brewsterbudgen

That's not why Thais wear them. It's purely (misguided) self-preservation.

As a last resort, you can fly direct from Pattaya (U-tapao) to Samui on Bangkok Airways.

The FCO are just being overly cautious! I had a long, polite argument with them when my son needed to return to Thailand with only 4 months on his UK passport, even though his Extension of Stay/Re-entry Permit was due to expire before the passport expired. They even tried to make me buy a Emergency Travel Document, as they said he would be denied entry at the border. Fortunately, I took the wise advice from this Forum, and he was stamped back in without issue.

I drive my son to/from school every day (Rayong province) and it is profoundly depressing to see the huge numbers of kids and families racing along on motorbikes and in over-crowded side-cars, rarely wearing helmets. Pointing this out or expressing my concern to my wife's family is generally met with laughter. "How do you expect them to get to school?", "Where can you buy a helmet for the 6 kids in the family, even if we could afford to buy one?").

Absolutely - and stop forcing kids to wear masks all day in school!

What on earth are you talking about? Plenty of guys here, including myself, married girls a lot younger than us. And I'm not royalty.

Surely all westerners living in Thailand would have a decent insurance policy?

Can't say I'm surprised and it's probably for the best.

Good question. My guess is that for passport renewals the payment is processed in the UK, while for visas it isn't.

It is certainly a difficult time to be a republican. Queen Elizabeth II was perhaps unique in being lauded by almost everyone. It is unlikely to happen again.

Cancer patients too? Seems rather extreme.

Me too, and have done for over 5 years. Very good service that actually works!

It is fiction though!

It might be the first time the authorities have discovered it being smuggled in, but I'm sure it's already rife in Thailand, as you say, coming in from China. If the DEA were involved I suspect they had a tip-off about the American involvement.

Good to hear. Maybe the racists have already left the UK and moved to.......................er, Pattaya?

Well said. Some of the posts on this thread have been truly shocking.

Me too (UK and Thai). I was wondering about the OP though, as he started the thread.

I'm not sure if the OP has made a Thai or US will. Hopefully, he has!

I'm suspecting that the cheap insurance policies tend to be Thai? I'm paying $2,600 per year to insure myself (aged 62), my wife (32) and son (7), $400,000 limit per person per year, with a western company. Is that cheap?

What does your US will say? Just make your instructions clear for the Executors of your US will. For Thailand, the Executors of your Thai will should also have clear instructions, with all the account details. The Executor of my Thai will is a lawyer from the firm who drew up the will.

Just apply for the extension. If the TM30 has been filed, you're good to go.

I expect the online quote is just indicative, based on age. Actual quotes no doubt depend on the individual's particular circumstances.

You can get an online quote here: https://www.wrlife.net/medicalStep1.php

And the King of Thailand has done this.