MangoKorat

Many non Asian men cannot understand this concept, the reality is that its part of Thai culture. If you live in Thailand with your Thai wife, you will of course be expected to support your wife's family - the trick is in knowing where the limits are and when you are simply being ripped off. A Thai man, if he had money, would face exactly the same in most cases. Its akin to 'family social security' - just remember that government social security doesn't exist (in reality) for many Thai citizens. However, its nothing to do with the fact that some Thai women actively target Western men in order to extract cash from them - there is a difference but it can sometimes be difficult to see. Many years ago I was asked to pay quite a large amount for an operation my then mother in law needed. I called a family meeting and told them straight - there are five children, all are married and all should contribute what they could afford, I was not going to pay for everything, I also had a family back home. I'm not going to claim it was accepted easily, they each had their excuses as to why they couldn't pay but at the end of the day, the MIL had her operation and I paid 40%. The biggest benefit of sitting them down and stating my case was that such requests were few and far between after that.

I can't agree with that. Feminism is not rampant with Thai women. I consider both men and women to be equal - no problems with that. However, I also believe that we each have our place - designed by nature. Men are the 'provider' because (in the main) they have the strength. Women have breasts because they feed the babies. Simplistic but factual. The problems exist because of the tendency of men in many civilisations to subjugate women.

The question many may pose is exactly who is the criminal - those who don't notify the UK authorities they are living abroad or the UK Government for refusing to allow such people to receive their pension increases? Take 2 UK citizens who have paid in identical conributions to the state pension fund. One stays in the UK and receives all his annual increases, the other moves abroad and his pension is frozen on the day he leaves. The bloke who moves abroad stops costing the UK for doctor/hospital appointments and/or treatment. The bloke who stays is likely, as we all are, to need an increasing amount of appointments and treatment as he ages. If he gets a serious illness it could cost the UK a hell of a lot of money whilst the bloke living abroad has to pay for his own treatment. I can't see any justification whatsoever to freeze the pensions of people who choose to move to a warmer climate in their retirement. There is supposed to be some sort of social security arrangement with countries where you can move to without your pension being frozen - The Philippenes for example. Do you believe that? Have you ever heard of any UK retirees in The Philippenes receiving free hospital treatment? Genuine question. You clearly have different thoughts but I know who I believe the real criminals are. I would also point out that whilst people like us are aware of this pension freezing - that's because we are on forums like this. When I talk to people here is the UK, they have no idea that their pensions may be frozen if they move abroad. P.S. I have just noticed that Jamaica is on the list of places where you can still receive your pension increases. I have several friends from Jamaica and they tell me that receiving any form of decent healthcare there is just about impossible unless they pay. If Jamaican citizens can't access decent free healthcare - I very much doubt UK retiress can.

Its actually well down. Its not that long ago that the wholesale price of Grade A weed in the UK was £6500 - £7000. Then the Albanians arrived.

Yes, I can see how that would cause problems for transfers etc.

I'll complete the documents that I need to and send them a copy of my passport but they can stuff the certification bit. They checked my passport last time I was in my branch in August. A lawyer in the UK will probably want at least 3000 baht for that service.

I have no idea but if you have been following the many discussions on the tax changes affecting foreigners in Thailand - you must have missed the information on this subject. On several occasions, people, apparently in the know, have stated that a UK State Pension does form part of your assessable income in Thailand whereas income from a Government Pension does not. I have never understood the distinction but maybe a Government Pension is that provided to retired government employees? In any case, although I have not looked into it yet as I am not yet resident in Thailand, from reading the various threads, I will be moving forward on the understanding that my pension, when I receive it, will form part of my assessable income in Thailand. Before you go making any changes to your finances in Thailand or leaving for 183 days to avoid being classed as tax resident, you might want to look at the allowances you receive and do a 'dummy run' to see how much tax you will actually pay. I believe you stated that you are not pension age yet but I would just note that the Thai allowances increase substantially when you reach 65. With careful use of 'cash' and control of how much you actually bring in to Thailand, I think you might find that staying in Thailand and paying tax (if any) is much cheaper than moving around in order to avoid it. That said, I still have to look into the 'Reported' possibility that the Thai authorities intend taxing the tax global income of 'tax residents'. I really don't see how they will do that but its something I will be following and checking out in more detail before I 'make the move' early in 2025.

