The Fugitive

Pies, bread, butter and cheese for me!

My District Office was particularly resistant. Initially told must be legally married to a Thai and resident 12 months. When both applied requested yellow book again. Told to go back to British Embassy and obtain another translated and certified copy of my passport. They already had that from marriage registration. Gave up at that point. Three years later, by chance, at a local blood donor session my Mrs spoke to the head of Amphur Customer Services. He told his staff 'enough was enough' and to copy over the scanned image from our marriage and use that to issue my yellow book/pink ID card. Immigration take a photocopy at each retirement extension. Previously they took a copy of Mrs's blue book.

Most consistently reliable media player I have found to be; https://codecguide.com/download_k-lite_codec_pack_standard.htm The standard version here includes the actual media player plus all the codecs and settings most people are ever likely to need.

Agree! So many options in and around Mexico City. I found everyone spoke perfect English but it may have just been a fluke. Did you ever get to Ciudad Azteca? The shopping mall adjacent to the Metro station is absolutely fantastic.

Agree! Holland (and Belgium) I found pleasant and friendly. No issues with the food but I'm not adventurous. Cafes, snacks, coffee, beer and especially their chocolate is great. For islands; Malta is great weather wise, Cyprus OK but Madeira does it for me. As regards North America, Mexico City and surrounding towns have everything. in South; Colombia, Brasil, Uruguay and Argentina are good. Chile less so. Spent 12 years in Paraguay but the poor (and worsening) infrastructure plus road blocks with all document checks was too much.

Very slow and VeePN proved unreliable in this case although Browsec did unblock the particular website. I subscribe to Surf Shark and it's never failed. Money well spent IMHO.

Totally agree. I thought I could manage (with a lot of patience) to view geo-blocked websites for free. However, I just tried Browsec and VeePN. On one blocked website VeePN failed to open it.

Have you tried a Panasonic Repair Centre? I've taken all sorts of things electrical and electronic (all makes of course). Once they told me the fix was simply a clip on a pipe that needed pushing back on. They didn't charge for that and they wouldn't accept a tip either.

When you're on police bail i.e. following arrest, questioning and then released to return to the police station on a particular day pending the decision whether to either take no further action, issue a police caution or to charge you (prosecute) the police are not permitted to sieze your passport. If the guy was certain he was going to be charged and looking at a substantial sentence, then is the time to flee the Country.

I would try to get a second opinion. My local general dentist told me I needed either an extraction or root canal, post and crown. Filling was not possible. I opted for the crown. As she didn't do them she referred me to a specialist dentist friend in the next larger town. He took a look and said "I can fill this". Resolved very easily. Proved totally satisfactory. On the other hand, I had five gold crowns fitted (without root canals) 50 years ago. Only had a problem with one of them that developed a root infection. I opted for extraction.

Rented an economical apartment on the Dark Side for a while. Quiet Soi yet had a couple of Western style bars, Thai/Western restaurants and a Gentleman's club nearby. Massage with options too. Don't drive and don't do physical activities. 40 baht moto taxi into Central Pattaya where I spent approx. 50% of my time. This was pre-Covid. Unfortunately, my favourite bar/cafe/restaurant on LK Metro has been repurposed and also a great restaurant on Soi Lengkee now appears to be a shadow of it's former self.

Two year's with Surf Shark. Never failed to connect or unblock geo-blocked websites. Use on Windows (XP and 7), Linux, iPhones and Android mobiles. Sent an email to their Customer Services the other week and it was answered within an hour. Great service.

Think we got about average when my brother-in-law was cremated.

'Cremains' seems to be the usual terminology. Not sure whether that applies to the charred bone fragments we receive in Thailand though. Western crematoria have cremulators that use ball bearings to grind down the bone fragments.

There are defintely regional differences. In Portugal mausoleums are popular. The rich having stone built ones, the poor wooden ones and the modern ones are UPVC of course. They may not be all huge but there is definitely a cost involved. In South America ossury cemeteries are popular, the family rent a compartment for the coffin which slides in lengthwise. When the rent runs out the coffin is extracted and the bones placed in numbered wooden boxes on racks in the cemetery storeroom. A much more economical and space saving method but some would say disrespectful to the deceased.

Good point! They are the only remains and they are of a human so maybe the term is correct in that sense? From a hygiene point of view I know which sort I prefer. A relative of my mother-in-law was cremated on Saturday. Her preferred temple is new and the crematorium yet to be built. The lady was cremated 'al fresco' style. My Mrs complained it was too smoky.

Interesting to ponder. I read somewhere that cremated remains should not be scattered nor kept in an urn at home. The reason being that everyone should be given the opportunity to 'venerate' the deceased.

Thank you for your concern. Upon second thoughts it could be something else other than low blood glucose. I will get it investigated now.

Doctor wanted to admit me to hospital for tests. My Mrs refused because it wasn't 'convenient'. Perhaps better to change the Mrs!

It was the best the hospital doctor could do at the time. I'd 'hit the deck' with a blood glucose reading of 42. No previous history of anything diabetic related. He wanted to admit me for tests but my Mrs refused because it wasn't 'convenient'. Testing myself regularly since and the readings are always fine as they are at annual medicals.

Thank you for the clarification. No doubt court fees will be payable by the organisation seeking permission plus it would also incurr them administrative costs in preparing their application. Interesting that if someone had many CCJ's for the same orgainsation they might decide to make a physical visit once the total balance reached a certain amount instead of merely instructing a firm of solicitors to send out a letter. I must look further into this!

If HDD is fried he won't be able to boot. Are we saying that the HDD is an external?

The meter reader must know that it isn't necessary to print and leave your bill each month? That's sophisticated!

Providing you are billed by the Provincial Waterworks Authority.

It simply means the experiences of others may be different... Many thanks. I didn't make the connection either.