Thingamabob

I'm a Brit. Lived and worked here in the 80's, retired here from my final posting to Taiwan, in 1993. Happily married to a Thai since 1990. Now aged 81, still happily married, with houses in Bangkok and Rayong. Still enjoy being here, with no intention to return to the UK where things are not working too well at present. Not bothered by the annual extension of permission to stay or the two tiered pricing. The only annoyance for me is the 90 day reporting. The people are friendly, the food is good, the weather is warm, and health care is excellent. I'm here for the duration.

Well said.

8-1, possibly a bit below the usual 10/12-1 ratio. Such brave guys these young Thai men.

Q8, BP and now Esso have all withdrawn from the retail oil market in Thailand. It is very hard for foreign companies to generate even a small profit in this sector. Shell, however, have been well entrenched for over 100 years. It remains to be seen if Caltex, who are significantly involved offshore, will persist.

You think this is funny ?

Appalling driving resulting in death. No excuses in my opinion.

The reporting on this alleged incident is so vague as to question what really happened. I can't imagine why a group of foreigners would attack a group of Thai tourists unless excessive drugs and drink were involved. Even then it seems highly unlikely.

Same rules apply here as they do anywhere in the world. When seeking a partner take time to really get to know him/her before making a significant investment in your future together. In 1983 I needed to use a minibus for a while and I was introduced by a Thai friend to a Thai lady who had one for rent. I eventually married that lady in 1990 and, 33 years later, we are still happily married to this day.

How about focussing on the Chinese gangs operating throughout Thailand ? I can remember a time, during the Vietnam war, when all Chinese nationals were viewed by the Thai authorities with the utmost suspicion as communists who wished to overthrow the Thai government. Well, communists are still running China but Chinese nationals are now welcomed here as tourists even though they spend little money individually. Amazing Thailand.

The Thai baht has always been 'adjusted' so as to assist the rich and powerful when making overseas investments, or when importing from overseas. It has never been allowed to float in accordance with market conditions. This did, however, go horribly wrong in 1997/8 when creditors world-wide decided to demand repayment of their loans to Thailand, and the baht lost almost 100% of it's former value sparking a world-wide financial crisis.

Outside most licensing offices there will be guys touting medical certificates for 50-100 baht. This has always worked for me, with no questions asked.

Since SCB closed their office at CW I have presented my retirement extension application there with the bank book update and bank letter dated the day before the day of my application. Up to now this has been accepted by immigration even though the regulations say both should be dated the same day as the day of application.

After 40 years in Thailand I have no intention to return permanently to the UK. Things there are not great just now with problems in the health service, the police, the civil service, and national a local governments. and costs are going through the roof. Here in Thailand I have a caring family and good medical attention. No reason for me to leave.

Your car sounds great. I fear you may have problems in locating an independent expert. I have a friend in Bangkok (Ratchayothin) with a 2018 mini Cooper diesel who has had to resort to BMW for service etc. He has been unable to find anyone who can assist him other than local BMW dealers.

Killing and eating animals is disgusting.

Both were useful in dealing with the police following a burglary at our Bangkok house, and again with the police on a couple of other issues.

At Nonthaburi office about 10 years ago they took copies of my passport and copies of our Taiwan marriage certificate which had previously been endorsed by the Thai embassy in Hong Kong. They took my 'photo, and then issued me my yellow book, and a pink ID card which I hadn't asked for. (For clarification, my Thai wife and I were married in Taiwan in 1990. There is no Thai embassy there which is why we had the marriage certificate endorsed by the Thai embassy in Hong Kong).

1000 baht ? You're joking, of course.

Well said.

Not sure if this has anything to do with natural selection as theorised by Charles Darwin which was basically saying that beings who adapt well to changing environments will survive, while those who don't won't.

Couldn't care less. Followed football all my life ( Crystal Palace supporter), but not interested in this world cup. Wrong time, wrong place, corrupt process.

Kiling and eating animals is disgusting.

Being on a retirement visa I will continue to apply for annual extensions in person as I have always done. This announcement does not appear to relate to either retirement or marriage extensions.

Using an agent is not, repeat not, legal. Agents are however accepted in many immigration offices. TIT.

A pathetic waste of time. Maybe they will start catching murderers, rapists and thieves, one day.