delgarcon

Apparently it was a pick up carrying workers, guess what, driving too fast and couldn't make the bend near the temple of the main road to Chaloklam

I'm in Madawaaan. The accident (or Cruise ship) was somewhere between here and Chaloklam

Since around 8am I've heard at least 10 ambulances with sirens blaring and it's still going on. Obviously some are return journeys, but it looks like full moon party weekend has claimed more victims. There goes another ambulance!

I think you'll find that Israelis are the main foreign buyers here in KP.

I recently watched the 2011 movie, The Lincoln Lawyer and thoroughly enjoyed it, which prompted me to binge watch season 1 of the current series of the same name. great TV and I'm waiting until season 2 is completely on line to watch it. Written by Michael Connelly, who created Bosch, another binge worthy series.

Depending on how badly you want to stay there, maybe a couple of thousand baht would encourage her to complete the TM30.

Unfortunately Thais do not learn how to drive competently. I had to teach my gf how to drive after she had completed her lessons in Koh Samui and passed her test, the test being a total farce.

We learn something every day

I use Wise to transfer currency from one country to another and their rates and charges are hard to beat. I wouldn't transfer the money in one lump, however.

Show this to your wife, she'll say we're all nuts.

When I first went over to Thong Nai Pan, a few years back, it was a dirt road and it had been raining heavily the night before. We were two on our Honda Click and that was a challenge. I didn't go back until the new road was finished and I wondered how I'd managed it before.

or Thong Nai Pan Noi come to that.

Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach

Elton John's Glastonbury concert was absolutely brilliant. Poor old Elton could hardly walk following his hip surgery, but there was nothing wrong with his voice and if you love Elton, do not miss this concert, which is on the BBC iPlayer right now.

I've just finished watching the mini series, 9/11 One day in America and I have to say that it's one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Although we all know what happened on 9/11, the story is told over 6 episodes by some of the survivors, from different walks of life and I'm so glad that I watched it.

The chart is GBP vs THB btw

You don't know what you're talking about There is striking evidence that amid a growing political vacuum created by political uncertainty, conservative forces in Thailand are mounting a rearguard action against the result of the May 14th General Election with a spike in online misinformation stoking fear. This is happening simultaneously with efforts by an eight-party coalition trying to form a new government while facing a minefield created by the kingdom’s election laws. The country’s complicated and onerous legal provisions have seen it still awaiting confirmation of the election results with a growing threat being presented to the prospect of Mr Pita Limjaroenrat, the charismatic young leader of the Move Forward Party, taking on the mantle of Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister in August. A top business leader on Thursday warned that the threat of a delay in forming a new government expected in August and the rising prospect of political instability poses a twin threat to the Thai economy which is struggling to overcome a slump in exports this year. by Joseph O' Connor

I'm quite happy with the political turmoil here, long may it continue. The value of my pension is increasing with the weakness of the Baht and after spending 11 years here, I can't imagine anyone being able to bring significant change. I can't be specific when I mention corruption, but as we all know it's widespread and I can't mention names of hospitals that cheat us when we need help, but we know who they are. We read every day about accidents and deaths on the roads, which are greeted with nothing but apathy from the powers that be. Tourists are encouraged to rent a motorbike, which they may or may not have ever driven back home and for which they may or may not have a licence and the only time I ever see a policeman here in Koh Phangan is when a nice cool day encourages them to go out and earn a few baht catching motorcyclists not wearing crash helmets. How fast or erratically they're driving and how many are killed or seriously injured is not an issue, on the contrary, it's more revenue for the hospitals. Anyway, I don't give a flying **** about the outcome of the election and long may sterling's revival continue.

I've got one that I rarely use, I'm scared of leaving it lying around.

https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre You will find an online enquiry form here if you prefer to e-mail then

You're kidding, have you never heard of skype? If you're not sure how, get someone to download skype for you and you'll find that a call to the UK costs peanuts, The problem is that you're unlikely to find someone on here that's got a Thai wife who's earning a UK pension.

I suggest you phone them, they usually answer eventually

149 times an hour! Are you sure? I was diagnosed with S A 12 years ago and I saw a Swiss pulmonologist a couple of years later for another test and she told me that I stopped breathing 45 times and that I had severe S A. I will never forget her words, "If you don't use your CPAP machine, like money in a Swiss bank, you are GUARANTEED to have a stroke!" I wonder what she would have said to you.

When I was 12 years old my dad, who was a tour guide, left me in Grindlewald to enjoy 3 weeks skiing in the Bernese Oberlands. I stayed in a small hotel and the concierge gave me money when I needed it. When it was time to go home, I got a train down the mountain and across Switzerland and France, the ferry to Folkestone and the train to Victoria where my relieved mum met me. By the time I was 16 I could have traveled round the world on my own.

Terrible news, RIP Joe and thanks for the help you gave me over the years,