Mover1

Hi,

Can any members here recommend an easy to use iPhone app for keeping track of where you've been and when, and can add in receipts for flights and hotels, etc? I've found a few in the app store but i'm looking for recommendations, if there are any!

Cheers

. Plato was right. It's only a tiny minority who have any real taste for thinking.

Well.....I guess that leaves you OUT.

This will be the bit where I return to the "cave" and an mocked by the prisoners who sit facing the wall.

It's a shame that the "Singingpig" property website is defunct. You'd have loved it.

Haha, i know the guy who started Singingpig and am still friends with him now. Good guy.

Shame the idiot who bought Singingpig (Phil Martin - Rapid Property Buyers) run it into the ground, taking a shedload of investors money with him. He eventually ended up in prison for fraud last year, and still has a bigger case against him coming up later this year. I met Phil Martin once at a meeting in Milton Keynes, once was enough!

Sorry for the tangent.

That was my original plan Nick, maybe i'll stick to that as it will be less messing around, and apply for ED Visa when the METV runs out.

Cheers

Ah well, worth a try!

Hi,

Could a more experienced member check this is ok for me:

1. I get a SETV on 29th March from London Embassy, and my flight out of Heathrow to Thailand is on 30th March.
2. I go to Penang on 25th May, get a SETV in Penang on 18th June and fly back into Thailand on 20th June.
3. I apply for a 6 or 12 month ED Visa via a Thai language school and can stay for 6-12 months.

Does that all sound feasible? I'm under 50 so no retirement visa available.

Is there a language school with branches spread around Thailand, so i can attend the classes but in different parts of the country?

Thanks for any help.

Worry about nothing. Been a couple of times to KL and arrived by plane from BKK. On arrival got the 3 months stamp in my Passport no questions asked.

Same if you would go and visit Singapore.

Edit:

About your question

Also, can i go back to Thailand for a month and then go back to Penang for 3 months again without a visa?

You can do, but be careful not to have too many Thai Visa Exempt (the 30 days you get when arriving in Thailand) in your passport as Thai Immigration could start asking a lot of questions. I believe the limit is 4-5, but a better informed member will (hopefully) comment on this.

So going back into Thailand i'd be better off getting an SETV?

Nothing to worry about, you'll get your 3 month visa exempt stamp wherever you arrive from.

I travel regularly from BKK to KL on business, never an issue.

EDIT Like Thailand the Malaysian authorities are not happy if you appear to be working there without the correct paperwork, but I've not heard of anyone being denied a second entry.

That's fine i won't be working, but thanks for the info mate

Hey Tonray, thanks for the info and tips. I'll check out all the places you mentioned, hopefully!

Thanks Crossy and MJCM, thats what i wanted to hear!

Cheers!

Hi,

I plan on having a look around Penang, Malaysia for a few months (or more) next year, after travelling around Thailand for a few months (or more) first. On the UK GOV website it states uk citizens can stay up to 3 months in Malaysia with no need for a visa (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malaysia/entry-requirements) but i was wondering if it makes any difference that i'll be coming from Thailand to Malaysia, rather than straight to Malaysia from the UK?

Will it make any difference, or am i worrying about nothing?

Also, can i go back to Thailand for a month and then go back to Penang for 3 months again without a visa?

Hope these questions make sense, and cheers for any advice!

Hello All.

Our group of three all received our 6METV this morning. We all applied in person at the Embassy in London on Tuesday morning. It was all pretty straight forward and painless. I'll explain our personal situation.

Summery - Visa applied in person in London. Arrived about 8:45am and a que had already formed. We were numbers 18,19,20 and it took us about 45mins to be seen. Requirements were met and all paperwork was presented clearly with important info highlighted. I had official bank statements sent to me for 5 months and 1 months printed out in branch (HSBC don't stamp statements)

We are moving to Thailand on 31st Dec. We'll be based on Koh Samui and will travel from there around SE Asia during The 6/9 months.

Requirements. We met all the requirements stipulated by the embassy......kind of!

Letters of employment - These were obtained (even though I and one other have now both left our employment and don't have jobs to return too)......but hey at time of getting the letter we did.

Tickets - We booked open tickets that are valid for a year. Yes we have return flights booked within 6months, but we can change these for £150

Accommodation - We have rented an apartment each and had contract/email conformation.

