JB300

There's a nice Indian restaurant (more like a cafe than formal restaurant) around the corner from Papagayo go-go (there's a small walkway with restaurants on both sides, good steakhouse there also), can't remember what it's called but it's more of an authentic Indian place than the British takeaway type.

I take it the OP meant Feb 7 as Feb 2 was a Tuesday (& my 50th which I celebrated on Soi6 so didn't notice if the TVs were working or not )

I use http://Www.alluc.ee

Good job Harry the war hero never had to return to the UK for health reasons as I doubt his 39 quid a week would have covered the charges

Seems if you're an EU citizen you can claim to be ordinary resident (& so free NHS) from the day you land in UK, no more having to wait 6 months...

(Apologies for quality of the pic, taken from a pub copy of the Daily Mail)

I doubt they would try to reduce the personal allowance of ordinary ex pat pensioners if the up rating came to be, more at risk would be those who consider themselves to be "non-resident" but I think that would be unlikely as well, the income from such a move would be peanuts in the grand scheme of public finances, as indeed is the cost of up rating the expats pensioners, Osborne is a miser who is loved by very few outside the Bullingham Club, I hope he never becomes PM after DC he is the worst possible option. He has never lived in the real world.

In my world, an expat is UK non-resident, otherwise he's not an expat, he's just a tourist, or did I miss something.

Personally I don't think they'll remove the personal taxation allowance for UK Pensioners but might do so for UK citizens who are working overseas (as I've said before, this isn't totally unreasonable as these guys will typically be receiving a personal allowance from the country they're working in so in effect get 2 allowances).

Watching nothing to declare

Thank god im not Australian !

In AUstralia it shows as 'Border Security'

I always reckon the people get off easy on that show...

Outside of Australia, Border Security is the Canadian version... http://natgeotv.com/ca/border-security

I Love both shows & the US one To Catch a Smuggler http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/to-catch-a-smuggler/

Thanks for that, it is encouraging. I may be able to do "self assessment tax" whatever that is. Education, if there are some flexible schools like you say, then that's possible. I'm not likely to go to Samui, except maybe for a month or so, but maybe some of those schools would do Skype sessions if they are flexible. And, I saw somone posted a cheap AirAsia flight to Melbourne. That's always possible. Thanks again, jspill.

Melbourne doesn't ask for the employment requirement, and thankfullly it seems a bit more than anecdote as their own website doesn't state the residency or employment requirements either.

Consulates elsewhere have alternatives for the self-employed like a copy of self assessment tax.

It is officially 8 hrs/week for the Ed visa yes, in practice though is a different matter. Not sure about Chiang Mai but I know some Samui schools are still being very flexible.

Have you weighed up the cost of an ED Visa + School Fees + 90 Day Extensions + Exit the country every year to get a new visa against the Thailand Elite visa which will give you 5 years (possibly almost 6) with yearly extensions without having to leave the country for 500,000 THB?

Man in the High Castle turns out to be excellent. Very well done, good plots and good acting. Impressed

Sent using Tapatalk

Pilot episode was a little slow at the start but storyline is interesting (have seen Fatherland many years ago) & positive comments here meant I stuck with it & glad I did as its warming up nicely now [emoji106]

On an SETV, you need to leave Thailand after 60-90 days (you can extend the original 60-day stay by 30 days at an immigration office within Thailand). However, you do not then have to return to your home country. You can visit a country bordering Thailand (such as Malaysia, Vietnam or Laos) and get another SETV. With an METV, you still need to make trips outside Thailand. You just have greater flexibility about where to go and how long to stay. If an METV becomes too troublesome to acquire, the alternative of back-to-back SETVs is quite feasible.

Citizens of some countries cannot obtain visas from anywhere other than from their own country of permanent residence.

http://www.thaiembassy.org/kualalumpur/contents/files/services-20150909-173935-504463.pdf

That is true. For that reason, I was careful to read the earlier posts in the thread and confirm that the OP was from a country (British citizen) where this does not apply.

