theoldgit

19 hours ago, Robin said:

I am in the process of setting up an account with Santander and will keep the Forum updated about any problems.

it seems hat it might be possible to set up account with my UK address and then notify them of address change when I return to Thailand

I opened an account with Santander International from here in Thailand, they're based in the Isle of Man and Jersey.

Online banking is available and they send our debit cards here to Thailand. 

On 5/30/2022 at 1:06 PM, In Full Agreement said:

Are you even able to withdraw money from your account or has it been frozen?

The OP is asking for advice, but doesn't seem to be answering questions from those trying to assist.

I think a lot depends on whether the bank has registered a cifas marker on the account, which they can do if they suspect the account holder is using the account or money laundering, amongst other things.

A marker would certainly make opening a new account difficult, but I'm not sure if they could prevent him withdrawing funds from the account.

36 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Name one of those cases.   He will not be extradited to the UK, why would the UK request that?   Maybe you mean "repatriation" after 1/3 of his sentence has been served?  That won't happen if the compensation isn't paid, regardless of your over-imaginative claim that "tens of thousands similar claims have gone unpaid and unpunished". 

Whilst you’re correct in saying that a prisoner cannot apply for repatriation whilst there are any outstanding fines, or any other non custodial penalties, I’m not sure that you’re correct when you say that repatriation can be applied for only after one third of the sentence imposed has been served.

I’m pretty sure that the only restriction is that there must be six months left to serve and the applicant must not have any outstanding appeals.

The process takes about two years from application to repatriation and the applicant has to pay for their own flights, but not that of the escorts.

The UK won't automatically refuse her visa after so many stays, but on each and every application she will need to satisfy the decision maker that she is still a genuine tourist and that her main centre of life is in Thailand.

That said, if she stayed with you in the UK for prolonged periods on each trip the decision maker could suspect that she is effectively living in the UK through frequent or successive visits, and refuse the visa, worst case scenario would be that a Border Force Officer could suspect the same and deny her entry. Both scenarios are not that common, but they could happen.

Has she considered applying for another long-term Standard Visitor visa if she intends to visit the UK regularly, she's already had a two year visa, maybe a five year visa, though of course the fee is higher and wouldn't be refunded if the application was refused, or a visa with a shorter validity issued.

1 minute ago, nchuckle said:

Most countries (including your own) have a ‘discount' for early guilty plea. In U.K. it’s 1/3rd - dependent on the sentence.

Yes, but in the UK judges must give a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of murder.

The judge will however set a minimum term an offender must serve before they can be considered for release by the Parole Board, and the recomendation for release, or transfer to open conditions, can be overruled by the relevant Secretary of State.

Troll post removed and offensive comment edited out.

30 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Income is from work, you giving her money is not seen as income.

They correctly see her as unemployed and want to see the savings.

 

A land title is not seen as a link tied to the country, things like a job, a study are. That she will return with you when you need to be back for a job is. Then again, her reason to visit is to see your family. Maybe put more emphasis on the fact that you will be traveling together.

Good points have been made here.

@SaltwaterYou say you are living together, depending on the amount of time you've actually done so, I assume the money you pay her is similar to the "housekeeping" similar to that many of us pass onto our wives or partners as general housekeeping ang living expenses, rather than a salary.

Proving your relationship could satisfy the ECO of her reasons to return, you're a couple living together, travelling on holiday together, and will be returning home together.

How long ago did your ex girlfriend apply for her visa?

You don't need to supply details of your parents income, just a letter confirming that you've been invited to stay at their family home, and there's sufficient room for you both.

I'm just going out, I'll revisit your question tomorrow.

As you're not seeking advice regarding travel outside of Thailand, I'll move your post to the correct forum.

1 hour ago, jphasia said:

Do you know if for the Thai passport they give also only 15 days visa exempt now or 30 days visa exempt like it was pre-covid?

Yes, visa free up to 30 days for Thai passport holders.

https://vietnamembassy-thailand.org/vietnam-vietnam-visa-requirements-for-thai-citizens/

By coincidence I recently got an email from a car hire consoldator I've previously used, it included this comment "Current supply levels are low due to the ongoing issue with the shortage and delayed production of new cars been manufactured which has been ongoing for the last 2 years, and is set to continue into next year. We are here to help all our customers navigate through this tricky period".

I've read a number of stories in the media like this of late, and indeed when I was researching rental rates for a trip I was considering in August, there were either none available or were quoting eye watering prices.

Completely off topic post reported and removed.

2 hours ago, Jumbo1968 said:

So neither myself or my Thai wife require a visa, we both can get a visa on arrival, is there a fee ?

No you neither of you need a visa either in advance, or on arrival, for the trip you’re planning, so no fee.

Of course your planned trip is still some months away, and things could change.

18 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

I am UK citizen and just got a visa  on arrival  which effectly means  no visa required.

No, you got a visa waiver, as providing you were staying for less than fifteen day, no visa was required.

1 hour ago, vinci said:

you as Uk citizen need a visa your wife with Thai passport don't.

That’s not currently  correct for the trip the OP is seeking advice on.

