The Fat Controller

There have been a few changes with Wise transfers to Thailand in the last couple of weeks, some banks excluded (possibly temporarily) and the lower limit to others amended.

Suggest we all keep checking our local version of the HELP page.

https://wise.com/help/articles/2932335/guide-to-thb-transfers?origin=search-thb

PS. I've sent 2m THB to Bangkok Bank many times, never any hold up or queries at either end, I'm in the UK.

2 hours ago, Brick Top said:

I recently paid 15 years worth , they let me go back to 2006 , it cost me around  £13,000 , i estimate i will get my money back within 3 years with the increased pension so its like 33.3% on my investment. I strated to receive my pension in February thus year,  i will never get the full pension as i only have 32 full years instead of 35 needed to get the maximum. 

What annoyed me was i had yesrs in 1982 and 1983 and 1986 with just one or two week missing , i proved this wasn't my fault but they wouldn't let me pay back those odd few weeks.

Only those that have started work since 2016 will need 35 years, so much confusion about that number.

Those who started work well before that can need up to 49 qualifying years especially if, like me, they were in contracted-out company pension schemes

I needed 48.

 

You can send 2 million THB with WISE in a single transaction to certain (3) Thai banks, that is a WISE limit.

Other banks have incoming limits (Thai regulations), it's all on the WISE FAQs.

You have to give a reason for the transfer on the WISE site.

I have a Bangkok Bank account and sent 8 million to myself from the UK in one day, they did not contact me for any kind of declaration and I moved the money out to my wife without issue.

It is not cheaper to split into smaller transactions with WISE.

Fees for funding the GBP amount to WISE vary by method, Debit Card, Bank Transfer etc

The WISE fees may seem large but as they use the mid-market rate it was still cheaper than any other method and I believe it is still so.

This information is specific to the OP's requirements, GBP to THB, fees with with other currencies are different and there may be cheaper alternatives.

 

Teeveeing.com

Cheap and works well

The app certainly has more offers than the website.
There are also discount coupons available, coins to collect for free which can be redeemed for discounts.
They also have some daily flash offers which are very good.

You will get quite a few notifications which put off some but I find the benefits outweigh the annoyance.

The non-o married to a Thai document requirements have been slimmed down now, I applied a month ago.

You need to apply online and can only get a single entry.

Financial details are required, either a sum in the bank or regular income but cannot remember the exact figures.

They have removed the need for copies of your last entry stamps and invitation from your wife.

You need proof of UK residence (I used my tax bill), a recent photo and copy of your marriage certificate.

In my Visa folder I also have my wife's ID card but cannot remember if that was needed this time.

@QballQ Kay at the Glasgow consulate was a pussycat if you stayed on the right side of her. LOL

 

We have two cheap Chinese pumps.

One is surface mounted and pulls water up from the bore hole and we use that to water the garden with no issues, no settling tank or any other treatment.

This one has been in place since before I married 10 years ago and is switched on and off with a breaker.

The other one supplies water on demand to our house from a tank that is filled by government mains water.

It has been working fine for 6 years, not even had to replace the pressure switch yet.

What kind of job can she get a 3 month leave of absence from?

How many kids is she supporting?

Have a Google about the level of household debt in Thailand.

If she won't tell you how much she owes and where that debt is held, time to get the running shoes on.

One working day ?

Where did you get that information from ?

With Christmas and New Year holidays don't be surprised if it is not processed before you arrive in Thailand.

Soi Pothole (Chayapoon) in Pattaya is privately owned, thankfully they don't charge you to take the risk of walking, riding or driving down it yet.

I think the clue as to whether your teeth need attention is the colour !

Black is not normal.

My non-o from London has the same name format.

It took 60 hours from application to issue, the email confirmation arrived at 2107 so either they are working late of it was sent out in a daily batch.

The only issue could be boarding at your departure point without a visa if your exit/return flight is beyond the 30 days granted on a exempt entry.

Some airlines are stricter than others, KLM and Emirates in the UK for example.

You could always get a Non O visa based on your marriage if you can stick 90 days with your wife, alternatively a 60 day tourist visa is cheaper and less hassle than an extension at immigration.

The UK visa application page DOES advise that you should print a copy.

If you get all your documents in the required format and size evisa applications in the UK are a piece of cake.

My Non O based on having a Thai partner took less than two working days to be issued.

Have a nice flight, though you'll probably be eating into that large sum due to increases in prices.

As for an account when someone dies, that will be accessible to the heirs or beneficiaries when a will is produced and the executor contacts the bank.

 

@piston broke EDIT due to mistake.

You can buy back years as far as 2006 until the July deadline.

The final two years between your current age and 66 will be more expensive as the price is only fixed until 31st July and will then increase.

I have never seen any reference at all regarding purchasing missing years at anything else other than the Class 1 rate of around £800.

Each year purchased increases your pension by £5.29 a week (IIRC) 

You are the same age as me and I have done a lot of research on this, but as a higher rate Scottish taxpayer due to my company pension I will pay 42% of my state pension back to HMRC, therefore buying my missing 8 years will take a lot longer to recoup.

EDIT IN : https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/

3 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

Yes, but I have no way to get it.

I have been in Thailand 20 years.

I have a Gateway account set up, but the number does not show anywhere

See my previous post and the link to the Moneysavingexpert forum, all the information as to how to obtain the reference number has been posted by numerous people on many topics, happy reading !