crumpled

Why on earth would I take my phone or tablet to the khazi? Seems a ridiculous idea. Can something like that not wait for a few plops?

Agreed, it is excellent news. Maybe other countries could take note of this, though for some the list could run to many pages

The mobile phone can be worth its weight in gold if you have any problems and you have Thai friends who speaky zee Eengleesh.

I don't know you but get well soon and I hope that kidney hot foots it your way. Illness is never a good thing.

Thankfully no fatatlities, but I have seen these school buses well overloaded and they are lucky there are no fatalities.

Forward momentum? There are no seatbelts, many are standing and, yes, the forward momentum will break bones!

Thanks, Maestro

Does a single tourist visa issued in the UK start from the day you enter Thailand?

Thanks

Don't forget that it is often the poor Burmese maid that gets a good thrashing by the Lady of the Manor too yet it is often the poor maid who is the honest one. Too much nagging goes on too to add to the brilliant description given by HeijoshinCool (who maybe watches far too much of these soaps ).

Do you make pies?

Pork ones?

BP = lose weight if needed, exercise regularly and minimize sodium intake (no added salt, and avoid processed foods)

Note that even with this, some people -- many in fact, especially among the over 5 crowd -- cannot maintain a healthy BP without medication.

Cholesterol = would help to know exactly what you HDL and LDL levels were 9total cholesterol is not meaningful). Avopid all fried foods at the market/restaurants (they use the worst kind of oil) and use only healthy oils at home (canola, olive, sunflower etc). Take in as much fiber as you can. Keep red meat to a minimum, ditto cheese. Avoid processed carbs but it sounds like you already do. Fish oil supplements.

"cannot maintain a healthy BP without medication."

Is it true that if you start on BP medications that you have to continue for life?

Did anyone answer this question? When I spoke to my doctor about this, he said that it is possible to no longer need meds to control BP, however, it was not common. I did not question him any further on the subject.

What I do note from my visits to the doctor is that he does not rely on the results from the digital BP measuring machines but always rechecks using his own mercury sphygmomanometer. The reading on the latter is always somewhat lower than the digital ones at the hospital I visit.

I have just come back from seeing the nurse at my local surgery who also uses a mercury sphygmomanometer. When I did mention about my BP being so high in Thailand her reply was that they find the digital machines to be very innacurate.

Pleased to say that at 59 years old my BP is 120/70 today Better than the 170/xx they told me I had in Thailand.

RT@RichardBarrow: The boat was taking tourists from Koh Larn back to Pattaya when it is believed the water pump failed. It took on water & capsized #Thailand

... so, it was known - by whomever responsible for the boat's maintanance - that it was seriously leaking.

Not necessarily a serious leak. Could be water washing over the side of the boat. Still far too early and varying reports to have a good idea of what happened. But if it was overcrowded then the freeboard (level between the gunwhale and the sea could be next to nothing) allowing water to slop inboard.

The sea can be a cruel and volatile mistress and always needs to be treated with respect. No breakdown trucks or ambulances there to help you out when you get into difficulties. You cannot get out and walk to safety either (not being funny). Years in the Merchant navy and on fishing boats makes you realise the difficulties.

Very scary for those who cannot swim !!

And buy your self a good blood pressure monitor because one off tests done by doctors may not be indicative of true blood pressure levels.

Very very true, when I test at home I'm always around 124/75, in a doctors office or a hospital I'm always north of 145/x, often substantially so.

I too would be very wary of the BP test done in some of the hospitals. Whenever I visited my BP was between 130/80 and 170/90. They had me on meds for a long time and it was still way too high. Odd then that since I have been in the UK over the last four months and had 3 BP tests not one has been over 127/75 and that is without any meds. One was even down to 116/70.

I would get a BP monitor yourself and check.

My chauffer climbed out of the Rolls to pay our entry fee. When those dastardly people asked him for 50% extra for the farang, he refused, climbed back in and drove us back home. At least it was a comfortable journey with no stress.

You don't CLIMB in and out of a Rolls. You must have been confused with your old Tata truck .

I'll have you know my chauffer is a midget so he had to climb out of the Roller, go to the boot, get the orange box out, carry the box to the entrance window, climb onto it to speak to the cashier, clamber down off the orange box, lug it back to the car, put it in the boot and clamber back into the Rolls. He was not best pleased, I could tell.

BTW I am an equal opportunities employer and I employ midgets and giants, I do not discriminate

Orange box or box of oranges?

