BexMan

We were there last summer and I agree they are very law abiding, except for cycling on pavements. I was amazed how many cycle on the pavement, when there are beautiful wide roads without pot holes. Some come up quite quickly from behind and I had a couple of close passes. One street we were staying near even had a sign placed in the middle of the pavement, but cyclists would just cycle round it.

Thanks for the information, thats very interesting. I was wondering if you could advise me what hearing aid and translation device you ordered from Lazada? It sounds like a good option.

When you say lease, do you mean the Booking.com confirmation? I won't be able to produce a long term lease until we find somewhere, hopefully in that first month.

As it's not in Bolt or Grabs interest to implement these changes, it will be interesting to see how they handle the oversight and how much fares increase by. Also I expect the changes may slightly reduce the number of vehicles available as some drivers won't want the extra hassle of complying with the new regulations, if they are strictly enforced.

Just had a hearing test and unfortunately I do need to wear aids now. AI says that the level of technology available in Thailand doesn't match that in the UK and suggests buying aids before moving to Thailand, The pair I tested today from Hidden Hearing charges overnight in a similar cradle used for ear bud recharging in a USB port. It has a smallish behind the ear attachment to hold the aid in the ear in place. The problem is you are meant to have it checked every year and potentially adjusted. I really don't fancy travelling back to the UK every year. Has anyone had hearing aids prescribed and fitted in either Pattaya or Bangkok? Or has anyone brought a similar type when moving here from abroad and been able to get round the yearly adjustment problem.

As advised in a previous thread, I have now obtained a Non O Retirement Visa in the UK prior to my flight next month. So firstly thanks for all the advice on that thread, that will help reduce stress levels going through immigration. Unfortunately while my wife has had the required £20k in a Bank ISA for 12 months, it is managed through Hargreaves Lansdown and doesn't get a monthly statement from the bank. We will apply for a visa, but I am not confident it will be granted based on HL statements. So looks like I may need to arrange a safe entry for her. From reading previous threads my plan would be to firstly get a SIM card sorted out. I then want to try to open a bank account to deposit the 800k THB. We initially have a one month rental booked through Booking.com and I hope to arrange for a TM30 through the agent who advertised the condo. Am I right in thinking that I should then try and get a certificate of residence issued by Pattaya immigration to help in opening a bank account? TIA

That makes it more dangerous for pedestrians now. Avoiding the dimwits on bikes heading for the very space they will be walking on.

It would be nice to think the investigating committee would see through this as further evidence of Thaksin's guilt. Being promoted while under investigation for corruption, jeez. We can live in hope, but very unlikely anything will come of the enquiry, or this objection.

I wonder what his wife thought when he presumably said to her at midnight "I'm just popping out for a massage." I know what my wife would think.

I was rather surprised reading her list of excuses, that she didn’t claim she got pregnant because someone raped her.

Am I alone in thinking that some Doctors are going to make a mint from this new law?

Seems like AI needs reprogramming.

We are moving here in preference to Spain for the heat. With Raynaud’s disease we both find it harder to cope with the cold. So would rather cope with the heat in Thailand.

The US will now need to keep lots of assets in the area to deal with possible retaliations. So with America now distracted in the Middle East, maybe China will see this as an opportunity to invade Tawain.

I suspect it wouldn’t be as horrible as Iran getting nuclear weapons. The ability to pass a dirty bomb on to Hamas or Hezbollah for use against Israel or the US is really more concerning.