Eneukman

Jacko, There's no problem whatsoever getting a multiple entry non-Immigrant O visa from the Thai Consulate in Hull. The only thing you do need is a letter from a friend or relative guaranteeing that they will cover the cost of repatriating you should this become necessary. A style of the letter can be found on the Thai visa site - www.thaivisa.com If you're over 50, you can easily obtain a retirement visa in Thailand. A non-Immigrant O visa is required (though a 30 day permit and tourist visa can apparently now be converted to a non-Immigrant O visa (for a fee). A medical certificate to certify you're alive and a letter from a Thai bank confirming that you have a balance of at least 800,000 baht are all you require. Alan

I was staying at an hotel in Wales many years ago when a couple checked in. The guy was recognised by a couple who lived round the corner from him and as you will have guessed by now, the woman with him was not his wife. For some strange reason they both left early the following morning without eating breakfast. Alan

Downpours for an hour or so many afternoons resulting in some localised flooding - though the water levels do go down quite quickly. I seem to recall seeing photos of Soi Buakao being some 12 inches or so under water. The rain seldom lasts that long and if it does come on, just dive into the nearest bar. I got soaked just getting of a baht bus, paying the driver and dashing all of 10 yards into a bar last year though. Alan

Just had a look at that and it looks as though the gramophone needle has got stuck. The forecast for every day, including the high and low temperature ranges are identical. Also. the hour by hour forecast for tonight is non-stop scattered thunder showers. Glad I'm staying in tonight. Alan

Minor correction, Immigration is on the preceding soi - Jomtien Beach Road Soi 5. This being Thailand, though, you may just have to go through the hassle in Bangkok. Alan

Just wait until your cutting in front of people causes a serious accident and see where your lack of a Thai licence gets you. I've seen many bits of bad advice on the boards but that has to be one of the worst, Stay legal. It's not a major hassle to get a licence. The Pattaya City Ex-Pats Club (meets at Henry J. Beans on a Sunday morning from 9.30) arrange trips to the licensing centre from time to time. All you need to do in advance is to ensure that you have an International Licence from your own country, the required copies, letter from Immigration and doctor's certificate. Even if they need extra copies, there are a number of places 20 yards away that will copy what you need. Alan

With 12,000 cigarettes, I suspect you would be detained and taken to court the following morning to explain your actions. A hefty fine and confiscation of the cigarettes would be the likeliest result unless it was a 2nd offence. Alan

If I'm reading the posts correctly here, it seems that the Americans have to fill in a Customs' Declaration when returning to their OWN country. Is this right? So far, we don't have the same in the UK but when I make my first trip back home, I must remember to remove all photos etc and store them on my external hard drive, which will remain here. As there is no direct flight to Edinburgh from Thailand, I will have to change planes somewhere - either Heathrow or Amsterdam etc. Hmmm - maybe flying in via Amsterdam isn't such a great idea. Alan

I have a double room condo in View Talay. There is one air con unit (in the living room), which I use as little as possible to try to keep electric costs down. A large stand alone fan is used fair bit though at the aircon has been used a fair bit over the last 2 or 3 months. The bedroom only has a ceiling fan, which runs all night - though back in December and January, there were a few nights when it was switched off after a few hours or simply wasn't needed at all - though these were the exception. For sleeping, I would thoroughly recommend using a ceiling fan. Alan

I take it Australia play Italy in the next round? Italy aren't that great at the moment and whilst they must be favourites, Australia must have a chance of causing an upset. Alan

Sounds like a novel way of trying to persuade you to lower your consumption. Alan

Thanks, Gary - I've been wondering what all these figures on my electric bill meant. I can understand the 7% VAT but the others were pretty meaningless. Alan

When I made the move last year, I did it in two stages. Each time, I brought over with me a number of books and CD's and all my photographic equipment. I then shipped over the rest of my CD collection and a number of books. Everything else went to auction where I was happy just to clear the cost of uplifting the stuff. Actually, I'm pretty sure that some stuff that would have sold went to the tip but no matter. Alan

Good question! Just don't get me started on this topic. England are fortunate that they get Paraguay in the next round or they could have been heading home early. They still could though. Alan

