Surasak

Totally agree, this is blatant racial discrimination. It has happened to me on few occasions and I just vote with my feet. A guy in Chiang Mai did relent but it took him 20 minutes to realise he was out of pocket but I did not give him the satisfaction. Where ever possible I send the wife or my son to do the shopping in places I feel we may be double charged but in the attractions or National parks I just refuse to surrender to their theft.

A Friend of mine has had the same happen to him. The UK bank was Nationwide BS the Thai bank was BKK. The internet banking statement clearly showed a deduction from his UK bank in sterling at the rate of £20. When applying for funds to be transferred there is a question as to which bank should pay any additional charges and we have always stated the Nationwide. We both use the same one in UK. As I have not as yet had to transfer funds myself I am not sure what will happen as I use Krung Thai bank. However, a double dose of transfer fees is I think, going a bit beyond a joke.

The OP appears to know something about Thailand and where he would like to reside. I would suggest a six month stay in you chosen area with days out to explore other, possibly cheaper options. As others have said, it is doable, but don't burn bridges until you are sure. Health care could become a major problem especially as we get older and should be a priority consideration. Someone has said about having the pension transferred to a Thai bank direct from DWP. I would look into this as I believe the exchange rate given is not as good in this case. No doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong.

What a novel idea, considering public opinion?

Wonder if that will catch on?

Yes it is a novel idea and it would be very nice if it did catch on, and not only here in Thailand. There are a few other countries which would possibly do better to think like this.

It is possible to renew a UK driving licence while living in Thailand, I did it almost a year ago now, in fact 27/6/2013. The only problem I had was the dispute regarding a new photo. But because my passport is still valid until 2016 this was overcome easily enough. All the authorities know I live in Thailand so I was not trying to hide anything by using a UK address. Having sent off the relevant paperwork the new licence was duly returned to me three weeks later. So sorry to say I do dispute this particular item in your thread.

You committed a criminal offence when you applied to renew your licence and stated that you were a UK resident. It matters not that you think "all the authorities know I live in Thailand" You filled in the form, and you stated that you lived as a resident in the UK, and later signed stating that what you had written was correct. Renew your driving licence

Renew your driving licence online with DVLA if you have a valid UK passport issued in the last 5 years. Apply using your Government Gateway ID. If you don’t have one or need to re-register, you’ll get an ID as part of your application.

What you need to know

Start now on driving licensing online

• Before you start
• What you need to know
• Other ways to apply

You can’t apply online if your name has changed or if you want to renew a 5-year bus or lorry licence.

To apply online, you need to:

• have a valid UK passport issued within the last 5 years
• be a resident of Great Britain - there’s a different service in Northern Ireland

In fact I did nothing of the kind. I phoned the DVLC and they sent me the forms to my address in Thailand. I do not and have not had an address in the UK for the past 8 years and neither did I use a relatives address. If the DVLC, having sent me a replacement licence then it is they who are at fault not I. So, may I suggest you ask the questions instead of making unfounded accusation?

It is possible to renew a UK driving licence while living in Thailand, I did it almost a year ago now, in fact 27/6/2013. The only problem I had was the dispute regarding a new photo. But because my passport is still valid until 2016 this was overcome easily enough. All the authorities know I live in Thailand so I was not trying to hide anything by using a UK address. Having sent off the relevant paperwork the new licence was duly returned to me three weeks later. So sorry to say I do dispute this particular item in your thread.

Good luck to Him. He is the Abe Lincoln of Thailand.

....or Pol Pot. Time will tell.

'The constitution was replaced after 2006 with one intended to curb Thaksin's electoral influence.

"This time, the constitutional changes will be more thorough," Thai politics analyst Paul Chambers said.

He said measures could include "electoral gerrymandering, even more power granted to the judiciary, and finally -- and most ominously -- more power granted to the army." Centnews.com 24.05.14

Got to be one smart constitution next time to curb Mr T?

Maybe there is a lot going on that one is not allowed to discuss?

Thailand is changing but some are trying to hold onto a past.

Mr T could be curbed quite easily by revoking his passport. I'm sure that is possible.

I have a feeling this general is being shown the way?

A few months ago I made an enquiry regarding car hire on a Thai licence to a company in Poole Dorset. I was assured it was possible as the licence was printed with both Thai and English language. Had it been only Thai they would reuse the hire even with a citified translation.

Asking a bit much I know, but why are there not dedicated bus lanes. Any infringement by other road users incurs a fine. Keeps the traffic moving and busses have it all their own way. I'm dreaming of course!

All pigs fed and ready to fly!

It must be hell to ever change the side of the road that cars use. Has any major country every tried it. I saw on a recent Top Gear that Burma moved from the left to the right but most cars there are still right hand drive.

Sweden switched from left to right driving in 1967

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H

As any major change, the change of driving side takes some time for people to adapt.

Therefore it's better to do it gradually.

