MangoKorat

The nation may seek that - the government have other ideas. The last election showed just how much 'democracy' exists in Thailand.

OP, can't help you with the price or who can do it but check out the tolerances with the manufacturer first. Then have the surface measured to see what degree of warp there is. Its not quite as simple as just having a head skimmed - especially if its a diesel. There are tolerances and clearances to deal with some diesels run with valves so close to the pistons that just a few thou off can cause them to meet. Again, with diesels you can cause 'knock' if you raise the compression too high (skimming raises compression). Some manufacturers offer different thicknesses of gasket so as to be able to compensate. Its not quite as easy as it sounds - a good engine reconditioner will know the tolerances and what's possible. Never had the need to even try to locate an engine reconditioner in Thailand so can't help you with that either. Best I can suggest is ask a decent local garage - although I suspect most don't bother with recons - 100:1 they buy a s/h motor from a breakers.

Really? When I was in the business we'd have at least 2 heads a month skimmed.

???? If the OP is talking about a car engine, he would have a hard time finding someone in Thailand that can skim a cylinder block. In 25 years of being a mechanic, I've never heard of anyone having a block skimmed. Besides, it would be virtually impossible to skim a lot of modern blocks as they are linered.

Yep, open any Thai's car glove box.

Yeah, loads of Velasco's in Thailand, lots of Joshua's too. Almost as common as Somchai.

Listen, we have enough keyboard warriors on here, its not big and its not clever, you simply make yourself look like an A Hole. Don't call people names you wouldn't dare call them to their face. As I told you before - that's just semantics. Obviously you don't understand what that means - Google it. Technically you haven't entered but the reality is that you are there. And, also in reality land, where most of us live, you can be sent out. Stop splitting hairs in a pathetic attempt to look clever. The reality in terms of what happens to you is exactly the same!

Good to know thanks.

A friend is in Thailand on a Multi Non O. His British Passport is completely full and he has obtained a new one - the visa is in his old one. He will be making a border bounce to Cambodia next month and has been told that Thai Immigration at the Cambodian Border will swap his visa into his new passport. I have a feeling that is not correct and he will have to visit his local Immigration Office and get the visa swapped before he leaves the country. Anyone know what's correct?

Yes, I'd mentioned the same earlier. I've also myself and heard of a few people who have argued their case at immigration and the I.O. has backed down. This is why I always carry the required 20,000 baht or equivalent. If they want to deny you entry and you don't have that, you have a problem. They will simply use the lack of 20k and it matters not if their original reasons were invalid. they have you on a clear rule of entry. I would guess that the vast majority of people don't carry 20k with them and there's rarely a problem. However, its likely to cost a lot more than 20k to pay for a ticket out + the other things you may have lost through denied entry. I don't care what others say/do. Its not a problem to carry 20k.

Only a bit of a knob?

And you know that how? I would suggest that immigration can do whatever they like but really, I don't understand the point of your argument, the end result is the same. I talked to someone around 10 years ago who was told he was not going to be allowed in as it was deemed he should have been entering on a visa. He called his lawyer who spoke to immigration. He was then taken somewhere - I presume the holding cells you mention whilst his lawyer spoke to someone else in immigration. After which he was stamped in for 2 weeks whilst his lawyer argued his case. I presume that meant some form of appeal. I know this because I spoke to this guy outside the airport at what was then a smoking area. He had arrived in Thailand to get divorced and was told that as he was technically visiting his wife, he should have had a visa. At that time I had just been told that I was only being allowed in as an exception because I should also have obtained a visa. from his description, I think we both went to the same booth and were questioned by the same female I.O. I was married at the time and had entered visa exempt because my Non O had expired. I visited every 8 weeks and stayed for 2 weeks. I didn't see the point of obtaining another Non O as I only stayed for 2 weeks. I had entered around 3 times visa exempt after my visa expired. I was given a hard time but after speaking to my wife on the phone, the I.O. told me I was being allowed in but that would be the last time without a visa. I had no reason to doubt what this guy told me and I believe that I.O.'s can virtually do as they please. They often ignore the rules and do as they wish on other matters but sometimes end up with egg on their face when faced with a lawyer. Korat immigration have for example, lost 2 cases in court where they have made up their own version of the rules.

I understand the difference very well - what I don't understand is what you are arguing about. The point is that someone denied entry can appeal. If they appeal they will be detained until their appeal is heard. If they lose the appeal they will be sent out of the country, either back to where they came from or to their home country. Either way they will not be staying in Thailand - whether or not you choose to call that deportation or denied entry makes no difference, they will be leaving. Your semantics are pointless.

Possibly, I can only go by what was commented on at the time. It would be quite easy for immigration to stamp you in for say 7 days but to detain you. An entry stamp does not prevent arrest and it can be cancelled at any time. The Thai authorities have the absolute right to deport you if ultimately, you are found to have failed to meet Thailand's conditions of entry. Those conditions can be anything they want them to be - you would hardly be in a position to argue. Whatever, IDC or airport, you would still be incarcerated in pretty bad conditions and that in itself may deter some, if not most, from appealing.

As the owner of one, I can state quite clearly that you are wrong in geographical terms. They are a highly efficient energy converter. The only problem I have with an air source heat pump such as the one I have, is that I made the wrong choice for my situation. To make a heat pump efficient in terms of heating water, you need to have a high demand for hot water - I don't. I could take you to a restaurant just outside Pattaya that has had the exact same model of pump that I have for many years. They use a lot more hot water than I do and the owner will clearly tell you that his bill for heating water has been cut by more than half. I don't know which country you are referring to when you say they were installed compulsorily but if its a cold country, I can understand why you don't think highly of them. Despite the claims of manufacturers they don't seem to work well at all in cold countries. We are having all sorts of problems with them in the UK. I can however tell you, that in a hot country such as Thailand, they work very well.

