Tazmo

It’s been nice to do things that you haven’t been able to do when working and do more of the things that you liked doing but not had enough time. So plenty of cricket, tournaments, traveling, spending longer periods away. learning to cook new dishes, international cuisine, started to look after my health and became more health conscious. Get to know myself better, studying yogic science; yoga; meditation; spirituality. The markets around Thailand as much as I can and supermarkets, looking for new products or ones not available in Thailand eg bought loads of fennel tea from Canada! Caribbean curry powder and spices from the UK. Veganism and vegetarian. Eating out almost daily, restaurants, cafes by the river; waterfalls; rice fields; lakes and of course beaches! Sounds a lot but I am contented with doing as much as possible or as little as possible. Meditation rules out boredom. By that I don’t mean sitting for hours meditating, far from it, just being contented and not restless. Everyone to their own. I enjoyed reading others activities, very interesting indeed!

Bad news for the environment and climate change. Cattle farming and it’s increase on carbon emissions have been well documented by environmentalists.Also add The tons of crops, soya etc it takes to feed the animals when there is still starvation in parts of the world! Wow! Instead Governments are only focusing on fossil fuels reduction! India is said to be one of the biggest beef exporters now, I heard at a recent Conference! At this rate by 2050 we are doomed, the predictions are already bleak and politicians only want big companies to flourish and the “ economy “ lol, I might not be here but children might be and grandchildren certainly will.

The outcome for me wasn’t good at first with my youngest daughter but great now. When my Thai gf became pregnant, her family put pressure upon her for pregnancy outside wedlock. So I decided to go with the flow and agreed with a ‘Thai blessing’, which they see as a marriage! I told my 5 children. The eldest two who are 5&6 years older than my partner were ok with it. But my youngest, in her 30’s, appeared to disapprove, her email stating that she didn’t understand me, blah blah blah. I replied saying I understood because when I went through some emotional trauma after separation from her mother, I never shared this with her, I felt it not to be her business but dealt with it myself. She didn’t reply but as fate had it my partner had a miscarriage. So I visited them all on holiday shortly after and was able to give an account of events and partner’s background etc Partner is a Teacher. They all seemed okay. Then on my next visit I took my partner and all was okay, they got on well, became friends on fb etc And then the youngest one came to Thailand ( her 3rd visit) with her bf and stayed with us. Alls well that ends well! I have never interfered nor disapproved of their relationships, regardless of age, race, color, sexual orientation. They have to live their own life. We all have our own karma plus inherited Karma, according to Yogic Science which is older than modern science!

Ethnicity is important, it influences our diet, behavior, language etc. I learnt this in providing good health care services and traveling. When people are sick or emigrate they lean towards it. Why do most Farangs want bacon and eggs for breakfast, or Sunday roasts in Thailand, for example??

Sorry I forgot to ask first, where are living. Why do people ask for help/ advice and never give their location?? Maybe I wasted my time if you’re not in CM, but good luck, follow the path I recommend or as the Thais say “ It’s up to you “!!

You didn’t say where you’re living? If in CM I can suggest a Pharmacy if you pm me.

If you have a mental health problem then it is likely to follow you wherever you go. So I would suggest that you seek professional help. You need an objective assessment then you may be offered counseling to help you see yourself out of the rut and reduce or stop your heavy alcohol intake. I would suggest two paths, either you go to the Psychiatric Hospital and ask to see a Psychiatrist. There are Males or Females, English Speaking. They may prescribe medication and follow you up to see if you are improving, and or he or she may refer you to a Psychologist for counseling. That is Suan Prung Hospital. You can ask for Dr Artitayaposn ( female who speaks English). I have known her for 3 years. She is very good. Or you can go to CM Ram Hospital and ask to see a Psychiatrist, you can ask for Dr Suttipan. He’s a Consultant Psychiatrist who is also very experienced in treating depression and or alcohol abuse. He also co-owns The Hills Rehab in Mae Rim. He also offers alternative medicine/ treatment after an assessment. I have worked with him for several years, he’s good. He also has access to counseling. Or you can contact another Rehab Service in Mae Rim and ask to see Lee. He is an English trained Head Psychologist experienced in assessments of mental health problems with alcohol or addictions. He works at the Cabin. I have also worked with him and he’s very good. Seriously consider professional help or you might regret it later in life. If you don’t need or want medication then let them know this.

