samtam

Thanks.

Yes Polar Bear, I was confused by a URL on one website that appeared to be locked. Thanks for clarifying L Lou.

Fatboys website is locked, but it may be the same as TDLS. The fee seems a bit steep @THB3500. BSR Bike shop is THB1900 (both for renewal). Other services as priced. You are required to have proof of address (your embassy or IMM), and a health certificate.

I have a HK Permanent ID and Right of Abode. However, because of the pandemic I was unable to get back to HKG within the 36 month period. I am on schedule to return next month, and I may be able to have the Right of Abode status retained, despite failing in the 36 month criteria. It will be reviewed on a case by case basis, when I apply for my new Smart ID. (I lived and worked in Hong Kong for over 20 years, and prior to the pandemic was a frequent traveller; once able to travel during the pandemic, with vaccinations, simply could not stomach the draconian quarantine period, and if I should have been unlucky to catch covid during said quarantine, as some did, a further stint in Penny's Bay, which was unbelievably austere. On top of that my flights were cancelled by Cathay Pacific, and I could not rearrange the quarantine hotel to coincide with a new booking on Emirates.)

The longer the delay in choosing a PM, the more opportunity to unearth skeletons. Glum faces at Pheu Thai (PT) today. Their strategic dumping of MF has a tiny little complication in it. Even if MF do vote for Srettha as PM, they are now waiting to see which other parties form the PT coalition. If it includes junta parties, their vote will be withheld, and PT will have to rely on senate votes, (which may come with strings, including a seat in the cabinet for Prawit; possibly even the biggest seat).

They float trial balloons here on many topics, see what the reaction is, and then implement it, or ditch it. Sometimes they implement, and then have to walk it back. The preventative measures during the pandemic were a classic example of this means of assessing public reaction/opinion. Immigration related, the enforcement of the TM.30 filing in such a strict manner in 2019, (as in every night you did not sleep in your residential address), was soon dropped. Well, dropped; maybe it took a while, and there is still confusion about the rule, as it's interpreted differently by different immigration offices.

I spent 13 years "enjoying" the delights of Visa Extensions at Suan Phlu intitially and then subsequently at Chaengwattana, the latter which took 7-8 hours door to door. For 3 years I have employed an agent to do the donkey work. I provide the bank letter showing the THB800K in the account for 12 months, and the other requirements, such as supplying new photos. His staff collects them from me, with my passport, bank book, letter, bank statement for 12 months etc the day before. I meet the agent at an agreed time, say 9.00 am, and I am in front of the IO within a few minutes, and out of Chaengwattana within 20 minutes. The agent's fee, (whatever it is, is well worth it). He also does my 90 day reporting and all other things that may come into force unexpectedly.

So long as HMRC agree that you're a UK resident, then you are acting correctly. They make and interpret the rules, we follow them, (or not as the case may be, reading a number of posts in this thread).

I was talking about my own case. "I" refers to me. My comment about my circumstances referred to where I live, and that I told HMRC and DWP that I reside in Thailand. The OP is about British expats living in Thailand and being paid their state pensions.

Replied already, as below: Posted yesterday at 03:04 PM I stand corrected. [But as a non resident whose 66th birthday was on 31 March 2023, I missed out on the 203.85 and will now forever get the 185.15 per week, or 9,627.80 pa.] Still, based on my miscalculation (8887.20❌), I now realise I get 9,627.80✔️, so that's nice. 10,600.20 would have been nicer, but so far the rise in GBP to THB has improved it.

Sorry, I thought it was clear "I missed out", and qualified it. And I was referring to people who legally state to HMRC they are living in Thailand.

I stand corrected. [But as a non resident whose 66th birthday was on 31 March 2023, I missed out on the 203.85 and will now forever get the 185.15 per week, or 9,627.80 pa.] Still, based on my miscalculation (8887.20❌), I now realise I get 9,627.80✔️, so that's nice. 10,600.20 would have been nicer, but so far the rise in GBP to THB has improved it.

The highest and increased pension (23/24 effective 6 April 2023) in UK (as a resident) is GBP203.85 per week: x4 = 815.40 per month = GBP9,784.80 per annum.

If the new PM is Prawit, with the requisite non-8-party-coalition MPs and 250 senate votes, the first item on the Prawit government agenda is surely to change the constitution to allow the senate to be "appointed" ad infinitum, and always to be a full participant in the choice of PM.

How are senators "chosen" in May 2024? An "election"? Also, as no PM was chosen yesterday, does that mean the caretaker PM continues in office until one is?

When I went to get my IMM letter from Krungsri Head Office in April, they asked me to do the facial recognition. Their machine (which looked like a portable credit card reader) didn't work. I subsequently went into another branch recently and they performed it through a camera, without a hitch. I also bank with UOB, and as I was in the vicinity, I dropped in there to do the same. UOB said they don't require facial recognition....but I suspect it will only be a matter of time, and will require another visit.

Well now everything seems to have changed with Cinema HD. I installed a new V2, (not the so-called "latest" version). It appeared to work OK, and then found it had a repeated bug, advertising some game, which I did not want, so I couldn't get rid of it. Eventually uninstalled it, and now cannot find a reliable source. There are a number of You Tube episodes saying that Cinema HD is not working, and is corrupted. Would be happy to hear otherwise with a URL to download. Also any alternative TV and movie apps anyone could recommend.

You have to really wonder whether there is an appetite for street violence. Thais do not seem particularly keen on fighting for change, especially when so much is stacked against them. The civil unrest of 2010 was brutally crushed. That protest and the overthrow of the Yingluck government were organised. Other methods, (strikes) would have a severe impact on the livelihoods of the poorest. The powers that be are weighing up their options, and are probably pretty sure they can get away with it again.

I've found a work around on the subtitles. Make your default player MX, and then choose your program. Play your chosen source, and once it has started, go to the three dots on the top rhs of your screen. Choose subtitles, Open, then Online Subtitles. Click on this and then type in the exact same name of what you are watching. This YT explains it clearly: It's quite straightforward, if a little cumbersome initially. Hope this helps.

I made a rare appearance at my bank, Krungsri Head Office in Bangkok at the end of April to collect my bank letter for IMM, and was asked to do the facial recognition. Three attempts by 2 staff, and they couldn't get the machine to work. Wasted about half an hour, on top of the inordinate length of time to collect a preordered letter. What could possibly go wrong with this?

I updated my Cinema HD app and now it plays, but when I try and use subtitles, the program shows the list from which to choose, but it never opens the movie or tv program. As soon as I click on play it works, but play with subtitles, it does not. I have chosen MX as my player, and tried the other options too, with the same result. Prior to updating, the subtitles feature was working perfectly. Anyone having similar problems?

Or coronation now.

And the pastry is not properly cooked. I am a regular at my Tops (FH), and they refunded me. Taste-wise it's very bland. Much better to make it yourself, and it's not difficult.

Yes, clarified. I meant phone or computer.