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Macro View: If the US economic data remains strong until the Fed increase rates - This will signal investors to flow USD from Thai bonds and stocks and into US - Baht will reduce - If assuming the USD remains strong - The relative movement should give increase in USD/TBH rate.

Simply talk to her about what you feel and what her actions means to you

• You know it is important for her to go see friends
• But you are feeling hurt and even possibly overlooked
• While this journey is something enjoyable for her you feel damaged once it occurs.

Ask her: Just how important is it that she makes this trip - And how important are your feeling to her - Does she care you are feeling this way

DO NOT emotionally blackmail her or try to stop her doing what she feels she should do.

Just find out how important you actually are to her - What is her priority when it comes to you and your emotional well being.

Then decide on what actions you need to take.

UbonJoe.......I am assuming that at end of tourist visa if you leave (via Padang Besar) - You can simply turn around and return to Thailand - And that will still get a 30 day entry?

And then before this 30 days ends if you go to Viententiane for a tourist visa and start again i.e leave via Padang Besar and turn around and return immediately back to Thailand with 30 days.

- Is this viable?

I cannot say anything for sure about Padang Baser. But it would be within the rules for visa exempt entries to get an entry after a tourist visa.

And nothing for sure that far distant in the future if you get a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos and use it for the full 6 months that is possible from one.

Thanks UbonJoe - You are amazingly generous with your in-depth knowledge - Thanks

UbonJoe.......I am assuming that at end of tourist visa if you leave (via Padang Besar) - You can simply turn around and return to Thailand - And that will still get a 30 day entry?

And then before this 30 days ends if you go to Viententiane for a tourist visa and start again i.e leave via Padang Besar and turn around and return immediately back to Thailand with 30 days.

- Is this viable?

1. FAQ's answering your question - http://www.passportvisasexpress.com/visa_services/united_kingdom/country_information/uk_passport_frequently_asked_questions#six

Question27. Can the Passport Office add pages to my current passport if it is full?

Answer: No.

2. Apply for overseas passport Thailand

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y/thailand/renewing_new

3. Prices:

https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/passport-fees-for-british-nationals-overseas-reduced-by-35

Links for date 2017 -http://www.connexionfrance.com/Non-residents-UK-tax-allowance-2017-George-Osborne-16416-view-article.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/expat-money/11272572/Expats-will-keep-their-tax-break.html

Hope this helps

I let my accountant deal with all that stuff.

The taxman hasn't a clue where I am.

Yup - I understand - And the many people I know in Thailand that are renting out property, each are dealing with the issue of their geographic location in a different way.

Currently the implications for disclosure are not that serious issues as long as you disclose your tax position correctly to HRMC .

The new proposed tax change would have mean that your tax code would have to be changed.

If your accountant knew you were non resident he/she would have been required to disclose your status as non resident.

If they did not know your non residency status and you did not yourself disclose your residency as being overseas and did not change your tax code - This would become more serious and could be seen as tax evasion (if your true location was latter identified as non resident).

If there is a change of government next year taxation of rental payments will be the least of the problems. Total economic collapse would be of more concern.

And do you seriously think that a new Labour government would not be keen to tax non-residents (even if they didnt have the wit to think of it themselves)?

The post is not meant to be a political comment - This is simple helpful information for UK landlords - They now have protection until April 2017 - With the added 'possibility' it might never happen.

Although it was not mentioned in the Autumn Statement Wednesday 3rd Dec 2014

it was announced that the much discussed withdrawal of the UK personal allowance for non-residents will not happen until at least 2017.

If there is a change of government next year it's possible, therefore, that it may never happen at all.

.....So this is good news for UK Non resident landlords

Your double entry tourist visa was refused - And You only got a single entry!

I am going specifically to Vientiane next week to try and get a double entry - on my UK passport

I have only ever had one triple entry tourist and an OA visa from UK based consulates, but currently on extended retirement (runs out in 10 days time).

I was hoping to get a double entry to stay for four months (before returning to UK and 8 months stay).

Has anyone else been refused a double entry - And does anyone know what reason is being given when not allowing the double entry?

There are a lot of incredibly badly informed people about what is and isn't true under UK divorce law. What is most true is that if you call a solicitor in Thailand and file for divorce there today... she can't file in the UK. Given a lack of cross-border enforcement between the two nations; a Thai court could give her 100% of your stuff and she'd still get $0 in reality. A British court may not be as lenient on you. Stick the boot in first and stick it in hard.

Currently she is telling you where the divorce process should occur.

Start the process yourself in Thailand - And if TheSeamReaper is correct then you will have no problems.

Clearly you are feeling under pressure to give in to what she wants, equally she might feel in a similar way if you take action in Thailand.

