Terry2905

Hi guys. Collected my car. Thankfully the taxi took me to the right garage. I have only had a brief chance to look at the broken gear selector cable, and as has been mentioned, it was only a bush that had totally disintegrated! But the Suzuki policy is obviously to replace the whole cable assembly. Total cost was 2,043 baht. I don't think they have done a perfect job though? The gear selector lever position does not align very well! Internally, drive looks like neutral! But of course I know what gear the car is in, from the dashboard display. The important thing is that it works! Terry

Hi guys. The car is fixed. I will pick it up tomorrow. I don't know who called me today, but they spoke perfect English, so I guess it was the head office? It was the gear selector cable that was broken. I noticed comments about why I bought a suzuki, when there are no suzuki garages in Pattaya? There used to one on sukhumvit road, and I had it serviced 3 times there. I received a message a couple of years ago from Suzuki ITOA, to bring my car for a service. I went to the Suzuki garage, only to find that it was now a Mercedes garage! After a few phone calls, Suzuki told me that they had moved to Sri Racha. After calling AXA, they told me that the Suzuki garage in Sri Racha has now permanently closed! They also told me that the Suzuki production plant has also shut down! It looks like Suzuki are going down the same route as Chevrolet? But Chevrolet car owners were lucky that Ford have taken over service and repair of Chevrolet cars. Of course I am not going to take my car all that way for service! I am hoping that places like Cockpit can service a Suzuki? I think I have covered the questions that all you guys have replied? Anyway, a lot of you were actually correct in saying that it most likely a gear selector cable that was broken, as I had thought, but the garage had initially told me, in very broken English, that it was a throttle cable! I think they were using a translator, which mixed up gear as throttle! Tomorrow could be an adventure, trying to find my car! Bolt didn't recognise the garage, but grab did, so fingers crossed that I get taken to where my car is! Thanks again everyone for all your help and information. Terry

Hi guys. Thank you all for all your advice. I have good news. I eventually contacted the Suzuki head office, and they have told me that the new spare part has arrived at the garage, and the car will be fixed. It may be today, but guaranteed by Friday. Now to try and calm down, LOL! Thanks again to all of you. Terry

Yes. That is the garage that AXA has taken my car to. Thanks

Thanks for the very quick reply. My own thoughts that it was most likely to be a broken gear selector cable. But I know that the throttle cable is connected to the gearbox. Of course I can only go on the information that the Suzuki main garage have told me. I did have both AXA roadside assistance to translate, and the condo manager also helped. I am at a loss to know that a Suzuki main dealer have no personel that can speak English! I am also partially disabled with peripheral neuropathy, which made matters worse! Even the pick up driver couldn't speak English. It should have taken 30 minutes for him to come, which AXA had arranged, but I eventually found out that he went to the wrong address. I had to wait over 3 hours for him to arrive! Thanks to the condo owner, he eventually came! I actually don't know which garage he has taken my car to! All I know is that it is a Suzuki main dealer, about 150km away from Pattaya! That of course makes things worse, because that is a long way away, and the taxi fare to where I assume it is, is about 1,500 baht! 3,000 baht round trip! I would have liked to see the broken cable. Of course I note your comments, about the common problems with the Suzuki CVT gear shift, but it seems that the throttle cable has 2 connections, 1 to the throttle and 1 to the gearbox, all monitored by the TCM and ECM. Suzuki will have been able to see any fault codes. Anyway! I just have to nervously wait to see if I have just lost my 250,000 baht car! My anxiety is through the roof! I just have to hope that the Suzuki garage can obtain a new cable! India would be an obvious choice, because the Maruti Suzuki is very popular car there. Fingers and toes crossed, even though I can't actually cross my toes, because my peripheral neuropathy effects my feet and toes, which are numb and very painful! Yes I can drive, even with numb feet and toes, but I take medication to relieve that, when I know when I need to use the car. Sorry for rambling on. I will know more when the garage contact me. Thanks for your reply.

