billd766

Why are bank statements required?

Just paid my daily visit to a UK vets and serving military website, it seems the feelings are running pretty high about expats, not only do the public over there think expats pensions should be reduced but also the right to vote taken away as well, there are supposed to be all types of reduction plans in the pipeline, maybe if part of the population tried working for a living instead of just whinging about immigrants and expats ,things might look a bit rosier :jap:

Could you please PM me with the url of that website?

I did my time in the RAF and got my knees brown once or twice.

Thanks

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=103123673807285494411.0004624feb401af10e332&ll=18.781887,98.99835&spn=0.004088,0.005493&z=18&iwloc=00046b80ca45a7fbdb4f8

thank you very much for that most useful link.

I come to Chiang Mai on Monday on my old donkey of a Phantom, UK consulate Tuesday/Wednesday and back home Thursday.

After the consulate it is free time to get books, look for helmets and side panniers etc and pig out on farang food.

I have to go to Chiang Mai next Monday for a couple of days.

Does anyone know where a good Real helmet dealer is?

Also a good place for side panniers as mine are getting a bit tired.

Cheers

Bill

Though I am not a farmer over here in Khampaeng Phet province near to the Mae Wong national park we get a heavy shower for about 15 minutes most days and there does not seem to be a water shortage.

There are rice paddies and also cassava all around us and they seem to be doing OK.

We now have water from the government most of the time but back in April and May there was none for about 7 weeks.

I DO hope it starts to rain soon for a long time preferably overnight then somethings may get better.

I don't know where you got the £2000 threshold from. If you're over 65 (as you presumably are if you're drawing the state pension)the allowance before tax is payable is around £9000. I've never heard that this is reduced because you're living abroad. However, if your combined pensions and house rental income exceed £22000, the allowance is progressively reduced down to the standard taxpayer's allowance of around £6700. The exact figures for all that are available on the HMRC website if you can be bothered to go find them.

I retired last autumn and came out to LOS, but haven't yet decided whether to declare myself non-resident. I phoned up HMRC when I was visiting the UK last month, and they explained that the way it works in my case is that my state pension is paid to me gross. The balance of the ~9000 allowance is applied to one of my occupational pensions, and the other pensions and annuities come to me 20% tax deducted, as does my house-rental income.

I found the HMRC helpline quite helpful.

my combined income in total for the year was 8547 pounds from the uk , and this was my total income period, here is how the income came in

proffit form house rental 2985 pound

private pension 1302 pound

total 4287 taxed at 20% 857 pound

state pension lump sum as I did not claim it earlier 4742 p0unds taxed at 20% 948 pounds

total oweing 1805 pounds

they also want the same money to be be paid for next year on Jan 2011

I have written to them but no reply, I too thought tax free allowance was around 9000 pounds but they inform me if living abroad it is only 2000 pounds

thanks for your comments

"if living abroad it is only 2000 pounds" - this is simply not true, end of story.

Ask for a written reply quoting their claim at 2000 pounds.

AFAIK you have a tax free allowance depending on if you are retired or a bit less if not.

It makes no difference where you live in the world as long as your income is below that threshold.

I believe that the next threshold is around 21,000 pounds and you are taxed at 20% on the difference between the two.

As the thresholds increase, the amount of tax you pay is increased but ONLY on income sourced in the UK (at least at this time).

The Economist has been pretty much spot on from the beginning of this self-inflicted crisis:

"This week Thais were encouraged to call a hot line and speak their mind. As television cameras rolled, Mr Abhisit and his ministers took a few of the calls. ... There is a much more systematic way to find out what the Thai population wants. It is called an election."

http://www.economist...539306&fsrc=rss

I certainly don't agree that the Economist has been spot on. I suggest their analysis is severly lacking in accuracy and professionalism.

The Economist was, for decades, seen as highly credible, not any more.

I certainly do agree that the Economist has been spot on. I think their analysis is accurate and professional.

The Economist is, for decades, seen as highly credible, and a lot more.

From what I read in the article the Economist states that Thaksin Shinawat was the Prime Minister.

That is surely incorrect because as far as I can remember he resigned the post and was merely a caretaker PM with no government.

If I am wrong I apologise but he was NOT the PM at that time.

If they got that bit wrong how can they be spot on?

My pleasure.

I am trying to get the whole manual but it seems to be more valuable than state secrets.

Hi Bild

ordered a new cam chain tensioner a couple of weeks ago and it arrived on Friday. So trundled to shop, like you my guy wanted to remove the barrel etc, but I pointed out how to get to it via the crankcase and top access panel, thanks br549. My local shop deals mainly with scooters and step throughs and they are learning on my Phantom. They seem to have a competent bunch of mechanics though and I have been pleased with the level of service and care in their approach.

