soleddy

I stayed with gay friends. It was no different there being gay, bi or straight. Gays have a slight advantage because there were a few guys on chats like Grindr who wanted company.. Three days in Pitlock were worse than 3 days in Udon, where there used to be 2 or 3 mixed drinking bars like Tongs. With Covid, I guess nothing is open yet.

Eddy

You could be right. My last two were done by an agent, precisely because I lost patience with the daft 90 day reporting. My guess is that she uses Thai messengers to take in sackloads.

Eddy

Once again Im doing the online correctly, scrolling down to SUBMIT box and ticking it.

Then I get the same box telling me to "Contact my local office".

This goes on 8 times a day, What I am I doing wrong? No, I haven't changed passport or left BKK for 3 years. My Mac has tried with Chrome and Safari.

Eddy

On the usual site Im getting the same as above "Contact your local Imm O...." on my Mac.

I tried Chrome and Safari.

There is no known reason eg new passport.

I still have 12 days to go, so I will plod on.

Eddy

ps As usual, its unclear if manual in-person 90 day is still at MTT or back at CW. Anyone know? I read here that the appt. system is down, so maybe get in line at 8.30?

pps Many years ago one could do the 90 day (but nothing complex) at Chamchuri Square. There was also one year when I did it at Lad Prao 82, where the Burmese have to go. Are any of these still possible?

Eddy

I went there to stay with friends last year. There were no farang bars but we found one large steak and wine place...quality and prices decent. There were a couple of clubs catering for a younger Thai crowd...loud and Thai.

Most of the main road to the town centre was being re-done, which was a pain. Taxis seemed to be rare, and my friend advised calling by phone.

I chose a 4-star hotel that looked nice at first (on Agoda) but the balcony of our suite was badly neglected, with a bird's nest and dead birds in situ. The suite was nicely done, with a hot tub and minibar. Breakfast was typical: fried eggs (tepid), cheap bacon and fly lice.

The main mall had a Lotus or Big C and a Robinsons. With the obligatory food court, one could have been in Korat (which does have some drinking bars) or any big town. There is a nice temple, but after 17 years here I have seen enuf temples and malls selling nylon socks in towns like Pitlock.

Eddy

Aree is nice, and we were there 7 years.

Then, saw a full detached house with 2-car garage, garden in a quiet lane near Sutthisan,  cheaper than Nana etc condos. Still in perfect peace after 10 y. No problem cos my clubbing days are long gone.

NEVER buy. You might get fed up in a few years. Or you wake up to a new tower block looking down...there are no planning regs here, just fat brown envelopes. Also, people don't buy like the UK or USA. Posh Thais buy new, poor Thais just live in shanties. You can't sell.

Eddy

As mentioned earlier in this topic, I had one AZ but was then emailed by another place to get a Pfizer (I did so, in just under 4 weeks later). As with others on here, I need to travel, so presumably I need one card showing 2 shots of the same brand. I get my second PF next week.

However, because of the long wait until AZ 2, I don't get this until late October. I will have had 4 injections in 4 months. A friend says 1 AZ and 2 PF is quite enough, and that I should cancel the second AZ. From the prison research, people have been given a whole vial of 6/7 shots with no problem, by mistake.

One person here has questioned my personal morals, but on reading this app it seems that most people on here have had up to 4 shots, and some are even discussing a booster.

Has anyone faced this dilemma before, or do any virologists read this chat? There may be no need for an AZ as number 4?

Eddy

I heard a rumour that Bab is moving to Chiang Mai. Is it fake news?

Anyone been to the newish place called Krubb. Seems to be some kind of community centre with sauna attached!

Is Underground 39 open again? And the Aree Soi 4 place?

Eddy

When I went for PF after AZ nobody asked me anything (except the usual about the 7 conditions). I figured that the central computers would wave a red flag--nil.

Ask no questions..............etc

Eddy

Be careful of any "promises" of future Moderna or other imports. I have read about late or non-arrival of some shots. You will have your cash returned but with apologies. This problem now seems to be improving compared with six months ago.

