Bredbury Blue

I was on a lunchtime EVA flight BKK to Taipei last year. Plane moved from the gate maybe 200m and then parked on the taxiway due to problem. Sat on the plane for 2 hours while they checked a problem, finally we all had to go back to the departure gate on buses. Then it was chaotic while the flight staff arranged for each person to go to one hotel in Bkk. I live local so I asked could I go home (I only had carry on baggage), they agreed and told me I had to back at checkin desk the next day at 4 am. We were all marched in batches to the VIP/Fast Track immigration entry. I went home (WITH my passport). All the others collected their baggage and went to the hotel on coaches and back to Suvarnabhumi on coaches the next day. Next morning I went back to Suvarnabhumi at 4am. Check-in again, security, immigration, etc. (they stamped my departure stamp VOID on the 1st day to show I didn't leave Thailand that day). We had a new plane on the 2nd day to Taipei (plane with problem was still parked). So handing over passports wasn't a requirement.

The pair visit every time we cut the grass, for just one day, poking around, making lots of holes in the turf, successfully searching for worms.

CORRECT!

Back in the 90s, when I used to pop in for a swift half, it used to play the best music down the 'Pong.

To be a Thailand old hand you need to know Trink's favourite brand of beef stew.

Nothing too unusual about that. Cities hold air-raid drills, everyone is to know where their air-raid shelter is located, mine for a period was the underground carpark a few 100 metres from the hotel I was staying.

Agreed, and the IO will usually remind you on entry that your visa will expire soon.

My favourite province. Sounds a great trip. I've driven to all those places except these two: 1. Kanchanaburi Sinakharin Reservoir Loop. Doable by car, or only bike? 2. Road up to Pilok. Decent road? Your trip is a reminder i must make the effort to return to Sangkhlaburi, lovely place, like nowhere else in Thailand.

Went out the house Tuesday, still unhatched eggs and bird sitting on eggs. Came back, no eggs. Over the years we've had many bulbul nests with eggs and chicks, and not once have we seen them fully fledge, something always comes along and has them (golden tree snakes maybe, see them alot).

Thanks. I'll pass on to the wife, who's on the committee. Cheers.

Bit of upset in my moobarn. Man trying to catch red-whiskered bulbuls. Committee has requested he stop. He's told them to prove he's breaking the law or call the police otherwise leave him alone. Second person in the last few years trying to catch them. I'm in the 'not happy about it' corner. See how it develops.

...there are now 2 eggs.

I don’t know if it’s the same pair of birds who’ve had multiple nests of eggs/chicks around my garden, including in my cycling helmet that was hanging from my bike’s handlebars, but they don’t seem very adept at hiding their nests from view. This nest is right next to wear we park our car. No eggs yet. Over the years I’ve yet to see any chicks fledge - something usually comes along and eats them – so maybe this time.

Frozen UK State Pensions: A Deep Injustice — But Now There’s a Way to Change It Every year, over 450,000 British pensioners living overseas receive a UK state pension that is frozen at the rate they first received it — never increased to reflect the rising cost of living. This means many are living on less than half of today’s full UK pension, with its real value shrinking every year. 600,000 pensioners get uprated including most countries in Europe USA and a few others like Jamaica and Barbados This unfair treatment depends entirely on where you live. In the Asia-Pacific region, for example, British citizens in the Philippines receive uprated pensions — but not those in Australia or New Zealand or any other country in APAC. Why? Because the UK Government only uprates pensions in countries where there is a reciprocal agreement — often tied to trade deals. It's a cost-saving loophole — and the Government knows it's unjust. Why Now Is the Time for Action Until recently, many British citizens overseas had no right to vote in UK elections. But since January 2024, that has changed. Now, all British citizens abroad can vote, no matter how long they’ve been away. That’s why the British Overseas Voters Forum (BOVF) was formed — to unite overseas voters and ensure their voices are heard on key issues like Frozen Pensions. We’re building organised voter groups in every UK constituency to create real pressure on MPs. We know that when overseas voters speak collectively, politicians listen. Here’s What You Can Do Register to vote today at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Become a supporter of BOVF for free at bovf.org.uk. Becoming a supporter ensures your MP knows overseas voters in their constituency are watching — and demanding change. You’ll also stay updated on campaign developments and, if you choose, can get more involved. Let’s work together to end frozen pensions and bring fairness to all British citizens, no matter where they live. If you find any difficulties in registering to vote, or you just need some assistance, these two prominent Brits in Thailand will be only too happy to help if you E mail them Eric Jordan - ppieric[at]hotmail.com Ceri Weaver - ceri.weaver[at]hotmail.com.

My experience is the same: no matter how well prepared you are, they will always find something your application is lacking, indeed they don't seem to like it if you are too prepared. You just can't predict what they want that you haven't got with you / what they've changed since last year that you weren't aware of until seeing the IO. Regarding the Kor Ror 2. We were going to the Imm office for at least 15 years without even knowing such a thing existed, we just provided copies of our UK marriage certificate and the certified English-to-Thai translation that we always used no problem, then about 3 annual renewals back we were asked where's your KR2? We now get a Kor Ror 22 (for marriages outside of Thailand) every year at the local amphur.