Now i'm confused. People from countries which are not on the list can obtain a METV in Kuala Lumpur?

Not the METV but they can get other visas there and other locations.

KL being a bad example, much easier to use Penang (for an SETV).

The more I read the more attractive the Elite Visa gets. Yes it costs a bit more, but it saves trips and visa runs. No need for re-entry permits, etc. No need for income statement affidavits, embassy trips, bank account money seasoning issues, etc. If one can afford it, and if one comes and goes a lot or travels in and out, it has a lot of pros. Less chance of overstay issues and penalties as there is only one yearly thing to check on each year correct? You are still stuck with the 90 day resident reporting stuff, but that applies to all > 90 day stay processes.

Being myself convinced about the advantages of the Thailand Elite visa, I don't see why any financially comfortable foreigner would chose any other type of visa.

Because the Thai system of government may not be stable and you would be spending 500,000 baht on a system of rules and regs that could be negated at any moment ?

That would be one reason

Second reason is you might change your mind...I know it's rare...but relationships with Thailand and more importantly with Thai women can go awry leaving you with the dreaded "I can't wait to get the hell outta here" feeling. 500k baht is a big chunk of change to walk away from.

With retirement extension you give up nothing but a little flexibility on where your funds are held. And when you leave you take it all back.

Especially as my partner (of > 5.5 years) is one of those rare Filippinas that doesn't want to live full time outside of the Philippines & "We" (in reality "She") have just bought a new house there.

Apologies for wandering OT, hope the OP reports back here on how he gets on & good luck with the move.

A Few More Ways To Say Someone Is Intellectually Impaired

- A few hairs short of a wig.

- Three feathers short of being fluffy.

- The dip stick doesn't reach the oil.

- Sharp as a bubble.

- Nice toy---no batteries.

- A few quacks short of a duck.

- A few peas shy of having a casserole.

- A few trucks short of a convoy.

- An experiment in artificial stupidity.

- An intellect rivaled only by garden tools.

- Doesn't have all the dots on their dice.

- Forgot to pay the brain bill.

- If brains were taxed, he'd get a refund.

- Couldn't tell which way an elevator was going if she had two guesses.

One wheel short of a unicycle

A couple of roos short in the top paddock.

- A sandwich short of a picnic.

- Not the sharpest knife in the drawer

- Fell out of the stupid tree & hit every branch on the way down

In a similar position (though from the uk & been living in Asia for the past 8 years, 7 in Singapore & 1 traveling around the region) & would like to get a Non-O based on being over 50 but am confused about the best way to go about this.

My "Plan" was to go somewhere local (Laos or Penang) & use evidence of funds in my Singapore bank account to get the initial Non-O, then use this to open a Thai bank account, seed the funds, get the 1 year extension etc... but I've recently learnt that I have to have the money in a Thai bank account BEFORE I can get the Non-O (my problem being I don't have a Thai bank account).

Is there anyway of getting "on the Retirement ladder" using evidence of funds in a non-Thai bank account (I can't go down the income route as my pension doesn't kick in for a few years but I do have sufficient funds to last me until it does)?

Happy to go back to the uk to do it but from what I've read I'm not confident of getting what I want from there either, especially as my cash is sat in a Singapore Bank account & my assets in the UK are my house & brokerage account there.

An account with a bank in Thailand.

Thanks, I'll try to open an account when I'm in Pattaya/Bangkok at the end of Jan to celebrate my 50th.

Failing that I'll head to Savannakhet instead (Penang is a little easier as I'm staying in KL in between trips but, then again, I've never been to Laos so good excuse to visit ).

All nearby embassies and consulates will want to see the money in a Thai bank to get a single entry non-o visa for being 50 over.

Savannakhet is not a good location to get one for being 50 or over. They frequently deny them unless you have a letter from your embassy stating you are retired.

Vientiane is a better place to go once you have the money in the bank or proof of 65k baht income.

