scorecard

Not really, they are not expected to be experts at the applicable laws or possible benefits. That's not the purpose of an embassy. Google Centrelink free call number from Thailand and call C'link and get clear answers.

It's compulsory for all full-time employees, Thai and Foreigners, to join the Social Security Fund (SSF). There are some exemptions, for foreigners e.g. specific types of teachers. The employer is responsible: - To promptly enrol the employee with the SSF. - To deduct the appropriate amount (5% but with a maximum of 7%) from the salary and the employer must match that amount. - Employer must send the total funds to the SSF by mid of following month. - If the employee changes jobs the new employer is responsible to continue the deductions process using he same SSF member number. Members are entitled to: - on retirement or leaving Thailand, claim a refund of all member contributions, or claim a lifetime pension. - Injury and Sickness benefits, the member (thai and Foreigners must at time of joining nominate a hospital of their choice (from a long list), can change the hospital once a year. - At retirement the member is entitled to claim a refund of member contributions and is entitled to continue their Injury and Sickness benefits for life by changing to the 'Voluntary Insurance' system. Meaning the member now pays their monthly member contributions (432Baht) direct to the SSF each month for life by deposit at a Thai bank or by internet banking. NOTES: 1. As above at retirement the member can claim a refund of their member contributions or claim a pension. 2. At retirement the member has six months to advise the SSF if they wish to continue their Injury and Sickness benefits by changing to voluntary Insurance. This applies regardless of whether the member takes a refund of contributions or takes a pension. - Also, there's type of unemployment benefit. - And a funeral benefit payable to the family. This is all covered in the Thailand Social Security Fund Act (see attachment). (Article 39 is specific to the six months to decide whether to continue Injury and Sickness benefits.) The SSF maintains the 1506 direct hotline, with Thai speaking and English speaking staff. If you call they are very helpful. Sometimes the English language option doesn't connect because they don't have an English speaking staff member available on that day / at that time. If this happens call back later or the next day. Easy enough. Always good listeners, always clear answers, no push to finish the call quickly. As mentioned by other members there are other funds with different purpose / different entitlements. SOCIAL_SECURITY_ACT_2533_SSO_1...3.pdf

In Australia call 132 300 (the C'link Older Aussies Line), always answered quickly, good listeners, always polite always clear responses.

sure; reality.

Regarding 'imposing income taxes' for foreigners living here on state pensions (only state pensions) there's 99.9% chance that nothing will happen at all. As usual it's taking a long time to flesh out the full details, reality is 'wait and see' and no need for any panic.

Wow, a 'nobody outsmarts me / tricks me' attitude. Bottom line is some folks display this attitude way beyond what is needed or valuable.

Well that wasn't the case in the rice 'event'. It was well established that the rice 'scam' strategy came from an older female relative with a scaly history.

Aware of an American who lived alone for years in Sth. Pattaya, found dead, (fell down the stairs, serious head and body damage at 82 yo) by an underage trio of Thai boys who regularly visited him for 'fun' and tips (but he was very stingy with the tips). The young boys alerted a neighbour then fled. Police came, they called the US consulate. Passport found but no money and no bank books, Neighbours revealed regular arguments with debt collectors because he was months behind in his rent payments. Had no farang friends, quite abrupt and rude and unfriendly man who had a long history of asking new acquaintances to restaurants then refusing to pay his share of the bill for food and drinks. A Thai neighbour knew he was receiving US Social Security payments. US embassy in BKK found a brother in the US, brother firmly indicated he did not want to get involved in any way and told the embassy staff to never call back. US embassy then told Thai police they would not do anything further. Police waited 1 year then conducted a simple quick pawpers Thai temple funeral (paid for out of a special police fund). Ashes taken to the end of a pier in pattaya and thrown onto the water.

