geisha

Thank you Sheryl, just one more question. Low fiber diets lead to constipation, and I'm on my way there fast. I have been completely regular up till lately. What can I do about this, as I read that laxatives are not advisable.? It's awful having such tiny and spaced out BM.thanks again.

Thanks for this advice. It's good to have the name of a good doctor on hand too.

Any more advice welcome, fruits I can eat here's?

Only cooked or canned fruits would be allowed on a low fiber diet...pretty much all raw fruits contain significant amounts of fiber.

I'm assuming your doctors have placed you on a low fiber diet because there was some inflammation (diverticulitis) as well as the diverticulosis (osis = the pouches, itis= they are inflamed) and your bowel needs a chance to rest. Because for diverticulosis alone, with no inflammation, the preferred diet is high fiber (which is also the best way to prevent the condition).

This is a good overview of the condition http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/diverticular-disease/Pages/facts.aspx#eating

Thanks for this advice. It's good to have the name of a good doctor on hand too.

Any more advice welcome, fruits I can eat here's?

For a low-fiber diet, the prominence of white rice in the Thai diet is perfect. You will need to avoid the various "yam" (salads) and also stir fried dishes with lots of vegetables. I think the curries would usually be fine, also the soups, as both of these are well cooked. Ditto the variations of "khao tum" (rice soup") often eaten at breakfast. The various noodle dishes would usually be OK, just omit the uncooked garnishes.

Most fish dishes will be fine as well as the broiled chicken found in all the markets, assuming you are not in an acute pahse needing no fiber (these are low fiber).

Eggs, omelets ditto.

This condition is much less prevalent in Thailand than it is in the West. Should you need medical care with it while here, recommend:

1. Dr. Chucheep Sahakitrungruang at Chulalonghorn Hosp and also available at Bumrungrad Hospital and Bangkok Christian Hospital

2. Dr. Varut Lohsiriwat at Siriraj Hospital

From what I've heard , there's been problems with hygiene standards and a history of diseases concerning fisheries in Thailand.

Europe has very strict controls these days. Then there's the problem of exploiting low paid workers. In today's world, there are no secrets.

The Russians have definitely made a big impact on Thailand. Restaurant menus everywhere in Russian, even in the market! Everywhere I go I'm spoken to in Russian by Thais, which does annoy me I must say! I'm surprised the Thais have picked the lingo up so quickly! Although how long will it last, is the bubble about to burst with the Russian rouble having lost a quarter of its worth over the last few months ?

Hi, I was diagnosed with diverticulosis just before leaving home for Thailand. The printed diet my specialist gave me has all European foods on it. Of course, they do not correspondd to what and how we eat in Thailand.so I do not know what I can and cannot eat here. For example, well cooked vegetables, where here it's all stir fried.Now I have become constipated and am not allowed to use laxatives. I am also on a 3 month course of Flagyl for the inflammation. I've seen this illness mentioned lately in the news as the King suffers from it. Does anyone know where I can get information here, I'm near Pattaya, or does anyone have this same illness and can give me advice. Thanking you in advance.

Someone should tell this minister that Thailand is not cheap. An average return flight is about 800 euros for a start. If you want good clean food you have to pay the price. The shopping malls are more expensive than in Europe. Decent hotel prices are about the same as everywhere else. But, and it's a big but, the pavements are in ruins, the gutters and drains are filthy, there is no decent, safe reliable public transport ( especially on Phuket ) the beaches are rat infested and I could go on and on. Where most people living here have got used to these conditions over the years, for tourists it's all bad news !

Someone should tell this minister that Thailand is not cheap. An average return flight is about 800 euros for a start. If you want good clean food you have to pay the price. The shopping malls are more expensive than in Europe. Decent hotel prices are about the same as everywhere else. But, and it's a big but, the pavements are in ruins, the gutters and drains are filthy, there is no decent, safe reliable public transport ( especially on Phuket ) the beaches are rat infested and I could go on and on. Where most people living here have got used to these conditions over the years, for tourists it's all bad news !

Years ago the beach chairs and umbrellas were controlled, and the renters only had a certain number. That didn't last long did it?it turned into an ugly chaos on all thai beaches!

