pschef

Yes please be carefull what you write in this forum, as pointed out ( did it ever enter your head that officials read this!!!! )

another post quoted

Sometimes it's best to leave things be...and not rock the boat....

Just be glad the system works in OUR favor...sometimes.... Living here, that's certainly more the exception, than the rule.

I did buy my house on a loan from SCB, but a joint acc with Thai wife. That was quite a few years ago

Totally agree with markg keep your head down, don’t piss people off. Try Manila if you think Phuket is dangerous, I always travel with an armed body guard in Caviti. Plus he can and will protect me, but then the Philippines are beautiful. Same as Thai Islands. I can say Ive had more problems with druken farrangs than Thai, Phuket is still a safe place to live.

Yes and they charge a fortune just for a simple letter, already on the com. I never can understand why, don’t they have any financial help from UK GOV? Only us British expats paying. I believe USA Embassy or Consulate don’t charge so much for their services like a letter clarification of address or Pensions income. Maybe I’m wrong??

Totally agree, I was offshore Thailand almost 2 years. I am a catering guy. Mostly as you all say its nationals only now.

So what is the requirement, now we have established the facts. Who would be eligible for that visa? EG I am a British National working in Middle East; I work on a 35 x 35 day rotation. That means I enter Thailand lets say 6 times a year. The present time I am on NON O Retirement that can be quite expensive. Afore mentioned visa would be far cheaper, less hassle. Every year having to apply, not only the extension but for a multiple re-entry visa. Guys lets have some positive replies please.

Does indeed look like an ED visa, without the need to study or only study on paper.

The company offering it is based in Thailand.

I don't know the company, but if it is indeed an ED visa they will get you I would not recommend it.

Just had a friend came back from Vietnam, I think Ho Chi Min city. He rekons they will issue you a 3 years non o mulitple at Thai embassy. Now that is worth ivestgation

Just wonder, does this only apply in Bangkok?

When I read these stories it terrifies me. I have never used drugs, but the thought of a false positive, and subsequently being sent to the woefully overcrowded Phuket Provincial Prison for who knows how long scares the hel_l out of me. From where I am from, this blatant violation of personal liberty would be unconscionable.

I used drugs in the past but that is a long time ago, but i would be worried about a false positive too. Or about corrupt police trying to get you to pay up or frame you. Its just that i don't trust the police in Thailand that much.

My job is so easy on forums like this.

In order to make the chase a bit more challenging

Let me provide a few hints

The purple color is just how we actually bust you.

It is only so that you can understand why you are under arrest

No one needs that grape koolaid stuff any more

We first monitor the falang forums for evidence.

Drug use results in both paranoia & memory failure.

It also brings on an inflated sense of what constitutes personal liberty

wherever it was you were from...we flag occurrences of "personal liberty"

I think you boys are giving yourselves away.

Expect our visit a few minutes before 0500

even if you don't go to the speakeasy tonight

We never mistakenly haul anyone in.

The good citizens on innocent vacation

Remember everything,

Fear nothing,

Are concerned far more about personal responsibility back where they are from

We know they are clean just as they themselves do....it is written all over them.

If I was unexpectedly thrown into your position,

I'd quietly invest in window tint film, after market magnifying rear view mirrors and good tires

But above all,

don't let on that you are worried about it...

Narc Officers look first for the tiniest telltale hints of paranoia

insignificant things to the untrained eye,

eye twitches, scratching the side of the nose, moving feet while seated

This Slippery body language is like a beacon on a fog horn to us

Be bold,

have loads of personal liberty,

do your mess right out in the open,

because we always check the back rooms first.

Do your deals outdoors under a streetlight in bright clothing,

we will ever suspect that

Also, Our manual teaches that druggies collect and discard many women.

If you only ever are seen with the same respectable woman,

you can do whatever your personal liberty says.

Finally, Narc Officers are trained that exactly half of all Druggies prefer ugly women.

Make sure your one steady is pretty, and every other day you are safe.

Enjoy your stay in Thailand.

It's the things I didn't tell you that I will still bust you on.

So your paranoia is justified.

You won't necessarily need your memory

Your personal liberties will be returned in the same manila envelope as your jewelry and civilian clothing

along with your release papers and expulsion orders.

