunday, July 30, 2017.
Please check at www.udonexpatsclub.com for agenda, location, possible changes and/or further information.
June 30, 2017.
Joop van Spaandonk
Disclaimer:
These minutes have been carefully taken and reported. However, Udon Thani Expats Club cannot take any responsibility for possible mistakes and/or interpretations.
The information provided by Guest-speakers is his/hers responsibility only and does not represent an endorsement by the Udon Thani Expats Club of the opinions, services or products they may offer.
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UDON THANI EXPATS CLUB
USEFUL INFORMATIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
* Bangkok Hospital Udon now manage and operates a Helicopter LandingPlace, Heliport, on the roof of the hospital. That may greatly contribute to theservices they are able to render their patients.
* Bangkok Hospital is ready for your Dengue Fever Vaccination. (3 times with 6 months intervals).
* Opposite the Central Bus Station at Saycutis Rd. left to the entrance of the Sritrakarn Hotel; Happy-Art opened their new shop and art-school with workshops in Art, Design and Fashion for children and adults. Students are offered a training in visual, creative and applied arts. In the adjoining shop they show and sell their products.
* For our American members/readers in particular;The American Embassy will no longer accept cash at their Outreach Events for their services.Instead, A Draft should be made out to the American Embassy. (See attached Document)The Embassy will tell the exact Exchange rates 3 weeks in advance of their visit to Udonthani.During the meeting someone stated it should be the U.S. Embassy.A double check with three of the U.S. Embassy's Wardens in Udonthani showed: it can be either the American Embassy or the U.S. Embassy. Please see: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ for more information. Send questions about total costs to [email protected] or call 02-205-4049.
* Mr. Jan Harms informed about a medical condition that forced him to get hospitalized. It seemed that he, unnoticed, was bitten or stuck by a spider or whatever it may have been.Lesson to be learned; On such a situation; Go to your Doctor or a Hospital at once and do not wait too long. That could be lethal.
* Be aware of drunk drivers, as he (Jacob) himself observed not so long ago, they form the cause of many accidents. They not only hurt themselves but others as well.
* Many accidents take place at home. Falling from a ladder, slipping on a wed floor etc.
* Be careful and in case something may happen be prepared to call for help. Have your mobile and your prove of Insurance within reach.
* Be careful for uninvited visitors to your home. It appears that snakes are invading our premises and even our HOMES. It is strongly recommended to check your place on a regular base and to keep it clean and clear. The emergency number for Udon Thani is: 042 245 463
* Mrs. Sandy;* To apply for a New Drivers License it is now required to make an appointment, fill out the Application Forms, bring a Medical statement etc. and have the Training and Tests.
** For the Renewal of your Drivers License you may just go to the office and have it processed. However in case you let it expire, you have to go through the whole process of Forms, Statements, Training and Tests again. So, go IN TIME and don’t let it expire.
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* Those who would like to support the Safe Udon Project. http://mrgof.asia/project.html are invited to do so thru the Club’s Secretary (Mr. Joop) or Mr. Goran at a Membership-Meeting or at the weekly Brunches.
* Expats who possess a Yellow House Book may apply for a Thai ID card at the Tetsaban where they reside.
* New Sponsors are welcome. If someone has any suggestion or would like to promote a sponsorshipplease contact Mr. Jacob: [email protected] or [email protected]
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS (under reserve)
* It is observed that some Expats, experiencing an emergency, for unconfirmed reasons, have been refused being hospitalized at the Hospital of their choice.
** It is observed that Expats were requested for a down-payment in advance any services could be offered. This at private Hospitals as well as other Hospitals.
*** It is observed that, for Expats, the rates/prices at the "other" Hospitals are comparable with those at the Private Hospitals.
**** In avoiding, at a medical emergency, any delay or discussion when hospitalized, we strongly advise those Expats who possess a medical insurance, to pre-register, have their health insurance verified and accepted at a (private) Hospital of their own choice
***** Those who do not possess a Health Insurance and/or cannot show/prove having the funds to cover a hospitalization are strongly advised to take care of this.
In case they don’t, they risque to be rejected admittance.
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