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Totally agree . In all my years 20 years in coming / staying in Thailand I have never swam in the sea because of hidden dangers including rip tides , pollution and aquatic life . Many tourists to Thailand who have had beach holidays in Europe think that the Thai sea in the same way as the Mediterranean which is almost non-tidal . I had the misfortune to witness a drowned 21 year old Irish guy being pulled up to the beach , from the sea , by fishermen on Koh Samui . I once spoke to a Swiss swimming instructor also had worked as a life guard . He used to swim a long way off shore in Phuket .Until one day he met a pair of Barracudas . He now swims close to the shore . He mentioned rip tides and how to get away from them but also whirlpools which are rarer . Only way to survive them is to dive into the whirl to the seabed and then swim along the sea bed until you are out of the range of the whirl . But you have to be very fit and strong swimmer to do that .

That is also my understanding too . However when I travel within Thailand and stay at hotels , they nearly always ask for my passport which they either copy or return to me the following day . I am supposing to show to the immigration or police . So a TM30 is mostly not needed for repeated extensions of stay but the 90 day reporting still remains . Any logic ?

Strangely enough , Cambodia is a Buddhist country but does not have the same dog problems as Thailand . They eat the stray dogs as was once a common practice in Thailand . My neighbor ( Doctor ) has 10 dogs, ( many bitches so soon it will be 20 ) that roam the streets and bark and growl at every vehicle or pedestrian .The dogs are full of fleas and worms and are hardly fed . One of the dogs that is only about 1 year old has a back legs problem , can barely walk and is in pain but the doctor ignores it . Not exactly a responsible owner . l have seen Thai folk pick up dead dogs off the road to eat . With rabies on the up in Thailand , the Thai government should be seen to protect the human population from stray dogs rather than turning a blind eye . Maybe introduce dog licences and state that all dogs to wear a collar with owners address / phone number. No I.D. the dogs to be put in a pound for 1 month and if not claimed by the original owner or a new owner to buy them , they should be humanely killed . If claimed by the original owner a fine to be levied for no dog I.D. and probably no licence too .

TOPS have been disappointing recently . I used to like some of their Waitrose products and their cod fish fingers . Now they are discontinued , according to their chat line .

You are correct , however the reason for C.O.D. for me is that I do not have to part with the money until I receive the item as opposed to paying up front and the item is the wrong item , cancelled or out of stock . Then I have to claim a refund and time & hassle that goes with that . On receipt of the item I always take a video of opening the box . As I mentioned on a previous post , the only safe way to be sure that a bought item is what you order and is in good condition , is to buy from a shop in person .

It is true that on Lazada that an identical item of the same manufacture will be offered by numerous retailers at sometimes substantial varying prices . I have seen discounts of up to 60% . BTW , I never pay up front , thus avoiding order cancellation refunds ( happened to me last week ) , only use C.O.D. Always take a video of the delivered boxed item when opening the box

With escalating events in the Middle East , the Russia / Ukraine war and China's claim on Taiwan etc , is a WW3 inevitable ? The big boys have up to now stayed away from direct confrontation , until now with the USA & the UK at the forefront . Is Thailand a safe country to be in for ex-pat retirees in the event of a global war ?

I do not think anyone is claiming to be an expert on this post , the exception being Sheryl . Members like to chat and exchange their experiences with folks who have had similar medical conditions . Of course , getting an appointment with a decent Thai doctor ( if in Thailand ) is the answer and nobody on this forum is suggesting otherwise .

I have been using 50 mg of Losartan for hypertension for 2 or 3 years . I have had a loss of balance for some time and got a doctors appointment ( in the UK ) . Doctor took a blood test and the results showed low hemoglobin levels . Doctor said I am anemic . Followed up with urine and poo tests which showed blood in my poo but I have never seen blood in my stools . Then had a colonoscopy and endoscopy, which were both clear . I told the doctor that my mother had anemia in her old age and I may have the same because of genetics . My medication to build up my hemoglobin count are ferrous sulfate ( iron tablets ) . My initial H/G levels were 10.4 but last month were 11.6 . DR Google states that for a man it should be between 14 and 18 . Back to Losartan , that appears to reduce H/G levels if used for a prolonged period . I will be speaking to my doctor and seeking an alternative to Losartan . I also have reflux for which I take 20mg of omeprazole in the morning .

