HAPPYNUFF

Have had an LG 15 kg load twin tub for 12 years. Just had gears replaced, cost 1200 baht. Only fault is water discharge is slow, otherwise excellent.

Dan Kwian pottery markets have many. Forget the exact price, but somewhere around 500 baht, I think. Dan Kwian is on Highway 224, , south, between Korat and Chok Chai lies Dan Kwian. all along the road thru the village are many pottery works.

Not for me of course, was asking for a mate, he has bad dandruff and had got in touch with a local hospital here, till I told him of Jackd's post.. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Know of one case, guy came here some 9 years ago, single, met a local girl, she had 2 kids from former hubbie. Married her. She had nice house, he did a lot of work around the place, bought car etc, took them all on numerous holidays Thailand and overseas, and back to his country. Just preferred back home, could see a better future for her kids, as his missus and kids obviously did as well, back there some time now. All very settled and happy. Me, been here many years now, relatively happy, wouldnt mind going home, permanently, gloss has worn off long ago, but wife too attached to her kids/grandkids, extended family, and I know she would miss them. I dont think, for those that have left, its a matter of being disgruntled or cheesed of, more the case of remembering when they were young(er) and what things were like in their home country then. unfortunately they forget, things were always great when you were young and carefree.

I forgot the most straight forward news, Im sure my mate, who lives not far from me here wont mind. He worked until he was 67 years of age, Born and lived all his life in OZ. Didnt know about the (then scheme) that he could have claimed a benefit payment for those who continued working past the then 65 years retirement age, so missed out on about $3000. However, retired, at 67 as I said,, the retirement age then being 65. Made application for the Age pension, got supplied with a Customer Reference Number (CRN as its called). Travelled from the country town he had worked in, with his missus and two kids. Spent a few weeks in Perth, made the big mistake of not checking with Centrelink as to the progress of his application, or advising them of his intentions of relocating to here (his wife is Thai, with Oz permanent residency) Packed up and all flew here. Waited, and waited, and waited. After some months phoned Centrelink, (the Age Pension office is In Hobart for info, ring them if problems) Was told no record of his application, he quoted his CRN,, never heard of it. I assisted him over the next several month lodged notices, letters, appeals etc, thought we were winning till the bombshell struck when Centrelink pointed out the regulation that ALL persons, on first receiving the OAP, MUST reside permanently in Oz before any portability of the pension is allowed. (Holidays of up to 6 weeks duration are allowed) So his application, which was never located anyway, would have been rejected. I know many on this forum dispute this, thats their right, but ask around, and not just the guy on the next bar stool.

If you return to Oz, and you are of age to receive the OAP, your first payment will be backdated from the date you lodged your application, as it may take some time to process same. Unfortunately , if you decide to then leave Oz, for a period longer than 6 weeks, your total pension will cease (you would have to re apply if you should return.) It is a fact, as several mates of mine have found out, once granted it is NOT portable, that is able to be paid to You overseas, until you have completed 2 years residency in OZ. That doesnt have to be in one stretch, you could go on six weeks holidays in that time, but the six weeks will be added on, until you do amass the full 2 years. As for your mate getting $600 per fortnight,, the full SINGLE rate per fortnight is now in excess of $900, that includes extra payments given for telephone etc, which amount to about $60 per fortnight. All Ozzies who reside overseas, that is those who Centrelink have identified, or who have confessed, lose those extra benefits, so a FULL SINGLE rate pension would be in the high $800 per fortnight. Your mate obviously has never notified Centrelink of his decreasing $200,000 over the years, and they are still assessing him as having this. If he brings up his file on the internet, with Centrelink, he can adjust his asset worth there, his pension should then adjust accordingly. I adjust mine every 6 months or so. In addition, should his superannuation fund balance have grown in value,,,half his luck,,... this will have also affected his pension, as Centrelink can access any persons pension fund, b ut not their bank balance, legally. I have heard some wonderful stories from OZZies here, alleging how they retired at 40 cashed in their huge super and left...That is not possible, until you are 60 years of age, where are PORTION,, theunsecured section, can be withdrawn, once you pay the FULL taxation rate, which starts at 30 cents in the $, increasing rapidly to 45 cents in the dollar. As an addendum, I know of some who live here permanently, but havent disclosed that, and have not yet been found out,,,I shudder to think what the tax man is going to do to their assets in Oz when they die.as many still own houses there and hold bank accounts, to receive their pension.

Hey Moonlover, you may, by chance , have noticed I used the word ""unannounced visit:" in my original story.. Scott Morrison confirmed this by "announcing"" thought the visit was known beforehand, the government chose not to "announce it"" to the public.. Got the fact right now??

Not many customers, profits down??? do the usual Thai thing, increase your prices.

Please dont knock it. I have the sole contract to supply the "Sacred" Thai army, the Royal Thai Police, and all parliamentarians, with several thousands of gallons of black hair dye each month . Its a nice little money earner for me, and Im now negotiating to get all the school teachers on board... Im also working on the supply of girdles to all those fat little generals.

And if, by some chance, you should just "happen" to find the odd banknote,, stuffed in a brown envelope ,, in your pocket, you are instructed to hand it into your superior immediately.

Bye Bye, dont hurry back, if at all.

