New to Bangkok Help Guide

Before you go consider.

• Arranging a power of attorney for your affairs during your absence. They are not expensive to arrange, but can be invaluable to have a relative able to access your bank account, pay surprise bills and let you know immediately if your credit card has been cloned . An enduring power of attorney has more weight.

• Getting a police record check done at your local police station.

• Arranging to continue payment of your National Insurance contributions. This is greatly reduced for overseas residents. You can pay monthly or yearly, by Direct Debit , class 2 covers pension and maternity.

• Writing a Will - A simple "mirror will" can be bought in WH Smiths.

• Keeping a record of your insurance policies, bank details etc at a home base and copy your passport, education documents and marriage/ birth certificates.

• Discussing with your tax office about non-residency and tax payment. If you do not own property in the UK and are gaining no income, you can opt for non-residency and switch your bank account to an off shore facility for example on Jersey or the Isle of Man.

• An off shore account for savings. There are a lot of financial advisers in Thailand, but they may not all be in business for long. An IFA (Independent Financial Adviser) in England connected to a well established company might be a better option.

• Earning/living abroad may affect saving policies such as PEPs, (which are not eligible for contributions whilst you are an expatriate). TESSAs and ISAs, house insurance, tax payments etc? Talk to your bank.

• Medical insurance provided by the school will not include dental care, pregnancy or repatriation to your home base. If this is a concern for you there is the possibility of joining BUPA worldwide to give you extra peace of mind. WWW.BUPA.com

• Ensuring you and your accompanying family have valid passports for at least a year, longer if you do not intend to return to home base each year.

• If you intend to drive private or hire vehicles you will need an international driving license initially until you obtain your Thai driving licence.
• A useful website is www.direct.gov.uk/BritonsLivingAbroad/fs/en