tonika

I retire end of June this year, hopefully coming to Thailand in July ( depending on sale of property in UK ). My wife's in Thailand at present living with her family. We're having a house built in Udon Thani that should also be completed in July. I need to sort out the best way to get my Visa, whether it's cheaper to get in the UK, or wait until I come to Thailand ?.

Could someone give me advice on the pros and cons of getting a Non-Immigrant O type visa in Thailand rather than the UK . My (farang) friend thinks it would be cheaper to get once in Thailand, rather than the UK, and also with less hassle at the Immigration Office in Udon. That's how he did it.

Should I go for the UK option it would mean setting up an a appointment at the Thai Embassy, taking time off work to travel to London ( I live in Scotland ), adding up the costs for flights,meals, taxis, Embassy fees etc, I reckon about +/- £ 480 ( x 48 = B 23000 ). My friend reckons +/- B 16000 through his Lawyer

(American) in Thailand.

Would appreciate any response.

Thanks to all those who replied. You info was all very helpful. Glad I asked. I will definItely wait until I get to Thailand before buying a car ( with A/C ).

Regards

Hopefully I'll be coming to settle with my wife in Isaan in July, after my retirement from work here in the UK. Was wondering if it was cheaper to buy a new car here in the UK, and then have it transported to Thailand to avoid UK VAT ?. Or should I just buy, once I get to Thailand ?.

I'd be obliged if someone could give me the advantages or disadvantages in doing this. Also, If it were feasible I'm sure there would be some sort of tax to pay in Thailand. I would really appreciate any help on this subject.

thanks

Having read on this forum all aspects of different visa's available for UK Nationals, I thought the best one that suited me was the Marriage Visa. So I logged on to the the Royal Thai Embassy in London today, hoping to download the Marriage Visa Documentation, as I retire in June 2012 ( I'll be 64 yrs old then ). Although they seem to have all the other visa's mentioned on this forum, they don't have the marriage visa on there webpage. Is there any reason for this ?.

Can I get this visa when I come to Thailand or is there any other way I can get it myself ?. I see some private companies offering this visa service, but their charges seem very high.

Thanks

I agree in principle with these comments, regarding the media and how it can have an effect on how people vote. But there are other factors, eg Lack of Understanding, Ignorance . I'll give examples, I was having a drink one evening in a Social Cub, just before a General Election. I overheard a conversation between two woman. One said to the other, ' I've had enough of these Tories, I'll be voting Conservative this time '. A work colleague couldn't tell me who the current Prime Minister was. ' I'm not into that sh--t ' , I asked, did you never watch any political programme ?, ' Never , just Footbal, Coronation Street, X-factor and Come Dancing ', was his reply. These are not isolated cases. Is it any wonder the UK is in such a state ?.

Quoting Pedzie.

It baffles me as well. But the 30% of UK citizens who actually bother to vote still do so for the same parties in the vain hope that things will eventually improve. Things in the UK will have to get a lot worse before voters seek an alternative means of governance. Countries in the EU such as Denmark are beginning to see the light and are voting accordingly but the people of the UK will vote how their media tells them to. The UK media is owned by global organisations.

Thanks guys, some very helpful suggestions, will reply to individuals when I get the chance

All the banks have online banking services,just transfer from your acc't to hers.

Will investigate this further, if I can, I might just do this. thanks

I am not sure of the amount you are moving, but if it is a large amount from a Bank perspective you may well be able to get a preferred exchange rate (I know, what seems like a large amount to us is not a large amount to a corporation and I know I will get flack for this).

This is really the difference between buying Wholesale and Retail. So if it is > 50,000 USD I can put you in touch with our Treasury and they can set the rate. Then you can move it via our London Branch as CHARLIEH says.

One note on using these 3rd party money transfer services, and I do not know this one you are mentioning at all. However, please be careful when you give money, even temporarily, to a company you are not completely familiar with. It would be "ugly" to be the last one standing during a game of financial musical chairs. Also, you are probably not covered by any deposit insurance program with these companies should things hit the fan during your transfer.

Please PM me or DAVEROC if you want help with this.

Ian

If the exchange rate was favourable, it would be approx £ 60,000. It's for a house I'm having built, for my retirement. Deposit paid , penalty starts 10/12/2011 if 1st installment not paid. Hence my dilemma.

i know moneycorpe and have trans.money to los many times since 2008,they are safe as the are regulated by the f.s.a. you can send money to your wifes account in thailand but you have to declare what it is for,my wife sent money to her sisters acc.when we had to pay a dep.on our house,but she was on the electrol reg.so as long as you are there should be no problem.but remember you must declare what its for.

