sambum

No,of course I don't, and if you agree with me you would realise that that's what I've been saying all along!

Ridiculous! And worse so - the scenarios happening at the Niagara Falls!

Of course! It's just a shame that people have to go down to their level, and lie and cheat to get what is rightfully theirs.

In a "caring society", which the UK seems to be judging on the number of immigrants it opens its doors to, one would expect it to treat all of its own citizens and pensioners fairly, and in the same way. Obviously they are NOT, and we can be forgiven for not wanting to live in a country that puts the lives and wellbeing of immigrants above that of its own citizens. And quite possibly (and I know the facts should have been checked beforehand) a lot of the expats hit by this anomaly didn't know about it. After all, one would expect if you'd paid youur dues all your working life, it would be reasonable to expect that any benefits due to you in old age would be paid to you wherever you choose to live - would you not? I get a company pension in addition to my State pension, and that is increased every year in line with inflation, (minimum) and they don't specify where I have to live in order to get the increases, so why should the Government? And to the people who say "Ah, but you're not paying Income Tax in the UK (which was one of the reasons for the "knockback" a few years ago when the case was taken to the European Court of Human Rights ((I believe), I DO pay tax in the UK as my gross income from the 2 pensions is more than the Personal Allowances threshold, so my company pension is taxed!!!

It is - I have posted details from the British Government website

Yes, ridiculous isn't it when you can live on one side of the Niagara Falls and get the increments, and live on the other side and not get them! It's almost criminal

Well said!

From the British Government website:- Your State Pension will only increase each year if you live in: the European Economic Area (EEA) Gibraltar Switzerland countries that have a social security agreement with the UK (but you cannot get increases in Canada or New Zealand)

So in order to get a "fair deal" from the Government you have to lie and cheat to get it? Strange old world isn't it?

You mean tell lies like the Politicians do? A couple I know didn't tell the DWP they were living in Thailand, and were getting the annual increments for years. Unfortunately they got found out/were "grassed up", and had to attend a tribunal in the UK to determine if they had to pay the increments back. They were assured that was usually the case for people in their position. However, the male in the couple was ex RAF, and it just so happened that the the magistrate/man in charge of the tribunal was ex RAF too, so after a brief discussion, all "charges were dropped". Isn't nepotism a wonderful thing?

I think you'll find that we've been "whingeing" about this grossly unfair burden ever since it first started! When I came to Thailand originally, the Exchange Rate was 73 baht to the British £ - now it's 46. So in effect, you could say that we've been hit with a "double whammy!"

Spot on, Geordie lad!

From the OP above:- "The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), despite mounting criticism, stands by this policy, asserting that it has been in place for over 70 years."

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), despite mounting criticism, stands by this policy, asserting that "it has been in place for over 70 years." I was at a Managment Training Course a few years ago, and the instructor said that one of the biggest hurdles to progress in the workplace was "But, we've always done it this way!" Remarkably similar standpoint from the DWP! Just because the system has been in place for over 70 years doesn't necessarily mean that it is right or fair.

Firstly, “How do you work that one out Kwilco that the Brits get longer visas?” was not from me, so address your reply to the correct person, please. Secondly, you highlight a point about visas and then prattle on about the ex military and firearms, as if that somehow makes a "gun culture", while completely ignoring my comments about the strict firearms laws in the UK. Thirdly, in Thailand, from what I have heard over the years (19 coming on 20, by the way), MANY Thai families have unlicensed firearms, and many people are getting shot because of "loss of face (e.g.somebody honks a car horn at them!) Now, THAT is a gun culture! Similarly, I feel that any further discourse with you on this subject is pointless, so don't waste your time by concocting a reply which would no doubt be of the "baiting" type, but if you really NEED to have the last word - go ahead - be my guest!

"We want quality tourists from now on." Too late - visa free entry for Russians and Chinese etc. has already taken its toll. Did somebody not tell TAT that it's quality you want not quantity? - that's all they're interested in, but now you've got the quantity, you want the quality? (Again?) And "Chris Flynn, CEO of the World Tourism Association, suggested that Thai officials appear to have not foreseen the toll the influx could take." No kidding? And the picture accompanying the article will certainly not attract the type of "quality tourist" that is hoped for - more likely tourists like the the gunloving Russian who has just been arrested:-

First you want them - then you don't? Make your mind(s) up! 🙂

OK - back on topic! You probably don't realise that the UK has far stricter gun laws than the US, yet you "tar us with the same brush". The UK does NOT have a culture of carrying or possessing firearms! Did you know (of course you'll say "Yes"!) that in the UK only specially trained police are allowed to carry firearms, and they have to sign them out when they are needed, and hand them back in again after the "incident". Not so in the US where ALL police are armed, and it would appear that the same applies to Thailand - hence the rogue policemen losing it and going out of control.

Even though she has been sexually assaulted and threatened with a firearm, SHE is the one who reported him - therefore a "grass" - granted not a nice description but :- "Definition. a person who informs, usually on criminals. (British, slang)" (In this particular case, it would appear that "victim" could be substituted for "person", but let's test a conspiracy theory:- Girlfriend has been "bought" from a bar, and falls out with the boyfriend over money, so says she has been sexually assaulted. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but are sexual favors not what bar girls provide? The fact that he has firearms all over the place gives her an "edge" so she "grasses" him up? Personally, I'm glad they caught him, the only Russians (or any other foreigner) that have firearms shouldn't be here - their country is at war, and if he has such a liking for firearms I am sure that nice Mr Putin could find him a job?

Errr? Profis from crime?

"I saw a evidence......." and I don't know what I'm talking about! 🤣 I think it's past your bed time! Night night!

You didn't see the 'smiley emoticon' then?

If the Brits have a very close relationship with Thai Immigration, then where is the "reciprocal agreement" between Thailand and Britain/UK regarding annual increments to pensions? 🙂

He's dressed no differently to thousands of other tourists here, which is why he would probably have gone unnnoticed had it not been for someone/his girlfriend reporting him to the police for assault - "A woman scorned ......."!