Hotrats

Yes. In the early 2000s all passport related matters and visa issuance was dealt with at the Embassy. Very efficient and friendly sevice it was too. Unfortunately that all came to an end when VFS was contracted to handle all these applications. It was a nightmare in comparison having to go through VFS, although I must say their service has vastly improved since they moved to Rama 9.

I've been doing my 90 day reports online with no problems for years. Then suddenly this week my latest report was rejected. I've no idea why. The reason given was that the first report after leaving the country had to be made in person, but I haven't left the country for years so that made no sense. I did change my password as requested becaise apparently it had "expired", but still not clear why my report was rejected. So I had no choice but to go and do it in person in Nonthaburi this morning.

I agree. There has been a vast improvement with all aspects of the service from VFS since they moved to the new location. The previous location at Trendy was always far too busy, chaotic and unfriendly. The new location, however, wasn't busy at all and the service was very friendly and efficient. I was there recently for a UK passport renewal and was amazed how quickly the whole process, from submitting my passport up to collection about a week later, was completed The main problem I always had before for visa applications was navigating the online process for booking an appointment, but this time for my passport renewal the online booking was straightforward and completed with no problems. Or course, no decisions are made by VFS, so there must have been an improvement with the process at HMPO back in the UK as well. I hope the process for visa applications is similarly improved too.

My problem with face scanning on the Bangkok Bank app is that I can't read the instructions without my reading glasses. So, since I have to remove my glasses for the app to recognize my face it's impossible for me to use it. In one case I had to go into my branch where the staff led me through the various steps as I couldn't read them on the screen. They did say that this is a fairly common problem, so not just me.

It's very simple. Just go to your local Tax Office and ask for one. Done in 5 minutes . No charge. I'm retired, but use mine to claim back the tax on interest on my bank accounts. They send you a cheque after a few weeks which can be deposited into your account (without any restrictions as someone incorrectly said above).

Yes. Me too. I had the same problem with the face scan with Bangkok Bank. I also need glasses for reading, so without them I couldn't read the instructions in order to get the face scan approved. I had to go to my bank branch where the staff helped me through the process. It seemed I wasn't the first customer they had to help in this way.

Because it is so much more complicated and more work for them. A retirement visa extension is relatively straightforward. The retirement extension can be approved on the spot, whereas the marriage extension can only be approved at head office. I remember when I first went with my Thai wife to apply for an extension based on marriage, they did all they could to persuade me to change and apply for a retirement extension. As it turned out the retirement extension was far better for them (less work) and me (less paperwork required and can be approved on the spot).

I'm pretty sure your visa extension application has to be made in the province where you reside.

It was at Nonthaburi Immigration office.

I have just received my new British passport from VFS. No certificate or letter was given. But no letter was required. I simply completed the form as provided in the link above by DrJack54 and the visa stamp was transferred from my old into my new passport. This was free of charge and pretty straightforward other than the fact that they required a copy of every page from my old passport.

I have a TIN and a Pink ID. Numbers are not the same.

Yes. I have had a Visa Credit Card from Bangkok Bank for many years. The credit limit is equal to the amount held on deposit by the bank.

Many thanks for the speedy and helpful reply. I too have been living in South East Asia for over 20 years, so your experience is very encouraging.

Thanks for that info. I am about to get an MRI scan done here in Bangkok, probably with mrithailand (as recommended by Sheryl. I will then have to decide whether to have any needed follow up treatment here in Thailand or back in the UK. So I have 2 questions, 1) were you charged by the NHS as a non UK resident? and 2) how long ago did you do this? Thanks.

I haven't had a will actually drawn up at my amphur office, but I did take my will which had already been drawn up by my lawyer here in Thailand, to be registered with my local amphur office. Apparently having the will registered with the amphur makes things easier should there be any problems with probate, but I don't know about having them actually draw it up as well.

I have multiple accounts with one branch of Bangkok Bank, all in my name. 2 fixed savings accounts (one for immigration 800k and one as guarantee for my credit card). I also have 2 "current" savings accounts also in my name. I also have a joint account in my and my wife's name. Never had any problem opening any of these.

I have a 5 year Thai driving license. On all my visits to the UK I have used it without any problems, including for car rental. However, on a recent trip to France I had to get the International Driving Permit as the French do not accept a license in any other language than French (contrary to what some other posters have said above).

Marks & Spencer.

Yes, you can. But the shop will add a 3% charge to cover the credit card fees.