Simon
@Simonbolton
English looking for information about Thailand
Forum posts
43
About me
English
Speaks English and a little Thai.
Registration: 16 January 2024
Santander closing UK accounts by ThePinkCanary
I received a letter from Santander UK last week informing me that they were giving me two months notice of closing my account.Bearing in mind that the letter took three weeks to reach me and its arrival coincided with the start of Songkran, this ...
@ThePinkCanary Why did they say they were closing your account?? Simon Read More
Is 1 million Thai baht too much for Sin sod Thailand by Dazzling Racoon
Hi friends, I鈥檒l explain my circumstance and appreciate any constructive advice. Try not to judge me too much or tear me apart if you do. I鈥檝e done my research on the topic and understand the sliding scale on expected sin sod ie. 100k - ...
Yes it is.I paid 100,000 baht, her brother wanted more, I said no. 15 years later, we're still going strong, and her brother?? Well they fell out years ago. Only pay what you can afford, or what you think is reasonable, it's different for all of us. Read More
Calling your bank back home ... by Wen Song
Operator assisted 'collect (reverse charge) calls' are as rare as finding a pay phone. Especially with today's mobile phones and their many various service providers. And toll free numbers, even country specific 'toll free' number does not work with ...
@California4meSorry, how much does the land line cost per month?? 1.20 baht?? Simon Read More
Any Udon Thani folks on here? by BOONDOCK-SAINT
I extended my stay here, I rather like it. Most of the expats here seem to clique in tight groups, tough to get to know anyone. There's some strong representation from a few countries in particular.If you live in UT and have any favorite places or ...
@daviddomoney The lotus lake is supposed to be amazing, although it is seasonal, we missed it the last time we were there. Nong Khai is very nice, markets and sightseeing, also has the friendly bridge, if you purchase a visa you can visit Laos which ... Read More
Any Udon Thani folks on here? by BOONDOCK-SAINT
I extended my stay here, I rather like it. Most of the expats here seem to clique in tight groups, tough to get to know anyone. There's some strong representation from a few countries in particular.If you live in UT and have any favorite places or ...
@BOONDOCK-SAINTWill be moving here next year, well, not in Udon Thani itself, but semi rural. I prefer to keep away from city life, and just take it easy. My wife is from there though. Many lovely places to visit. Regards Simon Read More
20sq meter house for 300000thb by johan456
I have land in rural Chiangmai and want to build a tiny house on it. I found a contractor who is willing to build it for me for 300000 THB. Brick walls, concrete floor, bathroom, tiled. Is it an okay price or way too much?
@johan456 That is tiny, what could you put inside?? I have heard about knockdown houses, have a look into them before you commit to building something so small. Regards Simon Read More
My Thai Wife Died by Duncan Pauline
Hi all, my Thai wife recently died in London. We bought a house last year in Thailand in my wife's name and also had wills made up, where we would become the administrator of each others wills, depending on who died first. I'm just wondering what ...
@Duncan Pauline Then you would need to explore whether that is still legal due to your change in circumstances. Good luck for the future. Simon Read More
My Thai Wife Died by Duncan Pauline
Hi all, my Thai wife recently died in London. We bought a house last year in Thailand in my wife's name and also had wills made up, where we would become the administrator of each others wills, depending on who died first. I'm just wondering what ...
@Duncan Pauline First of all, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm no expert, but have always had the impression that someone in your situation would have one year to sell the property, as obviously, we as foreigners cannot own the land the house sits ... Read More
Tax on uk pension by martynwillis
Hi all, I鈥檓 struggling to get my head around the tax regime for overseas pensions in Thailand鈥�.if my pension is slightly under the taxable threshold in the UK what rate would I expect to pay in Thailand? And what about transferred ...
