The Fugitive

The best driver I know is a lady schoolteacher friend of my Mrs. She's only 4 feet 4 inches tall! The other day she reversed her Toyoto Vios into the space we'd left outside my Mrs's shop in one manoeuvre. I couldn't believe how she could judge that the space was big enough let alone reverse into it in one go. I had to find a six inch ruler to measure the gaps. There were 5 inches at the front and 7 inches at the rear.

That is my greatest fear. We only have the basic 600 baht motor insurance. If I or my wife caused a moto rider to suffer a brain injury requiring treatment and care for the remainder of their life we would really be in trouble. Plus, I'd never forgive myself.

People become totally switched off from reality when driving. That seems to be an unfortunate fact wherever you are.

Couldn't agree more!

True. I was totally thinking heart attack or hypo glycaemic episode.

I haven't driven for 10 years. I only have a U.K. driving licence. No interest in obtaining a Thai one. Lack confidence and fear the repercussions should I injure or kill anyone.

Thanks for reminding me. My Mrs chooses her glasses from market stalls. I doubt she has ever had an eye examination involving testing pressure and taking photographs of the eyeball.

Think you are correct. The guy was well to the left, sort of emerging from between parked vehicles.

To be fair, my Mrs can spot a parking space where I can't see one. Then manoeuvre into it when I wouldn't even attempt it. Sounds as if you can expect a vet's bill and to gain another pet. At least the bill will be less than back home! Good on your Mrs for taking responsibility.

Good to know for buying reconditioned. Many thanks!

Thanks for that. Good to know before I start fiddling!

The other evening with my Thai Mrs driving (as always) I said to her; "At least you didn't run him over". She replied "who, what are you talking about?". I told her there was a guy crawling across the road. She said she hadn't seen him. I asked her if she wasn't going to stop so we could offer assistance if necessary? However, 'the lady wasn't for turning'. Two points; if she wasn't watching the road ahead what was she watching? She must have assumed that the guy was 'under the influence' and/or someone else would notice and stop. The road was well lit and there were several vehicles behind us. I'll admit I'm hopeless in emergencies but if I could speak Thai I would have called the First Responders. Definite lack of concern IMHO.

Something has definitely changed, at least at my IO. A different squad leader this year for sure. Previously, I've elected for the VIP service where you rang for an appointment, gave them your photocopies and sat on the chair for 5 seconds only for the deskcam photo. They did the TM7 completion for you and there was no nonsense about signing every photostat page or finding extra things to make you run about.

They like to keep us 'on our toes'. Did mine yesterday too. Although I had removed the last 90 day report confirmation (I've been home so it didn't apply) the squad leader didn't query it nor did she request a bank statement on this or on future occasions. What she did do was unstaple both my 'Receipts of Notification Of Address Changes' dated 2017 and 2018 and told me to go get photocopies of these. Something never previously requested. I can't think of any valid reason why these photocopies would be relevant to today's application for retirement extension?