The Fugitive

Not with Agoda but last year someone hacked my passwords and ordered goods from AliExpress, paying for them with my stored UK credit card and entered a delivery address in Moldova. Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough to stop the initial order, however it was only for six USD. I cancelled my credit card with my bank and they reimbursed me the six dollars. I had already cancelled a large subsequent order on my AliExpress account. Of course I immediately changed my passwords but the hackers must still have gained access because they kept on loading up the 'cart' but were unable to make payment because I had cancelled my credit card. Unusual log in notifications followed for many of my other accounts. It was as if the hackers had taken a snapshot of my Google Bookmarks?

Agreed! Part of the charm of Thailand. Elsewhere, an ageing railway would have been reduced to essential maintenance only until it deteriorated beyond economic repair, then closed and the rails ripped up.

You're absolutely correct! We're brought up to overtake on the offside only. 'Undertaking can get you an early appointment with the undertaker' as per a safety campaign in the past. At least Thai's don't normally get annoyed about lane hogging. It's the risk of the offending driver suddenly and without warning deciding to move to the left without prior use of mirrors that is worrying.

That's the excuse my Mrs always makes for not driving in the left lane. Generally lorries drive in and return to the left lane immediately after overtaking. However, occasionally a large vehicle will remain in the right hand lane(s). Undertaking a waggon is potentially more dodgy IMHO.

Same here! I suspect it's done by the caller telling you they're following up by sending you an SMS with a clickable hyperlink?

Exactly! The lady ran him down. Not deliberately. Can't turn the clock back. She would have known that she was 'in for it'. If you hold another passport it's the obvious thing to do. Looking at the sentencing guidelines VinnieK has kindly found for us I'm surprised she returned to Michigan voluntarily. It has been known since Victorian times that the severity of the punishment is not a deterrent, it's the certainty of being caught.

Apparently, Thai police located her and advised her to return to USA. She went willingly. Not a good move IMHO given what the Americans have come out with so far.

Facts were in her favour. 5am, 50mph poorly lit road, victim was walking on the carriageway under the influence of alcohol. However, it is reported that his drinking was not a factor. That is where the problem lies, police and prosecutors determined to make matters as worse as possible. Assuming the woman wasn't 'under the influence' too, was driving within the speed limit and with due care and attention plus all her documents in order she should have nothing to fear from a fair investigation and an impartial criminal justice system. And pigs might fly.

Soi Buakao is frightening to cross. Third Road is bad enough too.

It gets better! One of my jobs involved checking on occupied/unoccupied properties. One of my colleagues had a habit of simply writing 'shop closed' on his paperwork. We had to explain this could mean; 1) Shop closed (back in 5 minutes), 2) Shop closed for lunch, 3) Half-day closing, 4) Closed for holidays or 5) Closed DOWN.

Correct. Bar girls have to be aged 20 or over. One told me so.

'Ringing out' too. Meaning rings (forever) without anyone answering.

Absolutely. It's poor English. Another example are signs in shop windows; 'Shop closed from..........to'. The 'from' date is clear but the 'to' date, is that inclusive or not? Canny shopkeepers will write 'reopen on....' to avoid that confusion.

Not wrong but often causes instant confusion; 'Next Wednesday'. Does that mean Wednesday next week or the next occuring Wednesday i.e. this week?

'Dialling' a telephone number.

Or, a total lack of perceptions, reasoning or communication. 'That never happened to me, therefore it doesn't/can't happen'.

Reminds me of a primary school report I kept for some time. One teacher had written........'Needs to learn how to use reference books'. Translates as 'because I don't know the answers'.

And those that enjoy raising doubts and causing worry. Fortunately, it's usually extremely easy to spot this.

Thanks for that. I used 'we' as being the family. My pensions and savings go into the family pot so I will be paying for it. At the end of the day my Mrs will do what she will whenever she feels like it. Or not!

To be fair our Royal Thai Mail guy is very good. He's been a moto postie a long time. Our family has a shop and two houses. He knows that any of us can be delivered to at any one of the three. Logically, I suppose we're three times more likely to receive our mail than others. Also, he works as a moto repairman when off duty and we take our bikes to him. It all helps!

9,000 baht from me then!

Do you remember when the police stopped issuing postal fines because they had run out of envelopes? Perhaps this is their solution!

I don't drive. Vehicle is owned by my Mrs (albeit paid for with my money). Fines were incurred by my stepson. Whoever is legally/morally responsible for payment of these fines it isn't me.

Agree, very poor service in your case!

Thanks for that! I don't drive. Mrs very rarely goes to DLT for motor tax, safety check and insurance. She says she has a shop to run and such things must wait. Usually takes a road block fine to spur her into action.