brewsterbudgen

There is only one way for her to get a UK Visitor visa (see @richard_smith237's post above mine). She can apply online, but she will have to attend the VFS offices in Bangkok or Chiang Mai to submit her biometrics. Using an agent will possible speed things up but she will still need her biometrics taken. You'll need to act quickly as it is likely to take a few weeks (if you're lucky!).

As a UK citizen he will have no issues returning to the UK. He could do so even if his passport had expired. Get it renewed while you're in the UK.

If we received a triple vaccination back in 2020/2021, is it recommended to have a new booster? Or is the virus today not worth worrying about? Everyone in my family is up-to-date with our Flu jabs, but I suspect this is completely separate from Covid.

In order to get Permanent Residence in Thailand or Thai citizenship some evidence of being able to speak Thai is required. The vast majority of expats here are non-immigrant, so there is no requirement to learn the language. Similarly the UK visas in this thread can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain and UK citizenship, hence the language requirements. It would be nice if the UK offered 'easy' annual extensions of stay for various purposes like Thailand!

Not in the bars they can't. But that's why there are short-time hotels! You'll find them in every Thai town.

Paying for sexual services is not illegal in Thailand. Some aspects of prostitution are (underage, soliciting, brothels), but nothing illegal about paying for or selling sexual services in private.

Agreed. But it certainly used to be the case that Thai hookers soliciting on Beach Road were also regularly rounded up (and fined a few hundred baht, then let go). The foreigners can be deported.

Yes. Foreigners cannot do it. Although soliciting for prostitution is also illegal for Thais, they can legally work in the 'entertainment' industry and bars, but foreigners cannot. Prostitution itself is not illegal.

No, but why is that relevant to this thread?

Yes. Waste of time.

None of the places on your list.

JD is a menace. I truly hope nothing happens to Trump! 🤞

Only Roman Catholics 'need' a pope. Why would the rest of the non-Catholic world?

Might be worth making the trip to Bangkok and getting it done at PDA on Sukhumvit soi 12. Only a 5,000 baht "donation" required. Very quick and 'scalpel free'. I had it done there a few years ago. You do need to make an appointment though.

Thanks for the update 👍

They're black.

I fear they are, in a desperate attempt to try and claw back some of the voters they've lost. Shameful really, and likely to backfire.

Due the threat from Reform, the government are planning to increase the level of difficulty for the English language tests required for "work visas" but this could include Settlement visas and leave to remain. It might not happen and even if it does it will need to go through parliament (I think?) but probably a good incentive for anyone planning to do this to do so soon. The current A1 test is pretty easy! "Migrants will reportedly have to be fluent in English if they want to remain in Britain under Government plans. The current standard required for work visa applicants is equivalent to GCSE level and only requires new arrivals to understand basic English in everyday situations. It is deemed by ministers to be insufficient for migrants to integrate effectively and will be raised to the equivalent of English as a foreign language A level, The Times reports. This requires people to ­express themselves “fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions” and to speak English “flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes”, according to the Home Office. " https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/07/migrants-may-face-10-year-wait-tougher-english-tests/

Indeed. However, I wonder if they will see the irony of supporting the party that has led to Labour making their life more difficult. Probably not.

So we can expect a much longer route to permanent residence and citizenship for those who want to bring their foreign wife to live with them in the UK. Also, the Telepgraph is now reporting that the level of English required will increase and include writing to A-level standard. I wonder how Reform supporters who have foreign wives will feel? "Migrants will reportedly have to be fluent in English if they want to remain in Britain under Government plans. The current standard required for work visa applicants is equivalent to GCSE level and only requires new arrivals to understand basic English in everyday situations. It is deemed by ministers to be insufficient for migrants to integrate effectively and will be raised to the equivalent of English as a foreign language A level, The Times reports. This requires people to ­express themselves “fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions” and to speak English “flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes”, according to the Home Office. "

It does seem astonishing that there seems to be no communication between VFS in Bangkok and HMPO in Corby. I wonder how the agencies that deal with UK passport renewals in Thailand are coping?

A true superstar 😍

I thought it was a brave and interesting report. Great journalism.

Rayong Immigration refused to transfer my son's stamps, even though we live there and do our 90-day/TM30 reports there, as his Extension was issued in CW. We had to go there to do it. A right pain!

Good grief, people will be posting rants from the likes of Mark Levin and Sean Hannity next!