Replacement cost 750 Baht, Honda genuine part, I opened the seal on the bag personally. The cam chain tensioner looks to be a high quality injection moulding of thermoplastic, on inspection of the old one it had a few witness marks from the chain, other than that it was perfect, but age hardened, the new one seemed softer and more flexible. Using the old one as a paper weight, weighs about 5 or 6 ounces, gave a satisfying clunk on my mutts head when I gave her a soft tap as she was trying to steal my Szechuan honey chicken, gave me a look of utter disgust as she ambled off to wait for the scraps.

In my view there is an inbuilt design flaw, in that the rounded top mounting portion meets the arm in a sharp corner, so that would be a stress raiser. If it had been radiused then that would allow the stresses to flow around the corner and be evenly distributed. As it is all of the stress will focus on that sharp corner and is the most probable point to fail.

Also had the carb cleaned and tuned, oil changed, spark plug changed and a new headlamp, total bill 1070 Baht, well pleased. Just done my weekly commute to my job of 180 Kms, cruises effortlessly at 100 Kph accelerates well to 120Kph with more power to go quicker but that is outside of my chicken$hit comfort zone. 31kms per litre on the trip back, from 22kpl on the trip home. Mind you the engine was missing around the 100Kph mark and was running like a bag of nails when I got home.

Happy Trails

Aitch

Hi Aitch

Do you think your guys could do my Phantom for me?

I am not toooo happy when my lot want to tear the engine apart in what is reall a fairly simple job.

Did you see the parts of the manual I posted a while back?

Cheers

Bill

Hello Bill,

my perception of the Phantom was changed by riding it for a few days around Mae Hong Son. Now I understand you wanting to bore it out and keep it!

After some 6+ hours in the saddle with a few stops, how's your rear end handling it? I hated the soreness of the buttocks although the seat felt quite comfortable the first 100 km.

Fuel economy is amazing - depending on your driving style. And it certainly sounds like a much bigger bike. As it was selling well, can someone explain to me why Honda discontinued it and the CBR 150?

Hope you can find a good shop for boring and honing when you are at it, too.

Ride on,

Chris

Hi Chris

I was out with Dave Boo last month and we went from my place near Mae Wong up to Khampeang Phet, Tak and a bit further north then over to Mae Ramat on the 1175 through the Mae Tean wildlife preserve, on down to Mae Sot then back home via Tak.

I did about 470 km and the Phantom held up very well though Dave was going slow and out of his (narrow) power band.

I felt comfortable most of the way and I was fine the next day.

I went to BKK later in the month then down to Pattaya with a friend who is not that experienced a rider so I stayed down around 75 kmh and I was getting about 34 km/l though on the way back up from BKK to home with the throttle wide open I was down around 23 km/l.

Its that dam_n 5th and 6th gear. They are like an overdrive and I need more throttle to stay at the same speed.

I have had the Phantom for just over a year and put 16,000 km on it and if I am honest I like it very much thogh I would still like something a bit bigger.

Although both bike a good bikes, I think both bikes are for a bit different reason difficult to drive in the traffic in Bangkok (or in any other busy city).

A motard model bike would do much better (like Kawasaki D-Tracker 125 or 250) or a Tiger Boxer might even be better in the traffic.

Or otherwise something like a Honda Sonic 125.<br />

I think I would have to agree. For a beginner, the Phantom would be very difficult to handle in slow traffic because of it's size (width, weight, and extended wheel base). To move about in congested traffic, you want something with is narrow, lightweight, and with a short wheel base.

The Honda Sonic 100 or 125 would be my best recommendation.

I don't know what your objection to a semi-automatic is. They don't require a lot more service and would be more suitable in traffic and for a beginner.

Yes definitely stay away from automatics. They do require a lot more maintenance and use a lot more gasoline. I also noticed that with the rear brake on the handlebar on the automatics, people tend to have a lot more accidents because they use the front or rear brake only. Also the wheels are much smaller in diameter, so potholes or obstacles on the road tend to be more of a problem.

I ride a Honda Phantom every day and while is a good comfortable ride and cruiser I live out in the country so traffic is no problem for me.

However in BKK and other cities the Phantom can be an awkward beast to handle in slow traffic and many times I have been caught up as it was too wide to nip down the gap between cars held up by the lights whilst holding up bikes smaller than me who CAN get through.

Well folks

I have decided to put the riveting Laos trip on the back burner for the time being whilst I continue the Canine theme...........

If I'm going to be bored, let it be Laos, please!

It is nice to read about people in other villages in rural Thailand and it is far nicer than living in a farang ghetto surrounded by high walls with broken glass on top, barbed wire and gated compounds.

