HauptmannUK

Wife and I visited this time last year. I was astonished at the number of British there - especially younger British. In fact it was rather surreal, it felt more British than many 'British' towns.

Little bit far from Jomtien but Mr Sakda is very good and very fair pricing. A proper mechanic and also speaks some English if you are not proficient in Thai. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xv1CSPSgcAqu3eiH9

"Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption category may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of 3 times in a 6 month period by flight and 2 times a year for overland crossing." From London Embassy. https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84256-tourist-visa?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b236972c562 Apparently updated Oct. 2022. But who knows....? 6-7 years ago I was working in the region and continually in and out on visa exemption. Just one time an IO pulled me over and told me to 'get the correct visa next time'.

Depends upon his home country. I imagine Norway looks after those down on their luck.

I used to travel a lot for work and had this happen to me twice with a UK bank ATM card - once in Hong Kong and once in Vietnam. Contacted my UK bank. Vietnam error was credited back after a few days. HK took about four months!

Its not impossible. I paid just over ฿1000 for 120km (2 hours) Grab ride from just north of Saraburi to BKK. Few months ago.

Not familiar with this particular TV but in general there are nearly always some pre-installed apps that can't be deleted. Assuming an app is not in that category then try going into Play Store app and delete the apps from there.

This is the regurgitation of an old story. Unfortunately £1500 will be the 'entry price' - I bet there will tie-ins to local doctors/hospital/pharmacy. The final bill will be a lot higher. Much better to find your own accommodation and make your own arrangements.

I spent quite a few years flying long-haul every couple of weeks. E.g. UK-China, arriving at a hotel midnight and having to be up for work next morning. I found melatonin helped me adjust.

My experience (three times over last 2.5 years) is that payment is the final step, but they may have changed it....

Firstly, I'd be astonished if a vehicle coming straight from the factory is out of tolerance on caster - and tolerance is usually pretty wide (I would think 2-4 degrees on this vehicle). Secondly, he says he's already had wheel alignment checked. I'd be checking those wheels out very carefully. Are you sure the dealer has fitted genuine Isuzu wheels? As a side issue, be aware that this generation of MUX/DMAX and Mazda badged equivalents have rather poor front suspension geometry. Front toe changes considerably with suspension deflection leading to 'bump steer' and quite heavy front tyre wear.

This is something I have dealt with many times with service customers in UK. The steering self-centering (technically 'returnability') and steering 'feel' depends principally on steering castor angle and scrub radius (the radius of the arc that the centre of the tyre contact patch describes about the projected pivot axis). The scrub radius, in turn, depends upon the wheel offset. So changing wheel offset significantly away from the chassis specification can cause problems. Maximum of +/- 5mm away from spec is the rule of thumb. I bet your 20" wheel offset is outside spec. Unfortunately a lot of drivers buy wheels/tyres solely based on appearance. Large diameter wheels with very- or ultra-low profile tyres are OK on a racing circuit but a bad idea on a vehicle used on normal roads, especially in Thailand. The tyre sidewall is part of the suspension system, protects the wheel from shock loads (potholes etc) and also allows progressive handling through tyre deformation (slip angle) in cornering. What you see in the workshop is a lot of vehicles fitted with very low profile tyres have buckled wheels....... My advice is to try to get a refund on the 20" wheels and go back to standard.

You previously accused me of posting 'fake news' because I didn't see any ME option on the drop-down menu on the eVisa website. Well I don't know when you applied for your ME but my wife (Thai) emailed the London Embassy (in Thai) on Friday to clarify the situation and they have replied today that MENO visas 'are not currently available'. I guess this answer does kind of imply that they might become available again..... I don't know whether you have now received your MENO eVisa or not but would be interested to know.

Can you specify what is 'fake' please?

I have used 'P K Air and Service' on Theppasit Rd for quite a few years. Punctual, tidy and job done properly.

The 1000km is a non-mandatory courtesy check. Takes about 15 mins to do a visual check plus a free wash if you want one. Oil/filter are not changed. It is not required for warranty.

Crikey! Some forum members certainly lead exciting lives.

Some strong advice. Don't do it. Thai cities are not the place for ab initio motorcyclists. I first rode a mc when I was about 10 years old, over 50 years ago. Rode every kind of bike and raced a few in my 20's. Had a few broken bones but been lucky. Was a UK DSA Direct Access scheme instructor for a time. I don't ride in Thailand, the road environment is too dangerous. Too many drunk, drugged, too many untrained/unlicenced drivers. If you want to travel by mc then pay a mc taxi. They have infinitely more experience than you do and will be safer. If, against advice, you choose to get a bike then get good insurance and remember that insurance is not valid without a licence.

I don't fear death but I'd like to put it off for as long as possible. I've had a great life so far and it continues to be very enjoyable. In the words of Freddie Mercury, "Don't stop me now. 'Cause I'm having a good time'..

She's 'financially sorted' because she gets financial assistance from the UK government. This same help is available to ALL legal residents of retirement age. A British pensioner living in Thailand who only has a frozen UK state pension to live on will find life increasingly difficult as the years pass, and serious health problems (which come to most of us sooner or later) will likely be financially devastating and mean no more visa extension. Life on the breadline is no fun anywhere in the world.

I'm in the UK right now and have recently been helping a 66 year old Thai lady whose husband died a couple of years ago and left her with almost nothing. Despite living in the UK for 18 years her English is very poor and since I speak Thai I've helped her claim Pension Credit and Housing Benefit. She now gets Pension Credit of about £200/week and enough housing benefit to rent a room - which is clean and modern. Of course she also gets free medical, dental etc. Despite the fact that she could easily return to family in Thailand she wants to stay in the UK. She has some Thai friends and seem to like her life in the UK.

50 minutes in Pattaya (Pratamnak) - driver said they got delayed by heavy traffic. Rural Udon was much quicker, about 15 minutes..

Yes. 191 works. I was given incorrect medication by a local doctor. Should have be given anti-inflammatories for an injured shoulder but was given a bag of tablets that were apparently some kind of powerful muscle relaxant. Suffered acute dizziness, couldn't see straight, couldn't stand up and was vomiting. Wife was out. Managed to dial 191 and asked for an ambulance (speaking Thai). One arrived about 50 minutes later by which time I was starting to feel a bit better. When were up in rural Udon earlier this year my wife ate some wild yam that hadn't been properly detoxified. She got cyanide poisoning (violent headache, collapsed and vomiting). Called 191 and ambulance came out from the local hospital. Slight delay because he initially went to the wrong address - but eventually got her to hospital and she recovered.

The parking arrangements have changed a bit. Parking right at the market itself is now pretty much impossible. There is now a brand new car park very close to the market just before the Amphur house (on the left as you approach the market from Pattaya). There is also a small car park a few minutes walk from the market, on Soi 4 next to the fried banana dessert shop.

Is there really a ME non-O one year retirement visa available from London? On the eVisa site I see a SE 90-day, but not a ME one year.. I use a ME one-year based on Thai spouse but need to exit every 90 days....