ericbj

It may be of interest to know that I had an O-A visa for several years, based, inter alia, upon 1,250K baht in a deposit account. But then some years ago when going to renew it, I was asked "Do you have health insurance?" "Yes," I replied. "Is it with one of the eight approved companies?" No, it was not. I had not heard of the new requirement introduced, I think the previous April. "Give me the details of the companies, and I shall take out the necessary insurance," I said. "There is no time for that," I was told. "They will not issue a policy within the fortnight when your visa expires." "What can I do then?" I asked. "We can issue you with an O visa which does not require medical insurance," came the reply. So, since that time I have had an O visa. Out of interest, I checked out the eight approved companies. I discovered that none of them would insure a person of more than 75 years of age. Except two of them, which would do so, for a certain number of years, if the person was already insured with them before the cut-off age. The premium? 130K baht per annum, for the minimum cover of 40K outpatient and 400K baht inpatient expenses. I was at that time some months short of my 76th birthday (and now almost 80). Coincidentally, I was then, and still am, holding slightly in excess of 450K baht on deposit (in addition to the required 800K baht) to cover emergencies. I would like to hold more of my reserves over here, but uncertainty of future Thai regulations regarding visa requirements, makes me feel it would be unwise to do so. I have taken out here in Thailand an accident-only, inpatient-only insurance to cover 20K USD of costs. The most I feel I can afford on my UK state pension, supplemented by drawings on my reserves. Of course not enough to cover a serious accident, such as being knocked off my bicycle by a lunatic driver. But then at my age I would probably not survive such an accident anyway. On a separate note: Regarding the costs of living in Thailand, it is necessary to specify whether one lives in a tourist-hotspot or in an area ignored by the foreign crowds. The differences can be considerable. Many might consider me a slum-dweller. But I have slummed it in many places, beginning with five years as a native affairs officer in the New Guinea bush in the 1960s, and in the earlier years of this millennium living with expatriate Burmese on the Thai side of the border.

Uncertain these officers and ORs will find it advisable to fly back from Mae Sot to SAC-held territory. Those who fled into India and were subsequently repatriated were punished for cowardice by being thrown into gaol. Three generals were held responsible for the debacle that resulted from the Northern Alliance's offensive and were court-marshalled. With one condemnation to death. [That, together with the abandonment of heavy armaments - tanks and artillery - disposes of the dubious explanation that the SAC Army's retreat was a "tactical withdrawal"] Many Burmese may believe, groundlessly, that the US will eventually come to their aid, militarily. It will not. The US and its allies may feel they can confront China over Taiwan with their naval and air power. But have no desire to provoke a full-scale intervention by the PLA. [memories of Korea, 1951?] Besides, Burma lacks Taiwan's micro-processor industry. And the proxy war in the Ukraine is not evolving as NATO had intended.

The lower the relative humidity of the air, the faster your sweat will evaporate and therefore the greater the cooling effect. That is why, if you use one of those very cheap-to-run evaporative coolers, it is necessary to allow the saturated air from the cooler to escape to the outside. Do not seal the room up as you might with an air-conditioner. If you do as I do, you will filter the water you put in your evaporative cooler (although not suggested by the manufacturer) as this is likely to prevent calcium carbonate etc clogging the evaporative mat.

Those purchasing take-away roti etc from market stalls BEWARE ! It is said that expanded polystyrene is sometimes dissolved in the cooking oil to make the roti remain crisp. https://greenmedinfo.com/content/nanoplastics-our-bloodstream-silent-contributor-heart-disease

Myawady is still under Burma Army control. The military regime takes aid from the UN to distribute to its supporters. It kills refugees. Why would things be any different here ? https://thediplomat.com/2024/03/thailand-sends-first-aid-shipment-to-myanmar-along-controversial-humanitarian-corridor/

Operated for cataract in one eye in public hospital last month. In and out the same day. But being a public hospital, many hours of waiting. If operated on both eyes the same day, you will be blind until the following day. A point to bear in mind if you have no one to guide you home.

The public needs educating by the health authorities. * At present they are falsely educated by the advertisers. Doctors should play an important role. They should know that blood glucose goes preferentially to feeding cancer tumours, since these are revealed on x-rays after the patient has been given a radio-active glucose solution to drink. The cost of excessive sugar consumption to the country should be estimated, and then this cost recuperated through taxing sugar used in industrially-produced foodstuffs ; allowing individual consumers (suitably informed of the dangers) to add the sugar they so earnestly desire. Adding sugar to food is unnecessary for body and brain. Alzheimer's disease is sometimes referred to as diabetes type 3. Starches when digested form glucose. The brain can function on ketones.

What they call latex adhesive here in Thailand is NOT latex but PVA (polyvinylacetate) which I use regularly for interior woodwork. True latex adhesive is expensive but excellent for gluing fabrics including carpets, and patching clothing, either relatively short-term (resists some laundering) or prior to stitching. If you want true latex glue, search for 'Copydex'. And if keeping some of it long-term store it in the fridge.