I have similar issue to those you have described but more of loss of balance . I copied and pasted Meunière on Google and it came back as a fish dish . Have you checked your spelling . Thanks for sharing your experience .

Yes I agree and such an airport is Thief row ( Heathrow ) where all checked luggage is subject to x-rays and the contents will be seen . After many complaints from passengers , concerning missing items , the airport security installed hidden cctv which showed the man , of mixed nationality, controlling the x-ray machine , tagging the luggage which was then rifled further down the conveyor belt , by similar mixed nationality men , who apparently are known as the Heathrow mafia who have an influence on the running of the airport and personnel recruitment

You would think that because of the Macro trial , large food retailers would make sure that their buyers would be diligent with their procurement of goods but I do not think that is the case today .

Thanks for the information video . So in reality the ordinary man in the street has got no chance of avoiding fake products .That even goes for buying olive oil from Italy with the bottle even carrying a batch number . The safest way appears to be to buy from producers that use blockchain / QR code traceability but there are not many of them around .

I agree , they are sick , sad people hiding behind their keyboards because of the move to make posters of emojis anonymous . I wish the moderators would reverse that decision .

Agree , plus crazy tourist carrier mini buses

Acceleration from the lights allows you to pass / underpass the outside lane huggers , slow pickups and inconsiderate , low driver skilled Thais . If you are happy to dawdle along , so be it .

Going to Bua Lai ?

only car to leave me behind at the lights was a Honda Accord . Try looking at 0 - 50 kmh which is realistic in towns .

Steps & stairs are doable for me if there is a decent handrail but in Thailand , more often than not , there is not a handrail . It is only large shopping malls that have lifts and elevators that make easy access . Sorry to say that even with a good walking aid steps , stairs and Thailand pavements are a danger for those with limited mobility . Thailand has a way to go to catch up with western safety standards . I hope you find a solution if using a walking stick . Having your partner or friend to assist you could help . Good luck in your quest .

Agree with all you say except that the engine is a 3 cylinder 1200cc . The Mitsubushi Attrage uses the same engine but is far more comfortable with its larger seating area . I have just bought my 2nd Attrage ( kept first one for 5 years ) at under 700,000 baht ( top of the range but entry at just over 500,000 baht ) . As you say , very nippy and always leave most cars behind from the traffic lights . Economical too . Free 1 year insurance and 100,000 km or 3 years warrantee .Attrage is far more comfortable at longer trips compared to the Mirage , especially if carrying 4 or 5 people . Cruising at 100klm ph is easy with under 3000 rpm . Who wants to go faster than that on Thailand roads . Mitsubushi mechanical workshops are on a similar level to Honda for equipment , technicians and efficiency but much cheaper . Honda has a good reputation but you are paying for the name and their after sales servicing is not cheap .

So true and many shops have high steps to their entrance without handrails . I have lost a lot of balance since a stroke and descending stairs is a nightmare . I have to walk down backwards whilst holding the handrail . No handrail ? then no way am I going up stairs . Lets face it Thailand has little consideration for pedestrians with disabilities . Uneven and sloping pavements are a big problem for me , also high kerbs . Wheelchairs in Thailand maybe OK within a hospital or airport but in Thai towns forget it . To Poppysdad , have you considered an electric carriage that can be used on the road , thus avoiding the hazardous pavements ?

Oh yes it is ( pantomime season )

But the Gambian man probably does not know that yet but the aged lady does and having a good time for free

That is true . Only yesterday I was looking for a cordless drill on Lazada . They had many Makita drills at around 600 baht . That has to be fake

There is that implication but unblocking can sometimes happen . Why ? I do not know . However the VPN companies continue to promote their products excellent performance at unblocking most websites including W.Hill . Also the same bragging from cyber agents . Don't know if VPN companies come under any regulator . They seem to a law to themselves.