Oh yes,

There are no Visa formalities at the Phuket Provincial Prison,

we handle all your 90 day extensions

We are truly a one-stop accommodation.

Are you a poet or a prophet< I wonder what and where you come from? But I do like your rhetoric> I have been in Phuket many times in my life this is a funny story anyway life is for living

sorry you are right, me until 2013 no problems I hope

Anyone can tell me, if and where can I get a Sterling bank Draft. I need to send it to UK for pay off my pension, they require the money is in sterling and the correct amount with no charges to them.

I am in Chiang mai district, some say Bangkok Bank, please advise thanks

Correct, larger branches of Bangkok Bank sell Sterling drafts drawn on BB London, clearing time of the draft is three days once recieved in London. Just curious, is the checque going to the Customs and Revenue folks to pay off previous NI contributions?

Yes Back Pay unpaid years, I hope to get a full pension in a few years

I'm doing something similar and had considered using BB Cashiers cheques for payment but am concerned that the canceled cheque is not returned to the buyer once cashed - that means I don not have proof of payment should something go wrong in allocating that payment to my NI account. The only way I can see to partially mitigate that scenario is to use DHL courier services for delivery so there is at least a proof of delivery receipt.

You are right, but in the letter I got states. They will issue a receipt on request, no need DHL Thai EMS gets a receipt of delivery. British Embassy use them. My only worry is the money gets there without charge to the recipent. I will call BB and inquire about the service, let you know.

Thank you all for your quick replies. Why am I not surprised? I have just been trying to set up an account with Nationwide and they were most helpful but 'The Regulations' & 'The FSA' require that I present myself, in person, at a branch of Nationwide in UK. Of course, I fully understand that I cannot be trusted because I am not a politician, a senior Treasury official nor a director of one of those prudent banks we know and love so well - (all bow). So I must continue to suffer the vagaries of bloody hsbc and its internet chaos-creation system, which I must surely deserve.

Interestingly, it took my claim form about a week to go, long tabien, to UK and then two months to travel through the UK Civil Service's internal postal system. I await their decision on whether I shall be granted a full pension on 44-years full contributions with some apprehension - after all, only wicked people come abroad to seek their living rather than go on the dole in UK.

The letter I got just the other day, 30 years paid will get you full state pension.

Anyone can tell me, if and where can I get a Sterling bank Draft. I need to send it to UK for pay off my pension, they require the money is in sterling and the correct amount with no charges to them.

I am in Chiang mai district, some say Bangkok Bank, please advise thanks

Correct, larger branches of Bangkok Bank sell Sterling drafts drawn on BB London, clearing time of the draft is three days once recieved in London. Just curious, is the checque going to the Customs and Revenue folks to pay off previous NI contributions?

Yes Back Pay unpaid years, I hope to get a full pension in a few years

Anyone can tell me, if and where can I get a Sterling bank Draft. I need to send it to UK for pay off my pension, they require the money is in sterling and the correct amount with no charges to them.

I am in Chiang mai district, some say Bangkok Bank, please advise thanks

Sorry going apposite of topic, anyone can say the best way to send money to UK from a thai Bank. I need to pay a govenment department, they would only process my request if the receive exact ammount stated. No charges made to them, when they get my money. Sorry but its close to the subject?

I was passing near to the Consulate today, so I stopped by to check. They will re-open (normal hours) as from Monday 5th January. I inadvertently breached forum rules by including the Consulate's e-mail address before. You can read it for yourself at the UK Embassy's website:

Seasons Greetings & Happy New Year

PS - I'm sure that the OP won't take some responses as typical of all Chiang Mai folk. If they were, I'd probably be packing my bags to head for Chiang Rai.

Just wonder can anyone help,

SUBJECT 1:

the letter I received from British Consulate last year, indicating Pension amount

Do we need a new letter every year of application?

Will Thai Immigration accept they already have that letter on File? (I have a copy)

SUBJECT 2:

Anyone know what date the consulate will reopen after New Year?