@briangough4 Hi, I have a lot of savings in several UK bank accounts. If I transfer this money in the future, when I move to Thailand, is it taxable?? Or as its from previous tax years will it be tax free? I have already paid tax on it, as it is ... Read More
Uk bank account loving in Thailand by Simonbolton
Hi, I meant living in Thailand.... I am planning on moving to Thailand in the near future. My uk bank has told me that if I move abroad they have the right to close my account.聽 I have a lot of savings, and a pension being paid in every ...
@Rizla Thank you for your update. I have a further appointment with my bank, if they persist along the same path, I may speak with The Halifax. Read More
Uk bank account loving in Thailand by Simonbolton
Hi, I meant living in Thailand.... I am planning on moving to Thailand in the near future. My uk bank has told me that if I move abroad they have the right to close my account.聽 I have a lot of savings, and a pension being paid in every ...
@andrewwnbanks To be honest, my bank told me their rules have changed, they no longer have an overseas department, and therefore can close my account if they deem i am no longer resident in the UK. Their words, not mine.....馃槥 Read More
Uk bank account loving in Thailand by Simonbolton
Hi, I meant living in Thailand.... I am planning on moving to Thailand in the near future. My uk bank has told me that if I move abroad they have the right to close my account.聽 I have a lot of savings, and a pension being paid in every ...
@RizlaThank you for your reply. What bank is that with please?? I have been looking around and have opened a chase account, but also nationwide and Santander are pretty flexible, although they would prefer a UK address, even if it a relatives. Simon Read More
Retirement visa seems impossible. Help please by andrewwnbanks
Please help. I plan to retire to Buriram in April. I am British, my wife is Thai and we have an 8 and a 5 year old. We currently live in the uk and my wife also has a uk passport. We are building a house in Buriram ready in April. I don鈥檛 ...
It's funny, but when I was in Thailand last summer, I went to Kasikorn bank in my wife's village, they were only too happy to advise what I have to do for me to open a bank account. When we go back in January, I will go with my passport and open ... Read More
Uk bank account loving in Thailand by Simonbolton
Hi, I meant living in Thailand.... I am planning on moving to Thailand in the near future. My uk bank has told me that if I move abroad they have the right to close my account.聽 I have a lot of savings, and a pension being paid in every ...
@UdonPete Thank you for your advice. Simon Read More
Uk bank account loving in Thailand by Simonbolton
Hi, I meant living in Thailand.... I am planning on moving to Thailand in the near future. My uk bank has told me that if I move abroad they have the right to close my account.聽 I have a lot of savings, and a pension being paid in every ...
@aidi mustapha What type of account is this??? They do have one for expats, but you need to deposit 拢75,000 or have income of 拢120,000 pa. If you know of another type of account they do that allows you to live abroad, then please let me ... Read More
Uk bank account loving in Thailand by Simonbolton
Hi, I meant living in Thailand.... I am planning on moving to Thailand in the near future. My uk bank has told me that if I move abroad they have the right to close my account.聽 I have a lot of savings, and a pension being paid in every ...
@Walnutcharles Yes, I thought about that. It's an option, thank you very much for your advice. Read More
Uk bank account loving in Thailand
Hi, I meant living in Thailand.... I am planning on moving to Thailand in the near future. My uk bank has told me that if I move abroad they have the right to close my account.聽 I have a lot of savings, and a pension being paid in every ... Read More
Most common scams in Thailand by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Thailand as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it鈥檚 immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online traps or ...
I think I'm pretty savvy. Before I went to Thailand for the first time, I looked up scams online, and thought I had it sussed.Anyway, I wanted to go to MBK, so I got a taxi and made sure the meter was on. The driver wanted me to go to to a jewellery ... Read More
Most common scams in Thailand by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Thailand as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it鈥檚 immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online traps or ...
@Cheryl Nothing to do with language, just dishonesty Read More
House build in isaan by simonbolton79
Hi I am Simon from the UK.This is my first post here, so please be gentle with me. I am married to a thai lady and we plan to move to Thailand in the next 2 to 3 years and build a house on her land (Isaan), so we can settle there. I am looking for ...
