@Dirk *************

My understanding is that the 'new' tax regime for foreigners is effective from 1 Jan 2024.. with the first tax returns becoming due in 2025 in respect of income received during 2024.. I'm talking about retirees here who dont have any earned income.. ie. they don't work and their income is related solely to pension payments.. if you are an expat who is working in Thailand then of course you will already be part of the Thai tax system.. and therefore you may already be filing tax returns.

Immigration laws require every foreigner to register their place of residence (known as a TM30) within 24-hours of arriving in Thailand.. it is actually the responsibility of the property owner to do it for you.. if you are staying in a hotel or other rented accommodation the hotelier / landlord should do it.. it's a simple process that can be done online at zero cost.. if you are staying at a private residence owned by your Thai wife (or a relative) they are still required to do this.. and failure to do so will result in a fine.. which can hexas much as 1600 baht.. however the reality is that if somebody enters Thailand as a tourist on a 30-day exempt stamp.. and leaves the country within that period without ever having any contact with immigration.. or any other authority such as the police or the municipality.. with the exception of the initial border entry.. then it is possible to come and go without having completed a TM30 and without paying a fine.. but there is always the risk of unforseen circumstances exposing the ommision and you getting fined.. given the ease and simplicity I'd say it's always best to do it.. especially if you intend to return to Thailand in the future.. or maybe want to apply for a longer term visa prior to your next visit.. although it is unlikely to prejudice such an application.. voluntary compliance will always stand you in good stead imo.. compared to potentially having a black mark on your immigration file.. the risk of any serious repercussion may well be minimal today.. but you can never rule out a change of stance in the future.. and if it suddenly becomes a more serious infringement you may live to regret it!

If you want a wide selection of international tv programming.. then consider an IPTV subscription.. easily streamed via a bespoke app on an Android tv or Media box 👍

@Barbara *****

I think you'll get a different response depending on the day of the week.. the officer you speak to.. and whether or not they got out of their bed on the right side.. lol 😂

Well when i went to CM immigration for same document.. they charged me 500 baht and told me I'd get it in the post 3-weeks later.. said it could not be expedited.. there was no such service she said.. and they even told me the exact date I'd get it.. and it arrived on the date stated by courier!

Does sound a little absurd.. I'm wondering if your partner went with you to open the new account or not.. since her absence could have led to some of these problems materialising.. in contrast to your experience Bangkok bank opened my account on the spot.. and my internet banking was activated before i left the branch.. and i walked out with my atm/debit card.. everything done and dusted in one visit.. so can only deduce your problems are due to the staff at this particular branch.. as mentioned elsewhere it's clearly not a widespread issue with BB.. I'd try another branch of BB myself.. which has to be easier than going to a new bank altogether.. given you are already an account holder.

The only way to resolve this is to go and assess the situation in person.. speak to the doctors directly and make your own evaluation of her condition.. and weigh that up viz the health risks attached to her flying.. which are greater with a long haul flight of course.. this also enables you to travel back to Thailand with her.. so you can supervise her care yourself.. it's also the best way of living with your conscience should her health deteriorate or if she doesn't survive the flight!

@Jeff ******

My comment was not personal.. i simply stated that people reading such sarcastic critique would inevitably determine the aggressor to be such a person.. it was a collective observation.. unlike your own attacks on several contributors which are indeed very personal.. you need to give your head a serious wobble before spouting off my friend!

@Jeff ******

More sarcasm.. more righteousness.. completely proves my point.. thank you 🙏

@Bruce ********

With the greatest respect.. what you think and what you choose to do is entirely up to you.. your choices and your decisions are not binding on the rest of society.. everyone that hires help of any form must do what is right for them at the time.. that might not be what you consider to be right of course.. but provided it does not breach any laws of the land then it is quite acceptable.. in the end the market is driven by supply and demand.. and as you rightly point out.. if an employee is unhappy with the terms of engagement they are free to look for a new employer.. just as the employer is free to replace them should they be dissatisfied.. there is no 'one size fits all' solution here.. and employees may move on for many reasons not just grievances over pay.. in the end the employer has to weigh up the risk of losing them if not managed properly.. and factor that into their decision making.. it's horses for courses as they say!