Jaggg88

Nationwide used to be free, but everyone got on the band wagan and they started to charge a high fee, you need a different account and send via swift, as posted its about £10.00, i hear HSBC charge less than this, or there are some prepay cards you could load up free online in the UK and use cheap at ATM in Thailand.

HSBC only charge £4 for swift transfers or free to another HSBC a/c anywhere in the world, but unfortunately HSBC don't offer retail banking in Thailand. I also bank with Nationwide and what I do is transfer money to my Caxton FX International debit card (other prepay cards are available) for free via the internet or simple text message and then use that card for purchases. I get a much better exchange rate than the Nationwide BS give me if I use their card. It still costs 180bht at ATMs and the limit is 10000 bht a day but if you get 2 cards for the same account (a one off £10 fee for the second card) you can get 10000 bht for each card per day. This works for me as I'm not full time in Thailand but when I retire I will transfer my banking business to HSBC and open a local bank account unless some other cheaper option materializes between now and then.

What's the reason for wanting a Thai passport?

My daughter now 12 had one and it never got used in visits. It's a complete waste of money,

If you can't get a visa to stay in Thailand then how would your daughter stay there?

Save your time & money & use her British passport & get her visas as yours.

A lot of Brits who have Thai offspring thinks it's cool or the 'done thing' to have both passports but as I said it's pointless.

You can go & stay a far more places with British.

Complete waste of time & money.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's nothing to do with cool but it is a convenience. My son can stay in Thailand as long as he wishes as he a Thai citizen with a Thai passport and he can use his British passport to travel almost anywhere else in the world.

My wife obtain our son's passport at the Thai embassy in London 2011 and I was not involved so I can't advise on the documents required.

Thailand does not allow duel nationality.

So for her to get a Thai passport, she would have to relinquish her UK passport.

Surely a UK passport has more value than a Thai passport.

You are talking utter rubbish! My son has dual UK/Thai nationality.

Three years and a bit for a new Fiesta. First sign of trouble and had it replaced. Anything over two years seems to be a bonus in Thailand.

Looked at getting a new generic battery (Boliden?) from a battery shop but they said they needed to modify the mounting to install, so just let the Ford dealer do the service.

Coat the lead poles with petroleum jelly (vaseline) - not grease - this will counter act acid build up. If the battery is not sealed for life then top up with distilled water only and regularly charge if not used much or you only travel short distances. As posted earlier the modern batteries are light weight and are not built to last.

Interesting comment about Isuzu ... when using the recommended 10W-30 oil I noticed that additional diesel rattle for a few seconds at first start up in the day. After I changed to 5W-40 (Mobile 1 for Diesel Pickups) I didn't have that initial extra rattle anymore. I notice recently that Isuzu have started offering a 5W-40 fully synthetic oil. I think that the choice of oil maybe important ....

Thanks for that info, our Isuzu does exactly the same so will try the 5W-40 oil next service - other than that its been a great workhorse. We don't go off road so went for the 2 wheel drive as it improves the fuel consumption.

Our house in Jomtien had an electric fence! Was never quite sure it was actually plugged into anything- but looked very impressive!

Personally I would hate to live behind bars.

Do they do those security roller blinds anywhere?

We've just come back from a holiday in Spain and my wife asked if we can get the built in security shutters they use there in Thailand. They're secure and keep out the sun.

Slow down and read what the OP said. He/she didn't say it was a good return or anything even suggests it's a good return.

You obviously didn't read the title of the thread

The title was a question? not a statement! So as you clearly have so much knowledge on good returns how about sharing with us.

Thanks for all your suggestions and comments.

Any issue with Car parking at the pier?

Was thinking of heading towards Ao Wong Duean beach. Any recommendations of quality resorts in this area?

I had forgotten the mozzies, they were rampant back when I last visited. Does the time of year affect them?

2 listings for that beach above in the thread.

We used the covered parking right by the pier but it has been 2 years since I was last there

yeah we used the covered parking at the pier 2 - 3 years ago and was cheap. You get harassed by scooter riders on the way in who want you to go by speed boat - very expensive - avoid!

Sounds again like a solid plan.

Buy the land in your gf her name...State and sign document at land office that it is her money solely.

Then use again your money to construct a house on her land.Building cost for u at least one million BHT.

May we have an update from you in about 7 years time about how it has all worked out for you ? and if you still live in that house

In case you change you mind u can consider renting such a simular house in Isarn first for 2-3 years.By this time you be a lot wiser then you are now!

This is good advice OP - there's no rush for financial commitment - also I believe under Thai divorce law it is better to marry first before any purchase.

Do you not need permission or some type of documentation to get married in thailand

You just need an affidavit confirming you are free to marry, get it translated and registered at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and you're good to go. Most ppl marry in BKK as other places aren't au fait with the paperwork.

Hua hin to krabi is across land, I looked at doing the trip at Xmas but decided it was too much hassle, I personally didn't like krabi, very expensive, hardly any beer bars and full of muslims, I couldn't even buy beer from the local shop next door to my hotel because they didn't sell alcohol. Aonang does have some lovely beaches though.

Ao Nang is the place to visit - only 30 mins from the airport

Hua Hin to Krabi in 3 hours?

Just head back to bangkok and then fly to krabi on commercial plane.

