NanLaew

With the likelihood of paying tax starting from next year, the idea of snow birding or having a third base in one's plans seems prescient.

Shacking up with a proctologist is a great idea. Thanks!

Good luck with that service from the British Embassy if you ever need it. I agree. The British Embassy's Spanish translators are rubbish.

I haven't had issues with viruses on Windows machines since I got rid of the various, overinflated AV/spyware programs and just left it to Window's own Defender app to look after stuff.

My recently retired 12 year-old ASUS laptop was still good enough on the original, user replaceable battery after 5 years, but I thought that was pushing the envelope and getting a replacement when I needed it would be more difficult, so I ordered a spare. Both batteries are still good. The new ASUS laptop has the built-in battery, but a YouTube showed how easy it is to replace when needed. I have already upgraded the SSD.

Phew! No Brits.

Car smuggling? Investment vehicles. Like watches but bigger.

Jack Reacher? Is that you?

I was offered a 1 year ME non o by an agent in Savannakhet I would be very wary of pursuing that route. Several years ago, there was a scandal at the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur when some unused visa stickers came up missing. More recently, I recall a worker at one of their Chinese legations being arrested for charging Chinese students non-immigrant visa rates for their student visas. Their consular efforts seem to be fair game for their in-house scammers. I got my 1-year MENO in Savanakhet last February, on my first three re-entries at Suvarnabhumi this year, the IO's did several close inspections of the visa sticker, tilting it under different light, before stamping me in. The re-entry ten days ago was the first time it didn't get the extra scrutiny. I would assume that the IO's are now aware that Savanakhet Consulate now needs proof of funds so any recently issued MENO's will probably get closely examined.

So based on that, you think the agents will double their prices? I guess we can agree to disagree. If anything, the agent bandwagon has got cheaper over the years. This despite arguably more people being unable/unwilling to bank here.

I recently had a DHL package from the UK that was delivered to me in Udon by a local, unmarked courier van with the DHL lady as the passenger.

Penguins? You mean penguisexual? Google it.

Plenty blokes though, no? Just sayin'

A limp what?

No. No they aren't.

Are you over it now?

Then why were they collected by the long-faced ones from the front rows of my flight? Now stop being silly.

Overly long sentences. 4 out of 10 Must try harder.

It's still a waste of bandwidth though. PS. Everyone is different with unique life experiences but if you want to live your life vicariously through the acts of others on the internet, you need to try harder. There are loads out there that are way better than Dan Cheeseman.

Please advise what airline did that? Do you use them all the time? EVA would never do that, and if they did I would need to find a new one. BTW, my flight consisted of three segments, and even after that my luggage was still front of the queue in BKK. Did your airline advise you of the fast track immigration for business class? Since neither EVA or any of the airlines operate baggage handling systems at any airport, not sure how you can assert anything about EVA. Most times if you are flying 'front of the bus' your bags will pop out first. However, it's not guaranteed. I had the very recent experience of my (economy class) bag coming down the chute at the very end with the 'LAST BAG' sign showing... followed by the Priority tagged business class stuff. Not all airlines qualify for (or pay for) the fast track immigration service for their Business Class pax at Suvarnabhumi immigration.

I left Udon after lunch on Monday, over the bridge and checked in to the hotel by supper time. Submitted application on Tuesday (maybe a dozen applicants), picked up on Wednesday afternoon, exited the country and drove home in time for supper. Those Korean-looking sorts are Chinese with their 'wives' and probably the reason the Consulate finally started asking for proof of funds. Mondays and Thursdays are reported to be the worst days for applying.

Real men don't read manuals.* Sheesh... * Tim's Tool Time rule #13

Ah, so you've finally worked out why they give you a wide berth, eh?

Nothing to do with public record, FoI, LM or defamation. It's just another facet of Thai society's innate sloth and indolence.

Yes, that is extortion. I hope you manage to find a new place with a more amenable landlord. Someone's seriously milking this pooyai bahn thing. What are the written terms of notice to vacate in your signed lease agreement? Typically, it's 1 month or 30 days. So give them exactly that. You have about 60-days to find a new place and not waste any more time or money on these robbers and what they claim they are entitled to. With regard to not bothering with a lease after renewing or extending beyond the first year, stop playing the Thai landlord's lazy game. To save yourself from 'unexpected' liabilities, always get a new, signed lease. Immigration will want to see it anyway (plus the landlord's tibian bahn and ID card). If a landlord doesn't want to provide any of these, don't deal with them. As for witnesses, I am assuming these multiple needs to provide a witness you mention is due to two separate and non-consecutive extension applications? It should be a one-time thing and doesn't need to be your landlord (especially THIS landlord). In Udon, it was the neighbor's oldest kid from across the street, one time, done. In Jomtien, they didn't need one. You mentioned switching to a Retirement Extension. If the drawbacks you mention aren't insurmountable, do it. You also mentioned getting a 1-year multi-entry visa from Savanakhet. If the drawbacks you mention aren't insurmountable, do that.