Madgee

Amazon has 2nd hand GTX 980 cards going for around £300

You apparently have an extension of stay based upon retirement you obtained at immigration not a visa.

You cannot change the reason for your extension to one based upon marriage until your current one expires. The only thing you can do now is leave the country and apply for a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage at a nearby embassy or consulate. Then you could apply for a work permit. And then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the visa apply for an extension based upon marriage.

I'm sorry Joe but I must disagree with you.

I changed from a retirement extension with 6 months left to run to a marriage extension. The retirement was cancelled and a new 12 month extension issued. Admittedly, the IMO was not keen as it causes them more work but I insisted (needed the funds to purchase a car). There is nothing in the 'book' that says it cannot be done, just the IMO could be reluctant to do it because of the extra work. JMHO.

Zenphone Max:

1A / 5 volt charger supplied is weak and inadequate. I use fast charge via my Asus laptop.

OTG USB adapter cable supplied.

Camera has many settings but I still find quality lacking indoors but apparently this issue has been sorted with updates. Maybe me!

Video is fine.

Maximum volume is a well documented issue with most Asus Zenphones in all departments, especially using the handset compared with Samsung.

I noticed last week Banana and ITCity were offering the freebees. I prefer ITCity where we are because they are more knowledgeable and tend to throw in a few more incentives to buy.

I've been eyeing newer asus zenfone the selfie ZD551KL and the max zc550kl ..will likely get the max. Dual standby sim card + separate sd card.

http://store.asus.com/th/

I got the Zenphone Max in Feb and I'm quite impressed with it, even my wife jacked her iPhone 6 for one because of the extended battery life, 5000mAh.

Excellent phone for the money but has a few downsides.

Long, long battery recharge time.

Indoor photo quality is not good. (many bad reviews about this aspect)

Maximum volume is poor.

Some of the constant updates have addressed other known issues.

Lots of places now offering 2 year guarantee, free case and screen protection. About ฿6490.

For the OP, you will have a problem with the low audio output unless you use a Bluetooth earpiece.

Most PPT fuel stations in larger villages and towns offer a quick and inexpensive method, it only takes a few minutes.

Just take your tax disc, Gov. insurance and reg. book. All done in a few minutes and depending how far away the local licensing centre is, next day pick up the new tax disc etc.

My local station charges me the usual cost plus 65฿ for the running around.

I've recently used this simple calculator for Thai income tax on several occasions on behalf of several colleagues and it has been 'spot on' every time, providing the correct documentation is submitted.

https://www.tiscoasset.com/en/asset/html/tax-calculator.jsp

You do not need a work permit to gain a tax I.D. number as a poster above claims. Many retirees actually claim their tax back that they have paid on interest accrued in savings accounts. To do this they must have a tax I.D. number readily supplied by the local tax office, of course they have no work permit.

I have used NWI for several years.

I was based in China and now in Thailand. On Monday I spoke to them via Skype about a withdrawal and change of account; it was verified a few minutes ago.

I also notified them of a change in address via downloaded forms off their website a few weeks ago which were accepted without problem.

Anybody with a NWI account should have been notified about changes in their banking policies last December, which included new forms to disclose personal information if you had a UK postal address on their records, regardless of circumstances, to be completed and returned no later than March 2016. This is all to do with the new banking disclosure laws of the EU. Many banks, including Swiss banks have participated. Apparently, this is more to do with terrorist funding more than anything else. (So they say). A point of note is they do specifically ask if you are a USA citizen!

As far as the UK is concerned, the new £500 tax free interest kicks in next month? So this may also have something to do with the new policies as well if you still have any financial connections with the UK, including pensions etc.

I think the days of many ex-pats who think the UK Gov. doesn't know where they are and hide behind the Personal Data Act are numbered.

Just my opinion.

Does NWI regard you as UK resident or not, please, do they hold a UK address for you on file?

Originally, they contacted me (Dec 2015) because I had an old UK contact address only on their files. They wanted me to redo my tax declaration to them because of the new UK tax laws and declare my current country of residence for tax purposes. My accounts have always been changed to my C of R address.

I have not been considered a UK resident for 8 years by NWI or NW BS. (or HMRC)

I presume my old UK contact address will always be on an archived file somewhere.

I have used NWI for several years.

I was based in China and now in Thailand. On Monday I spoke to them via Skype about a withdrawal and change of account; it was verified a few minutes ago.

