falang1969

Was in there today getting 1 yr extension (marriage), I didn't realise what that tent was for, so just went up to the counter inside and handed over documents and was given the last TF ticket of the day. Maybe having two active kids in tow helped. Was busier than last year at same time. Arrived at 1.30pm and out at 4pm. I supplied copies of last 90 day report (they kept it), last TM30 (they kept it), TM7, updated bank passbook/letter from bank AND printout from bank which I got this morning. I did a small bank transfer this morning but it didn't show on my updated bank book OR the statement I got from the bank today after I had done the transfer, which I didn't notice and don't know why, so had to walk down to Bank in Airport Central to update book again! Also, give them the original of the bank letters and statements. The bank gave me one original and two copies, I gave them the two copies (didn't even realise, the only difference is the small blue stamp on them) had to go to car and get the original. The lady mentioned quite specificially do not copy 2 pages of passport onto one page and don't give them copy of whole passport! I supplied WHOLE passport BUT only, photo/details page, last expired visa page, last extension page and copy of last TM6 slip are required. Apart from the above, same as last year.

He quoted MY comment and then made his comment. Who do you think he was talking to? That's why I responded, the comment was to me! If he was replying to the OP, he wouldn't have quoted me, wouldn't make sense!

Exactly, I wouldn't want her going out to work for 30k, let alone 15k! Just not worth it! She looks after the kids fantastically and does EVERYTHING around the house! Why would I want to change that!? Lol

My wife is a housewife and mother to our two kids aged 2 and 7! Who would look after them? Why would I want my wife going out just to earn 30k a month? Not worth it! Hasn't caused any issues in the last 9 years! Our relationship is stronger than ever! Why shouldn't I give some security for my kids here? They then will have property in the UK and Thailand when I pop my clogs!

I can share my recent experience I'm currently dealing with. I went to my bank, Bangkok Bank who I have banked with since 2008. I put millions of baht a year through the account. I have ample assets and cash in my home country and regular flows of cash into Thailand. I showed them everything! I was putting down 50% cash on a very modest small house. Initially, the branch Manager said, absolutely no problem after looking at our Thai and UK bank statements. The house was to be in my wifes name, with me as a guarantor. She said that we could use the income I send over, to say that was my wife's income, around 200k month. We were looking for THB1.5m only! 50% loan! Then it started, asking for pictures of my property in the UK, rental agreements from the UK...it was now...."we're not sure". They now have an inch of paperwork showing absolutely everything I own and earn and has been referred to Head Office....I'm not holding out much hope! I also went to SCB and they also said the same thing, the issue is no income/job for my wife, throws a spanner in the works! Their view is that even though I am married with a couple of kids, I could <deleted> off at any time! They don't care about the 50% LTV and cashflows through mine and my wife's bank accounts. Your wife needs a job with regular (not erratic) income every month or a business where she can show her income. The only other thing they suggested was getting another Thai to be guarantor to the loan, which was a non-starter in our circumstances. Looks like I'm going to have to put down 100%!

Out of curiosity, what happens if you arrive and you test POSTITIVE for Covid 19?

Can someone put up a map of where to get these "passports", rather than some bookshop? Would be appreciated. The place just up and opposite Gekko Restaurant?

A double Pfizer jab is NOW acceptable to the UK!

Had 1st Pfizer jab in Sept in CM, no symptons apart from a sore arm for 2 days. 2nd Pfizer jab 2 days ago, same thing, sore arm for 2 days and a very slight headache. I was expecting more, considering the horror stories you read about!

For me, I have had 2 Pfizer jabs, but I am 50 odd and to be honest, having had the vaccine I am quite happy....I've put a lot worse things in my body over the years! However, when it comes to my two kids aged 7 and 2, a different story..... In the UK, just 25 under 18's have died from Covid, most of those 25 were high risk group = probability is 2 in a million kids will die from Covid! So, why vaccinate a child with a vaccine that is relatively new, why not give it 5 years to see if there are any serious side effects.....remember thalidomide, used for cold, flu and morning sickness in pregnant women!? Personally, I would be dead against my kids being vaccinated yet and would go to the extent of changing schools or moving back to the UK, that is the extent of my feeling on the subject. I'm not an anti-vaxxer by any means, but why vaccinate kids that don't need it? It's us oldies that could potentially die from Covid, so why not just leave the vaccinations for us?

Hopefully, this will ensure we come off the UK "RED LIST" in the next month or two!?

"Always transfer in foreign currency, the exchange rate for baht is slightly better in Thailand than abroad, which might matters when transferring a larger sum." More than slightly better... eg. at today's rates for sending GBP10k Lloyds Bank plc GBP/THB 43.22 = 432,200THB Bangkok Bank GBP/THB 45.19 = 451,900THB Wise GBP/THB 45.63 = 456,300THB Just comparing the banks the difference is 19,700BHT = circa GBP430.00!

