phetphet

If I send early UK time, my Wise transfers are usually same day. I just did one at 19:50 Thai time, which is 13:50 UK and they said it will arrive 10am tomorrow. As for asking for proof of identity, these KYC rules are getting more and more intrusive and frequent.

Heinz Beans THB 129 0n Lazada. Or in the supermarket, a good substitute is Watties Beans from New Zealand.

i used to go to the Snapper, New Zealand owned, in a bar in a small subsoi off Nana Soi 8, I think it was. They have now moved over Sathorn way somewhere now. EDIT: Changed it's name to Kai now: https://www.kai-bangkok.com

Is that in Isaan dialect? I thought it was Hok in Thai.

Double glazing stops most of it. It's not really that bad.

Sook? What number is that? 😀

My "go bag" is called a suitcase, and I will cram it with as much of what I consider important as I can if I ever need to get out fast. Luckily, the airport terminal is literally five minutes from me.

I had to go in to my bank last week to prove identity to do bank transfers. while sitting there, I noticed on the screen the teller pulled up, several fields for US Bank Account No., Foreign Bank Account No.1 , Foreign Bank Account No.2, and Tax ID No. So it looks like the government are getting ready to grab as much info on us as they can. Maybe at the instigation of the Tax Dept.

I used to pay THB 500 for two. They always came in twos for some reason. Then about two years ago I was refused at immigration. When asked why, I was told, "Boss say not do anymore." I tried the local DMV and Tessaban without success, telling them that Immigration had refused to give me one, and that I need one to change name on motorbike. Went back to Immigration a few weeks ago to get one to renew my driving licence. I actually wanted three, but was told, "No. Only two per application." This time I was given two for free. No fee charged for the first time ever.

I wouldn't mind a George Daniels watch myself. Would make for a nice pension.

I still wear mine when I go to BKK, but I don't tend to hit the bars at night. Though many years ago when visiting BKK (1994), my friend and I were wearing fake Rolexes we had bought. I had my real one in my pocket as had taken it off to wear the fake . We stopped at a watch stall to look at some more copy watches. The stallholder somehow managed to remove the one I was wearing from my wrist without me even noticing. He waved it in my face with a smile. After giving it back to me I went straight back to the hotel and put my one in the safe.

Went to renew my UK Passport today. After messing up the first bit, (I got off at Huay Kwang MRT instead of Phra Ram 9), it all went rather smoothly. From Phra Ram 9 MRT to The Shoppes building about a 7 minute walk. Although all shops closed, the building’s doors are unlocked, so walk in and right through the building to the other side to Tops Supermarket, then go up the escalator to next floor. VFS is pretty well signposted. Quite a few Thais already waiting at 08:15. All for visa. I had 8:30 appointment and was seen straight away. The lady who saw me was very helpful and efficient. She said it should take about 4 weeks to get new passport, and pick up is between 14:00 and 16:00 only.. If exiting the building same way as entered, there is a golf cart shuttle that drops you off at G Tower by Phra Ram 9 MRT. HTH

Power dropped off around 3pm this afternoon. Someone told me we are down to one phase and most of the island is affected. Obviously due to the rain and high wind we had, but has anyone heard when it’s likely to be reinstated? TIA

Looking to buy some universal socket power strips that can take U.K. type plugs. I did buy some from HomePro a few years ago with the 3-round pin plug on cable to fit Thai wall socket, but they don’t seem to stock them anymore. Can’t see them on Lazada either. They all seem to sell the ones that take US plugs, which don’t take the U.K. one. See photos. Does anyone know where I might buy them please? Sorry if placement of photos is odd. Am writing this on my phone. TIA

Went to DMV today to renew both car and motorbike licences. I took two of everything: Passport photo page, visa page, certificate of residence and medical certificates. I even printed iff two copies of screenshot of e-learning test. Copies of house book were returned as not needed. They did ask for Passport though, and took old licences. On entering DMV, go straight upstairs to first floor, and press screen A for queue ticket to check documents. Given two documents to sign. Then sent with said documents to Room 2. Wait there until called to do tests. Reaction test and depth perception. After passing tests, documents signed by tester, then sent back to first room to get another queue ticket. This time press screen B, to pay. Once called, handed in documents and charged THB760 (fee for the two licences). Then just sit down and wait until name called to go in and have photos taken. Back to sitting down and waiting until name called to pick up new licences. I wasn’t given new blue wallets as usual. I asked and was told, “Don’t have any.” In and out in just over an hour. Something worth bearing in mind; A friend told me he went at 1pm to do his a few weeks ago and it was very quiet. HTH

Yes. I asked for two Certificates of Residence, to renew both car and motorbike D/L’s. You will need two copies of all documents. One set for each licence. I’m not even sure you can ask for only one COR at Samui Immigration, but I might be wrong. I think they will give two per application. I asked for three and they told me, “No. Can only have two. If you want more, you will have to apply again after picking up first two. I will be going next week on 9th, and will report back.

With all the tax the government has been taking from tourism on Samui for almost 40 years, the place should already have a far better infrastructure than it does have., but it has been bled dry. Waste disposal, sewage treatment, electricity, roads, water supply have all been left wanting. Unfettered building on steep hillsides is also creating more problems, as the rain washes the soil down to block the drains, causing flooding.

Those queues at immigration are only going to get longer.

Can't find my receipt, but this might help: Line@ : http://bit.ly/SmegTH_Line Tel : 02 493 6565 กด 1

You can call them and they will come and repair. They visit Samui about once a month. Look for Pen K Service Centre Bangkok. It is they who do the servicing. I had them come and replace some parts in my Smeg oven about three months ago. They have changed numbers so instead of calling service centre, you might have to try a different service such as Smeg showroom. Once you talk to someone you should be able to get in touch with Pen K Service. If I can find my receipt, I will post the number here.

I can answer my own question. Found the online DMV e-learning Test. https://www.dlt-elearning.com/forignerhome Watched video, answered questions and took a screenshot of the part that shows I have completed the test.

Some good suggestions. I like the one about buying flight tickets in home country. But the difference in VAT between Thailand and the UK may lessen some of those differences such as smartphones.. Also Thailand will charge 7% VAT on all imported items over THB1,500.

Form OS/01/01 I am currently completing above Application Form. When I get to Section 10: Countersignatory: Do I need to get someone to fill this part? It says "IF a countersignatory is needed, they must fill in this section after the rest of the form has been filled in." I can't see if I need one or not just for a renewal. If so, does it have to be a UK National? The reason I ask is it says "Our work includes checking your details are genuine. We may need to contact you." I was thinking of asking my Thai GF to to it, or my German neighbour. TIA.

Can samui. Do you do the online test at the DMV? Or do you have to do it prior to going? If so, do you have the web address please? Any idea where to find the questions to prepare? Applied for my Certificates of Residence yesterday. Told to pick them up next Wednesday. Next job Medical Certificates at Thai Inter. TIA

Thank you. Maybe I should have worded it better, but I. Wasn’t talking about interest on the savings, but the savings themselves. Having saved through my working life, being retired for several years, and living in Thailand for eight, how does one go back to prove savings were from previous earnings and had already been taxed at source? Would the UK tax authorities even bother if asked? Unless the Thai gov’t agrees not to tax anything prior to implementation of this rule, it is going to be a nightmare trying to sort all this out. As for the CC. I disagree with you. I look at it as a loan. If you don’t pay the full amount in time you get charged interest, and I wouldn’t be taxed using it in the UK as already taxed on the income used to repay. Unless asked, I wouldn’t report it.