samtam

1 eye at Rutnin THB140,000 (ish) and 1 eye at Samitivej THB75,000

The dish best served cold.

Certainly when I bought my condo here 20 years ago and was renovating it for the first time, my contractor told me that he was asked to pay THB5K a piece for three metal balcony drain covers. I was surprised then, but he paid him, or rather I did. (A similar drain cover today costs around THB100 a piece.)

You're assuming too much right now. I wanted to hear a few opinions, and yours is certainly helpful. I am aware it is how the country runs, but there are obviously specific circumstances which I have chosen not to disclose, such as the history with the management company etc.

I hear what you are saying about leaving well alone, but the contractor's bribe comes from somewhere, and I think it's pretty adjacent to the contract fee.

I think I can be certain, (if that isn't a contradictory way of putting it), that it does not involve any other committee members. I will be speaking to them privately.

When is the OP travelling? (See below). Taking it out of Thailand in hand luggage would be the problem, if over 100ml per item.

I suppose I am being totally naive, and should not have expected any thing less. As a committee member for our condo, which is managed by one of the so-called top building management companies, I was rather taken aback today when I was informed by one of our contractors that he was asked for a payment to the building manager for a contract awarded by the board. He also showed me proof that the subcontractor carrying out the renovation was asked for a similar bribe. For another simultaneous project by the same contractor and another subcontractor, they have to pay a fee to some/several (as yet undefined) of our management or juristic team to have the quality control approved. As it's Thailand, it is possible that this practice is the norm, and I should turn a blind eye to it. It does however absolutely disgust me, knowing what potential adverse impact there might be on the quality of the work, aswell as the ultimate cost to owners. It also goes against the very fibre of my being. The contractor whistleblower is not Thai, so he obviously felt comfortable telling me of his experience, otherwise I would doubtless never have heard about it. Anyone have any experience of this, and advice. Is it just "When in Rome..."?

Just completed the course and received my certificate with QR code. The date is completely wrong....says completed Private Driving Licence on 19 September 2023. I will be going on 19 March which is exactly 6 months, and it states *results of training are valid for 6 months from completed training date. Hope it works. Maybe the QR code says something else?

I agree, sadly. It is not surprising given the very different ways we live our lives, but respect for property amongst those who don't own anything of (high value), is quite strange. But I suppose there are other priorities. The last time I had my aircons cleaned I moved everything out of the range of the machines as they were cleaning them, (as per usual), including the pieces of silver and bronzes on top of a George III piecrust table. Sometime later, because it was almost in my eyeline, I noticed one of their wet cleaning cloths hanging from the side of it. It must have been there for several minutes, and it of course left a water stain, which I am still trying to remove with a antique oil designed for such purposes. Still, I suppose it's seen a few things in its life, and this just adds to its rich tapestry, almost literally. And besides, it's barely noticeable in the dim lighting I use at night; even better when the lights are off. I literally supervise all activity in my flat like a hawk, so that micromanaging is par for the course.

Did the gas bottle have some yellow residue aswell? A decent carpet shampoo should get it all out.

I did not really expect the anesthetic to be administered by a needle, and only realised as I was on the gurney. It is possible the doctor told me in one of the multitudinous (Rutnin has a very belaboured process) pre-op consultations, but I did not remember it. Stopping the hemorrhaging was a rather terrifying experience, and my eye looked a mess (as if I'd been in at least one round with Mike Tyson), for a month or more. Luckily the operation was successful, (performed after the hemorrhaging), and my beauty 🫣 restored.

Thank you. Very helpful. Having received my Certificate of Residence this morning, I will go off to Chatuchak (one of Bangkok's DLT centres) next week, and watch the vdo and get the QR code. Appreciate your input!

I do tip, rather too generously for everything in Thailand. My point was simply the "it's not a lot of money" argument works for both sides. If it's such a tiny amount for both parties, why bother? My point about having change, is do I always have to have the smaller notes (less than THB500 or THB1000) available? I used to always for taxis, as they could never even change a THB100 bill, but now I give them THB100 if it's within 25% of that.

I'm sure a cash payment is as much of a pain in the derriere for the driver as it is for me. And will the driver have no have change, (like a taxi driver)?

Yup, not a lot of money. But I'd rather have it than Grab. Their new add on charges are costing them a lot more in reputational cost than the credit card fee and the "platform fee", (which seemed to only be effected 2 times).

....which I thought these card companies specifically discouraged.

Doubtless. My thinking was too logical.

Thanks to you and Kh Benq. Will watch the vdo and get the QR code. The other question that sprang to mind today is whether I can use my certificate of residency from IMM for both Thai DL renewal and International Driving Permit (IDP), if I apply for both on the same day. I only have 1 original, but wonder whether it would work for 2 things. IDP also seems to require an original letter/certificate. Sounds too simple and logical, but I might try and do it that way. (I'm going to Japan in May and want to drive, but Thai DL requires IDP.)

Thanks! I just asked a Thai staff member here. He says for renewal before expiry of 5 year DL, (which I am), no need for oral question. Also he said no need for form completion, just return old (existing) DL. (But this may only be for Thais.) Anyway, I await your report. I was planning on going tomorrow, but my Certificate of Residence will not be available until Wednesday; I already have the Medical Certificate. As far as I understand it, we only have to do the nonsensical antediluvian tests with wooden sticks etc.

As others have stated, cataract surgery does not require an overnight stay. However, having had both mine done, first at Rutnin Eye (Bangkok) where the anesthetic procedure caused hemorrhaging, (needle into the eye), I still went home to recover the same day, and administered the requisite drops until I went for a follow up the next week. Given my experience I then had the second eye surgery performed at Samitivej Hospital (Bangkok) with drops anesthetic and went home afterwards. I was picked up by my partner both times, and managed the washing (shower) without getting water anywhere near my eyes. The prices you are quoted seem very reasonable. Rutnin was around THB140,000 and Samitivej around THB75,000 (both eyes normal lenses). My straightforward experience at Samitivej is the norm for these procedures, (as everyone kept telling me before the horror show at the first surgery). Happily everything is OK in both eyes now, and the difference in my sight is dramatically better; I no longer need long distance glasses.

If you could let me know, I'd appreciate it. I started to watch the vdo and there was a question about brake distance depending on speed, but the answer only came subsequently, and I got it wrong, so will have to have another go. It is rather protracted and unfocused, but I suppose if required, better to watch it at home, rather than at DLT.

The page in the URL for private cars says not required for Driving Licence renewal...I think: It does not apply to obtaining a new driver's license and driving license renewal

Do you need photos for a renewal?

It was Grab Car Premium on both occasions.