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.