VBF

All of the above - just buy a copy if you're that interested - I've found it a great read, several times. Up to you.

What...no Google on your computer? Just for you..... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fool-Paradise-Neil-Hutchison/dp/0975134930

Great book - still got my copy - an essential read (IMO) for all single guys in Thailand.

Possibly some sort of a Goon ????

In my opinion only (!) if it was, for example, a Nationwide Flex a/c https://www.nationwide.co.uk/current-accounts/flexaccount/ then yes, because it will allow you to set up Direct Debits and / or transfer money to other accounts, including abroad. (Various links emanating from the one I posted refer) However...... it does say you need to be a UK resident - I don't know if HMRC regards you as such, given what you say about your main assets and paying tax. You would need to check that point carefully.

I suggest everyone re-reads the OP especially the part in italics starting: Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wang-Suphakitkosol.......... Second paragraph in bold includes the words: .....latest update on a proposal that has been up in the air for decades....... So from my reading, it's a proposal from a fairly minor minister which has not even started going through the process of becoming law, and yet everyone on here is getting excited. Why? Personally, I think it'll be dropped (again) but Ms Wang-Suphakitkosol will have had her 15 seconds of fame ????

There you are...... ????????????????????????

As a Brit, I have less experience of guns than, say, a lot of Americans, but I recall that, when I lived in the US, (and legally had a gun) the NRA would always say that, "If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns". IMO that's a truism worldwide. In UK handguns have been illegal for civilians almost forever but there is an astonishing number of them about and increasing! https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/firearms The people who have them are not troubled by the regulations!

That's it! Carry on ruining an area that used to be a paradise and has, over the last 2/3 decades become just another tick on peoples' bucket lists!!! ???? As Joni sang "They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot"....... or in this case, yet another airport! This has never been more relevant.

As happened with the unfortunate lady who was seriously injured on the escalator in Don Meung airport a while ago. The coverage of that incident has disappeared completely!

What you and @Sigmund say is probably very true and most uncomfortable and worrying for Expats, but....it's in this thread which concerns tourists. None of what either of you say matters much to tourists except perhaps "cheating taxi drivers" and possibly double pricing. Even with those, most tourists will simply shrug them off as "still cheaper than at home". IME, the only real cheating taxis are on Phuket whilst in Pattaya, the "Baht buses" still provide a wonderfully cheap way to get around.

I can just imagine how useful that would be with the UK or US or other Western governments own bureaucracy and privacy rules ????

To be perfectly accurate (if a little pedantic) your UK income is regarded as the total of [earned income + unearned income (interest, dividends etc) + pension] received in the relevant tax year (April - April) Then the personal allowance (£12,570 in this example) is deducted and taxed at 0%, so effectively tax-free and the remainder is taxed at various rates depending upon your personal and financial circumstances and the "tax bands" at the time. This ignores any allowances that may apply from time to time.

By showing the money was held for a period of time, perhaps?

Except that, if the $100,000 you transferred into Thailand all came as one "lump" you could declare it all as savings. Perhaps it would be sensible to put it all in a savings account and then transfer it, as, logically, at the time of transfer, it was demonstrably savings and you could show that your money in USA (or UK, Europe etc) was held in the savings account for a period of time.

Logically (yes, I know, TIT) IF savings are not taxable, then the answer to that question is "I live on my savings, some of which i transfer to Thailand as needed" Therefore, even if one is in receipt of a pension or dividend income, or interest, the money transferred to Thailand is from SAVINGS and (apparently) exempt from taxation. Or am I being too logical?

It rings a bell.....????

I agree ???? No more posting the passport off to the embassy, getting pre-paid envelopes for its return and having to pay by postal order or cash!!! (There was no option to pay by cheque or card) Therefore it's cheaper too. As i've said before, I had no real problems when I did my first one in Jan 2023. The "challenges" were: 1 - Working out exactly what to send for each question. 2 - Realising that although some questions didn't actually apply for a TV, one still HAS to upload SOMETHING to allow one to progress through the application. The first challenge, (hopefully) I shall address next time by reference to my last application (I keep everything in a Zip file) For the benefit of those who haven't noticed, I resolved the second challenge by creating a PDF file containing the sentence "Is this required for a Tourist Visa?" and uploading that where appropriate. I might add that it's probably a lot harder doing it on a phone or tablet - I use a desktop PC.

AND, take a look here

Posted in error

Advice noted - thank you ????

Quite disagree. Let the people who enjoy it have their pastime same as those who enjoy a drink or a cigarette do. Nobody's forcing you to indulge if you don't want to. I'm vehemently anti cigarette smoke but I simply avoid smokers and let them get on with it I do like a drink or several though. Same should be possible for cannabis smokers and / or eaters - live and let live.

With respect, I am talking about 4 to 5 litres of plain water. I've only used electrolytes once when it was VERY hot (walking up a hillside in Thailand) and at that time my urine was dark yellow. Normally though it's plain water, plus whatever coffee, or beer I happen to fancy.

That's interesting - I drink up to a litre when I get up along with my heart meds, then when i have a coffee I drink water as well (as per the Mediterranean practice) and if I'm outside and sweating will have a half litre as and when I feel I need it. (ie if i'm hot and thirsty) So on a hot day I can get through 4 to 5 litres but I do look at my urine's colour and it varies from clear to pale yellow. Plus i have annual blood tests for heart, liver and kidney functions Having had heart problems I am careful not to eat too much salty food but admit that some of what I enjoy is a bit salty (food-wise I mean ????) When I discussed this with my UK GP he confirmed that all is well. So why do you say 4L a day is too much @Sheryl ?

I couldn't believe just how many cannabis shops there were in Pattaya last time I was there (April 23). It's a kick in the nuts for all the people who invested in the new freedom! I thought that for once Thailand was leading and being progressive, but seemingly not! Why they can't treat it like alcohol and simply legalise, regulate and tax it is beyond me!