Tofer

21 minutes ago, bolt said:

unfortunately i have chickened out and made an application online

the process was extremely easy and i only have to send my old passport

I will be sending an attached letter stating i need( currently hold 2 passports from UK) the will support my application 

FYI

the passport photo section allows you to upload a picture and the website scans it for you and gives you a score if its acceptable for use, so that's very handy

the website says 11 weeks turnaround which seems ok, since i have the other passport.

 

the online cost is cheaper also 115 GBP for 50 page Frequent traveler passport, i need to go to post office and send passport 

 

That's what I did, but they decided to run me through the mill, requiring the covering letter to explain the need for a second passport. Unfortunately I did not need it for "business purposes" any longer, and they objected after 42 years in existence.

After an excruciatingly frustrating exchange of correspondence, over many more weeks than the target 4 weeks turnaround, I think I finally persuaded them that there is a valid reason stated in their website for "frequent travelers" needing to use one whilst another is in somewhere for visa applications. I say think, because I received a notification that my application was now being processed, after I'd sent a letter noting the above and an offer to relinquish my currently valid passport. At this stage they've made no specific requests, so I assume they have simply capitulated, as I've not yet received the renewal passport.

28 minutes ago, bolt said:

I had a similar conundrum this year, after 10 years my TV died

 

I have a small tech hobby so I enjoy gadgets, My new TV 2021 has built in applications like YouTube HBO Netlfix etc, but it’s the actual operating system of the TV which will not be updated properly meaning the applications will be slow or unusable after 2-3-4 years

 

I have tried several built in Smart TV’s and the latest models are reasonable but I would advise using one of the HDMI”s sockets and then connect an external device, this will give you an option of upgrading the external device and keep same TV-Display

 

My personal recommendation would be an Amazon Firestick

I also have and  X-Box S but don’t use that much, and Apple TV but don’t use that much.

I’ve found the firestick is suitable for 99% of what I need, and I can also unplug it and take with me on holiday and use in the Hotels wherever I stay, which was a life saver during pandemic Quarantine.

 

Fire stick costs approx. 50-60-70 USD   and an be bought from Lazada, i have bought approx 5 or 6 for family and friends over the years 

For the complete technophobes, please explain what a "firestick" is. Thanks.

4 hours ago, OJAS said:

If that were ever to come to pass I would strongly advise you to take an extremely powerful magnifying glass with you - you'd definitely need it for brain detection purposes!????

It's a symptom of the bureaucrats / civil servants power trip...

On 4/28/2022 at 5:22 PM, Eff1n2ret said:

Why can't we apply online and upload those copies as well?

That would be too easy and practical..... 

I've had my email messages acknowledged by return email, in which they then ask for a "covering letter" to the email, absolutely ludicrous! I would almost give my right arm to have a face to face with those people, to find out if there's a brain between them.

On 4/28/2022 at 2:14 PM, OJAS said:

since HMPO have forbidden us to use their online system instead for some ridiculous reason.

When I checked the procedure for applying through the Brit Embassy in Bangkok, I was advised it would take up to 11 weeks.

I was not aware the BE in Bangkok no longer issued passports, and I was somewhat caught out by the fact my passport expires 2 months before the next marriage visa extn. date.

Left with little choice, I made digital applications via a UK family address, for a promised 4 week turnaround, sent the passports by courier, and my Sister posted them onto HMPO. Then the fun began, as noted above.

On 4/28/2022 at 2:14 PM, OJAS said:

Just how many of us out here in LOS who, on top of all the other rigours imposed on us by the dreaded With-It Tower Passport Renewal Experience, have had reason to call this Adviceline, I wonder, only to be put on hold for an eternity and "serenaded" with irritating muzak - and at considerable expense in our case to boot?

Thank goodness my 2 hour phone call was paid for by the British Embassy. It was a suggestion from a consular customer services lady, who offered to connect me via their phone system, so I only paid for local charges from Thailand, very helpful.

I applied digitally for my wife and son, with the promise of a 4 week turnaround, and got an acknowledgement of documents received 15 & 17/03/22, for a straight forward renewal of pre-existing British passports. HMPO's acknowledgement is sent out as an email message, and there is a tracking facility showing the application history, with the dates recorded of the documents received, but I was still constantly receiving automated messages requesting we send the documents, noting that if already sent to ignore that message.

