doctormann

Yes, I am a farang! I was surprised at the relative cheapness of the surgery. Jomtien had a special package on offer at the time and I believe that this is still the case. The only extra that I paid was for the thorough eye exam and lens specification that was done prior to the surgery. This was done at Bangkok Pattaya and the cost was only a couple of thousand Baht. Jomtien Eye Centre website here <https://www.jomtienhospital.com/en/eye-department.html>

Jomtien Hospital Pattaya (part of the Bangkok Hospital Group) - 39000 Baht per eye for single vision lenses. I had both my eyes done there, earlier this year. Excellent result!

To each, his own, but this looks like the sort of place that I would avoid like the plague!

For what it's worth, I find that paying my PEA bill using my TTB bank app is very hit and miss - sometimes it works and sometimes I get a 'corrupted data' message when using either the QR code or barcode that is on the bill. I think that it's down to the fact that the quality of the printed bill - little man reads the meter and produces the bill on the spot, from some sort of gadget that he has with him - is sometimes a bit dodgy. We went through a period where scanning just didn't work for a few months. It's been much better recently.

Just checked TTB app. Working normally.

Absolutely.

UK passports have a page that can be used to supply emergency contact details. This is purely voluntary and you would not normally put your own details there.

Just been looking at my PayPal account settings. My registered address is in Thailand - don't have a UK address so that was not an option when registering my account. The ID Number that I used - and which appears on the settings - is the one that is on my vaccination certificate. This was obviously accepted when I registered. Whether or not it remains valid after October remains to be seen.

I have received nothing new from them since the previous email that they sent some time ago. I guess that I'll find out that my account has been discontinued when it ceases to work. I'm really not too bothered - rarely use it anyway.

Interesting! Does your TMB card have the old 4-digit PIN? The new TTB/TMB cards use a 6-digit PIN and will work in all brands of ATMs. Maybe you just need a new card - which might not allow internet use, of course!

I have had a savings account with TTB (formerly TMB) for many years and I have a personalized VISA debit card for the account that works in ATMs. I also have the TTB Touch app on my phone that I can use to pay bills by scanning a bar code or QR code. I can also access TTB online banking with no issues. What I seem to be unable to do is to use the debit card for internet transactions - e.g. purchasing an airline ticket. Apparently, the card is not activated for this and I can't find a way to activate it, either by using the TTB online banking portal or with the TTB Touch app. My local TTB branch tells me that it is not possible to use the card online but this is surely not correct. It's a VISA card so what is the problem! Anyone had a similar problem? What's the solution, if any?

If taking the option of returning to Thailand on a visa exempt entry it is then possible to convert this to a non-O at Immigration, or so I believe, and then to extend after 90 days. However, it appears that Immigration insist on 'money in the bank' on the day of application and will not accept proof of income - from previous 12 months of international transfers. Is it possible to use an agent to get round this restriction so that I don't need to transfer a large amount of cash to Thailand. I'd much sooner leave it in UK. The other option, I suppose, would be to get a 'proper' non-O from a consulate abroad as I believe that proof of income is acceptable in that case.

No idea. SMS source just says NXSMS.

No problem here - access code sent to my AIS number.

I received an email from Paypal, back in March, that seemed to indicate that the changes would not affect my account. I only use PayPal for occasional bill paying - sometimes convenient - but not for other types of transaction so maybe this is why, Email reproduced below: Your PayPal account will no longer be limited on March 7. Dear *************, We recently contacted you about some changes to your PayPal account, which relate to the relaunch of our services in Thailand. We have been listening to the concerns expressed by our customers in Thailand, and we have been working closely with the Thai authorities to try and address these concerns. As a result, we are pleased to inform you that you can continue to use your PayPal account as usual. The previously communicated limitation to your account, scheduled to take effect on March 7, 2022, will no longer be implemented. What this means You will still be able to use your PayPal wallet’s current functionality after March 7, 2022. This means that you may continue shopping with your PayPal wallet, as well as sending and receiving money with your PayPal account. You do not need to take any action. More information can be found on our website. This extended functionality will remain in effect while we continue to work on updating our products and processes for the relaunch of PayPal in Thailand. The transfer of accounts to PayPal Thailand will still be going ahead later this year, and we will be in touch with any necessary instructions for your account. We deeply value our customers in Thailand, and sincerely apologize for the confusion we have caused. Thank you for being a PayPal customer.

Maybe supposed to indicate no overtaking zones, as is the case in UK. Not a chance of being observed here of course. As for speed humps - these need to be across the whole width of the road. If they stop short of the kerbs the m/cs just zoom through the gaps. Unfortunately, extending to the kerbs potentially interferes with water drainage. Maybe need some different traffic calming measures - but what?

Why does country with, allegedly, the largest foreign reserves in the known universe need to borrow money?

I just tried the ASEANNOW site, using the Brave browser. No ads but I can't find a way to login to the site using my normal credentials. Is there a way to do this as it's not obvious, to me anyway.

How about using them as Monkey Pox detectors? Maybe could spend another 7 million Baht to see if they work for that!

I think that there is a precedent for this. Back in the Soviet era there was a suspicion that after Brezhnev - or maybe Andropov - died, the body was embalmed and trotted out as required for Red Square parades and similar occasions.

When my sister and niece were visiting me I told them to look SIX WAYS before trying to cross the road - and do it twice. Remember, not only do they come at you from left and right, on the roadway, but also on the sidewalk. You might also walk into a neck-high cable, strung across your path, or step into a hole. It really is dangerous here and the standard of driving is truly appalling.

Yes, what ever happened to Plodrasop?

Are you sure that it wasn't 'kee niao'? That would indeed have a negative connotation as it translates to 'tight' or 'miserly'. A direct translation is something like 'sticky sh*t'.

I was referring to the current situation. I needed to pay for 44 years - but I did buy back about six years to make up a shortfall. As Neeranam said, this is not expensive to do, although there used to be a limit on the number of buy back years.

I believe that you need 35 qualifying years in order to qualify for the full UK basic pension. If you have less than 35 years you will be paid pro rata, according to the number of qualifying years that you have. Looking at the numbers that you have quoted you currently have about 21 qualifying years so how many years before you reach retiring age? https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/how-its-calculated#:~:text=You'll usually need at,10 and 35 qualifying years.