Robby nz

Thanks. There is newer version SX60, with 60x optical zoom. Not sure how good it is, as I guess the owners who already have sx50, don't see a big enough change to switch to that camera. And not to forget Nikon P900 with 83x optical zoom. Goompa have one.

While the super zoom / bridge cameras do not have the IQ of the interchangeable lens cameras (*) and due smaller sensor, don't perform so well with low lightning.. these cameras are pure fun to use. The ability to frame a shot, even if the subject is in the distance, is great. Then there are other things, which come with a long lens. Ability to 'compress' 1km of street view to one image.

I have a Olympus m4/3 camera, which has better IQ, but still I take the SX50 for daily travels.

(*) Is there a better/easier/shorter term for non-compact/non-bridge cameras, including DSLR's and m4/3 etc. cameras?

I now have both the 50 and 60. The 60 has 16.1 meg pixels compared to the 50's 12.1 and the difference in the viewfinder is striking.

I can use the 50 hand held at any zoom but need the tripod for the 60.

The 60 is great in good light but not so good in poor light.

When I get into forests I am carrying the 60 on the tripod and the 50 round the neck, mostly using the 50 for closer shots, quick snaps behind me, shots at an upward angle that are almost impossible with the tripod, butterflies or scenic shots.

I am on my second 50 so am familiar with it and guess still learning to get the best out of the 60. Disappointed with some of the stuff but the good ones make up for it.

Top range cameras with long lenses will get much better results but from both a weight to carry around and the cost factor I will stick with the bridge.

^^Appreciate that, as mine will only be good for 355 days when I apply.

Can anyone else confirm?

Yes I have to do the same.

You will also have to get your O visa transferred to your new passport when you get it.

I was given a form for this with no number only the heading "Transfer stamp to new passport form"

Timing should work for me to be able to do everything at the same time but will ask at next 90 day report to be sure.

If you make a deposit or withdrawal, the last amount on the bank book and the amount on the bank letter will no longer match. I thought that it was required that they always match exactly.

When I first had to make a transaction on the application day because I had got the book updated and a letter the day before (a few years back) they accepted the new book total which was 100b more than the letter without needing a new letter.

I know now so always get the letter, fixed acc on the morning of the day I apply.

My second attempt to get a picture of a bird and the flying one is out of focus.

By the time I was going to adjust the settings they all disappeared.

At least can anyone tell me what birds are they?

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Eastern Great Egrets, you can tell by the kink in the neck and the size. With what looks like Little Egrets, smaller with dark bills black legs and yellow feet.

Nice, Robby. Where were the Blossom-headed Parakeets? Attached here is a Red-breasted. These are common here in Bangsaen, Chonburi. 3.5 years ago, I was regularly seeing Alexandrine Parakeets on my soi also. Probably a feral colony of escapes, but breeding as I once had a mother feeding a juvenile. Sadly, I have not seen them in some years. Captured for sale or poisoned, I reckon.

They are around the Singburi area, quite widespread but not common. I saw a pair yesterday and have seen flocks of 8 or 10.

My wife's niece went to the state school in Chonburi. She is now studying clinical medicine on an international English speaking course at a university in China and she was awarded a scholarship on her first year results. She did fairly well at school but was not at the top of the class. It is not all bad.

While in the mean time 100 000 doctors working in Thailand can not speak a word of English and prescribe antibiotic for muscle pain.

Why should they speak a foreign language? Speak to the doctor in Thai, its Thailand

The issue is not the communication between Thai doctors and Thai patients : the issue is I don't believe a doctor can remain competent if he cannot inform himself of the the latest scientific developments on the internet which is 90% or more in English. The same applies to professionals active in other sectors requiring scientific knowledge.

Most doctors I have come across have some to good English speaking ability even though they see few English speaking patients. They can however read and write English.

