Postmaster

My family and me were transported in one of these deathtraps from Kaosan Road/ Victory Monument to Jomtien yesterday. The driver was so reckless

I was so scared trapped in the back seat in a crammed can with no safety strap and was so relieved when he finally reached the Sukhumit Pattaya congestion. I kept my fears to myself so as not to scare my family but feared the worst. He was weaving in and out without sufficient power narrowly missing oncoming vehicles expecting them to take evasive action but what if they had not done so ? Never again. I thanked my lucky stars this time.

Swiss 1960. I am afraid Mr Hammer does have a point and this may be an important and worthwhile agency service to people who need 'nursing' along the tortuous routes. Well done for Mr Hammer for business acumen.

Very Useful. Does a Will and Testament have to be 'Registered' with anyone ?

Seems like a nice guy, not. Car dealer says it all. What a mess.

gerry 1011. Copy that. 10/4

Well Jingthing I am surprised you had bad service when you did your Retirement Visa Renewal. You say more staff needed. I did mine at Jomtien last week

going in the early afternoon and despite a crowded room I was seen within 20 minutes, dealt with in 10 minutes and returned the next morning to collect my passport. I felt that I had good service despite the crowds. Maybe you are referring to a Bangkok office?

The worst part was paying the British Embassy the 2,250 baht for the short Income Letter. What a cheek.

Makes you scared to go out. I always spray legs and forearms at night. Hopefully that will protect. Never sure.

Well done to the staff of Findig/ Udom Aag. Wonder how they managed to detain him till the BIB arrived ?

Tommophysicist **flame removed** Ladyheather is right. If you make kids you have to support them. Your ethics are way out. Ok If the awards are wrong contest them, don't run away. The kids need food and clothes and schooling. You must suppoirt your kids. Don't leave the state to do it on minimum funding. Pay-up laddie. Go home do the decent thing.

I'm not an expert on Thailand Beauty but correct me if I am wrong but isn't it acknowledged that girls from the Central Thailand provinces are prettier?

If you draw a column straight up from Bangkok which I think takes in places like Pitsanoluk, Khampheanphet etc etc up to but not as far as Lampang and Chiangmai don't the prettiest girls from those areas ? Agree with Macksview about the spayfooted look of some of the Isaan girls and the monkey-jaw types certainly don't appeal to me either. Having said that seen some absolute beauties from Burriram and Surin. Seem to be so many girls come from these 2 areas which cover admittedly many rural communities. May the search continue.

Pormax. I don't think you are right there. My Exchange guy in Pattaya Tai (just before Wat Chai) has has me specifically to bring him GBP £50 notes Sterling. He gives a good rate : equally as good at TT Exchange Shops. It is the small notes they abhore GBP Fivers and Tenners.

soiold. Yes, I think the same. Why commission so high at 5 %. It is too much. They do not print sales literature. They don't seem to advertise widely. They even suggest you take your own photos or burn them a CD copy. It is daft. Only 1 % to 2 % in the UK with glossy sales literature, newspaper advertising, supervised viewings, follow ups and everything included, Window advertising everything.

Susan. Its the same wherever you go. 5% not negotiable. With some hard bargaining however you ARE ABLE to get it down to 4 %.

We should start something here to get acknowledgment of the fact that 5 % is just NOT ACCEPTABLE for the service provided.

Nontabury : Copy that. Agree there buddy. Don't understand it.

Another reason to avoid Lifts and Escalators like the Plague ! LAYH Look after your Heart : Use the stairs ! I do daily.

RARO. Sorry have to give backword on the Party Surin number 10 November = Postmaster plus 2 ! Very sorry late withdrawel. ( We are still going to Surin but cannot leave until the 11th November now due my gf's work commitments). Therefore 3 people less. Again apologies.

Can you suggest a mid-range hotel for 3 coming from Jomtien to Surin for the party please ?

Anyone, thanks appreciated.

Anto. Isn't the Euro losing value ? 12 months ago the Euro was par with £ Sterling GBP One for one. Now its something like 1.28 euro to the £ Sterling so why would you want to convert it to an ailing currency ? Surely conversion to the $USD or £Sterling makes more sense ?

Yes Please, Postmaster, coming from Jomtien Beach plus 2.

Why does A Live member go to Ikea to eat ? They are furnishing experts.

Noisy neighbours can be really upsetting and disturbing. If you are buying the last thing on your mind is to come and check whether your neighbours are noisy at various times of the day or night before you sign on the line. Generally speaking the Thai's and Russians are the worst. In our (upmarket) block we try to persuade residents NOT to sell to Ruskies (Thai's wouldn't generally purchase here) but of course a Seller just wants to sell to whoever so its hard to enforce, if at all. Also many owners rent to the Ruskies when not in residence.

Above me is an old Aussie with a young ladyboy. They have had a 7 year relationship so are established but the problem comes when the

Aussie goes home. Wild kotoiy parties take place, fortunately, not frequently, and now they know not to anger me too much. We have an understanding.

I don't email the owner if they are sensible.

So its pot luck who you get above, beside or below you. They often change during your tenure anyway. Music sounds a good idea.

Just to clarify........ best resort with some nightlife but not too rowdy ! Also the best (not necessarily the cheapest) to get there from Pattaya.

Thanks again.

Bloomin 'eck lads. I was just planning my first visit to Samui ( from BKK) but the the quality of the water must be bad judging by all the bickering from the ex-pat residents. Maybe reconsider coming there now.

No, really, for a first timer to Koh Samui can someone recommend the most picturesque places to see and where to stay on a 3 day trip please.

Anyone, thanks.

The Invisible Farang is right. English is the International Language of Business. Why on earth would you want to encourage Malay ! Leave it to the Muslims

Fozfromoz has it dead right. You are all wasting your time and energy on this. Go home if you want to influence Democracy. You cannot do it here in Thailand. We just don't have a say whatsoever. (As far as I am aware unless its through your partners).

Stop it; stop it lads. Why are you lot so negative in the Land of Smiles. Are you not enjoying yourselves anymore ? Too long in front of your PC for sure. Relax a bit. Get outside more.