@Jan *****************

many thanks Jan, I do appreciate it. It should save me some time in Immigration and put my mind at ease.

Many thanks to everyone for your helpful advice. I have decided to renew my UK passport early and when I get to Immigration in Bangkok, I will hopefully be able to transfer the Thai retirement Visa stamps over from my old passport to the new one.

@Simon ********

many thanks Simon. I appreciate your reply.

@Roberto ********

many things. Have decided to renew early as it effectively means it’s only cost me £10 in losing a year and it gives me the flexibility when I come back in April to travel around Europe without the ““six months” issue

Many thanks for all your comments and they were extremely helpful. In particular, I would like to thank Michael Knight who pointed me towards my nationwide flex plus account which gives me 120 days comprehensive insurance at a cost of about £400. If I stay longer I can use the Safety Wing essential nomad insurance on a pay as you go basis at a cost of about £130 a month. The SafetyWing policy is one of the very few that you can take out when you are already abroad travelling once again many thanks to everyone.