jacko

A common mistake is to call the 30 day arrival stamp 'a tourist visa'... it is not. A tourist visa is stuck into your passport outside Thailand. You cannot 'renew' a tourist visa, you use it until it is used up (number of entries), or it expires, then you would need another. What you descibe sounds like what the visa run outfits are advertising, with a bit of the above confusion. You get a single entry tourist visa in Malaysia...enter and stay 60 days. Extend it at immigration for 30 days... Do a visa run after the 30 days and get a 30 day stamp. Do it again after those 30 days are up. Now you *might be able to do it again to reach the 90/180 limit relating to 30 day entry stamps......... Total, a 6 month stay in Thailand... * I say might because the 30 extension to the original tourist visa is rumoured to count in the 90/180 limit, of this I am unsure. But perhaps you could go to Malaysia again instead!

One of the visa run outfits is obtaining single entry tourist visas in Malaysia. Well they are advertising the fact on TV. I am also confused how you will stay in Thailand for 2 years using one triple entry tourist visa.... that visa would expire after 6 months.

Perhaps the visa run agencies pay the 'official' Cambodia visa price of $20, or 680 baht. Your extra 100 baht is probably the newer extra charge, for not staying in Cambodia! Nevertheless, with a breakfast, dinner and sitting in comfort watching a DVD, I will be using the visa run agencies. They were offering afternoon runs a while back, probably not viable in low season, plus they got back too late.

Surprised you couldn't get on one of the organised visa runs this time of year.... I would always prefer an 'organised trip'. I don't see a problem though other than the Cambodians maybe taking advantage.. and wanting 1000 baht instead of $20. But sure, you can get in and out on the day. If money is no real object I would think about driving to the airport and jumping on a budget flight to Singapore...

I thought 'food' was not an option to the owner? Any space for a microwave? A nice pie or pasty after a few beers is always nice. There is a lady does this on Beach rd near Soi 7, although she is a bit mean with the microwave timer. Good luck

Yes just had a crown fitted, I think it was about 8000 baht altogether. Dr Jaew, Art of Smile. Near Tropical Berts (famous Soi 6 area, 2nd Rd, opposite Bangkok Bank))

Or look up the Canon service agent on the internet and see who they list. It will likely be in Bangkok though, but it might be worth the trip there. I just did that with my watch and it was done in 1/5 the time at 1/3 the price that it would have been in the UK. An early start from the bus station and you can be back in Pattaya by 2pm.

My thoughts too, plenty of unskilled Thais working as carpenters here, well this week they might be carpenters! Anyhow wood is a dying building material. I am certainly hoping to replace it when the pet termites have done with it!

Sarcasm from a high horse perspective...

Getting the visa is no hassle other than being in the UK long enough. You can go in person or apply by post. It is a consulate actually, the embassy is of course in London. If that doesn't work get a multiple entry tourist visa. Read here, Hull Consulate. Interesting. Maybe they have an automatic program now on their computers to add up your days! And they decided to clean up the messy notices..... maybe not too.

Not sure why you are posting questions rather than answers.... His UK tax status would be 'liable' as long as he is still 'resident'. Qualifying as a non-resident (for tax purposes) has become more difficult recently, but by no means impossible. Determine the criteria and understand and conform. (Check on this! There are UK government web pages that define it quite well.) At most being out of the UK with no place of residence or dependents there for a specified time, should do it. Although if one has decided not to live in the UK again, I would simply deposit my money in Income Bonds, as tax is not deducted at source and wait it out. If he can live off pension and bank interest, why does he have to worry about accessing his deposit? Anyhow, at worst it would be a few months. I wouldn't consider a long term deposit, like those 5 year ideas. Might want to look at that Indian Bank...ICICI. http://www.icicibank.co.uk/ or why even close your existing account? If he is living in LOS, then he needs spending money there... and maybe 800,000 baht on deposit in LOS to qualify for the retirement visa (or he can just verify the pension income). Keep the bulk on deposit in the UK or offshore UK. You might just need to return! I don't know what the criteria are to open an offshore account these days, had mine for 25+ years. Surely the difficulty is just proving non-residence status to qualify for tax exemption. Get the account sorted first, worry about tax later. This is not where the bulk of the money will be. Good luck Ron, it isn't as difficult as you may think. You are doing the right thing posting here, but back it up with some research of your own. Start here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/ and keep asking questions. Us guys out here love to help, we are all getting on and want to feel we are still useful.

I am surprised you recommend this, as I thought the money had to have been in your account already for 3 months. As to the alternative financial requirement, that of verified income, as of October you will need a letter from your embassy, and then another stamp from some Thai ministry verifying such letter. A trip to Bangkok or a courier needed, and of course you will pay. As to doing trips out of Thailand, on a retirement visa one needs to purchase an exit/re-entry permit prior. The advantages of the retirement visa is you do not have to do such trips, nor go back to your home country for a 'new one'. Truly preferable for people who have no desire to travel

I like my visa runs...went to Bali last time, UK the trip before. Since I like to do a trip 'home' every 6-7 months, I think the Non Imm O visa is a far easier than the retirement option. All those daft letters from banks and doctors, and 3 monthly 'reporting'. Forced into keeping a small fortune in a low interest bank account! I like to keep my interaction with Thai 'officials' minimal!

I might dispute your speeds statement. I pay about 375baht/month for 100 hours with one2call. Speed is only 'acceptable' from 5-7am! It is hardly useable at 8am (for a short spell) and early evening, likely due to busy phones! I think it depends not only on time of day but where you are physically located on the network too. I am in East Pattaya, more central areas may do better. I have even felt that the network is doing some form of prioritisation when things get busy... my cheap deal being bottom of the heap!

I have certainly not heard rumour that the 90 days in 180 limitation has been tossed! No tricks necessary, apply for a Non-Imm-O visa (multiple) from the consulate in Hull.

I would like to think you are correct, but am uncertain, when it comes time to repay my annual premium, I would know more by the questions I am asked and what I am required to sign. One thing is certain though, I would not be told that these conditions are an issue at the time of paying my premium, more likely at the time of making a claim... That said, I was expecting to be looking elsewhere for more comprehensive cover next year... hence...

I agree with Eneukman. I have insurance via Pattaya Expats Club and although they claim 1,000,000 baht of cover, it would be a peculiar mix of circumstances that would generate such a payout. Having read the policy in detail I still feel I am exposed to an uncomforatable level of risk. Also, as I have just been treated for high blood pressure, it is likely future policies will provide less cover due to 'pre-existing conditions' weasel out clauses. Pattaya Expats Club stated they are looking into a group plan with better cover. Having a policy that leaves me exposed to potentially 6000 baht/day room charges hardly seems effective.

The area on the other side of Sukhumvit. A phrase coined by BM kolobos in an effort to make it sound enticing, and get people in his bar!

I have stayed in Nakhon Ratchasima quite a few times. I don't rate it as a fun place for farangs. If you are a younger person you might do well with the university girls at the discos... that noisy effort at the Rachapruk Hotel might be a good starting point. It is also a good reason not to stay at the hotel. At the back of said hotel there is a soapy and a couple of little Karaoke places. Girls don't speak much English there. I heard a GO-GO bar had opened there a while back, and there was some sort of girlie club opposite 'The Pizza Shop'. My GF is from there and would dearly love to move back, I would rather not. After going to the Zoo and Pimai I was bored daft.

I would expect he had already laid a substantial deposit down, and with a Thai man the chances of a refund are zero. I think our little Bill Gates needs to adopt a lower profile, farangs 'working' draws attention...got a work permit, got a sponsor? I still admire his enthusiasm,

Hmm, I think I will go along with Gary's advice on this one. Yours is a bit final.

Well the VIPs to Chiangmai and Mai Sai do... I don't mind as they probably avoid a bit of traffic too. My TGF always catches a daytime one to Korat though (aircon 1 class)... 7.45am departure and arriving about 2pm. My trip next month to Phitsanalouk will arrive at about midnight.

This guy just bounces back!

Not such an unusual thing Tom. I could throw a stone from my place at 3 such houses. I think good neighbours is the key.

I'd just like to add that the Nakhonchai Air website listed above should be taken with a pinch of salt. I used the timetable, but when I went to the bus station to book the tickets, neither the times of departure, nor the bus frequency were correct. The question as to why the website was giving out incorrect information resulted in the well known, oriental, blank faced, open mouthed, shrug!