paulsingle

1 hour ago, Paulie Paul said:

I've had the very same experience for some months now, to the very volume of alcohol as you. My tolerance levels got me so worried that i thought something must be wrong. I came back to the UK thinking my time in Thailand is over, anyway went to see the doctor who calmed me of the situation but still sent me for all the tests, blood test, liver function test and a kidney test, waited about a week and all was ok, for which I was shocked. Anywaygot talking to the doctor for which she explained, it's an age thing,but what was surprising is i have an underactive thyroid and many people who have this tend to have an intolerance to alcohol, so my advice my friend is have that checked, have a drink, thing of the good times you had with your friends, and can still have by the way ,and smile at the money you'll save. 

I've been back in UK for 2 months now and had 2 sets of blood tests. There appears to be nothing wrong with my liver but one of the test components  (urase or something? )

apparently indicated that I was dealing with an illness of some sort and this indicator had dropped from 700 to 500 between the 2 tests and I'm feeling better. 

I've cut right down on drinking and now have 5 or 6 pints a week, usually in one go. I have a slightly thick head in the morning but that goes away within an hour or so.

I've had a struggling thyroid for some time now but the doctor tells me it is still performing its function fully. It just requires more of a kick from the pituitary in the form of higher levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone  (TSH). This is being monitored a couple of times a year.

I've come to the conclusion that I've had some kind of bug which has cleared up and now its just age catching up that I need to deal with.

I will reduce my consumption a little further or spread it over a couple of sessions and enjoy life without making myself feel unwell. 

One morning I found a toad in my shoe on the patio. I was about to set it free when my wife took it from me and fetched some talcum powder which she applied liberally to its belly. She then blew off the excess powder and stared at the powdered toad belly intently. Apparently this is one of the methods of divining lottery numbers.

15 hours ago, starky said:

Further to that I never get these posts, here's an idea why don't you go somewhere you would like to go and if it's no good go somewhere else. Instead of someone having to tell you where to go.

I think the OP is looking for suggestions and information from those who may be willing to share their experience.

I'm in Khon Kaen and although I love it here, most people would probably consider it to be mundane.

I'm 60 years old and have noticed a relatively rapid fall in my tolerance to alcohol. A year ago I could drink 6 to 8 pints of 5% beer on a Friday or Saturday. This would leave me feeling quite hungover the following day and even into the day after that.

Now I find that 4 pints produces the same ill  effects and I can't manage anything over 4 pints.

I find I can drink 2 or 3 pints on 2 or three occasions during the week but any more than 3 pints on one occasion or more than 6 pints a week is not worth drinking because of the hangover effects.

I just wondered if anyone else has found they have a relatively quick reduction in tolerance to alcohol.

I count a 620ml beer as a pint.

This post seemed credible at the start now begins to sound far less so.

6 minutes ago, puffy said:

It was 17000 there for a small dent, but insurance was paying.

The small job I just had done for 2,500 was going to cost 8,000 if Toyota did it on insurance. The increase in premium would have been almost the same as what I paid the body and paint shop.

No wonder insurance premiums are so high.

I also cycle around Khon Kaen.

Motorbikes driving on the wrong side of the road are the most scary hazard. Cars parking on the carriageway cause those motorbikes to pull out further and suddenly just as you are trying to pass the vehicle.

They haven't had me off... yet.

I go out at 5:30 am and head for the ring road. Much safer there. But I end up coming back into the city at rush hour. It's a high adrenaline situation.

I just had a dented Hilux front bumper repaired and resprayed by the way. A body and paint shop in the city did a great job for 2,500 baht.

Obviously Thailand isn't as developed as many western nations but we all know that and many of us still prefer living in Thailand to living in our home countries. 

I'm trying to do my bit to encourage change by setting a good example by driving properly and couteously and by declining unnecessary plastic bags or straws etc.

In general I find Thai people to be hard working and caring.

I lived in Rhodesia / Zimbabwe for 20 years and Thailand and it's people are very civilised in comparison. 

I also lived in Brussels for a couple of years when my partner was working there and I had to report to the equivalent of an amphoe and was categorised as a concubine. That was around the turn of the millennium. 

I'm treated well by Thai people.

2 hours ago, stud858 said:

Did it take only the one visit? 

And I thought they stopped the lifetime for Thais, while allowing those that already have it to stay on it. 

Only one visit. The classroom presentation, tests, medical and Immigration documents are all good for both licences. Car was 205 baht and motorbike 105 baht.

My wife now has a 5 year licence and her understanding is that the next one will be indefinite. 

Just remember to make sure your TM30 is good before you go to ask for certificate of residency from immigration. 

20 hours ago, stud858 said:

Keep us updated on how getting Licence went.

Cheers. 

Got 2 licences today. 1 for motorbike and 1 for car. Valid for 2 years after which some minor formalities will secure 5 year licences and after that more minor formalities to secure indefinite licences.

I believe this is the standard route for Thai nationals as well. It is for my Thai wife anyway.

