LittleBear57

Last time i went to a bar in Thailand (not restaurant) was about 8 years ago in Bang Saray. I may have the odd beer in a restaurant, but don't go to bars unless they serve good food.

If I need to have 3mil bht in an account it's either an agent or off to another country. I would have no choice.

If it wasn't for the wife and kid, I would be off. Why? Pollution, air quality, really isn't healthy. It may not have an immediate effect but it is slowly killing you. Driving. So much is wrong here, Too much to mention except it's nearly always foreigners fault even when it clearly isn't. Which takes me on to the next issue. Corruption, it is everywhere. Dual pricing, it's the principle more than the cost. Medical care is quite expensive, not cheap except perhaps if you are a US citizen. If it's not expensive it's often poor. The heat and humidity is too much this time of year. I still eat bread , potatoes ,cheese and pasta etc. and these are not cheap at all by western standards. Don't know where you can get a meal for 1 US dollar starts around two here and that's at the markets, perhaps a few noodle shops are cheaper. Even beer and wine are more expensive here. Immigration is always an issue even if you have it all planned, never know what they will throw at you, next time. However I am still here and continue to try to make the most of Thailand which does have some benefits over the west. Cheap holiday accommodation I try and go away as often as possible.

Just done my visa renewal on retirement. It is busy and somewhat disorganised outside, hopefully that will improve. The guy who checks your documents was the same guy as last year efficient and good at his job. If you have your docs its done quickly 45 mins from going in to going out. However there was a guy who kept shouting at people outside at the entrance door to sit down and wear mask.

As a kid I remember the Mods v Rockers battles at all the major seaside resorts in England. Then we had the football hooligans knocking bits out of each other.

Adang isn't a particularly small island. However it is covered with scrub/jungle. The main trail is to the right looking inland which climbs upwards to three viewpoints. There are no streams unless it's raining. She must have left the trail as it's not marked well and slipped. I hope she is found very soon as there is little water around except what she hopefully was carrying. Once off the trail you would need a machete to hack through the scrub to get back to the shore which apart from the area around the ranger huts etc. is barren and not friendly. Yes I have climbed this hill, mountain almost. Hope she is found alive and well very soon.

Sounds a bit like the UK there.????

There are obviously good and relatively cheap hospitals around. However not it appears around Pattaya. Was hoping the new Jomtiem Hospital would fill that role but they are restricted by a small range of services.

Visited Phuket twice in 18 years. Finally went back whilst the pandemic was on and it was quite nice. Roads were busy enough without the tourists, can't imagine it being anything like that now with the tourists back using the mafia controlled transport and overpriced food and drink which was reduced generally by 10%. For me it's not special and there are better and much safer beaches in Krabi where the photo was taken. The north east is where I have to go with the missus although I have dug my feet in and refused these past few years. I find it really boring. Khao Yai is just a rip off place full stop, many better national parks in Thailand. I would be surprised if it made the top 100 in the world. The area around the park just full of imitation European style villages expensive coffee shops and restaurants, Oh and pricey accommodation too. Anyway who writes this stuff. Can't believe they are well travelled in Thailand.

Or card reader which is what I use the cards for. Internet banking. The alternative is the phone app.

This would have been better kept secret. The poachers now will be planning a visit.

Thanks for the advice.

The mail issue started (when I first noticed) was when my private pension people offered a cash option which was very good but the cut off date had expired and when I went on the net to look at the funds there was almost 10,000 pounds less. Ouch! Just received a letter from HMRC dated October and another from a pension provider not dated but indicates from last year.

I will give it a go thanks.

Thanks maybe I will try that if I don't get success soon.

This is what I use to transfer my cash from the UK. Need cards for card reader or phone app.

I have no problem with internet banking. Just the phone.

Tried that no success , maybe have to get another (better) VPN>

I don't blame them for escaping conscription and Putin's war in Ukraine, but I hope they are not linked to crime or turn to it to support themselves financially. But they are NOT refugees, the Ukrainians are.

Has anyone been able to download the Nationwides UK Phone banking app in Thailand. Currently using debit cards to access bank? Want more options as cards run out of date and perhaps get lost in mail. Also living in Bang Saray I get mail delivered from UK which is sometimes 5 months old or appears to be due to the date on the letter. Anyone else having these problems?

The amount of domestic livestock killed by Tigers is small and the farmers could easily compensated for their loss by the government. It's the same for Elephants too who are much more invasive,. Get a good efficient plan in place government. Then anyone killing these animals are clearly poachers and the punishment should be harsh.

Surprised by some of the posts. I think it's possible that a first time visitor to Thailand having had a few drinks might think water could be free. The security guard was way over the top and I hope he gets what he deserves. Also I am not a big city lover, especially Bangkok , but having visited Khao San Road several times in the 20 years of visiting Thailand. I always liked the unique experience there, people from all over the world. Had a great feel and buzz about the place.

Whats the point. The Army will decide who runs the country anyway.

It's still a great beach but the coral is dead and the currents are scary.

A word of warning. Went snorkelling at this beach as I have done many times over the past 15 years and came across the strongest current I have ever encountered which dragged us away and to the left of the island as you look at it from the beach. We were all good swimmers but really struggled getting back to the beach. They are building an oil refinery down there and I believe they have dredged out the harbour so tankers will be able to dock. I assume this has had a massive effect on the currents. It has also pretty much wiped out all the coral due to silt and nearly all the fish have gone. Stay within the buoys and in your own depth. I know the beach has always has a small current but this was extreme. I did snorkel a little on the other beach Nang Rong (second beach) didn't feel any current there but that was a different day.