HermesHermes

OK, I get it, non-Thai residents are no longer eligible for discount on the metro. No problem, let's move on with changing reality. But how to transition to normal card pass? I don't understand enough Thai to comprehend what to do. It sounds, from the explanation of the helpful MRT kiosk staff, that the balance (not insignificant in my case) has to be refunded to a Thai bank account. But I paid cash. And I do not have a bank account anyway (it involves jumping through hoops for tourists) . Anyway, it seems unreasonable that I have to have my credit sent to a different form of payment than I made to pay for it. So, I suggested that he transfer my balance to a new normal pass. If I understood him correctly, no can do. And what is this tying of identity with transportation passes for some years. Are jihadis using their real passports to travel via subway? It all seems just a little bit ridiculous to me. Next you won't be able to pass for taxis by cash, because some criminals use them as getaway cars (not). BTW, this kind of surveillance is not unique to Thailand. By contrast, in Vancouver, Canada (Montreal and Toronto, I do not know) it is optional whether you register your Skytrain card or not. There are pluses and minuses to doing so. But even in BC (when long distance bus service existed) after a crazy man not inspired by religion but mind altering substances or psychosis cut a fellow passenger's head off, they started demanding gov't-issued ID to travel intercity. I don't mind this when I get a discount, but in order to get regular fare, I do resent this. I saw a lot of this transportation monitoring in PRC. I think Singapore does not require it unless crossing a border. Is this the new normal for Thailand? But more imprtant, how do I get my money back since I no longer qualify?

This is another example of the classic architecture across the street, vantage from the student protests of 1973 memorial

Before the closure of the old buildings along Ratchadomnean boulevard (near Democracy Monument) there were two glass and food-grade plastic supply houses on the north side selling everything a medical mad scientist could want. As with the Department of Education department store that was near McDonalds on the same strip of art deco buildings like the Bangkok City Library, I suspect that they have simply relocated. This street has been shuttered for several years, both sides, including the famous (and in my opinion underutilized) scholarly bookstore RimKhobFa on the opposite side of the big double road. The bookstore posted their new location. But the three superlative retail stores have disappeared without a trace. Is there an English language website for finding new locations for old established businesses in Bangkok? I have to do it by image or location because not only do I not read Thai, nor do I know the company names.

My experience over twenty-five years with Mission, both medical and dental is mixed. And although non-profit, I actually find their rates higher than many other non-governnent hospitals. Convenient location to where I am and a good moderate cost vegetarian cafeteria though. I find that pharmacy restrictions tighter than Cambodia. I remember Dr. Scott in PNH about 25 years ago prescribing a skin lotion that is banned almost everywhere (if taken too often and in too high doses it can be toxic). But it works. Thailand seems to err in its consumer laws on the side of caution.

Or mix of both? I am referring to the visa application agency that has contracts (in some cases, monopolies) with Embassies. I find the bureaucracies of most governments to be daunting. I am even more suspicious of their helpers, because it might make it worse (slower, more expensive), not better. It also bugs ne that I have to do civil servants' work for them - filling out forms, making photocopies, etc. I am paying them and I do all the time-consuming inconvenient tasks. There very existence strikes me as over-priced gatekeepers. Anyway, what is your opinion of VFS?

Is a tier II or even tier III private hospital in Bangkok with an good dermatology department that is *good enough*. It's not like I need the best and greatest for this chronic issue. Google Maps gives me two different extremes when I search for 'dermatologist near me'... 1. fancy lady's doctor clinics for beauty treatments 2. public hospitals offering long queues and probably waiting for certain days when skin doctors are in Maybe Thailand is different than India. In a metro area such as Mumbai or Chennai I just look up the closest dermatologist's clinic in private practice and walk in, or make an appointment for a consultation in a day or two. They are always willing to squeeze me in. What do you recommend when you want to see a medical dermatologist who can do skin tests, prescribe treatment and drugs (only as necessary) but not wait half a day to see them? I know that everything will be cheaper and faster once I get to India, plus no language problems (English), but my departure is delayed. I expect to be in Kolkata in six to ten days but soon thereafter I will be in very remote cities with provincial care. As a perpetual traveller this is the story of my life, not in one place long enough. I am thinking of just dropping at the Institute of Dermatology near Victory Monument. But it sounds like a long wait there because it is reputed to be one of the best dermatology hospitals in Asia. They have the reputation (and maybe this is the best way) of saying 'try this. If that doesn't work, try that. if *that* doesn't work..." I would rather they do a test to identify the problem first, even if it takes a day or two for definitive diagnosis. I don't have months or even weeks of experimenting. Fact is, if I get a solid diagnosis then I can buy more of the creams and pills in India with my Thai Rx, presumably.

Near Tuk.com Keep in mind that while he seemed professional and good value (he gave me a firm price and said it would be finished in two days) when I arrived six hours before closing on the second day, he had not started the job. Somehow my post on this subject disappeared.

I asked at several pharmacies. Some had it, some didn't. The one east of CHILL Inn (same side of street) near Ekamai Gateway (mall) had it in stock.

