theoldgit

On 3/2/2021 at 6:48 PM, 7by7 said:

UK standard visit visas are valid for 6 months from the date of issue, not the date of departure from home nor arrival in the UK.

Whilst that used to be case, visas are more often than not now dated from the intended date or travel contained in the visa application, though the restriction of early application still applies.

3 hours ago, JackSinclair said:

If an application for a UK visitor / tourist visa (for say 3 months) is approved. 
How long is the visa valid before departure from Thailand?
Just asking due to the current incertitude of international travel.
Once again thanks for your guidance.

The visa vingette will have a valid from date on, you can travel from any time after that date, the date the applicant declared in the application is always a good time to travel, but not compulsary.
The visa would typically be valid for six months from either the date of issue or the intended date of travel, normally the later, the visa holder must leave on or befor the expiry date.
If the applicant stays for longer than the length of time requested in the application, but before the expiry date, it would breach immigration rules, but it could well cause problems in any future application.

16 hours ago, internationalism said:

there use to be 2x daily from pattaya to HH through BKK.

I am not sure it still operates.

No, it isn't, but it was one a day in both directions.

There used to be an pretty much hourly service in both directions, they suspended the service but have just started one service a day in both directions, 11.00 from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi and 12.30 from Suvarnabhumi to Hua Hin. https://belltravelservice.com/

We normally get a taxi now, I can't remember the price, I think about 1,500 Baht.

Completely off topic post removed.

12 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

Rubbish. There are some very good flight deals to be had from BKK to Phuket. I booked a return with Air Asia last month for a little over 300 baht, yes 300 baht. I have just booked Phuket - BKK return flying next Monday with Bangkok Airways for around 1700 baht each leg.

Thai Smile has availability for 2,000 Baht for return flights between Bangkok and Phuket this month, and of course no extras for checked luggage, seat selection or booking fees with them. 

16 minutes ago, UncleMhee said:

This thread is irrelevant because planes and ferries are off the table on said route; last I heard there's gonna be a bridge so we can all drive to and fro.......

The thread is not irrelevant at all, the original post was about two different routes to Hua Hin, one by sea to Pattaya and the flights to Udon Thani and Chiang Mai, the article is very clear about that.

Some people have become confused and claiming that flights to Pattya are unviable, that's probably true, but flights to Pattaya were not discussed in the original post, which mentioned the two routes that are starting again in April to Udon Thani and Chiang Mai.

I suspect the bridge will never happen, but who knows?

6 minutes ago, skorts said:

Has anyone heard anything official about the route re-starting?

Other than they're now selling tickets to Chiang Mai and Udon Thani until the end of October, no I've not seen anything official.

They are restarting this route from 2 April, at least they're selling tickets until the end of October.

On 2/24/2021 at 11:40 AM, NCC1701A said:

Air Asia stopped Hua Hin flights. ????

They're scheduled to restart on the 2 April, tickets are available from then until the end of October.

Air Asia are now selling flights on both routes from 2 April, they're showing availability until 29 October.

The op is seeking specific advice, a number of off topic posts have been removed. 

24 minutes ago, cauldlad said:

As far as I know you cannot do it online unless you re living in the UK. You have to post the claim form together with your birth certificate. Mine was returned in around 2 weeks.

I certainly did mine online in 2012, in my case they were able to confirm my entitlement without a birth certificate, not sure why, maybe via my tax and NI records or maybe because I was a retired Civil Servant they may have had access to more information.

As you're specifically asking about travel to Thailand, rather than travel from Thailand, I'll move your post to the correct forum, where you're more likely to get a full answer to your question. 

50 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong but Thailand is not on the list of banned countries where you need to quarantine for entry into the UK.

No, but if you're flying through the UAE, which is on the "Red List", you're not actually allowed into the UK unless you're a UK National or have residence rights, in which case you'd have to quarantine. 

This doesn't affect the OP.

Red list travel ban countries

If you have been in or through any of the countries listed below in the previous 10 days, you will be refused entry to the UK.

If you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK, you will be able to enter. You must quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days. You cannot use the Test to Release scheme.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19#travel-bans-to-the-uk---banned-countries

Nonsense troll post removed.

3 minutes ago, vogie said:

I seem to remember from an old thread on frozen pensions that 2 years was mentioned but was not guarenteed, it said at the end of the day it was up to the descretion of the pension officer.

That certainly rings a bell.

Troll post removed.

30 minutes ago, Mister Fixit said:

For a start, there is never a quote for the price of a visa which is paid in dollars.  

When the UK Government set the price for the processing a visa application it is set in GBP.

The UKVI use various companies to collect the fee and the fee is often collected in the local currency and more than often in USD.

The UKVI agree an exchange rate with their processors, it’s never on the side of the applicant.

Can we please stop this bickering now please?

17 hours ago, DaLa said:

Be nice if I could get a refund on the 2 year visa at a cost of £361 that my wife has only been able to use once due to travel restrictions.  Always puzzled me why they required payment in $US. 

The UKVI will argue that the fee is the cost of processing the application, and they’ve processed the application.

Some years ago the charge was the same whatever the length of the visa applied for, they introduced a higher fee for longer term visas, as a way to generate more income, probably ten years ago.

3 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Any idea if you can pay with a Thai bank card?

It's still an online payment system, so whilst I don't know for sure, I don't see why not.

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/th/en/news/uk-visas-and-immigration-payment-improvements

Thanks for the heads up Tony ????

I believe this takes effect from 18 February

It's worth noting that UK Visa Applications from Thailand can be made in THB from 18 February.

I'm grateful for @Tony Mfor the heads up

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206288-payment-for-uk-visas-now-in-thb/