To the best of my knowledge a UK state pension does form part of your taxable income in Thailand. From what I have read so far - only governement pensions form part of the UK/Thai tax treaty. I thought that government and state pensions were the same - apparently not.

Would I be correct in stating that as a UK citizen, I only have to complete the FACTA/CRS forms? The other documents seem to relate to US citizens.

On the contrary. This is all about information sharing between countries who have agreements aimed at identifying tax evasion/money laundering. Many UK citizens live in Thailand without actually notifying any UK authorities that they now reside outside the UK. If you think that the UK tax authorities and the DWP are not connected and that they do not share information, you are sadly misinformed. 'DWP and HMRC work very closely together, and share information often.' https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/personal-information-charter

Department of Work and Pensions - UK

One of the problems that could result from completing these forms from Kasikorn is for those UK citizens who are receiving State Pension and have not notified the UK authorities that they are living in Thailand. They therefore receive their annual pension increases - but for how much longer?

That would be the wholesale price.

My branch wouldn't even open a second account for me a couple of years ago. The staff showed me the visa requirements on a tablet - no visa, no account. I don't want an account at a branch miles away from home, for one thing, I have a safety deposit box at my local branch - how would that work miles away? In general, I wouldn't say that Kasikorn are any harder or easier than other banks - they are all different. It can also depend on who you approach at a bank. I know a girl who works at an SCB branch in Bangkok and she told me if I wanted an account, just call in. I've heard of people in Pattaya opening an account on a tourist visa. In Bangkok, if one branch says no, you just walk to another. If you live away from a major conurbation and the banks say no - you're pretty stuck.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=yamaha+nmax+abs+repair&sca_esv=c744cb070de47b7e&source=hp&ei=KUxEZ8KAGMSdhbIP9vG84AU&iflsig=AL9hbdgAAAAAZ0RaOcV9OBqfthU0dw3LcyRvrOE5DK_P&oq=yamaha+nmax+abs+reair&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6GgIYAyIVeWFtYWhhIG5tYXggYWJzIHJlYWlyKgIIADIHECEYoAEYCjIHECEYoAEYCjIHECEYoAEYCjIHECEYoAEYCjIIECEYiwMYnwVIjYIBUABYkmNwAHgAkAEAmAGBA6AB7BKqAQg5LjExLjAuMbgBAcgBAPgBAZgCFaAC_hTCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgILEC4YgAQYsQMYgwHCAg4QABiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYigXCAgUQABiABMICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAgsQLhiABBixAxjUAsICCxAuGIAEGNEDGMcBwgILEAAYgAQYkgMYigXCAggQABiABBjJA8ICBhAAGBYYHsICCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFwgIIEAAYiwMY7wXCAgsQABiABBiiBBiLA8ICCBAAGIAEGKIEwgIFEAAY7wXCAgUQIRigAcICBRAhGJ8FmAMAkgcINS4xNS4wLjGgB-iKAQ&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:18abd969,vid:3HtD8rPzMyA,st:0

Check out online sources in Thailand. I just googled it in the UK and new & used ABS pumps for a 125 Nmax start at around 4500 baht. If you are adverse to buying non genuine parts, just remember this - it is highly unlikely that Yamaha actually make this part - they almost certainly buy them in. Bike and car manufacturers these days are more or less assembly plants, they actually make very little. Apparently the units can also be repaired - if you google it you will find several 'how to' videos on youtube. Also, ask at a car repair shop - in the UK there are many specialist companies that repair ABS pumps, there may be similar in Thailand. A few years back the electronic side of the ABS unit on my BMW failed and a new one was around 70,000 baht. I sent it to a repairer by post and had it done for 7500 with a lifetime guarantee.

Totally with you on that. I'm old school and was one of them that was convinced all this 'new tech' was unecessary. Until that is, a couple of years ago when the traffic in front just suddenly stopped - as happens so often in Thailand. I stopped within inches of the car in front and I'm absolutely sure I wouldn't have done without ABS. My ER6 has ABS and following that incident I've changed my attitude so much that I would never buy a bike without ABS now.