Your right, Olmate. But it wasnt the Federal Government that gave a 99 year lease to the Chinese Government for Darwin Harbour,, it was the Northern Territory local (State Government) that did the dirty deal, it being so far leaning to the political left it walks around in ever decreasing circles. The Federal Government is now taking legal steps to cancel this deal, just as they did against the Victorian, also Labor led, governent multi million dollar contracts (handouts)

Like many, I am now virtually trapped forever here in Thailand. I can leave of course and return to my own country, but would never be allowed to reenter, under the present restrictions, as insurance for me is simply out of the question, due to age and existing health matters. Ive accepted this, so Im just going to enjoy the rest of my time and try not to think , or worry about something I cant fix.... I just wish the price of a decent wine would come down, so I can have just a little peace.!!!

Not so very long ago, three Chinese national warships sailed, unannounced , into Sydney Harbour (thats in Australia for the geography challenged... ) Australian armed forces promptly responded by launching a wooden dinghy, armed with very large sticks and some stones,, to check on them.............Though I love my country I despair at the governments feeble efforst to protect the country.

Someone obviously left the door to the loony bin unlocked for this sad thing to walk free.

I get the impression Liverpool Lou is a fan of Red Bull by his frowns on others comments. But maybe he just wears a green or brown uniform of a certain country, and is paid a 100 baht per entry. For his information, Interpol is merely a secretariat, based in Brussels, that acts as an "office" as it were, for those International Police Forces that subscribe to it. They gather , collate and broadcast to those participating forces, notices, alerts and information as to wanted persons, suspect activities etc. If a 'red notice" is issued, it due to a request from the submitting force, advising an arrest warrant has been issued in that country for a named fugitive, with the request, any other force locating the named person, to arrest and detain that person, whilst the originating force then sends officers to the holding country, with the appropriate documentation, to seek, through the courts there, the extradition of the wanted persons. Interpol officers have no actual powers of arrest, they are merely collectors and collators, despite lurid stories in the media as to their "supposed" activities, and no, I didnt just read about this, I participated in it in another life.

Well, at least the broadcasts put out at present, with numerous breakdowns, changed programmes, and the 8pm follies of a certain family on one channel in particular couldnt get much worse,,,,or can they??

When I transferred the required money I use for Visa extension purposes from one bank to another,,,at the demand of an Immigration officer, who claimed my original Thai bank was not allowed for that purpose???,, I inquired about that cash going to my wife , on my demise. Both her and I signed countless documents, far more than usual for just simply opening an account as in the past. They were all in Thai of course, but my wife assured me they were for the purpose of her eventually gaining the money. I also have a Thai will, bequeathing her my Thai assets. However, I believe she will still need to file for probate with the court to eventually be given this money.

They were minding them for a friend.

Thanks UbonJoe, after I get mobile again, I would still prefer to use an agent in future, the drive to the I.O, is getting longer as I age. Anyone able to provide info.?

You have a country run by a gang of bumbling old men, who actually think they are soldiers, yet who have never even heard a shot fired in anger, being manipulated by Sino/Thais in the background, both groups having not the slightest interest in the welfare or well being of their own people.

Heck, I menionted this article to my son, as he and his wife and kids are "thinking "of visiting here later in 2022. His reply, Gee I was planning on spending at least One trillion myslef alone, doesnt everyone?? Im getting on to T.A.T first thing Monday to tell them, so they can revise their figures.

Loy Krathong, or whatever its spelt. Went with my wife for her to place one of those little floating things on the local damn. The step down to the water was full of people just standing there, ooing and ahing their little offerings. We waited, and we waited, and we waited. It became obvious they had no intention of moving and letting the buildup of people behind them take their turn. I asked my wife what was their problem. She told me they were government workers, implying that made them very important and special. I asked her to ask them to move off the platform and let other people through, as my Thai is limited. She was terrified at the thought. I went down amongst them, and by sign language and gentle pushes indicated their time was up and they should move. They did, with much indignation, but I could see the other "common" people gathered there were pleased and happy to see them go. It appears it not just us farangs that get the dirty end of the stick, anyone in any position of so called "authority " here treats those they deem beneath them with contempt. Its not just about the money they imagine we roll in.

Anyone know of a good and reliable Visa Agent in Korat, Im presently laid up with an injury and cant attend Immigration in person.

I had the same problem. In the Electrical forum here, this is discussed and told how to fix. I tried it and it worked. The problem is seals in the pump wear and allow excess water into the lower tank on the pump, causing the motor to switch on/off repeatedly... These seals need replacing about each 5 years im told. Had it done by local handyman, seals cost about 50 baht. Gave the guy 300 baht for hours work. Cheap. For you to do.....turn off electric to pump, unplug motor for security. Turn off inlet water tap/s, turn on outlet hose somewhere, to reduce water pressure in tank. Then unscrew black plug at bottom of water tank on pump. A considerable amount of water will eject...Let it all drain out. Then reverse procedure...replace tank plug, close outlet tap, turn on inlet tap/s to pump, plug in electric and switch on. Pump should start and run for maybe 30 seconds first time, then switch off. You will need to do this probably every week at least in the future, as I do, even after the seals were replaced.. My motor (Mitsubishi) about 12 years old.