Hi everyone. Posting this late at night, because I can't sleep due to extreme anxiety! My Suzuki Ciaz suffered from a mechanical breakdown, namely it got stuck in reverse gear. The gear selector would move, but it would not select any other gears, and the dash only displayed R. I have comprehensive insurance with AXA, which included free roadside assistance. I called them and they sent a pick up truck, and they took the car to their preferred garage. Unfortunately, the Suzuki garage staff don't speak English! AXA spoke to them, explaining the issue. I have received a call from the garage, but communication was almost impossible, but it appears to be a broken throttle cable? I believe they asked me if I wanted them to order a new part, which I said yes to. Now comes the worrying part! It appears that a replacement throttle cable is unavailable, so the car can't be repaired! Now I am only guessing that the Suzuki garage would be able to scrap the car, but I have no idea about paperwork requirements, or how much I would be offered? I am also guessing that AXA would not pay anything, as it was not accident related! Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated. Regards. Terry

Yes. I worked in Saudi as an aircraft engineer. Outside temperature would get up to over 50C. After flight inspection was crazy! The aircraft would build up heat when flying, through friction. It was impossible to stand still to inspect suspected leaks or loose panels. I did it once, and my shoe soles melted! 110% humidity also! Too hot for it to form into rain. Had to change overalls 6 times a day! Here in Pattaya, the car OAT shows 39C.

Thank you for your kind concern. I was going to return to the UK, but my previous local gp has refused even emergency treatment! I actually did book a flight, and 3 weeks hotel, which I have cancelled, because I am unable to fly! I have bipolar, and only just found out that it is extremely dangerous to fly with bipolar. Living rough in the streets of Blackpool doesn't appeal to me! Yes I know that I could get emergency shelter, but with the constant diarrhea from the cancer, how would I manage? Yeah, wear nappies is an option! Anyway, I will go to a Thai government hospital, if I can afford all the tests involved for a prognosis. 1st thing would be a colonoscopy, which will have to be done under a general anaesthetic, due to scar tissue from a previous operation. I had a colonoscopy done 2 years ago,following a heart stent operation, and the pain was excruciating! The oncologist advised me that any future colonoscopy should be done under general anaesthetic, which will be expensive. I have very limited savings, so I don't know if I will be able to afford even the tests to find out how bad my cancer is! Life has been cruel to me. I have a very good heart, and I will take that thought with me to my grave. Thank you again for replying, with sympathy. Regards. Terry

I have just been diagnosed in Thailand with cancer. I looked into returning to the UK for treatment, which I can't afford to pay for in Thailand, but my local gp placed me on an 18 month waiting list to see an oncologist! Emergency ambulance response time has gone up enormously! The local Blackpool council told me to live rough on the streets! And yes I am British and paid all my NI and taxes. But refugees get put up in 5 star hotels and given money! I agree that the UK has lost all it's morals!

Hi everyone. I have come to the conclusion that rules out bed bugs, or diabetes, I tested myself for diabetes, and the mmol was normal, at 6.5. I have ruled out bed bugs, because I have in the past experienced bed bug bites, which covered my legs and torso, on the side I always sleep on. And that was an awful lot of very small bites, but very uncomfortable and itchy. The following night I slept on my opposite side, and next morning, the side I had slept on was covered in lots of bites, exactly the same. I was staying in a hotel in the Philippines, and they changed the mattress, and I didn't have any further problems. I have noticed mosquito in my room, and I have had 3 more bites on the back of my legs, even though I have not been out anywhere where any critters may be. I sit/lie on my left side, but all the bites have been on the right side of my legs, which rules out bed bugs, because they bite on the side you lie on? The antihistamine cream has helped, although the rashes still remain, but slowly improving. My personal conclusion is that it is mosquito bites, but the bad reaction could be due to the fact that I have to take blood thinner medication, so I bleed and bruise easily. I do appreciate all the responses, which helps me to rule out the cause of my discomfort. I am so tired from lack of sleep! I have tried Tiger balm, but that did absolutely nothing to help. I think it is time to close this post, but I appreciate all your input. Thank you all. 🙏