With all of the vaccines there has been profit-taking and over- or under-ordering on the part of senior officials and very wealthy families. I do not wish to recount what I know, as I will risk being deleted. It has been badly-managed. Much of the rioting has been because poorer or geographically undermined Thais were fobbed off with two low-end shots and now find that their resistance is only 50pc. They will all need boosters, ASAP or early next year. The fuss could have been averted 18 months ago by official research-based purchasing and numerical planning. Many Thais are calling the future of this government into question.

Eddy

I have had this mixture AZ then PF in 2 famous hospitals in BKK. Spanish and Canadian research, unlike Thai proclamations, suggests that mixing is actually GOOD and can lead to 98pc resistance even to Delta. Frau Merkel knew this and she mixed (OK this super-intelligent lady is a Doctor of Physics or Engineering, I forget).

The secret is spacing. As with PF, the gap between mixed shots (according to Spanish research on 600 folk) must be at minimum 4 weeks. Because of hospital bookings clerks, my "gap" was 3.5 weeks, and I don't want it to get tighter. I had no serious effects from either, and I am looking forward to my next PF next week. It is not my intention to defraud the USA donors of PF, although I was actually sent an email INVITING me to have  the two PF.

One corollary of my experience is to prove that Thai computers do not speak to each other. There was nothing to stop me from booking a PF 12 hours after AZ, a very foolish gambit...but I do have professional experience in medical matters, and I was happy to follow Frau Merkel and the non-Thai research in order to reach, I hope, 98pc safety.

Those of us who follow variants are interested to note that a new one is arising in South Africa, known as C.1.2. The WHO is tracking it but, at the moment, it is not of "major concern". At the moment.

Eddy

At 60 I duly retired from teaching and obtained my retirement extension.

I am unmarried with no kids.

I have a full UK will with a large UK Law Firm. Apart from nieces and brothers and two EU friends, my Thai Ex (male) is also a beneficiary.

As a Thai, he has pointed out that in the event of my demise, the SCB bank keeps my money unless I can get it out, or if I have a fatal accident. He is not sure that the 800,000b is covered by my UK will, even though it is part of my estate.

In the event of my demise I have suggested that the Thai friend and my brother march into the SCB with my cremation paper and my UK will. My friend, as a Buddhist, tells me that as a box of ashes, Thai law says I have no need of the 800k and the bank may decide to keep it.

Does anyone know the procedure to be followed if I have no family but I am cremated here?

Thx

Eddy

The speed of postal service is moribund.

I had been waiting for an ATM card for eight weeks. I think they must be sending by ship. I have checked with my bank: there is no evidence of theft or fraud. Ive asked for another to be sent.

I am also waiting four week for a normal family letter.

Can I blame Covid for everything?

Eddy

as a patient here l phoned 2 days ago to book a paid Moderna course in October 

I was told the reservation 

list was complete 

I am now, like most people, completely confused .

does anyone know where I can book this with TRUST, or book for AZ if not?

I live in Lad Prao: understandably I don’t want to fly to Udon 

it seems that there is no way to turn.

I an a pensioner with 2 of the 7 illnesses 

eddy

Last week at CW (Bkk) for 90 day reporting:

Arrived 08.45, got out 14.30. I was ticket number 221.

I can't do on my Mac. My fault.

Why anyway? Stalinesque control-freakery. Where else do you have to report every 90 days? N. Korea? Most countries manage fine with checking passport in and out + hotel occupants submission. In Malaysia you get 3 months (free) and only see IO at the airport...then vanish for 3 months.

The rescue of the cave boys was highly specialised and the Thais alone could not do it. My brother is ex-RN submarine officer and cave -diver top trainer, who, with his wife (also diver) has opened a cave-diving centre in Mexico. He knew one of the 3 brits who led the thing. I tried to persuade him to come over and join the lead team, but he was too far and too busy. But he did explain to me how hard it was. An Australian Navy doctor had to give all of the boys a sedative injection so as not to panic as they lay on special stretchers to be pulled through the narrow parts of the caves, submerged and in complete blackness. Very scary whether you are 14 0r 40.