Money in the bank - This is the interesting one. The others both have had the required funds in the bank for 6months......No problem. I however have had fluctuating funds in my account (some months had over 5k others had significantly less)......At time of application I had just over 5k. When I applied the lady took all my bank statements and went and spoke to a college in another room.......she returned and just asked for my money. So who knows what was said. Maybe I got it coz I made the job easier by highlighting important info on all paperwork & statements, put them in order and smiled sweetly.

Were people refused METV? YES! But hey, these idiots turned up without all the paperwork and funds in account. They were just offered SETV.

Is the 6METV for you? YES if you are gonna be a tourist for the duration of the visa, use Thailand as a base and pop in and out every few weeks....If you are 'retired' or a long-stayer and just want to continue finding a way to stay in Thailand, and bitch and moan on forums that you can no longer get a visa easily.....then NO! Your time is hopefully coming to an end.........just enjoy what you have while it lasts.

Hi Deflores, can i ask where you booked the open tickets and how much they were please?

SUGGESTION!

Relist those questions still unresolved.

Hi fang37, here you go mate:

1 - Yes there's still uk CGT to pay, but it will be lower than if sold while still resident in uk.

2 - I'll have uk, offshore and thai accounts, all for various reasons.

3 - Going for the METV. Just not sure about the return flight proof yet.

4 - Hopefully will be resolved when over there. At the moment i rely on Booking.com and others to find places, but word of mouth always seems to get better deals - is this what people find? Is anyone successfully using airbnb? I've seen some crappy reviews with places on there, not sure how trustworthy it is.

5 - I'm really not going to know until i've found out for myself as everyones expectations are different, haha.

6 - Not sure about this as i won't be working or earning. Waiting for pro's (paid for) advice.

7 - Have to stay out for 5 yrs, only allowed back into uk for 16 days a year. I'm wondering if i can get back to back METV's every 6 months, would that work?

Good to read all the stuff on here, cheers for the advice all

Got a metv yesterday from Hull.. Easy, just did what it said on guide.

Somebody was getting refused and given a single while I was there, not enough funds in the bank. I can't say things were checked throughly, surely things are easily forged with a scanner, a pc and photoshop?

Many thanks for taking the time to post!

Could you say what you provided regarding UK employment letter/self employment proof/Tax returns (if anything) please?

I took a letter from HR depth, that said exactly what they wanted it to say. Continuous employment, aware I was travelling to Thailand for up to six months (even though covered for up to 8 months?).. Bank statements with over £5k in for 6 months, return tickets...etc all info downloaded from Hull Consulate site, London forms not acceptable!? You are correct, a self assessment is OK, as is a pension statement for retired folk.

Easy... If you do what they say.

Note to anybody planning on doing what our American friend says... You can only apply on person.

Thanks for the info, I'll be applying in January in London. It's bugging me about the return flight proof, as i'm not sure what i'll be doing after 6 months yet. Did you book a flight back to the uk for 6 months time and take this to the embassy with you, or is there another way?

don't do it.

I was in the same position as you a few years ago with the property thing if I were you I wouldn't sell them.

I would keep them all as I did and rent them all out to long term tenants, I've had most of my tenants over 10/12 years now

Hi catman, i'd like to keep them all but i'm at the mercy of interest rate rises and house prices falling. My loan to value is quite high across them all, and the recent budget announcements have made up my mind for me. The time is right for me personally to cash out and bank the proceeds. Hope yours are all doing well.

Hi ukrules,

Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me which visa i should be applying for if the tourist one is no good? I haven't heard of the Thailand Elite but will look into it, £9300 is a big unexpected chunk to cough up though! Haha.

Thanks for the tips on renting. Can you give me any pointers on how much the electric rates should be, just so i know i'm not getting ripped off? Are there any websites to check on this?

Cheers

As a starter, you might want to consider the new METV (multiple entry tourist visa). As you get settled, you can then choose the visa that most suits, eg, study visa, work visa, who knows marriage visa.

Renting an apartment is easy it usually involves 2 months deposit, and 1 month in advance. Some apartments offer weekly or monthly rates though these tend to be a lot more expensive.

Typically a self contained studio room will be 6000 baht upwards, and a nicer apartment 20000 baht per month, with plenty of choice in between.

Electricity will vary from 1000- 3000 baht per month depending on whether you use aircon.

Water rates generally 200-300 baht.

If I may suggest, you need to decide on a base from which to start, eg, Bangkok, Pattaya, or Hua Hin. If you were to choose a city like Bangkok, don't commit yourself to a long contract too soon as the heat and pollution can cause allergic illness that can't be controlled.

