Hugh Cow

That philosophy applies everywhere. Just more so in Thailand. I prefer to take the train when travelling in Thailand. Generally the middle carriage, on the assumption that sufficient energy should be absorbed by the locomotive and front carriages when they inevitably hit a truck or car whose driver decided to race the train over the crossing and lost. Why not the back carriage then you ask? One must acknowledge there is the odd time when another train driver plows into the back of a stationary train (which I could be on) while taking a comfort break through the side window, at the same time contemplating his last visit to a house of ill repute thereby failing to see the stop signal and the stationary train ahead. In this case caused by break failure yet again. Or at least the failure to apply them, which in Thai is the same thing.

Break failure again.

when is the wan wian yai to mahachai line going through? I heard it was being delayed. I like the old SRT train anyway so the longer the skytrain is delayed the better.

The only safe vehicle in Thailand is a Tank. I'd rather drive from Mariupol to Kherson with a sign saying Russians soldiers are all Gay, than on Thailand highways.

That price seems to be quite typical. I have checked with 3 agents in pattaya and bangkok and they are all around 38K to 45K. Seems a rip off to me. I'm sure there must be some reasonable agents out there that charge a fair price but I have not seen one as yet.

I have thought of using dependant thai child visa when I retire next year. What is the opinion of you visa gurus out there? Is it easier to obtain than the marriage or "retirement" visa in regards to paperwork, requirements etc? Paperwork was never my strong point. The deposit criteria is not a problem. Also is it worth using an agent? They seem to charge around 40K baht to do it. Some have said that they can set up a bank account and I dont even need to deposit the 400K or 800K into the account. How can that work as it suggests something dodgy to me. Are any of these agents licensed by the government or just all freelancers? The bank account issue has always confused me (Im getting old) as it seems very catch 22. You need to open an account to get the visa but you need the visa to open the account. Am I missing something here? Is it a problem with my logic or just a product of the slow deterioration of my ageing brain cells? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

The problem as stated before seems to be opening a bank account before you have the visa especially if you arrive on a voa.

I remember stories of American serviceman in WW2 and the intense dislike of them by many Australian men. The americans had more money and fraternised heavily with Australian women when on R&R who were attracted by their big spending that Australian soldiers just could not compete with. It led to violence on many occasions. Is it any wonder that Thai men see many farang as a threat that they cannot compete with in regard to what they can offer local women, especially financially and this causes jealousy and anger. I have met many expats who have little to no interaction with Thais and are seen as unfriendly and act as if superior by the local community. Fortunately not all but In the end we are all guests here and should at least extend some effort to be a little more sensitive and interactive with the local population.

I'm not sure if this is the right place but does anyone know or have had experience with sea freight agents for shipping household effects from Australia to Thailand as a part container load and any import restrictions/charges etc?