PPGuy

The Fry Group has had previous mentions concerning providing advice on pension matters. They are UK based but do have an office in Singapore. May be worth a contact.

As ever, caveat emptor should be to the fore.

I came across this story of the York Roman soldiers a few years back. Not totally convinced but it is rather intriguing.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1977/01/19/Ghosts-of-Roman-soldiers-haunt-ancient-city-of-York/6631571073639/

On a separate note.

Thai TV5 had a ghost programme running for a time where folk would recant their personal ghost stories. Unknown to me my family home in Pattaya was the subject of one of these stories. After a TV studio session with my Thai/UK son and his girlfriend the TV crew pitched up and did a tour of the house. This caused quite some excitement in the village and gawpers were out in force.

As usual, I was unaware of both the 'sightings' and the TV interest. First I knew was being advised to look at the TV5 facebook page and be prepared for a surprise!!

Anyway, no obvious outcome except a vague suggestion that a picture of the wife's long departed mother was involved in some way. All has been quiet since then, but the wife keeps the spirit house well stocked and the small garden bungalow has been repurposed with Buddha related ornaments and such like. 

This thread, initially rather confusing, refers to a poster who has applied for a US passport ID. It does take a bit of reading but the later posts may assist more.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1300949-passport-stuck-at-embassy-as-checkin-nears/#comment-18217978

13 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

I heard that unused land is being taxed. Where I live quite a lot of undeveloped plots around Na Jomtien/Bang Saray have been cleared and planted with banana trees/coconut/cassava to avoid the tax.

Is it possible that this is what's happening ?

I see exactly that in the East Pattaya location where I stay. A couple a large tracts of land have just been cleared and one is currently being planted and the other is being walled in and will likely have a similar outcome.

Initially I was concerned that they were being cleared for some entertainment purpose which would certainly mean the end to a rather peaceful 20 year existence. But that has likely been just delayed.......... 

1 hour ago, couchpotato said:

Darkside---all normal with 3bb and True.

Also on Darkside. Now fine, but the grandkids were complaining about 3bb being off this morning. I use True so had no problems. When I eventually checked on their 3bb connection it was working ok so thought they were joking but I see now it was genuine.

Am based in Pattaya and used Key Visa in early 2021, primarily due to covid transport restrictions. Took about 7 weeks to process and all went smoothly.

This was before Darren passed away but have not heard of any problems stemming from that sad event.

This video gives some info on the bus. A bit pricey though.

On 8/29/2023 at 8:51 AM, Purdey said:

Why doesn't the article give a reason for the departure of senior executives? Retired? Incompetence?

Listed companies really should explain themselves a little more clearly. 

Their hugely loss making investment in Stark has likely been a major reason for these management changes. This has impacted heavily on employee bonus projections leading to many unhappy campers.

https://www.kaohooninternational.com/markets/525506

Was based in Liberia during 1979/80 and visited Banjul on a business trip for a week in late 1979.

With Monrovia having a number of 'entertainment' options I foolishly assumed that Banjul would offer similar delights. However it soon became clear that only female Skandis of a certain age were being catered for. Was happy to head back to my nightly trawls of Gurley Street in Monrovia.

However that only lasted a few months more as M/Sgt Doe decided to take over the country and I was shipped off to the non-existent delights of Riyadh........

5 minutes ago, topt said:

I also however not for a few years. If anybody does go it would be useful to know if they maintained that price or have increased it, which I would not be at all surprised.

Last used by me in May this year. Cost was Bt500.

21 hours ago, sometime said:

Whats the name of the company

Thai Euro Law Office.

I have used it a number of times and the going rate for the notary service was always Bt500.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/สำนักงานไทย-ยูโรลอว์แอนด์แอ็ดไวส์เซอร์รี่+(+Thai-Euro+Law+Office+and+Advisory)/@12.9163998,100.8947422,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x3102960c7d3837f9:0x301cfdbf81c6d9ef!8m2!3d12.9163998!4d100.8947422!16s%2Fg%2F11r8bd57x?entry=ttu

3 hours ago, ross163103 said:

Just found out 2/08/2023 @1800 it was done for "content". This kind of crap has got to stop! Throw them all in jail to send a message, then deport them forever! 

https://www.77kaoded.com/news/sangk/2463355?fbclid=IwAR2346_bVqnXdJmdFk0JIiEhX6IYeoICF8kpfeSfYeyZ8ugbz8mSyw3AkFw#google_vignette

Seemingly a couple of Burmese lads were hired to act in a content creating video........