Thanks and Happy new year

I wonder if what we has been discussed about Thaksin this and he being a criminal etc.etc. is only some sort of a cliche... of people who are living in an illusionary dumb sheep kind of follow the leader with the biggest mouth..isn't there anyone here on the forum who has the GUTS to be pro-Thaksin??? I don't understand much about politics...what I do understand is that Thailand after he is ousted has been exposed of not able to handle democracy....The PAD has destroyed more than Thaksin with his " corruption" or criminal activities....foreign investments under Thaksin was more stable...now forget it....I wouldn't want to invest anything into Thailand...No one now will be able to run Thailand with a strong fist...which the Thais need...a strong leader....corrupt or not....so long the majority of Thailand propers isn't that more important??? The poor was benefitting so much, more stability, educational reform, fight against corruption, crime, drugs....all a major push towards a better Thailand...Now it is all going down the hole...just because a small minority rich big mouths are envious of Thaksins successes.....think of this for a minute...hope more people on this forum has the GUTS to also respond.....

I for one agree, Taxing was or is a different leader. Right or wrong he did make a difference. the King didn’t like him, but secretly gave him the thumbs up.

I see many thing going back now, lets say to the old ways. Teachers selling drugs to kids in the high schools etc, and I know that was sort of stamped out under Taxin. He was a man of the people, although many people (rich ones) would disagree. I see in my own back yard, ya ba is coming back with a vengeance but as crstal amphetamine. More easy to produce and worse as u all know. So what he made a few bob, think what a better place it could be, if we give him a chance.

I for one

Thanks for the advise, yes I will be converting that money back to my main account as soon as I return.

That is I could do it online, but Im scared of making a mistake (its all in Thai) I hope a few maore days wont hurt, I will monitor every day.

Cheers

Just wonder if anyone has any idea if the SCB EAsy Fund is safe, what with wall street having problems. I guess somewhere must be invested in overseas shares, mine is small but friends have quite a bit invested.

Any advise would be grateful, Im out of country right now working, cant raelly monitor well from Here.

If you attend an ROTC type program if going to school in Thailand you are exempt from the lottery.

yes this is true, like army cadets in UK

Sorry Guys, I just did mine new letter they keep it.

Again Chiang Mai didnt ask any Credit or Debit card. maybe depend on the office???

"Income letters are now only valid for one renewal"

Two years ago the #2 Imm. officer in Pattaya told me that the original Embassy letter was valid until the expiration date of your passport and a copy would be accepted -- That's ALL changed!

You'll now need a new letter every year and --in addition-- a copy of both sides of a valid Credit ( or Debit ) Card -- You can black-out a few vital numbers in hopes of protecting against identity theft and credit card fraud.

what's the impact for simple folks like me? is this a good or bad development?

I wonder does he know anything about immigration, how can he know???

Maybe we should coin a new acronym for Thailand now - LOU, Land of U-turns

There was a report by some high ranking Thai architects recently in the BKK post in which the architect pointed out that

- The design for the airport was 20 years old and never revised. So Thailand ended up with a state-of-the-art facility - state of the art for 1987.

- The design had many built-in flaws such as:

-- All glass design makes it difficult to cool

-- The structural design makes it difficult to impossible to clean. The solution proposed by the original architects was an elaborate and expensive cleaning system. Worse, the cleaning system was never installed.

-- The finishing was done without any consideration for aesthetics

-- Many intrinsic flaws - lack of toilets, lack of storage space meaning carts and other airport equipment is just standing around in halls

-- No interior room for staff etc

-- Largest single terminal feels cramped and claustrophobic because of these faults

In architecture, anything can be fixed given time and money. But if you believe these architects you would basically have to shut down the airport completely, have an independent team of international architects come in, analyze all the problems, and develop solutions which are subsequently implemented. Sounded like a multi-year project.

The Thai architects suggested international help because there are no impartial / independent architects in Thailand.

Argee totally, how about the long drops over those walkways. just throw your self over there mate

Seems I cooked up a storm, sorry guys I’m just trying to help. We are in the same boat if you like it or not. Maestro and Pakkakapbaan seem to have the right idea.

But I suggest you contact Sunbelt, they can tell You what are your options, no charge unless you employ them. Obviously I advise that, not expensive and very professional.