theoldgit

@TheHammer2021 - It would be helpful if you told us where you are wishing to apply.

@OzManYou're probably aware that your girlfriend should apply for her visa via the Consulate with jurisdiction for her main destination within the Schengen Area, if she intends to spend an equal amount of time in more than one member state she should apply for a visa via the Consulate with jurisdiction for her point of entry into the Schengen Area. My wife fell foul of this rule when the French worked out that our itinerary meant we were spending a few more hours in Italy than France, despite the fact we were still spending a considerable amount of time in France, and actually entering there twice, and didn't issue her a visa.

I had a similar experience a few weeks ago where I received an sms notified me that there been a mystery payment my debit card, which I'd never used and was locked in a draw at home. Like you it took a long time to communicate with Customer Services, who cancelled the card and after a few calls, they never ever called my back, advised me that I'd need to make a police report and email to them. They wouldn't budge on the police report, which I duly got with the officers expressing their displeasure had having to do so, but were friendly enough. The debit was credited back to my card a few days later, though they didn't inform that they'd done so, and neither did they advise how the transaction had happened. I have decided not to get a new atm card and will just use the cardless facility on my phone.

And it's also been announced that Thailand will be added to the list of countries and territories with approved proof of vaccination 4am Monday 11 October. If you arrive in England before that date you must follow the rules for people who are not fully vaccinated. If you arrive after that, you can use a vaccine certificate to prove your vaccination status. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countries-with-approved-covid-19-vaccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination

Thankfully I use the K+ App to make my international transfers, very easy process, not a mention of needing to be a Thai National or needing a Work Permit, maybe consider a change of bank.

Is this the list you're referring to? "The full list of destinations for which the Foreign Office has eased its travel advice is: Algeria; Armenia; Bangladesh; Belarus; Benin; Comoros; Tokelau and Niue; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; Fiji; Gambia; Guinea; Kazakhstan; Kiribati; Kosovo; Liberia; Madagascar; Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Micronesia; Nauru; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; Solomon Islands; Togo; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Congo; America Samoa; French Polynesia; and Ghana". https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-58822439 This Foreign Office list of travel advisories is totally seperate from the list of actual Red Listed countries from which travel to the UK is restricted and hotel quarantine mandatory for those who are able to travel to the UK, an annoucement is expected later today, I think from the Transport Minister. I can't find a link from the BBC for the proposed changes for red listed country, I'd be grateful if you could point me in the right direction.

From your link: 2. Foreigner without work permit Passport A reference letter issued by one of the following institutes or organizations or required document Embassy located in Thailand An overseas bank where the customer holds an account sent via SWIFT Trusted individuals such as a Bangkok Bank staff member or customer, director of a private company, permanent residence in Thailand, government or private educational institutes located in Thailand trusted by the Bank Trusted companies, e.g., an employment letter from the company if the customer is in the process of applying for a work permit. Document showing ownership of a fixed asset such as a condominium sale/purchase agreement (a condominium which is acceptable to Bangkok Bank) Or a property reservation agreement valued at 100,000 baht or more with a reference letter from the property developer that is acceptable to Bangkok Bank. I opened an account with Bangkok Bank just over a year ago, to facilitate Transferwise deposits, I needed no more than a passport.

I've tried a bottle or two of that along with their white wines, certainly passable and, I understand, that it's about the same price in Australia. I've also tried some of the McWilliams Merlot from Villa, not bad and also in the region of 400 Baht, also about the same as the Oz price.

I suspect that the need for a trial, or an admission of guilt in court, applies in most civilised countries in the world. As for the absolutely biziarre "reenactment" of an alleged crime that is practiced here, how can even the Thai Police claim it's an effective part of the criminal justice system?

As a previous poster has sugested, I wouldn't be surprised if a taxi would take you. My taxi driver in Hua Hin told us recently that he took a passenger to Udon Thani, a little over 750 kms, he charged 5,000 Baht.

Where would we be without the reenactment?

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/pay

I needed to stay in Bangkok overnight on Wednesday, I thought I'd grab a bite eat in Paragon before returning to my cell, but even before 17.00 some of the restaurants were preparing to close up. Not wanting to eat too early I thought I'd eat at my hotel, a hotel at the budget end of an international chain. Arrived at the hotel at 17.00 and noted that they stopped serving at 17.30, so went to order and was told "kitchen closed already", asked where I could get a meal in the vicinity and was told "try 7-11". I'm sure things will improve before the hordes of tourists arrive next year.

I’ll move this thread to a more appropriate forum, this is for those seeking advice about countries other than Thailand.

The Chiang Mai flights are only listed until 29 October, maybe they'll include Udon Thani when they publish the next schedule.

There's a thread in the appropriate forum about this issue, please continue there. https://aseannow.com/topic/1232953-anyone-have-any-trouble-with-bkk-bank-this-morning/ I'll close this this thread.

@Kenny202When you said that you noticed their system was down from 10.30 pm yesterday, did you mean from the announcement on their home page, I think that annoucement has been there for a few days?

Air Asia are now selling flights from Hua Hin to Chiang Mai flying from 15th October, but no Hua Hin to Udon Thani flights showing in the schedule yet.

I think you'd be surprised how many Brits have been thinking along the same lines as yourself, and not just from Thailand, and you've identified some of the hurdles. Certainly it seems that renting a property without references can be an issue, I believe that some have resorted paying a fair number of months upfront, you will probably be aware due to a number of new laws aimed at protecting tennants, renting out property isn't as attractive as it once was. Opening a new bank account should be ok, though you might have to initally accept a basic bank account, likewise obtaining a credit credit isn't as easy as it once was, though there are some high interest cards that a re designed to build up your credt score. Your wife will require a Settlement Visa, you'll be aware that it's an expensive process, you'll have meet the minimum income requirements, show suitable accomodation, and she'd have to pass an English test and show she's clear of TB. Once she's in the UK she's allowed to work, I don't know if her qualifications as a Production Engineer are internationally recognised, but she might have to accept that she might not walk straight into a well paying job. I think getting your children into school would be the easiest objective you have, I believe the local authority have an obligation to find school places. When we were considering relocating to the UK a few years ago, we came accross this forum which we found quite helpful. https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/

You've clearly never tasted my grandmothers Christmas Puddings ????

I think you’d currently have to change in Bangkok.

He's lived here for many years so doesn't qualify for travel insurance. Maybe health insurance or one of the Covid policies that underwriters seem to have stopped issuing as some people were actually claiming on.

This might be better in the Covid thread.

Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations grants diplomats immunity from all civil lawsuits except for those that involve “private immovable property.” Diplomats often use diplomatic immunity to escape civil cases for rent, parking fines etc, but as you rightly say Prince Andrew isn't an accredited diplomat.

Some hotels in Hua Hin have a published policy that guests staying at their hotel and those wishing to dine must show evidence of their vaccinations before they can stay or dine at the establishment, they say this is to comply with Government Regulations. The Centra have emailed customers, I suspect they're not acting alone. There certainly seems to be more weekenders of late, only time will tell if it has an adverse effect on the infection rate as has happend previously. Road checks are few and far between.