magpie3

My reading regarding prostate enlargement led me to find that doctors measured blood levels of testosterone and found them relatively 'normal', which was counter intuitive as bph was thought to be at least partly testosterone induced. Research I read dated as far back as 2005 documented the 'leaking' by gravity of testosterone into prostate tissues via dysfunctional blood vessels (described as varioceles - sp?) between testes and prostate, which increased local levels of testosterone levels hundreds of times and caused bph. Not certain if this led to PAE - prostatic artery embolisation - as a treatment, but I believe I read treatment of varioceles -if present - can also be achieved by surgery and may provide another bph treatment possibility. All this from memory and just to add to the discussion.

We have an old standalone version of Karafun [from before it morphed into an online money pit] and a thai/english karaoke player called Extreme Karaoke. The Karafun plays my ancient collection of what has been transformed into mp3/cdg files, and a copy of these which are in zipped format. The Extreme Karaoke plays midi files in Thai and English, although it rarely gets used for English - only when I'm put on the spot and cannot loadup the Karafun. I'm not particularly tech savvy so I'd ideally like to purchase [ but not subscribe to ] a program/app that could combine all the elements in one user friendly, searchable system. No chance it seems, after googling on many occasions. I thought the Thai/English midi based karaoke might have been a step in the right direction but I heard that the technicalities of adding mp3/cdg files and the 'engine' to play/select them would be far from easy if not impossible - as well as potentially illegal . So, I'm reaching out to see if anyone has found an elegant solution to what must have been a problem to at least some readers...? Anyone...?

Thanks for the replies. I'm in BKK and have ordered off Lazada. Delivery only took about 36 hours ! I came to the conclusion that any quality concerns regarding the product were unlikely to be addressed and for 5 months of use (until I get back to the uk) there was no need to overthink the issue. Setting up the brew now. 🙂

Thanks 👍

To my great disappointment I left my 3 yr old milk Kefir grains in the UK by mistake. I am now in Thailand for 6 months and would like to start another culture. Can anyone recommend a supplier of a good quality product that's local, or an online place that ships from abroad?

Thanks for the replies. Both appreciated. I do have the 1yr multiple entry Non-O by marriage and fully intend to follow previous advice from Transam and Dr. Jack above. I was not so much confused as I was alarmed at the potential for border control to apply the limitation described in the post I read - admittedly I skimmed through it. Having read the horror stories and starred in one or two of them over the last 40 years, it is clear that even seemingly 100% accurate procedural information can be subject to interpretation at Border Control. Hence the knee-jerk plea for re-confirmation that it was just another red herring. :-]

I have just read a recent piece of text that may mean a 90 day extension close to the end of my 1 year ME visa would not be possible. "the Royal Gazette specifically states stamps are not to exceed the visa validity period. They tightened this up with other visas as well" - forgot to bookmark the page so can't post a link 😒 The inference is that my permission to stay ends with the visa expiry date of Oct. 24th whenever I re-enter Thailand. Does anyone have insight into the validity of this in the light of the current changes...?

Thanks for the quick replies and confirmation of the way forward. Much appreciated guys 👍 👍 .

My multiple entry visa is valid until October 24th 2024. I believe any entry into Thailand before that date will provide me with 90 days of cover...? So, can I get an extension to this visa while in Thailand to follow on from my first 90 days, as this would cover the 180 days total I plan to stay? OR Oct 24th (current visa expiry date) to March 1st is about 128 days. So doing a border run before the expiry date for another 90 days of cover will leave me about 38 days short of my departure date - assuming it causes no red flags at the border as my flight is booked for feb 28th 2025 if they ask. Would this combined with a land border crossing be an option? I do not currently have a Thai bank account with 400k in it, although this could be arranged after I arrive if essential. Any knowlege would be appreciated.

Thanks for the above info guys. All very informative and eye opening. It looks like written Thai regulatory requirements can be either 'flexible' or potentially, ignored. Fortunately for me opening the account is not urgent. If it was I would probably be grateful for the opportunity to bend the written rules. As things stand, I can follow up in the UK where the illusion of control feels more tangible. ????

Married in England Ubon, and thanks for cutting through the fog, once again. I was feeling I should make an effort to sort it out here and now in LOS, but am secretly pleased to be given a reason [excuse] to shelve the project until spring in the UK. It is interesting however that the door is opened in the Embassy's text to check for potential local updates on what it defines the recognised procedure. I suspect there may be a 'man who knows a man who can' somewhere in the metropolis... But I'll settle for following recommended procedure and an excursion before the 90 day deadline ... I reckon that could be funded by the unexpected surplus in Mrs. Magpie's account... said Zeberdee ... hopefully.

A little background: This year, after the covid break, Mrs Magpie and myself, thought it might be a good idea to open an SCB bank account in my name. She has one at a local branch in Ladkrabang and I also now need one to deposit 400K baht as part of the 90 day visa extension system - my first attempt at doing this. I can't plead poverty because the UK embassy have seen my bank balance and despite the international nature of banking today, and easy transfer (at a cost) they want my money here, in Thailand. Hey ho, in for a penny in for £10,000. Previously, over many of the last 40 years, we have stayed 6 months of the year away from the uk (Oct -March), with me using an 'O' class Non imm. visa. We usually had a trip away before the 90 day report, returning by air, as it seemed a more enjoyable way to spend time than shuffling through Bangkok traffic and queuing to be grilled by stern faced, braided officers - no criticism of the 'customer service' intended, just personal experience colouring my judgement, and others will say things have changed... or not. The following is my (tenuous) understanding of what is required by the bank to open an account and I would appreciate knowledge based corrections. So, first we have to go to the British Embassy in person, by appointment, to have the MC certified - there and then..? Then we take the document to the translation service and leave it with them to perform their magic. The translator sends their translated documents (original and translation) to the 'Gongsun' [Consul?] for 'certification' and when it is certified they will return the document to us, by post. We then take it to the local Amphur where it is 'registered/ratified'? Right so far?? ..... If you have skipped 3 paragraphs to get here, I totally accept your attention deficit... I've has 3 coffee breaks so far .. . We then get various papers (including a K2 form/document? and/or K3) and supply one/all of them to the bank branch, who transfer them to head office. Head office respond to allow (or not) a bank account to be opened in my sole name to deposit the funds, which are in Mrs Magpie's account, at the same branch. Any knowledge based corrections appreciated. Q. Do the Thai embassy in London provide the translation authentication service and if so is it more expensive - MORE complicated - and can it all be done by registered post or is attendance in person required? PS - I am aware of online appointments and reporting in Thailand but have not yet attempted either as the bank account and therefore marriage certificate seems a primary requirement. Thanks, and best regards to the community. I await a flood of replies, LOL

I'm out of touch/date with visa run allowances and wondered if the land border re-entry would provide only 30 day (or is it now 45 day) extensions for a non immigrant 'O' 1 year marriage visa holder? [Shame Kanchanaburi is closed 'cos that used to be a pleasant run from Bangkok] 3 months would suit better but i suspect it's still only available for returning by air...? Getting paperwork to open an SCB bank account for the 400k deposit is growing in complexity and I want to have a backstop position ready to go. I'll post more on my SCB position but maybe better under a new heading.