A few replies have hit the nail on the head. Gambling is an addiction and the hardest one to treat. At one time the highest suicide rates were of gamblers. They would not recognize that they have a problem, only money shortages! Its a disease, like diabetes etc and becomes manifest at Certain times of one’s life. Maybe genetic factors too. Gambling and addiction is as old as sex! Denial is a main characteristic and only when the person hits rock bottom they may seek help. I saw an Ex Military American pilot who served in the Vietnam war refused to give up alcohol, until he ended up in the ICU, unconscious and near death. Miraculously he recovered and took notice of the wake up call. He had residential treatment for his alcoholism. So it’s difficult for you to standby and watch her destroy her and others lives. In your situation I would contact and speak to Specialist Residential Addiction Services. Some would do home visits to intervene and will also give you the support and advice that you need. Remember cross addiction is also common where she can switch from one addiction to another. Scientists have identified in the brain of an addict that there is an imbalance of dopamine, so that they are unable to stop and their habit is compulsive. Try to understand that and seek professional help. That’s what I would do. There are hundreds of Such Services in Thailand. If she was a diabetic or had some other disease, you won’t give up on her, would you? So think of disease and get help.

I am wondering if the solution Britain used to solve the Northern Ireland problem isn’t worth considering? USA I believe was instrumental in bringing about peace there, because many Americans are of Irish descent. Maybe Thailand should try the same and get another country involved in negotiations, maybe Malaysia? There has to be some kind of negotiations, surely?

All is needed is a good HR Department and a sympathetic Manager. Any Staff with any health concerns should then be able to get the appropriate advice and support without having to go to FB. She may well have other issues with partner, family, money etc and needs some counseling? FB should not be for workplace complaints, it tells me that something is missing! People tend to use Social Media for poor service providers, eg Airlines etc and it makes little difference for large Companies/ Businesses.

edited) Cardless Withdrawals are great but what if you need cash & are somewhere that doesn't have one of your Bank's ATMs (My closest Bangkok Bank one is a 20 minute walk from where I live & I've never been able to find one in Terminal 21, Pattaya) or need to buy something online (assuming you don't have a Thai Credit Card). I see your point, however there’s hardly a need to withdraw cash these days. Almost everywhere in Thailand you can scan to pay, even in the markets. I only have cash for tips! in the UK I just tap and go, similar in North America. But some people are just used to carrying cash. Maybe for? Police lol

makes me Laugh when I hear people talk about “ developing country” implying that countries in the West are “ developed “. English language has a way of putting people down, eg Tribes in Africa but Nations in the UK; Terrorists vs Colonialists, both the same, kill, scare and maim people to achieve their own objectives! I have lived and visited Western Countries, they are still backward in many ways, IMHO, Reminds me of a famous graffiti : News Reporter to Ghandi : What do you think of Western Civilization? Ghandi : I think it’s a good idea. I don’t lower my standards which sounds racist to me, but “ go with the flow”

I received my cheque(s) by post and I am with BKK Bank. No problem paying the Cheques in and waiting a few days for it to clear. My Thai partner just started using the ATM without a card, hence saving on the annual fee! I am going to see if I can do the same!

I think it’s important to recognize that as humans we’re all addictive animals. Except our brain is more sophisticated, we can discriminate, control our desires etc whereas animals cannot. We also have a longer digestive system than animals, so meat for example stays longer in our colon ( days) compared to say a Lion. We also inherit genes not only from parents but ancestors, you can’t be here without having parents and they couldn’t having parents and you can go on for a few more generations and you get to 300 years of history. So that accounts for why we are all different and suffer different diseases. Some more self control than others. Behaviors and attitudes we see today are no different from centuries ago, just more sophisticated! But the dopamine levels in our brain is what determines if we want more or less and plays a part in addiction. So some of us could stop or reduce a habit whereas others go until they hit “rock bottom “. Then there is cross addiction, so you may stop gambling but take up alcohol, or Vice versa. Stop smoking but take up caffeine. Stop drugs but take up exercising, running, riding etc. It the same dopamine that is released when in the Gym and attendance then becomes compulsive. But considered more healthy. Food addiction, Sex Addiction, Gambling addiction, Love addiction, Post traumatic Disorder ( from soldiers who drink heavily), all here in Thailand, it’s all here folks. Good if you can exert self control and rehabilitate your lifestyle before it’s too late. Many need professional help in a residential setting. we’re all in the <deleted>, only the depth varies!

