5davidhen1

I listen to BBC radio 2 on i-player (Sounds) here in Thailand, but have never succeeded with television, always getting the same message as you --- "out of region, or copyright rules etc." I have tried free VPN but I don't fully understand the concept and I'm not inclined to pay for something which I would rarely use anyway. I'm quite happy listening to music.

I have NOT had a CAC test. The original (I think it's called a lipid test) test showed a high number of 9+. A following test showed that Simvastatin reduced this to lower than 5. I have not had any further tests done and I don't like taking drugs, but it's very easy to take 1x40mg tablet each night and, if it "keeps my tubes clear" than I'm happy to keep doing it. I don't think that Statins per se were around very much when my father died aged 69 in 1984. He was overweight, did not lead what one could describe as a healthy lifestyle and his job was as an overhead crane driver working for British (English) Steel --- just imagine what he was ingesting every day --- sulphur pentoxide and all that. So far, I'm in reasonable health. I do drink, mainly Chang, and the occasional red wine, but I stopped smoking 23 years ago. I'm 72 years old. Just one final point --- I was OK when I visited my GP over 30 years ago. It was during a general check-up when he asked me about family history. Had I not told him about my father (who incidentally had succumbed to heart attacks and a couple of strokes prior to his demise) he would never have recommended the lipid test, I wouldn't have been put on Simvastatin --- and who knows, I may not have been writing this?

Having been diagnosed with high cholesterol and put on a special diet, it was decided that, unfortunately, I am one of those people whose body manufactures too much cholesterol, regardless of diet. I was therefore put on Simvastatin which has successfully controlled my cholesterol for MORE THAN 30 YEARS! About 10 years ago, having read some bad press regarding statins, not dissimilar to the content in this thread, I visited my GP, expressing my concerns. Her reply to me was "What do you want to die of!"

.....But it had silver bullets!

Hayley in the original "Parent Trap", yes!

Vegan "Beef" burger??? That's a contradiction in terms if ever I heard one!

When I was 14 years old, I went to see The Sound of Music --- 4 times!!! I fell in love with the character "Brigitta" played by Angela Cartwright, who also played the character "Penny Robinson" in "Lost in Space".

This week I did my "gow sip wan" ONLINE for the first time. I was impressed as I found it was easy to do, and it came back approved the following day. I live quite close to Soi 5 immigration and found it convenient to just "pop in" to the office, so I had been putting off "going digital", until I read the reports about the new bureaucratic procedure. This, kind of forced my hand. I have my receipt safely stored on my laptop --- and my phone. My only concern, is that I do not own a printer. Is it really necessary to obtain a "hard copy", or could I just keep the digital copy(ies) until such time as I need a hard copy, like perhaps at extension renewal time?

Thank you Sheryl, but no, my problem isn't mainly at night, nor is it something new. I have had the problem over many years now --- not just in Thailand --- in fact, now I come to think of it, the problem USED TO alleviate itself greatly whenever visiting hot countries. I have been using Betamethasone nasal drops for many years now and this usually helps, it's just that the issue has got particularly intolerable during the last 3-4 weeks. Betamethasone instructions state that the medication should "not be used long-term", but upon being discharged from hospital, following my last (3rd) polypectomy about 30 years ago, the consultant recommended that I indeed do take it "as long as required" in an attempt to stay the need for another polypectomy. I was a "Covid strandee" here from 2020-2022. I ran out of Betamethasone for about 9 months (couldn't find it in any Pattaya pharmacy, tried many alternatives --- nothing worked). I was in a sorry state until my daughter sent a supply over. Within a week or so, the severe symptoms receded. I wonder if this strange weather we have been having recently has anything to do with it?

Thank you.

I don't generally suffer from reflux. My sleep pattern is interrupted because my nose blocks which wakes me up through lack of air/oxygen.

Hi Folks, I have a long history of nasal/respiratory problems. I have undergone 3 polypectomies, the last one being 30+ years ago. I had a head scan a year ago for an unrelated reason (checking for early-onset Parkinson's disease) which showed that I had chronic sinusitis. This was not news to me and, until now, I've managed my condition using saline irrigation and Betamethasone nasal drops. However, my nasal passages are now almost constantly blocked and this interferes greatly with my sleep and consequently my general well-being. I'm not inclined to return home to the UK and surrender myself to the shambles which the NHS system has now become, so have decided to "bite the bullet" and pay for any procedure which, hopefully will improve my condition. Any recommendations for a hospital, particularly from anyone who has undergone an ENT procedure in or around Pattaya, with a similar condition would be greatly appreciated. When Covid was ongoing, I had my first 2 jabs at Samitivej Hospital, Sriracha. I was impressed with the service I received but, of course, it was part of a government initiative and was therefore carried out free of charge.

Hear Hear!

