sua yai

I've got a copy of the BBC documentery on the place and it certainly dosn't look too appealing. Bear in mind that this will almost definitely have been heavily censored and sanitised for viewing.

An aquaintance has just finished his third or fourth year of a 99 year stretch. Judging by some of his letters, I don't think the stay is proving beneficial for his mental health.

The OP must be on a wind up.

I think 40's a bit young. I'm in the same position as you - rent my property out, live off that here, get headaches etc with it from time to time, but have a reasonable lifestyle.

I could sell up and probably net 300K pounds and live off the interest. I would be slightly better off doing so, but if interest rates change for the worse, the prospect is not so appealing. I'm at the mercy of exchange rates now anyway.

The two big differences between us are that I don't have kids yet - although I'm married - and I'm 47.

I made the decision a number of years ago to wait until I was 50 before deciding whether to sell up. I am still of the same mind.

I was 25 days over in Feb this year after a bad accident. Not overstaying at the time of the accident.

Went to Suan Plu armed with crutches, doctor's letter stating I couldn't travel until that day and even got a letter from the immigration doctor that I shouldn't travel for another month.

1,900 for a 14 day extension and 5,000 baht fine. Thought that was a bit tough, but it's the rules.

My hospital never volunteered to do the "run" for me even though they knew I'd gone on to overstay during the 11 days there. It was too late to do anything when I posted here and other members told me that's what I should have done.

More to the point, is there any evidence that he's still inside?

Thought he got life, which generally means Bang Kwang over here.

The sin sod may be a bit cost prohibitive.

I've known two people in Hua Hin who came down with dengue.

This was a good few years ago. The first recovered by taking care of himself, the other was prescribed dog worming tablets and nearly died until he got to BKK for proper medication.

Don't trust the local quacks.

ANALYSIS: Beginning of the end?

Thaksin’s relationship with the “third pillar”, the media, is getting badly out of control. He thought he had subjugated state-owned media and had major publications on his side, in the style of Singapore and Malaysia. But Thailand is not Singapore or Malaysia. And it is Thaksin’s folly to believe he can sway the press forever.

-- Political Desk, The Nation 2005-12-13

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i'd have to agree to this point made by the heavily biased political desk at The Nation. i wonder what their agenda is . the Thai media can rest assured that it is nothing like that found in Singapore or Malaysia, in fact, on reflection, i'd say it is most similar to the type of media found in the Philippines.

just like in the Philippines, the press here is childish and unprofessional, and they assume they have the right to challenge a rightfully elected government by inciting anger and suspicion, by constantly being on the attack and cooking up scandals to sell more papers.

the Philippines is a failed nation. they don't have a hope in solving their deficit problems, multi-nationals have pulled out and are not coming back, their fine and talented people are forced to work overseas, labourers to the world, earning much needed foreign curruncies to prop up the local economy. every 12 months or so, a political storm is cooked up, 'people power' is invoked, and the dumb ass masses sing and dance in the streets so as to overthrow the same people they voted for just months ago. democracy is really only suited for an educated popluation who understands the power of their vote on the fortune of the nation, a population that understands democracy comes with sacrifice.

we know for sure the press is keeping the politicians in check in thailand, but what concerns me more is who the hel_l is keeping the press in check?

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That's about the most insightful post I've read on this forum for ages.

Well said. Nothing's perfect.

I came here at 40 - that's knocking on 8 yrs ago - ran a bar for 2.5 years and now do sweet FA. I own a property in central London that I rent out. That's my income, pension etc etc.

It's definitely not easy.

The bar's one thing, but I wouldn't ever expect it to make more than pocket money. Some people are good at it - just don't expect to be so yourself.

My property is rented out at 100,000 Baht a month and I just about make ends meet over a financial year. 16% goes in agent's fees, there's still a small mortgage, there will always be void periods between the tenancies and there's the small matter of maintenence - which dosn't come cheap in the UK.

I could sell tomorrow and net 300,000 pounds, but if I do the sums with

current interest rates, it's a thin line to walk. I too have a wife to support.

I don't mean to dampen your dreams, but believe me, it won't be easy given your set of circumstances. I've been doing it for ages.

Heard the same through a friend who's a journalist in HK. He knows someone living in Kan.

I went back to the UK for the first time after four years here as well. Like other posters have already stated, I was told by customers to my bar then that "I'd hate it", "I wouldn't recognise the place", "be prepared for some real shocks" etc etc.

Other than the price increases, I didn't see that much had changed at all and far from having a bad time, it was great to see family and friends again. (It did help knowing that I was coming back here after a month though).

Since then, I've been back another three times in as many years and now look forward to a break there. Next year, I might even be able to take my wife - we've been married five months. That should be an experience.

Also like others, I don't feel ready yet to sell off my Crown Jewels - namely a three bedroom house with garden in the centre of London.

An alternative way to get to MFA is the skytrain from Ploenchit to Mo Chit. Get a taxi there for about 100 baht and it takes 10-15 mins.

As Bambina has pointed out, the office is now in Pranburi.

When you arrive at the junction where the bypass road from BKK joins the single lane road from HH (approx 20 kms south of town), you head into Pranburi, past a couple of army bases on your right and you'll come to a junction signposted to Pranburi police station to your right again.

That's the place.