Vietnam has reintroduced visa waivers for the nationals of 13 countries including the UK. Visa waivers allow for visits to Vietnam for up to 15 days without needing to apply for a visa.

1 hour ago, Jumbo1968 said:

The ‘old git’ U.K. said citizens require a visa ?

No, I said you don’t currently require a visa for the trip you have planned, as from 15 March 2022 Vietnam reintroduced visa waivers for the nationals of 13 countries including the UK.

Visa waivers allow for visits to Vietnam for up to 15 days without needing to apply for a visa, I added that if you exceed 15 days you should apply for an evisa via the official government website.

As with many countries in the region travel and entry rules are regularly changing, and will almost certainly change before your expected date of travel.

At the present moment visas are not required to enter Vietnam, for British and Thai passport holders for the trip you have in mind, subject to any travel restrictions that might be imposed. https://www.vietnam-visa.com/vietnam-visa-exemption/

British Passport holders can also apply for an evisa for a longer than 15 day stay  https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/trang-chu-ttdt - be careful as there are numerous agencies who imply they are Government Agencies, and despite the misleading ".govt.vn" as opposed to "gov.vn" on their website they're not.

The National Portal on Immigration usually has accurate updates https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en

You might find the travel advice from the UK Government helpful https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam/entry-requirements

12 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

England  ATM and Bank cards have  4 digit thais have six- how will that work?

I've used my Thai cards in the UK using the 6 digit pin, never encountered a problem.

8 hours ago, Robin said:

1 - Are there any Thai CREDIT cards. 
2- Everything I have been offered (by Kasikorn) has been a debit card, with a low, but unspecified limit and limited use for on-line transactions, and no hope of a monthly statement, except for withdrawals from my account showing in my bank book. 

3 - Try using any credit card in Thailand without being charged the 3% the retailer might have to pay.  (Thailand 4.0?)

1 - Yes, there are numerous Thai Credit Cards, as a retiree I've had one for years, no deposit either.

2 - You can alter your spending limit via the K+ App, when I purchased a smart phone recently and later when I made an International Transfer, both transactions were initially declined as they were in excess of my limit. I'd forgotten this and altered my limit on the K+ App, I tried again and they were both approved.

3 - I've never ever been asked to pay 3%, or any charge, by a retailer to use my Thai or UK Credit Card here in Thailand.

13 hours ago, Eff1n2ret said:

I would be interested to learn how you get on in UK with a Kasikorn debit card. I also have one, but don't intend to use it there because I also have a UK debit card.

I've had no problem using my Kasikorn Debit Card in the UK at an ATM or at a point of sale terminal, even using the six digit pin.

I also have a UK debit card, and that's what I had a problem with shortly after I arrived at Gatwick. I travelled by train to Brighton with the princely sum of five pounds in my pocket, with the intention of drawing cash from a Santander ATM, I thought I was being clever.

The machine wouldn't dispense any cash, and after two attempts I gave up for fear of having my card retained. I went to another atm and withdrew cash using my Kasikorn card, without a hitch.

A subsequent call to Santander revealed the machine was empty, there was nothing wrong with my card at all. In hindsight my plan was pretty foolish, on a number of levels.

12 minutes ago, petertucker48 said:

Check out:

https://wise.com 

I use from UK bank to Thai bank with UK debit card time taken Very short (last transaction 60 seconds)

 

Yes, but the OP is wishing to move funds in the opposite direction, which Wise cannot do.

On 5/21/2022 at 12:52 AM, Pmbkk said:

I was trying to find any info' on wait times and couldn't find anything - their SLA is meant to be 45 mins.

I think you'll find that SLA applies the handling of People of Reduced Mobility and Disabled Persons by the airport operators under their obligations for Passenger Assistance Services, either from notifying of the requirement on arrival or, if pre-booked 45 mins of "on chocks".

The UKBF does have Performance Targets at LHR for the processing of arrivals at the Border, not SLA's, which is also 45 mins, this target was achieved by 89.38%, 88.65% and 96.92% in Terminals 2, 3 and 5 respectively in April.

You seem to be referring to the requirements for travel to and through Thailand, let's move it to the correct forum. 

No, providing they can satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer, the person who makes a decison on the application, that the applicants proposed trip is genuine, affordable and that they are going to leave the UK at the conclusion of their proposed visit, then Entry Clearants, a visa, will be issued.

Thousands of Thai Nationals successfully apply every year, many funding their own trip and some with a friend or relative providing financial support.

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tha/en/gbr

5 hours ago, Kinnock said:

I thought Eva was no longer doing the BKK-LHR route?

I understand they may be starting again shortly, they're certainly showing availability for July.

9 hours ago, can123 said:

My present account is with Bangkok Bank and I would be looking at an immediate transfer of £!50,000, in installments if needed. 

Have you thought about using the Bangkok Bank branch in the UK to transfer funds to your account here, I've heard that for larger amounts you might be able to negotiate a better rate? bangkokbank/Transfer-money-from-UK-to-Thailand-via-London-Branch

Do you need to bring all the funds to Thailand now, or might you want to consider leaving some in your UK bank, always a gamble when you factor in possible future exchange rates and changes of plans.