NanLaew

When I access Thai lazada on the web from an overseas ip address, it requires either an email or sms with a code. Most times this works, but when there are network issues, the login can time out before the code arrives. Then I noticed the QR code symbol on the login page. Using the scan feature in the lazada app on the smartphone, scan that QR code and Voila! Bob's your uncle, logged in with no email/sms faff. I find the app much better for looking for specific items or just browsing style shopping, saving stuff that catches my eye to my Wish List. Later, I can fire up the laptop, log in and, using online translation, get all the information on the product before deciding if it's something that I really can't live without need.

If the OP's important stuff is in Thailand at a place where he cohabits with a long-time girlfriend, then the very, very obvious conclusion is that he is not a tourist. That and being a self-confessed visa runner with a 20-year success rate that appears to have just been nipped in the bud.

Y'all got shares in Boeing then? Some infrequent fliers hear "737 MAX" and their <deleted> pucker. The CEO of Nok is right to be reticent. The public perception needs to be properly addressed, and the best way Boeing can get away from that is totally by dropping this 'MAX' label from all their products on offer. But first, they do need to stop cutting corners and build airplanes and avionics that are fit for purpose and not bodge jobs on air frames from the +50 years ago.

Glad you sorted that out. I once sailed with a skipper who couldn't work out the proper tide tables. Couldn't park a boat for the life of him, either. He was British but lived in some blighted, remote corner of Spain. We sometimes wondered why he chose that location, and we agreed it was probably where he wrecked his last boat.

It will be a lot cooler in the boot/trunk.

It will be a lot cooler in the boot/trunk.

The OP appears to be in a unit that requires some repair and maintenance and suggests that the landlord, despite being made aware of this, hasn't done anything. Correct? The OP has only mentioned the "bathtub" twice. 1 - Has this been raised with the landlord? 2 - Has the landlord made any comment or promised anything to resolve this? 3 - Has the landlord made repairs, but they have not resolved the issue? Is there anything else that needs the landlords attention? The OP has already set his sights on another, better unit. Better may include having features and fittings of a higher quality or standard and thus 'better value' when comparing the rent. Maybe it was recently remodelled? This shouldn't be seen as a contributing reason for seeking early termination of the current lease. We all want the latest model of car or phone but aren't entitled to get it just because our old one isn't up-to-date. If the lease doesn't have any specific termination clause and details of how that affects any deposit held by the landlord (the OP is light on such details), the assumption is that he can give reasonable notice and vacate. Subsequent posts suggest that the OP doesn't think the landlord will refund anything? If there's also nothing in the signed lease that says he cannot do this, then he can. Not sure about tenants being charged rent for units they have vacated until the landlord secures a new tenant. I saw this mentioned in another, earlier "deposit quandary" thread. Is that common? I've never seen that in any leases I have signed, but maybe it's a "condo thing"? Or even a "farang condo landlord thing"? My leases have been for houses, not condos and only with Thai landlords.

No inbound declaration card any more, correct. Any tourist can front up and pay for a muay tai session at a gym; it's not proscribed. They can even agree to sign up and start a course. With regard to the OP, he is primarily applying for a TR visa and it's of no importance or relevance to the TR visa application if he's going to visit a gym. The OP also mentions "Recreation learning (muay thai)" as an alternative to the TR visa. I believe that requires what used to be called (still called?) the ED visa which will probably need some support documentation. Something to pursue AFTER he gets here and settles in. The OP shouldn't be putting the cart before the horse for the visa: just get the TR, come to Phuket and take it from there.

Wait for member @NextG to pick up on this thread for comment and/or recommendations. His knowledge of both the technology, real expectations and the current market is very good.

Successive UK governments either ignored or chose to bury this. The UK's Post Office is a huge, loss-making but very public monument to the worst aspects of British politics and the vain politicians that infest the seats of government, both local and national. The NHS is another one.

I assisted my mate with his single-entry, 60-day TR eVisa application via the Thai representation in the UK. For proof of accommodation, they accepted an upload of his initial 2-night Bangkok hotel booking on agoda. No further info requested regarding where else he would be staying. As for the OP's TR visa application, he should just focus on that. Any plan to study Muay Thai is something for the future, not for the immediate reason to visit. Mentioning it in the TR application will just confuse things at best or open a can of the proverbial at worst. Good luck.

@Goat!

Ah, so you can spot the Thai bashers a mile away as well, eh?

No, not good enough for Thailand's Defamation Laws. You may recall the American teacher who wrote a scathing and rambling review of a west coast beach resort that resulted in him being threatened under the defamation laws by the owners. He stupidly doubled-down, posting another deleterious and fundamentally off-topic review. When this did result in his being sued by the property owners, after being apprised of the perils of the defamation laws here, he finally withdrew all the posts, met with the owners, had a great photo-op with everyone smiling and exchanging flowers and the ubiquitous baskets of Brands... only for the lawsuit to stick and the numpty being run out of Dodge on a rail. Som nam-nah as they say here. The defamation laws here are arcane. Ill-conceived, open for abuse, and wouldn't stand a chance of becoming legislation in many other countries. Unfortunately, this is Thailand and in this case I say stick it to 'em TG. Well done.

I was married to a Sukosol once, briefly. That's what she told me she was anyway. Very, very white skin, Chinese looking? Rich? I recall they were the family behind the Siam Hotel where I stopped at on one, if not my first foray in Bangkok? My mate Stephen Gormley did the glasswork in the lobby BTW. Also, the Siam Bayshore and Bayview hotels down in south Pattaya. Must have fallen on hard times if they can't afford a paltry 7.2 mill tax bill, eh? PS: I had sex in a car one rainy afternoon in that Morakot parking lot, thus it holds special memories for me. Not with the Sukosol girl either.

There's a monster's prison? Really? Where?

Like you never were? An embarrassment, I mean, not a backpacker.

Surely you've omitted the first step, where the Thais to do what Thais do... and accept bribes. Then the Russians do what Russians do.. take over, etc,. etc., etc..

What the...? They had insurance? No need for a gofundme? Oh, wait...

Personal fantasy time? Yes, probably, but so far none on this THREAD. Thanks for bringing it up anyway.

Yes they are. However, their notarization may not be accepted overseas. If the entity requesting the notarization is aware that Thailand is not a signatory to the international apostille convention, they may not accept it. I was advised as such from a Thai lawyer who was a legalised Thai Notary. He was happy to provide notarization but warned me that it may not be accepted. Fortunately, the UK bank requesting it did accept it.

Echoes of the infamous Udon Thani pie wars there. Thought there was something serious going on but found out one of the protagonists was an Aussie. So, has Tinnies mastered the runny, mystery meat purée filling like a proper Four and Twenty?

You started off well, but there's so much more to a home visit than focusing on the things that annoy or upset you there. Did that dream include the inexplicably slow queue to buy your favorite, microwaved, processed meat-filled 'pastry' product? Yes, I'm not a fan and never got my head around the fascination for this city center, fast-food phenomenon, but anything that survived Covid has got to be good, right?

Do you have a picture of that? I need a new screensaver. Thanks.

They don't even do that in Merrye Olde Englande any more. But you're right, and wrapped up in printed newsprint.