GarryP

Nice detailed response. Doesn't surprise me at all. I know of farmers who are tied to CP and are struggling to find a way out. Yet the unfair competition legislation is never used against them. Could that be because of the power they hold (money)? They are massive in agriculture (from fertilizer to seed, aniumal feed and all the other things you mentioned), wholesale, retail, telecommunications (True), and probably some others.

If it was a choice of one or the other, I'd definitely choose Thaksin, and I hate him. But he's still better than Anutin.

Looks interesting.

And what does that mean?

No. Refugee camp style place. But plenty of razor wire to prevent them leaving without permission.

Crossy, you need to just persevere and keep calling until you get through. You'll have to talk to the robot/AI thing first though, before you are put on hold and then wait for a human to answer. The number I call is 441912037010 (National Insurance Helpline UK). If you use AIS like me, use 00500 rather than 003 or 005, as it is cheaper. For sure you will need to fill out the application form (assuming you qualify to back pay).

Can't they just create a massive holding camp for all illegals where they will stay until processed or agree to eff off back to their "war torn" homelands (I'm sure mummy and daddy will be pleased to see them again - but maybe not). This should not be limited to those on boat trips, but also include those who came by truck, train, plane or other means, including those who have overstayed their visas? I mean, with the number of farms that are closing under Effwit Starmer, there must be a few available fields now that are going unplanted.

How many years were you able to back pay? So many times I was informed by others and on the HMRC chat thing (which has since closed) that the maximum was 6 or 7 years. Later I learned that for more years the acutal cut off was April 2025 and then the excess years would be cut back to 6 or 7 years as before. Certainly as clear as mud.

Yes. Three years ago I got in touch with them for an application to back pay voluntary contributions, category 2. Was on hold for about 50 minutes, before someone picked up. As a result I got an application form (CF83) which I filled in and sent back. A few months later I got a letter of approval and surprisingly I was allowed to back pay 17 years. I thought I could only back pay 6 years. I paid the amount by international transfer following the information provided in the letter and on the HMRC website. Took them 10 months to update my record. Last year, I called again as I hadn't received a letter for payment of the past year (2023-2024). Again, on hold for about 40 minutes and then got though. Was told that my letter was in the post and low and behold the letter arrived the following week. I paid and again it took about 10 months for my record to be updated. This year, I called again on 20 June 2025. On hold for only 15 or 20 minutes this time, during which I answered questions posed by their AI thingy, before being passed on to a real human. I was told that I should have received the letter a few weeks prior to my call (still haven't received it), but she also confirmed that the amount due was the same as last year and the banking details remain unchanged. I made the transfer and knock me over with a feather, my record was updated within one week. I would also suggest joining the "State Pensions. UK" Facebook page as there are quite a few members who live overseas and may be able to offer better advice than me.

Probably not all 60 from that village either. It seems to be quite common now for protesters with no skin in the game to travel around to get their mugs featured on social media.

Interest on savings accounts with Thai banks is terrible. Probably lower or not much better than annual inflation. The SET Index is bad too. I am waiting for a bit more improvement before selling out all the Thai funds I hold, but will still probably be selling at a loss. I will not invest in the Thai market going forward. In fact there was a former Finance Minister of Thailand (Korn Chatikavanij) who mentioned that he had sold all his Thai based investments as he saw no future in it. I hold a few international mutual funds which are offered by Thai banks. I should have gone direct to save costs, but I just couldn't be bothered. As to property, I have a house in Bangkok I have been trying to sell, but am now reconsidering renting it out instead.

I did not say I was only earning 4% a year from S&P500. I said that I have averaged more than 4% per year with my investments. This is in response to the original posters comment "Hi, I have most of my savings and investments in the UK where it is easy to obtain over 4% interest in a bank fixed interest savings account, or invest in mutual funds or stocks & shares." In my case, I have lived in Thailand since I was 19, so all my money is here.

Mainly BBL (Bualuang), SCB, UOB, Eastspring. There are loads of other investment brokers, but I was just lazy as I already bank with the first three. Having said that, the vast majority (85-90%) of the mutuals I hold are in overseas based masterfunds, e.g. I hold B-Innotech with Bualuang, where the master fund is "Fidelity Funds - Global Technology Fund, Class YACC-USD", SCBS&P500E (master fundiShares Core S&P 500 ETF. Doing it my way increases the expenses, so investing directly would be more cost effective. Luckily, there are now options available to invest directly in the master funds from Thailand, I just have never got round to it.

So you are legal, not claiming asylum under false prentences and not milking the system. Good for you. Such immigrants are usually accepted and most people have no issue with them. It is the other ones that we don't agree with. So what is your point? And comparing Thailand with the UK is like comparing apples with oranges. So some people use agents who may have fake accounts for the money needed to meet visa requirements, however, the applicants are not given free housing, meals, healthcare, etc. The Thai state is not paying anything for the foreigners to live here.

All of my savings and investments were made in Thailand. I have invested in numerous mutual funds over the years, some good, and some bad, but I have averaged more than 4% per year (including overseas funds such as S&P500, global technology Fund, etc. As to costs, I have no experience with investments made in the UK or through offshore brokers, however, I have heard that the charges are quite a bit lower than the Thai brokers/fund managers. Having said that, I started making my investments while in full time employment in Thailand, so I am not sure if it is available to retirees, but don't see why not.

I suffer from white coat syndrome to some degree. But I found that Sheryl's suggestion on another thread worked well if you are going to have your blood pressure checked in a hospital or clinic. Sit down and try to relax for 5 minutes or more and do the 5 breathing exercise. Breath in counting from one to fine, then breath out counting from one to five. Repeat five times.

A bit off topic. The stroke rate on that is quite high, but then your speed is much faster than mine. I'd only get a stroke rate up to 30 if I was doing intervals.

You can <deleted> in the garden, for all I care. Is that incitement for you to <deleted> in your garden? If you believe so, you are deluded. But I really don't care.

Thaksin is having trouble staying firm. Probably age related.

Came here in October 1982, when I was 19 years old and have been here ever since. Been retired for just over 1 year.

Illegal or legal? Did you claim asylum under false pretences? Are you milking the system?

Watched his latest interview with Andrew Gold and found it very interesting: I'd trust him more than I would Farage.

It's not going to happen. He will split any remaining labour vote. Labour and Corbyn are not addressing issues of the working class. They are out of touch with what the majority of people really want, as is the conservative party. But there does not seem to many viable options. Farage is a narcissist, who just plays to the crowd, somewhat like Trump. So for me Reform is a big NO too. What is left? Will Advance UK increase in popularity? I doubt it. Sad days for the UK.

Was married to my first Thai wife for 26 years before she pegged it. Been married to my current missus for 8 years.

Give Bradford a visit next time you are in the area.