I also notified them of a change in address via downloaded forms off their website a few weeks ago which were accepted without problem.

Anybody with a NWI account should have been notified about changes in their banking policies last December, which included new forms to disclose personal information if you had a UK postal address on their records, regardless of circumstances, to be completed and returned no later than March 2016. This is all to do with the new banking disclosure laws of the EU. Many banks, including Swiss banks have participated. Apparently, this is more to do with terrorist funding more than anything else. (So they say). A point of note is they do specifically ask if you are a USA citizen!

As far as the UK is concerned, the new £500 tax free interest kicks in next month? So this may also have something to do with the new policies as well if you still have any financial connections with the UK, including pensions etc.

I think the days of many ex-pats who think the UK Gov. doesn't know where they are and hide behind the Personal Data Act are numbered.

Just my opinion.

I changed from marriage to retirement extension just under a year ago with no problems. The only concern from the Immigration officer was that as the retirement extension would run for one year from date of application I would "lose" time on my marriage extension. Possibly try again with less than 30 days left on the marriage extension?

I done the opposite.

I changed from retirement to marriage with 6 months still valid on my retirement extension.

At first, my immigration office was reluctant to do it as it causes them more administration and couldn't understand why I was willing to sacrifice 6 months of the old extension. I just told them I wanted to release 400,000 to buy a car and 'hey presto'.

I've had two machines passed to me with faults similar to what you are experiencing and more. Both were 'updated' from W7 Ultimate (I suspect with pirate codes) to W10 with the usual complaints of

not working properly.

Simple answer:

Get a legit copy and your problems will be over.

Personally, I've got 3 machines all running W10 from W7 auto update with no problems. In fact, they run a lot faster now and the old 'baby' notebook with only an Atom processor and 1G ram that was ultra-slow is now usable again.

Just for your information:

Bookmark (for school) will not work on 64bit systems without running in compatibility mode and even then it has more problems on W10. Like many programs schools use for administration purposes, they are outdated, pirated and belong with Noah.

Have fun!

New carb for an old Mio is about 915baht off the shelf and is pre-set.

Jeez, I really cannot believe the OP thinks he is being ripped off.

Just had a walk around the area using 'google street view' and with so many Indian restaurants within a few hundred metres I'm going to be spoilt for choice.

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

OK,

The Royal Benja Hotel, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110​

Many thanks.

Hi Guys,

I'll shortly be attending a seminar in a hotel in Soi 5 for a few days.

Having no knowledge of BKK whatsoever, I would like to find a place to enjoy a good Indian style curry within walking distance of the hotel.

Many thanks in advance.

You know the British Council is a great institution.

They can really teach English.

Train the Trainer is a little more complicate, but given a lot of year, this is a great step forward.

Have any of you Nay sayers ever worked with the British Council, attended any of their courses, or been a trainerment

Yes, yes and yes; albeit in China!

I was a speaker at a few BC seminars and attended many short training courses, it's amazing what they can cram into a weekend course yet alone a six week course as proposed in Thailand. Although my subject matter was the IELTS speaking module, their training methods were enlightening, very intuitive and fun. This new found knowledge I passed on to my fellow Chinese colleagues at regular 'in house' training sessions who enthusiastically embraced the methodology and consequently our students began to achieve higher scores.

I would love to see this happen in Thailand but as many posters, in my opinion, have corrected commented; most Thai teachers teaching English do not want to make the effort to improve because there are no consequences involved if they don't improve. The recent CEFR tests on Thai Gov. teachers proved their low ability and very little has been done to remedy this situation. At a fairly recent weekend long seminar for teachers who scored under B1 level (many at A1), I had the pleasure of being an instructor for the listening module and surprise, surprise! Many never attended the morning sessions and some of those that did spent the whole morning playing with their phones. All they were interested in was having a good time in the evening eating and singing.

Not for me to comment on the consequences if Thailand disposes of the NES teachers but the MoE must take this seriously and realise the dire situation of it's English teachers ability in schools across the country if it really wants to see improvement in the use of the international language of the world. Attitudes of teachers and students must be adjusted to accept that the use of English is vitally important for success in the world of today.

Oooops ....... I thought I was still in China, silly me.

HomePro sell Glyphosphate 48​. It's the same as 'roundup', same company I think. Various weed killers are available at good local garden centres but don't expect to find one with labels in English!

