Tuvoc

Really unfortunate when that happens accidentally. I'll be doing it deliberately at some point though. My retirement extension is currently in my UK passport, but I want it in my New Zealand passport going forwards. The only way I know of achieving that it to let the existing permission to stay lapse and start all over again.

Exactly the same for me. 50k baht is the magic number, stay under that and it is instant. Go over it and you're looking at a couple of days.

Yes, still no direct flights from Auckland to Bangkok. Thai airways stopped and has not re-started.

I'm planning on flying again in January, so I'd better start thinking about firming up some dates and making a booking. I think high fares are here to stay, at least for a few years anyway.

More observations about sky high airfare prices around the world: Air fares: Travellers unhappy at skyrocketing prices (msn.com)

In the real world, does it actually make much difference ? Driven normally and safely within speed limits, I'd suggest it probably doesn't. In my experience the Fortuner ride quality improves as you add more passengers, but a bad road = a bad ride in every car I've been in, whether it be a Fortuner or anything else.

Nothing wrong with old technology a lot of the time - less complex, less to go wrong and longer lasting. I'd have no problem whatsoever with one of those "old technology" Honda petrol engines. As for the much-criticised Fortuner with its outdated pick-up chassis - our 2.8 TRD Sport has done over 160,000km in the three and a half years we've had it so far. I'm surprised how well it handles, no issues with grip, and it is as tough as nails, feels indestructible. Perfect for Thai roads. Ride quality isn't great over rough surfaces, but neither was it on my BMW 5 series on UK roads. The Legender has a lot of newer tech on it than the 3 year old Fortuner, not a bad idea at all to buy the current Legender ahead of the launch of the new model next year.