Kinnock

Condo living requires compromises, you wouldn't want your neighbours to play the drums, take up the trumpet, have a noisy dog, and they don't want you to smoke weed. There will be a smoking area somewhere in the building, smoking anywhere else will be against the condo rules. If you want to smoke at home, rent a house.

I wasn't referring to drinking.

Man up and stop being a nuisance to other people just because you can't kick a nasty habit.

She needs to provide evidence that she will return to Thailand after the trip to UK. So ideally property in her name, a job, dependents etc. Plus show she can look after herself financially in UK .... so money in the bank.

My own experience of Homepro is that they are good for fitting specific items bought from the store, but I'm not convinced they could manage a more general refurbishment. I've used them to fit a new circuit board, install kitchen units and for curtains, but I used a local contractor for the general painting, repairs and alterations.

The Mate Tricks

Nope, not in Phuket or anywhere outside of Bangkok. If you're lucky enough to have advance knowledge of a future BTS extension, maybe you can get an increase in value. Apart from that, there's always a newer, shinier condo building going up nearby, with finance deals and a free iPhone, making older condos difficult to sell. You'll see crazy asking prices based on the sellers outstanding debt, but actual selling price if often lower than the original buying price. Older condos tend to be bigger and often with 2 or more real bedrooms, so can be good rental prospects, but capital value is unlikely to increase.

Good one! And strangely appropriate. But maybe he thinks she's The One.

I think the term 'bar girl' is a spectrum rather than a single type of person. Sounds to me like she's not that different to a classical bar girl in her financial expectations. A real partner would know your current financial situation and not ask for money. Long distance relationships are challenging with a trusted partner, and near impossible with someone you need to keep in their place.

As you mention Council Tax etc in the OP, I assume you're in the UK and the 'girlfriend' is in Thailand? So this is an on-line relationship? You're probably one of several sponsors, so your current cash flow issues are just a minor inconvenience for her. A real, exclusive girlfriend would already know your financial situation and would not ask for money, at least until you had some spare cash.

I definitely got a bargain ...... much better looking and she helps run our business so I get an ROI.

I suspect my health insurance is not going to be good value, but it's a gamble either way. When I left my job in Thailand, my company insurance stopped and as I was travelling to Korea for a new job (during COVID) I needed insurance. As I planned to retire in Thailand I took a Thai/International health policy from MTL. It has good coverage, no pre-existing exclusions and will run until I'm 90 .... if I live that long! But it's costly at over 100,000 per year. I'm reasonably fit, and have not used the policy once in 5 years. To claim you need to be admitted, and I've not needed that. So if I'd saved the premium in a decent savings scheme I'd now have a pot of 600,000 THB to cover any medical expenses.

Looks like contact dermatitis to me. Past use of a deodorant that caused an allergic reaction, or maybe reaction to washing powder/liquid. Try changing washing liquid to a mild, natural one with no bleaching agents. Also try shirts that have a lose fit to avoid contact with clothing under armpit.

I use Roojal for my bike insurance. Good App and easy to set up the policy, but I've not had to claim yet, so no real experience.

Why the ageist theme in the OP? There seem to be younger members who fit the spec too.

Congratulations on posting the most unpopular post in the history of the forum. And so wrong too. Before I left the UK I used to do voluntary work for the Crisis charity, setting up kitchens and providing clothing for people living on the streets. The majority were either ex forces men who couldn't adjust to civilian life, divorcees who lost everything or people who's addiction ruined their life. There's no effective safety net in the UK for the people who silently fall. But the loud minorities consume all the available support.

With the prolific posters having multiple accounts, I hope the catering arrangements are not based on the number of member names. There will be way too much turkey.

14 years ..... yes, still very caring. She's also become more globally aware and developed into a skilled business manager. And she still looks great.

The night train market in Srinikarin, Bangkok, may be worth a trip. At the back of the market is several rows of shops, and some sell vintage gear, such as old film cameras, antiques and Hi Fi equipment. If they don't have what you want, they would know where to get it.

Thank you .... that's an interesting observation. The PR process was quite tough.

Good to hear - and thank you for providing the info. I've got as far as PR, but that was quite a tough process .... not sure if I want or need to take it further.

The pointless, polarized, school playground level of US political 'debate' on TrumpNow, sorry, Aseannow, is tedious, and the rampant misogyny is shameful, but there's still some entertaining, if trolling, posts, and the specialist forums such as the farming one, are valuable. Looking wider than the TrumpNow, oops, Aseannow forum it has to be the utterly selfish Thai driving standards.

... and they use GPS so you don't need to guide them turn by turn.

Translation of the article .... carelessly loaded and insecure road roller falls from trailer due to negligence causing a tragic incident and driver blames a cow.

I can see how to stop Notifications in the Settings and to stop Following accounts, but I can't see a way to block all Voom messages.