Scouse123

I think there are limits on the amount of time you can spend in Thailand on a travel insurance plan. To my knowledge, it isn't open-ended, nor was it intended to be.

It wasn't a firm called Global investments in Bangkok, was it?

No, It's now a family friendly, vibrant tourist destination

That is not correct. Many of the life and death sentence for drug cases are sent to Bang Kwang prison. It goes on the sentence, not the offence.

Makes the Swedish guy look like he only stole lunch money compared to this .

I care about as much of the unwashed as I do about your boring, predictable, baiting posts.

No, it isn't. That border is shut.

Picked on the easy targets as he was annoyed that the rival group would give him a good hiding and so desperate to show his manhood chooses to attack weaker, non-aggressive opponents. In simple terms..... A THUG, A COWARD AND A BULLY.

Same in the supermarkets.

Not my style: riding along in a bus with two heavy suitcases, hand luggage, and an iPad, and being seated with the great unwashed.

These are the same type of drivers that refuse to open a meter and demand a fixed price, which is all well and good FOR THEM, until something like this happens, and then they spit the dummy out. I quit with these taxi meters a long time ago and now pay a bit extra, but I get polite drivers, fully insured decent cars and the fare includes all tolls and unforeseen hiccups. I also don't have arguments or discussions about paying extra dependent on the amount of luggage I am carrying. A ride in an SUV from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang airport costs me 900 baht. I do, however, make sure I have CASH with me. Now and again, due to an unforeseen event, I have stopped at an ATM, but it's never taken me thirty minutes, more like 3 or 4 minutes.

I was thinking the same as you, it's not in the least bit amusing for the victims.

They all seem to find it highly amusing from the photograph. These scams can cause immense anxiety to the victims, especially the elderly.

That's a true statement. The UK was a great place in the 70s and 80s. Look at it now.

I remember the early nineties onwards. I visited here in the late eighties, I was a short two week stay visitor with Kuoni, so irt was basically a package holiday. But, in the Nineties, when I just got a flight and found my way around, Thailand was absolutely fantastic.

I agree with you. I'm up in Isaan, and many people on the forums say it's boring. Up here, you really need a car to get to the best spots, or you can fly out from the nearest local airport. I moved here because of my partner, and honestly, when I first arrived, there was nothing. I was recovering from surgery at the time, so the peace and quiet actually helped a lot. These days, it’s a busy and thriving little town. Still rural, but we have banks, large shopping centres (though not quite malls), some decent eateries, and plenty of food and drink spots that have opened up. What I like most is that it’s non-touristy. Life moves at a normal, slow pace — typical rural Isaan. Lately, more foreigners have been moving up this way. Many are people who can no longer afford to live in Pattaya and are trying their luck in the countryside. That is what one or two have said. There's also a noticeable number of African schoolteachers here as well now. They are a nice bunch of people. That said, most foreigners don’t stick around long. Some are just visiting with their Thai partners from other parts of the country, while others give it a try living here. But many eventually leave — they miss the lights, energy, and excitement of the more touristy areas. I should imagine in another ten years, it will still be Isaarn as we know it with a few minor changes. However, it won't be the money grabbing and gouging that is found in tourist hot spots.

Does that include Koh Lanta? I have a British friend who is about to relocate there, and he asked us to go down and meet up. My other half refused and wouldn't talk about it further. She just told me to go on my own. Funnily enough, she mentioned visiting Bali; she went there about 25 years ago, but after yours and other comments, I think I'll pass on it.

The Muslims I have known in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the South of Thailand have been fine; the Malaysians (whom we met up with in Cambodia) drank alcohol as well. I didn't suddenly like them because they drank, I liked them because they were nice, easygoing people and religion was hardly mentioned, except for them stating the restrictions they had in Malaysia. It's the fanatics I cannot be bothered with and their overt hypocrisy, and those constantly wanting preferential treatment because they are Muslims, I have found in my experience, it's mainly the Pakistani Muslims and some of the African Muslims, such as Somalis. They want to bring their baggage and rules with them. One is a failed state, and the other struggles to get its act together, despite having a population of 215 million.

I am thinking of visiting two islands later this year: Koh Chang, which I know, and then crossing over to Koh Kood for 3 nights.

Except on the full moon parties, I suppose.

Nope, They will expect you to rock up at a government test centre and sit in a classroom. The fact that they won't be speaking English and you won't understand a word of it is irrelevant.

The law states..........🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Exactly, And that would change pronto if ever we had someone from the DVLA in a position of power to come to Thailand and witness how they drive and how they obtain their licences.

I paid someone 200 baht , at my last renewal to sit through it.

I don't follow it all, but I know I am on a 5-year licence.