Eddy  

Try Lansoprazole. I find it to be as good or better than Nexium for long-time-bad-stomach or gastritis from drinking.

Of course, some people prefer nexium. I did before I tried L.

Eddy

Have you ever been in Main Street, Gibraltar when 1 or 2 RN submarines have docked? If you are worried about your bottom, don't go within 5 miles of a certain bar where anything goes, animal or vegetable.

Have you ever been in Poole when the Marines have a night off? Same applies. I used to know a pair of very hard marines, one in special forces for a time. They were a very loving male couple.

The "angry of Pattaya" armchair brigade just make me titter. Titter-ye-not. All true.

Eddy

A lot of drivel above.

Viagra (Sildenafil) was made by Roche or some other Big Pharma but is now off-patent. The Thai Government Pharmacy Agency makes it officially as Sidegra 50mg=small blue diamond, 100mg=larger diamond.

I buy it myself for 200b a box of 4 large pills, and my cardiologist (a Professor) allows me to have it.

All this about a woody for 10 hours is nonsense. It works 90% of the time when you are stimulated first. If you are sat on the bus reading the football results, it will not work. Just occasionally you will get hard (as I do when I see that Arsenal are improving again), mainly for no reason.

I have been using it 2-3 times a week for four years. If you are a newbie, take 50mg first (or half a large tablet) and see how you get on (pardon the pun!)--you can take another half when you know your date is "for sure". You should avoid using amyl at the same time (we are told) although I and many others have always used the two together. Seems to do wonders at flushing my stent through.

Eddy

My question is regarding the 800,000 for retirement extn. I have used the regular embassy letter for about 8 yrs. I have differing opinions re. how early this 800,000b should be placed in the bank. One opinion is 3 months before the due visit. Another guy told me that 3 months is first-timers only and that old hands can place in the bank 2 months before. Further question: my bank is SCB in city centre (near my old job). I believe I have to show a letter certifying that they have my money. Do I need to get the letter from the actual branch? (I don't live there now). My friend banks with BKK Bank far from CW but he pops downstairs and gets his letter at CW the same day (even though it costs 200b). Also--Can I keep the 800,000 there for 12 months, or must I spend 400,000 after 4 months. I'm confused. Thx.

Loceryl liquid is like a nail varnish which is transparent but contains an anti-fungal. It comes like a kit, in a box with emery sticks, swabs and applicators. It is expensive (French import) although has a good reputation. You only need to put it on weekly.

Every pharmacy I know, has never heard of it, but I get it from my dermatologist or from Dr Cherdpong the foot specialist.

Loprox I find to be useless. It also turns the nail yellow. I have heard about vinegar, although the derm doctor says it is no good as a cure.

A Thai friend owns a shop which caters for Chinese coach parties (they buy certain types of candy, Hello Kitty rubbish and cheap liquor such as 100 Pipers--and worse). The drivers are paid 300b to stop at this particular shop.

My friend says that he has his sister as the store detective, because there are light fingers.

However, the main problem is that most do not spend or buy anything. However, if a hotel buffet is "free", it vanishes like a biblical plague of locusts has flown by.

I do not understand why the Tourism Dept works flat out to get the chinese crocodiles in. I suppose somebody worked out that 100,000 Mainland Chinese will spend as much as 5,000 fast-vanishing westerners. Now, we hear that 10 million Indians will arrive before 2030. Anybody who has been to Pattaya can tell you that Indians (except the Bollywood Billionaires) haggle over everything and usually walk away without buying--it's like a sport, or an art-form (I too have lived in Mumbai and Delhi).

Tusk and Juncker are crapping themselves because without the UK it will be the beginning of the end. Other people, especially the Italians, are also gagging to escape this expensive club.

How do the agencies do it? They cannot "lend" you 800,000 for 3 months--can they??