Hi. Thanks for the feedback. Yes it could be The other photos that novacova also posted do look identical to what I am suffering with. I 1st had the problem after flying model aircraft, near to Huai Chak Nok, but other members at the model flying club have not experienced the same symptoms. Pharmacy gave me antihistamine cream, which has calmed things down. I do take occasional diabetes tests, and it has always been negative. I will check for diabetes again tomorrow morning, but a diabetes rash is normally not itchy, and normally only effects the shins! Of course I am extremely tired, because the itching keeps me from sleeping. Yes, if it persists for more than 2 weeks, a visit to a dermatologist is what is recommended. But the antihistamine cream is definitely helping, and it has been only 3 days since I very suddenly had this problem. Of course I have been bitten by normal mosquito many times, but I never had this bad reaction! It is a bit of a mystery! After applying the antihistamine cream to the initial areas, I have not been to the model flying club site, but today I have 3 new, very itchy bites on the back of my legs, near the thigh. Something inside my condo room maybe that keeps attacking me, although I have not seen anything apart from some mosquito! If it had not been the the fact that I an feel a lump in the areas on my legs only, I would suspect cancer? Bed bugs? I really don't know! All I know is that I am in distress, with what appears to be insect bites!! I have appreciated all your replies.

Hi everyone. I am suffering badly from what seems to be mosquito bites, but I would welcome any feedback. I will try and upload some photos. Very itchy and inflammation.

Hi everyone. Thanks for all your comments and compassion. Both myself and the insurance company tried to talk with the condo owner, with no mutual resolution. The insurance company have told the condo owner that they have already assessed the damage, and that they will use their appointed engineers to repair the gate. He then apparently shouted at them, telling them that he wants a brand new gate, which the insurance company declined. 39,000 baht to repair, or 97,000 to make a new one! My car is being repaired, with a 5,000 baht excess deduction, which I am fine with. I don't know what is in the condo lease, because it is only in Thai, but I am pretty sure that it is a standard lease, with the initial 1 year minimum, and monthly payments after that. I have no idea why he wants to evict me, but other long term staying tenants have told me that the condo owner does have a short fuse and there have been numerous arguments with him. Yes, the advice to move is the best option, because, for reasons unknown to me, he wants me out. I have found another place with 1 ground floor room, with a lot of help from friends. The location is far from ideal, but it is a large condo area, and looks very well maintained. There are many other farang that have stayed there for years, which is a good sign. I have peripheral neuropathy in my legs, which only limits how far I can walk, but I have no issues with driving or riding a motorbike. Of course I am not happy with the inconvenience and expense of being forced to move, but TIT! Living on only a UK pension, I don't have the funds to employ a lawyer, and that would probably only inflame the condo owners anger, which is something I don't want to live with. The new condo is very large, with no shops nearby, so I will be totally reliant on using the motorbike or car for daily shopping. I am not wheelchair bound, but a ground floor room suits me, and my peripheral neuropathy may get worse, eventually needing wheelchair access. The neurologist has told me that it is a 50/50 chance, and I am following his guidance of daily vitamin b12 injections, and swimming and as much exercise within my limits. The new condo does have a nice swimming pool, well within easy walking distance, which may help me with my peripheral neuropathy. The current condo does have a small swimming pool, but it is usually either dark green or black, which has dettered me from using it! And yes, that is because the current condo owner doesn't maintain it! Obviously I can't mention names, due to forum rules, but my current condo was in an ideal location in central Pattaya, but the new condo is behind 2nd road in Jomtien. At a guess, I think that the current condo owner got extremely upset about a recent police report, after I was attacked at knife point and robbed, which I of course reported that incident to the police, but I do know that the police did tell the current condo owner why he had no security! Bar girls come and go as they please, with no security checks. Thanks again to all of you who have sympathetically replied.

Hi everyone. I have lived in my current condo for more than 6 years, with no issues. Last week, I had a car accident, when my foot slipped off the brake pedal onto the accelerator pedal. I hit the main condo rear gate, causing minor damage. The condo owner has told me to vacate the condo. It was a simple accident, but I don't know my legal rights! The car has comprehensive insurance, and the insurance company has talked with the condo owner, and the gate will be repaired. But the condo owner wants a new gate fitted. Does he have the legal right to evict me? Of course it places me in a very difficult situation. I am partially disabled, but if I move, I have a mountain to climb! Finding another condo in the Pattaya area, with wheelchair access, within my meagre UK pension, is a minefield! Of course I will also have to change bank account details, both locally and in the UK, change my Thai driving licence details, change my immigration details and all my other address details. The list is endless! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

So why has the exchange rate plummeted? I "lost" about 3,000 baht this month from my UK pension!

