TorquayFan

Thanks for the reply. I agree with you about diesel prices. The Seal is impressive but for that price, a Hybrid Camry would be my choice.

Thanks Bandersnatch - you are a pioneer for sure. I wonder about the bi-directional EV model/make and what it cost. It's impressive that you can drive your EV around and have enough charge left to help in the house - I'm assuming that you don't charge your EV outside as that would make no sense - i.e. to not use your own (previous) mains connection. How will the project look when the car is much older and the batteries decline a little ? BTW I wonder if you run A/C's at night and how the car would cope with that if the house batteries are low due to bad weather. My main objection to EV is that they are ideal for some situations and NOT for many others. I also believe that Govts. should not be incentivising EV's - the market should be trusted to do that job. ATB

Tiber, in response to soi3eddie you comment, "The rest not needed'. I profoundly disagree - I think it a good idea to "retain a UK address, GP registration, Electoral Roll, . . . and tax status" in addition to the UK Bank account and the 'never tell' position. For example, retaining GP registration enables continue receiving prescription drugs plus regular health checks during UK visits. IMO keep the whole shebang if you have an address that you can use as a base for this. Better IMO to operate with a margin for error, putting you in the best position for unknowns around the corner ? Good post Eddie . . . !

Hauptmann - thanks very much for your post. Very helpful.

'Advanced Member' posts advanced piffle.

Stupid post. Its a basic courtesy to observe local culture when abroad. I'm sure the Ladies meant no harm. Move on . . . .

Whether VPN interferes or not, what's the problem ? If you have a hitch - turn the VPN off ! My VPN as it happens is never ON when I do my internet banking with Halifax and Wise. It works fine. Should be simple . . . .

Surely you have insurance from Toyota's partner at this stage? If they are too expensive, try MSIG or online Roojai. I moved to Roojai 2 years ago and halved my premium. They seem very professional. speak English and as long as you have a 'smartphone' for the vehicle survey, they're great. Otherwise, MSIG offices are everywhere - it shouldn't be difficult.

I'm giving up on Forums Just joking. As for other improvements, after all these years, I'll finally be leaving 'grumpy' behind. ATB Guys and HNY

V8. Just what are you on ? GN

Bday - "So the purpose of your comment was what exactly ?" Well sorry Bday and Bob (?), but if you need a Forum to sort that out for you in Thailand you have a serious problem. I'm not trolling, more despairing at my fellow Man. Poor stuff. ATB

Sad thread /post IMHO

N8 thanks. I'm going to see what I can find there . . . . To my great surprise, the Missis had a burst of enthusiasm and said she would come with me to Soi Dao, (to 'play water' ) and that's fine - we'll stay a night or two somewhere. But I'll be walking alone. I have tried to walk up Khao Kitcahakut but they don't seem to allow it, even off season. You have to take the tourist truck and it's quite busy at the top which is not for me. Have you ever tried KK ?

I've been up to my neck in AIM cancer vaccine company Scancell for 12 years now but as their data and trials seem to substantially improve SoC on Stage 3/4 metastatic melanoma, and they have 4 platforms and patents to die for, I'm still living in hopes, but at a persisting 30% loss! Never mind, a swift tenfer will put that right. After this investment, (if the wait EVER ends), never ever again. GLA

Thanks for the idea N8. I might give that a go but I won't be camping up there !. Soi Dao only 70 km from me at Chan but I'd probably travel up and get the lie of the land, stay locally, and walk the next day. You can drive on the 3391 to the Waterfall, park and trek from there? Thanks again, Roger

When I renewed my Non-O Retirement Visa in Oct 2021 with an agent in Pattaya for the first time, I got 3 months + 12 months to a February renewal date. As for the whys and wherefores of this - don't ask me. I'm just reporting what happened, (I was duly grateful for a 3 month bonus !). Cubism - try this one I noticed https://www.starvisaservice.com/ but if you Google it there's more. Good luck . . . .

It has changed this year Guys - Friends who could do the renewal by post before, have to attend with the agent. And a BKK bank a/c is a must. GLA

Jacques - after 10 years of 'doing it myself', I started using James at 'Express Visa Direct' in Pattaya, 3 years ago. He's not cheap at B17K but he does it ALL. I'm not in Pattaya and things have changed a little this year, (Friends with other Agents just the same) - I have to attend the process with him. Going on Feb 2nd coming for the next renewal. For me, it's worth the cost, I don't begrudge it. SO simple now. (Hopefully).