Two years ago, on BOXING DAY, I had lunch at The Caddyshack, Pattaya. It was delicious, almost identical to the one which had been served on Christmas day --- and half the price! AFAIK Christmas isn't celebrated in Thailand (previous respondents have referred to it being a work day or a school day) so why should a meal in a restaurant cost extortionate amounts of money. Back in the UK, one would expect to have to pay staff a large bonus to encourage them to leave their families in order to serve a load of strangers a Christmas lunch/dinner. I don't suppose Thai staff expect, or receive such a special bonus?

Just a small (perhaps insignificant, perhaps not) addition to this thread: I know from personal experience that HMRC talks to DWP. So, if there's anything you don't want DWP to know about, make sure not to inform HMRC.

Many thanks to all respondents --- especially Hotandsticky's generous offer. However, I discovered that I was able to send the documents electronically via email attachments, so all has now been resolved. David.

I will soon need to send a non-valuable document to the UK. The importance will be on speed, rather than anything else. Can anyone recommend a company with, if possible, a price estimate? The consignment will be no heavier than a simple letter inside an envelope. TIA.

One more "advantage" is that with cardless, you now have 2 ways to withdraw cash, in case one of them fails --- e.g. lost/stolen card.

Are you saying that Thai immigration (Jomtien?) is accepting the tax summary from DWP (HMRC gateway personal PAYE tax a/c) as proof of income to enable the annual extension of stay based on retirement, in lieu of the THB 800,000/ 65k pm method? Provided, of course, that the annual funds exceed 12xTHB65k.

On Soi Buakhao, near Diana Estate, used to be a restaurant called, I think, Crazy Monkey. It closed a year or two back and the site is now occupied by, I think, "The Sports Lounge." I can't remember how much I paid for the fish and chips which I had but, it was not expensive --- I think a little over THB 100. The fish was so delicious and IMHO sweeter than cod. I asked the Indian owner if it was John Dory, but he said no, it is called PANGASIUS, which apparently is a member of the shark/catfish family. To reiterate --- it was delicious!

Please does anyone know of any availability to join a local bar's pool league team. I've asked in 1 or 2 places around Jomtien but most venues already have full membership. I'm currently on "Playhouse's" (Rompho) reserve, but this means that I am only called in the event of a permanent member's unavailability. I would personally rate my playing as good, i.e. I generally win more games than I lose. TIA. David.

In 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, my late wife and I entered LoS on 90day non-imm Os simply to avoid the hassle of visiting immigration. We stayed for 2-3 months at a time from the UK. I now reside semi-permanently here on annual extensions of stay (based on retirement) on the back of my most recent non-imm O visa, obtained in January 2020. I have never experienced any problems either in Thailand or in airports. I do currently use an agent for my extensions, but am looking to try doing it myself next April via the 65k pm method. I asked on another thread if Jomtien Imm would accept evidence of the simple act of money transfers, rather than proof of the total 65k originating from a pension. However, I am yet to receive any comments on this. If anyone has personal experience of same, I would appreciate the reassurance of its acceptance. TIA. David.

From reading some comments on this thread, It appears that for the 65k method, one only needs to prove the monthly transfers from overseas, regardless of the source. I was previously of the understanding that the transfers must come from my (UK) pension. My UK pension(s), state and occupational, which are paid into my UK bank a/c currently fall a little short of the 65k. Please, can someone who already annually extends their stay using a monthly wire transfer (I use Wise into my Bangkok bank a/c) assure me that this method is acceptable to Jomtien immigration? Until now, I've been using a very good agent but, if it proves not too difficult using the 65k method, I'd like to "give it a go."

Please can someone explain the THB 65,000 pm option? I thought that the funds had to be shown/proven to come from pension receipts, but from reading this thread, it appears to be OK to simply show proof of a monthly transfer into BBK.

About 2-2 1/2 years ago I visited a German-owned restaurant in Bang Saray. I think it was called "Fisherman's Garden." It was almost the first restaurant I encountered when entering the beach road. My GF and I ordered meals and drinks, with ice. The drinks came from a different part of the restaurant from where the food did. I had to pay separately for the drinks --- and was charged extra (THB 10 I think) for the ice. Cheap Charlies, in Jomtien charges THB 20 for a very small portion of mint sauce, so I now take my own jar when having roast lamb. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I ask them to cook the veg a bit more (I'm sure that they just "show the veg some hot water" before plating it) it has never improved. My allegiance has largely now moved to "Gold Monkey" at the beach road end of Chaiyaphroek Road. This venue was formerly called "Gold Monkey 2" (GM 1 was in the Jomtien Beach Condominium complex) but has been under new ownership/management since earlier in the year. Their daily specials are all THB 99 (no loyalty card payment required) and are excellent value. They don't currently offer roast lamb but their Sunday roast, consisting of pork and chicken is accompanied by a variety of properly cooked veg. A particularly nice part of the meal is a crispy Yorkshire pudding (CC's are always soggy) filled with cauliflower cheese.