Hi mommysboy, thanks for the comments.

Really good to know what people are paying for basic things, and what sort of costs i can expect each month.

I'm more of a beach goer than a city goer, but will be checking all those places out!

Cheers

My advice:

Sell your business but don't sell your rental property.

Maintain an address for bank purposes with a relative, maintain at least two bank accounts and two credit cards.

Keep the money from your business in the UK, taking only what you need to live on to Thailand.

Buy health insurance when you get to Thailand.

----

Reasoning:

You are 43 years old, your only short/midterm visa option is a tourist visa - you therefore have no security of residence in Thailand and will be relying on the vagrancy of visa runs.

You should factor that any money you take to Thailand will stay in Thailand, most probably not in your hands.

You need bank and credit card facilities, the latter will not be available in Thailand and the former will be restricted compared to your options in the UK.

The property market in the UK is showing no signs of shrinking - why change secure investments.

If you loose a significant amount of money (see losing money in Thailand above) and return broke to the UK after 5 years you will have extreme difficulty reestablishing yourself.

43 years old with cash in your pocket, you have my congratulations on your forthcoming marriage, family and family responsibilities.

Hi GuestHouse, thanks for the replies, much appreciated! Not sure i fancy all that upcoming family stuff though, haha.

Plan is now as follows: Sell everything, open offshore account and thai account and keep uk accounts, don't lose everything.

Can you tell me why i should get health insurance in Thailand rather than the UK? Is it cheaper for the same cover?

Thanks

Hello everyone,

I'm about to move to Thailand early next year for 5 years and have a lot of questions, hopefully it's ok to post them here and get some answers from you experienced expats. If I'm posting in the wrong place then please tell me where to go :

• I'm selling a business and have some rental properties in the uk. The properties are all being sold after April 2016 so i'm not liable for Capital Gains Tax, as long as i'm out the UK for 5 years, is this correct? I'm paying for professional tax advice at the moment but i'm interested if anyone here has some similar recent experience.
• How is it best to handle bank accounts when moving to another country? At the moment i've got a few uk accounts, is it best to keep these open and open another account in a Thai bank? Or use an offshore bank? If offshore, which currency is best to use?
• I'm about to apply for a Thai visa. I'm a bit confused as to which visa i should be applying for, is it a Tourist Visa valid for 60 days, then keep renewing it every 90 days? I'm 43 yrs old if it makes a difference.
• I've been to Thailand 6 times for short (2-3 week) holidays, but i've never rented an apartment on a long term basis. Is there things i should be watching out for? And how do i know it's a reasonable price? Where do i find places for long term rental?
• How does living in an apartment in Thailand compare the uk? I mean whats the differences i should be aware of, like kitchen appliances (oven, washing machine, etc), how to get uk tv channels, washing clothes and laundry, cooking, etc? Do i need any essentials to bring with me?
• I plan on moving around the country, and visiting other countries, maybe even going around the world at some point. In order to maintain my tax status as a Thai resident, how many days must i be resident in the country so the uk gov is satisfied concerning Capital Gains Tax (It could be a fxxxing big mistake if i get this wrong).
• How many days are you allowed back to visit friends and family in the UK for each year?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm excited about the move and also a bit nervous about how unprepared i feel! Any pointers regarding anything i've mentioned above would be really helpful!

Cheers

1 still liable to cgt. The rule was changed for non residences from April 2015.

2. Keep your uk bank accounts and keep your properties.

3. You probably have enough money to buy an elite card, then move onto retirement visa at 50.

4. Long term rental. Find a short term base then ask on here..

5. Not much difference. Probably have a gym and pool in the condo complex. As part of rental agreement insure Internet and cable included. Electricity rate to be negotiated.

6. You will never be resident for tax purposes here unless you work.

7. As previously stated your cgt situation will not change. As for being a uk tax residence, use to be 180 days outside, now it's more " life style" if you are continuously in and out, then you never really left. Just keep them ( visits )short .

Thanks huawel, appreciate you taking the time to answer everything.

Can you tell me why you think i'll still be liable for CGT? As i see it i pay tax on the gain from April 2015 to the date sold, which should be very much at all. I wish they had doubled since April 2015, but unfortunately they haven't.

Visits to the uk will be kept short, about 14 days a year to make sure i don't fall foul of the rules and have to pay all the CGT back.

Cheers!

