samtam

"Why didn't they ask Evans?", the Hugh Laurie adaptation of Agatha Christie's book. Binge-watched this 3 episode mini series yesterday, but found it to be completely tedious, and looking back on it today, can't recall, (or care) why. Beautiful sets, in rolling Gloucestershire and Welsh countryside, but the editing was quite mad. I know it's supposed to be a mystery, and in that sense it succeeded. It still is. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14829590/

Claim pensions on +44 191 218 7777 press #3. Much easier to claim over the phone than by filling in the forms. But you have to answer a lot of questions, including when you started working in UK, when you ceased working in UK, when you started living abroad etc, (dates including day, month and year). So get all your details ready.

Also currently payments are taking 14 to 16 weeks to be processed, so the claim I made on 6 April will be paid in August, backdated to my 66th birthday.

I turned 66 on 31 March, but delayed claiming until the new rate of GBP203.85 came into effect on 6 April. Made the claim, but I will only get the rate effective at 31 March: GBP185.15, which is not inflation adjusted for retirees living in Thailand. The OP needs to first call the Future Pensions Centre on +44 191 218 3600. They will inform you of the amount you need to top up to get the maximum pension available for the years not fully paid. The best time to call this number, (and the DWP telephone number +44 191 218 7777 when making a claim) is at their opening, 08.00 (currently 14.00 in Thailand). You should get straight through. It's worth buying Skype to cover any prolonged calls, and I rang both places and HMRC several times. The increase is only available to those whose 66th birthday is after 5 April 2023, if you are not a UK resident. (See above.) My understanding is that deferment would only get you the 5.8% increase for 1 year, and only deferrment until 2025 (2 years after your 66th birthday). Thereafter, as a Thai resident, you would revert to the amount payable on your 66th birthday.

My online 90 day report submitted on 20 March was given its next report date as 18 June, well past my Extension of Stay renewal on 30 April. This is at Cheangwattana, (Bangkok).

Same with property prices in London, which are massively inflated by foreign ownership, (Arab, Chinese and Russian predominantly, but including rich foreigners from every country, including Thailand, of course). Foreign ownership is not illegal in UK, and in London those who have property benefit from the inflation of their asset. Those who do not own property, (predominantly the younger generation), can barely afford to make ends meet. And these include key workers like those in healthcare, public transport etc.

It is possible the terms of the Thailand Elite membership change too.

As I noted, that's why I decided 3 years ago to use an agent to do all things related to IMM (at CW). He is up to speed with whatever shenanigans there are at CW, and I fulfill my financial obligations (correct funds -THB800K) permanently in the bank, and all the letters from said bank, including a 1 year statement, plus passbook, plus letter etc etc. His fee is money well-spent as far as I'm concerned, and good for my blood pressure.

Exactly. I think the TM.30 has gone into hibernation again, to be brought out when another big joke is required.

I use an agent now for all things IMM related. We live in Bangkok, and filed the TM.30 when the furore first arose, (pre-covid), and have lived in the same address. Last year in May we went to Koh Samui for 3 nights at an hotel, where they probably filed a TM.30. Upon returning to our address in Bangkok I asked the IMM if I/he needed to file a TM.30 or not. He said "no". In October last year we went to Spain and upon return I again asked the same question. Again, the same answer: "no". Since the May trip, I have obtained a new passport and the stamps were transferred without any issue, and my agent has filed all the 90 day reports since, with no issues. I don't even pretend to understand when, why or how the TM.30 needs to be filed now.

Except PM2.5????

Can you not block them? My Dtac & Samsung S21 blocks all spam calls as spam. Not sure how that identification works. WhatsApp you can block, if they use the same number each time.

They have to discuss the date for next year's meeting.

If you apply in Thailand the VFS application office provide a British Embassy letter for IMM to allow you to transfer stamps from old passport to new.

Sharper: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12573454/?ref_=tt_urv Started off ok, but then so many twists and turns in the last segment I was itching for it to end, so I could go to sleep.

I wouldn't hold my breath.

What about the (chief) purser? He/She has the responsibility, but I suppose only takes the salary, not the accountability.

Wash, rinse, repeat. Burn, rain, repeat.

Is Thai Eye Center "his uncle's center"?

Thank you! I'm 65, but in good physical health, and have no comorbidities. I will wait until the bivalent becomes available in Thailand, although that may be more than another 2 months (which will be 6 months after my infection).

I am reading a sea change in the need to get vaccine boosters for covid. I've had 3 (the last 12 months ago), covid itself 3 months ago, (nearly 4), and I was planning on getting a 4th vaccination 4 months after my infection, as previously recommended by the CDC. But, as I said, there seems to be a growing school of thought that thinks it is not a good idea to get any more boosters. I don't know if any doctors here would subscribe to that, as most are in thrall to big Pharma. My query is simply to find out if others are reading the same articles. The Wall Street Journal has one about the new bivalent vaccine, which says it is not as effective as the original vaccine. < Link to unapproved social media source removed >

Or use zebra crossings/crosswalks to get from one side of the road to the other.

Thank you so much. Will certainly give it a go.

I'm on board with that.

I will operate that way too for the foreseeable. I'm having another vax in a month, so maybe the operator can do the magic and update my records, (Mor Prom, Yellow passport and Vax Certs).