Hi thanks for the reply. Money Corp are adamant ( had 3 telephone conversations with them ) they cannot transfer these funds to my wifes account, as they cannot verify her resident address. I did tell them it's for installment payments for the house we're having built ( for my retirement ). Deposit already paid, but penalty starts 10/12/2011. If 1st installment not paid. Hence, I've got to get cracking.

how much are you looking to transfer, and for what purpose? , i have used money corp many times for my clients and never an issue, and yes you will get far better exhange rates then the banks with them ....

i also know another company, and work with them who can give the same rates, PM if you wish and i can see if i can help

If, the exchange rate was favourable, it would be in the region of £ 60, 000. The purpose is to pay the future installments of the house we're having built. ( So it must go thro' my wifes account ). Penalty, starts from 10/12/ 2011, if 1st installment not paid by that date. As I said in my original email, Money Corp,are adamant they can not send funds to my wifes account,because she has no fixed address.

I have send money shortly to Thailand, from the UK , to meet a deadline, or face a penalty. Last Friday I phoned my wife to ask the Exchange Rates. She said the Bank rate at her Bank in Bungkan, was approximately 48.6 Baht to the Pound. Money Corp, a financial company that I found on the web,on Friday were giving 49.56. On a large transfer It can mean the difference of a few thousand Baht.

My dilemma is when enquiring with Money Corp, about transferring money with them to Thailand, I was told there would be NO problem, as long as it went to a Bank account of mine in Thailand. But as I need to have it sent to my wife's account ( My wife and I have separate accounts ) they said it can't be done. They say because of money laundering. Because of family problems, my wife, has been living in Thailand for over a year. She has a UK Passport, but is not on the Electoral Roll. They therefore can't use this house address in the UK, as her resident address. So she cannot be registered with them.

Anyone have an idea, if, I transferred the money via this company, to my Bank account in Thailand, how could my wife access this money from my account, and then transfer to hers ?.

The Baht rate in the UK has gone from about 47, to just over 49, against Sterling in about a fortnight. As I'm about to transfer a sum of money to Thailand, in the near future, is this rise likely to continue, in the short term?

Probably good advice. But I've a lot to lose If I don't .

Thanks anyway

T

But, is there a better method, than just transferring money from your bank in the UK , to a bank in Issan?.

Yes there is a better method than just transferring money from your bank in the UK, to a bank in Isaan,

Dont!

Thanks Guys

Thanks to all who replied. Will try some of your suggestions. Will let you know how I got on when the time comes.

T

Can anyone suggest how I get the best rate of exchange, when sending money to Issan ?. I need to send B 1,500,000 to my wife, ( I'll be changing Sterling) by the beginning of December, to conclude a house purchase. Obliviously, it will depend on the rate of Sterling to the Baht. But, is there a better method, than just transferring money from your bank in the UK , to a bank in Issan?.

Is it any wonder when you've lunatics running the asylum. Cameron ( like his predessor Brown ) has already given away Billions in International Aid, since coming to power. In an interview at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester last week, he says he wants to donate another 3 Billion, and he can justify this. We're giving money to Countries like India ( on the brink of becoming a super power). Not bad, for a Country that's virtually bankrupt.

Fears UK Is In 'Worst Ever' Economic Crisis

" Britain could be in the grip of the "most serious financial crisis ever", the governor of the Bank of England has told Sky News.

"

http://news.sky.com/...rticle/16084156

Thanks for all the replies. I did manage to get the ' Digest of Current Double Taxation Treaties - 2011 ' from HMR&C. Unfortunately, I'm no computer whizkid. I tried to get it onto this reply, but failed. Maybe someone out there could. If you go to :http://www.hmrc.gov....r/dt.digest.pdf if interested.

For example, THAILAND it states under - 1. INTEREST = 25% Relief (ST) and see Note 2.

( ST = The Income must be subject to tax in the territory to Qualify from UK tax.)

( Note 2 = 10% or Full Relief in certain circumstances)

2. Government Pensions = Full Relief ( N&R)

( N&R = Relief ( or allowances) available ONLY where the individual is both A National and a Resident of the territory )

3. Other Pensions/Annuities = No Relief see note 4

( Note 4 = Treaty does NOT include an article dealing with Non -Government pensions. Also, No Relief for STATE PENSION or ' trivial communication lump sum'. ( I haven't a clue what that means)

Hence my question, about Double Taxation Laws - the way I read it you get 25% tax relief for Bank Interest. But, in certain circumstances 10% or full relief. ( What are the circumstances ?) And relief on some pensions but not the State Pension.

