Calmer

On 6/21/2023 at 12:07 PM, Guderian said:

I'm asking this because in less than a year I'll be getting a Dutch state pension, so will have to do the annual PoL thing for them. I've asked a number of people in Pattaya and nobody has been able to point me to a Thai SSO. When I use Google, I get directed to the SSO HQ in Nonthaburi, not to any local office that the public can use. Can you post a picture of what the SSO you use looks like in Hat Yai, that may help me identify one in Pattaya?

The Pattaya SSO is in Laem Chabang. But how would a Thai SSO be able to help you?

2 hours ago, nickcar said:

Can you tell me the email address for the IPC? I have returned my form but they obviously haven’t received it as they have sent me another copy

 

 

Contact page - https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre

2 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

One of the acceptable occupations for countersigning these forms are UK Civil Servants, including those who are retired, l suspect they are two a satang in Thailand, many of whom would be only too pleased to countersign the form without a fee.

 

There are also a number of retired bank managers living here who might also do the honours.
 

Good idea! Maybe I should advertise ????

BTW, I noticed there are many 'professions' suggested for people to use to counter sign these 'life forms'. Which do most people use? I've tried bank managers, even police here with this kind of stuff before, and always ended up with expensive lawyers (2000 baht for a stamp and a tel. no.). Professions don't seem to like to do this kind of thing here. Haven't tried my dentist yet. Maybe ...

5 hours ago, transam said:

The problem maybe is, perhaps the last person to man-handle the envelope............

Lost count of the Christmas cards that never arrived...????

My bank sends out a credit card statement every month (they tell me). I receive between 3 and 5 each year. That's not a good % But they're pretty good at substituting other people's mail for the ones I should get. 

9 hours ago, thoengthaied said:

Not correct. I had the same problem last payday and sussed that I hadn't received a life certificate for a long time. I phoned the Pensions Department and they confirmed that they hadn't received the Life Certificate. I told them that I had never received one and they took the suspension off my pension immediately and my pension arrived in my Thai bank after a wait of a further 10 days. They emailed a Life Certificate to me and I sent it back by EMS. I have tracked the letter and it has been received, so no worries for another year. I phoned the Pensions Dept. again and asked if, because I had a blank LIfe Certificate now stored in my email, maybe I should send that back to them every 12 months so avoiding Thai Post not delivering the next ones. They said that it would be no good doing that because, when received, they would see that there was no LC outstanding and not link it to my account. They said that LCs are sent out randomly at approx 18 month intervals, but it is totally random. I should therefore keep checking my mail and keep crossing my fingers that my pension keeps arriving. If it doesn't I shall just have to call them again.

What a bizarre system.

Many thanks for the replies guys. Very helpful. I agree the most likely answer is the 'proof of life' cert. I'm 71, and never had one, so didn't know it existed. I tried calling the phone number given but after a wait of 15 minutes while listening to some 'irk' strumming a guitar, and being told continuously to 'continue to hold', I gave up. Will try later in the day (UK time). 

Anyone else experiencing UK monthly pension payment delays via Bahtnet? My last one should have been received 8th June. Not received still on 16th. I've had 2/3 day delays in the past but never this long. I've already sent a message to UK pensions via their website, but 10 day reply times indicated.