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

Why don’t you enter with a non immigrant ‘O’ visa. Single or multiple entry visas are easy to get from the UK. It wouldn’t solve the TM.30 problem, but it would make life easier.

Thanks for this suggestion. I may well do that for my next trip.

17 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Is it even possible to get a DL on a tourist visa?

According to the Port Lor Bor in Khon Kaen it is. We filled out paperwork with them and had done the medical. I believe if we'd got the paperwork from Immigration I would then have had to some test involving red, amber and green lights and a foot pedal. Then sit through a classroom presentation and job done.

I'll see if I can get it done tomorrow.   

From what I've now read, the onus is on the house owner and the house owner can be fined 1,600 baht for failing to report within 24 hours that they have "an alien" staying in their house.

We've had some advice from senior police contacts that we shouldn't have to pay anything over the 1,600 baht but if the staff are insistent on some extra money then it shouldn't be more than a further 1,900 baht.

We'll see how things develop tomorrow. 

Wife and her mum are going to go up there without me and come and fetch me if I really have to be there.

I am here on a tourist visa. I've had 5 in the last 3 years and spent several months on a number of occasions in the UK in between. As far as I know there is nothing remotely questionable about my record of visits to Thailand. 

Currently I'm on a 2nd back to back tourist visa and staying at my wife's parents home officially. I gave this address for my last 2 entry visas and for my extension.

Today I was well on my way to getting a Thai  driver's licence until a visit to Khon Kaen Immigration. 

They correctly pulled me up for not being registered at the in-laws place via a TM30.

We got pulled into the office (which was lovely and cool) and an Immigration man was getting quite uptight with my wife who didn't understand and was questioning why we were being asked to pay.

He wanted me to pay 1,600 for my current unregistered stay and a further 4,000 for previous offences.

He intimidated us by going through my passport and going on about other previous 'offences'.

We didn't pay any money and I avoided being locked up. 

It was only after we got home and I did some reading up that I realised this is about TM30.

I gather there's a bit of a drive to enforce TM30 rules that have been largely ignored for years. 

Anyway, mother-in-law is going to go and own up and pay (my cash) the fine as house owner and fill out a TM30.

Then I'm going to see if they will kindly provide what I need for my driving licence. 

I quite like the small mackerel the Thais eat which they call bplaa tuu.

They are sold in packs of 3 and are very distinctive because of their bent heads. They look as if they are bowing. I think that's because they are squeezed into a traditional wicker basket for steaming.

If you Google Thai Mackerel you'll find them. Wikipedia calls them short mackerel. 

3 hours ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

It is clearly because there are many more hansum men who subscribe than you. Try a little grooming - and lose that paunch.

What are you talking about? This is an internet forum, not a beer bar or go-go bar. Our physical attributes have no relevance here.

Possibly mutatiobestiamicrofluctus? (I've nevet heard of it before).I asked my wife if she has seen these and she Googled what she thought they are called in Thai. The Thai name brings up quite a few search results but looking through those I found only one Latin name and no English names. For this reason I hope it's acceptable to the moderators if I include the Thai name หนอนปลอก

I remember seeing creatures like this in Africa. Larvae of a moth that creates a protective jacket with bits of fibre and debris.

OP did check food sources were clean so that seems to rule out weevils.

My wife's parents live in a Khon  Kaen village. They are both over 60 and each receive their 600 baht per person per month.

They also receive an allowance of 500 baht per person per month which can be spent on groceries in authorised outlets. Apparently this allowance is granted to pensioners who do not have land on which they can grow rice.

So between the two of them they are in receipt of 2,200 baht monthly.

It's not a lot of money but it's more than I thought they would be getting.

The ban is now in effect. It will affect bars nationwide. 

Bad grammar irks me.

On 04/03/2018 at 9:16 PM, Rc2702 said:

Just out of curiosity where is this expensive ice and are you sure it was not the other type of ice commonly known as yaba!

I think the other kind of ice may be cheaper ?

I don't remember the name of the place but it's a fairly well presented bar restaurant along the lakeside with a "Chang" sign out front. (Yes, I know, that's far from unique but it's the best I can do)

It has a garden type area out front and the 'inside' section is up some steps and open at the front overlooking the garden section. There was some rather uninspiring live music and the place was fairly quiet.

As I say, I've calmed down now.

Everywhere else I've had food and drink has provided free ice  :)

24 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Your first time in Thailand?

If the place has a small rack next to the tables to store the drinks you can expect to get a bucket of ice (some other places without these racks also might give you an ice bucket), and this bucket is not free, quite common all over Thailand.

I saw prices from 10 to 35THB for the ice, while i think the most common price is 25THB

But you can of course tell them that you don't want the bucket and want just ice in your glass, that's usually free then

Thanks Jackdd.

As you say, normally a little less than 40 baht.

I lived in Phuket for 8 months but mainly drank at bars where the bottle is served with a condom and sometimes ice in the glass.

I'm in Khon Kaen for the next 4 months so will get used to the way things are done here soon. I won't be paying 40 baht for ice with every beer I drink :)

You would think that I would know better after coming to Thailand every year for the past 18 years :)