paulbrun

There is no 'official' Land Rover dealership, at the moment, in Chiang Mai, but there is a garage that specialises in servicing, and restoring them. If you want the contact details, PM me. They also have several for sale, I believe..?

I commented about the difference between some beaches being dog-friendly, while others being anything but, only last Sunday. We went to Nai Harn, as usual, where there are many dogs, both local beach dogs and others with their owners, and I have never seen any trouble. In fact, they all seem to play together quite nicely. Surin beach is a totally different kettle of fish. There is always a large pack of angry dogs there, and they often harass people with dogs, or just each other. We stopped going there a long time ago, partly because of this, and of course, the 'undertow' that makes it a very dangerous place to swim, even in the shallows. There are other beaches that 'forbid' dogs altogether, because there is a strong moslem presence in nearby villages. We also stopped going to those beaches. Watching our dog play and enjoy herself on the beach is a weekly treat we all look forward to..! And of course, being responsible dog owners, we make sure there is no mess left behind, to bother the other beach users..!

There is more to this story than has been told so far..? Hopefully, there will be a satisfactory conclusion, and the details will come out. If he is innocent, then maybe the travel agent will be arrested..? There is no doubt that trying to circumvent the law in regard to visas, is a very foolish thing to do. And not necessary..?

Maybe I misunderstood, but are you saying you used the 50 baht note you got refunded at Carrefour to pay for a massage from a blind person, that should have cost 100 baht..? That's stooping pretty low.....

It happened to me, although no fatalities, luckily. I was waiting to turn right off a main road, into a parking area and a motorbike came up very fast, on the inside of the traffic coming the other way, and went straight into the front of my car. Both parties on the bike were injured, neither was wearing a helmet, and they had no insurance etc. The police arrived, and an ambulance, and I was interviewed about what had happened. There were other witnesses, but they took off while I was seeing if I could help the injured. In the end, I was seen to be at fault, and charged with driving without due care and attention..! I had to pay for the bike repairs, hospital bills and loss of income for the girl on the back of the bike. I did not have first class insurance on that vehicle, so it cost me 30,000 baht. The police were very polite and admitted that it was mostly down to the way they were driving. It is almost always the LARGER vehicle that pays, especially if driven by a 'rich' farang..? Best advice is to take 1st class insurance, if you can afford to, and always drive defensively. In retrospect, I should not have attempted to turn right across heavy traffic, at that time of day and should have continued on and done a U-turn somewhere..? I was unlucky that day, I guess.

Well if that is the case you were definitely kind of at fault there. If the traffic was coming and you were just driving in the middle of the two lanes waiting for an opening, this is a NONO and is as bad as turning into traffic and going 5km/h. You stay in the small soi until there is no 1 coming on either side of the road or you do a u-turn later. just jumping in the middle of 2lanes waiting for an opening is crazy, that space was not put there for that. Although its perfectly fine if its backed up and people are just stop and going very slowly.

Surprised they survived with no helmet.. Buddha must like them

Perhaps I should explain a bit more clearly. It was rush hour early morning, and the traffic was backed up at some traffic lights. It is a very busy road, but only two lanes. I needed to turn right into a parking lot, and the car next to the entrance, on the other side, backed up slightly to allow an opening big enough for me to pass through. As I edged forward very slowly, the motorbike came up on the inside of the stationary traffic coming the other way, and went straight into the front of my car. He had nowhere to go, and was going far too fast to brake in time. I really had no option but to wait to turn right at that place, as continuing on and trying to U-turn would have been equally dangerous, and very time-consuming..? The car that backed up was not at fault, but should have stopped to act as a witness, but by the time I turned round, having gone to see to the injured people, he had driven off. In fact, no-one stopped at all. Some people came out of a nearby office and helped to call an ambulance, and the police. I called my wife (Thai), and some friends who lived nearby, to come and help me to deal with the police. Yes, I admit I was in the wrong, as I should never have gone there at that time in the morning..!

It happened to me, although no fatalities, luckily. I was waiting to turn right off a main road, into a parking area and a motorbike came up very fast, on the inside of the traffic coming the other way, and went straight into the front of my car. Both parties on the bike were injured, neither was wearing a helmet, and they had no insurance etc. The police arrived, and an ambulance, and I was interviewed about what had happened. There were other witnesses, but they took off while I was seeing if I could help the injured. In the end, I was seen to be at fault, and charged with driving without due care and attention..! I had to pay for the bike repairs, hospital bills and loss of income for the girl on the back of the bike. I did not have first class insurance on that vehicle, so it cost me 30,000 baht. The police were very polite and admitted that it was mostly down to the way they were driving. It is almost always the LARGER vehicle that pays, especially if driven by a 'rich' farang..? Best advice is to take 1st class insurance, if you can afford to, and always drive defensively. In retrospect, I should not have attempted to turn right across heavy traffic, at that time of day and should have continued on and done a U-turn somewhere..? I was unlucky that day, I guess.

They were still trying to get her off at high tide this afternoon. They had a 'salvage' vessel, and an inflatable, and a number of people working to get her afloat again. I left when the heavens opened, and a squall came through. She appeared to be undamaged, but had obviously taken on some water..? Perhaps through an open hatch, or skylight. I hope they managed to get her afloat again. Her name is 'Isle of Skye'. Almost certainly she dragged her anchor, but for what reason, remains a mystery..?

