geisha

I’ve been an expat since the ripe old age of 17. In 1969 I left to discover the world, had marvelous jobs that lasted a lifetime. I don’t believe I have the right to vote , as I have never contributed to British society . Of course I was upset about Brexit, and all that happened and happens still. I’m still proud of my country, of my family back home , of my marvelous upbringing and also the fun of those wonderful years where everything was possible. i would never go back to live there, and I don’t agree with many aspects of present politics. I will not vote . If I was forced to, my gut tells me Conservative, but only if lots of things changed, no more House of Lords, a younger generation and a complete change in laws and way things are run. Britain today is living in the past. Especially with the terrible NHS.

Really ? Honestly, who can recognize the two women from the article?? What they did was wrong in Thai eyes , the sign is just a thoughtless childish act of some official. Much worse than that around the country. Just add it to “ Funny Thai signs” online. Have a look, some of them are priceless!!!

Thank you all. Just so confusing when different IO have their own rules. About time these rules became National and posted at offices, I’m laughing as I say that of course.

I think the OP has had enough “advice” and I’m sure he knows what he’s asking is a bit naive. No one should talk about marriage and moving across the world after a 2 week date and phone calls. He readily admits he was in a bad place with an ex wife, so he’s vulnerable. The intelligent thing to do has been said above, find out the debt, ( could be high) find out her job ( is it good enough for a tourist visa to UK) , is she really married/ divorced ??? only then take her away for a month maximum. You still work , then she will be alone all day in a strange maybe cold country where she understands little English. You will be responsible for her, health wise, well being etc. Let time tell. If the lady is honest you will find out. A relationship is based also on trust which for the moment you do not have. You have been lonely after a failed marriage, and it shows .

Hi all, a recurring question.When I arrive in Thailand , my condo office always declare me online which I keep a copy for my extensions. Over the last 8 /10 years in Jomtien, after enquiring at immigration on Soi 5 , they said I did not have to re -do a TM 30 if I hadn’t been outside Thailand and hadn’t changed address, I had been told by my condo office but wanted to make sure. A guy on the Phuket forum said I was wrong, even a trip to Bangkok you have to . Hard to believe I never had a problem with all my extensions etc all these years as I travel a lot around Thailand every year. ps,it was the Phuket FB where I was looking for old friends. Thanks .,

They do have permits and it’s normal you pay for their chairs. They pay their spot too, and don’t work on the beach 12 hrs a day for free. Most foreigners have their drinks/ coconuts/ food so often the chair isn’t counted. Fair enough.

Many of this type everywhere, Pattaya and Jomtien , sitting on beach walls all day and night with a bottle , drunks, homeless, if they don’t have an address and are not legally in Thailand, just deport on the next plane home. Doubt they’d try that on in phuket, in 5 minutes they’d land in the sea. Never seen mucking about there.

Naive tourists on holidays abroad can do incredibly stupid things. Goa, in the 80s , 2 girls topless on a very quiet beach . I approached and said to be careful, local lads are not used to that. They looked at me as if I was mad and ignored. Off I went for my walk . An hour later I saw the 2 girls running with their clothes and bags in hand, and 20 odd amazed young men looking on. I doubt they did that again in India. Same .the tourists who climb on temple statues to get “ that photo” , or the strange compulsion of some to have their photos on cliffs edge, as one young man apparently did lately in the Grand Canyon and lived to regret it.

I think you’ve all done good work on trying to help this OP. He obviously has a problem he’s not divulging. I don’t believe his story. I don’t believe anyone can accuse you of having a “ false” boarding card for a start. It’s easy to prove, you have your ticket/ flight/ seat number / booking. Never heard the likes. I have seen someone answering rudely to an immigration officer and I’m quite sure that he regretted it. Also , all his mysteries, he’s not admitting to something, or he’s a troll.

Usually one single bus direct to Central Festival and also onto to Terminal 21 which is on the same route and a good day out window shopping , eating etc. If the bus does stop before, get off, and get on the next one. Easy. If you must ask someone, ask the people on the bus, Thai or foreign, they will tell you. When I go to Central, I walk back along beach road promenade to the school bus stop for Jomtien . Direct bus back to Jomtien. Can’t miss the stop, there’s a huge line of baht buses waiting their turn. They leave when full which takes 5 mins.

Yes, and when you are disabled you plan your future way of life ! You live in convenient areas, no hills etc. A well placed condo with lift and easy entrances, plenty of those . My condo in hua Hin also had a “ pulley” ( sorry don’t know the name ) to lower people into and out of the pool.Marvelous. When you absolutely need to get across a difficult road for whatever reason, you use a taxi. How often does that happen ? All down to planning. I know a gentleman who lives in Pattaya and has disabilities that are very difficult and he has a carer that comes in and does the shopping, help with shower, errands , etc , even takes him to DRs appointments and a restaurant. He also has a cleaning lady once a week. He has the choice to return to his homeland, but much prefers to stay in Pattaya where he says he is much better off. And yes, he has recently acquired a mobility scooter.

Ps, question might be relevant, where are you from, national? Racism exists.

