jor

Hi, This is the OP. Thanks to everybody for the replies and the advice. Too many to respond to individually, but here is my current situation: I looked on the Giffgaff site but couldn't see any reference to UK (or Great Britain or England etc.) so gave up. However, a few days after posting my enquiry, my elderly phone died so have bought a replacement. The new phone has eSIM so Airalo seems a good alternative especially as it doesn't require a SIM to be posted. josephbloggs, I got the idea that the AIS plan is capped to 12GB from their website. If this is not the case, then I will check with their local store as it is the easiest solution. I will use only for email checking/news/gps navigation but wasn't sure that 12GB would be enough. I will have a lot to do on this trip so don't want any unnecessary hassle. Again, thanks to all who responded. Jor

I am visiting UK for 2-3 weeks next month for the first time in many years and will need mobile data for Internet surfing and navigation. On previous visits I used to buy an unlimited data SIM from the 3 network for £20 for a month, but this is no longer available. AIS will sell 12GB data plan for a month for B1,750 which seems expensive for a limited amount of data. I know there are independent companies which sell data plans but Googling 'UK data plans' just brings up EU roaming plans which I don't need. I know about Airalo but my phone does not have eSIM capability. Can somebody help with the names of these companies? Thanks.

Lloyds Bank asked for my tax residence and TIN. I messaged HMRC to ask for my TIN. They replied that they don't use TIN numbers and advised me to use NI number instead. Have done this but am waiting to hear whether Lloyds will accept it.

Now, that's funny.

Now, that's funny.

He built Area 51 and closed the car and bike hire to concentrate on running the go-go.

This statement, if true, makes me quite nervous. Can you give some detail?

They did copy Till Death Us Do Part - they renamed it Archie Bunker but Archie was but a shadow of Alf.

For the last 10+ years I have been involved with a children’s charity in Sangkhla Buri, Kanchanaburi province - www.BaanUnrak.org They provide a safe and happy environment for approx. 130 children many of whom are stateless as well as homeless. They make good and efficient use of any funds that you send them. I visit every couple of years and they are happy to show me what they have done or built with the money that I have sent. I have a Thai will that bequeaths them my Thailand based assets which will primarily consist of funds in my Bangkok Bank account. They expressed concern that the bank would make it difficult/impossible for them to get the funds so I have been wondering how to get round this. I enquired at the bank about making my account a joint account with the manager of the home so that they can legally access the account balance when I die (no comments about the wisdom of this, please). Seems like I would have to close the account and open a new joint one which would involve me turning up with a certificate of residence and a representative of the home being present with their documents which, with the distance involved, is not really practical. Does anybody have any ideas on any better way to do this? I urge anyone with an interest in Thai charities to take a look at this one. If you can visit them, despite their remote location, you will be impressed.

'Sun' shop as mentioned above is still there. Expect to pay around B2,500 for a box pre-loaded with free apps. If you want a paid for IPTV service, which I would recommend, this will be B1,000 to B3,000 extra for a 1 year subscription. There is another shop on TukCom 3rd floor named something like 'Omega' who are also good.

What???

In Pattaya, not sure of the Soi name but going north on Soi Bua Khao at the chicane turn right after Witherspoons (the soi that had the extensive drainage work) The shop is 80 metres on the right. It took me 2 attempts to find as its hidden during the day by a vendors mosai/sidecar.

That seems incredibly cheap for cataract surgery plus you normally stay one night for observation and a check by the surgeon the next morning. Sounds more like a Lasik procedure.