Does your mum realize that an urn of human ashes is a special category of cargo / freight and must be declared as such, even if carried as hand luggage by a passenger. And there's various documents which must be prepared and signed by various agencies, with costs, And the cargo / freight / charges are very expensive and there's a need for documents to be prepared/signed here in the LOS for use in getting the urn with ashes through customs in many receiving countries. Perhaps better to prearrange for photos os the: death certificate / coffin / final urn and photo where the urn will be kept in LOS?

You believe pigs can fly?

And will she do a deal to get her minister who carried the punishment for her (a very long jail sentence) out of jail?

And would have been nice to see 1 or 2 photos to 'explain' the elevated comment.

And the Thai PM and the tourism minister have both categorically denied that this is being planned / organized.

Can't understand why people need to go hunting. Just killing animals for the thrill of killing something. Humanity hasn't progressed very far.

It's since been reported both the PM and the police chief confirmed there will NOT be Chinese police on duty in LOS. But there is ongoing cooperation in terms of various crime incidents etc.

Prefer extra vinegar.

I've since spoken to C'link on the Older Aussies contact number (free from Thailand), I asked two questions: 1. "how many Aussie old age penioners who receive the full entitlement receive their payment on the 4 weekly cycle / payment transferred abroad?" I also asked 2. "is this type of data confidential?" Her answers: 1. After checking she said "less than 1% of full OAP recipients receive their payments into their bank abroad on the 4 weekly cycle". 2. "This data is not confidential. C'link's policy is to be as transparent as possible".

And I found mention that the number of old age pensioners who have their 4 weekly payment automaticlly transferred abroad every 4 weeks is around 1.5 to 2.00% of all Aussie old age pensioners. How many of the OAP folks receive the full OAP amunt and how many have no other income is I guess an open question except that if they are being honest and declaring other income their pension entitlement will possibly be lower. Will the ATO want to use resources to do any follow up on these folks? Seems doubtful to me. ******************* There's also Aussies who receive permanent (for life) disability compensation payments abroad every 4 weeks from the DVA, in regard to disabilities accepted as related to war service. The number of war veterans in this group is tiny. The legislation involved states that such payments are exempt from Australian personal tax. Will the ATO want to investigate these veterans in any way? Seems quite doubtful.

OK, but how do all members know whether they personally fit the 'official' definition of expat acording to the poll author? I don't know if I fit the official definition of expat therefore I didn't respond to that choice.

I suggest mny people would like to know why the poll is being conducted, and who is organizing the poll before they participate. And like some definition of some of the words being used.

Here's one link, up to 5XL. https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/OEM-ODM-Wholesale-100-Cotton-Comfortable_1600849626032.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_image.37123ae548CfdC Still looking for the other company which I've used 3 times before, always happy with purchases, I buy 5 items every time, prompt delivery, they make up to 9XL. I'll keep searching.

PR is not 'classified' as a visa, it's issued for life. It automatically cancels when the holder dies. The only other way it can cancel is if the holder gains a criminal record in Thailand or abroad. Therefore there is no expiry date. Therefore there's no yearly extensions and there's no 'review' ever. The only ime a PR holder visits immigration is: - When the PR book is full (full of passport stamps; every time the holder departs / enters Thailand both the holders passport and the PR book get departure and arrival stamps. there's no interview involved). This doesn't involve review of the actual PR status in any way. Renewal of the full PR book is a simple administrative exercise. - When the holder plans to depart Thailand, the holder must get an exit and re-entry stamp (single journey or multiple journey). There's no interview involved, and there's no review of the actual PR status in any way. Issue of the exit and re-entry stamps is a simple administrative exercise. PR holders don't do 90 day reporting. If the PR holder is married there is no visit by Immigration to ensure the marriage is 'genuine'.

Not true, not stopping at school crossings / for school buses / school kids is a very serious offence in Australia. Most drivers are very very careful with this because they don't want the extreme wrath of the community on them plus legal action with strong punishments if there's an acccident and death/injuries with schol kids/buses etc. Before and after school all crossings outside of schools are manned with trained crossing officers with flags etc., and drivers always obey their instructions.

autographed items - do you still have any .... Please see PM.

And don't look for logic.