In effect start thinking about what decides which country can take presidence and why.

She has been proactive - You might want to do the same.

Kitten Kong - I am sure that you mean well, but there is such a lot missing in your response - The aim of this post was to gain answers to the questions. There has not been any answers given in any of your contributions.- It might be better if you start a new post for your subject areas that you wish to discus in order to gain the insight or provide the education .

The answer was given several times by several different people, including me: your simplest option is to get a retirement extension. Cheap, quick, easy and legal. But you seem to be determined not to do this. It's your choice.

I was just responding to some of the obstacles that you appear to see in getting an extension. Personally I dont need to open another thread to discuss any of it as:

1) I have a valid retirement extension that provides exactly what I need and which I have no problems renewing every year

2) Whilst I do have UK income and holdings I have no UK CGT or income tax liabilities under any existing or proposed law

OK - Its good to hear that you have UK property and you will remain in control in the face of the proposed changes.

For my end I will be selling and then reinvesting in different property classes to get me past the 'statutory resident test' introduced last year, which replaces the old - "habitual residency test".

I will remain flexible when I return to Thailand - If I latter decide to spend a few years away I can do without legacy - Conversion rates for FX have fluctuated 27% this year and I get the opportunity to the transfer closer to top of market.

I got my answers from a different posting - Getting 4 months is relatively simple and the cost is the same as extending retirement Visa.

There is no point doing something only because it is easy - Flexibility and increased profitably require more effort.

Why would anyone pay such a high rate?

The 7.5% is actually low when considering what most people pay - Most pay more than this

- Look at http://www.rbs.co.uk/personal/travel/g1/money/exchange-rates.ashx and OK this might not be you bank, but its just a simple example of the huge spreads charged by most of the world banks as their spread on the Thai Baht .- Just to understand what this is - It is a calculation that is done when considering what you start with (in this case GBP) and then you go through a full round conversion you end up with (GBP) - So first buy (convert to) THB (to get your money into your Thai bank) and then you take your THB and buy GBP with this Baht (that you have now withdraw from your Thai bank) - Then you identify the percentage loss in doing this calculated in the currency that you first started with.

Today's RBS rates leave you with an 18.5% loss - This does fluctuate with different banks, but bottom line is the spread on the Baht is much larger than it is on many other currencies.

No one in his right mind would let his UK bank do the transfer to/from Baht. You should always let the Thai bank do the transfer so as to reduce costs.

Example. Bangkok Bank TT buying/selling rates as of today: GBP 51.420/52.025 which represents a total loss of 1.17% (excluding transfer fees). For cash the spread is larger at 50.98/52.45 or 2.8% total, but with no fees. I dare say better rates can be obtained elsewhere.

One could discuss the GCT and personal allowance situations endlessly (and the UK pensions thread is full of this) but to me it is a waste of time until they are fixed in law.

I just don't see the point of selling property today to avoid some taxes that have not yet been brought in and which apparently wont apply retrospectively anyway, or may not be applied at all for some people. But it's your property to do with as you will.

Kitten Kong - I am sure that you mean well, but there is such a lot missing in your response - The aim of this post was to gain answers to the questions. There has not been any answers given in any of your contributions.- It might be better if you start a new post for your subject areas that you wish to discus in order to gain the insight or provide the education .

800K x 7.5% currency conversion spreads = 60K

Why would anyone pay such a high rate?

... I am now going back to UK to later return in around 6 months time - once I have organised (sold) my rental property to combat the new tax rules on April 6th 2015 for non residence who own property (zero tax allowances on my rental income and introduction of tax for eventual capital gains tax on property sale).

Neither of those is in place yet. The CGT liability will only be calculated on gains made after April 2015, and HMRC have already indicated that the removal of the personal allowance will be primarily aimed at people who have no close ties with the UK, and so there may well be exceptions for those with such ties. So I suspect that you may be a bit premature in selling up just to avoid that deadline. Your decision, of course.

Others have commented on the retirement extension issue and I agree with them, but you seem to like complex solutions to simple problems.

The 7.5% is actually low when considering what most people pay - Most pay more than this

- Look at http://www.rbs.co.uk/personal/travel/g1/money/exchange-rates.ashx and OK this might not be you bank, but its just a simple example of the huge spreads charged by most of the world banks as their spread on the Thai Baht .- Just to understand what this is - It is a calculation that is done when considering what you start with (in this case GBP) and then you go through a full round conversion you end up with (GBP) - So first buy (convert to) THB (to get your money into your Thai bank) and then you take your THB and buy GBP with this Baht (that you have now withdraw from your Thai bank) - Then you identify the percentage loss in doing this calculated in the currency that you first started with.

Today's RBS rates leave you with an 18.5% loss - This does fluctuate with different banks, but bottom line is the spread on the Baht is much larger than it is on many other currencies.