Sorry, BigD, but you're wrong about banks not paying interest. I've just had what I assume to be interest added to my account with Bangkok Bank. OK - it's not a lot but it'll cover a few long times. Alan

Donny, Timings for the outward journey are OK so long as the outward journey to Amsterdam is on time. If that's delayed, there could be a long wait until I could get another flight. I would need to check the timings from Bangkok to Amsterdam and onward to Edinburgh though. When I came out for the 2nd time last year, I found that a one way ticket was more expensive than a restricted date return ticket so that's what I bought. I simply didn't turn up for the return flight. The downside with that type of fare is that there was a £200 charge if I wanted to change the date of my return trip. I've yet to come back to the UK for a visit since I came back here in August of last year but think I will be buying a return ticket as they do tend to be cheaper than 2 one way tickets. One point with a one-way ticket, the airline may refuse to allow you on board unless you have a visa for Thailand. When I came back from Vietnam, I was asked at check-in if I had a ticket out of Thailand. I just pointed out that I didn't need one as I had a visa. Alan

Gabor, I take it that the maintenance cost you mention is for a studio. I assume that if you had a double room (as with the one I rent) the maintenance charge would be double - i.e. 7,200 baht. Torrenova, I don't know where you get your figure of 250 from but I estimate that there are about 860 units in View Talay 2A, albeit that a number of them have been converted in double rooms. On the basis that a double room is charged double the maintenance fee of a studio (seems reasonable to me ), the annual income is a bit over 3,000,000 baht. Alan

Some of us have no option but to change planes. No airline flies direct from Bangkok into Edinburgh soI have to travel down to London. (Other options to European cities do exist but often with long stopovers.) Wherever I fly to first, I want a non-stop flight from there to Bangkok. I don't fly EVA because their timings, especially on UK leg are no use to me. My next trip home, I'll check out other options but for me convenient timings are of prime importance. I have no wish to be stuck in Frankfurt or Paris or wherever for 7 hours. Using Glasgow is also not an option for me as I will be staying a few days in Edinburgh before going over to Fife for the rest of my stay. Alan

This was suggested as a solution at the Pattaya Ex-Pats Club meeting this morning. The question of what happens when you want to sell wasn't raised but assuming the Thai "majority" shareholder is a director they will be able to sign the documentation for the sale. Another option for those with Thai wives is to give the wife a loan backed up by a mortgage deed. She then buys the house in her own name. You then take a renewable (at YOUR option) 30 year lease on the property giving YOU and ONLY YOU the absolute right to live in the property. If the marriage breaks down and the house is sold, you will at least get your capital back though I'm not so sure about any surplus. As always advice must be obtained from a reputable solicitor. Alan

The Residence Gardens have in room safes - 1,399 baht per night. Alan

Thanks, Bazle. The one point that was confusing me on the Revenue's web-site was their reference to being "temporarily" non-resident, but nothing about being permanently non-resident. Having just acquired broadband, I've downloaded one of their booklets which gives the missing explanation - "You are "temporarily" non-resident if you have been neither resident nor ordinarily resident in the UK for fewer than 5 complete tax years." The stock that has a £6,000 gain (probably going down fast ) is due to go "xd" at the end of the month so I think I'll hold off selling it until then to ensure I get the next dividend. Alan

That did occur to me but I think I'll stay clear of them until I get time to study them and fully understand the consequences of them. Too easy to lose money otherwise. One guy in the condo here is really into gold in a big way and reckons that the price is going to keep going up for some time to come. Alan

OK Bazle, I think I understand now. I can sell everything I owned BEFORE I left the UK at any time and make a substantial gain and so long as I don't return to the UK within 5 complete tax years, I won't be liable to CGT. If I do return within that period, I'll be in deep shit as I will almost certainly have a massive liability - taxed at 40%!!!! Anything I bought AFTER leaving the UK can be sold at any time without having to worry about CGT unless I still own the shares on my return to the UK (hopefully never. ) If the above is correct, I'm extremely relaxed about everything as it makes some upcoming investment decisions one hell of a lot simpler. All I need to do is to avoid returning to the UK until after 6th April 2011. Alan

I seem to recall reading that someone was asked to produce his International licence by the Police. I would get one. They're inexpensive to obtain and the RAC will send it to you by return post. You only need a Thai licence if you're planning on living here for any length of time. Alan