No, I'm not back until 30 December. K bank are pretty strict on the requirements to open an account - one of which is a long term visa which I don't have at the moment.

Not sure, I guess I should read the forms first and see what information they are asking for. I no longer meet their criteria for opening an account - I wanted a second account which they refused as I no longer have a Non O or a Work Permit. I just don't want any problems with them as I have several regular payments to make.

The inclusion of the term 'by individuals residing oustide Thailand' is the thing that worries me. I opened my Kasikorn account when I had a Non O based on marriage and have never actually resided in Thailand. Being divorced now I don't have such a visa. As far as I know, to hold a Thai bank account, you have to actually live in the country (officially), although there are probably thousands of people who like me, don't. I am pretty sure that the local bank staff know I don't reside in Thailand but I worry they may close my account if I actually put pen to paper on this.

I don't think there is an actual 'Proper English Breakfast' - variations depend on the region of the UK and personal preferences. The only two constituents that should be in any one to be able to call it 'English Breakfast' are Bacon and Egg. Some say it must include Sauasage but an increasing number of people (including myself) won't eat that. Although there have been improvements over the last few years, getting actual Bacon or decent Bacon can be difficult in Thailand. Quite often you will find Ham is substituted for Bacon although the meal may still be named 'English'. As far as I know - Ham is an American variation. Variations can include Mushrooms, Sausage, Black Pudding, Baked Beans, Toast, Tomatoes and more. For me, almost every day, whether in the UK or Thailand - its Bacon, Egg, Baked Beans, Tomatoes, sometimes Mushrooms but always Toast and of course - Tea - Yorkshire Tea.

I'm not so sure about that, I think its more that they just don't care. If I had to pick one word to describe Thai drivers, it would be selfish. Take for example when traffic slows or stops because of some incident, road works or other. Their first thought seems to be 'I will go around it' - instead of trying to find out what the obstacle is. We see this daily on the expressways for example where they head off down the hard shoulder. I've lost count of the times I've been exiting left (properly) and almost been cleaned up by a driver doing just that! They then have the nerve to flash their lights and blow their horns at you!!! I drive on motorways in the UK almost every day when I'm in country - I've never come across a UK driver doing the same. Observing your left hand mirror as well as the right is a must in Thailand. A number of years ago on a normal 2 lane (1 in each direction) road the traffic in front of me stopped. There was a slight left hand bend in front of me and I was about 5 cars back so I couldn't see why the traffic had stopped. I saw a pick up in approaching in my mirror at what appeared to be high speed. Instead of slowing and joining the queue, the driver simply overtook all the cars, still moving at quite some speed and there followed a loud bang. When the traffic eventually got moving it became clear that the obstruction was simply a car that was waiting to turn right and just waiting for oncoming traffic to clear. The loud bang was the speeding pick up hitting the right turning car which was now on the move. He could not see the reason for the obstruction anymore than I could. Why, would anybody in their right mind do that? I see similar, less serious examples almost everytime I drive in Thailand and I just can't work out what such drivers are thinking. Its just pure selfishness and lack of mental capacity.

Well I can't and never would understand it. People who resort to violence to make their point are nothing but bullies. Such bullying is far worse when the victim is a female - it almost certainly comes about because the victim is peceived as weak. I wonder what the perp in this case would have done if he was faced with a 6' 6" male? It doesn't matter what the woman said or did - there is no excuse at all for the guy hitting her.

Your attempt at wit implies that you do not believe the world's top scientists. Either that or the point you are making is totally lost on me. Whatever, I have to go watch some paint dry, thanks.

Correct, I do not support Trump's policies - not in the slightest. I know very little about US politics and even less about Biden/Harris. As my OP infers - I just cannot understand how so many people could not only vote for him but clearly believe his ridiculous claims and lies. So much so that some were prepared to commit insurrection. I also find it amusing that a convicted felon continues talking about all the criminals coming over the border. Clearly a cull will never happen but I agree that the size of the world's population is a key factor in climate change. EV's have their problems but they do not form part of my discussion, I'm not convinced on them yet. I'd wager however, that an EV, for all the environmental damage it does do, is nowhere near as harmful as a gas guzzling 5.7 litre pick up truck - both of which will spend 90% of their life moving just one person around.