soi3eddie

Never stop looking, as pedestrian crossings should only be considered as safe as no crossing IMO.

I agree, but some do not meet the requirements or are lazy to do the paperwork themselves. "Nan Services" seem to be popular in Pattaya for Bank accounts and Driving licences for those "on the fringe".

Good? 555 It's definitely a crime!

Although I don't have a Makro near me in Bangkok, I bring olive oil from the UK each year. Much, much better value than Villa market. Il Casolare now £14-£16 per litre in the UK. Still cheaper, and better than Thailand. Few other quality "extra virgin" at reasonable prices in Thailand...

So here lies part of the issue. Is "service charge" a gratuity (TIP) and passed to the staff? I suspect NOT in Thailand. I hate the ++ but have to accept it depending on the establishment - suggest others do too. In the UK, VAT @20% is always included. Many places in UK will add a "discrentionary service charge" of typically 12.5%. This can legitimately be deducted with no issue (in my experience). I then will give the server/s a CASH Tip of greater amount if warranted.

Standard Operating Procedure for Jomtien. Unless you are using an "agent", nothing will be completed on first visit. Mister, come back later, come back tomorrow or next week. SOP.

When turning right, Thais usually go to the left and then do the hard right turn. Recipe for disaster across the traffic.

I learned a long time ago. No point in being right if you are dead right! Wise move by Mike Ryong IMO. Lots of Thais "dissapeared" in Thailand - and out of Thailand.

How many here would be happy to pay Thai taxes at Thai rates, on global income, so long as they received same treatment as Thais? Land ownership, access to government hospitals on same terms as Thais, access to National Parks same as a Thai. No double pricing. Permanent residency with no annual visa extension or 90 day reporting etc. (no issue with not attaining Thai citizenship). Fair is fair right? Percentage of foreigners paying Thai tax would likely be greater than Thai citizens paying Thai tax.

Not wanting to derail the topic, but never went to Texas chicken. Never went to Jamie Oliver either. Wonder how Gordon (Chef) Ramsay is doing with his affiliated ventures in Bangkok. Anyone been?

OMG! This is exactly what I endured living in the UK with my Thai wife. After 13 years I left her. Never looked back. As for the OP, space apart is often a good thing and makes a relationship work. How many here are living in different countries from their wife or GF? Let alone a few miles away. I see no harm giving each other space. I do same for my GF and let her party with friends, she allows me to spend time with my friends. Often all the guys in our group go out together with our ladies as a big group. I go to Pattaya and stay with my lady, or she comes to Bangkok and stays with me. It just works for us. OP shouldn't worry about the western relative's comments.

No. But I have entered on a new passport with no stamps. All stamps - Non-O, extension and re-entry - were in the old passport (got the stamps transferrred later). Leaving will be no trouble at all for you - just show both passports.

Just show both passports on exit. No problem or trouble at all. No repercussions.

I met "Neil" from FazWaz. He showed me a Bangkok resale condo in Suk Soi 11 that I was interested in last year. I found him helpful, professional and communicative. Ultimately, I went on to buy elsewhere. I beleive he sold a condo that a friend of mine had.

AirTag or Samsung Smart Tag cost very little and can be hidden easily on the bike. Battery lasts over a year. That's what I do. Easy to locate.

When does looking become staring? A quick glance? A few seconds? A minute? Sorry that the lady felt harrassed. Lucky for the guy, he wasn't in London. He'd be locked up immediately!

@Vandk Did you buy your ticket direct from Thai Airways or from an agency? Agencies tend to sell only the lower fare classes. I often use Thai mileage for either upgrade or award ticket. The staff at Thai Airways +6623561111 speak good English and are very helpful. They will tell you, definitively, whether or not your ticket can be upgraded and any terms, procedures and costs involved, and, crucially, if there is space in business class! Your current ticket fare class is important as not all tickets (cheaper ones do not), allow upgrades. Good luck!

And, the Palestinian, Hamas terrorists, use their women and children as human shields and cry foul when they get hit. Reality is, Hamas don't care a <deleted> about their own people. They knew exactly what would happen when they attacked Israel and it's citizens and took innocent hostages on 7th October 2023.

When my Cambodian GF, who lives in Thailand, comes to visit me in the UK (with a tourist visa), I write a covering letter to the arrival immigration officer explaining. It includes the visit details and intentions, my name, address, phone number and her return date - and copy of return booking. She simply presents it to the I/O and it answers all questions. Never a problem after 3 visits in last 14 months. In fact, funny really, the I/O even closed his desk and escorted my GF to the correct baggage reclaim on her first visit 🙂

Thanks. Not wanting to try to be "macho", my tolerance for control and BS diminished to zero. The message was received and understood second time I walked (with current lady). Since then, no issues at all. Took me a long time to learn how women can try to control men. Glad to say all is good these days. I don't expect that to change.

I "met" a girl on Thai Friendly in 2015. Amongst all the chaff, she was very articulate and smart and stood out above all the others. We met for coffee, which turned into lunch but then did not see each other for 6 months (i went back to the UK for summer). Then next a dinner date. It was only 3 weeks after that we "hooked up" and were together for 3 years before she started to mis-behave, in a controlling manner, like my ex-wife. Next lady, met through mutual friends, lasted just over 18 months before going same way. My now GF, I met in a bar 4 years ago. Very smart and loving lady. She tried the controlling <deleted> but I walked, we got back together, she did it again and I walked. Got back together, we are now very happy together and happy. Everyone is different. Even ladies who work in bars are there for reasons. Survival is main reason for many. How many guys here would do what they do? I think age can have quite a lot to do with it. Most of us here are 50+ (I'm now 57). How's that going to work with a 20yr old? Not likely IMO. My ladies mentioned above were; 38, 36 and 39 respectively when met. I secured visas for all of them to visit the UK when we were together with the first, and current visiting 7 times (so far). I observe "girls" in Nana, Soi 6, Pattaya, Cowboy, Patpong, Soi 11, etc. but you never know until meeting the "right one". I met one lady in Hilary 1 earlier this year, her day job on a fragrance counter in Emsphere. It takes all sorts. I intend to stay with my current GF but will not be marrying again though (she was aware from early on).

I've taken 2 bicycles into Thailand. Never a problem. There's a parable I recalled, although the one I remembered was about Garlic across the France/Belgian border. The one I find online is about Sand on the Mexico/US border. Story here.

A tragedy for their families. Looking at the road, it was very wet. Speed definitely involved. Probably far too fast for the road conditions, skidded or aquaplaned, and then into the sign and trees is most likely scenario. So easily preventable with better training and awareness. RIP.

For the last 5 years, I have spent 5 months each year in Thailand on Non-O retirement with multiple re-entry permit. As the OP already has a Non-O A visa it would be best to maintain that as it ensures entry with no questioning about time spent in the country - or worse, refusal of entry (which can happen on frequeunt visa exempt entries and long stays in country).

Not married (and will not) - maybe that's why all is good. Together 4 years.