I really do hope this all works out . I was in Phuket at the time of the bus " attack" . The taxi and tuc tuc drivers there are the biggest group of thugs I've ever known. How on earth the local authorities let this go on for 20 years I don't know. ( or maybe I do!). Where the tuc tucs used to stop in front of the Kata Beach resort, bottles and cans of beer were piled up high, and it was easy to get a " whiff" of what was going on when walking past. Seeing as they were driving tourists over dangerous Kata/ Karon Hill in this state , I don't think anyone can call Phuket " safe". One afternoon I called a taxi from near a first class hotel, he turned up drunk, needless to say I didn't get in. A second time , direction Patong from Kata, I realised a little late that my driver was not in very good condition. I kept my calm as I didn't want to worsen the situation. I was lucky. The third time, going into Patong, the driver nearly pushed me out of the car refusing to take me any further, I wanted to go to Baanzan market, as there was too much traffic. Ok, so now I don't go to Phuket anymore, but I miss my friends there a lot. Such a shame for a lovely island .

For the second part of my above question, I have found the thread on the banking forum.thanks.

Hi, someone told me today that they were not accepting 200 and 500 euro notes in Thailand ? I can hardly believe this is true, but I'd rather ask advice, as I usually carry a few to pay my rent in advance when I arrive.

Obviously I use new notes supplied from my bank..

I've asked a question earlier on today about opening a bank account. Does anyone know if I can open a euro account ? I have only a double entry tourist visa as I spend around 4 months in Thailand every year. Thank you all for your help.

As a tourist on a double entry tourist visa, staying in Thailand for 3 to 4 months every winter, which type of bank account can I open, and can I have a euro account ? Which is the best bank for this ? Thank you.

Ps. I rent a condo for this time.

Years ago, we used to take clothes and food and water to migrant workers living in the most squalid conditions opposite the Club Med in Kata Phuket. They had no electricity or running water! Later, we saw another shanty town grow behind the Junk Ceylon in Patong. Surrounded by luxury, these people loved in appalling conditions. At the same time, I often gave money to some elderly homeless ,men and women, Thais who wandered the streets in rags.

Lately , hearing something on a fire escape staircase in the evening, I went out to have a look. There , I found a couple with a little baby sleeping on the floor with their bag of belongings. I went out to get some food and baby food for them, but also saw the next day that one of my Thai neighbors was helping them. There are a lot of homeless families with children living on the streets of Thailand. It's about time that the government did something to help them.

From what I've heard recently from Phuket friends, chairs are not coming back this year!

Vietnam has changed a lot. In the last few years they have tried hard to understand tourism necessities , and the youth are all keen to study and go to university, they want a trade, they want to get on in life. The food is wonderful, always has been. Prices are the same as anywhere else, there's something for everyone. Scams exist all over Asia and indeed the world. Yes, watch out for taxi prices, same as you would do in Thailand , or the Cote d Azur. Don't walk around evenings with gold all over you, handbags with passports and money in. Yes, I know one girl who did, and she lost her passport credit cards and money. And she wasn't in Vietnam. Be careful all over the world. Be Aware. All that said, I often go to Vietnam while in Thailand, and always have a good time.

My question, why, after everything else has been banned from Phuket beaches, are jet skis allowed to continue?

The trailor was loaded with soils! I doubt he was coming from Bangkok or Chiang Mai!

Kata beach , Surin beach, lots of nice reasonable hotels with pools. Do not rent Jet Skis , and careful with taxi fares. Try to take meter taxis( don't laugh phuketians) whenever possible. If you want a big shopping spree, take a taxi to Patong Junk Ceylon.or, Central Festival.

Paz, concerning Europe, why is it that some cities/countries are only issuing single entries ( France) and others issue single and double entries.? Can I, British, living in France, make a double entry visa in GB , I'm going there anyway for a family visit ? I've had a really nice email answer saying they are issuing double entries and to make an appointment.

How241, the blind institutes do normal oil or Thai massage. They are very good. When I go I see people of all ages. They usually charge about 300 for an oil massage, which is very relaxing, also reflexology foot massage. They have ladies and men masseuse.

Yes, you can take off your clothes , keep your panties , and wear a towel. It's all very proper and usually there are other ladies in the room having a massage at the same time. Or men, if you are a man. Enjoy.

@lopburi, yes, I meant TSH blood test.

I have hachitmotos and take 100 g of levothorax a day.if you haven't had a recent ( every six months) TSA blood examen have one and then go to any hospital to get them to prescribe you the equivalent or generic. Very important to check your blood every 6 months as the level s can change.

Gillyflower, I've always had my double entry's from monaco for the past 20 years or more. It's only in the last few weeks they no longer do them. Good I have the solution from Ubonjoe, as I've always had a real visa, I never thought of coming back in on a visa exempt and getting an extension for my last few days. I'll do things differently next year, tho by then the rules will probably have changed again and again ! !