JB300

Walter Travolta, you seem to be interested in making side trips to bordering countries while on your tourist visa. A triple entry tourist visa from Savannakhet may be something to consider. This visa only has a 3 month validity, but it allows you to 'burn' entries if you plan on taking short trips to neighbouring countries and may come out cheaper than using a re-entry permit.

I believe Bali is the only place you can get a Triple Entry visa in Asia, would be a Double Entry from Savn.

Edit: Triple Entry from Bali would be valid for 6 months so you can get almost 9 months out of it, but they'll want to see each Entry mapped out & flights booked when you apply.

You can get a triple entry (3 month validity) from Savannakhet.

Sorry, I missed the "Valid for 3 months" part which makes it pretty pointless to me unless you have 3 or 4 fixed trips that you have to make & can't time to make best use of Visa Exempt entries

Anybody know what happens re UK Capital Gains Tax if you sell your house?

I know the UK changed the rules around primary residence a few years back so it looks like I might need to pay it, but as I've spent over 5 complete Tax Years as a non-resident for Tax purposes, I don't pay Capital Gains on any share sales.

So would I need to pay it if I sold my house (it's the only one I own & was my primary residence for 9 years before I left the UK & where I stayed for visits for 3 1/2 years afterwards until I got sick of paying council tax/utilities etc... & started renting it out 3 years ago).

^ 3 double entry tourists do you a year & that 6,000bt & it 12,000bt for 2 double entry tourist with 4 extensions to cover a year.

Most people who do constant extensions & quickest border runs are illegal boiler room workers, loads of the gobby idiots use to go with jack golf to poipet, fortunately most fell on hard times & tougher overstay possible changes cleared a fair few off & reduced amount of illegal work available.

It kiind of personal preference, it not just the money, for me I wanted travel a bit more & also saves you doing border run just for sake of activating a second entry you actually go somewhere & do/see something. Just mix it up how you think suites your needs, getting tourists is quite easy, getting extensions once been doing it repeatedly gets questions at immigration. Yo could even find yourself needing a short trip back to UK in a year or so to tie up loose ends or something & that would allow a new fresh passport to be ordered & a 3 entry tourist & start fresh :-)

Things are always changing so good keep an eye on things but common sense & bit of preparation is the main requirements ...

3 double entry TR's last a year ok, got that, but you still have to leave and re-enter every 60 days yes?

Need to leave/re-enter every (approx) 90 days if you extend each entry by 30 days, 60 days if you decide not to take the 30 day extension on one of the Entries.

Walter Travolta, you seem to be interested in making side trips to bordering countries while on your tourist visa. A triple entry tourist visa from Savannakhet may be something to consider. This visa only has a 3 month validity, but it allows you to 'burn' entries if you plan on taking short trips to neighbouring countries and may come out cheaper than using a re-entry permit.

Edit: Triple Entry from Bali would be valid for 6 months so you can get almost 9 months out of it, but they'll want to see each Entry mapped out & flights booked when you apply.

Any recommendations on where to watch the fight in Central Pattaya?

"What Happens if I Retire Abroad": http://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/pensioners-tax/what-happens-if-i-retire-abroad

Is this fixed bills budget about right for Pattaya or am I far off base??? Also, I didn't include any entertainment or misc expenses here since they vary from month to month. This is for a single person btw, not a family or couple.

Prices are in THB and USD.

Condo Rent : 15,000 ( $460 )

Electricity: 1600 ( $50 )

Water: 500? ( $15 )

Internet: 650 ( $20 )

Cell: 1000( $30 )

TV: 380 ( $11 )

Food: 10,000 ( $300 )

Haircuts: 500( $15 )

Laundry: 3200( $100 )

Motorbike: 2000 ( $60 )

Bike Fuel: 1000 ( $30 )

--------------------------------------------

Total: 35,830 - $1100

Also need to put something in for Visas depending on what basis you're planning on staying in Thailand.

There was a thread in one of the Philippine forums where a guy's ex-gf was pregnant but he didn't know whether he was the father & the consensus was that if he was the father, she could apply to the Australian Child Support Agency (Part of the Dept Human Services) who could garnish his wages (or seize assets) to cover child support.

Some debate about whether this was a set percentage (23% of the difference in income) or a fixed amount ($12,000AUS PA was mentioned), but consensus was that the girl could apply from the Philippines & there are agencies that would help her to do so (similar things have happened with other countries, IMHO quite rightly so).