Can you imagine if UK Borderforce did this for every illegal immigrant or overstayer in the UK? For a start they would need 1000's more staff for finger pointing! She does look like an international high security threat though!

Without knowing which vaccines have had the serious side effects, what's the point of the report? I guess they are not allowed to mention what brand it was for risk of getting arrested/sued!?

I use Wise all the time, you are always better off using Wise rather than from your UK bank to your Bank here. I have done the numbers many many times. Wise is not a bank, you just transfer the money from your UK bank to Wise. I have done maybe 80-100 transactions with them, never had an issue. The alternative, as someone else suggested, is to open a Foreign Currency account with Bangkok Bank (which I also have) and have the money sent over from your UK bank as GBP. The money then sits in that Bangkok Bank account as GBP with the added benefit it can be sent back to the UK at any time. You just convert into THB to your "normal" Thai bank as and when you need it. If you send money over direct from your bank, make sure it is sent as GBP and converted here eg. you will get a 43.1 exchange rate from Lloyds if they convert in the UK. A HUGE difference, but UK banks are sometimes reluctant to mention that! You are getting hung up on the fees. It's the exchange rate that matters! eg. GBP 44,200 = Bangkok Bank THB 1,986,348 (They also charge a fee when converting you GBP to THB as well!) = Wise THB 2,008,890 Less THB 10000 fee THB 1,998,890 THB 12500 better off! Also, just to be safe, I would do 4 instalments of 10k as if goes over 20k Wise normally asks a few money laundering questions which can delay the transfer.

Exactly, I know British people who have had Sinovac/Astra Zeneca, is that acceptable? Also, the UK needs to confirm that those us us fully vaccinated with Pfizer in Thailand are ok?

Last week I registered on Wall of CM and got my 13 digit code, then went onto the Eventbrite site to pick a time slot, chose 1pm-2pm. Went down to Promenada yesterday at 1.30pm, with passport, Wall of CM printout and Eventbrite time printout. Filled out a consent form. Blood pressure taken. Documents checked. Pfizer vaccination, followed by 30 mins sitting there in case any adverse reactions. Walked out at 2.21pm, told to come back 4th Oct in the morning for 2nd shot. Piece of paper also states what vaccine given and from what batch. In and out in 1 hr, including the 30 mins! Worked like clockwork and very well organised. Thai's doing the paperwork/vaccinations and volunteer Westerner's helping out! Appreciated USA and Thailand! A Brit 53 yr old.

Irrespective of whether you are fully vaxed or not, anyone arriving from a RED listed country has to quarantine in an approved hotel at the cost of GBP2285.00. Being fully vaccinated is irrelevant. Before, in AMBER we could self-isolate at a friends/relatives home or something for 10 days, that is now finished and replaced with compulsory quarantine as above! Red list rules What you must do if you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the 10 days before you arrive in England. You must follow these rules even if you have been fully vaccinated.

It'll be a short holiday and you'll be leaving tomorrow! Lol

Thailand Currently on the amber list. Will move to the red list 4am, Monday 30 August. If you arrive in England after then you must follow the red list rules. How much you’ll need to pay Rate 1 adult in 1 room for 10 days (11 nights) £2,285 Additional rate for 1 adult (or child over 11) £1,430 Additional rate for a child aged 5 to 11 £325

Let me get this straight, Sinovac + Astra Zeneca is better than Sinovac + Sinovac? Well I never! Would never have guessed that!

Surely, every single one of us is on an Immigration database, otherwise why do I fill out numerous forms with all my contact details every time I have contact with them? Same goes for everyone with driving licences, there must be 100's of pieces of paper with all my contact details somewhere! I'm 53 just waiting for Astra, Pfizer etc to be available to me, I don't see the point of having a vaccine that isn't recognised by the UK.

Maybe consider changing onto one of their cheap post-pay monthly contracts with roaming. Just pay online from your Thai bank every month. That's what I used to do when I went to the UK for 2 or 3 months.

Came back from Lampang last Sunday (go there twice a month) nothing from there to Chiang Mai, apart from a "slow down road block" just south of CM, I think if you have "local" plates, drive on through. Can't imagine that different from BKK to CM, not exactly much in between! Maybe if you had BKK plates, they may stop and ask a question or two.

"Anyone married to a Thai for any length of time knows what I’m talking about." Not every Thai wife is the same. Been happily married for 8 years here (lived here for 13) and have never had that experience with my wife. However, my ex-GF was similar, hence why she is an ex! Couldn't be doing with the drama!