PPGuy

22 hours ago, PPGuy said:

 

Sent them an email chaser today asking when I might receive any funds but don't really expect a response any time soon.

Will likely give them a call next week if no money / response by then. Although, given next Monday is a UK bank holiday, can only expect further delays.

 

Well, actually just received an email response.

This stated that my Life Cert has been processed and that a payment covering the o/s period will be issued overnight and to expect a credit to my bank account within 5 working days.

So, good experience. 

I have the same problem.

I have my frozen UK state pension paid weekly into a UK bank, being due every Thursday. Not paid 2 weeks back and I called DWP and received the expected 'no Life Cert' response. They arranged to send me a copy by email. Completed form was received by them on Monday, 22nd but no sign of any payment today, my usual payment date. No big surprise.

Sent them an email chaser today asking when I might receive any funds but don't really expect a response any time soon.

Will likely give them a call next week if no money / response by then. Although, given next Monday is a UK bank holiday, can only expect further delays.

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

 

Ah ha! Now the truth emerges. UK banks do not allow non UK resident account holders to run up an overdraft. That's the real reason why Barclays are closing your account, not solely because you're non resident.

 

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. 

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.

13 hours ago, couchpotato said:

"Euro Law", in the small soi adjacent to Big C Pattaya Thai.

I have used them for over 15 years for various legal matters.

He is a lawyer and Notary Public.

She speaks perfect Thai and English.

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/

11 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to why many members here are paid their state pension either 4 or 13 weeks in arrears.

 

For the past 18 months or so, I requested and this was approved by state pension, to pay me weekly using Wise Ltd, i.e. payments in advance rather than 4 weekly payments in arrears.  Every 4/5 weeks I transfer to a Thai bank.

 

Admittedly, there is always 3 or more weeks payments on hold in Wise.  

Pros:  Payments in advance - wait for a decent exchange rate.
Cons:  3 or more weeks payments tied up in Wise. 

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.

53 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

It must be Songkran time. The top story. A big you tube star has a girlfriend and they are both rich! Yippee! ... meanwhile in The Ukraine ????

 

Side note: Having 13.1 Million followers on Youtube is NOT a trivial thing. That is huge and the revenue his channel generates could easily be 150K USD a month.

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.

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.

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..........

On 3/27/2023 at 7:58 AM, DrJoy said:

No.

Once issued at birth, it can never be changed

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'!!

20 minutes ago, rak sa_ngop said:

Not a bad translation. This is what the money lender requires to provide the loan. Yes, the money lender owns the property until it repaid and then the chanote has to be transferred back (at a cost) once the loan is repaid.

 

Is this method common or unusual.? Any comments welcome.

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

8 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

So the man comes and waits with you down the street?

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