I lived in China for many years so from my deductions:

It's habit!

Many of the main roads in Chinese cities are 6-8 lanes with no central reservations and few underpasses or bridges for pedestrians to cross, so the only way to cross the road is to dodge between the traffic coming in both directions. On top of that there are bus only lanes (filled with thousands of e-bikes going in different directions) and they drive on the right. Combine all of that with no sense of direction and an iPhone glued into the right hand and there you have the answer.

It's the colour of the casing ......Liquid Blue!

Flame Red does not mean it will catch fire.

Charcoal Grey does not mean you can BBQ it.

Emerald Green does not mean it's made in Ireland.

Any more?

Thanks to all - I need this information too.

What grace period do you have before you MUST register in your home province?

As always, different offices have different interpretations of the rules and regulations.

I purchased my car in a neighbouring province where it was owned and registered.

I went to my local office to get the book updated into my name but because it was too much 'hard work' they advised me to go to the office where it was registered and do it there.

I know they should do it but I could do without the hassle. Luckily, it was only 50km down the road so sorted within a couple of hours.

You do not have to register the car in your home province, in my case anyway.

Price using the resorts own website:

Booking Mon 28th Sept for a two night stay in a deluxe room.

5686 baht Inc. of taxes with no extras.

Agoda, Bookings.com, Hotels.com, Expedia.

2849 baht per NIGHT.

Checked 5 minutes ago.

The OP has basically halved the price.

If I lived nearer I'd certainly take him up on the offer.

Typhoon Soudelor is expected to make landfall in China’s western coast during August 7-8. Thai travelers planning to visit the area have been urged to closely follow weather updates.

Ummmm ........ Has there been a tectonic plate movement I haven't heard about?

KarenBravo, on 09 Jul 2015 - 11:05, said:

There really isn't a culture of getting part-time work for extra pocket money here.

I have been working since six years old. First doing household chores for pocket money, then a paper-round, then a milk round, then working in shops and pubs until I got a full time job.

It's just not like that here. Boys and girls are treated differently. Girls are expected to help around the house as soon as they are able, whilst boys are waited on hand and foot.

What youngsters you do see working are usually helping out in the family business for which they may, or may not be getting paid.

As to your problem, your wife will have to sort it out. She's the one with the authority in your step-sons eyes, not you.

I couldn't agree more.

I'm in a similar situation. Although I don't agree with it I have learnt to accept it, just to save any hassle with the missus. He shows no respect for anyone, always gets his own way (not with me) and his mother still treats him with kid gloves to save any arguments. At least he stays in his bedroom and is quiet, rarely venturing out unless it's feeding time. Hopefully, this time next year he will be getting ready for University and his mother will be given some respite from his behaviour.

Regardless, I still blame the mothers and not the kids. After all, the kids have never been taught any different and accept this as the norm.

Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix

jaaaason, on 15 May 2015 - 18:47, said:

Even China has a policy that foreigners can own a house. I had one that I lived in for 13 years. The length of time is for 75 years,with a right of renewal(you own the building but not the land). When you sell it you are selling the rights to use it for what is left of the original 75 years. Supposedly after that there will be a government renegotiation if you continue to live in it and it hasn't fallen down.

Sorry jaaaason, I'm not being pedantic but you lived in China for more than 13 years and thought it was a 75 year lease? It is 70 years.

The build quality of housing and lack of correct planning in China means most housing (actually condo's for the most part) have a maximum life expectancy of around 25 years before they are demolished and possibly rebuilt. Generally speaking, they drastically increase in value in the first year or two,(you are not allowed to sell for 5 years without a huge penalty) while the ground landscaping is still being cared for, after that most developments fall into dis-repair and the selling value stabilises before steadily dropping.

As a foreign owner you can only buy one property and it is illegal to rent it out, you must reside on the premises. Many taxes involved of various descriptions and you must have lived in China for one year before being allowed to buy. The Chinese government can make a compulsory purchase of your property for the purpose of new construction. (This happens a lot for road and rail construction). Not only will you be forced to sell your property, you might even lose money from it. The biggest drawback is owning a property with commanding views, only to see a 50 storey block go up 5 metres from your window.

Buying property in China is very expensive and difficult compared with Thailand unless you want to build a shack on some farmers land that has planning permission and sub-lease the right of the land from him....Ummmmm, food for thought on that one!