brewsterbudgen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I'm_not_racist,_I_have_black_friends

Enoch Powell was old-fashioned and racist! There can be no doubt about that.

Good God, no. I left in 2005. Go back to visit occasionally, but I could see the rot setting in in the early 2000s, then magnified by the disastrous Brexit and the years of misrule by May/Johnson/Truss/Sunak. I won't be returning, even if there is a Labour miracle.

What a load of nonsense! Great Britain has been like that for years. Judge the current government after 4-5 years.

It's frustrating how little airlines know about things and then make their own 'requirements'!

It's because you've moved. A new TM30 is probably required too. Once you've reported in person, online reporting will work fine.

ChatGPT is a rather better source than the Daily Mail! British local authorities don’t allocate council (social) housing to asylum seekers the way they do for local homeless people. The systems involved are quite separate, but asylum seekers do rely heavily on temporary or emergency accommodation — often putting extra pressure on housing services, even though it’s not the same as social housing. 🏠 1. Council Housing vs. Asylum Accommodation Council (social) housing: Run by councils or housing associations. Eligibility is based on criteria like income, savings, local connection. Asylum seekers are ineligible and cannot join waiting lists. Around 90% of social lets go to UK nationals. Asylum seeker accommodation: Provided by the Home Office, not through social housing schemes. Includes hotels, hostels, private-sector housing via contracts Intended only as temporary housing while claims are processed. 🆘 2. Support After Recognition Once asylum is granted, people must leave Home Office housing (typically within 28 days, now extended to 56 days). Then: They can apply to local councils for homelessness help, not council housing per se Numbers have surged: e.g., over 9,500 refugee households needed council help in 2023, up from ~3,300 in 2022 In some areas (like Glasgow), up to half of new homeless people are refugees. ⚠️ 3. Homeless Local Families Often First in Line Local homeless individuals/families, especially those in priority need (children, risk, disability, etc.), are legally entitled to council-provided temporary accommodation, and possibly permanent social housing. But councils face chronic shortages and funding pressures — often resorting to gatekeeping, delaying or denying help 📊 Summary Comparison Group Council Housing Access Temporary Accommodation Local homeless people ✅ Eligible (means-tested) ✅ Councils must accommodate them under homelessness law Asylum seekers (in flight) ❌ Ineligible ✅ Provided by Home Office (hotels, contracts) Recognised refugees ❌ May apply as homeless ✅ Councils must consider them; growing numbers request help 🔍 4. What’s Driving the Debate? Tension and misconceptions: With rising numbers of recognised refugees seeking council help, some locals worry they’re “jumping the queue.” But that's misunderstanding: asylum seekers haven’t queued for council housing — refugees are entering the homelessness process . Council strain: Many areas are overwhelmed. For example, Glasgow asked the Home Office to pause dispersals due to acute housing pressure — asylum housing costs are £26.5 m this year and rising ✅ Conclusion Council/social housing is primarily reserved for UK or settled residents and is not used to house asylum seekers. However, once asylum seekers receive refugee status and lose government-provided housing, they often turn to council homelessness services, which are already under severe strain. This may indirectly reduce housing availability for local homeless—due to scarcity, not preferential policy.

I hadn't realised it was an old thread, despite the title.

Seems pointless resurrecting an outdated thread. At least the poll results were correct.

Not much. I think most sex tourists and 'sexpats' will still prefer the barfining model, or using "massage" services, or just calling up a girl online.

You can ignore the Political Soapbox forums if you're not interested in politics!

Can children obtain the pre-exposure jabs?

For civilian use only. Trump ripped up the deal.

Yes, it is tedious, especially for glasses wearers. That said, each time I've had to use it (to my 6-monthly rent) it has worked eventually!

The report you refer to was area specific. Never has anyone "guaranteed that there is no prostitution in Thailand". Famously after an inspection of Walking Street the police were quoted as saying they found 'no prostitution' on that street, which is not surprising as any prostitutes soliciting on the street would have removed themselves before the police arrived.

Not many brothels in Pattaya. Most prostitution happens 'privately' after barfining from clubs, bars and gogos; or following a street or online arrangement.

Breakfast: 6.45 Lunch: 11.30 Dinner: 5.30

We often take advantage of 'buy 1 get 1' offers in Tops and Lotus's. My wife diligently checks that it is picked up at the cashier, and we only pay for one item, but get both. Occasionally we've been told that the offer has expired and they just haven't removed the sign! In that case, we just don't take the second item (not worth arguing about). Certainly not a "scam".

Thanks. That's an extremely helpful post. Is it routine for kids (under 15) to be vaccinated?

Thailand has short-time hotels and although mainly used by locals, foreigners can use them as well if they don't want to use their own hotel.

Can you let me have the agent's details, please. Thanks.

I don't think he is; just someone who enjoys a bit of a wind-up!

According to our good friend ChatGPT: No, a cancelled UK passport cannot be used for international travel — even if it is still within its original expiry date. Here’s why: 🔒 What "Cancelled" Means When a UK passport is cancelled (e.g. because a new one has been issued), it is officially invalidated in HM Passport Office systems. That means: It may be flagged in border control databases. Airlines and immigration officers will treat it as void. It might be physically marked (e.g., corners cut, punched holes), but even if it looks normal, it’s no longer valid. ✈️ Consequences of Using a Cancelled Passport Refused boarding by the airline Entry denied at border control Delays, detainment, or fines in some countries Even returning to the UK may cause issues, as your identity/travel document is no longer valid

Do 'real men' also not use Google or the internet?

Why? It's a very common question and surely what this Forum is for! If you're disgusted, why choose to read the thread when the title is very clear.