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Thanks. Do you know if UK credit checks pick up entries on the Electoral Register? I have a UK bank account based at a UK address (so I think a credit check would be consistent) BUT have put a Thai address on the UK Electoral Register. I can't imagine how the check system might identify an individual beyond the spelling of a name, or whether they bother to but the Electoral Registration was significant for my pension provider. Thoughts welcome! Am I over thinking it?! : ) Have you ever heard of HMRC NOT allowing a foreign resident the tax free element of 25% usually available in payments in UK private pension? It'd be a new to me. A government Pension Wise advisor brought it up and suggested I check with others in the jurisdiction of my residence. It can't be right, can it? Payments out of a private pension to UK tax payers have a tax free element of 25% wherever they are resident don't they? KR & thanks BT2 & all

Thanks, good to know. Was it with either NatWest of HSBC by any chance? Experiences of hassles or being scuppered are sometimes mentioned by other people. I wonder whether there is variation between organisations or in the situation of people. You'd think the should be an industry-wide standard to be clearer for all.

I had an appointment with the government provided free pension advice service provided by Pension Wise last night. Pension Wise said I should check that residence in Thailand does not undermine the right to receive 25% of a pension tax free. I was surprised at the suggestion. Does anyone know of any problem to eligibility for the tax free element of a pension?! The second aspect concerned Double Taxation Relief. I do expect to pay UK tax which will go through my Tax Return. I do not expect to have to pay tax on pension payments from the UK into my Thai bank so I do not expect double tax. Is that right? I would much prefer to have them paid into my UK bank but had to provide my Thai bank as the pension company requested proof of address via the Electoral Register (& as I felt registering at my UK address was it a bit too much after 8 years in Thailand now so I moved the Electoral Reg to my Thai address). Finally and as an aside - do Credit Checks (particularly in applying to open a savings account with an existing bank when an annual "bonus" rate comes to an end) link Electoral Register address (here in Thailand) with the UK address I use for this particular bank and others? Many thanks for view guys, really appreciate help & the discussions ongoing here HNY I expect

Smedley - have your UK bank suspended any services available to you? I use a UK address for my UK banks so that they do not change the functions that I am familiar with. I do not know what impact it might have, does notifying them have consequences in what the UK bank will allow you to do (like perhaps withdraw a Touch & Go facility on a bank card or paying pitifully low interest rates)? Thanks

As ironic as it may seem in the real world, I believe the mentality in a welfare state is that when a benefit is provided, it is because they WANT those who qualify to take them (to aid "circulation" of money in the economy in the way the law maker intended). It is counter intuitive / seems daft to the mind of an ordinary tax payer who rather hopes less money was being shelled out of the system.

I applied online on 17 Aug and have still not had approval. Notification is due 30 Aug so in mind of comments here on the backlog others have experienced I have booked an appointment at CW on 30 Aug. My last run of notifications have run smoothly, approved in a couple of days so shame to have the journey there & back if notification is not granted by then. GLA

Agree with experience on the thread. I signed up for a day package of roaming access with AIS for 32 baht but had to switch off my internet connection as per Mutt Daeng - it's telling you to switch wifi off and to register using the sim card that will be associated with the account. After registration you should be able to use the app via wifi . (haven't check the wifi bit yet) My original passport number was rejected and my current passport number accepted. That makes sense & perhaps using the pink card. SCB staff do take care to update the bank's document records for new passports as I recall, they are very good at that, aren't they? The new site looks powerful. I will get the bank to help me with facial recognition. I saw them doing that for a customer last time I was in a queue. It looks very convenient & useful. The thought of walking round with access to the amount that must be at a bank for immigration requirements is a downside. I wonder whether it might be better to keep a the lump sum required for visa renewal in another account outside reach of the SCB Easy ap, in another bank or keep the Easy ap phone at home.