samtam

It's good advice, (to pay on time and treat staff well), and I always do, despite the fact that most have absolutely no sense of loyalty, and quitting on the spot seems to be quite "normal" in Bangkok. A vicious circle.

I have found the same in trying to employ a maid. I have had 5 this year. They appear to be happy, but then either have another job opportunity, or just decide that it's not for them. Of course, that is their right, but the labour market has certainly been upended by covid. In the first 15 years in Bangkok we had 2 maids, (8 years + 6 years), but during covid we had quite a turnover; we asked 2 (separately) not to come in because we (and they, and most people) were not vaccinated. We continued to pay them full salary for 2 months each. They then decided to leave. It's very frustrating, but unfortunately seems to be very common now. I also know there's a dire shortage of technicians. In the latter case many potential candidates have become food/delivery motocy drivers. Same sort of income level, but they are their own boss. In the case of maids, I think many went back to their home towns to live within their extended family units, and there they have remained because the certainty of job security is still very low, and the cost of living, (rent largely), is very high and pretty grim in Bangkok. I think this scenario will continue for another 6-12 months, or when the covid fallout stabilises.

Completed it on Monday night. It gets a bit slow, and could perhaps have wrapped up in 3 or 4 episodes. Really enjoyed: Slow Horses https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5875444/ The Old Man https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5875444/ was good, but then a bit obvious at the end, or anticlimactic, or both, I can't remember. The Lincoln Lawyer https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13833978/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_7 is good Redemption https://www.amazon.com/Redemption-Season-1/dp/B0B3WG7HCQ is excellent

Excellent advice, which I always follow. Sadly, the availability of recommended potential employees seems very limited at present. I tried the agency mentioned in the OP, but it is unreliable, untrustworthy and very unprofessional. There is no screening, so the fees are a racket.

I am very wary of this company, (in Bangkok). They have some reviews which suggest they are a racket, (to put it politely), and my recent experience would endorse that. They seem to churn and burn...supply a maid, then she resigns and you are locked into a cycle of new fees. Their Bangkok office is also chaotic, with follow up not taking into account what was agreed during interviews and LINE message conversations. I am at my wit's end, having tried all the resources I know to find a cleaner, who has good ironing skills. Any helpful suggestions readily welcomed. I have lived in Bangkok for 18 years and had long term employees for most of that time, but Covid has upended the market, and the scarcity is all too apparent.

I have my 3 vaccinations in my Mor Prom app, (and on my yellow vaccination passport), but I recall a thread about how to edit the Mor Prom app with new passport number; (my details show my old passport number, which I have recently renewed). Unfortunately cannot find that thread. Can anyone please advise how to do?

Just wish they could change the name to reflect its Spanish ownership.

Chaengwattana (Bangkok IMM) https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/home_en/

I did send an email about ten days ago, and they replied yesterday... telling me to ring their number 0044 191 218 3600 as they could not answer questions through email! Anyway, issue superseded now, as I managed to get through to Future Payments by phone, and have sorted out my queries, and paid up the shortfall.

You can pre-book Grab, on their app. I do not know how reliable they are to turn up at the appointed time. When you log in and click on Transport it prompts you to "Where to?", beside which is a drop down "Now", or "Schedule a ride", in which you put time and date. I use SV Limousine 0815132501 for airport transfers, and from Sathorn to Suvarnabhumi it's THB950. They are waiting at my condo five minutes before I booked them.

Received mine after 7 weeks. Email notification from VFS came on 11 July, but after the close of business. As I had an eye operation the following Monday, I only picked it up on 18 July, and my agent transferred the stamps at IMM CW yesterday, and returned the passport to me this morning. Good to go.

I managed to get Future Payments on the telephone first thing at their opening, and they were, as has been noted, very pleasant and helpful. They identified the 4 years I needed to pay to cover the shortfall. I then was given he HMRC number, called that, and got through easily, obtained a reference code, and have made a payment through my internet banking, (which I hope they will not freeze for fraud alert checks, as they have done on the previous large transactions...will find out by tomorrow). I am grateful to all those who contributed to help me progess in my preparation for claiming next March, including partington, Upnotover ad chickenslegs. My GBP3,244 payment today will increase my annual pension by over GBP1,104 pa, once it has covered the cost.

OK, thanks. I will try and get them on the blower tomorrow.

Appreciate your advice. So, here's breakdown: ...and accordingly, I should pay and additional GBP2,444.00 (GBP795.60 + 824.20 + 824.20)? Should I get confirmation from NI DWP?

Just received this answer to the overseas form filling regarding payment into a UK account:

This is what mine says: however, this then follows: Do you have the same? The "what follows" means I have to contribute to attain the forecast, although I think I will not get the current full pension, which is GBP179.60, even if I make further contributions. If I don't make any further contributions, then I don't know what I get.

But where do they send the invitation code to?

OK, thanks. I need DWP to tell me what I need to pay to get the full pension. I was oblivious to the changes from 30 to 35 years, and have only started taking an interest since I turned 65 in March, and wanted to check how I claimed, and what I assumed would be my full pension.

So you pay about 50% of what the GBP27 pw would be, to top up to get the full GBP170 pw pension.

Perhaps you applied as a UK resident? The overseas form only suggests overseas accounts.

Thanks. Yes, I discovered on online form, so let's see how many weeks that takes to answer!

OK, got it. I will find out how many years I need to pay. Just confused why contributions jump from 30 years to 35 years to 40 years.

So if you hadn't contributed 5 years of AVCs, you would still have received GBP143? Presumably the 5 years cost to increase the weekly to GBP170 cost around GBP7,020? (Difference of GBP27 pw x 52 x 5).

OK, I have sent an online inquiry. Just so I have some idea, what did 5 years of AVCs cost you?

My record begins with: