jacko

That is where I stayed once and had someone pilfer something out what they pass off as a security box. (Looked like a school locker with a padlock on it)

Listen pal, being miserable is no way to live. Your numbers and age uncannily match me nearly 3 years ago... I live in Thailand. Whilst 6% is optimistic at the moment, certainly for a cash deposit, I see 217,000 baht/ month easy for you. I still have my original capital after nearly 3 years. Whilst living off the interest is probably more secure, do you realise you could live here for nearly 20 years without any? At 65 a pension should kick in too. If you have a good enough head on your shoulders, you would be fine.

(You mean the city or the region?) I have stayed in the city twice, and despite the fact that it is a big city, I didn't find much to do. If you have transport, I found the areas near the Mee Khong more interesting... Khong Chiam, the 2 colored river and Pha Taem national park.

Yes, like people who fly half way around the world to pay for sex!

That is interesting as all my first hand experience of Cambodia is a few years old now. But how about transport? Is there a road between Koh Kong and Sihanookville yet? Or do the aircon busses from Sihanookville to PP actually turn the AC on now?

This Nationwide account gets a lot of positive publicity here..... now I am cynical and banks are in the game to make money. So let me ask, do Nationwide hide fees in the exchange rate? Do you get the onshore rate?

Interesting, I got my Non-Imm O from the Hull Consulate, by post, there is a possibility they look less closely, particularly if you are over 50. I lived here for 2 years on triple entry tourist visas... taking trips back to the UK when they ran out. Plenty of options for the visa run, 2000-2400 baht for the day-trip to the Cambodian border. A few days in Cambodia or Laos by land. Or a flight to Phnom Pehn on Air Asia.....weekend in Singapore, Penang or the Philippines as you say.

Where did you apply? Normally this is not a requirement. Yes you can... but now you may need the outward flight ticket..... True... Just fine here, they are a rough lot in the members area

When I last went to see my doc he said 'I haven't seen you for a long time'.....'I know, I haven't been well' I told him'..... Sorry....I'll log off now then.......

Thanks for all that Alan, it relaxes my mind somewhat! It is so long ago since I left the UK... over 25 years, that I can't remember whether I claimed non-residence status or not prior. Most letters from them get thrown in the trash.. ... I did answer one once, basically telling them, as I lived overseas, to fuck off and mind their own business and stop wasting taxpayers money chasing me..... . (I hate the ?£^NTS). I worry about giving a Thai address now, mainly as I feel mail might be lost. You have to keep your wits about you, an ever expanding government expenditure makes them look hard for other resources.

May I answer...thank you. Because the roads are not lit and full of ruddy great pot-holes. There are drunk people driving around in the night. I am currently rethinking my 2-bike lifestyle after being hit last night by some kid whizzing along with little regard for his or other's safety. Soi Nerm Plub Wan seems particularly bad when they all get out of the mosques...sunset. I feel you are deliberately 'buzzed' as a falang....you have to keep your elbows tucked in!

Yes I am in the same boat. The voluntary NI contributions only really cover your pension.... it is possible that will be taken off us, for non residents, before reaching 65 too! You never know..... They now take your health care off you a lot quicker than you qualify for non-resident status for tax purposes!! As an aside, offshore banks will now be obliged to inform the UK government of those holding accounts with EU addresses. Beware those not paying tax on interest. ( I realise a non-resident does not have to, but if like me, you retain a UK mail address, expect future aggravation)

I don't see much need or benefit. I just telex money over to my Pattaya branch when needed. It's there the next day. Easy easy...I think I dealt through them when I submitted a UK cheque to my Pattaya branch... (just to give it a try) I got my money deposited in Thailand but it took 25 days and it didn't seem to give me any less costs, maybe more.

Gulf Air has been squeezed out by the new and rich groups.....Emirates, Qatar and Ethiad. Gulf was never a good airline whereas these 3 are far superior. Progress....Gulf alway was a bit of an 'all stops in the Gulf'' carrier... I did a lot of miles with them.... mostly dropping off in places I didn't want to go to.

The weather and the low costs are obvious... but little things... My girl hanging up the washing right now as I lie on my ass playing on the computer. Going fishing.... Getting my gas cylinder relaced at 7pm on a Sunday night, a phone call, and it is delivered and fitted in minutes. Calling Sophon cable and they fix the problem in 20 minutes. Calling the place where they issue driving licenses and getting to talk to a human being. Parking my motorcycle where I need to... Hardly ever having to buy clothes, and when I do, they are cheap. Hardly ever having to wear much clothing.... Not understanding politicians when they talk on TV...... Arriving at the airport, and being in the lounge within an hour...... Having the tyres checked/fixed for 3 baht Did I mention the girls, was I told not to??

I have lived here a couple of years now and manage quite well without a car or pickup. I do have a couple of motorbikes for getting about. I rent a car when I travel around Thailand. Someone mentioned how convenient it was for going out for a drink... well I stopped drinking and driving here, too dangerous for me and others. At the moment I live pretty close to Pattaya... if I was out of town more a car/pickup would become obligatory. As it stands now, well it would just take too long to get any place... then where the hell can I park.

Hmmm, that would suggest they are issuing Multiple Non Imm O visas. I haven't heard this elsewhere and am a little surprised. (Ooops, just took a look at Thai Visa forum and you are correct, someone over there hinted prices for the visas are going up early July, and Penang might be more strict in the future) For sure Penang is where the visa run people go to get the tourist visas....and even then, only single entry.

I hate to sound like Big Chief but I think you mean 2 rai.. not 2 wah of land Two talang (sq) wah is about 8sqm. Where exactly outside Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima)? My GF comes from a village about that distance from the city and wants to build on her land. I think it is just beyond Chok Chai..... good luck with it. Would appreciate an update!

I thought the famous Joe was mistaken...yes maybe..the question posed clearly states '30 day visa on arrival!.. But the second paragraph is 'on the money'

Not at all. A multiple tourist visa or a non Imm 'O' would also require trips every 60 or 90 days. I believe the combination of 3 x30 day and a tourist visa from Malaysia is being used by some visa run specialists.

Quite a trip to Ranong over the hills, but interesting. Perhaps from Cha-Am you could get onto the train to the Southern border with Malaysia... if it doesn't get blown off the tracks.

Would be better under Expat Issues forum. Well discussed there. Try a search on the subject. I recall 1 BM had a good policy, I think it was 'Gary'. I have just taken out one in Pattaya on the 'Expats Club' group plan through AA Insurance brokers.

This is great news, I have avoided many places for ages now as I despise the dual pricing policy and adopt a 'cut off my own nose' approach. Got my license this year, a whole new world opens up to me!

Fair dodge... I would have said it was a rhetorical question. Pretty good one too.

Don't really think the TV is all that good... but who needs it?