The Fugitive

Thanks for the information!

Very helpful. Thanks.

Makes good sense. Thanks.

You've made my day! Many thanks.

Didn't renew my Bangkok Bank debit cards when they expired about eighteen months ago. Have managed without since. Yesterday evening my phone battery was flat and refused to charge. Tried a couple of power banks, various mains chargers and different cables and adapters. Needed to draw some cash. Used a U.K. credit card at local ATM. Wouldn't charge first thing in the morning either. Mid-morning it accepted charging as normal. My backup phone is now too old to install banking apps, hence not a backup in this instance!

Good suggestion thanks!

I agree. But it isn't my vehicle and I don't drive. Mrs thinks it uses too much petrol. Plus, she has cancer and thinks this will be her last car so wants a new one for once in her life.

Wow! Many thanks for that, hadn't checked. Mrs bought it secondhand from a friend four years ago for 400,000 baht. Sounds as though she got a good deal.

Good suggestion, thanks. Incidentally, we had four new tyres in May 2024. The steering rack was replaced in July 2024 at a different garage.

Thai wife took her 2012 Pajero Sport (2998cc V6 petrol) for oil change at 101,000 km. Garage found faults and gave her an estimate for replacement of the steering gear set etc. totalling 39,000 baht. She’s decided enough is enough and wants a new SUV. The garage offered 100,000 baht in part-exchange. Our old vehicles go to the grown-up children who are normally grateful. However, they don’t want this. Neither do any of our friends. Even for free. Too heavy on petrol for them. Wife’s decided on a 2.4 ultra diesel. She’s convinced it’ll be much more economical. However, she likes the present one because it’s fast. She says don’t pay cash because she has cancer and doesn’t want me to be saddled with it as I no longer drive and hate the things. She intends to buy in installments. I’m looking at 1,579,000 baht less PX. It’s not necessary of course but difficult to refuse in the circumstances. For those who’ve bought vehicles on credit is the downpayment currently 25%? I’ve seen repayment periods from 4 to 7 years. Anywhere known around Khon Kaen for good finance deals?

Two years ago someone must have captured my bookmarks. They went through all my websites that could have a credit card saved to them. I received many warnings such as; 'Multiple attempts have been made to log into your account from Russia/Romania'. Fortunately, at that time, I only used one credit card and quickly cancelled it. I've since changed all passwords and set up 2FA where possible. A couple of days ago I received a warning of 'suspicious activity' upon my PayPal account. I therefore changed my password yet again.

Seem to work OK in my area. We don't notice any flashes when our hybrid hydro dam switches between solar and hydro. Apparently, they go on battery power during the change overs. Never had a circuit board burnt out in an applicance in Thailand either. Happened several times when I lived in South America.

Been to a couple of floating solar panel hybrid hydro dams nearest to me. Floating motorised platforms provide food, drink and karaoke entertainment. Banana and donut boats for those who are able! Apparently, as I don't know how they know, fish enjoy the shade provided underneath the solar panels. I like the dual benefits these provide. Renewable energy plus extending the life of the dams built in the 1960's that are now suffering from low water levels. A feasibility study is planned for a new dam in my small town, if successful to be built around 2034.

Not really. Best not to store any card details if you can avoid it. Just my opinion based upon my own experience.

They only got goods worth $6 USD out of me. I noticed too late to stop the initial (trial?) transaction. The next order they made was too big for the Chinese shop to handle so they declined it! I cancelled my credit card and my bank refunded the six dollars.

My AliExpress account was hacked. I had a stored credit card. The hacker ordered goods and changed the delivery address to Moldova.

Remember reading some time ago of the challenges faced by crematorium workers (not Thailand) with regard to the grossly overweight deceased. Apparently, burning fat leaks out of the cremation chamber, spilling across the floor thus creating a grease fire.

The fact you were unaware of the changes would indicate existing service continues for current subscribers?

I had one extra unplanned visit. The dental laboratory had made an error in manufacturing one of my crowns. Fortunately, my dentist noticed it as he was about to glue it in!

Not any longer I'm afraid. No pay by the minute either. However, subscriptions are cheap.

Thanks for your information. I shall keep my eye on this. Appears similar to the VOIP service I use; 'VYKE'. Only difference I can see (from a U.K. user point of view) is that SWYTCH charges 5.00 GBP per month to rent a U.K. mobile number and VYKE charges 19.99 GBP per annum.

Unless you use Skype.

Agree! We Brits live/love to complain. If there isn't anything to complain about we are actively trying to think of something. If you ask a Brit how was their holiday (for example) they will typically reply; 'good flights, on time, good hotel, good weather, good food etc. BUT....................They will always finish on a downer!

Have experienced the same although not in Thailand. The dentist couldn't cope and asked his father (family practice) to take over. I felt much downward pressure. The faces of the original dentist and dental nurse said it all. A lot of blood. They said only one stitch inserted though. Caused considerable swelling of my jaw.

Sounds good, thanks for the info. I can confirm that Thai Life (their Life Insurance that is) do pay out and do so quickly. My Thai wife took out Life Insurance with them to cover her Mum's funeral costs. When she died two years ago they paid out immediately. On the strength of that, my wife has since taken out policies on both myself and her uncle. I obtained a quote for health insurance from SBC (brokers). I declared my pre-existing conditions. They replied; 'we can cover you'. However, no mention of exclusions and the premium remained the same. I got back to SBC (brokers) and they said they would have to check with the company. When they got back to me they said pre-existing conditions would be excluded. I wasn't happy with the evasive nature of their communications.