Why was this sort of thing not thought of long ago? There could have been an agreement with Hitler for humanitarian assistance to Jews in the extermination camps !

Many thanks for information provided, which could save me a lot of time searching.

Am looking to replace a worn-out mountain bike, purchased more than 12 years ago, with a touring/trekking style of LARGE FRAME-SIZE. [height 6'2" = 183 cm]. Used for getting around including going to town for shopping - i.e. quite heavy loads on luggage rack and attached panniers. Distances covered never exceed 30 km. Seek a model where one can sit reasonably erect, not leaning forward on the handlebars with head cranked back; and where the frame-size is appropriate, so it is not necessary to raise the saddle to such an extent that one risks toppling over when stationary. A downward sloping top-bar would be helpful, because, when items are piled high in the shopping-basket on the luggage rack, one cannot dismount by swinging the leg backwards. Fairly low (high-ratio) gearing needed to get up a steepish section of road with a week's load of groceries. Would like decent quality and simplicity. Without frills, such as disk brakes and shock-absorbers, that add to weight, complexity, and price. Shall shortly be visiting Chiang Mai for several days, so advice on suitable cycle shops to visit could prevent much wastage of time. [would also consider visiting Bangkok at a later date] [Some years ago there was a bicycle shop in Th.Chiang Moi, run by an Englishman and his Thai wife, that offered for sale some very interesting bicycles. I bought from them my large, canvas panniers, of excellent quality. Unfortunately, on a subsequent visit the shop was no longer there]

This may be of interest, although last updated in June this year: https://www.thethailandlife.com/income-tax-thailand

The principal need is to reduce relative humidity of the air in the room or building. In its simplest form by use of a chemical such as calcium chloride suspended over a bucket. A more technological route is to use an electrical dehumidifier. More info here: https://bestdehumidifier.reviews/how-much-electricity-does-a-dehumidifier-use/

At risk of recapitulating points already made: Lack of adequate air circulation in modern buildings breeds mould. Compare the Thai traditional buildings, even those in Bangkok when I first visited in April '67 and it was fast ceasing to be The Venice of the East, with those of today. There is a huge variety of moulds, some of which may in instances be beneficial, as for example penicillium notatum, said to be present in blue cheeses. The spores of black mould are pathogenic. If in doubt, check it out. Mould likes warmth and dampness. Much of the Thai year favours its growth. It can also be encouraged under cooler conditions (my experience in the south of France) when temperatures drop below the dew-point in a temporarily uninhabited building. My solution for half-yearly absences was to place several kilos of calcium chloride in their supplied sachets (polythene wrappers removed) on galvanised chicken-wire mesh fixed over the top of a bucket. CaCl2 is deliquescent and dissolves slowly in the large amounts of water absorbed from the atmosphere. Have not seen the possibility of pursuing this avenue in Thailand, but perhaps some entrepreneurial spirit will take this up. Use HEPA filters against mould. And also in the vicinity of a laser printer. A revelation to see how much toner powder it collects. Borax, which can be purchased in bulk quite cheaply on the Internet here in Thailand, destroys mould, and, as if that is not enough, bacteria also. It has been used as a mouth-wash but is best not swallowed unless you wish to disrupt your gut microbiome. It is often recommended to be added to laundry detergent, but I tend to use it more with the final rinse-water. Stored clothes do not subsequently acquire a musty smell. Borax is also an insecticide. If the insects can be persuaded to consume it. A little in a strong sugar solution for ants. For termites an aqueous solution painted on bare timber before finishing (for protection) or scraps of cardboard soaked in it for bait - very dilute (1%) if you wish to wipe out the colony. For cockroaches, sprinkle the powder in doorways and along walls. It will stick to their legs which they will clean by licking them. Their corpses will be eaten by other cockroaches, with a knock-on effect. Search the Web for more detailed info. Borax dissolves best in hot water. And is non-toxic for mammals.

If the Immigration Offfice where the application is made (e.g. Mae Sot) has to forward a copy to another office (Chiang Mai in such case) two copies were required. Situation nearly 12 months ago. When I enquired with Immigration yesterday as to whether there had been any change in documents required since last January, the answer was "No." Several years ago, Mae Sot Immigration required THREE copies !

Where I am, the O-visa extension requirement includes : Letter from the bank (Kasikorn) certifying 800,000 in account for 3 months, dated same day as application - original + photocopy, both signed and stamped; Bank statement : same requirements; Updated passbook (not retained by Immigration) + 2 photocopies of every page therein. All pages of all documents retained by Immigration must be signed and dated by the applicant in their presence in BLUE (not black) ink. Several years ago I had a lengthy argument with a particularly obstreperous Immigration Officer who insisted the passbook update must show the current date. Impossible because it only shows the last transaction, an interest payment several months before. I could have made a token withdrawal from a local ATM, but to update the passbook would have required an additional 14-km bicycle ride. And returning the following day with fresh bank letters and statements (At that time they required bank letters, statements and passbooks in respect of ALL accounts - not merely the deposit account) He also objected to the fact that WITHIN THE SAME DEPOSIT ACCOUNT I had a month or two earlier arranged that 800K of the 1,450K be placed on a 12-month term instead of 3-months; for higher interest. I was forced to dig my heels in to avoid rejection of my application.

