PPGuy

Rather a sweeping statement about UK banks not allowing non UK resident account holders to run up an overdraft. I am UK non resident(with a Thai home address on record) and have current accounts with Halifax and First Direct in the UK that offer O/D facilities which I have used, from time to time.

Reading the linked article in the OP may assist.

I had my UK state pension stopped last week. Contacted the pension office and they confirmed it was due to non return of the POL certificate, which I never received. I did ask why these forms could not be sent by email, for those wishing that service. Response was a weak, 'well not all pensioners are up to speed on using email.' However, they did email me with a copy of the certificate which needs to be completed and returned to them before I can have my pension restarted. On topic: I am arranging the signature via Euro-Thai Law office, opposite side entrance to Big C on South Pattaya Road, near to the Key Visa office. Have used them previously as they have a Notary on staff and the cost is Bt500. As others have stated, copy of passport not required to be sent to UK, only completed form.

This link, on whether or not a personal allowance is applicable, may be relevant. It appears to indicate that Thai nationals resident in Thailand, do qualify for the PA. I would suggest that obtaining written confirmation from HMRC is preferable on all such matters. That can then be given to the pension provider as appropriate. I had an issue with HMRC a few years back when I first received the state pension. I was given a tax calculation that omitted any PA. As I receive no other UK income I considered that was incorrect and contacted HMRC. Once they confirmed I was a British citizen they adjusted the tax return and included the full PA in a subsequent calculation which confirmed that no tax was to be deducted from my State pension. https://taxresidenceguide.co.uk/individuals-entitled-to-the-uk-personal-allowance/#:~:text=The European Economic Area includes,%3B Slovenia%3B Spain%3B Sweden.

Today is the 5th May. Both 4th and 5th May are bank holidays in Thailand and unlikely to process overseas remittances until Monday 8th May.

This article gives some recent info on how winnings can be paid out that might be of interest: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/lucky-lottery-winner-in-thailand-banks-36-million-baht

Seems like the bank has finally agreed to settle the fraud case as noted in this 103FM report. Would be interesting to hear any details of the settlement.

I would also recommend this company. Have used them a number of times in the past few years and found them very efficient and economic. As noted they are close to Big C South Pattaya, a few doors up from Key Visa, heading to Sukhumvit.

Maybe give Stanley Gibbons a try. They are UK based but appear to be open to giving advice / valuations if contacted and have regular auctions. https://www.stanleygibbons.com/

I recently changed my state pension payments to weekly (from every 4 weeks) into mu UK bank account. A simple phone call did the trick. My understanding is that the choice of having weekly payments is only allowed for those paying into UK based accounts. Overseas payments are restricted to the longer, 4 or 13 week, payment cycles. That does not affect the frozen issue - mine is still frozen, no matter the pension payment cycle.

https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/mymatenate Yup, the socialblade website indicates he had 73m views in the past month. Given that the majority of viewers will be based in Thailand, the revenue will be quite low. Possibly $1 to $2 per 1,000 views. So your figure of $150k per month may be quite close. That would be gross, with deductions for YT commission and tax. No doubt he will also be making coin on sponsorship deals as well. Not too shabby.

Will the winner also receive a Darwin award after disappearing into the abyss?

This happened to me a number of times back in the early 90's at Betong. The Thai IO, at that time, was located in Betong, about 6km from the border. If entering from Malaysia close to the 6pm closure, the Betong IO would have closed by the time you arrived from the border. Not a problem for those only staying for a day or two before heading back to Malaysia (getting stamped in and out at the IO office with no hassle). Any travellers heading further into Thailand may have had an issue if not overnighting at Betong and receiving the stamp the next day. Also had this happen at Tak Bai when crossing the river by long tail boat. Again, next day stamp in / out was not an issue.

Reminds me of the Transport Ministry guy of a few years back. His house was robbed whilst his family were attending a wedding. The robbers couldn't fit all the cash into their loot bags and, when later caught with the dosh, seemingly many 100's of millions, indicated they left a similar amount, if not more, behind in the house. Can't recall the outcome but I'm sure the Ministry guy had a plausible excuse that 'satisfied' the investigators.......

Jail in Liberia back in 1980. This was when the army took over and there was a night curfew. My manager was involved in a minor traffic accident and a British embassy rep turned up at the company villa at 2am. needing someone to act as his 'boss' and read him the riot act so he could be released. So, that was me. Being driven through the empty streets of Monrovia in the embassy car, flashing lights and all, just hoping that the army guys were still sleeping off their night excesses, was rather surreal. All worked out fine and I was back in the villa in next to no time and the embassy rep left me with a smile having seen me earlier trying to explain my sudden departure to my local g/f..... Those were the days!!

Interesting Newsweek Op-Ed on Biden giving Trump a pardon. https://www.newsweek.com/president-biden-should-give-trump-pardonprecisely-because-he-doesnt-deserve-one-opinion-1790584. I recall there was some discussion about whether he secretly gave himself a pardon in the final days of his term in office. Also if that is even a possibility. Maybe we are about to find out..........

I believe there was a law enacted in early 90's that allowed those born with a foreign parent to change their ID number from a foreign designated ID to a Thai ID. The original Thai Birth Certificate being annotated to reflect that change. But, yes, in effect Thai ID's remain for life.

Many years back I set up a DD at the PEA Naklua office. This is near to the Amphur office and Police station, just off Sukhumvit. More recent visits indicate a modern setup. Maybe the Jomtien office might be more convenient for you but I have no experience of that office.

Yup. Received a 'We'd love to hear your feedback' email last night. Not opened as yet. So, you are also considered to be in the 'select group of customers'!!

This is the Kai Fak (sp?) loan and it is quite common in Thailand. Interest rate usually at 15%p.a. However it is risky as the lender can be seen as the last option for any borrower with, possibly, a high chance of the loan not being repaid in the agreed timescale. That would then result in the property being lost at a value much lower than market rate. This is an example: http://www.globalmortgagefinance.com/kai-faak-or-kai-faaq.html

-Well done. Sunday comments are the best......

Maybe need more info on the transfer to understand the reason(s) for such a delay. But a major element could be the upcoming weekend and public holiday on Monday, especially if there is a need for an FTT notification if using Bangkok Bank as the receiving bank.

Was based in Cairo a few years back and involved in a high value contract claim. Happened to be in our London office when there was a need for original docs to be submitted urgently due to submission deadlines. So, flew out to Cairo that night,handed over the docs and then flew back to LHR. By the time I arrived back in the London office there was a need of further original docs, so, off to LHR again. Same flight as previous night and the station manager was looking out for me as he was sure it was a computer error that had the same passenger booked for two consecutive flights!! Again, docs were handed over and returned to LHR. Maybe managed a short nap or 2 during the flights but I was certainly out on my feet when finally hitting the sack after that.