Since no new information was requested, I did just that, ignored their automated / repetitive messages. I then receive a message stating if they do not receive the documents for my wife & son before a date 5 days hence, they will withdraw the application, and you lose your advance payment. Despite my online messages, acknowledged received instantly, confirming that they have logged their receipt of documents on the tracking facility, they still went ahead and withdrew the applications, presumably as an excuse so they would not be seen to have failed to achieve their target turnaround date. Pathetic, how hard can it be to issue a straight forward renewal of a pre-existing passport.

Replies to communication on HMPO's online messaging facility, are usually a 'tick box' response of a selected extract from the generic rules, and do not answer your specific application query, presumably again to keep to their 72 hour promised response time.

A renewal application for myself is being questioned as a second passport, but I have had this facility since 1980, including repeated renewals without question. I spent 2 hours on a phone call before being disconnected after finally getting through to, and being placed on hold by, the person I needed to speak to. I've sent them all the information they requested, explanation letter for reasons requiring a second passport and a colour copy of my current passport.

I sent them an email and electronic message offering practical solutions to their desire to terminate my second passport facility, which has been replied to as a simple acknowledgement, and noting an examiner will have to consider the options, but they threw in an indeterminate comment of "send a covering letter". Very odd, since they have already acknowledged my email and it's message in their same message. I suspect this is yet another potential opportunity for them to withdraw the application for none receipt of documents.

It would appear they are spending the majority of their time covering their backsides, to ensure they meet their performance targets, without actually producing the goods. Obviously the Covid solution of working from home is not working!

I've now reached the point where I consider it probably necessary to start making formal complaints, in the hope some senior manager will force a solution.

This is a warning to all Brits requiring a passport renewal, HMPO in UK is simply not functioning, and the British Embassy in Bangkok no longer issue passports directly. People in the UK are having to cancel holidays because they cannot get a passport.

I applied digitally for my wife and son, with the promise of a 4 week turnaround, and got an acknowledgement of documents received 15 & 17/03/22, for a straight forward renewal of pre-existing British passports. HMPO's acknowledgement is sent out as an email message, and there is a tracking facility showing the application history, with the dates recorded of the documents received, but I was still constantly receiving automated messages requesting we send the documents, noting that if already sent to ignore that message.

Since no new information was requested, I did just that, ignored their automated / repetitive messages. I then receive a message stating if they do not receive the documents for my wife & son before a date 5 days hence, they will withdraw the application, and you lose your advance payment. Despite my online messages, acknowledged received instantly, confirming that they have logged their receipt of documents on the tracking facility, they still went ahead and withdrew the applications, presumably as an excuse so they would not be seen to have failed to achieve their target turnaround date. Pathetic, how hard can it be to issue a straight forward renewal of a pre-existing passport.

Replies to communication on HMPO's online messaging facility, are usually a 'tick box' response of a selected extract from the generic rules, and do not answer your specific application query, presumably again to keep to their 72 hour promised response time.

A renewal application for myself is being questioned as a second passport, but I have had this facility since 1980, including repeated renewals without question. I spent 2 hours on a phone call before being disconnected after finally getting through to, and being placed on hold by, the person I needed to speak to. I've sent them all the information they requested, explanation letter for reasons requiring a second passport and a colour copy of my current passport.

I sent them an email and electronic message offering practical solutions to their desire to terminate my second passport facility, which has been replied to as a simple acknowledgement, and noting an examiner will have to consider the options, but they threw in an indeterminate comment of "send a covering letter". Very odd, since they have already acknowledged my email and it's message in their same message. I suspect this is yet another potential opportunity for them to withdraw the application for none receipt of documents.

It would appear they are spending the majority of their time covering their backsides, to ensure they meet their performance targets, without actually producing the goods. Obviously the Covid solution of working from home is not working!

I've now reached the point where I consider it probably necessary to start making formal complaints, in the hope some senior manager will force a solution.

3 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I get paid UK benefits whilst living in Thailand. Industrial Injuries benefit to be exact. Before leaving the UK I declared my move to Thailand. Upon doing so I was told that I will still be paid IIB as it's paid for life. It is also index linked. Why I do not know as I've lived in Thailand 16+ years and thought all UK benefits would cease.

