Here we go again, but without so much urgency as on previous occasions. On last years trip I was influenced sufficiently enough to make the decision to relocate to Phuket so I made provisional enquiries on how to get a retirement visa in Thailand. Don't get me wrong. I'm not abandoning India but my visa situation in general only allows 180 days in India and 30 (extendable to 60) in Thailand which means having to leave Thailand every sixty days. The more expensive but more convenient option is to get a Thai retirement visa that has to be renewed each year but will allow me to remain in the country for ten years. In general my life will continue as usual with trips back to Goa every year but without being dictated to on when and where I can be in a place or when to leave.
January 14th 2025: I book a flight from Goa to Phuket via Bengalaru.
It was later altered by the airline to fly via Mumbai but leaving and arriving at aproximately the same times
April 29th 2025: I took a late flight to Phuket via a four hour stopover in Mumbai.
April 30th 2025: I arrive late morning at U Sabai Living Hotel in Soi Banzaan where I book a superior double room.
May 4th 2025: I go to Irish Times for a Sunday roast lunch.
It was hardly warm. I won't return.
May 30th 2025: Bank of Bangkok suspended a high percentage of accounts.
This resulted in me and hundreds of other non-residents having to visit out local branch in Phuket Town to reinstate our accounts. The action was allegedly a result of corruption at the highest level of Bank of Bangkok. Other banks weren't affected.
June 13th 2025: My pub quizz team spent the spoils of a few previous wins by celebrating with a free meal in The Irish Times Bar.
June 25th 2025: An explosive device was found at Phuket Airport.
The following few days Southern Thailand saw several repeats of this resulting in two arrests.
Also, Lions (my pub quizz team) won convincingly in The Irish Times.
June 30th 2025: I went to Phuket Town Immigration to renew my Thai Retirement visa.
I was sent away with a flea in my ear due to my applying four days too early plus errors on my application form.
July 2nd 2025: Lions pub quizz team won again in The Irish Times pub.
July 4th 2025: Following further beurocratic tomfoolery on behalf of Thai Immigration and my bank, I was eventually granted an extension of my Thai retirement visa.
Most expats choose to pay an agency but despite the frustration of doing it myself I saved myself £300.00 in the process.
July 7th 2025: I return to Phuket Town Immigration to collect my passport with renewed visa stamp enclosed.
July 10th 2025: Budha Day.
Only licenced premises with an entertainment licence or hotels are permitted to sell alcohol.
July 11th 2025: Another Budha Day.
Only licensed premises with an entertainment licence or hotels are permitted to sell alcohol.
July 14th 2025: I applied for a new passport.
July 23rd 2025: My team (The Lions) won the pub quiz again in Irish Times
July 29th 2025: My team (The Lions) had a meal in Irish Times to use up our winnings before Gordon moves to Hua Hin on the 1st of August
August 10th 2025: I receive news that my dear friend of over 50 years had died the previous day.
I am contemplating returning to the UK for the funeral if my new passport arrives in time.
August 14th 2025: I fell off a stool in an eating place and did some seriously painful damage to my back.
August 15th 2025: I'm told my new passport is ready for collection
August 17th 2025: My back pain hadn't improved so I went to the hospital
I was given a shot of morphine (which had very little, if any effect) and a course of pain killers.
August 18th 2025: I collect my new passport.
August 19th 2025: Bank of Bangkok are up to their tricks again and freeze all foreigners accounts.
August 20th 2025: Back to the hospital for a stronger shot and more pain killers.
August 30th 2025: The pain in my back is too much so I get another course of really strong anti-inflamatory/painkiller pills.
September 1st 2025: I visit Bank of Bangkok in Phuket Town to re-activate my bank account.
No such luck. I have to re-open the account which means a whole lot of paperwork that has to be sent to head office in Bangkok and only then will they decide if my million Baht is good enough to keep in their bank. I should have the answer in seven working days.
September 10th 2025: The effects of the pills I was taking for my back pain are out of my system so the pain has returned but not so bad.
September 18th 2025: I return to Bank of Bangkok and left with a flea in my ear and result
September 23rd 2025: I phoned the Bank of Bangkok but they didn't return the call as promised
I'm now getting a little concerned as I currently have £20,000 tied up in a frozen account that isn't even earling interest.
September 26th 2025: I sent a mail of complaint to Bangkok Times about Bank of Bangkok taking advantage of foreigners.
September 29th 2025: I returned to Bank of Bangkok and got no satisfaction.
In response, I opened an account in Kasikorn Bank in Jungceylon, which despite my reservations was very easy and straightforward.
Jungceylon is on my doorstep so if there's any problems at least I don't have to take a 45 minute ride into Phuket Town as I have to with Bank of Bangkok. In the meantime, I got a phonecall from Bank of Bangkok to tell me that my account was now OK.
(now available to read on-line in it's entirety).