I would like to add a third category, perhaps the most important from the Government's point-of-view : 3. News that is incompatible with the official narrative.

The INGO presence along the border is not what it used to be. And they can only do what they are permitted to do by the government. The Thai government calls the shots, and I have the impression there is less 'flexibility' these days at the local level. The UNHCR personnel seemed always careful to avoid offering the least criticism of Thai officialdom. With good reason. If the government of the country to which they are posted requests their removal, they are unlikely to secure another contract. Termination of career. They are not benevolent volunteers. And the Thai government is not bound by the International Convention on Refugees, to which it is not a signatory.

A friend of mine had one of those. The company went bankrupt. He had to come out of retirement and return to work. Addendum: My mistake in reading 'public' as 'private'. But this may be of interest: https://www.cedarhousefinancial.co.uk/uk-state-pension-low-rank/

No, it did not happen in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nor in some other places, such as Libya, or Vietnam. Wars have been sold to the public - even before the days of Edward Bernays - on the basis of altruistic motives. But follow the money. Qui bono ? My suspicion is that western investments in China discourage effective support for the N.U.G. Verbal criticism and shadow boxing with China and its satelite state are all that can be expected. China and Russia, two permanent members of the U.N.S.C., are supportive of Min Aung Hlaing's military regime. There was less polarisation into two power-blocs when western nations, led by the U.S., intervened in the Middle East.

Many girls in the prostitution "industry" are not Thais but are poorly educated girls from rural areas of neighbouring countries such as Burma. They are offered legitimate jobs that do not exist. Instead they are kidnapped, serially raped, and then sold into prostitution by the traffickers. In some cases they are even sold by relatives - knowingly or without knowledge of the fate that awaits them - to the traffickers. Girls from the northern reaches of Burma, e.g. Kachinland, are likely to end up in forced marriages to Chinese peasant farmers.

The TAT predicts what will happen and their goal. Where do they state how they will achieve their goal ? I.e. their business plan ? There is a minimal degree of certainty in any predictions at present. For we are living in the biggest global "bubble economy" of all time, and no-one can predict when the bubble will burst. All one can do is try to prepare, by "thinking outside the box" and keeping options open.

The doctor is over-simplifying. Alcohol, such as a tot of rhum, expands the blood vessels close to the skin, producing a feeling of warmth. By doing so it acts against the body's natural contraction of these blood vessels under cold conditions, to limit heat-loss and hence reduce the risk of death from exposure. If you fear dying of hypothermia here in Thailand (perhaps when sleeping under the stars in the hills west of Fang?) refrain from partaking of strong alcohol.

I had an interesting experience nineteen years ago when the headmaster of a Thai government school asked me to take the senior class for English lessons once a day. This was on a wholly informal and voluntary basis, in a large village in a fairly remote rural area. On my first day, I walked across the playing-field to be met by one of the three English teachers, a middle-aged woman. The encounter was extremely embarrassing for us both, as she addressed me in what she clearly believed was English, but of which I understood not a word. After several days with the class, trying unsuccessfully to get them to loosen up and to become at least a little bit responsive, I moved the class from the school to the nearby house where I was helping exiled Burmese to improve their English, in most cases undoubtedly with a view to settling in a third country. In the new location the pupils, aged about 16, began to relax and chat amongst themselves, ignoring what I was trying to communicate. My Burmese colleagues tried to shut them up, but I asked them not to intervene. I was getting results, even if not what I wanted. How I hated that class ! However, relatively suddenly they began to take an interest. The six boys lounging on chairs at the back would occasionally start talking amongst themselves. But then the girls, six of them sitting in front on the floor, would turn around and tell them to shut up. At the end of each class the pupils would leave all laughing and chatting excitedly. My Burmese friends commented on how happy they seemed. Small wonder they showed no interest in learning English when taught by teachers with no practical knowledge of the language, with the aid of turgid textbooks containing faulty English. The experiment was so successful that the headmaster asked me to take two further classes, which I declined to do ; but then accepted his request to help the English teachers improve their English. But the latter clearly could not bear the loss of face this would entail. On the two occasions I was due to meet with them they never turned up. Perhaps one of my advantages with students was that I have never been a professional teacher ; and although having done some study of T.E.F.L. through correspondence, used very little of what I learnt, and for the most part ignored the material provided by the Volunteer Program, which seemed boring. Instead, teaching through students reading aloud stories that interested them (they were given a choice) and yet presented some degree of challenge ; and while they were given some grammar exercises to attempt as homework, the accent was more on learning by ear. Thais and Burmese, children and adults, are capable of making rapid progress in learning English if given the means and the motivation.