People may well be reading things into the new rules which are not there Sheryl - however, for many it raises the prospect that income that they previously thought was not taxable - and indeed that they have been receiving into Thailand for many years thinking that they did not have to report it, at least to the RD, may well be taxable. My understanding so far is that, using the example of, for example, a UK pensioner receiving only the basic state pension and no other income, that pension may now be taxable (in Thailand). I believe that the DTA between the UK and Thailand does not cover income that is not taxable in the UK (below the UK tax threshold) The UK income threshold for taxation in £12570 per year. As the basic state pension is £10,200 per year there is no tax payable in the UK. Although there are other allowances for spouses, life insurance, children etc, the basic Thai tax threshold is 150,000 baht or around £3410 at today's exchange rate. I have not seen anything that states that if no tax is payable in the country in which the income is derived, there will also not be any tax payable in Thailand. So reading what I have read so far, which I accept may well be wrong, on the face of it a UK basic state pension which is not taxable in the UK (provided no other income takes the total over £12,570), will indeed now be taxed. At today's exchange rate the basic UK state pension will = almost 450,000 so the taxable amount will be 300,000 less any other allowances that the taxpayer is entitled to but on the face of it - @ 10% tax (the rate for incomes between 300,000 and 500,00) the recipient could face a tax bill of 30,000 baht. Not a fortune I accept but its 30,000 that would not be payable in the recipients home country. If the above is correct, those affected the most will be single people. There are other allowances such as the spouse allowance and children's allowances that may substantially reduce the tax payable.

Nope, only income brought into Thailand is taxable.

Yes, now you mention it, that's somewhere in my memory too.

I've never read of anyone actually doing it - only that it is available. I seem to remember though, although its a long time back, that someone posted that when he decided to appeal, immigration changed their mind and let him in. That is possibly understandable if you think you have good grounds such as when they just don't like your entry and so use the 20k ruse. Many could probably show that they have 20k available but its in a bank account. However, as I understand it, if you appeal you are held at IDC until the appeal is decided, thai in itself may put some off appealing.

Thanks, that was exactly the info I was looking for - re: an appeal.

I can't see any reply from ubonjoe in that thread.

Is that from an official Thai source? If so, could you please give details as this is very important? Just to clarify, UK state pension is not tax free, it is considered as taxable income and counts toward the total of any income you receive. In reality, most people don't pay tax on their pensions as their total income falls below the tax threshold of £12570 per year. I know nothing about pensions, tax thresholds or income from other countries so commenting from a purely UK/Thailand position............................................................ The basic UK state pension is currently £203.85 per week or £10,200.20 per year. If your income from other sources i.e. employment takes your total income to over £12570, you pay tax on it. Private pensions may have been taxed at source and therefore adjustments would have to be made. Income from property, i.e. rent, will also become taxable but will be subject to various allowances. So (excluding income from private pensions or property because they depend on specific circumstances as per the above), you are living abroad and your UK pension is the basic £10,200 you will not pay any tax in the UK. It remains to be seen whether or not it will be taxable in Thailand where the threshold is way below £10,200. Those who have private UK pensions/other income from the UK in addition to their state pension may well be receiving a total of well over the UK tax threshold and will therefore be taxed in the UK. Previously, my understanding of the double taxation agreement was that if income had been assessed and subject to tax in the UK, it would not be assessed or taxed in Thailand. I'm no accountant and it seems, from what I've read as a result of these new Thai tax laws, that UK income will form part of assessable income in Thailand but credit given for tax paid in the UK. How that actually works out, I know not but if correct, it brings about the possibility that tax may well be payable in Thailand and the UK.

Well I still think a lot of clarification is needed/will become available soon but............................................ I thought Thailand wanted to promote itself as somewhere to retire to? It seems to me that taxing pensions that wouldn't be taxable in the country they were paid in is something we call - shooting yourself in the foot, is it not? I suspect that many pensioners have retired to Thailand because their pension goes further and therefore they can enjoy a better life during their retirement. I also suspect that those pensioners, who I would add, have no claim to Thai benefits or healthcare. spend a substantial if not massive amount of money in Thailand every month. Some sell their properties back home and buy one/have one built in Thailand - again, income for Thailand. Many of those people will have seen their pensions worth far less over the last few years due to falling exchange rates. This may tip the balance and I guess many will be forced to leave. So will Thailand not actually earn less in tax income? At least at the moment they get 7% Vat on most things the foreign pensioners buy. Those 'rich retirees' and business people the Thai government claim to be trying to attract to Thailand will, like they do in most other countries, have ways of avoiding tax and will not be of any use to Thailand in terms of income tax.

Firstly, of course I know where Savannakhet is. Exactly the same applies at any Thai embassy or consulate - they are unlikely to closely scrutinise any signatures provided the documents are as required. Why are my comments incorrect - may I ask?

Interesting. I wonder how this would work then........................... Let's say you are from a country that has a double taxation agreement with Thailand that means tax is paid where it is earned but in that country your income, say a state pension, is below the tax threshold meaning you pay no tax. Is that money then classed as tax paid? It is highly likely that many expats in such positions will not get sufficient pension for it to be over the tax threshold in the country where its paid but it will almost certainly be over the Thai tax threshold. Will that income be classed as taxable in Thailand or assesed for tax in the country where it was paid and therefore exempt?