I would have applied for a tourist visa straight away. Anywhere. ( Vietnam) Fly in, maybe Chiang mai if possible, keep boarding pass. Don’t say a word. Have your cash ready in hand to show if mentioned. Leave your phone in your pocket, dress nicely. Ant bother, ask very nicely to see a supervisor.

Well unfortunately, this is what most foreigners see and hear about Thailand. Of course you have the odd few who have never heard of Patpong or Soi Bangla, but otherwise Thailand has quite a sleazy reputation. I don’t like it myself as I always hope it doesn’t reflect on myself. I’ve often been asked why I go to Thailand ( snowbird winters), doesn’t the sleaze and in your face prostitution bother me, even condemning adding to the bad social situation as I’m willingly supporting it!!! I must admit that over 35 years of Thailand I’m vaccinated to all this, but I still think it’s a shame that everyone seems to be tarred with the same brush, Thais and foreigners equally. There is more to Thailand and Thais than prostitution, but tourists often take home images of screaming bargirl touts, scantily clad young girls , crazy lady boys and rip off Tuc Tucs.

The truth is , none of you know anything! I’m sure he’d be tickled pink by all the speculation .

The problem with Thailand airports is the incompetent immigration system. Such a waste of time . Secondly, the lack of good restaurants . A bit of extra hygiene wouldn’t go amiss either , generally. If needed I make sure I have a good meal before leaving . The lounges are generally awful. On arrival, horrendous waits at the luggage belt. I fly business and my cases have come out early on one occasion only. I enquired after being told that business luggage comes first, and was told it wasn’t. If it’s Dubai, Singapore or EU countries the wait is rarely more than 15 mins. I don’t shop at airports generally, but Thai airports have very poor shopping choice. Very old fashioned mostly junk for sale. Suvarnabhumi could be a world class airport if it had good management. Maybe the bosses should all be sent to Zurich or the likes to see how they run things.

One of my friends who is 74 , good health and owns his own condo gets by on 25 000 baht a month. He rarely drinks, does a lot of sport. That’s not counting his health insurance and banking his 800 000 B . Obviously he doesn’t go out much evenings and is a very good cook. Lives alone, has a motorbike. It’s his choice not a necessity. He retired at 55. It all depends on your lifestyle. And age.

The whole of Thailand is a shambles. Nuff said.

Sounds to me like you have a lot of anxiety. I have to control mine as I tend to panic.Im managing better and better. Such a lot of ailments can cause abdominal pain, I stopped eating too much bran fibre, no more pain, my niece stopped milk/ lactose, no more problems now 8 months. Im very sure your DR is taking advantage of you. If they haven’t found something by now then I think they’re barking up the wrong tree. Too many colonoscopies are dangerous by the way !!! Find your nearest good gastroenterologist ( maybe Sheryl will give you one in your area? ) and see him first. Make an appointment, stop worrying , and eat healthy. Cut out the grease salty sugary foods, alcohol, caffeine, get some exercise and fresh air walks. Then you’ll be feeling better. Don’t forget to show the new DR all your examinations in order and dated.

It’s not been on news etc, I’m not exaggerating, a friend of mine who has never been sick in her life had the same, her husband and daughter too. I didn’t catch it from them, I caught it certainly in Venice airport in the New Year rush. I saw my doctor, enough for me and he said the hospital was fulll. You hardly hear a thing about Covid anymore. Just wear a mask in crowded places, wash hands. Up to you. ( I had Covid in March 2022 and it was like a short sniffle , 3 days).

Not true everywhere!! It’s been very bad in lots of EU countries with the hospitals full again . I’ve had it myself, and this particular strain often affects the bronchial and lungs and it’s a bad and nasty infection. My DR says he’s getting 10 patients a day ( small village) with the same symptoms. Knocked me for six, cortisone and antibiotics to treat the lung infection.

It was a mistake from the beginning, very badly thought out and no control over the outcome at all. i don’t believe in open drug sales/shops , advertising, on every street corner. It would be difficult to control in educated countries and governments in the west are wary because of this. In Thailand it’s a complete mess. I was young too through the 60s and 70s and I dread to think what would have happened if it had become a free for all. It attracted all the wrong “ tourists” / people to Thailand , I could see Thailand turning into a modern day Goa or Katmandou. Making it so easy and cheap to buy has harmed a lot of Thais in my opinion.

A beret will not protect enough and it’s warm to wear, also not uva proof.

Great tip. Go to any of the big Malls such as Central. Go to the men sports department nat the back usually. There you have brands like Colombia, North Face, you will find the brimmed hats you’re looking for, UVA proof, good quality you can wash and wear forever. Don’t muck with the sun on your face / head. in Bangkok there are many specialty trecking shops, online too, but better to try the hat on before buying it ! I like the Australian type myself that really are the best and made for purpose.

I really don’t know why you all keep getting exasperated, upset, infuriated by this story, which has been beaten to death over 5 months. When he announced his return , it was a given that it was planned well in advance and that he wouldn’t be imprisoned. It was planned by the government . Thaksin is a billionaire in his own right, he was Prime Minister, not a common thief or murderer who was going to sit in jail. Yes, he’s been ill before returning to Thailand . By the way, Happy Birthday MR Thaksin !!