It’s a Non IMM O, thx Bill 97

Maybe it’s not OA Extension? The stamp reads “ retirement “ and expires next May when my passport expires. Apologies if I have misled, it wasn’t intentional.

I done it today without any Insurance requirements. I never had Health insurance all my life, until applying for “1 year extension “, second time around ( first one was changed when I got a job to a work permit). I was misled into getting Insurance which I did , but never needed it. An Agent who assisted me in the past also said the same. So I am a bit confused about this ?

BTW I don’t and never needed Insurance Certificates for my renewals. I have got cover nevertheless. Thx.

Many thanks to you both CM Bob and Red Phoenix, extremely helpful indeed. I will be sure to follow accordingly. I really appreciate your prompt replies.

If your wife is unable to sleep because of a “ particular medication “ then you might find it difficult getting any medication that would help her to get off to sleep. What is likely to happen is that whatever medication she does eventually take to help her sleep will likely to have a knock on effect the next day i.e she may want to sleep all morning. Some drugs potentiate the action of another, so it will depend on her “ particular medication “ and what time of the day she takes it? Lorazepam is a benzo that is not known to be addictive. In touristy areas you can get it over the counter. I used it in long distance flights. It’s generally excreted ( out your system) quickly. I tried Cannabis oil ; melatonin ; antihistamines; alcohol; found them all useless. But everyone is different, so it may work for some, as mentioned in some of the replies. Hope you do find something. I worked in Healthcare for 50 years, including mental health and there are some medications which helps one condition but causes problems in getting off to sleep. I really haven’t seen an easy solution. Often In Patients end up with a cocktail of benzodiazepines; phenothiazines ; and hypnotics ( sleeping tablets), but usually during an acute phase of an illness. I understand it may be different in your wife’s case but you have choices given to you. Even the Valium prescribed may be helpful as a short term basis. As you are aware of it’s addictive properties then you have to weigh up the pros and cons. Good luck and I would be interested to know if and what you find to be helpful in the end.

Can anyone please confirm that when renewing the above, my passport has to be 12 months before the expiry date? My Visa expires in July 2023 and my passport expires in May 2024. I am planning to renew the Visa tomorrow, here in CM it can be done 45 days before expiry of the visa. I am traveling to the UK in Early July for a month and was planning to renew my passport there. Thanks in advance. Much appreciated.

The neighbor arranged for it to be cut and will pay. The man who cut it gave us 2 coconuts! All’s well that ends well!

Thanks all, problem solved after communications with neighbor; Housing Agent ; Niti ( Person in charge of the Moo Baan).. Sorry if I misled others, but it was her I was referring to as “ Phuu Yai Baan”.

Thanks for the replies. The property is owned by a foreigner, so I suspect the Phuu Yai Baan is the registered Owner, as with most properties here that are bought by foreigners. She has not replied to my request. I might go to see her. I have tried politeness with the neighbor but to no avail! Even though my wife has helped her in the past with translation!

My neighbor’s coconut tree branches ( some) are over on my roof and yard. I have asked her to cut it 2 weeks ago and also messaged the Agent who let the property. But no reply. She had cut them in the past and so did the Agent. But not helpful this time! I have searched the web and found one answer from an Estate Agent who quoted a legal case whereby sufficient notice was given, then the branches were removed, when no action was taken be the tenant/ owner. This would imply that I can do the same, it means me paying for it to be cut and removed! But I was wondering if anyone has had a similar situation or can advise from legal counsel/experience. Many Thanks