sandyf

You are perfectly free to believe that the personal circumstances of a foreigner have no bearing on opening a bank account in Thailand, but it doesn't make it a fact.

It is quite delusional to think that every country will respond in the same manner or that any initiative will operate exactly as intended. You are entitled to your opinions but you have no entitlement to make out they are fact. It would appear that the word "periodically" is not in the vocabulary of my bank, so until it is, I for one will let sleeping dogs lie.

Yes, it is about opening bank accounts which are dependant on circumstances such as marriage. Tell us what new hurdles have been put in place for those that are married, have Non O based on marriage and need account for extension. Life is a lot easier if the bank, or any other Thai staff, are talking to your wife in their native language. From the OP "Currently, there's no official ban on opening new accounts, but banks are exercising caution" At the end of the day prospective customers have to be more proactive in selling the validity of the request, some types of visa status become virtual non starters.

That is not quite true, not "all flights" into Europe are covered.

Yesterday British Airways turned a flight around back to Heathow after three and a half hours when it could have landed safely. " but that same old Thai British disregard for the paying passengers is still deeply entrenched."

That falang mentality can only focus on one issue, the multitude of other considerations become irrelevant.

Not unusual for the detail in a post to be overshadowed by presumption. I have known many over the years that can well afford to dispense with the hassle of immigration. Not so easy for state pensioners.

You shouldn't be making false statements.

Sri Ratcha

Indeed, note Item 2 in attached email. Back in 2014 the BOT, in line with other countries, tried to limit the availability of banking services to short term visitors but either branches didn't understand or didn't want to know. So here we are today.

The heading is misleading Bill, the main point made by the agents was not being able to open bank accounts for those on visa exempt and tourist visa. The reference made to Non O's said "in some cases" , which I suspect means those with insufficient funds. Like many other countries, the bank account situation for non residents is going to get more and more difficult. Time will reveal all, it usually does.

Apologies, should have been a bit more explicit, I am generally sat waiting for the marriage desk, where one application is unlikely to be less than 40 minutes. Those with a handful of passports can be sat at the desk most of the morning.

Generally only one on marriage at my office, been the same woman for over 10 years as far as i know. Sometimes 2 if a few in the queue, makes little difference if the other desks are empty, probably lack of expertise. Very few Europeans, mainly Asian that are ill prepared and take the best part of 2 hours. Agents should be blocked from attending in the morning.

Item 1 is no surprise, it was a only a matter of time. In Item 2, I suspect "in some cases" means those with insufficient funds. Bit annoying when sitting at immigration and person in front has a bundle of passports and applications.

You are free to think that would stop them trying different approaches.

There is a track record of them accepting various documents, how much discretion is allowed is the unknown. I have only used my passport so an actual address is not a deal breaker. There is a link between driving licence and passport, on renewal I ask to use PP photo on DL so it may well be accepted on the basis the actual address is not that important. On saying that it would be risky to have documents with 2 different UK addresses so PP would be safer option.

Used to be Q 9, maybe been removed in last year or so. "9 . The letter from your spouse indicated that you both are still married and he/she acknowledges of your visit. *"

Quite, the whole exercise was to reduce tax evasion among the wealty, not make a few bob from making pensioners pay tax twice. There has been a lot of scaremongering by those with a vested interest in profiteering from the confusion. HMRC do not demand returns from those with little to pay, why would such a policy be out of the question in Thailand.(Rhetorical)

I have lived in Thailand since 2008 and have returned many times on a new visa, which in recent years has been an e-visa. If you have a UK passport that can be used for your first point. The question wording is open to interpretation, probably due to trying to deal with non UK nationals. Indication from other counries would imply that they are looking for proof of legal residence rather than a specific residence. I have used funds in my Thai account to get the visa without a problem. I have only ever provided the flight number going into BKK and never been asked for proof of the flight but it would be prudent to have made the booking. The instructions say all documents should be in English but not the marriage certificate, that needs to be a copy of original. You will be asked about invitation, if you have not already addressed that the easiest solution is to get your wife to write a note saying she expects you to return on a certain date, note can be in Thai. She can then take a photo and send it to you and you can upload that. You need to upload a response to every question otherwise you cannot move on. If i remember right Q4 and Q10 are both financially related but you need only answer to one and upload a note for the other as a cross reference. Good luck.

A thought that is prevalent among falangs that the whole of Thailand follows the culture of one small area. Probably resulting from a particular lifestyle. Around here the Sinsod has been symbolic for decades, the parents return it with extras to the newlyweds.

I would agree with your first statement but you can be tax resident in more than one jurisdiction. You have to bear in mind that DTA's also specify income that can only be taxed in the original country. This means for many retired expats they cannot avoid being dual tax resident. The real problem is that highlighted by the OP that if the tax office concerned understands how the DTA should work, if tax has already been deducted there shouldn't be further liability unless they see an underpayment in the original country. For example someone on just a basic UK state pension will not have paid any tax and would then be subject to Thai thresholds. Personal taxation is a complicated and wide ranging scenario but for many of us should be relatively simple providing the RD recognise the circumstances and have done their homework.

It is only correct if Jomtien office say so. I use Sri Ratcha, also Chonburi Immigration, and that wouldn't be the case. I renewed my passport 18 months ago and just moved my TM30 from 2015 into the new passport. Have done 2 yearly extensions and 2 x 90 days in person since then without a problem, last one just a couple of weeks ago. I expect one day someone will say the TM30 is getting a bit old, 10 years in July. The only constant is the inconsistency.

It would be if that is the basis of your expectations. A "pint" is an official measure and must be dispensed if used. Coffee is a different ball game and as suggested, best to shop around.

Udon Suk is the first if bus remains on elevated section. I have seen the bus come down to ground level near Mega Bang Na and stop at BITEC but a bit of a walk to the BTS from there.

I was one of the first to use VFS when they took over from FCO back in 2014, passport took about 12 weeks to come back. Had to get embassy to intervene and came within 48 hour of being on overstay. When It came up for renewal I went to the office in Liverpool and had a new passport within a few days, unfortunately the same day service was suspended at that point in time.