"HMRC have already indicated that the removal of the personal allowance will be primarily aimed at people who have no close ties with the UK" -

This was outlined as guidance in the original consultancy document only - It would be useful if you refer to the results of the actual consideration outcomes and then post back.

The capital gain is not yet defined as you say - Even the actual way it might be treated for allowance might be a different calculation to the one in current use - The Autumn budget will define details.

I am not sure why someone would want to be reactive, when clearly something is going to happen. and if you are in the UK sufficiently long to pass the residency test - Then whatever the actual GCT change becomes it will then not effect them.

"CGT - aimed at people who have no close ties with the UK"

This is defined by the residency test - your have used wording that has simply only been used and contained in the guidance notes in order to to understand the aims set out in the "test for non residence " and has nothing to do with test results in the "residency" - Hence if you can refer to the residency test specifically to identify what you are trying to say since this general statement doesn't define anything.

you seem to like complex solutions to simple problems.

Simple problems can also be an excuse for not trying.

Can you have a go at giving some actual data that might be useful to others along with myself on any of the questions set out - It would be good to receive input from your answers - if you feel that not trying is actually best policy - Obviously I understand.

Since this is a simple straightforward question - The Questions is in the title

For 1900 baht you can get a one year extension, leave without a re-entry permit and start over fresh when you return. That seems like a lot less hassle.

It's legal with no morals issues.

True - But I am also then leaving myself potentially disconnected from 800k in a Thai bank if I get a long property sale and I wish to mitigate any risks in this area as much as I can

Why? Get a re-entry permit and withdraw the 800k.

800K x 7.5% currency conversion spreads = 60K

really; hell of a long story when it can be solved with a visit to immigration an paying 1,900 baht

and to even make it simper just get single re entry as it good for a year as well

why start new??

makes not one bit of if and in fact in future if they do up the amount needed in the bank u would be grandfathered in ( as has happened before)

While I welcome all comments - I am not really helped (nor is any future reader looking for similar) by being told I am wrong in the way I make decisions.

If you do have useful structural information to aide the resolution of the questions - I would love to hear back from you.

For 1900 baht you can get a one year extension, leave without a re-entry permit and start over fresh when you return. That seems like a lot less hassle.

It's legal with no morals issues.

True - But I am also then leaving myself potentially disconnected from 800k in a Thai bank if I get a long property sale and I wish to mitigate any risks in this area as much as I can

The Back-story:

I've been here in Thailand for 5 years, but now reluctantly I am now going back to UK to later return in around 6 months time - once I have organised (sold) my rental property to combat the new tax rules on April 6th 2015 for non residence who own property (zero tax allowances on my rental income and introduction of tax for eventual capital gains tax on property sale).

But I can only get possession back of my property in 4 months time.

The inner-Story:

I love being here and just want a stress free easy method to spend as much time of the four months in Thailand prior to going back.

The Non-Story

I could obviously extended my retirement visa, but since my time in the UK is not absolutely clear, since refurbish might take longer, length of time for sale of property etc I prefer to start with a clean sheet on return with a fresh application.

The Questions:

1. Is there any neighboring countries still supplying double entry tourist visas - To solve my problem?

If not - I will have to get a single entry tourist visa giving (60 days) and then probably go and stay in Cambodia for the remaining 60 days

2. Is it possible that I could reduce my time outside Thailand by a further 30 day with an extensions after my tourist visa is near to expiry?

3. or (now since I am really confused about the recent visa runs and the changes) could I simply go to Cambodia (or anywhere) and stay a few days and then return on a visa exempt for the 30 days?

4. Or do both - extension 30 days and return with a Visa exempt?

The pro-log( Only read this if you are interested in finding less stressful ways to get a visa for Cambodia) :

I was at the Cambodian Embassy yesterday and went to check out the options for getting a tourist visa prior to leaving and entering Cambodia. I was very pleasantly surprised by the embassy and its set up. It was not at all like what I expected - The best I can describe it was that it felt very informal like going to a railway station to buy a ticket - not at the normal heavy doomsday feel of other Embassy's visited.

As you pass the guard on the large gate at the busy roadside you get straight into the building after a few seconds and once inside sits a nice smiling girl behind her desk, one guy in the corner (open office) shuffling papers and in my case one applicant who was waiting to be processed. I was able to Immediately go talk to the smiling girl and once I asked her a few questions I realised this was actually going to be a pleasant experience since she was welcoming and spoke almost perfect English.

The Takeaways:

- I asked about the tourist visa - The application is a very simple form with who I am, passport info and why going to Cambodia (one page, single sided) - needing 2 photos and 2 copies of passport .

