Robin

"The Suvarnabhumi Airport, internationally renowned ".... For its long lines and slow, surly, immigration officers. Also try taking baggage on the Airport rail link. Txi to town compared with S9ingapore; no nonsense about 'highway charge' in Singapore.

Further advice from yesterday. Make sure have everything in writing; Every contact with banks, opposition solicitors,... If you think that "Edward" has any possessions of "George,' warn him in writing that everything of George legally either belongs to George or to "Alice" and is 'sub judice' until probate is obtained. Keep copies and a diary of all communication with Edward, and try to avoid any more contact that is necessary; leave that to the solicitors. never mind if Edward take offence; do what you think is legal and best for Alice and George. At the risk of being wrong, I would hang on to every single thing of George's and not let Edward or anyone except your appointed solicitors have anything. If Edward get somehing relevant and then looses it, it is gone for ever. If you have kept it by mistake, you can always return it later and apologise for your mistake. We have to hope now that Edward was just an interfering 'chancer,' and will now see that there is nothing in this for him and quietly drop out and leave you to do the work. George is lucky to have a friend like you to sort this out. Good luck.

I cannot offer any legal advice, but my experience in similar cases is never to underestimate the greed of humanity, whne some 'money for nothing' is on offer. Nor should you trust anyone who might have claim, or think they have claim, for the money to act helpfully toward you. Never mind who is 'morally' right, they just want to money. The verbal 'las Will & Testament' has no legal standing if it was not witnessed. nor vry little even if there was a witness. Remember that said friend could easily have made the whole thing up simply to cover his theft of the bank cards and other stuff. Why else would he have taken that and not be wanting to return it to the correct owner. Try to keep written records of every communication you have with friend, and keep detailed notes of everything, every phone call, visit to bank, just about everything. if it come down to "I said, he said" you will need every scrap of evidence.

Only 68 motor cycles. Pity it wasn't 680, and all sent to to the crusher. I would imagine that whoever has bought the m/c on finance will have to keep paying the finance company as per his agreement. I am sure that Thai finance companies have plenty of experience of dealing with defaulters.

'He felt it was his right to smoke in public' What arrogance. it should be the right of every citizen to live in smoke free air, not breath the second-hand smoke from A-holes like this. Thankfully , UK is fairly strict about smoking now, so these scum think thy can come to Thailand and break the laws if thy want to. In my opinion Thailand is far too casual about enforcing their non-smoking laws. it would be very good if he law regarding smoking in bars was enforced. Good little earner for RTP as well; let them keep all the fines they collect.

Several months forced to clear the drains in Bangkok

So many experts know what should have been done: 1. Fire extinguishers. if you are not trained to use one, not going to be much good. 2. safety briefing before leaving? have you ever seen Thai ,or any other kids, pay attention to something like that. 3.Teacher take command? hat is he likely to know? 4. Inspect the bus before hiring? Cheapest is obviously the best. Parents might complain about the cost. 5. Was it true that the emergency doors were locked shut? Who by? if the driver did this then he is guilty of murder and should be punished accordingly. 6 It is very rarely an accident; normally a combination of mistakes and wrong actions.

Just try using a credit/debit card in any shop in Thailand. "No like, No want" is the usual response, followed by over-charging to cover the car company's fee. Thailand is a "cash only" economy. It suits the numerous criminals who live here, and supports tax evasion.

Will the Immigration and other ground facilities be able to cope? Not likely on the current showing

I believe that you can apply for your extension of visa up to 30 days before it expires, so why not do it early. I try to work with my local I/O; I visit them in the lst month, and ask for an appointment to make the extension, and then ask them to list the documents I will need to bring to them. Also check what photo I will need and show my Bank book o ensure that it will be accepted. On extension day, first visit my bank to get pass-book updated and the docs that I/O needs. Then to Immigration and extension done. Everyone happy and I am safe for another year. Usually I get a re-entry permit at the same time, just in case I have to leave in a hurry. I use ' money in he bank' instead of monthly income, as the paper work is easier, and the 800K is an emergency stand-by fund for me.

Animals have no imagination, so hey see only a place to walk, not thinking of what lies under. They also have incredible babalce.

I was with Nat West. Decent account. On-line banking worked and money could be transferred easily on -line. Then NW cancelled my account, no reason given and maximum inconvenience and rudeness. If you have a good relationship with NWB, I would go with them. Just do not complain to them about any aspect of their banking. Some UK banks, including Santander, appear to have difficulty sending money to Thailand via on-line banking. NB. Gave up with HSBC ; Their system was so secure that neither I nor any of their support staff could log me in and I had to close the account to get my money out. Many UK banks require you to have a UK address; check before you think of opening an account.

TRy to calm down some of the replies to my postings: I am in Thailand on a retirement visas using 800KB n the bank as source of funds. I have never worked in Thailand, so never had to bother with a Tax return, I cannot speak for my wife, as i do not interfere with her financial affairs. For many years, when working in Offshore, I was non-resident in UK, but paid UK taxes for 'unearned income'. Tax returns were prepared and approved by a professional accountant, and not questioned by HMCR Now I am fully retired, and had hoped to live out my life in Thailand, having saved and invested enough to keep wife any my self for the rest of our lives. The Seetha Government tax proposals have become a worry, but I am hoping that I can survive, using the non-tax-resident method. It will be interesting to see if Taksin, originator of he retirement visa, and perhaps more expat friendly in tax thinking, keeps with Seetha's proposals. As regards selling property in UK, I am familiar with CGT rules and not in need of any advice, only the question of is the value of the property 'savings' (noun) or not

Thanks for the answers. I will just have to wait and see what happens. I will try for the non tax resident method when I have sold the house in UK, or hope that the situation has been clarified. I think that savings is a concept that Thais do not understand; 'if you have money, spend it' is more Thai. To my simple mind, "Savings" could be defined as income not spent, but kept in an accessible place. My dictionary gives "money put aside for future use" In UK the money is kept in a "Savings account" as it might be in Thailand. Good enough for he RD?

How are "savings" defined? I believe that I can transfer 'savings' from UK to Thailand, but what are savings? If I do not spend all my income immediately, what remains could be called 'savings,' but will the Thai RD see it that way? My real concern apart from the semantics, is that I have property in UK that I intend to sell to fund my retirement. Property was bought on a mortgage in the normal way, paid for out of monthly income. So is the property now 'savings.' And can the proceeds' of the sale be brought to Thailand without me having to pay any tax? Also, property has increased in value since original purchase; Is the increase savings or income? HMRC in UK have a various allowances fro property value increased, which might confuse Thai RD?