A reasonable strategy is to promise yourself that you will not buy property, a house or a condo for at least two years and that during that period you will rent on short term leases. That way you have time to get to understand the geography, the people, the culture and markets.

Another reasonable approach which worked well for me a dozen years ago was to spend six months in each of the major locations, Bangkok (but only if you're a City boy), Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and somewhere in Issan. Others may have additional locations to suggest but you get the general picture, avoid settling in one place when that's all you've seen or know - you said you might travel the world well perhaps traveling Thailand is the start of that.

Transport: given that you've got some cash and I presume you can drive, maybe consider buying a car/truck/SUV, driving here is not that difficult for people who've driven for a few years and have some nerve, skill and experience - it will allow you to see lots of places you otherwise wouldn't notice and it will free you from the frustrating trap of public transport. Just a thought.

Would be spouses and partners: perhaps useful to view them the same way you would a location, as described in the first para above!

Thanks chaing mai, yes i don't plan on buying property in thailand because i've heard so many bad things happening to those that have. I plan to rent places for a few months at a time, once i've found somewhere i like being at. And if not, i'll just move on again. Will try out all the places you've mentioned, think i'll hang back on getting a car or truck though! Cheers

Another bloody tax evader.

I believe the OP is extremely misguided or badly advised if he thinks he can avoid paying taxes on rental income or capital gains.

Capital gains is quite low these days- OP just pay up like everyone else.

Also OP - it's quite refreshing to hear you are so excited coming to Thailand- be aware ( apart from the Elite scheme) there is NO visa that will allow you to stay easily at your age.

You are planning to live in a country with a military Government. You are used to being protected by almost every law on the planet in the mollycoddled UK.

This is a lawless country- it can spit you out- trust very few people- especially other expats- by far the worst.

Good luck

PS if you are really concerned about electricity charges- forget it

Hi Peterb17, thanks for the comment. Not sure i'd agree on the CGT rate being low at 28%, i preferred it when we had taper relief as i'd be a lot better off than i am now and wouldn't be moving abroad. But then again i wouldn't have all this excitement going on right now

Really appreciate the comment, looking forward to 5 years of adventure (hopefully!). It certainly beats going to work 6/7 days a week and running a business i've totally lost interest in. Can't wait to get started.

Hi ukrules,

Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me which visa i should be applying for if the tourist one is no good? I haven't heard of the Thailand Elite but will look into it, £9300 is a big unexpected chunk to cough up though! Haha.

Thanks for the tips on renting. Can you give me any pointers on how much the electric rates should be, just so i know i'm not getting ripped off? Are there any websites to check on this?

Cheers

If you are moving to Thailand as a complete newbie, you are going to be in for some nasty surprises. Ripped off at every opportunity, buying all the wrong stuff, not knowing where you`ve been or where you`re going or in which direction, lost in a wilderness of confusion.

What you should do is take your questions one by one and research everything online in detail, make a master plan for when you arrive here. On top of that, coming over here not knowing anything is pure stupidity. You should at least do a temporary stay in Thailand for 6 months before chucking all in in the UK. If you can`t, then the best of British luck, you`re going to need it.

Thanks cyberfarang, can't wait to be ripped off at every opportunity and go round in circles! Haha. I suppose i am pretty stupid, i left school without any exams.

Perhaps best to get back on track of trying to help the OP with his planning rather than p iss and moan about everything related to the UK, no!

Dunno but someone,

Obsessing about the price of electricity,

Sought advice from Tax pros in the UK,

Sounds a bit trollish.

Not to mention how would he be having any tax liability in the UK (having sold his rental homes)?

Another bloody tax evader.

Yep, sorry. I haven't succeeded yet in fairness.

1- Wait until you are 45 and things cool off here. If you still want to come, get the Elite, it is worth it for 5 years of no headaches.

Since you won't take my first advice,

2- Get the Elite now, when it runs out you will be 48, you can then play the "Under 50, Thailand Hates Me" game for 2 years with some METV'S, SETV'S, extensions and exemptions.

If you don't have the lump cash for the Elite than your liquid nest egg is too small, see option 1.

Hi ThaiWai, thanks for the comment. Can i ask what you meant by 'things cool off' there? I take it you don't mean the weather, haha

My advice is to just move and worry (or not worry..) about all of those things later!

Having lived abroad for 25 years of my life,most people seem to worry and create hurdles for themselves that never exist in the first place.

F.J x

Excellent comment F.J, i'm going to just bite the bullet and go for it after some tax advice. Can't wait!

Cheers