Griffo63

The IO's at L27 and at L32 both had passable English (certainly better than my Thai); seemed experienced in their roles and were decidedly friendly and helpful.

Try MSIG

I used the money in the bank method. I made a withdrawal from my account and then got a bank account letter earlier in the day and made copies of each page in my bank book (3 pages). In addition to the form/photograph; passport and bankbook, I provided photocopies of: From my passport: main page; Visa; last extension; last entry into Thailand All the bank details above 90 day report receipt Hand drawn map of the location of my apartment At the "Document Check" desk (L27) they gave me 3 more forms to complete - but basically just sign At the "Online Appointment" desk (L32) I presented all of the above. Nothing else was presented or required by the officer, who checked everything again, made some notes and referred me to another, more senior officer, in the next cubicle. She was busy at the time and asked me to wait outside. 5 minutes later my passport and bank book were returned all stamped up.

Arrived at 1.10pm today for my 2.00 pm appointment for Retirement Visa Extension. Directed to L27 for document check, seen straightaway. Cleared in 5 minutes, directed to L32 for online appointment. Nobody waiting so was seen straightaway (1.30 pm) . All done and passport returned with Extension Stamp by 1.50pm. Copied and back for Multi re-entry. All done by 2.20 pm and on my way home. Great service

I've worked out whats been going on now. The system thinks I've completed the course (watched all 4 lessons) and I've been in "review" mode - so I'm being offered a further "review" once I've watched 14 minutes of lesson 1 - thus returning to the start if I "confirm" After signing in and choosing from the 3 options - new, renewal or renewal after one year lapse - it says I've completed the lessons (which I haven't) and I can print a certificate. it wasn't quite straightforward as I then had to answer 4 multi choice questions but it wouldn't accept my answer until each one was correct (a bit of trial and error as they were in Thai) I've now been able to print a certificate (QR code) stating I've completed the lessons and passed the test. Madness

Thanks. I'm watching exactly the same one you preview. I passed through the question you've shown without issue but it all went wrong after 14 minutes. I've tried Chrome and Safari browsers with the same result although interestingly the Safari link had questions in Thai (as per your example) whereas Chrome the questions where in English

Help!! I'm trying to watch Part 1 of the online training video in order to re-new my Thai Driving Licence. Everything goes OK until 14 minutes in, when I get a message - "Please confirm within 3 minutes to continue to watch the video". I click "Confirm" at which point the video is paused so I press "Play" - and then the problem starts as I'm taken back to the beginning of the video again. I've done this 3 times now with the same result. Any-one else have this experience and can any-one recommend a solution please

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I went to the Area 3 office at Bang Chak yesterday to see if I could improve the situation. A very helpful officer told me that walk-ins are no longer available but was able to give me an earlier appointment based on a manual system they maintain there. I had to provide a copy of my ID card and driving licence to take advantage of this system. She gave me an online link to watch the training video on "safe driving" which saves me sitting in the Area 3 office on the day watching the same video. "Watch" the video and print off a "certificate" at the end. On the day, along with a copy of DL and ID my Yellow Book will serve as proof of address plus of course the required medical certificate. Hope this helps others

My Thai Driving expires on Thursday. First date I can get to renew is 1 December 2022. <deleted> !!

I should add 183 days in the same tax year

No. All of my close friends do the same thing. It allows you to transfer into Thailand when the exchange rate suits you and often the "transfer charges" are less on a larger amount (say if you transfer once a quarter)

I honestly don't think that defence would work as there has been several challenges in law to get it changed already and all have failed. That said I've never heard of any-one being taken to court over declaring a false address and do know several people who have addresses in Philippines or UK they use despite living here. Provided their mail gets forwarded and they can answer "proof of life" every couple of years they seem content with that. Whenever I return to the UK to see family I always notify the Pensions office of my arrival/departure date and whilst I'm there I get the up-weighted amount. No-one has ever checked whether I'm in the UK or not to my knowledge. If you return and stay in the UK for more than 183 days then your pension is permanently up-weighted and does not reduce back if you later return to Thailand. For some people this is worth considering.

Irrespective of where you live you can choose in which country you want your pension paid and in which currency. So, for example,I live in Thailand (and I have declared that) but I have my UK State Pension paid into a UK bank in £. I could though have it paid into the Thai in baht if I wished.

3rd and 4th booster shots available at Bang Sue Station now. I walked in on Monday for a 4th shot, got a choice of Moderna or Pfizer. Really slick service - in and out within an hour (including observation time). Mor Prom app updated within 24 hours.

I did the same journey in January. You do not leave the plane. On the ground for about an hour

Not my experience. I arrived at quarantine hotel at 2.00 pm. Had an immediate Swab test (PCR) and was told the result could be expected the following morning. In the event the hotel rang my room at 11.45 pm (same day) with the negative result and I was told I could leave then if I wished. In the end I left about 5.30 am the following complete with a certificate of my negative result. Really good service

I used them. Really good service

I used Testing for All. Test kits delivered by courier, returned by post - using priority postboxes. Test posted at 4.00pm Thursday; result by email 1.00 pm Friday.

Given that most people wanting to take a Christmas break will probably be making their decisions anytime soon, then delaying giving a date for entertainment venues etc to open will only make people give Thailand a miss this year and book somewhere else. There might be a few last minutes booking but they’ll be the exception.

People posting without knowledge are dangerous and add confusion to a situation that is well documented and published. Please check your facts rather than say "as far as I know"

Hopefully if this comes about the UK will also recognise Siam Bioscience AZ, Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines too. Many countries in the EU have already done this so there must be a good prospect the UK follows suit

I fear you must live a pretty frugal life as far as food and drink is concerned. The numbers you quote are £34 a week in the UK = 1500 baht and £46 a week in Thailand = 2100 baht a week. My weekly food bill in Thailand is comfortably 5000 baht per plus in normal times a similar amount on eating and drinking out. Likewise your service charge in the UK looks to be miles out. Over the years I've owned several buy to let 1 bed flats in the UK (near Gatwick airport) and the maximum service charge has always been below £1000 One of my biggest expenses here though, is one you haven't mention and thats medical care. It's free in the UK as are prescriptions. My medical insurance is over £2000 pa here and my prescription charges are about £1500. Finally, my golf here costs me about £7000 pa (3 times a week) whereas a golf club membership in the UK is less than £2000 pa at a really good course. On balance if you factor in the cost of accomadation I guess there's very little in it - although it will depend on your lifestyle.

Thanks

Does anyone know the status of joint accounts? My wife and I both have accounts in our own names with the same bank and in addition we have a joint account with that bank too. I understand how our personal accounts might be treated in the event of a bank failure but what about the joint account? Should we be moving it to another bank?