I've just booked flights to Krabi with Nok Air 2000bht return - from Dom Muang airport

What about marriage visa extension? I always used to get the income confirmation letter from the Chiang Mai British Consulate but they don't do this service any more.

When I contacted the British Embassy in Bangkok they told me they only do this for the Retirement visa.

What's going on?

I am always circumspect of things I am told over the phone in Thailand if it fails the common sense test. Go in person.

The embassy confirm your income as per the info you supply. You pay the over priced fee and leave with your evidence. There is no mention of what type of visa extension you are applying for. If you told them it was for retirement extension how would they know what type of extension you are actually applying for? Its the same evidence for each extension only the figures vary. For a retirement extension you can mix income with money in the bank so the embassy will not query your income.

Remember hearing of an online service called Asia 1. There office was at the Exchange Building on the corner of Asoke and Sukhimvit. Heard they take from any nationality, even American's

Even Americans?

Yes, usually a 500 baht tip is normal for those hard working lads.

Don't be so tight! I usually give 1000 or even 2000 if they have a whistle

Small monthly donation to the local police by your bar....you need assistance...you call them and problem solved.

This is how it works in Thailand - several years ago my wife sold her bar/restaurant and the guy who bought it didn't pay the police for protection (my wife did) and 6 months later the police raided his bar and closed him down.

20 baht plus standard rate, meaning? So instead of 35 baht starting rate and after that the same as Bangkok taxis?

No. The article quoted 20 baht in addition to standard taxi rates. It seems clear that the starting rate of 35 baht will still exist and an additional 20 baht booking fee would be included - Thus, the starting fee - 55 baht - Not too much if clean cars, reliable and honest drivers can be guaranteed.

It's seems very much like GrabTaxi but with the same costs and better cars (Prius).

Recently I've been avoiding taxi's and relying on UBER where possible (and waxing lyrical of UBER's service). I'd happy give this All Thai Taxi a try.

I agree completely Richard - 20 bht is a small price to pay for clean, reliable and honest taxi service.

Debbie Does Siem Reap...starring the ugly sisters - you can't make it up!

I came here to have one last fling before I died. That was 17 years ago. I was in a very high stress job in the US and was experiencing severe angina. After all of the tests I was told that I needed heart surgery. Having no family in the US, I cancelled the surgery, took early retirement and moved here to stay in late 1997. I have never had an angina attack since moving here and stopped all prescribed meds. I walk my nine dogs twice a day and tinker in the farming industry. I'm now 17 years older and suffering the affects of age and having a metal femur installed in my leg when I did a swan dive from a ladder. I fight being overweight, a losing battle all of my life, but I'm still alive and feel great!

That made my day chum......

me too a great story

Toasted sandwiches from a sandwich making machine.

Paninis - sound posher! Cheese (keeps well in fridge), Tuna (from tin), Ham (also keeps well in fridge) Tomatoes (also keep well in fridge) Bread/Panini (keeps for ages if frozen fresh and can be cooked from frozen). Burgers (frozen of course) is also an easy option for the same reason. Virtually no waste. Make a cheap coleslaw thro' out the day for the garnish which you throw away each night ready for to start a fresh new batch next morning - the ingredients for this last quite some time in the fridge. The coleslaw garnish give a fresh element to your fast food. Frozen pizzas are another easy choice just make sure you try everything and don't settle for cheap if its nasty. Plus a full stock of crisps, confectionery etc for the ppl with the munchies. A vending machine with 24 hrs access would be ideal. If you're not a chef don't try and be too ambitious but what you do offer make sure its is done well - most ppl are easily pleased if the fare is good and tasty, it doesn't have to be fancy and expensive. My friend stayed in a resort on Koh Chang where the English owner cooked a full English breakfast (bacon, sausage, toms, mushrooms, eggs etc) for the guests everyday and he said it was excellent. They owner wasn't a chef but told my friend he just taught himself to be good at cooking one type of dish (breakfast). I don't think he offered any other cooked food but is still the No1 budget resort on Koh Chang (look it up on trip advisor). I think its called Elephant and Castle but I may be wrong.

You might also consider giving Melatonin about 30 to 45 minutes prior to sleeping.. it is a safe non addictive sleep aide.

Kurt

This is what a lot of Flight attendants use to combat jet lag but its not a recognised treatment for Insomnia.

It is amazing how many westerners want to come and live in this "third world country "

Our money goes further and the girls go further still

Police are now looking for a Foreigner with a bike helmet on, Oh and can speak English

Who wears odd socks and is left handed - elementary Dr Watson.

One wonders what he would have done if he had a karaoke joint next door,

a town dweller i suspect.

regards Worgeordie

Well he has chosen to live in Amphur Muang, which is classed as town.

I think it's really annoying to have that noise next door to you.

yeah the article says they live on a housing estate so its not exactly village life, is it?

I would think it applies to all people that the TB test applies to, all people that are granted a visa that allows them to stay over 6 months

What would happen if as in many cases the visa is refused, would the prepaid NHS money be lost as well

what about the euro immigrants!!!!!!!!!!

Good point about the visa refusal. It should only be payable as and when the visa is granted.

The UK government has reciprocal agreements for healthcare with most major euro countries inc Switzerland. UK citizens get a free EHIC card.