So probably best to plan for the worse case scenario and assume that if you do have a child & the relationship breaks down, you're going to be paying whatever you'd be paying if it were In Aus...

It looks like the Philippines has a reciprocal agreement with Australia whereas Thailand doesn't http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/child-support/reciprocating-jurisdictions-and-residency-for-child-support... So a Fillipina can claim Child Support from you from the Philippines but a Thai girl cannot claim from Thailand but can claim if she is a resident in Australia (or one of the other countries with reciprocal agreements).

Again, I would assume the worst case scenario of Thailand & Australia agreeing a reciprocal agreement.

There was a thread in one of the Philippine forums where a guy's ex-gf was pregnant but he didn't know whether he was the father & the consensus was that if he was the father, she could apply to the Australian Child Support Agency (Part of the Dept Human Services) who could garnish his wages (or seize assets) to cover child support.

Some debate about whether this was a set percentage (23% of the difference in income) or a fixed amount ($12,000AUS PA was mentioned), but consensus was that the girl could apply from the Philippines & there are agencies that would help her to do so (similar things have happened with other countries, IMHO quite rightly so).

So probably best to plan for the worse case scenario and assume that if you do have a child & the relationship breaks down, you're going to be paying whatever you'd be paying if it were In Aus...

If we put our feet up in LOS, they do not cancel your national health number..........

From the 1st article quoted... https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-to-improve-overseas-visitors-contributions-to-nhs-care

Within the UK, free NHS treatment is provided on the basis of someone being ‘ordinarily resident’. It is not dependent upon nationality, payment of UK taxes, national insurance contributions, being registered with a GP, having an NHS number or owning property in the UK.

The changes which come into effect from April will affect visitors and former UK residents differently, depending on where they now live.

Treatment in A&E departments and at GP surgeries will remain free for all.

”You are entitled to free NHS hospital treatment if you are one of the following people and fall ill during your visit. You are not entitled to routine treatment for a pre-existing condition.

You are entitled to receive free NHS care if you:

get a UK state retirement pension or another state benefit and normally live in a non-EEA country. You must have lived lawfully in the UK for at least ten years continuously in the past, or worked for the UK "

I have decided I think I know what this means.

It means if you get a state pension you can get NHS care for all but routine pre existing conditions. So I reckon for eg if you had a serious episode of any kind you are entitled......and it would make ethical sense to not withhold this from pensioners who have paid into the system after all.

What I reckon they are avoiding is routine non-vital stuff.

Well it's at least somewhat comforting.....

Think this deserves looking further into the detail.

The other question is if you have been in Thailand for say a decade or two and you sign into a GP in Winchester or Chester who's to say what was pre-existing?

I'm not sure that (most) UK pensioners are still entitled to free treatment on the NHS...

From https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-to-improve-overseas-visitors-contributions-to-nhs-care

People living outside the EEA

People who live outside the EEA, including former UK residents, should now make sure they are covered by personal health insurance, unless an exemption applies to them. Anyone who does not have insurance will be charged at 150% of the NHS national tariff for any care they receive.

Exemptions

There are several groups of people who are exempt from charging, or entitled to free care because they remain ordinarily resident here despite spending time outside the UK. UK Crown servants, British Council or Commonwealth War Graves staff, those working in UK government-funded posts overseas, and the spouse/civil partner and children under 18 of these people, are exempt from charging if they were ordinarily resident prior to leaving the UK for that purpose. Those who were not ordinarily resident in the UK before taking up such a post will be charged.

There is also no change for armed forces members, war pensioners and armed forces compensation scheme recipients and their families, who are not required to have formerly been an ordinary resident of the UK.

Another interesting page here... http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/movingabroad/Pages/Introduction.aspx

"If you are moving abroad on a permanent basis, you will no longer be entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. You’ll also have to notify your GP so that you and your family can be removed from the NHS register".

Three million is not very much money. It might last you five years if you're very careful. I hope you will have a regular retirement income. Good luck!

I'm not sure that starting a business in Thailand is the smartest plan, have you looked into making money online? That way you can "Work" from wherever you have decent internet access.

Or, there's always teaching English (walks away whistling)...

Lasted seven years, came back last fall.

