If you already have the postage on your envelope ( and it is too big for the mail box) do you have to get a card and wait ?
When sending smalll packet whats the deal with the customs form and stapling the envelope ??
What is the non-busiest time to go ??
Many thanks
Theresa
Logic takes you from A - B Imagination takes you anywhere!
I always try and avoid the main post offices as they can get really busy and you spend ages waiting. There are lots of small postal centres around. I'm not sure of the exact locations (anyone?) but I have definately seen signs for them in the niddle of Hua Hin and out toward Takiab (soi 85?).
They are just little shops where you can send parcels/letters. I know in Pattaya it costs about 40baht handling fee and I'm sure its roundabout the same price here. Well worth it to beat the queues, plus they tend to stay open into the evening.
FWIW,
I sent a letter to my UK bank in the spring.
Handed it over the counter and the clerk wrote 42baht up in the corner and put it in a tray but no stamp. He said it would be franked through a machine later.
It never got there and I suspect he had a free lunch off it.
Annoying when the letter is of some importance as I had to wait 2 weeks to verify it didn't arrive and then do it all again.
All the post offices and mailing centers scattered around the country offer EMS service. Not cheap but less than the big guys like Fedex, DHL etc. If something really important, that is the way to go. At least you get a receipt and tracking number, and usually about 3 day delivery to overseas addresses and 1 day anywhere in Thailand. Pete
I'm more concerned about letters from the UK actually being delivered to Hua Hin, I recently sent an important letter to Hua Hin what do people think of the chances of it actually being delivered?
Everything that I have taken into the post office has actually been delivered to the UK and Australia, prehaps I am just very luck or the counter clerk at already eaten.
I have the same concerns as the Governor, postage from the U.K. to Hua Hin, when my bank post my new credit and debit cards to me will they get through okay.
The sweetest girl that I ever kissed was another man's wife.....My Mother
Limey711 wrote:I have the same concerns as the Governor, postage from the U.K. to Hua Hin, when my bank post my new credit and debit cards to me will they get through okay.
This one Limey I need to say an emphatic "probably not". It's a real gamble and crap shoot. Not just HH but anywhere here. Letters are "felt" and if something of value may be in there, it could well disappear. You know these days that credit card and ID when stolen can lead to your entire identity being stolen.
Get your bank to send the new cards to a family member or friend in the UK. In turn, tell them to post them to you through Fedex or similar, giving you the tracking number so you can track enroute.. It will cost you about $30.00 equiv.
I've had cards never arrive over the years as have so many friends here, causing huge headaches. The entire account has to be changed and new PIN numbers issued etc., when cards go missing. You're looking at a month at least to get all right again if it happens. Pete
prcscct wrote:All the post offices and mailing centers scattered around the country offer EMS service. Not cheap but less than the big guys like Fedex, DHL etc. If something really important, that is the way to go. At least you get a receipt and tracking number, and usually about 3 day delivery to overseas addresses and 1 day anywhere in Thailand. Pete
It's been our experience that if EMS'd a letter has to be addressed to a specific person. On a couple of occasions my Mum & I have sent letters to UK addressed to the Manager, or to a PO Box address & on all of those occasions, the letter has been returned after a number of weeks. (Not the right person to sign for it!! ) Very inconvenient! EMS is good, but make sure it's going to a specific name & address!
"The question is not, can they reason? Nor, can they talk? But, can they suffer?" - Jeremy Bentham, philosopher, 1748-1832
Good point Dawn. Everytime I send something to the Internal Revenue Service in the States though, it always seems to get accepted, especially when tax payments are enclosed.....LOL.
PS: As most know, the USA is the only country, except perhaps for Impooristan, Brokeistan and Greedistan that collects tax on foreign earned income. How else can we save the world? Pete
Thanks for that Pete, that is probably what I expected to hear, you can spot a credit card envelope a mile off.
Another avenue I thought of going down was this, we bank with HSBC and I wondered if the HSBC bank in Bangkok, could issue new cards on behalf of our U.K. branch, we dont want to transfer all our accounts and or savings to the Bangkok branch, I would prefer to keep our U.K. account up and running. I wondered if any of the HHAD members had tried this approach.
Russ
The sweetest girl that I ever kissed was another man's wife.....My Mother
Limey711 wrote:Thanks for that Pete, that is probably what I expected to hear, you can spot a credit card envelope a mile off.
Another avenue I thought of going down was this, we bank with HSBC and I wondered if the HSBC bank in Bangkok, could issue new cards on behalf of our U.K. branch, we dont want to transfer all our accounts and or savings to the Bangkok branch, I would prefer to keep our U.K. account up and running. I wondered if any of the HHAD members had tried this approach.Russ
I've got this in common with you as well. I bank at HSBC, Hong Kong. No, I tried, but it was 3 years ago so probably no harm in asking them again. Best to ask your UK branch about Bangkok's current practices. In fairness, my experience was not dealing with credit or debit cards but other matters.
Then, HSBC Bangkok had their own rules and all accounts were separate from sister branches of HSBC. I was unable to link anything up. Pete
I forgot Russ, and this may help. Perhaps keep your UK HSBC and open a new one at Bangkok HSBC. I know for a fact that you can then go on-line (once registered) and transfer funds from any HSBC account you have in the world to any other HSBC account in the world that is in your name. Very transparent and easy to do. In this way you could balance funds between both and have credit/debit cards from both. Something to sit down and talk to your UK branch about. Pete
PS: You can then enjoy your spare time playing the money market in determining the best time to transfer BP to Baht and then back again.
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