I probably hadn't noticed before. Still curious to know what the other taxes are..? I know there is 1% tax collected locally, for 'administration' purposes. So that's 7% VAT + 1% for the governor. But the taxes charged on my groceries were over18%..! I will quiz Villa

I just checked the receipt again, and only 107 baht is for VAT, the rest is Ntax..? The total is right though. The only reason we shop there is for items we can't usually get elsewhere, or if we don't want to fight the crowds at Tesco, or Tops

I just bought some groceries at Villa market in Chalong, and was surprised to see the total jump from 1600 baht to 1900 baht as the amount I had to pay..? I checked the receipt as I left and they had added on 300 baht for taxes..? Maybe I hadn't noticed before, but this seems misleading to me. Shouldn't the price shown on the shelf be what you have to pay..? I didn't see any mention of this anywhere inside the store. Comments..?

She just 'tied the knot' with you..! It's usually just a sign of friendship, and good luck, but it is usually tied on by the monk himself. When you get married you can end up with dozens of them on your wrist..! I wear a dark red one, which came from a temple in the north. You should never untie them though, but cut them off with scissors, or a knife. :jap:

Maybe the money was to have a 'contract' put out on his soon-to-be ex-wife, and the shooter misunderstood and shot him instead..?

Seriously, it certainly looks like a professional 'hit', and the hitman left the live rounds as a 'statement' to say 'job done'..!

I would guess that he was in over his head in something, and a partner, either business or social, decided to take his share too..?

RIP. Too many are going this way these days.

The OP's question is a good one. It caught my eye immediately. There are so many people in differing circumstances though, that it ispossible to answer for all. I know many retirees that are finding it increasingly difficult to survive on just their pension. Some still have income from a property back home, and they tend to be better off, and also still have the option to return home. Then there are those trying to survive on a low income from teaching, for example, who cannot afford the same lifestyle they might have had a few years ago. And then there are those that have relatively high incomes, who can still enjoy a very good lifestyle, compared with what they could expect back in Europe. I have always been of the opinion that one should be careful with ones money, and save for a 'rainy day', so I put all my coins in a bottle, and live a fairly modest lifestyle..! One thing is for sure, the cost of living has gone up considerably since I moved here 20 years ago, and if you don't have some source of income, you will not live very well for long. For those people that 'sold up' everything, and moved to Thailand permanently, they will find it difficult to return to their home country, I would imagine..? One thing is for sure, nobody knows what lies ahead, so the best thing is to plan ahead, and live a modest and sensible life while you can. :jap:

You need to talk to my old Latin, or History teacher, who were able to drone on endlessly about their chosen subject, in the manner you have been asked about. I had no idea that you could be trained that way either..? I thought it was something that only came after years of trying to teach teenage boys a subject that they had not the least interest in..!

You could contact Doug, at Bourbon Street on Washington Square..? I don't have his number with me, but he is a keen golfer, and he has fairly cheap accomodation above the restaurant. He might at least have an idea where he can go to get some regular practice in..? There is a driving range pretty close by too. Just an idea. I would be happy to help, but I live in Phuket, and I'm away at the moment anyway. Good luck to him in both touraments..!

Actually, it is not a bad hotel. I stayed there when it first opened, and also held my 50th birthday party there. The people were very kind, the service good, and food and beverage above average. But that was some time ago. It could be an unfortunate series of coincidences, or it could be something more serious. Whatever happens, the hotel should be 'closed' during the investigation, and the cause of those unfortunate people's deaths is determined..? And I think it is very likely that it would then re-open under a different name, and possibly a new owner..!

The Downtown Inn is in fact associated to another much bigger, and more prestigious, hotel in the same area..

Hi, I don't live in the Ban Chang area, but I found it a friendly and pleasant place to visit, when I worked on that side of the country. There is quite a big expat community, but I don't know where they hang out exactly..? I have several friends who moved there from Bangkok, and they enjoy a better life there. As far as transport goes, it depends on your budget, but I would recommend a small car, rather than a motorbike..? There are several international schools there, and you will of course meet people through your work, who will steer you in the right direction. Sports clubs are always a good way to meet new people. I used to run with the Hash House Harriers, whenever I arrived somewhere new. Good luck, if you make the move. Thailand is a much better place to live than China..!

I have a one of the old memberships there, but it is for a single person, I think, and was valid for 30 years..? It should still have at least 15 years left on it. But I have no idea what it is worth..? I don't live in CM anymore. Let me know if you are interested..? I think there is quite a high transfer fee involved too.

He should go in a convoy with several other yachts, and keep the authorities aware of their positions, and progress. Once they are closer to the Horn of Africa, they might be able to get an escort, if they ask nicely..? But knowing Rene, that is not very likely..!

I am trying to find somewhere to clean and service my old Pentax SLR. It is working quite well, in most respects, but I would like to get the shutter mechanism checked, and the lenses cleaned properly. There are slight traces of 'mould' on the inside of some of the lenses. The camera has not been used for the past 10 years. It is in Phuket, but I am prepared to send it to Bangkok, or wherever, if there is a good shop that can overhaul it. Thanks for your help.

I got my tickets yesterday. Will be taking my wife and teenage sons. Seen him several times before, but way back. He often had another 'guest' playing with him, like blues legends BB King. The price of the ticket is not as important as the experience for my sons to see him play live. That's 'priceless'.

You should take a look at Ao Yon bay, in the south. You might be able to rent an existing mooring, or put your own one down..?

Green Valley is a pretty good golf course, and does a good 5 year deal, I believe..? I have a full membership there, with about 20 years still to run, and it is for sale, if you decide you want to join for longer than 5 years. I no longer live in Chiang Mai, and rarely make visits up there, sadly. PM me if you want to know more.

That is the going rate.

A little disturbing, as I am working not so far away myself. The supply boats are generally not armed, and would not be able to defend themselves. Having the support of the local navy ought to mean this sort of attack cannot happen..? There could be more to this story than is being reported..? Let's hope they manage to rescue the kinapped victims, and catch the perpetrators.