Cost of living is cheaper here, better quality of life, and:

People smile without hoping for anything other than a smile back;

Haven't heard a single dog bark in three months, let alone been attacked by a pack of them;

No burning of plastic;

No loud music, caterwauling as the moon sets, or unbridled exhaust;

Haven't seen one person pick their nose. Nope, not even the person preparing my food ...

Were there good things about my time in Thailand? Sure, but no where near enough to consider living there any longer, let alone dying there.

My wife is joining me in April. We have a bucket list in the first month that includes:

The Grand Canyon- camping and rafting;

Las Vegas- attending a Cirque de Sol show, and, in the casinos, losing money;

Driving north from San Diego through Malibu, sailing to and about Catalina, then taking Hwy 1 up the coast into Washington State and eventually Victoria, B.C. We'll stop at wineries and cheese farms along the way, detouring for camping in Sequoia National Park, and Redwood National Forest. Then Yosemite and back over to the coast ….

Absolutely no way I would consider wasting another precious day of life in LOS.

You obviously have the money where you could live anywhere. You're right Thailand may not be the place for you. For people like mean on limited means I don't have that much choice, I would far rather be poor in a nice warm climate amongst friendly people who are genuine, than back in a cold climate, where I seldom see a smile. Come to think of it, even if I had all the money in the world I'd still live here, but maybe I'd take the trip you are planning, or take a summer trip to Europe or Japan, or Alaska or Iceland, two places I'd always wanted to visit. However I would always come home. Yes Thailand is my home now, and if all goes well I will die here.

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Like where? Can you please give some examples & please don't mention anywhere in the US as I'm a Brit so can only spend 6 months of the year there.

If you're a British Citizen you can live anywhere you like and if you're a person of unlimited resources I'm sure you could find somewhere beautiful to live. Of course if you're a bit strapped or on benefits that's a different story.

Bibury in The Cotswolds would be a good place to start.

Thanks, it was a genuine question as whilst not having unlimited resources I can afford to live anywhere I choose (basing this on the fact that I've just spent 6 1/2 years living in the most expensive city in the world, Singapore) I'm thinking there are so places I've never been to, I'd love to hear alternative suggestions to Thailand/Asia for a long stay "visitor" (I'm "only" 49 )

I love the UK, hate UK haters, but haven't finished my travels yet so not quite ready to move back HOME

Oh & I have to get this off my chest, I am from a working class family (Father a scaffolder, Mum a cleaner) & I've never received a single penny of "Benefit"... Sorry, that's my chip on my shoulder...

Lasted seven years, came back last fall.

Cost of living is cheaper here, better quality of life, and:

People smile without hoping for anything other than a smile back;

Haven't heard a single dog bark in three months, let alone been attacked by a pack of them;

No burning of plastic;

No loud music, caterwauling as the moon sets, or unbridled exhaust;

Haven't seen one person pick their nose. Nope, not even the person preparing my food ...

Were there good things about my time in Thailand? Sure, but no where near enough to consider living there any longer, let alone dying there.

My wife is joining me in April. We have a bucket list in the first month that includes:

The Grand Canyon- camping and rafting;

Las Vegas- attending a Cirque de Sol show, and, in the casinos, losing money;

Driving north from San Diego through Malibu, sailing to and about Catalina, then taking Hwy 1 up the coast into Washington State and eventually Victoria, B.C. We'll stop at wineries and cheese farms along the way, detouring for camping in Sequoia National Park, and Redwood National Forest. Then Yosemite and back over to the coast ….

Absolutely no way I would consider wasting another precious day of life in LOS.

You obviously have the money where you could live anywhere. You're right Thailand may not be the place for you. For people like mean on limited means I don't have that much choice, I would far rather be poor in a nice warm climate amongst friendly people who are genuine, than back in a cold climate, where I seldom see a smile. Come to think of it, even if I had all the money in the world I'd still live here, but maybe I'd take the trip you are planning, or take a summer trip to Europe or Japan, or Alaska or Iceland, two places I'd always wanted to visit. However I would always come home. Yes Thailand is my home now, and if all goes well I will die here.

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Like where? Can you please give some examples & please don't mention anywhere in the US as I'm a Brit so can only spend 6 months of the year there.

Ctrl-i

That turns on Italics...

