Eddie45

Ricky was a top fighter and top bloke. RIP.

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I am thinking about applying for an LTR Visa. How safe is it to invest in Thai Government bonds?

I plan on flying into Bangkok and staying for 2 days and then flying to Vietnam for 1 week and then flying back to Bangkok and staying for a 2 week holiday before flying back home. I will get 2 60 day Visa Exemptions. Will this be okay with immigration. I cant see a problem but just wanted to check as dont want to mess my holiday up.

Just read this article on the matter. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/fury-at-threat-to-means-test-state-pension-how-long-have-mps-been-planning-this/ar-BB1q9L89

The UK State Pension is classed as a benefit now. Is it only a matter of time before you will be means tested and anyone with over X amount of savings/investments is not entitled to the UK State Pension.

The full state pension is £221.20 a week. So if you moved to Europe for 6 months and then moved back to Thailand would they freeze your pension at £221.20 a week or would it go back to the previous frozen amount.

Thanks for the info. So if you moved to Europe and lived there full time. Would you be entitled to the full state pension going forward even though you pension has been frozen for the time you have spent in Thailand.

Do you need to spend X Amount of time in Thailand per year before they start freezing your Pension or does it happen when you stay for more than 183 days in any tax year and you become a Tax Resident of Thailand. I would like to know how it works.

What's the reasons are UK State Pension's are Frozen in Thailand but not the Philippines. Seems really unfair. The countries arent exactly a million miles away from each other.

Its a total joke the UK Government freeze pensions. If you work for 35 years and pay into the system you should be able to live where you want. They are just upset the money isnt being spent in the UK.

Hamus, I wouldnt loose any sleep over it. Looks like Labour are going to win the Election easily. Alot of people arent taking into that Covid, the Ukraine War and inflation was out of the Conservatives control, plus people are sick of Sunak and Hunt. 2 rich little boys who are totally out of touch with real people. One other point Sunak wife is a tax dodger.

Great advice from AreYouGerman and Gecko123. Get your visa and bank account in your own name sorted out and then dont rush all the other tasks.

MalcolmB, If you have trouble opening a bank account you can pay a visa agent 5000 baht to open the account for you, plus you can get your retirement visa processed at the same time but you need to go and see the visa agent when you have a new 30 day waiver.

MalcolmB, I wish you all the best with your retirement but becareful how you spend your funds. Say for example you spend $50,000 building a house on your girlfriends land, make sure you would be happy to walk away in the future and losing that $50,000 isnt going to affect your life.