What?? Oranges in the box? How frightfully expensive that would be.

Something slimy crawled out from under a rock today.......

My chauffer climbed out of the Rolls to pay our entry fee. When those dastardly people asked him for 50% extra for the farang, he refused, climbed back in and drove us back home. At least it was a comfortable journey with no stress.

You don't CLIMB in and out of a Rolls. You must have been confused with your old Tata truck .

I'll have you know my chauffer is a midget so he had to climb out of the Roller, go to the boot, get the orange box out, carry the box to the entrance window, climb onto it to speak to the cashier, clamber down off the orange box, lug it back to the car, put it in the boot and clamber back into the Rolls. He was not best pleased, I could tell.

BTW I am an equal opportunities employer and I employ midgets and giants, I do not discriminate

Lakegeneve.

Thanks for that.

Cannot reply to the post itself. Too many quotes, apparently.

TC I may be a little blonde but can't find anything on internet with regards to customs keeping belongings?

Please keep us updated genuinely interested.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

HMRC (Her Majesties Revenue and Customs) have plenty of details if you check out their site.

They are not to be confused with immigration who are a different bunch altogether.

HMRC can confiscate anything from a thumb drive to your car or even your aeroplane if they feel it is warranted. And Customs are even very nice people compared to what the VAT man can do

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9892897-38.html

An interesting topic from Cnet on computers and HMRC & US Border patrol regarding computers.

Maybe the OP does not really have a leg to stand on with his complaint as research into HMRC says they can take your laptop for an unlimited time. I like the bit where they can scan the computer as you wait to see what is actually on the HD.

Is it over the top? That depends on your perspective. Porn, paedo's, terrorists. Where do you draw the line? If you look suspicious to HMRC you will be checked and it seems there is little you can do about it, unless you encrypt your files, as discussed in the link I posted.

It's my computer and I can download what I like

No wonder there are so many bomb threats with the people they piss off

I they ask me what is in my bag I shall tell them to look and see as they are going to anyway

Too be honest I have had more stuff nicked out I my bag before it even makes it to customs than problems with customs

From the baggage handlers they have greasy hands at times

Also be carefull of them putting something in

Be a nice trick to place stuff inside a bag at one airport to be snatched at the other side that's assuming that person does not get searched

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Yes, you can download what you like, as can I and everyone else but if the data on the computer breaks the law of the country we are entering then it is obviously illegal in their eyes and the computer can be confiscated and the owner prosecuted.

I cannot say I particularly like the laws in some countries but realise that I either abide by them or take the risk of suffering the consequences of being found out.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9892897-38.html

An interesting topic from Cnet on computers and HMRC & US Border patrol regarding computers.

Maybe the OP does not really have a leg to stand on with his complaint as research into HMRC says they can take your laptop for an unlimited time. I like the bit where they can scan the computer as you wait to see what is actually on the HD.

Is it over the top? That depends on your perspective. Porn, paedo's, terrorists. Where do you draw the line? If you look suspicious to HMRC you will be checked and it seems there is little you can do about it, unless you encrypt your files, as discussed in the link I posted.

I do not have a problem with you I do find it interesting listening to both sides of the coin

I am interest of you are born and bread Brit hence that racist accusation towards me?

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Would that be Hovis?

Sorry couldn't resist

My chauffer climbed out of the Rolls to pay our entry fee. When those dastardly people asked him for 50% extra for the farang, he refused, climbed back in and drove us back home. At least it was a comfortable journey with no stress.

My current booking with Royal Jordanian states that I must be present if I have booked for another person. If I am not present they do want a letter from me and copies of the debit card I used to book the flight.

Yes, they want to make sure the card use is authrorised and I see no problem with that.

I often get stopped at Heathrow - maybe I look a bit bedraggled after a long trip from the house in Thailand - and I always have extra tobacco in my bag. I have my laptop computer, several hard drives and thumb drives too.

The staff have always been courteous and have never confiscated my baccy which is usually 3 times the limit. I simply tell them I am back for a while and it is for my own personal use.

After asking where I have come from and why and where I am going, they do tell me they are looking for drugs and firearms. The search of my baggage is thorough. I am sent on my way with a smile and a thank you from the C&E officer.

If you or your demeanour is suspect they will search you and your bags. If during that search your attitude does not feel right to them they will start to question you. Maybe your attitude changes during the search and questions. Little tell tale signs the C&E pick up on. That makes them more suspicious. Maybe that was the case with you.