It was a 2 page questionnaire, and I declared everything since childhood. It was not deliberate. I did not declare a mental health problem, because I have never been diagnosed with a definite answer. But my undiagnosed potential mental health issues, from the psychological doctor in Bangkok hospital, varied from anxiety, to depression, and even possibly bipolar. But I was never actually diagnosed with any official mental health issues. So I didn't declare it on the questionnaire, because I have never been diagnosed with a mental health issue. I did declare my alcoholism. I did declare my recent stent operation. I even declared having a hemorrhoid removal operation 7 years ago. But yes, the questionnaire did say if I had visited a doctor within the last 10 years. I did not declare visiting the psychiatrist, because I was not diagnosed with any mental health issues. Why declare that I visited a doctor with a possible mental health issue, which was undiagnosed? We have all been through the process of going to see a doctor, when there was nothing actually wrong. In my 30 plus years of visiting Thailand, I have had 1 operation to remove a heammaroid. I declared everything to the insurance company, as far as I was concerned! 1 of the mind blonging question was if I had ever suffered a headache in 10 years! We all know that insurance companies will use any excuse not to pay!

Hi. It was nice to read a positive outcome. Some good news for a change. I wish you and your wife a long and happy future.

Yes. I accidentally ticked the wrong box in the 2 page questionnaire. I did appeal to the health insurance company, but the matter was never resolved. I have learned a lesson that the local insurance companies do have ful access to all your medical history.

Hi. It was not intended to be either misleading, and it was never a fabrication. I originally missed out a couple of probably salient points, which I hope I have corrected in my follow up post last night. Of course I have the mandatory 800,000 baht locked away in my Thai bank account, for my annual visa extension. I have never understood that legal requirement. But that is not unusual. I know that Portugal has a legal requirement for a resident visa for medical insurance. I have explored all my options. I apologise to you if you think I have been misunderstood. I am in a very difficult situation and it is not easy for me to fully disclose every single detail.

Yeah. You are right. No friends or relatives who give a damn.

Hi everyone. After I posted an update earlier today, and reading some of the latest replies, I will give a further update/review of my recent and current circumstances. The 2nd alcoholic rehabilitation centre that I attended in chiang mai, and not the 1st rehabilitation centre I attended in chiang rai, were excellent. They got me back on my feet, able to walk now unassisted. I am still suffering with extreme anxiety issues, which the local psychiatrist has not been able to help me with. I am on a very slow road to recovery. I don't know or understand when my acute alcoholism took over my life? 2 years ago I was extremely fit and healthy, going small dinghy sailing for 3 to 4 hours nearly every day. My Father passed away in April 2022, and 2 months later I was diagnosed with an 80% blocked heart main artery which needed an urgent stent. Of course I was unable to go sailing, which was my passion, and I guess I turned to drinking heavily at that point! It just crept up on me! I basically lost everything that I enjoyed doing, and lost the 1 remaining family member I had any contact with, which was my Father. My long term Thai g/f also left me at the same time. So it was a triple whammy in a very short space of time. So please be a little bit sympathetic with my circumstances

Hi. And who precisely would employ a 65 year old person, with physical and mental health issues?

Sorry, but I made a small error about the cost of alcohol rehabilitation centres in Thailand. It was actually 400,000 baht a month, but that was with a 50% special discount, in chiang mai. Normal price would have been 800,000 baht a month. I gave the total cost of alcohol rehabilitation, because I actually attended 2 alcohol rehabilitation centres. I know that I mentioned chiang rai, and that was the 1st centre I attended, which charged me 400,000 baht. It was an awful place with almost zero support, so I moved to another centre in chiang mai, who were excellent, but also charged me a discounted 400,000 baht. I will briefly mention that I did actually return to the UK 1st, on crutches due to the peripheral neuropathy caused by my alcoholism, unable to walk unassisted, and was turned away by the NHS. I returned to Thailand because the NHS refused to treat me. As far as your comment about using the money to do up my house in the UK is concerned, and rent it out again, I did explain in my previous post that the house is under a repossession order, so I can't rent it out!