London Lowf

I don't have much to contribute as all this talk of TSH, T4 and T3 is gobbledygook to me. However, I had a total laryngectomy fourteen years ago after failed chemo/radio treatment for throat cancer. If I remember correctly I was started on 100mcg levthyroxine a day which was then increased to 125mcg and then lowered to 112.5mcg a day which I have been on for many years. I have comprehensive blood tests every six months. I am 173cm and 70 years old. When I am at home in the UK I really enjoy my food and I maintain 60/61kg (the same as I was at age 18) but at the end of my three-month stints in Thailand I have always dropped to 56/57kg - I find that Thai food and the relentless hot weather in Phuket kill my appetite. I no longer go to the gym or ride a mountain bike but I try to walk as much as possible. I agree that the OP just needs to find his right dosage - good luck. PS: Yes, the availability of only 100mcg and 50mcg pills in Thailand is a nuisance on the rare ocassions that I have to top up over there, but in the UK it's not much better with just 100/50/25 and so I have to alternate 100/125 daily doses.

Great photos and some good memories for you. You've made the start of 2024 a joy!

A Happy New Year to you! I always enjoy reading of your exploits and your enduring positivity - in stark contrast to some of the shenanigans around the world.

You are obviously not familiar with the area or the exact location of the checkpoint whereas I ride through it 5/6 nights a week - those with local knowledge will probably agree with me. Happy New Year!

In the last year or so they have set up a checkpoint on Beach Road Patong almost every night - smart, as there is no way to avoid it. Before that they used to operate on the second road back, which was easily circumvented.

A few years ago I was pulled over at a road block - I would have been a bit over the limit. "You drink?" "Just some beer" "You drink whisky?" "No, just beer" He waved me through.

Well, it's been 48 minutes and no-one is arguing with you!

I agree with this - if you can afford it. I've worked in South Africa, Cameroon, Caribbean and Poland and would not consider retiring to any of them. Now that I'm retired I considered Thailand but there are too many drawbacks because of my health needs so now I think that I am in the perfect situation. I rent by the year on Phuket and spend eight months a year there - the rest of the year, mainly during the summer, I spend in the UK.

Confusing thread - I always thought that S.A. was South Africa.

Not sure what happened there -posted four times.

Laguna Phuket is pretty close to what you are looking for, but expensive. No locals apart from workers and no through traffic - it's close to being a gated community. Alternatively, there are some Rusasian-funded major developments in various stages of completion just down the road in Layan - search "Sunshine Beach Resort Phuket" and "La Green Hotel and Residence Phuket" * Most Russians are okay, especially the ones with money, and they generally like to keep themselves to themselves - I have a couple next door and they are fine.

Oops!

Oops!

I use a local one as my head is pretty worthless - B1,850 if I remember correctly. It is very heavy when I pick it up but once on it's unnoticable and I have a very weak neck following surgery.

Daytime: Magnum White Almond - if possible I get one every day on the way to the beach and never get sick of them because they often run out. Late night (after beers): Spaghetti in white sauce from 7-11, or their Black Forest Gateau drenched in Carnation. I'm not keen on most Thai food

Single vision or varifocals? I walked into my patio door and broke my frame and needed a new pair a couple of months ago but, because they are varifocals, Top Charoen had to send the frames to Germany for glazing - it was very expensive but only took nine days. In the meantime I bought a pair of B159 single vision from 7-11 which were fine for distance and got me by.

You write in the past tense - when was it that you stayed in Chalong.

As a primarily ex-pat/tourist forum we naturally focus on how it effects us, but I wonder about the locals. I know that many of the Patong bar workers live in Phuket Town because they cannot afford to live in Patong, or even Kathu. I would imagine that the above-mentioned condo was rented to a Thai at 5/6,000 a year ago - it must be hitting them hard and they cannot afford these new prices.

I apologise if this has been covered before. I have just applied for a TR60 for my trip in January and the following are no longer required:- Proof of funds, such as bank statement. ID of the person inviting you. Copies of your passport stamps for the last 12 months. The web site still has a glitch in that you try to save a page but it won't - you then scroll back up to discover that a couple of fields have appeared that weren't there on the first pass. Progress!

I've never stayed there but know the location well as I ride along that road to get to Nai Yang beach a couple of times a week - there are a few similar small independant rentals along that stretch. There are some small shops and restaurants within walking distance but it is a long walk to the beach or town for major shopping, albeit quick and easily doable on a scooter or even a pushbike. Looking at the reviews it is a cute place and well-regarded. It is on a main road but don't let that put you off - it doesn't have heavy traffic, just a small proportion of the airport runs (staff and passengers). Very little heavy or noisy stuff, especially at night. If you are happy with the price and location then I would go for it.

Well done, but I won't lose any sleep over that! Maybe we are neighbours.

Away from Patong I would say that there are plenty of houses - I rent an apartment in Kamala (half of a raised house with a gated yard) and this is a typical local property. However, it is very rare to see a For Sale/For Rent sign around here now - a year ago there were plenty of empty properties. Russians have arrived in great numbers and have really boosted the property market to the delight of the locals! They are desperate and will pay anything.

More irony!

The irony! Learn some grammar before you start trying to show off!

That's why I'm back in the UK for three weeks - Patong has been a nightmare recently, especially when they had that "event" on the beach over the Constitution Day holiday.