Thanks Sheryl for your prompt and informed reply. You have the reputation as being the most reliable and helpful moderators and information sources on ASEAN Now. I must research further to see what is the Thai law and what is the Thai Post Office practice (not the same thing). Right now I am more looking for anecdotal evidence. I presume by FDA you mean USA. But what about for Canada, Australia, UK etc? I expect that being sovereign countries they do not all have the same rule as USA. And what of all those (licensed?) pharmaceutical companies in India selling drugs by mail? Then there is the Canadian companies with sellers in India who sell to the USA. It all becomes very complicated, no? I presume that these are medical supply house businessmen not gangsters. Of course, you cannot know about every single drug in every country. I presume this rule requiring licensing is for three reasons - 1) to protect the R&D investment costs of drug companies, 2) to protect designated markets different pricing structures, and 3) for safety reasons. Otherwise everyone would just order from the world's kid in a candy(drug)store - India. I like India because it does not have the reputation for fakes, although my doctor in Kolkata tells me that this can happen, just not on the scale as in PRC. My experience from travelling in India (where, as I understand it, patenting rules cover the process not the chemical makeup) is that drugs there are a fraction of (like 1/20th) the price of in USA, and 1/10th the price of in Canada. Indonesia and Vietnam are also low. Philippines curiously is high. China, I forget. So, whenever I travel there I always go shopping and bring home a stash of whatever I think I, my friends, neighbours and the family down the block might need. I have never had any serious difficulties at Canada Customs, although if I am ever asked, in writing or verbally, I would declare what I have - it is always personal amounts (sometimes borderline). The rule seems to be discretionary according to the person doing the checking. Actually, I might be mistaken, I think only goods under X dollars are even enquired about. Are medications some special category of products? I do not know. Maybe I am asked about cannabis (prohibited entry even though legal within the country - go figure), alcohol and tobacco (both are legal within the country but over certain amounts prohibited entry or taxable, even inter-provincially). I think that I am never asked specifically about prescription or OTC drugs. I think retail amounts are impossible to control and what they are on the lookout for is people lying about what they are bringing into the country or those doing it on a wholesale bulk level. More of a problem is passing through third countries like Japan. It is quite strict. Singapore once did a spot test of one of my bottles of essential oils (since I was travelling with dozens). All very polite and quick. A lot of the rules and especially enforcement seems to be spotty, discretionary and interpretive. Who can know all the rules? I have had strange experiences and surprises. Once I brought in a class of supplement called amino acids when I was into life extension [detour: a scam?] , I do not remember which one what was it. CBSA did a test and said it was amphetamines! They did not arrest me but did hold the unmarked pills (I always repackage because drugstore containers are inefficient packaging). Wasn't worth returning to the airport to pick it up when a secondary test proved it to be a false positive. Another time I imported from Switzerland a long-lasting testosterone injection called 'Nabolene' [detour: I do NOT recommend this drug, neither did the European doctor who wrote the script for a friend there - a whole other subject. In brief: very effective but not without side effects]. My Canadian doctor at a Men's Health Clinic administered it [detour #2: The hospital clinic treating such things as low-T got closed. Women's Health Clinics get lots of funding, men's health not so much. Can't imagine why...]. Yet despite being not available in Canada and technically in some sort of grey area, Canada Customs was a breeze. I had to go pick it up at the airport. My Canadian doctor was amazed it got through. There was no subterfuge. Everything was above board, no duty or taxes. Maybe a Customs fee? I suppose one could write a whole book on this subject of the international trade and private importing and exporting of pharmaceuticals. All I care about is helping my friends. I think I read somewhere in the news ten plus years ago about an entrepreneur in this field actually being criminally charged for buying and selling a legal drug. Go figure. But who wants to pay high prices. We do not for vegetables (we import from Mexico, USA and China where costs are lower). So why would medicines be any different? I suggest to you because the downside is so serious (though I would rather have the freedom to take that informed risk). I find these rules rather esoteric and confusing. And of course, ignorance of the law is no excuse - though I suspect innocence of purpose may affect enforcement and penalties.

I am not asking the rules about the country where it would be sent, only what the rules are about the country where it would be posted from... A friend has asked me to post him some for personal use. He intends to use it for a prostate tumour. I question the prudence of his action, but he is a big boy and it is his body. To be completely frank, I think he is being irresponsible to his partner to not take any conventional treatments in favour of an experimental drug. But, that is not my business. As a loyal friend, I told him I would do so if it does not break and Thai Post rules or any government of Thailand laws. BTW, I was not asked for a prescription at any of the three pharmacies where I enquired, so I presume it is an OTC drug in Thailand. It's not a cheap tablet: THB80-110 per 6 mg, depending on manufacturer and which retail pharmacy is selling it. Curiously, it was not available in 12 mg. I told him to wait until I go to India or even Vietnam, but he would like something now to start. Obviously I would have to send it dotting all my 'i's and crossing all my 't's, because the last times I have used Thai Post I had to present it for even the smallest package (at what point does a letter become a parcel?). The country of his address requires one of those international post green Customs declarations.

8. None of the motorcycle taxis (guys in orange vests) have spare helmets. Some don't even have their own.

Arrived this Friday Nov. 30 night just before 10 p.m. * driver on government bus from Ekkamai was cranky 1. No songthaews waiting at northern bus station to take passengers into town at flat rate. None at all actually. 2. Crosswalk light broken 3. WC at Makro open at 10:05 (not for long) 4. Macro urinal malfunctioning in two regards 5. No freelance taxis running towards town 6. Air is better than in Bangkok 7. Feels cooler too So climate is superior but transportation is inferior.

I use a basic package from AIS. I will check their website to see if short-term packages are available.

Good to know, *for the future*

No, I didn't. Perhaps you are referring to hot spotting? I am not a technically-inclined. I tried to do this with my Mac in Bangkok. PITA. Good to be reminded that it is an option, buy my data is quite limited. I would rather use the hotel's