He regrets it. And just how does he think we feel.

Go to 4Gnow

There's only one problem, 4G standards are still being developed. Looks like they will be based on LTE which also is still under development. Only commercial networks i know of are in Sweden and Norway. Still no phones exists that support LTE, at least not marketed to public by Nokia and the like... In Sweden there is only bulky USB modem prototypes offered.

WiMax is deployed in many countries but technically and speed is 3.xxG...

So you can go with LTE now and wait couple of years to have devices available or you can do quick equipment swap to 3G with latest version HSPA.

My mate over in Denmark is just starting the LTE roll out.

He reckons using the company labour and minimum contractors it will take 2 to 3 years to completely re-equip every cell site in the country including up grading all the links.

Think it pointless continuing with the topic as the few members that are totally against fairness for all pensioners is obvious, especially with their derogatory comments pointed to wards the old who might be following the thread. Obviously youngsters having fun, so l would suggest let it rest as the same garbage will come to the fore from them. They still don't understand the OP topic about fairness, just quoting the governments and others words, but they think it is fair that pensioners are not treated the same because somebody says so and really haven't got the balls to say ''Thats not fair ''.

Also, now you pay NI for 30 years to qualify for full state pension.

As a pensioner I am in favour of fairness and equality for ALL state pensioners everywhere.

However the governments that have been in power in the UK since 1948 put this rule into place and it can ONLY be changed by an act of Parliament I think.

None of the parties that have been in power since that time are interested in changing the status quo as it will cost a large sum of money to do so (or a small sum in the overall costs of running the country).

Certainly since the Tory/Liberal win this year and the opening up of the books under 13 years of Labour misrule (which is what they said of the Tories a few years ago) the money just isn't there so they have to economise everywhere.

Expats rarely vote and if I had voted last time my 1 lonely vote would have made no difference.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter what expat pensioners want as they are a small proportion of the overall voters and are out of sight and out of mind.

Fair is not usually a word found in politics sad to say.

Penkoprod IS just stating the obvious in what he says.

If a few years ago I had thought that I would divorce my UK wife, Marry a Thai girl and want to spend the rest of my life in Thailand maybe I would have planned things differently.

I didn't and I now sadly have to live within my means but here in Thailand I can live more comfortably than in the UK UNLESS the UK cuts off ALL state pensions and then perhaps something will be done.

But I won't hold my breath on that one.

I am now officially old and I don't have to save the world anymore.

Yesterday I did my 90 day report at Nakhon Sawan and as my extension is due for renewal next month I asked what they required from me.

The lady didn't seem quite sure so I offered her a list which I culled from other retirement extension threads which she seemed grateful for.

At Nakhon Sawan they would like to see for retirement extensions the following:-

Retirement extension v1

It is called an extension of stay for retirement and you use a TM.7 form costing 1,900 baht with a 4x6cm photo taken within six months attached.

The requirement is 800k in your name only in bank account for 3 months or 65k per month income in letter from your embassy or a combination of the two to meet 800k per year.

Originals of

passport,

photo,

fee of 1,900 baht

plus 3,800 baht for multi re-entry permit (but only if you wish to get one)TM 8

You will need photo copies of

passport data page,

visa page,

extensions of stay (this I assume is already in your passport)

departure card.

You may be asked for proof of address if first extension

Letter from Embassy if 65,000baht a month route

If using bank deposit passbook/update

(atm receipt that day) and letter from bank will be required.

I can apply any time after 24th July and before 23rd August and I am just waiting of the pension confirmation letters before going to the UK Embassy in BKK or possibly the consul in Chiang Mai if there are any good reports about them.

edited for spelling

I went down to Nakhon Sawan yesterday (about 125kn each way) to do my 90 day report and also to do some shopping.

I arrived there around 11 am and was asked to sit down and fill in the form.

I gave them the one I had already filled in and that part was completed in less that 15 minutes.

They seem to be very efficient and a couple of them spoke fair English.

They seem to be very user friendly and extremely helpful in addition to being nice people.

There was a thread a while ago by Gunga Din all about real helmets in the motorcycle threads which I copied and cleaned up and if you go to members and look him up plus his threads you should find one along these lines from this date.

After I saved and edited the thread it came to 8 pages and is too much to post here.

Real helmets

Gunga Din

Posted 2010-03-08 18:40

1800 bt?

I sent an order by email, I've heard nothing since!

basjke

You can try to email [email protected]

They seem to reply pretty quickly on that address.

Oops, just found the phone number 0-2728-1399

GungaDin

Posted 2010-03-09 10:41

Just called them, spoke to a lass named Vaneeda or similar.

Will respond in 24 hrs, she speaks good English.

