Eff1n2ret

Sorry, I don't understand that. If you access the gov.uk website for renewing a passport, click the 'apply online' box, enter , for example, South Africa as your place of application and answer another couple of questions you'll get the instructions for how to apply online. It's the same for applying from most countries in the world. It's not necessary to be in the UK to apply online, we in Thailand are in one of the few countries where we suffer this arbitrary discrimination. I once wrote to HMPO and asked for an explanation and didn't get one.

In fact, it's possible to apply online from most countries in the world. The alleged reason why we in Thailand have to either apply in person or use an accredited agent is that we are required by law to be in possession of our passports at all times. This jobsworth interpretation by HMPO and the British Embassy is as you say ridiculous, (a) because in the 16 years I have lived here I've never been asked to produce my passport by anyone except immigration and hotel receptions, and the latter invariably accept my driving licence, and (b) if you hand your passport to an agent you are no longer in possession of it. Carrying a scan of your passport and current extension should meet any situation here.

I haven't tried to log in to the HMRC website since last May/June, so I tried just now. There is a change on the sign-in page, which now offers 3 options: Government Gateway - Government One Log-in - Create new sign-in details. I selected the first option with my existing user i/d and password and got the passcode to my Thai phone number as before, so nothing appears to have changed for existing users. I was relieved to see on the PAYE page that their forecast for my income and coding from April 2026 does not show any increase on my state retirement pension.

I'm sure I remember seeing posts that it's not possible now to register from Thailand either. I was able to do so 10 or more years ago, and get a passcode on my phone when I want to log on. I wonder if anyone has tried to apply in recent years.

That's what they told me when I phoned them around this time last year, not having received a postal notification. As you say, I think we can expect the next exercise next year.

In preparation for my extension application at Rayong Imm last week I downloaded and printed 3 forms from the Thai Immigration website - STM2, STM9, STM11. When I handed these in with the bundle the IO handed them back and said "We have new forms" and sent me to get them from the reception desk. There were two forms, which I didn't really read, I just quickly filled them in. No great panic, but I won't be wasting my own paper again. Whether the "new forms" are a local requirement or the 3 originals have been replaced but the website hasn't been updated I have no idea.

Is that common to all offices, or one of these requirements where offices make their own rules? Anybody know about Rayong, for instance?

That looks exactly like the one I bought from Office Mate about 4 years ago. I'm still using it, but the surface broke up a long time ago, and it is now covered in cloth and a towel. I wouldn't buy another one.

It doesn't get any better if you're over 80. My December and January payments were made. However, I also was unsuccessful in registering on the website and am locked out. I filled in a 'contact us' form a month ago, but have heard nothing. They're probably dealing with tens of thousands of those by drones working from home.

Yes. If you were looking at the house on the corner opposite the clubhouse, the landlord there maintains the pool.

We've been retired here 16 years, bought the house a few years before that. The developer buggered off about 7 years ago when the development was completed but the Land Office refused to sign it off because the place had planning permission for 2 developments, but they built it as one. They are facing legal proceedings, but who knows when there will be any favourable outcome for us residents. Some of the houses were bought on speculation by buyers who have never or rarely lived here, a good few are rented. We residents are in a catch-22 because we cannot enforce payment of a modest maintenance fee, hence the 'tired look'. There is, however, a spirit of cooperation and enough comes from voluntary payments to keep security on the gate overnight and occasional maintenance of the park. The place is quiet and civilised, and we're quite happy living here.

I once had a similar problem on my Isuzu D-Max - a broken gear selector cable. The dealers aren't far away, they sent someone who jury-rigged it, I think with cable ties, which kept us going for a day or two until they had the part.

I do it my way to minimise my remittances to Thailand which might incur a tax rate of more than 3%. Yes, I know, the anoraks will tell you that credit card payments are also liable to Thai tax, but unless the Revenue Department do a number on you I can't imagine how they can distinguish foreign credit card payments by tourists from those made by 180-day+ residents.

It's disappointing that the news bulletins now can't pronounce the name of the city where they come from. "Pt eye ah" just sounds like some ill-educated amateur Youtuber and detracts from the presentation.

I paid for a cataract operation in November c. 60k Baht using my UK credit card, it went straight through without verification. The only drawback is the 3% foreign currency surcharge, but for larger purchases I prefer the convenience and also reducing the remittances to my Thai bank.