The Fugitive

Everything we have is Samsung! I even have a Samsung laptop, purchased in 2012. Firmware fault in the UEFI. Apparently the fault was rectified in 2013 models. Talk about annoying!

Best air con we have is a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It's installed in the rear stockroom/bedroom of wife's shop. At least 20 years old, never needed attention or been serviced. Would have bought same for house but Mrs has a thing about Samsung products!

Thai arithmetic! However, it could (just could) be that Big C have old stock at pre-increase prices. If they were to sell a twin pack at latest prices it might be 360 baht?

When I first signed up as a blood donor in Thailand I was 63. The Red Cross lady said she couldn't believe it! Yes, I know that can be taken both ways. However, as this was in rural Thailand, she could have been meaning that someone aged 63 is so often on their last legs that blood donation wouldn't be an option for them?

Certainly true of the municipal market in the town where I worked. The market manageress told me the gents weren't too bad. But the ladies! Often the regular cleaners wouldn't (or weren't permitted) to tackle them. One cubicle must have been subject to explosive diarrhea. The occupant had wiped herself with oven bottom muffins but, disgustingly, had pressed them onto the walls of the trap after use where the diarrhea dried and glued them firmly in place. Another instance where the female must have bent right over and let it go up the wall. Washbasins were frequently used to wash fouled clothing but never even rinsed after use.

Definitely some unhelpful advice being given on this thread. I was deboarded by Air Europa in Madrid for having a one-way ticket and no visa. Only last month flying Munich to Bangkok (Thai Airways TG 925) was asked at check-in if I had a visa? I explained 'Retirement Extension'. Next question; 'Show it to me'.

Friend's mother-in-law has a point. Hospitals are full of sick people, to be avoided at the best of times. Treading in all manner of dirt from the street is contributing to infections.

Once upon a time all optometrists performed eye tests, you purchased your frames from their shop and your new frames and prescription were sent to a lens grinding factory. All optometrists in the town/area/region used the same lens grinding factory. Your optometrist (or more likely their sales assistant) 'fitted' your new specs to your face by warming and softening the plastic with a hot air blower. New technology (including plastic lenses) has reduced the cost and size of lens making machinery and, in some places, lenses are made and fitted in the shop 'while-u-wait'. You report you have suffered from both incorrect prescription and an error in making your lenses to the corrected prescription i.e. incompetence/inexperience by the lens making machine operative? I would be tempted to ask your ophthalmologist where he/she would go (or send) a prescription to get lenses made with confidence?

Quiet Soi apart from neighbours living directly opposite. Parents enjoy more than one drink, sons (and maybe their daughter) take substances. Father called the police on at least one of his sons because he was stealing to obtain money to buy drugs. Father is light-fingered himself, saw him taking beer out of one of the cool boxes in our garden. However, he has helped us out by lending us extension cables on one occasion. The family doesn't like to overuse their toilets (they have three) and relieve themselves outside.

Many of us with you on that one. Pay into the scheme for 50 years but they don't like you to draw it for too long!

Absolutely. 2009/2011/2012 low-range laptops in daily use. No repairs or modifications as yet. Mrs regularly tells me to throw them away and buy new because 'too slow'. I take no notice of course.

As you will know 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) bracelets are easily available. Problem is, medics are not permitted to comply unless they have written authority from a doctor. Permission is often obtained from next of kin when someone is dying in hospital and the patient's notes are duly annotated. Your idea is a good one however!

There is a 'First Responder' unit based opposite my wife's shop. The guy's are volunteers. Credit to them for that. They spend a lot of time sitting outside in the evening with beers. They set off very quickly but sometimes have to double back around the block when they forget certain things (oxygen cylinder for example).

Just curious? Being registered at a GP's surgery (or group practice these days) is the norm in U.K. Here in Thailand I've been treated by A/E doctor's in two different Government hospitals and also three times for outer ear infections by the same doctor whom my Mrs says is an ENT specialist at his High Street clinic in our next larger town. Is your Thai doctor a hospital consultant you see regularly?

Agree that Linux Mint is the easiest Linux distro for a Windows user to migrate to. Easy to install, very logical instructions and everything works just as it should. However, many people have voiced the same complaints as the OP. There are such things as 'Community Editions' of Windows Operating Systems available for free download from well known, long established websites with experienced and most helpful contributors. I am presently using a superb fully updated edition of Windows 11 X-Lite with all the nuisances removed, very responsive and idles as light as Windows 7.

Worst ever optical screwing I got was in Paraguay at 'Optica Valemar' (better not say which branch). As soon as I walked through the door with my then GF, the assistant beamed and reached all the way to the back of the drawer of frames. I was presented with a pair of 'Linea Roma' and 'Wrangler' brands. They also sold their most expensive pair of sunglasses to my GF. I paid for all three of course.

As long as you can do what you want to do why worry? We all have our own 'yardsticks' by which we judge things (and ourselves). Personally, I've always believed that when the day arrives that you need to take regular medication that is the beginning of the end. My Mrs complains that all I do is sit in a chair all day, every day, drinking tea/coffee and munching biscuits. I try to explain to her that is what I've always done, having worked in an office from age 16. I've never had the urge to climb Mount Everest. Running, swimming, cycling, hiking, camping, playing rugby and football were sheer torture for me. If bodyweight remains within reason and vitals within range (good enough to be a regular blood donor) why worry?

Wow! That's quite some system you've got worked out there! I know that opticians can read the prescription by viewing the lens through what I would liken to a microscope. For you, that seems to work well enough. I've never had an eye test in Thailand because I return every few years to U.K. where I'm entitled to a free test and printed prescription.

Can you manage with spectacles Brian2322? I've never comtemplated inserting anything into my eyes. The very thought of laser surgery also frightens me. I've worn specs for distance for around 45 years. Forget exactly when it was an optometrist told me I now needed them for reading too. However, around 8 years ago I realised I no longer needed readers. This year my optometrist told me my distance vision had significantly improved and asked whether I was managing without specs? I told her she was absolutely correct! Don't know what you've been advised by your various optometrist's and opthalmologist's?

Good to know for yourself (and others) thanks! Need to carry a 'phone with a Thai SIM installed to make emergency calls! For financial security best not to receive OTP's on the same 'phone upon which your bank app is installed. Don't carry both 'phones with you! I install my Thai SIM in my back-up 'phone but stupidly always carry both 'phones. My U.K. bank OTP's can be received upon either 'phone because I use a virtual U.K. mobile number from a VOIP service. Two security loopholes that need addressing!

Thanks for your report! Nice to hear positive experiences.

Interesting. Last year I had a metal fused porcelain crown at my High Street dentist for 8,000. No root canal required. However, their charges for root canal, post and crown are 20,000.

Wow! Learning things today. My Bangkok Bank ATM cards expired end September. Haven't bothered to ask for new ones because I can make cardless cash withdrawals from ATM's. Might be a good idea to ask for new physical cards?

Thanks for the tip! Looking at it the other way, does this make Bangkok Bank the safest as they look after our money the best!

Amazing service! U.K. need to follow their example. Employing call centre staff costs money so they try every trick in the book to persuade you to resolve your issue via their FAQ's & automated 'chat'. My bank also discontinued their secure message facility. Again, staff having to read and reply to queries must have been costing them too much money!