Have tried all of the combo keys & don't know whether I've switched something on/off but Option(Alt) + Enter is working so I'm happy [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

^^^ completely agree, I paid around 30% more for my last Laptop (Alienware M14) which lasted less than 2 years & roughly the same as the MAC pro for the one before that (HP DV8) which lasted less than 18 months.

Anybody managed to solve the "CTRL-Enter" new line in an Excel cell on a MAC running Windows/Office 2010?

Thanks

JB

shift+fn+enter?

Doesn't work for me [emoji17]

Hope so Woofer,I've been staying at my mates brand new apartment in KL for the last 4 OR 5 weeks & no internet here yet, but you learn to adjust (visit the local Starbucks when you need your I (I have the complete set) updated [emoji106]

^^^ completely agree, I paid around 30% more for my last Laptop (Alienware M14) which lasted less than 2 years & roughly the same as the MAC pro for the one before that (HP DV8) which lasted less than 18 months.

Anybody managed to solve the "CTRL-Enter" new line in an Excel cell on a MAC running Windows/Office 2010?

Thanks

JB

Get a 4G Sim for one of the IPhones & use its WIFI hotspot sharing for the IPads

In order to get citizenship of a country that doesn't allow dual citizenship they would have had to renounce their Thai citizenship to the local Thai Embassy & give up their Thai passport (I'm assuming this is why they don't have a Thai passport).

I've no idea whether this then goes on to the process you've described but (at least in the other country) they have renounced their citizenship so (at least in the other country) are no longer Thai.

Thank you for all the answers so far folks. The delema here is that the Thai person involved is the holder of another countries passport and that country does not allow dual citizenship. I think Mario has the best answer yet, however it does open up a case by case application of the law by immigration. thanks once again. Yes the possessor of the Thai ID is a Thai citizen.

Bought a 13" MacBook Pro for the hardware (last 2 laptops cost more 1 lasted 2 years, the other 18 months), BootCamped it to run both IOS & Win7 and very happy with it.

The biggest problem I have is with the keyboard layout, constantly hitting the wrong keys & still cannot find a way of getting a new line in an Excel Cell.

Re Malaysia, that's why I mention retirees without higher incomes. AFAIK, the Malaysia MM2H program involves quite a bit more financial capacity than does either the TH or PH options.

You're right that Cambodia also can work with their Business visa, at least for now. At least in terms of being an economical annual visa option.

Whether Cambodia or PH is a better option/alternative to Thailand, I supposed, depends a lot of what things a prospective retiree considers important in their life. They each have some positives, and a lot of negatives, on their scorecards.

Yeah, MM2H financial requirements are much higher than Thailand & Philippines, I only mentioned it because it's regularly quoted as one of the "Easiest/Friendliest" options for retirees...

Applicants are required to show they have sufficient financial resources to live in Malaysia without seeking employment or other assistance from the government.

Applicants under 50 are required to show liquid assets above RM500,000 [Approx £92,500] and a monthly income of over RM10,000 [approx £1,850]

Applicants over 50 have show assets over RM350,000 [approx £65,000] and monthly income of RM10,000. Applicants receiving a government pension over RM10,000 a month will be exempted from making the Fixed Deposit (see next section)

Acceptable liquid assets for people over 50 include cash in the bank, bonds and securities.

(http://www.mm2h.com/mm2h-requirements-terms-and-conditions.php).

Having rescued 5 dogs & 2 cats moving is a bit more complicated. Now researching where next. Some parts of the Philippines are typhoon free & are safe....just about to go & check. Portugal also looks good- friend going soon to check out moving - also sick to death of Thailand. If you still like it - great - I no longer do

what about vietnam or laos, malaysia, indonesia?

your jumping from thailand to the phillippines, why? i suspect your choice is not just about pets or safety.

If I am not mistaken, the thing TH and PH have over the other places you mention is a relatively liberal policy/rules on long-term retirement stays/visa by foreigners.

I'm not sure the other countries you list have the same, especially for those with limited income/savings.

Apart from the nightlife commonalities, I think that's why TH and PH often are seen by retirees as common options -- unlike the other places.

Malaysia has a very good long term stay option with MM2H (My Malaysian 2nd Home) & 90 day visa exempt options (for Brits at least), bus ride will get you a turn around in Singapore.

Other long term stay option would be Cambodia (less than $300US for a yearly multi-entry "Business" visa).

Personally I prefer Thailand... & Filipinas, now if I could just convince mine to move there I'd be set [emoji106]