Thanks Joe, I thought I'd read that Savannakhet didn't need to see the cash in the bank (or would at least accept a bank statement from UK/Singapore).

Feels like being stuck in a catch-22 situation, difficult to open a Thai Bank account without a long-term visa, difficult to get a long-term visa without a Thai bank account [emoji15]

An account with a bank in Thailand.

Thanks, I'll try to open an account when I'm in Pattaya/Bangkok at the end of Jan to celebrate my 50th.

Failing that I'll head to Savannakhet instead (Penang is a little easier as I'm staying in KL in between trips but, then again, I've never been to Laos so good excuse to visit ).

The 800 K has to be in the bank for 3 months when you apply for Non O for over 50 retirement in Penang,His money has only been in for one month

The flights have been booked to KL by another friend on a promotion fare can not get refund so will have to fly return from KL to Penang, Anyone know if he will get Non O with money only in for one month

No problem. The money just has to be in his account on the day of application. No seasoned funds needed.

Does it have to be in a Thai bank account or will they accept equivalent in a non-Thai account?

Thx

JB

Now that is scary .......applying in Cyprus. I will make enquiries.

I wonder how the Embassy in London would know that you wasn't a uk resident.

Obviously they'd know if you used a return address outside of the U.K. but you are required to put a phone number on the application form so there's always the possibility of them finding out that way.

If you're a legal resident in Cyprus then there should be no problem with you applying for a non-OA there or you can -

- Apply for a Non-O visa in a country local to Thailand (Savannakhet in Laos seems to be favourite)

- Enter Thailand on Visa Exempt / Tourist Visa & convert to Non-O retirement in Bangkok.

I wasn't applying for a TV - mine was a Non O (retirement).

But the next day pick-up is on their website.

Any tips on hotels to stay near the embassy there?

Many Thanks

JB

No way its dead,big big bar up for rent Soy Boocow 100 baht a day, stock included,3 year deferment on rent,now it is overly expensive I know 25 baht a day might get someone biting

Is it my eyesight or did somebody really have a banner printed that big & managed to misspell "Baht" as "Bath"!!!

I do not agree Pattaya is dead. Maybe in March but this month is very busy.

When I was booking a hotel in Soi13 for 6 nights at the end of Jan, Dynasty Inn was full & a few others were showing only 1 or 2 rooms available on Agoda etc...

Brain wave. Deposit 8k for what. This is stupid notion of financing a trip. My and so many other people have what's called line of credit. Not talking about credit cards.

The world today is have assets/debt. Money in bank is appropriate for those with very little.

Bit of a simplistic view don't you think as it depends on your age, financial goals & appetite to risk.

I follow an old adage that says keep (at least) 6 months money "In the Bank" to cover any emergencies as I don't want to be in a position where I'm having to "fire sale" any of my assets should something crop up.

Realistically how much money could you (with minimum risk) make from £8,000? Say 3% pa (£240) before tax?

Still open all hours , series 2 is out , same old same old , sorry Arkwright you were better .

doesnt work at all without Barker. Dumped it after 1 episode!

For nostalgia's sake, give it one more try.,.

You've got to love (& forgive) classic Barker humor...

Come on, it's Xmas [emoji12][emoji12][emoji12]

Versaille

The Colony

Hunting Hitler

If you like Hunting Hitler, check out Steven Rambam's other TV series "Nowhere to hide".

http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/nowhere-to-hide/676579/

Recommendation.........................

Another well worth watching movie recently watched is Sicario ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3397884/?ref_=nv_sr_1 )

Extract from IMDb:

"An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico".

Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin play the parts well. Depending on your viewpoints on the war against drugs, not as far fetched as it may come across. If you can't eradicate, then control is the next best thing...........

Watch it at a cinema in Manilla because it was pouring down & nothing much else to do ...

Wished I'd have stayed outside, the script/acting/plot/cast was even wetter

2 out of 10 (on a good day)