Mr J. Yes the Monkey Bar used to be the 'Check In' with the Heng Band in regular attendance. Stuart who runs it now is a Cornishman but don't let that put you off He knows his cooking OK ! ATB

Tarteso - thanks muchly - I know the Forest Park and its lovely. But I was hoping for somewhere more remote with mountains and jungle . . . . Re. the monkeys -tell me about it ! Was fishing on a pier off that 'Island' a few years ago - due to drive Lamphun the next day - and a monkey, in a crowd that had been jumping off the trees into the sea to swim, slipped from the tree and landed on my Vigo windscreen . . . ! He was fine but the glass wasn't LOL Happy - thanks. I live on Siriporn 2 so that's just down the road from me - I ride there many times, along the canal (flood relief) and then into the old area past the Cathedral - it's great. But I want to be on jungle tracks. BTW there's a private Karaoke/Shop at the Siriporn end of the canal with great Folks. Good for a beer and some chat. Adventure ? I guess it'll be at Soi Dao which is a drive away. Mai pen lai ATB Thanks Guys for replies

'Gloucs live' reports, "a question mark surrounds the exact cause of yesterday's fire, with Avon Fire and Rescue Service stating on Sunday afternoon that "accidental ignition" was to blame. When asked what type of vehicle was responsible for the fire, Bristol Airport said the cause is "not known at this stage". https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/regional-news/mystery-over-bristol-airport-fire-8966687 I really wonder what "accidental ignition" means, (not much more than NO arson is suspected, I guess). Following the Luton fire, the Fire Officer commented the blaze was started by a diesel. Footage from Luton (the DT) showed a Range Rover (?) on fire in the aisle, with flames coming from the position of it's hybrid battery and the flames a different colour from a diesel burn. I haven't seen any further comment from the Fire Brigade beyond that initial comment. Without prejudging Luton, I wonder what happened at Bristol ? At Bristol it was an open air, not a multi-storey car park - might it have been worse? Geoff buys cars and his fellow cynic on the Bristol fire https://youtu.be/E1DsxEU5VJo As for MO, there were plenty of eye witnesses so surely someone SAW which of the 11 cars was burning first. Was it windy - which way did the wind blow - surely it's NOT difficult to know where it started !!

We lived in Ban Pang, (Li-Ban Hong area in Lamphun) for a year or two and we still visit. Then I walked most days around the tracks, (often in the jungle), to the foothills and up the mountains when I can. Last week I managed 19,000 steps up to a JD but at 76 with AF, that's about my limit! I enjoy long walks (without trippers please), and wonder if anyone has ideas about routes to walk, close to Chantaburi if possible?

Christmas Dinner is hard to find but IS available at the 'Monkey Bar' in Korat . . .

JB - if you are not interested and have nothing constructive to say - why post at all ? The post contains new comment . . . . . NOT least that it's about time we were told more by the Fire Service about the Luton and Bristol fires and the alleged PAX to Spain who baled out of a burning car and left it.

Following the Luton fire, the Fire Officer commented the blaze was started by a diesel. But I've also seen footage (the DT) which showed a Range Rover (?) on fire in the aisle, with flames coming from the position of it's hybrid battery and the flames a different colour from a diesel burn. I haven't seen any further comment from the Fire Brigade beyond the initial comment on which the Guardian article was later based. I also read a report of a guy trying to park at Luton for a flight to Spain - he noticed his car on fire so jumped out and left it there, in the aisle and boarded his flight. What to believe, I don't know. Further comment from the Brigade seems overdue. Plastic fuel tanks seem a worrying idea and are thought to have contributed to the the fire at Luton. Whether the fire started in an EV or not, EV's substantially contributed to the spread and intensity of the Luton fire. I've also read that Insurers are recommending that damaged EV's must be spaced with other vehicles excluded in a surrounding diameter of 10 metres (?). The pros and cons of EV are hard to pin down - but the worst of alternatives IMO is Govts incentivising a rush to them - my simple reason for that position being, that in manufacture they generate a much larger environmental load which requires the vehicle to be used for 100,000 km extra, before the load equates to that incurred by making an ICE, (source - Volvo). We have yet to learn whether EV batteries will become a higher or lesser fire hazard as they age . . . A gentle trend towards EV, particularly where they can be accommodated in high pollution urban areas, (BKK and Chiang Mai ?) is an excellent idea - EV's have their place in many ways for sure. But not for long journeys = I've just completed 2x830 km journeys in a Toyota Vigo and didn't have to fill up each until arrival. I have read that 'cars' contribute just 25% of the total CO2 pollution - there are many other aspects to the problem. Footage from the DT re. Luton https://youtu.be/ccF4xOk5ruY A cold look at the Luton disaster from Australia https://youtu.be/Yw_iy37bMxs Geoff buys cars and his fellow cynic on the Bristol fire https://youtu.be/E1DsxEU5VJo There were plenty of eye witnesses so surely someone SAW which of the 11 cars was burning first ! Was it windy - which way did the wind blow - surely it's NOT difficult !! This one will run and run . . . . .