I've had TOT ADSL for a number of months now and am pleased with the speed. It's the cheapest connection, 500 per mth. There's also 750 and 1,000.

Quite a few people have had problems with TT&T. Seems to me that they should be avoided.

I think they can do all extensions and reporting. Certainly a couple of people have recently got their marriage extensions there, so I would assume retirement is possible as well.

Was there the first time for three months in '81. Stayed the first 10 days in Bombay with family - big appartment overlooking The Arabian Sea. Hardly thrown in at the deep end. Anyway, at 21 y/o and having been there for a week, I thought I knew it all and couldn't understand what all the fuss was about poverty wise. Sure I saw it, but it wasn't affecting me like I thought it would. Until one afternoon in the family's car. Driver, my cousin and me. There's a tapping at the window to the side of me and I turned to see an armless man with a rusty tin can tied round his neck, swinging it into the window begging for money. Well I totally freaked out. My cousin rescued me by dropping some change into the can for him. I knew I'd arrived then and that if I didn't put that experience behind me I'd be on the first plane home and that wasn't part of the plan. Nothing was as bad as that afterwards for me. A tough country, but a hugely rewarding experience.

They were fortunate.

Reminds me of an occasion a number of years ago when three of us did our visa run in Ranong. A Brit journalist had been arrested in Burma for "disseminating propaganda" and released shortly before our trip after The Forign Office got involved. Relations between the two countries was not good.

At the small Burmese imm hut, we found the usual faces, but one new one who was obviously fairly senior. Whilst processing our stamps he asked us what we did for a living. Well, the Belgian said construction, the Swede the same and then Brain of Britain here, deciding to tell the truth, replied that he used to work in newspapers and magazines. I've never had my already stamped passport snatched back out of my hands so quickly before.

Obviously, the situation was resolved. Moral of the story - lie in situations like that and certainly never admit to being/having been a journalist if you can help it.

What does the "medical lottery" mean? Does it just apply to visitors staying over 6 months?

Agree with GU22's point about children. A number of years ago, my ex gf was turned down twice by The Embassy. I finally took the matter to The House of Commons through my MP. He was turned down as well. Reasons - The ECO was not satisfied that we'd known each other for the length of time stated or that she had sufficient reason to return to Thailand.

When back in Thailand I arranged an interview with the ECO (the first time I'd been to The Embassy). They wheeled the ECDirector out for me. I pointed out that the ex had provided land documents for her house and farm (all in her name). Not good enough - she didn't work on the farm. Family took care of it. Then 3 birth certificates for her children and death cert for the father. Again, not good enough as the kids didn't live with her. Again, taken care of by family. "Not sufficient reason to return".

I reckon The Embassy had made its mind up some time before and I never got the bottom of it. It's all water under the bridge now, but if they've got their suspicions, it can be very difficult to change them.

Fortunately, in Hua Hin, we've pretty much missed out on these outlets. MCD's have been trying for years to get a franchise, but it eventually went to BK. There's the equivalent of Pizza Hut as well.

That's as far as it goes - for now.

The BK is generally pretty busy with westerners on hols getting their daily fix of whatever.

Home from home,eh?

Whether it's been said on this thread before but, have any of you survived the tailors in India itself?

If you have, I reckon that you'll realise how low key they are in Thailand.

If you've been through the baptism of fire on the cub-continent, then here pales into insignificance.

Still a pain though.

You could try The Hilton. They do a deal for the gym - 1,500 per month I think, probably have daily rates as well. I went to join last year, but was told that I couldn't use the pool as there was was shortage of sunbeds so hotel guests came first. That put me off.

Alternatively, there's a Finnish run gym very close to The Grand Hotel. Not sure of cost, but cheaper the the Hilton. No pool.

Would agree with B&S. Palm Hills is a great setting and definitely worth the effort of getting to. It's only 15 mins from the centre of town.

As often as not, you're the only person there during the week. Makes me feel like a millionaire for a few hours - a pleasant change.

hi guys

                        just a quick question or two, will be there in january house hunting, are there any property taxes that i should be aware of, or such a thing as the council tax as there  is here in the uk?

                        also are the utilities easy to sort out, or is there just one supplier? hopefully there is cable tv, and broadband as well?

stuuu

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We've got ADSL here. The two main suppliers are TOT and TT&T. I went on the TOT package a few months ago for 500 Baht a month ( there's also 750 and 1,000). I'm no computer expert, but I am pleasantly surprised at how well it's working. It's certainly OK for me after putting up with dial up for years!!

Friends have had big problems with TT&T. This is nationwide, I think, judging by the thread on the computer forum.

Yes there's cable, but the standard is pretty low. We get Fox News, an adventure channel, Reality tv and a movie channel. You might want to check out UBC.

Very difficult to tell what the occupancy rate is. Generally moving around town, there are plenty of places with signs for rent.

I'd say there's far more available now than 7 years ago, but that's down to the owners realising that there's money to be had and putting them on the market.

I'm not going to hazard a guess as to %age occupancy though. Finding a place to rent isn't difficult, as long as you're not after a 3 bedroom detached property with swimming pool, 1 minute from the beach etc etc.

Loads of places about 10 minutes out of town.

I reckon that natural yoghurt is a partial answer. As has been said before, it breeds culture in your stomach that helps to keep the bad things at bay.

I've travelled a few times through India and been here for over 7 years and generally don't have a problem at all.