- And just to solve any nagging questions - The one month will only start on the Visa only when actually entering into Cambodia.

- I asked about the option for getting a business visa (now called ordinary Visa = October 2014) - This allows for multiple extensions beyond the single extension as is the limitation for the tourist visa - "Sure" she said as long as you have letter from your company of employment - I don't have one of those - However I asked if I supply a letter from UK sponsor (not located in Thailand) and if this would satisfy the requirement - "Sure" she said, "just make sure it says that you have a 'commission' in Cambodia for them" - "Oh and you must get the company stamp on this letter" - "But in the UK we do not use company stamps" I replied - "Really" she says - "OK" and she thinks a while and then she says "Well just make sure it has a letter head" - "OK"

So it seems that as long as you take a letter with the company name on it saying they want you to investigate business opportunities in Cambodia that will be OK - I test out this out and ask her if this is the case - "Sure" she says - And I thank her and she laughs as the conversation ends.

OK I know this can all be done at the border so you can also get amazing stories to tell your children of the encounter with corruption and adversity and how you overcame these seemingly insurmountable obstacles only to emerge victorious and triumphant with the said Visa - But if you are less adventurous (or a coward like me) - Then just go and simply see the nice girl that laughs.

P.S. And if you know how to Photoshop and have no morals about asking your mate who is a plumber in Barnsley if you can go and investigate potential business opportunities in Cambodia for him - Then why not consider doing this for getting you more options (costs an extra $5).

Not after 3 years, the 3 years refers to that you either buy a condo or rent a condo and in the case of rent the 3 year rent must be at least mentioned price.

The problem is often getting the visa before you travel to Thailand. Best option might be to get a tourist visa and then convert into a non-B visa once you have the required papers for proof of having invested 10 million.

Good points Mario2008 - When I re-read this again (since last time was 2 years ago) I wondered how I had missed the 3 year rule (to buy) last time, but as you rightly point out - This is just for rentals.

It is good to hear that this is an option still.

I was put off last time doing this when I looked at the sales tax on a single Condo (sale latter) since its based upon a personal income tax and the higher the single unit sale latter then the higher the tax - Without going over my last notes I seem to think that this could be as much as 25% of the property sale (under certain circumstances). So it made more sense to buy multiple lower cost condos (up to the value 10 million) and release (sell) them at staged periods over different tax years to make the tax on the sale less painful.

I need to check with him...

But I'm fairly sure he had been issued an O type visa in the past back in Ireland based on him having property here

That is certainly not an investment visa. That was based upon him owning condo which is no longer possible since all multiple entry visas have to approved by the embassy in London now.

The age of 65 and having a government pension is the requirements now to get a multiple entry non-o visa approved by the embassy in London based upon retirement.

Hi UbonJoe - I thought that there was a method to stay based upon investment in Condo(s) as long as the value of the property(s) exceeded 10 million Baht and only after 3 years.

I did look into this myself about 2 years ago and thought that this might be a useful option to consider.

I based all my reasoning on this single item on Bangkok immigration page - FAQ's - However it doesn't define what process to follow.

Does anyone have experience or definitive insight to this information on the Bangkok immigration website?

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=faq

Answer : Yes. The said alien could stay in the Kingdom by the reason of investment of no less than 10 million Baht in Thailand. The requirements are that the alien:

1. Must have been granted a “Non-Immigrant visa”
2. Must have evidence of transferring funds into Thailand of no less than 10 million Baht. (Copy of evidence showing a transfer of funds from a foreign country to a bank in Thailand)
3. Must have evidence of investing in the purchase or rental of a condominium unit for a period of no less than 3 year issued by a relevant agency or government unit, at a purchase or rental price of no less than 10 million Baht (Copy of condominium purchase agreement and copy of the ownership registration of the said condominium issued by government or relevant agency or a copy of a long-term lease agreement are needed documents)

The 800k baht just has to be in the bank on the day you apply for the non immigrant visa entry. Dependent on where you apply you may need a letter from the bank confirming the funds came from abroad. You will need 15 days remaining on your entry when you apply.

The 800k baht will need to be in the bank for 60 days when you apply for the extension.

UbonJoe - Just one last thought.

Do they require a letter from the bank to prove the funds are there when converting from except to the non immi? - Or is the bank book alone good enough?

- Obviously the proof letter will be required from the bank at non-immi conversion to retirement.

The 800k baht just has to be in the bank on the day you apply for the non immigrant visa entry. Dependent on where you apply you may need a letter from the bank confirming the funds came from abroad. You will need 15 days remaining on your entry when you apply.

The 800k baht will need to be in the bank for 60 days when you apply for the extension.

Thanks UboJoe - Perfect response - Its clear, definitive, concise data I can act upon - Thanks.