Tazmo

The colored ones reminded me of Librium, for alcohol withdrawal , anxiety states, etc, but doesn’t match your symptoms

Renewed my ‘O’ on Wednesday in CM. Forms : TM 7; STM 2 ; STM 9 ; Passport ( signed copies of each page); Non Immigrant Visa ; Departure Electronic Card ( if applicable); Proof of Financial Requirements; Thai Bank Book ( original) ; Letter from your Thai Bank ; one passport size photo (4x6cm) ; copy of housing lease agreement ; Fees 1,900 THB ; If in CM your first thing is to get a queue number; have your documents checked; then you will be given a number to go inside the building at counter 9. Make sure your passport has at least 6 months until expiry or you will pay the same and get your visa only up to the expiry date, then have to do it all again! ( Happened to a friend of mine who was there)!

If there’s a Parliamentary Ethics Committee, they should investigate her. Same as the Medical Ethics Committee investigated the Doctors and took appropriate action!

Last year I used China Eastern, flew to Shanghai, long layover, I think 8 hours, then to London Gatwick. Cheap but long and tiring. This year I have booked with Qatar Airways, I was a Silver card member with them. To BKK, then 6 hours to Doha, then 6 hours to LGW. 63, 779 THB return for 2 people. Their service is the best in my opinion, friendly, good food, plenty booze, decent Airport lounges and shopping. They use to fly from CM a few days a week, but discontinued since Covid. If you avoid flying on certain days, eg weekends, you should get cheaper tickets.

A novel and clever way for Insurance companies to advertise these days. I never read beyond the first couple lines or checking the source! More Retirees here the more to fill their pockets, then increase premiums, not cover for some treatments for the aged or not cover after a certain age! Parasites, that pushed up the cost of health care, along with the Pharmaceuticals over the years. But rich people swear by it, they want immediate service, like Fast food joints. Some governments fund care for all their citizens, I can think of Cuba; Qatar; UK to some extent. Supply and demand issues. Regular changes in Government don’t help, especially if they oppose public services!

From my experience as a retired psychiatric nurse, you will need a combination of drugs. It will be finding the right combination that works for you. Therefore I expect you will need monthly follow up appointments with the psychiatrist to monitor what’s effective. Usually there is a mood stabiliser ( lithium carbonate has been used for decades and is the only drug that has been designed especially for bipolar); the others will be antipsychotic; anticonvulsants and a benzodiazepine which can be addictive so you will be advised on how often to use. Also ask for an emergency drug, one that you can take when you feel at your worst ; unable to get out of bed ; anxiety or other abnormal thoughts or feelings. It would also help to see someone on a regular basis for support. A professional, eg psychologist.

My Thai Partner completes a form for me every year and I get a refund of nearly 2K baht (1,577.44 THB) from my 800K fixed savings account, for my Renewal/ Extension Visa. It probably isn’t the same form as declaring Income, but that’s my only communication with my local tax Office. My pension is small and used for living expenses, subsidised by my partner’s income!

Waiver Visa fees annually, for Retirees, until the safe standard of 37.5 is reached

Stay away from Drugs!! Should be the lesson instead of “ Go Fund me”, misuse. Do not go to Thailand for a “ Drug Holiday “ or else bear the consequences! Your own karma! There could be permanent damage to your health from drug misuse or mixing in that community. Although I see many using cannabis shops and making purchases, so maybe it’s where you use it!

Bangkok RIA Lab Co Ltd is worth a try. I use their Chiang Mai Branch. They will send your results by email after lunch on the same day. Sorry but I can’t remember the fees, about 4K Baht.

I also use the cacao nibs ( gift from my sister in law), I have a lot. I use dates for my sugar. Soak them in some warm water to soften them, after re the seeds. Then blend it together with te nibs and peanut butter. I vary the texture, sometimes to get brownies, or chocolate or thinner for chocolate spread. But, hey, each to their own.

The air quality last year March and April was extremely poor in CM. I went to Krabi for the duration, and doing the same this year. The weather was apparently very hot too! Records indicated an increase in hospital admissions for those with respiratory problems and deaths as well. Mostly premature deaths! The effects are not always evident on those who don’t have a history of respiratory disorders, but it is said to reduce one’s life span by up to 5 years. Steps have been taken to reduce the pollution this year and so far it seems better at this present time. A recent research indicated that aircraft fuel pollution is also a contributing factor. I do not advise friends or relatives to visit at this time of the year.

If someone has stopped alcohol abuse ( or any addictive behavior eg gambling; internet; food; sex; cannabis etc), the purists in Rehabilitation will view medication as a “ crutch “, replacing one with another. However, as with a broken leg, a crutch can be helpful, Once you have done the rehabilitation ( physio etc ). And with addiction you need to change your lifestyle; your environment; friends; places you go etc as these will trigger your addiction back to the start. Also get to know yourself; no point making derogatory remarks about others who choose to live different lifestyles, eg bar life. It might make you feel better in the short term, but the real test is how stronger have you become to stay “ clean “, without the necessary changes to your lifestyle. Some attend Support Groups, making new friends, short term medication if necessary; meditation works for some. Do you own research, have some counselling from a Specialist Addiction Counsellor to help you find your way to remaining sober. Doctors and medication is not often the best for someone who has indulged for many years, if that’s been your situation. It like putting a bandaid plaster on a deep open wound! But I would refrain from boasting on a website like this and attacking others. You need to stay clean mentally as well. You will never convince others who do not see a need for them to change! The Rehab Service I worked for had a motto, “ Change for Change “ !

Of course I don’t condone such behavior and I totally agree with you that it’s gross and unacceptable etc. But I believe one has to understand that if you’re inviting tourists, you will get a cross section of races, cultures etc and there fore the authorities have to understand that some will not comply with local decency. It therefore requires, education , monitoring and enforcing laws that require people to act responsibly. In extreme cases people have had their visas revoked, but it should apply across the board.

You’re right, it’s just racists having a rant. I have seen Westerners not suitably dressed entering bars ; they get turned away from Temples; some kissing and cuddling in Temple grounds. Not always a regular thing but it attracts attention, same here. Brown and black people do not sunbathe but may often lie in a hot place, beach ; swimming pool , fully clothed, sometimes after a few drinks. But Many here never try to understand different races nor cultures, colonial mentality. We all inherited genes that affects our views and behaviors, the education systems have failed in some countries.