aussiee

What time of year do you plan to go?

Depending on the season you need a west or east facing beach, unless you happy with prevailing wind blowing in your face.

Generally from next month to early May west-facing beaches are protected.

When the weather changes in May you need to be facing the east or north.

Worst time in Samui weather-wise is Nov/Dec.

I got a TR in KL in May (Aussie Passport).  They seem to be strict but my lady was quiet helpful and pleasant.

They run through your documents before giving you the form to fill out - so you not likely to be rejected.  I had a receipt for first 2 weeks in Pattaya and only a deposit receipt for 2 months at Samui - was no problem but maybe she didn't read it properly? 

You must have your name clearly showing on the receipt. 

They also wanted to see my ticket out of Thailand.

Wait time was 2 days.

@globalspark

Can order a private taxi to Pattaya,   PT Taxi  is one I have used a couple of times - excellent service.

https://pttaxiservice.com/services-rates/

Has been taken over by Russian and Chinese packaged tourists, buses everywhere and hard to move in the centre of town.  Used to be a fun backpacker haunt - I not see much fun there last year.  Hard to find a bar as most have been turned into restaurants.  Still mercifully cheap beer however if you look around:  back a few blocks a famous Duck Restaurant sell 1 litre of draft (not fresh beer) for 12k Dong (bout 15 baht).

Of course if one is into organic juices rather than cheap beer - well each to their own.

The beach is still nice, not changed in the 8 years since my last visit. 

Be happy if someone can correct me as to where one may find some kind of beer bar that might be fun - there used to be dozens of them.

I find sometimes when a lady shakes my hand she tickles the inside of my palm .......

Did the Check Inn move there from Sukhumvit?

I have not been there but the old Check Inn is now is Sukhumvit soi 33 - they have a FB page.

I often fly with AA - is unreal what some people take on board and have never seen anyone pulled up. Not know why they tolerate it coz always a battle to fit all the bags in the overhead lockers.  I see this getting worse all the time.

Lefty

Are you talking about a denture or permanent crown and bridge? I had all my teeth crowned, and the missing ones bridged. They are not meant to come out but one of my bridges came loose and I lost it somehow???

I need a 5-tooth bridge to replace one that I lost.

The anchor teeth are already prepared so is it possible to bypass the dentist and deal directly with a dental technician? - as is common at home.

It would appear that dentists want to charge 8-10,000 per tooth (metal/porcelain).

Do they charge more in tourist destinations?

Would it be cheaper in another city like Bkk, Korat, Udon?

Am at Koh Samui now but will be free to travel anywhere next month.

Any advice will be appreciated?