samtam

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.

Here's a clue about slow fulfillment: ...how many days has Srettha been behind his desk in Bangkok, or in Thailand, as opposed to abroad, drumming up so-called intangible "business" or non specific invitations to other countries' heads of state or government? ...who is actually running the government? ...why doesn't the foreign minister go off gallivanting? ...why doesn't the transport minister sort out immigration delays at Suvarnabhumi? ...why doesn't the interior minister go to the "Deep South", or to visit Issan, or other photo ops up and down the country? Perhaps the coalition is so fragile it cannot progress one item on the election promises agenda, and Srettha is just keeping the seat warm for the chosen one, and until MFP have been eliminated, before the next general election.

They also added another new fee "platform fee" of THB20 per ride. But since questioning it, they see to have stopped. Their answer was a complete word salad:

It's practically a capital offence, as Pita will find out soon enough.

Actually after relatively low AQI numbers in Bangkok last week, (around 60-80), today the AQI is back to 130-150.

"....not be stretch..." Actually that might be a solution to his problem, as below: I too have recently been to have physio at MedPark, (at vast expense), and the stretching exercises have certainly helped. Most of the rest of it is a bit of a racket, as to be expected from the medical hub of the world.

Sorry to be so flippant. I have Xiomi. 2 smaller ones in the bedrooms, and one large one in the living room. As to their effectiveness, I have no way of measuring that, but there is a indoor air quality monitor device you can buy on Lazada to measure.

THB19,300

The celebration seems much more pronounced this year. Many people wearing red in Bangkok. A number of premises closed for the non holiday; Chinese New Year is actually tomorrow. Park Silom, (Silom Road and Convent Road):

Yes, rather like the telephone kiosks which remained out of service for what seemed/s like a couple of decades.

Thanks, but the cycling is for my partner's back, (slipped disc between L4 & L5). The stationary bikes in our gym are not suitable, as they are a seat variety, (as in you do not lean forward, or stretch the spine). @ricklev seems to have provided a solution for me to check out.

Thanks I just walked up to the park and inquired at the Rama IV entrance opposite U Chu Liang entrance. Some English speaking young Thais directed me towards the Silom MRT station, to which I went. None there. So completing my circuit, I went via Sathorn Road, and noticed two stations, both devoid of bikes and obviously dead.... a case of no pun (pun) intended So thanks for your suggestion. I will look further, at the area you suggest.