Al BB

2 hours ago, El Matador said:

Well there is no retirement visa and the possibility to get unlimited tourism ou business visa is gone. Before Covid you could stay as long as you want without leaving if you paid an agent to extend.

They are discussing new possible visas as they didn't recover tourism to precovid levels. I expect the visa situation to improve in the near future.

 

Da Nang is damn cheap for accomodation and food. There is an airport to visit other cities or countries which is nice.

The beach is nice and it is one of the cleanest cities in Vietnam. Better than Saigon in that regard. And people are friendly.

 

I wouldn't compare it to Pattaya. People go to Pattaya for ladies bars. Da Nang is a place to have a proper girlfriend.

And you only have 2 main streets with activities. The beach one and the one in front of the river. Apart from these 2, there isn't much, although you can still go to Hoi An. The weather can change quite a lot too in this part of Vietnam. Regarding corruption, it is high in Vietnam.

As long as you don't treat with the Vietanmese administration you'lll be fine but they can be a pain in the ass to deal with. This is why you often prefer paying agents who have "connections".

My wife and I were there last month, and pretty much agree with all you said., Traffic is noisy, as they are "horn" happy (Could get you shot here! ) and I wonder where all the "Soi Dogs" 🐕 are ? We liked it.

"the investigation is believed to conclude within a week.".............Some things get done quickly here...others take years!

1 hour ago, AAArdvark said:

Does the government offer any sort reasoning?

The GOVT can afford it! I have posted elsewhere on here, The National Insurance Fund Investment Account (NIFIA) stands at 87.65 BILLION GBP as at February this year. The (ESTIMATED ) Cost to bring us 500,000 to Parity would be 870 Million GBP.

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Did he have an escort?

We did it (once)  in just over 2 Hours leaving at 5.30am , we live near Central Rama 2. Normally about 3 and a half hours.

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This construction project had been going on for how long? 16 years? And they are only to km. 36. I estimate 20 years to go. So, how will they finish by next iear, unless they just abandon the project? 

Started about 50 Years ago, (Widening the road) I live Chom Thong just off Rama 2. Effing Nightmare!

21 hours ago, Crossy said:

Dealing with the "AI" bots that some online providers use is actually more likely to drive me to (more) drink!

 

Let me just crack another Chang

 

 

 

Just had a day of it, in the end the bots have to pass it on to human being! Cheers!!

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

WTF is going on between this lot, seems something is brewing and I don't like it. 

My thoughts too, whatever it is, I'm pretty sure it will it be good for the Shins, but will it be good for the "Good of the Country"? 

2 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

The baggage is the big kicker. It costs more than the passenger. I would avoid Phuket this season just to avoid the taxi thieves and drunk Russians.

Yes ! I checked for 25th Feb one way (Nokair 1599 Baht) and then start adding and adding and adding! ....Not been to Phuket since 2015 for the very same reasons.

8 minutes ago, Al BB said:

Around 3pm with ALPHAMED BP Monitor.

For this excerise , My BP today at 14.30 Hrs is 125 Sys/73Pul.

1 minute ago, georgegeorgia said:

Daily?

Do you do this at a specific time of day ?

Around 3pm with ALPHAMED BP Monitor.

I take Amlodipine, and I record my BP Daily. 

6 hours ago, peter zwart said:

Typical Thai reaction. They really can't handle anything. Easily offended in their ego at the slightest thing. If they had a bit more upstairs (brains), they would have dealt with this in a mature way. And if you have a good communication department, you can build a lot of goodwill in a case like this. But not in this immature manner.

No wonder its 40th on the (Skytrax) list of 100 Airlines!

5 hours ago, damian said:

Untouchable is correct.

 

I'm afraid street protests, foot stamping by the opposition, even elections wont budge this guy (or his clan) from the position he has slithered himself (and them) into. Hun Senesque.

 

He has platinum level membership status to the inner circle now and is ring fenced by the elite. 

 

The final part of the deal is to extend the senators - forever.

 

Sad, truly sad.

Excellent Post, and so true Re the 250 (Unelected) Senators.

