soi3eddie

The OP @Lewie London is better off in Bangkok (as we all are). The roads in Bangkok are far superior to the potholed mess that is London streets. 20mph speed limits, canyon like potholes, speed cameras, traffic lights every 50 yards, bicycle lanes, speed bumps, turn restrictions, closed roads, low traffic neighbourhoods. Fines arrive frequently in the post for the slightest transgression. Take it from me, a motorcyclist in Bangkok (5+ months a year) and a private hire car driver in London (6+ months a year). I'll take bangkok anyday over London for roads and traffic.

Please bring back the Sad and Confused emojis.

I know of someone (a farang and his Thai collaboration), breeding, raising and slaughtering Brangus in Thailand. They had a restaurant tasting last week which was acclaimed by the restaurant owner who hosted their event.

At present, my Cambodian GF needs to extend her NON-O retirement for another year. The agent she uses (I don't know name), has said it is unlikely immigration will extend unless she puts the 800k in her bank herself. Seems that the Chinese and Russians have brought a sh*t storm on Bangkok Bank and immigration is getting heat too. We find out Monday what the situation will be (at present Jomtien have her passport). Her extension expires on 4th July so she's got a while. Fingers crossed.

Even if you got the partner tested just before intercourse. No test will be safe as it can take a long time for HIV to be detected in a test. Conversation with Gemini how long after infection can HIV be detected in tests? The "window period" is the time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect HIV in your body. This period varies depending on the type of HIV test used: Nucleic Acid Tests (NATs): These tests look for the actual virus in the blood and can detect HIV the soonest. They typically detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure. Antigen/Antibody Tests: These tests look for both HIV antibodies (produced by your immune system) and p24 antigens (a part of the virus). Lab tests using blood from a vein can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure. Rapid antigen/antibody tests using a finger-prick blood sample can usually detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure. Antibody Tests: These tests look only for HIV antibodies. Most rapid tests and self-tests are antibody tests. They can usually detect HIV 23 to 90 days after exposure. Antibody tests that use blood from a vein can detect HIV sooner than tests done with blood from a finger stick or oral fluid. It's important to remember: No HIV test can detect HIV immediately after infection. If you get a negative result after a potential exposure, it's recommended to get tested again after the window period for the specific type of test you took. If you think you've been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, talk to a healthcare provider immediately about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which can prevent HIV infection if taken promptly.

Not sure recipient would be selling it, but food banks do encourage ever increasing usage. Why would anyone on benefits (welfare) use their cash handouts to buy food when they can get food for free from foodbanks? This preserves cash to buy cigarettes and alcohol (or vapes or drugs). The OP is correct in many of his observations. Maybe not all in the same area to a high degree, but nevertheless, these are issues seen all around the UK at present.

Certificate of residency "Affadavit", was available from British Consulate in Bangkok until December 2023 when they stopped this service. I used that to obtain and renew Thai drivers licence over many years, thankfully, I now have yellow book which is accepted by some offices of DLT.

I guess I like Bangkok. Still own my condo there after 16 years and spend more time there each year. Great city, not without it's issues but very safe compared to many western capital cities. Good value from 40 Baht street noodles to Michelin starred restaurants, from live music in bars to top rated concerts. Shopping if that's your thing from cheap street markets to all the luxury brands. Cheap hostels to 5 star hotels. Some lovely parks for recreation. If all of that is too much, then two big airports with great connections to the world and low cost local carriers. Bangkok, see you again soon! Ps. Even my 87 year old mother is looking forward to her next trip later this year!!!

49,000 Baht

Maybe other issues with Bangkok Bank too. Today (30th May), I initiated a transfer with WISE from me to my GF's Bangkok Bank account. The notice said it would arrive on 4th June. That's 5 days!!! I cancelled the transfer and tried again. Still said 4th June. I then tried setting up transfer to my Kasikornbank. It said should arrive in SECONDS. This is what I did and it went through. I then sent from Kbank to GF's account with no delay. Bangkok Bank is definitely placing scrutiny on everything now. A friend had same issue today too.

Agree, that's why many taxi drivers are also on Grab/Bolt. Not sure how much commision they lose though. I do use taxis from the airport simply for convenience. Never been refused meter from airport. FWIW: I usually book an electric car when using Grab/Bolt, that way I'm certain not to get a grumpy driver in a ropey old Bangkok taxi - vehicles usually no more that a couple of years old and younger, nicer drivers. Even get a nice lady driver occassionally.

Another brain dead loser stoner. Clearly rather dim booking Bangkok-Vienna-Frankfurt-Newastle. So may extra points of scrutiny although would likely have been caught anyway. What most people don't know, is that before you get your bags off the baggage belt, the sniffer dogs have checked it as it comes off the plane and onto the belt. Can I get as many thumbs down as your comment? 🙂

They even place warning notices regarding marijuana export on the airline check-in desks in Bangkok these days.

