HauptmannUK

I think the chances of a Westerner becoming the victim of random street violence are relatively small. Traffic presents a much greater threat to life and limb. There is, however, lot of Thai-Thai crime and violence bubbling under the surface. One of the more surprising things I found out about my wife after I met her and visited 'the village' is that her father was a local 'mafia boss'. Indeed his local claim to fame was having calmly walked into a bar and put a bullet through the head of a rival. Wife's uncle was shot dead and on one occasion a few years ago my wife and I were out driving in the car when a motorcycle pulled alongside us and the pillion passenger released three shots, possibly on account of my wife being recognised. FiL sadly passed away last December and things have quietened down a lot, although we seldom visit the area these days.

Hmm......wife and I were planning a trip up to CM/CR around mid-December. What's it like around Chiang Rai? Just as bad?

Looking for a salt-water swimming pool in Pattaya or Jomtien, which will belong to a hotel I guess, which offers entry to non-residents. Any suggestions?

Non-O ME is no longer available from London. They confirmed this to me last month via an email. Single entry is the way to go for you since 2x SE (£60 each) is cheaper than the cost of £150 for the ME, when it was available.

Well, that's one they caught. Around another half million still on the loose...

This company seems to have undergone major change around the end of July 2023. Until end of July 2023 it was known as WRLife LLP (limited liability partnership). In late July all the Thai partners resigned and the company was renamed 'WRLife Claims and Operations Management' from 1st August. The company now has just two partners - French and Indian nationality. I have no idea of the significance of these events - just flagging it up.

Koh Kut hotels rather pricey in comparison to e.g. Koh Chang last time I checked.

I remember about 15 years ago it was up for sale. I believe prior to that it belonged to TUI - the German travel company. The Cyber Research Center sign has been there many years.

When the light-controlled crossing near the school/temple on Sth Pattaya road was working it was spine-chilling to see kids crossing on the 'green man'. I saw vehicles failing to stop on a red and driving between groups of kids on the crossing! I think those lights have been deactivated now. Maybe safer not to have any lights rather than lights that drivers ignore (basically a 'trap' for pedestrians). Its easy to punish infractions. Simply write to the registered owner/'keeper' with a requirement to name the driver within 14 days. If the driver is not named then the owner takes the punishment. Pretty standard around the world.

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.