@cliffsao Hi, sorry for late reply. Thank you for your reply, very informative. We are thinking of building approximately 30km outside Udon Thani, there are a few places we have our eyes on. Regards Simon Read More
Pacemaker monitor
Hi Cheryl, I've worded it incorrectly, could you delete this post to enable me to write it again please?? Simon Read More
Health insurance by kanyarat kankangkul
Which health insurance covers 81 years old men in Thailand?
Do any health insurers cover pre existing conditions?? Simon Read More
Pacemaker in Thailand
Hi, If there are any members who live in Thailand from the UK who have a pacemaker, could you get in touch please, as I have some questions.... Read More
Pacemaker monitor
Hi all, If there are any members who live in Thailand from the UK who have a pacemaker, could you get in touch please, as I have some questions....I have had a pacemaker fitted, and at the follow up appointment was told it should last approximately ... Read More
Trees for planting Thailand by Simonbolton
Hi, Am wanting to buy some trees for when we build our house next year. Will have between 1-2 rai of land.Now, I would like some fruit trees, ie coconut, mango, lemon, lime, banana etc. Can these be bought already mature? and be planted? As I would ...
@Goodmorningthailand Thank you so much for your advice.... 馃檹 Read More
Trees for planting Thailand
Hi, Am wanting to buy some trees for when we build our house next year. Will have between 1-2 rai of land.Now, I would like some fruit trees, ie coconut, mango, lemon, lime, banana etc. Can these be bought already mature? and be planted? As I would ... Read More
House build in isaan by simonbolton79
Hi I am Simon from the UK.This is my first post here, so please be gentle with me. I am married to a thai lady and we plan to move to Thailand in the next 2 to 3 years and build a house on her land (Isaan), so we can settle there. I am looking for ...
@bokser Hi, of course I'll keep you all informed. We're definitely moving next year, will probably visit early in the year to look for land. Looking for approximately 1 - 1.5 Rai, that will enable us to build, but also have spare land for trees, ... Read More
Two faces of Thai people by captcapt03
In general, are Thai's more two faced than Westerners? Is it a cultural trait?Japanese are in fact very much so but I don't have experience with Thai people.Maybe it's different when they deal with Westerners.Any thoughts / experiences?
@captcapt03 I would say that all nationalities are two faced, you will always get this no matter where you are. This doesn't mean every single person in the world is, just people of all nationalities.Whenever someone can take advantage of another, ... Read More
Could anyone tell me what Thailand is like for expats? by kellyj20
Hi everyone,I have been offered a teaching job in Thailand, starting late October 2025. It will be North Thailand, Isaan. Could anyone tell me what Thailand is like for expats? For example culture, cost of living, transport, weather, best places to ...
I would say that flying internally is a bit more expensive that 1000 - 2000 baht. The weather can be severe, especially if you're not used to it, I have experience with Isaan, it's very quiet depending on where you are based. It's for some but not ... Read More
How to adapt to the expat challenges of everyday life in Thailand by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Adapting to everyday life as an expat in Thailand can be both exciting and overwhelming: different habits, systems, and sometimes even unexpected surprises! Simple things like paying bills, using public transport, or even greeting ...
@Bigrad Wolf Not exactly answering the question is it..... 馃槙 Read More
Taxes in Thailand by cthierrymk
Dear all, March is the month to fill in Tax Form !! I would like to open a discussion on this topic and know from those who live in Thailand for more than 180 days if they are paying taxes or claiming taxes in some specific cases. 1) You get ...
@JonSt Don't believe everything you read online, some information is just garnered from other sites. And yes, there is a lot of scaremongering going on. But, Martinoo2002 seems to know what he's talking about, as he talks from experience. I tend to ... Read More
Taxes in Thailand by cthierrymk
Dear all, March is the month to fill in Tax Form !! I would like to open a discussion on this topic and know from those who live in Thailand for more than 180 days if they are paying taxes or claiming taxes in some specific cases. 1) You get ...