I have Type 1 Insurance; Bike ran into the back of me last Saturday, Young guy not paying attention. When the Insurance guy turned up, it was all was sorted in 20 Minutes. The young guy didnt have any  insurance and had to Pay 7000 Baht to my Insurance Co. Insurance guy asked if I wanted him to pay for my car being off the road for 3 days. As with the OP I let him off. Car being repaired at Main Dealers next week. 

20 minutes ago, jacey said:

can it be printed in color? each photo has to be A4 size. for example, if you have 4 photos each has to be in A4 size or all 4 photos on A4 paper?

I do 6 Photos, 2 to a Page (A4) in Colour on Copy Paper., and never had any issues.  Outside House, Dining Room, Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen and on Stairs ( I have never presented Photos on Photo Paper glued to A4 Paper)

I bought a bag of "HAPPY PRICE" at BigC  (Reduced to 89Baht /Kg) and they cooked up pretty well in the Air Fryer. Had street Party on Saturday and the Thais, and me, Loved em.

Tried loads of different "brands" will stick with these now for sure.

8 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

 

TMI Why don't they just say her name?

 

 

So much for Thailands protection of Personal Data LMAO !!

Im calling this a load of Poo Poo !  We stayed in Bankrut and our Resort was 50% Occupied when we arrived on the 29th. NEVER in our 6 day stay did it exceed 50% and,  I might add,  that there were ony 4 (Farang) couples, the rest were locals. These local only stayed one night as well. Some resorts closed early due to low/no Bookings, as for Restaurants etc must have been dire for them! We were there in June at a friends funeral and it seemed busier then!

3 hours ago, bob smith said:

Lower your prices a bit then more people will buy!!!

 

economics 101.

Nice one Bob! Maybe they should try that model, instead of putting prices UP when business is bad! .......Import Duty on Wine needs looking at too......300% (?) These sort of Duty rates are used in other countries to protect their own Industries/Products. Not sure how big the Thai Wine Industry is, but for sure Monsoon Winery Prices are about the same as Imported,  from what I have seen in their Hua Hin outlet. 

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

How many do you see taking a dump on the sidewalk? 

 

 On my way to my local mom & pop recently,  a local stopped, whipped his kecks down, and <deleted> on the pavement (Sidewalk). Dirty Bastard!

20 hours ago, Sheryl said:

You do nto bneed a prescription.

 

There is no locally made generic for the single pill combo of amlodopine+valsdartan, only brands are Amval and  is Exforge, both imported.  You can get Exfordge  online from:

https://bangkokdrugstore.com/product/exforge-5160-mg-14s/ 

https://bangkokdrugstore.com/product/exforge-10160-mg-14s/

Under 1,000 baht for 28 tabs

 

Might also ask here, use their Messenger function  https://medisafepharma.com/

 

Both are very reliable pharmacies that deliver.

 

If you want to save even more money ask your doctor if you can switch to Losartan (same drug class as valsartan) and amlodipine and take them separately. Both come in very, very cheap local brands. 80 mg of valsartan is equivalent to 50 mg losartan.

 

 

 

 

Thank you Sheryl.

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

Never buy meds from hospital pharmacy, much cheaper from local pharmacies.

I agree ! Strange that my 4 (Local) Pharmacies don't stock it though. Next visit I will ask for a Prescription. Maybe there is a "generic" equivalent. 

28 minutes ago, ignis said:

Been taking High B P Med's for over 30 years, suddenly started dropping. Dr reduced  Losartan 100mg per day to 50 mg in Feb. last week reduced them again to 25 mg per day

 

Age 74, last week at Hospital reading 109/61..........  take at home every day anyway, next appointment end Jan

What Meds are you on , if you don't mind me asking? I have been put on Amlodipine/Valsartan since June of this year and my BP has been in "normal" range ever since. (High was 175/90 as an example).

I do monitor it daily. Age 80 and next visit to cardiologist is Feb. One thing is the Cost of the above, 130 Tabs cost B8,737.00 at the Hospital.