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There will never be a good time. A petition on this subject crops up on average every couple of years or so, and none of them have had any effect at all. I don't sign them any more, because I've realised that they are a con job, a Blair invention to give us little people the illusion that our opinion counts for something. If a petition achieves 10k signatures the Government department concerned is obliged to respond, which it does by trotting out a justification of its current policy - and that's it. If 100k signatures are racked up, it triggers a debate in the House of Commons, to which a Government Minister responds, again with a repeat of current policy. There was such a debate a few years back, although it wasn't triggered by one of these petitions, but by a Private Members Motion (10 Minute Rule Bill, or something like that). It was sponsored by Sir Roger Gale MP, who as part of his speech actually read out an email I had sent him on the subject.* After a glib response by a Junior Minister, that was that. From memory, only once has one of these petitions ever succeeded in shifting Government policy, in the Blair/Brown era when there was a massive protest against a fuel duty increase, with many millions of signatures. Otherwise all that happens is that a civil servant waves the bit of paper denoting the few thousand signatures and says, "Well, Minister, there is no great demand for any change, I'll just respond as before, shall I?" - and another one bites the dust. No-one should be under any illusion that there is any great support back in Blighty for the anachronistic rules governing our pensions to be changed, in fact there are some who say that having chosen to desert the country we're not entitled to anything at all. So don't waste your time signing these petitions. Writing to your MP occasionally makes an impression, although that too is a long way from getting any change. *Hansard, 20 April 2017, Volume 624, Column 828

Gilbert and Sullivan – If you give me your attention Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Dear me, you're a barrel of laughs, aren't you?. As an aficionado of old British comedy tv, perhaps you remember the Monty Python sketch about the irritating to55er who sat next to somebody saying "Nudge nudge, wink wink, know what I mean?" Fits you to a T, squire.

There was a brief period a while back when there was immediate approval of an online submission, which could only have been computer generated. From memory, it only happened for me once, maybe twice. I guess that got dropped because too many jobs were at risk, and the system is now as you say.

Rain in the rainy season - whatever next?

Presumably you're asking on the Consular website because you hope a Consular Officer will reply. If they do bother, all they will probably do is refer you to the HMRC website. You need to consult a tax lawyer, supplying your history and all current details.

Why, did they think they are entitled to a job for life?

Yes, I gave up on the show because of the forced hysterical laughter.

It's a good question, I've been wondering similar myself, what I would do if/when my UK bank account goes t!ts up. (yes, yes, I've read about Wise). I have an instant access account with Skipton International in Guernsey, which is linked to my UK bank account. I did ask Skipton a while back about linking to a Thai account, and it seems to be possible, they said they'd need to see a bank statement with my name and address here on it. I'm not sure whether they allow linking to two accounts, although I think they do, but I haven't done anything about it since. I assume I could get my pensions paid to Guernsey, so my only real loss would be a UK debit card, and I'm not sure how I could pay for my UK credit card, assuming I managed to keep that (it's not directly issued by my UK bank).

Let's hope that our representatives are prepared to make that argument vigorously if it comes to it, and also argue that if the Thai authorities want evidence that income has already been taxed, that should be a one-off event for pensioners at least. We shouldn't have to jump through yet another hoop every year.

That seems to be the way it works. From the renewal of my passport 3 years ago the transfer of stamps show firstly a visit stamp at Pong Nam Ron, a 90-day Non B visa from Bangkok and a manual endorsement denoting a 1-year Non-B extension. That appears to be how Immigration now view my history, although I previously had 1-year retirement visas issued in Hull (remember them?) and reverted to Retirement extensions after the Non B.

He seems to have found a whole new way to have a mid-life crisis.

I hope they bury it well. I'm reminded of a news report some years back about a village in rural Thailand where there was a rabies scare. The authorities rounded up all the soi dogs, had them put down and buried outside the village. A few local lads had the bright idea of digging some up and having a barbecue. The report ended by saying they were under observation in hospital.

