Negita43

I’m approaching 80 years with the normal issues that come with age (knees, aches and pains, etc). I have had a Thai partner (not wife) for 12 years (in her 60’s) and I want to make the situation easy for her when I finally “pop off”. Up until now each year we have spent time in Europe and Thailand (50/50) - she has a 10 year tourist visa (expiring in a couple of years). The journey to and from the UK is becoming more and more of a chore, plus I have to pay the ever increasing community charge and heating etc. whilst it is unoccupied when we are in Thailand. It is in Scotland – so not possible to let on short term basis. I also have to monitor the flat whilst I am away using WIFI – heating, cameras, alarm etc. I find that the UK is becoming increasingly spoiled by “politically correct” bureaucracy and rules about what you can and cannot do with your own property/life. Plus the medical services are now in crisis. Although I have wills in both countries (with a Scottish Solicitor as the executor in the UK) I worry that when I do go, my assets in the UK flat, bank accounts, ISA - not enough to attract death duties - may prove difficult for her to manage the process of actually getting the monetary value of the assets to her. And what if I die whilst we are in the UK - I think that might be overwhelming for her. So I am seriously considering selling the flat and living permanently in Thailand (I have Non O retirement and extensions). Of course there are major considerations with this (what if she dies before me, will the environment for Non Os stay reasonably friendly) but the main one is money – leaving the UK implies losing my UK bank accounts credit cards, etc. Apart from the issue of how to transfer it I am not sure I want all my money sitting in a Thai bank account. So should I or shouldn’t I? And has anyone else “bit the bullet” and what advice would you give me on all aspects of such a move?

Can someone tell me what "Grandfathering" is

One other possible issue to factor in - AGE I'm over 75 and was told by my bank that the "Finacial Powers That Be" won't allow credit cards for people over 70 (I think maybe 75) so the bank refused (not our fault blame the government!). I get round it by using my partners card.

Thai bank or US bank and if Thai which one?

I'm thinking of moving funds as above and I wonder if anyone has had any experience of doing this and what issues that may have generated in the UK (or Thailand) Thanks

I have had two emails about this. I will now move to using only ATMs One device banking is not safe using a notebook plus mobile is two device and much safer

No I nevr install new version updates for at least a year. Switched of TPM in Bios so windows thinks I don't meet the criteria for win 11 and so does not update to it.

They aren't deceased you can hear them coff'n

I believe they specialise in buying up old pension pots from other insurers and I have one pension with them - £40 a year thank god! I still think they cannot insist where the pension is paid to - maybe it doesn't suit their "systems" but that is their problem not yours - consult the financial omsbudman over this maybe a bit of pressure will help.

So - it's your pension which you have contributed to (over the years I guess) are they stealing it or what alternative do they offer after all it's your choice where you live?

I've been a Natwest customer (originally National Provincial) for 63 years but that doesn't matter these days loyalty means nothing to big business and governments

More and more bots to chat with - if I supect that I ask them "are you a bot?" if they are you never get an answer.

"Oh man I just finished talking with them,I called the USA number what is on my booking confirmation +18666568207,15 minutes call,they couldn't solve my problem but they sent me a list of numbers worldwide and the Thai number is working" Thanks for the list BUT isn't it typical that you can make the booking on the internet BUT if there is a problem/question you had to make a 15 minute international call (at your expense) to make any sort of contact - and your issue still hasn't been solved. For those interested in the brands that BookingHoldings own follow this link and hover over brands in the menu - it's a monolith in the bookings field - and we all know what happens when businesses control too much of a market! https://www.bookingholdings.com/

Agoda is part of the Booking.com Empire and they )booking.com) are almost impossible to contact in any sensible way so I expect Agoda will be the same.

It's a major brand for most domestic "white goods" (and yes it's Turkish) - I have a washing machine in UK no issues

I agree I agree - you have to pay but you don't have to wait. In the UK (Scotland) I can't even get registered with a dentist (NHS) over here just had a teeth clean - cost 330 Baht just turn up at the hospital and join the queue. In Scotland I had 3 referals to consultants in the 6 months before I returned to Thailand - no contact for an apointment- as a matter of coutesy I let them know I was away for a few months and now I guess when I return I will be at the back of a very long queue! Over here - go to the hospital and you get seen.

Well known Thai proverb - Rules are meant for breaking. Come to think of it - well known universal proverb - Rules are meant for ignoring!!

A word of advice - when I renewed my licence recently (Korat) the free cerificate of residence took 10 days, if I wanted it there and then 500Baht for each one (car and motorcycle) might be different elsewhere but might pay to check before getting the medical cert (valid 1 month I think).

Yes and you see many on their mobile phones too.

In Bangkok?

can you tell me where for the blood test?

Thanks - suddenly my UK (Scotland) Health Trust offered me a vax whilst I'm here and offer terminating in March and do not plan to re-offer till next year when I will be over the 80 year limit - why I haven't been offered it before I do not know! Anyway I'm back in the UK in late March and will attempt to get the vax (without much hope) so it's good to know that if unsuccesful I can get at least something here.

Is it available in Thailand?

Thanks everybody - my gf blitzes them and makes a drink

I just wish the US Politicians would spend as much time and energy running the country as they do running down each other!