mikebell

I've been waiting 15 years for my B-i-L to repay money he 'borrowed' to pay for his daughter's school fees. I, too, am hopeful, nay optimistic.

Stop fretting; RTP have today formed an investigatory panel to look into it. Their results will be published in 2053.

Pattaya Plod want in on the action.

Or 'fined' to avoid discovery.

Another triumph for Pattaya Plod.

A spokesperson at Kunming station admitted that no return tickets will be sold.

From the article: 'the main causes that have been worsening air quality in Thailand. Urban Transportation–especially in the metropolitan area of Bangkok. As the number of personal cars have increased over 250% in the past 20 years and the law to tax old vehicles that emit pollution is still relaxed. Plus, Thailand’s adoption of Euro Emission Standard (vehicle emission standard for pollution) is also delayed. SOLUTION - police! Industrial Pollution–Thailand’s environment regulation has been weakened by the current junta government that does not monitor small factories compared to other countries who have legislation to mandate industrial pollution. Moreover, Thailand has been working blind on reducing industrial pollution as it has no data base on factory emission. SOLUTION - new Government Forest Fires—The fires are directly linked to air pollution from SEA’s seasonal burning of agricultural waste for the next crop cycle. SOLUTION - police.

Another day; another (2) corrupt cops unearthed. I cannot make up my mind whether the honest cops are getting better at detecting or the crooked cops are getting more arrogant & stupid.

Like The Guardian? The Bangkok Post? AseanNow? Where you get yours?

The Myanmar army are too busy killing unarmed civilians; a bit like the Thai army declaring war on Thai students.

Having read my post you will see I have lived here for 18 years which gives me a certain degree of experience. I have travelled extensively round Thailand; I came to Pattaya after living in Bangkok for some time; I've visited five of the islands; lots of cities/towns particularly in Issaan. I moved to Bang Sare which had a nice beach; good quality housing and friends. I only go to Pattaya for shopping.

The quantifying of my happiness was in defence of someone feeling sorry for my daily misery. As an amateur psychiatrist I think you'll understand why I must turn down your invitation to lie down on another man's couch.

I am an author. We're allowed poetic licence to make a point. Similarly my issue with a frozen State pension was merely meant to draw would-be retirees' attention to it. I did not know when I came here to be with my son 18 years ago. I think I would have reconsidered making the move permanently.

'Based on a True Story' 30 minute episodes. Worth a dabble.

I thought my house belonged to me. The Thai court decided otherwise.

I am the 2nd happiest person I know. (The 1st is my TGF.) I live in a lovely 3 bed/3 bath house on a secure & well appointed estate with superb gym/pool. Despite being 80 I play table tennis to a decent standard 3 days a week + visit the gym at least another couple of times. My son has a successful restaurant in BKK a mere 100 minutes drive away. 'focussing on scenarios you are unlikely to personally encounter' I don't understand this reference; my pension is frozen; Chiang Mai is polluted (I once spent an unfortunate weekend there;) I have holidayed in Samui & Phuket & experienced the taxi mafias personally; I have lived 18 years in Pattaya so know what I am talking about. My positive outlook on life has meant I have been a local and popular Quizmaster in the Pattaya league; played Pool for a number of bar teams with plenty of buddies in these areas. Despite my age I will be seeing my UK family in 3 weeks; next year I am planning to take my GF to my daughter's wedding + a holiday in Spain. Do you still feel sorry for me? Oh, by the way I have written & published four books since coming here; two of them are Thai-centric. The royalties make up the deficit in my pension.

I don't live in Chiang Mai and will never visit it as I value my health too much. I had a holiday in Samui in January where a simple short journey to the airport of under 3 kilometres cost 300 baht. I will not return; ditto Phuket. My post was a simple warning to avoid these pitfalls and to express disbelief that Thailand is at no 4. I live in Pattaya which has no police force to enforce the use of meters in Taximeters. Your simplistic solution of moving ignores the ties I have made over 18 years.

Thank you. I have this already but last time I tried I ran into a bewildering (for my age) array of choices. Despite this being patently their error I found I was expected to do lots of work.

Thank you. More evidence of Broken Britain.

How did you go about it? As my pension has been frozen for 15 years it seems probable that I have been overpaying every year! How far back might I expect a refund? What number? Whenever I've tried I am in a queue! I have photo-copied sundry Income tax documents & bank statements & sent them via Thai Post. I got a pink slip and was charged 300 baht. After hearing nothing, I went back to the same Post office to find it had been shut down. I suspect the girl booked a one-way ticket to Dubai. I gave the same papers to my daughter with a Power of Attorney document to act for me. She lives in UK but has not received as much as an acknowledgement. Will be back in Blighty three weeks tomorrow. Any suggestions?

They add up all your income & the State pension is considered as part of it. This may put you in a higher tax bracket. In my case I am suffering from the OP situation. When I retired I drew my State Pension immediately (aged 65 in the good old days!) It was about 90 odd a week or roughly 360 a month. I have never checked the coding until this year & see my State Pension listed under 'Income from other sources' as 10,109 UKP! I am 80 and my pension has been frozen for 15 YEARS & has never varied. Returning in three weeks for family visit & will be seeking an explanation.

and failing to pay this month's protection money.

No one; it was a foreigner who was killed.

Tried to cross 2nd road yesterday on a pedestrian crossing. Waited for my green light; vehicles in near side lane dutifully stopped whereupon I was nearly run down by SIX vehicles who went through the red light.

caused by ignoring packs of ownerless diseased dogs urinating/defecating on every soi in Thailand's Hub of Health. The number of road traffic accidents caused by strays is alarming but nothing will be done until a bus swerves to avoid a wild dog and runs into a queue of children.