Good point, and it certainly makes a mockery of the pension increment freeze for expats in certain countries.

Anyway, back on topic.

Wouldn't the Pension rules be deemed an unfair contract, in regard to the small print T&C laws introduced, particularly considering employees and the self-employed were never given a contract to sign, with said rules clearly displayed, before their NI contributions were automatically deducted / demanded from their income. In other words, it was not an option, nor clearly explained way back when, and the rules were never generally known / available before the internet was born, I believe.

19 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Please develop you vast knowledge of how that so called pyramid scheme works.

Simple, BTC only increases in value when someone else buys it, and if no one else buys it, you have nothing.

22 hours ago, hughrection said:

this wasn't my suggestion !!!!

Explain fully then.

22 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Are you saying that an average of 100% every year for the last 12 years isn't a good investment? 

Bitcoin has done better than any asset over this time. I bought BTC with retirement money I got in 2019 for 220,000 baht each. They went to over 2 million baht a year later, are now over 1.6 million, and should be much more like 50 million by the time I retire. 

Gambling, wishful thinking, call it what you like. 

What about the poor sucker who bought off you at 2M and sold at 1.6M.

22 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Are you saying that an average of 100% every year for the last 12 years isn't a good investment? 

Bitcoin has done better than any asset over this time. I bought BTC with retirement money I got in 2019 for 220,000 baht each. They went to over 2 million baht a year later, are now over 1.6 million, and should be much more like 50 million by the time I retire. 

It's not an "asset", it's a delusion... Totally reliant on someone else buying it from you to artificially inflate the value, which I believe is as clear a definition of a pyramid scheme as any other. 

However, this is off topic, so draw a line.

On 3/28/2022 at 2:45 PM, Neeranam said:

Nonsense, I bought bitcoin in 2017 and also 2019 and cashed out for around x50.

 

You obv don't know what a pyramid scheme is. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUsgoPAes8w

Watch this and then you'll know.

6 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Just remembered......I was briefly interviewed by, I am guessing immigration, leaving Heathrow returning to Thailand.

 

Where are you going? .....Thailand

 

For how long.......I'm not sure

 

Will it be for more than 30 days?......Just had the presence of mind to feign shock and say oh no, not that long.

 

People must go on lengthy holidays, cruises, road/train tours.......any idea what the rules are?????

Not sure. I only know that if you work overseas, you need to stay out of UK more than a full fiscal year (April 5th to April 4th) to avoid UK income tax on those overseas earnings. It's a b....y minefield, I only discovered the overnight rule talking to a specialist tax accountant.

Just now, Will B Good said:

That would be a doddle......got kit all over the place with my four kids 

Could be a better solution, if the rule is still current. 

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

OMG.....I must be losing it.....that hadn't crossed my mind.

 

I am thinking.......don't let it out as whole property, but as 'room rent'......with the promise to the tenant that I won't actually live there, but should someone ask, they are to say I live there for a month each year???

I wouldn't ever trust a tenant to do anything you ask of them.

53 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

there is or was at least one period of 91 consecutive days when you had a home in the UK

Hmmm, but if you're renting it, and the tenant is paying the council tax, you may be on a sticky wicket, i.e. it's not your home...

Have a look into my info about staying overnight at a UK address where you keep clothes, I'm not sure if it's still current.

13 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Yes...kind of set my mind to do that anyway......the only fly in the ointment is "be present in that home"......mine is rented out.

 

Is the DWP really going to stake it out and see if I sleep there for 30 nights????

Make sure it's a female tenant you can shack up with for a month... ????

39 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

You obv don't know what a pyramid scheme is. 

Yes I do.

You obviously don't know what an investment is.

On 3/26/2022 at 12:59 PM, Will B Good said:

Just been reading up on that....

 

3.2 Second automatic UK test

 

You’ll be UK resident for the tax year if you have a home in the UK for all or part of the year and the following applies:

 

......... you’ve been present in that home for at least 30 days at any time during the year.

 

I am hanging my hat on that.

 

$#1t, that means I'm gonna have to visit UK...