@martinoo2002 OK, no worries, I was merely speculating, it wasn't my intention to actually do it. I will be moving to Thailand next June 2026, my understanding is that any money I have saved prior to this is non taxable in Thailand, irrespective of ... Read More
Taxes in Thailand by cthierrymk
Dear all, March is the month to fill in Tax Form !! I would like to open a discussion on this topic and know from those who live in Thailand for more than 180 days if they are paying taxes or claiming taxes in some specific cases. 1) You get ...
@martinoo2002 OK, but I was thinking more about collecting from a western union place, rather than transferring into a bank account. I don't intend to do it, but thought it was a way around the tax issue..... I currently live in the UK with the ... Read More
Taxes in Thailand by cthierrymk
Dear all, March is the month to fill in Tax Form !! I would like to open a discussion on this topic and know from those who live in Thailand for more than 180 days if they are paying taxes or claiming taxes in some specific cases. 1) You get ...
@martinoo2002 What if someone just western unions' themselves money from their own country to Thailand?? In theory no one will know, but I suppose they'll want to know how you have funded yourself when you renew your visa....?? Read More
Taxes in Thailand by cthierrymk
Dear all, March is the month to fill in Tax Form !! I would like to open a discussion on this topic and know from those who live in Thailand for more than 180 days if they are paying taxes or claiming taxes in some specific cases. 1) You get ...
@martinoo2002 Thank you very much once again. You are a mine of important information. 馃檹 Read More
Taxes in Thailand by cthierrymk
Dear all, March is the month to fill in Tax Form !! I would like to open a discussion on this topic and know from those who live in Thailand for more than 180 days if they are paying taxes or claiming taxes in some specific cases. 1) You get ...
I receive a UK Civil service pension. Under the dual taxation agreement this should be untouchable by Thai tax authorities. I also savings, mostly from pre 2024, but some afterwards too. I have already paid tax on all of this. 1.) is my civil ... Read More
Taxable Pension
Hi, I currently receive a UK Civil service pension (paid monthly). My intention is to transfer it to Thailand when I move there on a regular basis, either into a bank account or western union. I have already paid uk tax on this income, will I be ... Read More
Living in Isaan on a budget by Simonbolton
Hi everyone, I will be moving to Isaan with my wife in 2026. We will probably purchase or build a property. I was wondering how much we would need to live comfortably there. Obviously, there would be no rent to pay as we would own, but how much ...
Thank you for your advice, yes, health is a key issue, I should have mentioned it before. I am on medication and would probably require hospital treatment at some point, in theory, if I keep an address in the UK, then I could pop back over for NHS, ... Read More
Living in Isaan on a budget by Simonbolton
Hi everyone, I will be moving to Isaan with my wife in 2026. We will probably purchase or build a property. I was wondering how much we would need to live comfortably there. Obviously, there would be no rent to pay as we would own, but how much ...
Thank you very much for your advice. Read More
Living in Isaan on a budget by Simonbolton
Hi everyone, I will be moving to Isaan with my wife in 2026. We will probably purchase or build a property. I was wondering how much we would need to live comfortably there. Obviously, there would be no rent to pay as we would own, but how much ...
Thank you again. If I buy land, do I have to put soil down?? or is this just for rice land?? Simon Read More
Living in Isaan on a budget by Simonbolton
Hi everyone, I will be moving to Isaan with my wife in 2026. We will probably purchase or build a property. I was wondering how much we would need to live comfortably there. Obviously, there would be no rent to pay as we would own, but how much ...
@martinoo2002 Thank you very much for your reply. Yes my wife is Thai, and can own land. She has her own land, but has fallen out with her brother regarding this, so building on this land is a non starter. I have savings, and a house to sell in the ... Read More
Living in Isaan on a budget
Hi everyone, I will be moving to Isaan with my wife in 2026. We will probably purchase or build a property. I was wondering how much we would need to live comfortably there. Obviously, there would be no rent to pay as we would own, but how much ... Read More