Tazmo

I have to use the rules of the Governing body of Cricket. But for my own body and mind, I make the rules

I use a Thai debit and credit card here in Thailand, both from BKK Bank. never had any problems. recently booked a return flight to the UK with Qatar and used my Thai card. I canceled and had a refund voucher for up to a year, for the same value! I only use my UK Nat West debit card in the UK or transferring money for grandkids presents or to use Wise for my monthly expenses. only problem is that NatWest won’t post cards when they expired. I usually have it posted to my daughter in the UK and she sends it to me. their customer care is based in India and don’t know about cards not being sent to Thailand! So I got the run around a few times!

I looked forward to retirement because I never had enough time to do some things, neither was there enough time to spend longer days doing the things I loved. I have and am achieving that each day. my real education started at Retirement. Thanks to You Tube I was able to learn more about Hinduism and it’s way of life. I learnt about Yogic Science after my disillusionment with medical science over 50 years ( not to say that medical science has hugely contributed to a better quality of life). But hasn’t all the answers. Learnt more about Inner Engineering and how to value each day. cooking, recipes that I love to try out, and learning about being vegan. Markets, shopping malls and dining out. Expensive but good quality beer and wine! Admiring Thai women daily, everywhere you go! flirting specialist. More massages for the aching bones! daily news, sports, catching up with distant family and friends via social Media. Cricket and football I can now watch 24 hours! Plenty time to sleep when you’re dead! also do some Life- Coaching, cricket Umpiring, gardening. And some days nothing, just go with the wife to a nice restaurant in the rice fields. Living in the present, “ what is right now is already set, it cannot be any other way “…. Sadhguru…..” all the rules are my rules “.

I looked forward to retirement because I never had enough time to do some things, neither was there enough time to spend longer days doing the things I loved. I have and am achieving that each day. my real education started at Retirement. Thanks to You Tube I was able to learn more about Hinduism and it’s way of life. I learnt about Yogic Science after my disillusionment with medical science over 50 years ( not to say that medical science has hugely contributed to a better quality of life). But hasn’t all the answers. Learnt more about Inner Engineering and how to value each day. cooking, recipes that I love to try out, and learning about being vegan. Markets, shopping malls and dining out. Expensive but good quality beer and wine! Admiring Thai women daily, everywhere you go! flirting specialist. More massages for the aching bones! daily news, sports, catching up with distant family and friends via social Media. Cricket and football I can now watch 24 hours! Plenty time to sleep when you’re dead! also do some Life- Coaching, cricket Umpiring, gardening. And some days nothing, just go with the wife to a nice restaurant in the rice fields. Living in the present, “ what is right now is already set, it cannot be any other way “…. Sadhguru…..” all the rules are my rules “.

I also applied online with the new system on the 13/12 . Received acknowledgment but not got the slip as yet! if you haven’t got a printer then you can email it to someone with a printer ( answer to a question from someone)

In my experience in Thailand, if the Bar or Restaurants owners are Farangs with Thai wives, the beer prices will be high for sure ( with very few exceptions). if they have Bar girls, expect much higher prices, even for a soda water 40 baht (9 in 7 eleven) the girls get no pay, but free accommodation ( usually 5 to a room) and they have to do all the cleaning, cooking and laundry! Then they are taught to push the customer to buy them a drink, they get like a 100 baht for each drink, it can cost the customer 150-200baht, then they sometimes clear off to another customer. Good if you’re on holiday and want some fun and the exchange rate is always favorable. But beers brewed over here and sold in other bars are very expensive because the government tax them the same as imported beers. Craft beers for example. I paid 200 baht for a small bottle of very good locally brewed IPA. It was very similar to White Shield that you used to get in the UK, supping beer, poured carefully to leave the yeast at the bottom of the bottle. I love real ale so I pay high prices at special Thai beer cafes, sometimes 240;baht for a decent German stout, the same for a pint of Guinness. Cheap Thai beer is an insult to my kidneys lol

I have read some of the replies. It’s obvious that experiences differ greatly. you will need to do your own research on the area or community you want to purchase. it is never a no, no, because there’s good and bad, as everywhere else in the world! I have lived in a Gated Community now for 2 years and it’s been a good experience. beforehand, I knew there was an International School nearby and some of its staff lived there. the same goes for local restaurants, all used by the School’s staff and visiting parents. I go away a lot, and no problem. Never put up window bars etc. loads of people available for watering your garden; cleaning; moving the lawn; laundry collection etc good and cheap local services. Electricians, plummers, builders, mainly handymen ( be careful of their qualifications) some electrical work can be risky. But if you have a Thai speaking partner, no problem whatsoever.