The Fugitive

It was. I had written the name of the hotel and town only because I couldn't remember the full street address. I had failed to fully complete the form so it was a fair question.

I believe Israel will go up to but remain one step behind using nuclear weapons. Once that threshold is crossed they know that they themselves are unlikely to survive either. Same goes for Iran. Probably safest to remain in Thailand whatever the outcome!

First time I came to Thailand the IO at Suvarnabhumi wanted the full street address of my hotel. Of course I'd never been before and hadn't printed it out beforehand.

Don't forget that, when setting off, once you've checked-in online or at the airport totem you cannot ever be asked for sight of return/onward ticket or 'some sort of visa'. Airlines don't have enough staff or time available to request such things at your departure gate.

Agreed. The last few flights I've booked have been VietJet and Air Asia. Searched for price using SkyScanner which has directed me to Trip.com for the cheapest fare. I use my U.K. debit card MasterCard for payment, simply because I get 1% cash back. Seems an easier and cost free method of payment.

What people are saying is that either the airline does not require sight of return/onward ticket or 'some type of visa' or, if they do, you can be pinged for a document check by airline staff at the departure gate.

Agreed! When Thai Airways check-in desk staff at Munich Airport asked me to produce my Retirement Extension I found the page in my passport for them with the current extension stamp. They accepted it with no thumbing through to find my re-entry permit. Either they're not aware (or don't care) about the fact it could have been invalidated when I exited Thailand.

Agreed. Issues with Skype are that the person you rang cannot ring you back. You can rent a Skype 'geographical' landline number but not a mobile telephone number. To receive SMS you must have a USA Skype number and the text must have been sent from either a USA or Canadian number. OTP's are not supported.

All animals should be kept under control by their owners. TNR (Trap, neuter and release) of Soi dogs may sound good in theory but the more effective method would be to trap and humanely destroy.

Definitely. There can be quite a few airline staff at the departure gate. They arrive well before time. You hear passengers names being called. A lot more goes on at the gate than simply checking boarding passes to passports.

Must be the airline. When checking-in for flight TG925 Munich to Bangkok I was asked to produce documentation at the check-in desk. I told them I had a Retirement Extension. They looked at me and said 'We need to SEE it!'

Individual airlines may insist on sight of return/onward ticket or 'some sort of visa'. There is a very recent report of a member being 'pinged', stopped at the departure gate and asked to provide this information. The reason given was that he had checked-in online. I have been stopped at the departure gate and denied boarding. I was told that although I had checked-in manually for my previous flight leg with an airport agent, they should have insisted upon sight of my documentation before checking me in.

Not at all. You need to provide minimal information only to your local council registrar. However, the information goes onto a database (England and Wales in my case). National Health Service know about a death in a NHS hospital almost immediately. Internet access is withdrawn, bank account(s) closed at date of death and the bank(s) write to the executor of the deceased person asking what you wish to be done with the balance?

Similar experience with a blood glucose meter. The readings just couldn't have been correct. Binned it.

Interesting. I don't know if you're into genealogy but I've found that cemetery records of family burials (known as grave re-openers in U.K.) helpful in my research. Unfortunately, the modern trend of cremation and scattering ashes results in less information to work with. My Thai Mrs informs me that I'm going into the family column at our nearby temple. I'm curious if that produces some searchable public record? I've tried asking Thai family but they don't seem to understand what I'm asking and why I would want to know!

Pleased to hear that there are less around. Prefer zero myself. Cats too. Maybe a few cats needed purely for rodent control purposes only.

You recommend Palestinian's turn in Hamas soldiers and throw themselves on the mercy of Israel?

Don't know about Thailand but elsewhere it is done. Apparently, two conditions; 1) A permanent marker to indicate the burial site, 2) Recorded in the deeds of your property.

Good advice. Thanks!

Unfortunately, those who have supply and support from USA (and UK) will prevail. It's no surprise.

I have Omron M2 basic. Works fine and appears to be consistent with readings taken by dentist, blood donor assistants and hospitals (both in Thailand and U.K.).

In U.K. banks receive notification of deaths from Registry Office. Don't know if same applies elsewhere.

Understand. I have been subjected to a detailed examination of my hand luggage by security when departing from Manchester Airport. The only item that the guard commented upon was my camcorder (this was a digital mini tape cassette type). He didn't view anything. I didn't have a mobile phone (of any type) at that time.

Did you ask them why? I would, (in a friendly way) out of curiosity.

Love to know how that's possible (including food). Minimum in our area seems to be 150,000 baht.