BaiLao

Not a 'Thai' problem. It's an 'Asia', or world problem. Noise is prevalent. Many are immune to it - like hepatitis and dengue fever - worse in some parts of the world than others.

Immediately begin looking for somewhere else to live. When you think you've found a place, do your standard issue reconnaissance checks:

Visit the place late at night. Noisy? Sit in your car or on your motorbike and scope it out.

Go back in the morning - evidence of boozy parties?

Wait until the next weekend. Visit again. Ask your potential new neighbors about the place - you'll know immediately from their response; especially if they can't understand what you're worrying about.

That empty block next door - looks really nice doesn't it? A week after you move in, the construction workers will start building their camp and a condo will begin going up. Lovely old house behind your potential haven of peace? That will come down soon and be replaced by a boutique hotel.

O.P.: don't even think about confronting your neighbors - indigenous or otherwise. More grief, more frustrations, more danger. Turn it into a positive by telling your landlord that you're leaving - unless he/she/they can give you financial considerations of some kind, e.g. free or greatly reduced rent. In the meantime, invest in earplugs and turn on your favorite music...

Why? Wai! Few smiles and a decent Wai down at the cop station and they'll soon be on their way...

Traffic jams, stress and debt problems. Wouldn't those factors apply to a sizeable percentage of Bangkok's residents? Shall we go for a nice round figure - like ninety percent? Perhaps the difference here is an undiagnosed psychosis - although the symptoms are clear to any of her unfortunate passengers.  

Exactly this scenario occurred four years ago at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. (Avoid it if you can - the rudeness begins before check in and continues through immigration and on to the gate). I had an onward ticket, but it was just outside the thirty day period. The check in clerk - an officious little harridan  - refused to accept me. After fifteen minutes of did/didn't can/can't ping pong, I asked to see the manager. He looked at my Thai Royal Orchid Plus card, my passport festooned with Thai stamps and immediately told the girl to process my booking. At the gate, BaiLao was summoned on the PA system. Miraculously and without explanation, I'd been upgraded to business class, where I was one of four passengers. So - it does happen and is not a recent development...

adwbkk   Where are you?  And any news you'd like to share?

Yes, anyone with stats on Thailand's  'alien' suicide rate compared to other countries?

"He identified two other fiends as Pan and Pe who were also involved."

Too good to be true - one of the sub editors is having a lark...

Anyone been down the Indonesia retirement visa path? Appears to be significantly cheaper and easier than the equivalent in Thailand, other than the clause of employing local help...

adwbkk: any news?

"...excuse tax...". Lovely. 

rockingrobin  - this is perfect. Thanks for your help.

rockingrobin:

Thanks for the reply.

"...the attachment as showing the gaps in NI contributions... ". 

No contributions were paid during that 9-10 years on the attachment.   Had paid contributions - and have six years on record - but they were paid decades ago.

So...some confusion between the 'old' system and the new...I suppose.

Thanks Kwasaki...

Thanks steve187 for the info., especially the phone no.

Government gateway? Sorry - no savvy...

Trouble you for a handy link?

Perhaps someone could explain the next step in this process or help to clarify in some way:

• 65 later this year
• have six years of NICS
• need ten years for 'part pension'
• asked HMRC for permission to pay extra contributions - yes; permission granted.
• logically, will pay four more years contributions, to reach the minimum of ten years.
• received the attached, which mentions payment dates in 2019

Questions:

• can pay the remaining four years, based on the figures listed in the document, now, resulting in minimum of ten years contributions?
• on that basis will receive part pension from 65th birthday later this year - or have to wait until 2019?
• how to pay the money - where/when?

Tried calling Pensions in UK. Taped message - eventually hung up. Ditto HMRC. Not living in the UK at present. Mail seems to take at least a month.

Any assistance gratefully appreciated.

  "No. You will have bug expenses crop up most certainly ..."

Had you read the article in the link, that is exactly the author's point. Big expenses or - bug expenses - it's a losing game.

Specific and current:

http://www.ajarn.com/ajarn-street/articles/how-far-does-a-30k-salary-go-in-bangkok

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/thailand/currency/forecast

The internal decision making process goes like this, regardless of the situation:

Is the person in my family?

Does the person have seniority or influence over me?

Is the person from my graduating class at university?

Is the vehicle they're driving larger than mine?

Does the person have any seniority in my 'group' at work?

Am I likely to profit in any way from the situation?

If the answer to these questions is 'no', then there's no need to help.

11 hours ago, anipema said:

can anyone tell me if it is possible to regain medical benefits by living part time each year in Oz. I listed as non resident for tax purposes and when I returned to oz realized I lost Medicare card  

My understanding is that the Medicare card is lost after three years away. Would assume that if one can prove presence in Oz for even part of a year, then the Medicare card is not lost. The driving licence is renewable after ten years, I think - depends on the state.  But be careful - if you're not around to renew it on the relevant date then it may be necessary to re-sit the test.

Shopping at Tesco (or substitute a similar company's name) guarantees not only that you'll be paying the same price as everyone else but that most of the profit from your purchase will go to shareholders in far away countries where dual pricing is unthinkable!

Is it too difficult to learn "OK. Now give me the Thai price." in the vernacular? I'm sure there will be posters willing to give us the correct pronunciation...

Pre-modern society with modern technology. Mediaeval mindset meets the twenty first century - head on.

They are not 'huge' seas.

Choppy, yes.

Huge? Don't be silly.

adwbkk - let's know how it goes!

At least you should be able to get good Medicare coverage if you are a Vet...