An example of the English teaching at a Thai school. The Mrs has 2 sisters one with a boy one with a girl both the same age and in the same class at the same school, they are both bright kids. The boy stayed with us for a considerable time and speaks good English but cant read or write well, the girl however has not progressed past good morning and a few other basic phrases but she can read and write English although she doesnt really know what she is reading or writing.

The school teaches reading and writing but the teacher is not competent to teach conversation.

The girl for her reading and writing ability (copying from books) gets top marks for English while the boy is way down.

I have also met farmers who speak good English and bank tellers who can not. The bank I use has one girl with good English the manager has some very basic the rest have none.

What are they?

Geese or ducks?

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Muscovy duck.

thank you. but this last shot I posted was by member 'goshawk' now banned (he is my brother in law) so the credit goes to him, not me.... he says hi btw.

May I ask what sin that very helpful ex member committed to deserve that ?

^^^ DB...Hornbill correct?

Female Wreathed Hornbill.

Because bureaucrats love paperwork. There is no rule to ask for proof of residence and by you giving it to them you encourage them to expect it. Maybe the next guy will give them an extra picture and the next a map to his house and the next an aerial photograph - being bureaucrats they adopt all of these new customs into their immigration useless paperwork collection. Soon there will be a necessity for agents and web sites to guide people through the mass of new requirements that you have created.

With all government employees of any kind never volunteer anything. No information, no forms, no paperwork. You have the right to remain silent.

If you take that attitude with you to immigration then I suspect you will have problems.

The information for extending a non immigrant visa, retirement.

imm form.JPG

Note No7. This also applies to a rented property where copies of a rental agreement, and landlord (or lady) details and map of property are required.

I have applied for and received over 12 retirement extensions at many immigration offices in Thailand and have only been asked once for proof of address.

I would imagine the list you provided is from an expat organization which provides assistance to expats and therefore has a vested interest for making things more complicated than they are .

Buy hey. I could be wrong. If the list you provided is from immigration please link it.

The Thai immigration website provides this----

The alien: (1) Must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM). (2) Must be 50 years of age or over. (3) Must have evidence of having income of no less than Baht 65,000 per month; or (4) On the filing date, the applicant must have funds deposited in a bank in Thailand of no less than. Baht 800,000 for the past three months. For the first year only, the applicant must have proof of a. deposit account in which said amount of funds has been maintained for no less than 60 days prior to. the filing date; or (5) Must have an annual earning and funds deposited with a bank totaling no less than Baht. 800,000 as of the filing date.

I am all for learning new stuff and if you have a like to immigration asking for proof of address and what that proof is when applying for a retirement extension please list it.

Thanks in advance.

My post is a photo of a document that was given to me by the immigration office at Lop Buri, it is what they require and I have no problem with complying.

I don't need to link to anything I know what the (very friendly and helpful) immigration office I attend requires and I provide it.

Up to you what you do and what you believe but I give you a word of advice.

Get rid of your negative and provocative attitude and you will find dealing with immigration, and life in general in Thailand, much easier.

I provide copies of forms that I think they would require. I have never been asked for a copy as I always supply it. If you have a yellow house book prooving residence why would you not supply a copy.

Because bureaucrats love paperwork. There is no rule to ask for proof of residence and by you giving it to them you encourage them to expect it. Maybe the next guy will give them an extra picture and the next a map to his house and the next an aerial photograph - being bureaucrats they adopt all of these new customs into their immigration useless paperwork collection. Soon there will be a necessity for agents and web sites to guide people through the mass of new requirements that you have created.

With all government employees of any kind never volunteer anything. No information, no forms, no paperwork. You have the right to remain silent.

If you take that attitude with you to immigration then I suspect you will have problems.

The information for extending a non immigrant visa, retirement.

Note No7. This also applies to a rented property where copies of a rental agreement, and landlord (or lady) details and map of property are required.

Nothing new, I have been providing copies of rental agreement and land ladies ID card for the last several years of extensions. I have several copies of everything they want and attach one of each every year no problems (Lop Buri).