Price is 1800 +200bt for EMS

GungaDin

Posted 2010-03-11 15:43

After 5 phone calls I finally have the info for payment to REAL-HELMETS.COM today..

This really was like pulling teeth.....

Here it is.

1) Model: Ozzy White (size (X) cm)

2) Price: 1,800bt

3) Packing and Handling (EMS): 200bt

4) Product will be shipped in next day after received fax or photo scan of

bank receipt. (Fax: 0-2728-1464)

5) Total payment : 1,800 + 200 = 2,000bt-

To : Kasikorn bank: Sukhapiban 3 branch

Account No: 735-2-54620-2

Account Name: A Perfect Ride Co., Ltd

Contact is K. Nopphadol He speaks fair English, but not as good as the girl.

I hope this helps.

Thanks to Gunga Din who started the thread.

Edited for fat finger spelling

There is no point in protesting any more , the appeals have all been kicked out, it was made very clear to the petitioners that that was the end of it , I am sure any new govt will act the same way too, we have to face it that expats just dont count

Alas, sad but very true.

I suspect that the only way we would count would be if 5 or 10 million or more were to descend on the UK before an election and demand what we believe we are owed.

The trouble is there are not that many of us.

Well i have read all the posts on this subject and flogging a dead horse comes to mind but I will keep signing the next petion and the next just to keep reminding the british gov that this subject has not gone away and it may fall on deaf ears for years to come but one can only hope. Now if you wanted to get round the british gov rules on Pension increases then all you have to do is wait a few years after you get your pension until its worth doing and fly back to the uk for a 6 month holiday and claim your increases then fly back to thailand and repeat the process thats the only legal way.

Regards

Scotsman

The flaw I can see in that plan is that it will probably cost you more than you gain as I believe that your pension will go to the new rate while you are there and revert to the original rate when you leave.

IF you don't tell them and IF they don't catch you then you could be onto a good thing.

As for me I will stay here, get no ,more increases and bitch every now and then.

And now it is time for my after lunch nap as most of us oldies do.

I really feel that if anyone has to RELY on their UK State Pension as anything else but beer money, they have not properly

saved nor planned for their retirement.

I think that is the wrong comment to make on this topic. The topic is about fairness for all.

You cannot categorise all UK citizens with the pen pusher with his fancy pension and the guy who cleans the streets or works in McDonald's cos thats his ability, then struggles to raise a family and perhaps buy a house and expect him to put money in a pension sceam. Perhaps you have family that when they pop off leave you their house etc but many don't have that luxury so a little thought should be made for the UK society as a whole, not just the fortunate ones.

Just a thought, how much does an MP get per day for his sandwich allowance that the rest of us have to pay out of our wages, you would be staggered in comparison to what a pensioner has to live on. You will say thats off topic but it's one rule for those with money and another for the poorest in society.

I second that.

I found this on the BBC news website this morning.

I am not sure if I am allowed to post the whole thread so I have posted a little followed by the address.

It is not only Thailand hw

where pensioners are struggling.

Pensioners 'relying on the state', says ONS

Page last updated at 09:46 GMT, Friday, 2 July 2010 10:46 UK

• E-mail this to a friend

• Printable version

Continue reading the main story How changing lifestyles affect your finances Statistics chart family changes

A third of UK pensioners rely solely on the state for income during their retirement years, according to official statistics.

Some 31% of pensioners had no provision other than the state pension and the top-up offered through minimum income guarantee or pension credit.

The figures, from 2007-8, were published in the Office for National Statistics' Social Trends survey.

The publication is an annual account of the state of the nation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/10487278.stm

Mekong Dam Projects may Cost More In Damages For Thailand, but it will bring water here, otherwise people may die due to water shortage.

And for the people downstream.........?

It will do for me as well thank you kindly and I am in my second childhood at 66.

Already the Mekong is in trouble with the Chinese building the 3 Gorges dam_n and dynamiting the river for shipping traffic.

Unfortunately still further down the river lies Vietnam and a large number of people down there also rely on the Mekong for a living.

The more dams you put in the less water will arrive at the far end and more people will be affected.

One of the best ways to cut down energy conservation is to have less population because less people means less food, shelter and energy is consumed.

The next major wars in the world will be fought over "clean" water supplies and as always those further upstream will always win unless the countries downstream want to go to war.

What is really needed NOW is far better water management by all countries.

At the local Saturday market the largest duck eggs used to be 33 baht for 10 and about a month ago there were none available.

Two weeks ago they came back at 38 baht and all the egg prices had gone up as well.

An increase of 50 satang per egg or about 16%.

I thought I remembered something from when I was a young boy so I Googled flying cars from the 50's and got this link.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2550902895914120566#

It is about 1 minute long.