worrab

It does not matter that it is going to run out. It is better to go after the expiry date as when you get the new one it will be valid for 6 years instead of 5 years. This will give you the chance of doing it as I said and then you are definitely booked a slot.

You use the DLTR online booking system. You have to now watch this video and the questions asked can be in English even though the speaker talks in Thai. (Don't ask.) You are able to select that option. Take the screenshot of the QR code when you have passed this test. Take this to the DLT with your medical certificate and then at the appointed time you go and do the reaction test with the traffic lights and the depth perception test. All good and you will receive your new licence. This is what happened with me at DLT Bang Saphan.

This is just so wrong. So many animal welfare groups have condemned this practice of riding in a howdah!! Many elephant sanctuaries have stopped doing this as it is, quite simply, not healthy for the elephant as their backs/spine are not designed for carrying weight! And before the comments come in, I am well aware of what happened in the past but they did not know any different. The RTP should be ashamed of this publicity stunt and stop it NOW!!

I have recently had my Mother pass away and my sister and I are going through the probate process. This is all being handled by the family solicitors who are also executors of the will. There are very few loopholes to get around this and now there is talk of lowering the rate of tax from 40% starting next year!! Here is a link to give you a guide of the IHT rules. https://www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax

I beg to differ. Booked the other week for BKK-LGW-BKK Business Class and the price had actually dropped by 17k THB over last year. Even last year they were middle of the road on prices when compared to other airlines. Service is still excellent as well.

Does not make any difference using a VPN. I use one connected to UK and as soon as you enter departure from BKK then you will automatically be taken to an airline Thai Office and pay in baht. I know this from experience from booking with Emirates now and BA in the past.

So if Emirates are going to use this new "concourse", is that going to be further from the Emirates Lounge or closer?

When they did that to me 2 years ago, I had reserved 14K (window) on the 380 and they changed it to 10K (window) on the 777. No complaints from me and I only found this out by checking Manage my Booking.

All promotions over the past few years have now stopped. We have the water filtration and pumps on a separate meter which only consumed between 20 and 26 units a month. This used to be free, under the 50 units rule. We now have to pay. We have another meter which is on 0 units a month. It is there just in case. Used to be free under the 50 unit rule and now costs just over 8 baht a month. But hey ho, it is not breaking the bank and is cheaper than UK!!!

Even more interesting as there has been no reply to this query. I would have thought it was a "protected" form of employment here and westerners would not be able to do this. I also had an HGV license when I lived in UK and never renewed after retiring here in 2015. Would not want to go back to that rat race now!!

I am intrigued to know how you managed to take the HGV test here. And if so, surely there would have been some grounding in the laws, loose term I know, regarding what hours you can work.

You are correct and I have never seen that tier before when making bookings. Normally there is just the 3 tiers.

With Business Class you get access to all Lounges and Chauffeur Drive to departure airport and arrival airport to final destination. There are kms/mileage limits depending on airport. Emirates have just changed the ruling at Heathrow from a 70 miles as the crow flies to 70 miles by road!! 40kgs luggage but no more than 30kgs in a case and yes, fast track where available. My choice every time now on BKK-LHR-BKK and the price is less expensive than Thai Airways, EVA, Etihad, Qatar,and Lufthansa. (I did check this ready to book my annual flights next July.)

I have a Bangkok Bank debit card and have been told by my Bank Manager that there is a limit of 100,000THB for farangs. Therefore I have been unable to use it for airline tickets to UK. I believe this is the same for all banks but if anyone knows differently, please say.

This is really not a problem with forward planning as I have been doing that for a few years for Hua Hin Immigration. Go to my local bank a couple of weeks beforehand to request a 12 month statement. Then return the day before going to Immigration to get the bank letter and 12 month statement. At the same time request a 6 month statement which is produced there and then. Get the necessary stamps and all is done. Job sorted.

For Hua Hin you will need a 12 month statement which has to be requested at least a week before it is required. Then to get around the fact this will not show the last few weeks, you will need a 6 month statement which you can obtain from the bank the day before you go for your renewal. This is what I do with Bangkok Bank. Then you will still need to update your passbook and photocopy all pages. I have found that it is better to have a separate account which holds 810,000THB and this is not touched from year to year. Saves any aggro!! And have never needed to make a withdrawal on the day by this method. The extra money covers any bank charges etc and comes from interest accrued every year. And before any comments are made, luckily I can afford to do this and all the above is in personal experience.

Glad you had a good experience there as it is one of the best in Thailand. You did the same as me by booking an appointment which is a godsend!! Very quick and efficient and I reckon there are a few other IOs who could learn a lesson or two from the Hua Hin friendly approach!!

Very sorry to read this sad news. My thoughts and condolences go out to all his family. Many thanks to him for all the help and advice he gave out to everyone, myself included. R.I.P. Joe

I have just had a gastrocopy and colonoscopy done as part of an investigation which cost around 23000 THB at Thonburi Chumphon Hospital. The reason you would have an overnight stay is to ensurs all you pipework is totally clear via medicine/laxatives before having the procedure. And the colonoscopy was done whilst I was put under, thankfully!!

In almost every other country any vehicle attending an emergency will slow down when going through red traffic lights to check the road is clear and not assume all other road users will hear/see them approaching. Also a ruling was put out a couple of years ago that unless an ambulance is on an emergency call then the lights MUST be turned off!!

That depends on the exchange rates . If it is paid into your UK account then you can hold it there if the rate is lousy and move it when it improves. I have found this better than having a foreign currency account with Bangkok Bank! This is my personal opinion and I totally agree with the way we have been shafted by UK government!! I had been paying for 41 years and to have it frozen because of where I wish to retire to....,..........say no more!

If you have health insurance, I would go private and see a doctor which I did last week with pain in lower right abdomen. He checked me admitted me, then I had an X-Ray, a CT scan and ECG. Next morning after loads of laxitives, to clean me right out, I had a camera down the throat into my upper intestine then asleep, thank heavens. a colonoscopy. So I was checked throughout the gut with just a small ulcer in the stomach and 2 polyps in the lower intestine. Biopsies were taken and I get the results on a check up next week. Cost to insurance was 82000 THB. Hope this info helps.

Can I also remind you to check your tax code if you are receiving any other income. DWP are supposed to notify HMRC of the fact you are now getting a State Pension but in my case they failed and have had to back pay some tax!! And it is the job of DWP to do this but hey ho!

I had a colostomy bag after a life saving op in Lana Hospital, Chiang Mai after diverticultis and a septic leak. This was fitted for 9 months to allow my colon to heal naturally. I was on holiday here with my girlfriend, now wife, and had the removal done in UK before moving here permanently.

I hate to say this but that will not happen. You will have a frozen pension and you will receive Proof of Life letters regularly which have to be returned after signing. So unless you have a UK address and someone who can forge your signature, you are on a loser. Just out of interest, how did you apply for your pension? By mail or phone?