Foresttrump

They don't need to be invaded, they have a dictator as president. First destroy the opposition, second destroy the legal system, third control the economy to benefit his backers, fourth bully other countries. Putin, Xi, Kim, Trump. I feel for the young people of today, the free world is not going to be so free.

Thank Drjack, you would have thought immigration and DTAC would be linked and would save a lot of stress and time on arrival.

Hi All, I will be coming to Thailand for Christmas and it will be my 3rd trip visa exempt in 2025. I am of the opinion that if this trip is breaking any rules, my digital arrival application would be denied first? Or is there no connection between the two. I've been coming since 2016 and stay 3 weeks at a time in rented accommodation, never extended my visa exempt so hoping all will be ok.

I always find it a bit strange that when bad economic news comes out of the UK, Europe or the USA the £$€ value deteriorates but bad news from Thailand Baht does't budge?

MalcolmB do you shop at Mega? I'm (69) often go there with my Daughter (27) and two grandchildren 5&6 and thought I saw you one time. I remember thinking what's going through that guys mind? now I know 55. I have to admit I do the same, mainly clocking age gaps in shopping centres, it's all part of the shopping experience.

I currently transfer using wise from my UK bank account for a small fee at reasonable exchange rates. I was thinking of instructing DWP to transfer my state pension direct, out of interest is there a charge for this and what exchange rates do you receive, are they competitive.

I was thinking of entering with the O visa later this year but thought getting everything sorted for the 1yr extension would be pushing a bit if things go wrong. I have made some enquiries and it should be possible to open a bank account with the O-A multi entry visa as long as I get a residency permit from Chang Wattana before applying. It's a few more hoops but gives 1 to 2 years to sort myself out.

I travel UK-Thailand 4 times a year to visit family, previously never been asked for onward ticket. I assumed they could see from my record on the computer that I always leave before expiry of date of stamp in my passport. However on entry last year in December the IO asked for purpose of stay and proof of onward ticket, there's a first time for everything.

I will live as long as my Mrs needs my pension!!!! 69 now and still healthy, if she keeps up the good work 90 is doable.

I would check for the correct information regarding his UK state pension. My good friend past away recently and his wife received a percentage of his pension monthly for 6 months. Was he supporting his daughter in any way.

I like the way this topic stirs the emotions of so many, no matter which part of the world you are from. Just think if your private pension provider introduced the same rules because you weren't living in the same country you took out your policy. The overriding consensus should be if you contributed as per government requirements you should be entitled to the same benefits as everyone else who did the same regardless of address. This will never be addressed, so as many will say do your homework and live your retirement as best you can with as little or as much as you have. Thailand is a great place to do this and if you can't afford to be here you can't afford to be anywhere.

Stubuzz advice is good and may well be your problem. The fuse box is another problematic area on the early Focus and often suffers from water ingress caused by air-con condensation. This also brings on different accessories such as lights and wipers when driving, and is part of the immobilising system. It's easy to inspect and can be found under the glove box on the passenger side. If you're confident you can easily unplug the box and remove it to inspect the connections. Use your phone to take pictures beforehand so you can remember where all the connections go. Good luck.

Homework and trust is the answer. If you don't trust your partner from the start then it's not going to work. Meet all the family! Parents, brothers, sisters and ex husband's if any, before you marry. Immediate family first financialy and if any spare each month the wife can help extended family. i don't interfere because my partner understands how to budget on a set monthly income. Maybe this will come back to bite me if she meets some western with a bigger budget !!

I plan to follow Steve187 advice, my situation is similar to the OP. I have a business in the UK which I plan to retire from in April 2025 and don't wish to transfer lump sums to Thailand for now. The O-A if used correctly can allow you to stay unto 2yrs in Thailand. I will open a Thai account this year in May and transfer 40,000thb a month from my Wise account for a year this giving me the required funds for immigration requirements for future extensions based on Marriage (400,000 thb or 40,000thb a month). If you wish to keep your funds in your preferred country you could opt for the 40,000thb a month to your Thai bank which you can set up with the O-A visa.

If Putin nukes the UK, which wouldn't take much (small country) there goes my State and Private pensions. Would be interesting to see where immigration sends me?