thonglorjimmy

I think this poor chaps problems could well be a wake up call for many of us, I certainly wish him well.

I don't normally advise people to try a Google search, after all this site is here to offer advice, but in this instance you might you might like to, I'm sure you'll find plenty of comments. Maybe try a local Facebook search as well.

@cyril sneerAt the end of the day it's something you and your wife have got to sit down and seriously discuss together and decide what's right for you both, it's no good relocating if one of you is going to be miserable, the same applies to staying here. Fellow members of this forum have their own opinions, but many of them will muddy the waters. My wife and I seriously discussed relocating some years ago, the trigger point was when I had a heart attack and she was worried about affordable healthare options, we went as far as staying in the UK for a while and my wife took her English test whilst there, in the end we didn't proceed, but we may possibly do so in the future. What does the UK have to offer that Thailand doesn't, the NHS is far from perfect but it is there and available free of charge. Immigration rules are the consistent around the UK, none of this 90 day reporting lark and wondering what requirements an individual Immigration Officer will dream up next year, the rules are the same in Brighton, London, Leeds and Glasgow. Yes, property is very expensive to buy or rent, power costs are through the roof, and there's things like Council Tax to factor in, I believe food prices are very much on parr with here, especially Western Foods, and yes Somtam is available, or at least the makings, wine is consderably cheaper. You'll need to factor in the high cost of an initial application, well over £3,000 for the visa application and the NHS surcharge, this needs to be paid again after 30 months. There's the final Immigration fee after five years, but no NHS Surcharge, after which your wife would be on the way for a British Passport, some believe that is worth its weight in gold. Despite the naysayers on here, many to return to the UK, many of whom believe they've made the right decision. The biggest problem, as I see it, is Liz Truss. Good luck with your family discussions.

I rather think you've rather missed the irony of the question you've responded to.

Didn't Cameron, along with his buddy Clegg, also introduce the 150% charge for Expats who need the services of the NHS when in the UK, I believe that Expat pensioners got free treatment until those two reprobates slipped that rule in.

Thanks very much, so it looks to have cost you an extra £85 over the actual fee of £1,523 that was in place in March, excluding the Wise charge. Not as big a hike as I expected, but big enough.

@theoldgit- thanks

I inderstand that the UK Government have set the statutory cost a Family (Settlement) visa at £1,533, according to the UKVI Website applicants in Thailand are charged USD 1,933 at todays rate, so about £1,595, just over £62 more than the Statutory rate. I'm led to believe that, just to make it interesting, the price reverts to THB during the payment process. I was wondering if any member has applied recently, paying with a UK Card and what were they actually charged in GBP, or even with a Thai card what were they charged in THB? I'm aware that exchange rates fluctuate throughout the day. Thanks in advance

As I understand it, wages haven't actually fallen it's just that due to inflation, they're just worth less. As Harold Wilson famously said in the late 60's it "does not mean, of course, that the pound here in Britain, in your pocket or purse, or in your bank, has been devalued", that remark was the start of hisn downfall.

My experience differs, I've never been asked for any map of my homes location here in Hua Hin when extending my stay based on retirement, either hand drawn or a Google Map.

I imagine most of those who decide to move in that direction all have their own compelling reasons.

Oh, that's ok then.

I suspect that was in response to the claim there was only two in that period, I don't find either acceptable, do you?

I've been to far too many funerals in Thailand, and yes I've witnessed fellow mourners discreetly handing over an envelope containing some cash to help the family at a difficult time, but I've never seen a presentation cheque being displayed on such a crass scale. And yes I've shared food and memories with families, we call them wakes in my country.

Really a photoshoot of the handing over cheque the "grieving" family in a temple, just when you thought people couldn't stoop any lower.