soi3eddie

Many potential issues to consider and they depend on a lot of factors: What part of the UK do you intend to live? Public housing - What do you mean by that? You won't get a council house if that's what you mean Does your wife have settled status in the UK? Indefinite leave to remain or citizenship? A settlement visa is expensive and takes a long time to obtain Education at British schools is not universally good and depends on area. Good areas are oversubscribed and you may not get a choice of school Your wife may not like living in the UK - then what? Thais can get very homesick being away from family and friends Summer weather in the UK can be lovely; but dark, cold, damp winters? No thanks! The UK is now extremely expensive to enjoy life. Can you get a good job or already wealthy? So many things to consider. Others here will likely add their comments. Good luck whatever you choose.

Flying tomorrow LHR-BKK on one of the new B777 planes with the first class cabin. Did same in August too. As it's a UK school holiday week ahead, the flight is totally full. On last check the roundtrip economy tickets were about £1,600 (but now sold out). The planes running BKK/LHR are all the new B777s - HS-TTA, HS-TTB and HS-TTC. Pretty much same interior as the older 777 300ERs. As British Airways are not currently flying BKK and EVA are only flying about 4 times weekly, it's no surprise that Thai Airways are so busy and prices so high.

Seem to be hearing about more driving arrests these days which may suggest that police are finally starting to do their job. Probably going too fast or saw the red light too late to stop. Hope the authorities investigate properly and prosecute accordingly. RIP the road worker.

Really best to check with the insurer. When we got our Hilux Vigo with first class insurance in 2005, the insurer told us that for me to be covered I had to get a Thai driver licence. Driving with foreign licence and IDP was not satisfactory for them so that prompted me to get the Thai licence.

All good and what I did. Just be sure to have the inbound international funds transfer document for your 800K on Non-O first application.

First went to Saxophone in 2000 and have had some great nights there. Most of the musicians and bands are really talented. Always a great vibe. Snack food ok too.

Couldn't see the make of the white pick-up truck. It floated well for a while. Was it a Toybota?

Hasn't this been debated at length many times before? I suggest that individuals make their own decisions based on their needs, desires and circumstances. I did and it worked out well for me without needing to ask others.

The statement was that benefits paid to claimants go back in to the local economy. That's not always the case.

Adios PayPal. My worry here is that the banks will start the same requirements for Thai ID only to maintain existing accounts. Could happen.

Not necessarily true when the housing benefit paid out goes to an overseas landlord.

If you can't afford to support yourself and family then don't have children.

But you are missing the point. In the UK, if you work you can also get lots of benefits! A Pakistani immigrant neigbour of mine - very pleasant chap - in far west London brought his young wife in (right to family life law), spat out 4 kids in 10 years. Of course, neither she nor the kids could work. He worked 37 hours per week at a menial job paying low salary and paying virtually no taxes, and that led to an avalanche of welfare payments and housing benefit. Naturally, the kids were all born in an NHS hospital and go to state school at tax payers' expense. How does this benefit the country? Broken Britain? And, just for good measure; hard working English friends of ours had their son in same nursery as our son but they lived in the next village. When it came to primary school place they were told that their son was number one on the waiting list at the excellent school. Because it was not their nearest school they had no priority. Some time later they inquired as to whether their son had a school place. Now they were told their son was number 4 on the wait list. How could this be? Oh, an immigrant family who just arrived (and never contributed taxes) had got priority over their son. How can this be right? Our friends' son never got to go to the same good school. Maybe now, some here can see the gist of the issues in the UK.

Call Thai Airways ticketing at least 48 hours before first travel and ask them to add "special assistance" to each leg of your travel. You may need to call their Bangkok number to do this. They will then either have a wheelchair/buggy service to/from the plane. This is a no cost service. We are travelling TG next week and have this on our booking for mum and uncle.

Certainly the people I keep company with lead happy lives in Thailand. We all know how much better it is for us than being in the UK. How many here would prefer to be in the UK?

Nothing to do with 10+ million increase in population since 1990? Nothing to do with immigration? What about immigrant birth rates vs British birth rates in the UK? There are other issues besides immigration closer to home too. Britain is broken and will never recover. That's why many here on TVF have chosen to relocate to Thailand or elsewhere for a happier life.

I booked a Thai Airways award ticket through the Bangkok call centre number +6623561111 in September. Was a little surprised to receive ticket confirmation from the Chiang Mai Office (never called them). I have always found the main call centre phone usually answered promptly and staff helpful. No complaints here.

GF told me yesterday a haicut for her teenage son was now 150 Baht. It looks like the days of the 100 Baht haircuts in Pattaya are over. Reminds me of the times when haircut used to cost 20 Baht in the village with a view of the rice fields and coconut trees. Clippers are availavle to buy on Lazada but not sure I would want to DIY.