Seems that, for Spurs anyway. it never rains but it pours..........

https://aseannow.com/topic/1301096-nationwide-milk-shortage/

Looks to be nationwide.

I had similar issue a couple of months back with a stopped pension payment due to non receipt of a Life Cert. I went through the process of phone call/emailed form/signed form sent back to DWP / reinstatement of pension payments. Took about 4 weeks.

Then I saw a number of comments from pensioners who, with similar situation to me, actually had their payments re-instated based on the initial call to DWP.

I raised a complaint with DWP, as that was not my experience, and received the below noted response, which clearly states that a re-instatement of the payment on initial contact should be the case. It would be no surprise if this is still not happening but all should be aware that this should be the case. Those not being given this 'courtesy' should request it during any contact they have with DWP on the pension non payment issue.

Their final comment was a response to my comment on why they have such an antiquated system for dealing with Life Certs and can we expect any changes.........

Good morning 

Thank you for your email. 

I am sorry that your payment was not re-instated when you initially contacted the department, and thank you for bring to our attention the issues you have had. 

Due to postal issues oversea, we will usually extend the time a customer has to return the Life Certificate if they make contact and advise they have not received it. 

I have requested all agents are again made aware to extend this curtesy to our overseas customers so that they are not penalised due to postal issues. 

As a department we are looking at secure on line alternatives for our customers, but at this time it is still department policy to issue correspondence via post.

10 minutes ago, rwill said:

He definitely should be renting it out with the tenants paying for the utilities.  

The OP states they were paying their bills regularly with no arrears..........

https://aseannow.com/topic/1278951-ios-device-repairs-in-pattayathe-best-shop/

This repair shop gets many good reviews. It's located on SSCC between Sukhumvit and the railway track. I have used him with excellent results. His english is also very good.

On 6/22/2023 at 11:15 AM, scottiejohn said:

How and when your benefits are paid - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

PS;  They are paid in Surname Alphabetical order unless you request otherwise A-! Monday   !-W Friday

Payment date is based on last 2 digits of your NI number.

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension/when-youre-paid

OP, there have been a few very recent topics in this forum on the subject of UK pension suspended payments. this due to non return of undelivered Life Certs. E.g.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1295939-how-long-to-have-state-pension-reinstated-after-suspension/

Suggest you have a gander at some of the comments. I have just recovered from a period of suspended UK state pensions and a phone call to DWP was the easy option. They arranged to email me with a copy of the Life Cert. I completed it, sent it back, then had the backlog paid to me. All in, took about 3/4 weeks to conclude.

Some posters reckon DWP will reinstate the pension payments based on your initial call to them That was not my experience but I didn't ask if that was possible. So that should be on your list of things to ask when a call is made. 

Good luck. 

On 5/31/2023 at 2:38 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

Is it better to send the Life cert via DHL or similar?

Given my pension had been suspended due to non receipt of the Life Cert, I used DHL to ensure a speedy and easily tracked delivery process. It did come at a cost - just over Bt800.

In the past, being well within the enhanced 16 week period, I have used the airmail tracked service and that worked out just fine. Can't recall the cost but certainly much cheaper than DHL. I would use that again if no time constraints.

On 5/31/2023 at 2:10 AM, OJAS said:

Please let us know next Monday (on the basis that last Monday was a bank holiday in the UK) whether they were, in the event, as good as their word!

 

Funds received early today into my UK bank account. Amounted to 4 weeks which covers the full o/s amount. Now expecting my normal weekly pension transfer to kick in next Thursday.

Still annoying that DWP are making no signs of looking at updating their Life Cert verification process to bring it into the digital age. Would be ideal as an option for those able to deal with such an upgrade. Too much to hope for..........