The traveller's bags get flagged by Thai security for interception at the next airport. Happened to me in 2022 when I checked an acquaintance into my case from Bangkok to Heathrow. E-gate wouldn't work on arrival. Went to desk and within seconds, customs officers were there. Escorted to retrieve baggage and full inspection for 1 hour. Intensely and repetitively questioned. They were interested in my dead friend's ashes. I saw the x-ray. Showed as orange organic matter. They never opened the package - I did say "he won't complain" and I had all the papers such as death certificate, cremation papers, his passport etc. They then told me I was free to go. I asked the officer if they were tipped off by Bangkok (they clearly were), but she replied "I couldn't say".

There are plenty of social activities in Cardiff too. The guy mentioned in the OP has all weekend to get out and meet people. I'd suggest that if he can't do that in Cardiff, he's not going to do it anywhere. Some people just don't get on with others for various reasons. Could be attitudes, expectations, fitness levels, education, worldly experiences to name just a few. I have a neighbour near me in London, nice, friendly and generous guy (70yrs) but so opinionated in the extreme I try to avoid him. He lives alone in a studio flat, he's got money but few friends (rarely sees or speaks to his elderly mother and his brother). He doesn't say he's lonely, but once in conversation with him, it's difficult to get away as I can tell he wants someone to talk too.

My GF's 15yr old, just took training and testing to ride a motorbike in Pattaya. Seems like it was a good course as he passsed the DLT test and obtained his 2 year licence. He's a quiet, sensible lad but I do worry about others on the road. If you as OP @Ronkworth can arrange some safety training course then that's valuable. I remember so well the motorcyle safety training I did in the UK in 1983 - it was of benefit in road skills which apply as a 4 wheel driver too.

Electricity in Bangkok is NOT expensive. My MEA bill worked out at 4.54 Baht per KWh (unit) last month. Based on your usage, of, apparently, 808 units - if I read you meter correctly - in 4 1/2 months, the charge should be 3,668 Baht (about $112 USD). If I got the decimal wrong, then 10x that at $1,120 is perfectly possible for heavy usage. Something doesn't add up. You should ask to see the actual bills from MEA and the juristic office water bill.

They want you to use the "fast track "- guaranteed and paid for entry. A friend had been in Thailand for a while in 2024 on visa exempts, went back to UK for a while and got a multi-entry tourist visa. On arrival in Bangkok, they wanted to refuse him entry. He argued his case. They told him "a visa does NOT guarantee entry". Eventually they let him in. He had to travel out again, so next re-entry, he used the "fast track" at about 4,000 Baht. Seems immigration at BKK are getting difficult in order to facilitate "fees". Likely shared amongst all the officers. How it works: You contact an agent, they ask for a copy of you passport. You pay them in advance. They apparently get some sort of "approval". On arrival, you meet the "agent" near the entrance to an immigration hall (1 or 2). They then escort you to a desk where you are stamped in with no questions.

I use Grab from Bangkok to the airport as they come right to my condo. On return I mostly use meter taxis from the airport rank. Occasionally, I use the City Line and BTS to get home from BKK but never Grab. I've not had any issues with taxi ripoffs from the airport, my only complaint would be that some of the meter taxis are very old and a bit dirty with poor A/C. YouTuber - Global Travel Mate did a video on Taxis and Grab from the airport recently. Can be a long wait with Grab, which is why I take meter taxi from the rank. After a 12 hour flight, cost is not an issue. I just want to get home.

GEISHA on top floor in the corner of the plaza. Hands down (and hands on), the best gogo bar in the plaza, arguably! Billboard and Spankys are next best. People go to the plaza for different reasons. My friends and I go for a drink, fun and a laugh and have also fun with the ladies and no intention of barfining. Geisha has a tub with young naked ladies covered in soapy suds. They don't complain, actually they encourage, the application of banknotes to decorate their bodies. About 12 seats around 3 sides of the tub, plenty of other seating and booths all around the main stage. Fairly OK agogo music. Service staff fun too. No bill padding or shenanigans in our experience. Good for a 45 minute visit. Reasonable drink prices.

That's a lot of damage to the car by a Zoomer motorbike. They must have been full speed to have done that. Lucky if they survive.

Yes. He's doing as well as possible. Anyone worried about Eddy's well being should watch NDTVi. Nick will post immediately if anything happens to Eddy.

A lot of brands and technology has improved in the last 22 years. My 2019 and 2020 Daikin Inverter A/Cs are excellent. Quiet, low power usage, super great cooling and very reliable. YMMV.

I think any big name brand should be good. You'll get best service and parts supply. I've had 5 (currently have 3), Daikin units and never had any problems. Good service on one callout under warranty - turned our not to be the unit, but wiring.

Is your phone on WiFi or connected by 4/5G? Should work if so.