
sandyf
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Everything posted by sandyf
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Pound exchange out of date soon
sandyf replied to Epicurus's topic in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments
UK paper notes have been phased out in favour of Polymer, a growing trend. When I first came here in 1999 the 50 baht note was polymer but it wasn't popular and witdrawn from circulation in 2011 with a paper note being introduced. Earlier this year the 20 baht note was issued as a polymer note. -
Bang Saen is not a “savage city” and is totally safe for tourists
sandyf replied to snoop1130's topic in Pattaya News
"Chonburi police admitted that the two sides had a personal conflict." Since when did personal conflicts make a city savage? Didn't Trump have a bit of a personal conflict? -
Bang Saen is not a “savage city” and is totally safe for tourists
sandyf replied to snoop1130's topic in Pattaya News
Well said. I have been in the area for many years and really like the place. I used to stay at the Yanadin Apartments in the years prior to my marriage in 2008, had our wedding reception at the Tide Resort. Have lived in Chonburi since then and regularly go to Bang Saen but never witnessed any trouble. Bang Saen has grown quite a bit in recent years and it would be extremely surprising if there wasn't some issue now and again. I grew up in a very small town in the north of Scotland and brawls were a fairly regular occurrance. Bang Saen can hardly be described as a "tourist area", particularly for foreigners. If it wasn't for the expat community on the outskirts the foreigner would be as common as a nine bob note. I go to the hospital there and the number of foreigners I have seen over the years you could count on one hand. As far as I am concerned, one of the best places in Thailand to live, ticks most of the boxes. -
Non-immigrant "O" Multiple entry visa 90 days
sandyf replied to North's topic in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Not the case, there has been a multi entry Non O in various types for long enough. I spent my first 6 years here full time on MEs, forced on to an extension in 2014 when my passport got caught up in the UK fiasco, I got another at HCMC in Dec 2019, managed a border bounce just as the pandemic started but again forced on to a 12 month extension in the May when I couldn't leave the country. In recent years they have become less readily available. -
Pound exchange out of date soon
sandyf replied to Epicurus's topic in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments
Only the £20 and £50 paper notes will be withdrawn from circulation at the end of the month. Any other denominations were withdrawn some time ago and can only be exchanged at a UK bank. Internationally exchangers are only obliged to exchange the latest version of a banknote so the ability to exchange in Thailand disappeared a long time ago. Only viable option is to sell to someone returning to the UK. -
Steel. Last week I went to Global and bought 1 length of 2x1 and 1 length of 1x1 coated mild steel hollow section. About 500 baht but the price is a bit academic, just not something you can do in the UK. DIY in general is very good value.
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Disgraced Prince Andrew heckled at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral procession
sandyf replied to Scott's topic in World News
They do not remain valid, they get 2 years to change the warrant or remove it. -
No, it would depend on whether you could get through airport security. The policy is no liquids over 100ml.
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The only way you could do that is if you can purchase it "airside" but something makes me think there is no duty free in domestic departures. PS. It would be ok in a suitcase.
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About as special as your claim to have met so many ex-service Brits. The only "Special" forces I encountered were being measured, with a standard resistance box and a null reading galvanometer.
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Pedang Besar border update
sandyf replied to atecom's topic in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
As a further comment on this from the OP. "Upon arriving at Pedang Besar station in Malaysia, there seemed to be an area for Thai immigration, but it seemed closed." The immigration offices(Thai & Malaysian) are on the platform and are only open from an hour before the Thai trains are due to leave and close when the train leaves. There have been several comments from people saying they couldn't find immigration at the station or it had been closed down. -
Pedang Besar border update
sandyf replied to atecom's topic in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
I did it on the train 5th Feb 2020, arrived on the morning Hat Yai shuttle and came back on the afternoon one , no problem but was on a ME visa. The shuttle was suspended during the pandemic but started running again on the 15th July 2022. -
Do keep up. Read the thread and avoid superflous posts, the OP had already responded.
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That is a misleading statement. A UK national is quite entitled to apply for an E-visa while in another country using the E-visa platform. Foreign nationals have always been allowed to apply for visas at a foreign embassy. Twice I have obtained visas for China here in Bangkok. On the application evidence would be required as to why the application was being made from that country. It is certainly not disallowed.
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At the moment the e-visa platform is only available in a relatively few countries, about 12 I think, and the only 2 in Asia are China and South Korea. In other words you cannot apply for an E-visa in Vietnam, still has to be done the old way and with the speed of rollout that is likely to be the case for some time. If you are suggesting applying for an E-visa in one of the existing countries and then doing a quick out/in with the E-visa there is fairly high risk the IO will query why visa not from the country you have traveled from. I did a Non O marriage at HCMC shortly before the pandemic and that was a lot more straightforward than the E-visa I have just obtained. If you need to leave the country I would suggest the travelling is more of an issue than getting the visa, I was fortunate I got into Vietnam visa exempt.
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Yes that can be a problem. My sister in law couldn't take Ace inhibitors, I have been very fortunate in that respect.
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Yes, generally speaking BP does increase with age due to a narrowing of the arteries. It can be hereditary and I think I was born with it. First indication of a problem was my RAF discharge medical when I was 30, ended up on tablets by the time I was 35. I think it is a major failing that children's BP is seldom checked. "Drastic" is a bit of an open term. When I go to the hospital my BP can be a bit raised, maybe up to 150, but could be down to my wife's driving. Usually drops back to around 125 fairly quickly but some may see that as drastic. One time an overweight monk was just behind me to see the doctor and his appointment card was on the desk. I could see his BP was just over 220, that is what I would call drastic.
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I am surprised you are being prescribed Atenolol. I have been on hypertension medication for about 40 years. The first 20 or so I was on Atenolol and then my doctor in the UK suddenly changed to Ramapril saying studies had shown Ace Inhibitors to be a better choice than Beta blockers. When I came to Thailand 14 years ago I found Ramapril difficult to source and have been taking Anapril ever since. A simple cause of low blood pressure is dehydration but you really ought to see a cardiologist. I would suggest you request an Echo, I had one at Bang Saen a couple of years ago, think it was about 5000 baht. Money well spent for some peace of mind.