Correct. This question has popped up several times in the past. I commented on the second of those linked topics because I successfully transitioned from a 'B' to an 'O' retirement extension some years ago without leaving the country. The OP can read up on that if he wants.

If I'd waited for the Proof of Life requests from the DWP my pension would have been stopped a long time ago. Edit- and I never received either my bank debit card or my HSBC credit card that were posted to me here. I had to get replacements sent to UK addresses.

Whether it's a bulk mailing or otherwise, I rarely receive any UK mail here (if It arrives at all) in less than 6 weeks. A First Direct circular headed "We've removed all first direct fees when using your debit card overseas" dated July 2023 arrived here in mid September. This is typical. I'm still awaiting a birthday card posted on 31st August.

It's very difficult to say for sure. One thing you can be certain of (in my opinion) is that you can't open an account with a UK bank if they know you are living in Thailand. I was with First Direct for many years before I came here 14 years ago, and they've had my address here ever since. So far they have shown no signs of shutting me down. I keep the account active, and maintain a healthy balance in it. However, a few years ago they declined to roll over an annual savings scheme in which I had been investing for a few years previously (originally at their suggestion!!) because "you are not a UK resident". I live in hope that as a long-standing customer from whom they derive a little profit they will allow me to keep my account - but who knows?

Perhaps I'll test the policy by taking a rat - although I'll probably be besieged by gourmets asking where the rat counter is.

Our local store is on that list. The first time I see a cat or dog in one of the supermarket trolleys will be the last time I shop there.

Bully for Bing. I don't want to start an argument, but on this page:- Help & contact us | The National Lottery (national-lottery.co.uk) - I found this:- "Can I play if I’m not in the UK or Isle of Man? To be able to log into and use your National Lottery account you need to be physically in the UK or Isle of Man. You are not permitted to purchase entries into National Lottery games whilst situated outside of the UK or IOM. Subject to the residency requirement, entries into games you purchased before leaving the UK or IOM will not be affected, however you will not be entitled to claim any prizes associated with entries purchased whilst you are outside the UK or IOM. If you set up a Direct Debit before leaving the UK and are still a UK or IOM resident these tickets will still be valid. If you are not a resident of the UK or IOM, you are not eligible to play The National Lottery online or on the app, even when you are visiting the UK or IOM. The National Lottery website uses Experian to perform an E-identity check to ensure players are UK or IOM residents. You can however play in store at one of our retail outlets, although you will be required to return to the UK to claim any prize won. We determine residency by considering whether someone has been physically located in the UK or IOM for more than 183 days in the previous 12 months." My interpretation of the line in bold print is that a non-resident is not entitled to open an online account, even if doing so in the UK. If someone can satisfy the Experian check I'm sure they will be happy to take your money. They might be a bit more rigorous when it comes to paying out 50 or 100 million. I think I'll stick to buying a ticket when I'm there.

Fair enough. As they say, good luck.

Presumably that is by setting up an account. Good luck on getting paid out if you hit the jackpot. This from the "Terms and Rules":- "– You can only use Your Account when You are physically located in the UK or Isle of Man. If You use Your Account to play Games when You are not physically located in the UK or Isle of Man, Camelot will not be liable to pay a Prize to You in respect of those Games (see Section 2.6)." I buy a ticket for the maximum number of weeks (4?) when I'm there, but I wouldn't waste my money on an account. They're not stupid.

How many live in Thailand and how many of those bother with Asean Now is anybody's guess. All of us with pension income are familiar with the requirement from time to time to prove that we haven't pegged out. In my experience the only difficulty is the reliance of pension providers on snail mail to make such requests and non-delivery by the Thai Post Office. Actually supplying the proof isn't very difficult. I'm just curious as to what particular difficulties you have experienced with GMPF?

No, Rayong.

You just never know. I submitted online on Tuesday morning this week and got the approval yesterday afternoon - the quickest it's been for a long time.