* Not that it applies to Thailand, but it appears that in some countries you can even get your Incapacity Benefit paid under this Double Taxation Law..

Anyone had any experience, or give me advice concerning the double taxation laws that exist between the UK and Thailand, with regards UK pensions and Interest (from overseas)?.

Alas, it's a bit late in the day for that advice. Thanks again.

No worries matey, you are not alone, join the rest of us, we are all in the same boat. LOL.

Whew ! thank God for that. Makes me feel I'm among friends. If your free for a drink, I'll be in the bar opposite the Immigration Office in Bungkan end of August.

The first thing you will notice is the amount of activity (particularly building) that has taken place and is still happening. Thanks to Thaksin Isaan has really been awakened after years of stagnation. The price of land has rocketed. Day to day living is more expensive than it was but is still much cheaper than Bangkok. There are a lot more farangs around than there used to be.

Suggest before you plunge into things, start buying up things etc. you rent a place for a while see how you like it. Best of luck to you. Isaan is great.

As I've said in another post ' we ' own the building premises across from the Immigration office ( luckily I bought it a few years back ). Anyway, same applies if you happen to be in the vicinity of the bar at the end of August, I'd like to buy you a drink. Thanks again for your reply.

Wherever you go life's what you make of it. 9 years here for me and I don't want to move --- ever! Average sized town with great people, food & views. Just wish it would stop raining for a few days.

Your reply has cheered me up. Thanks again.

I have visited Buengkan twice in the past 4 months. As you'll already know, it is the new province now detached from Nong Khai. As such, they appear to be throwing loadsa cash into the area; new hotels, stores, restaurants etc. Seems to be plenty of activity along the river facing Laos. One thing which brought a smile to my face. Me and the missus were reading notices outside the new Immigtaion Office and staff came across to politely ask if they could help. I also know a German guy who does his 90 day check there and he says the staff are great -- never heard that before about Immigration Offices along the river. It is quietish; but I would personally prefer there to Udon or Nong Khai. Shame you are already too close to the family though.

You must have saw our business premises directly opposite from the the Immigration office, consists of a Solictors office (facing Laos), a small bar (facing Immigration Office) and someone new selling IT equipment in the top floor. But I agree with you, I would like to move to Udon. Oh! by the way should you be in Bungkan at the end of August and visit the bar I'll buy you a drink. As I'm coming for a short holiday.

Wherever you go life's what you make of it. 9 years here for me and I don't want to move --- ever! Average sized town with great people, food & views. Just wish it would stop raining for a few days.

Your reply has cheered me up. Thanks again.

I have visited Buengkan twice in the past 4 months. As you'll already know, it is the new province now detached from Nong Khai. As such, they appear to be throwing loadsa cash into the area; new hotels, stores, restaurants etc. Seems to be plenty of activity along the river facing Laos. One thing which brought a smile to my face. Me and the missus were reading notices outside the new Immigtaion Office and staff came across to politely ask if they could help. I also know a German guy who does his 90 day check there and he says the staff are great -- never heard that before about Immigration Offices along the river. It is quietish; but I would personally prefer there to Udon or Nong Khai. Shame you are already too close to the family though.

Alas, it's a bit late in the day for that advice. Thanks again.

Can you be more specific? Will you be residing in a city or village?

Thanks for your question.

Regards,

Keoki

Wife, would like to stay in the family village and run a business (near Bungkan). I found village life to quite when I lived there before. I'm proposing to move to Udon Thani. She reluctantly agrees. But, to help me make my mind up, I would like to get the opinions of fellow expats, on how they are finding all aspects of life in Thailand, at present. Both in the city and villages.

IF you havent bought land, havent built a house, arent giving your wife a salary every month, arent giving money to mama every month, arent funding the brothers yaba habit or the sisters gambling addiction or paying bills for sick buffalos, it may well be worth it.

Let the wife fund from her own money her business, when the bone idle family members get fed up of working instead of sitting on their ass everyday eating som tam and watching tv soaps the business may stand a chance.

My best advice, get as much distance as you can between yourself and the village.

Wherever you go life's what you make of it. 9 years here for me and I don't want to move --- ever! Average sized town with great people, food & views. Just wish it would stop raining for a few days.

Your reply has cheered me up. Thanks again.