Week 1: Motorbikes and bicycles will switch to ride on the right.

Week 2: Cars and vans start to ride on the right

Week 3: Lorries, busses and the rest completes the change and switch to the right.

In other words, Total mayhem!

If people can't get their heads round driving on the other side of the road they shouldn't be allowed to drive a vehicle.

I am inclined to agree with Mooner. After all it only takes a little more concentration.

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Khon Kaen struck me as a nice clean city.

Pattaya has improved a lot in the last 20 years.

Yermanee alt=wai.gif width=20 height=20>

Yermanee, did you stay in a hotel in Khon kaen?

Did you go around at all?

Did you try to walk on any pavements that they are not full of vendors and trash?

Please show me the clean parts so I can enjoy myself too.

Have to agree here. Khon Kaen is not the cleanest of places. Report should read, "Could do much better", but will not hold my breath.

He will be above the law, above the Constitution, above judicial process, can confiscate the assets of anybody or deport anybody out of the country. Suthep said before that he would seize the assets of Ms Yingluck Shinawatra, said Natthawut.

Strange but true, An empty vessel makes the most noise.

A definite case of the lights being on but no one is home, so the elevator has no need to go all the way to the top.

When paying with your credit card, don't let it out of your sight and always use your pin to pay.

When you give them your credit card it is too easy for them to use their mobile phone to photo the front and rear of your card to get the code numbers.

After they have got the front and rear numbers they can order anything on line, as they have all the info required to purchase goods.

In Australia on the 1st of July I think it is. All transaction done on any cards must be pinned, no signatures will be accepted after that date.

Just a warning.

In years of living in Thailand, I've never yet had any bankcard transaction for a purchase (credit or debit card) handled via a PIN-based purchase. It's always swipe and sign.

ATM withdrawals of course involved the use of PIN codes. But point of sale (POS) purchases here typically don't. The cardholder here doesn't get to choose the type of transaction they want.

Have paid at Global House and HomePro with a debit card and on each occasion paid with a PIN. They are the only store I know of which use this with a Chip&PIN M/C

The diet as stated is, to my way of thinking rather dangerous. Try a meal replacement drink for breakfast, plenty of green vegetables for lunch with home made soups. Meal replacement drink for dinner. No sugar, tea, coffee, meat, potatoes or rice. At least 3 litres water per day for 11 days and the weight will fall off. Moderate exercise over this period. After the 11 days return to a low calorie diet with more exercise and keep the meal portions small. If you wish to lose more weight leave at least two month before returning to the diet. It works if you stick to it and can even cure type two diabetes. Proven.

You *are* required to present documentation of your immigrations status on demand, and for 99% of us that is our passport.

"Presenting" doesn't mean "presenting the passport that you must be carrying on you at all times."

This has been discussed ad nauseam here on TV. Look up the many previous threads. Nobody's ever been able to find any law saying that foreigners must carry their passports, specifically, at all times. Nobody's been fined or deported for not doing so. (If you think there is such a law, then quote it.) They must have a passport, yes. So you can be detained until you produce it, if BiB or Immigration so chooses. If you have no passport, the obvious follows. What else is new?

Keep carrying those copies and DL.

I was find ฿300 in Patong in 1998 for not carring a passport. I did have an ID card at the time Stating my UK address and phone Number along with the passport number. It did not have a photo so this may have been the reason, but the BIB were doing there usual spot checks. The ID I had was taken from me by the officer concerned and I was directed to the police station in one of the back roads. There I was met with a long queue of other foreigners paying fines for the same offence. So, unless I have misread your posting people have been find for not carrying passports.

Three months ago I transferred ฿300,000 to the UK via KTB bank. I have used this bank for approximately 6 years and am known to the staff. When asked the purpose of the transfer, I said it was to repay a loan. No other questions were asked and the fee was ฿1200. Early this month I transferred a further ฿100,000. The fee was the same but no questions as to the purpose.

Itll be the block pavers and double glazing salesmen next. Oh and then the telesales

You forget the guy wanting to tarmac you drive with what he has left over from a previous job. That usually turns out to be cr*p

I have paid late electric bill at the post office or sub branch but they will only accept up to 7 days late.

I have just change from marriage to retiement but they would not let me use 50/50 money in bank and income. Only other thing was the yellow book which negated the requirememt of the wife attending. I was in the K/K office ten minutes only with a 12 month extension. very simple.

I have an Acer Aspire 4820TG. IT's battery life is quoted as 8 hours! IT also has alittle label stating 'Battery life varies by usage settings and operation conditions.

When using on battery it can sometimes last for about 4 hours which is reasonably good. When using at home I remove the battery and just plug into the mains. Works a treat.

Bought a new Honda Civic 18 months ago and it came with 30% tinted windows all round. I think the law states not more than 50% tint but that may have change. As to driving day or night I have no problems but do need sunglasses in daytime, although not too dark.