sandyf

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.

The Thai Baht is a controlled currency and subject to BOT scrutiny. The fact that Thai banks have been a bit more lax in recent years does not mean the scrutiny has gone away. About 16/17 years ago I had a terrible problem trying to get a relatively small amount transferred to UK. I had to bring all my pension and transfer receipts to the bank before they would authorise the transfer back to the account the money had come from. There has always been a policy that only money brought into Thailand can be remitted out. No Wise in those days.

Indeed, I have had to do it the last twice in person as I had been out of the country. Couple of weeks ago after getting marriage extension stamp went to 90 day office, in and out in 5 minutes. Sri Ratcha is same administration as Jomtien but from the tales of woe, could be a different country.

Will treat that with the contempt it deserves.

That was the previous level in 2013, there was also additional requirements for children which have now been abolished. The Tory government moved the goalposts on the minimum requirements. From the same document. "The commissioning letter states that the purpose of the minimum income requirement (and similar rules not covered in this briefing) is to “maintain the economic wellbeing of the UK whilst respecting family life”. This is different from the question the MAC was asked in 2011, which focused solely on what income level was needed to prevent partners “becoming a burden on the state”. Labour now looking into it. "Shortly after taking office in July, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a major review of the financial requirement, which would be kept at £29,000 in the meantime. "

So you think I should be criticised for providing information as an answer to a question. Obviously the word context is missing from your vocabulary.

I didn't say anything, take it up with the UK parliament.