MeaMaximaCulpa

Wow, 80-90% chance of those side effects, is it really that bad? That's in Russian roulette territory...

Well that's nice to hear 😀

It seems like this issue is like with most in Thailand, different people have different experiences with the same thing. You agree with me about the demand for a work permit to get a postpaid sim card (which was very clear and absolute back then), while at least two others say they didn't need a work permit to get one. I have no reason to think they are wrong, so it is a conundrum. I have AIS, and admittedly it is a long time since I checked the rules, so it is possible they have been relaxed since then. I will check this when back in Thailand.

I also have a sim in my wife's name, since I was not allowed to have one in my name, unless I had a work permit. Has that changed now? If not, I cannot register for mobile banking, which I was considering doing.

I met my wife (to be) there 21 years ago, so I have fond memories of ICQ. It was a real revelation at first and almost addictive for a while, I chatted with over 250 Thai ladies, met up with around 10 in 3D, and finally ended up marrying the last one after her 9 year long probation period 😎. And still going strong today!

Well then you are obviously doing something I am not. Good on you!

Both of us can be right...

Really...? Is that the best you can do?

FWIT, I am not part of any "brigade", just reporting my experiences. And for me, the pink card/yellow book has never been accepted at the land transport department for car or driving licence stuff (Pattaya). Yellow book is OK for immigration, but not banks or other institutions I have tried using it. So for me still useful, but no, not life changing. YMMW.

Yeah, I have kept it "for a rainy day", and also anticipating the need for health insurance on a retirement extension. It will come, sooner or later. But if the price gets silly as I age, I might go to self insure fairly soon.

We got the same advice both from a Thai and foreign lawyer. Much cleaner and more easy to execute

FWIW: My Pacific Cross policy increased by 40% as I turned 67

I am not disputing that, but perhaps sometimes the same thing can be both cause and effect? This is from Cleveland clinic, see the last sentence:

Stomach acid protects against this and other bacteria, so keep the carbs low and try to avoid antacids for reflux, which seems to more often than not be caused by low acid, not too high.

Thanks to all for contributing, and I conclude that size does matter after all! 🙂

Thanks for the link, but it is not really that part of LEDs I'm looking for. More the garden, vanilla variety

The bulbs are "dimmable LED" bulbs meant for 220 volts. These do work on a conventional dimmer, it was more bout the optimal wattage I was asking.

@Crossy When using LED bulbs, what would be the most appropriate dimmer to use: The one with a power rating close to the total rating of the bulbs, or the one with a much higher rating? Example: 4 LED bulbs at 10 W each: Use a 50 watt dimmer or 300 watt dimmer? Or doesn't it matter, as long as you are below the max rating of the dimmer? Which one will give better regulation? Also: Is the any real difference (except power rating) between a dimmer for old style (incandescent) bulbs and LED bulbs?

You could try to contact Dr Torsak, he is both a "normal" MD pluss a functional medicine doctor: https://www.healingpassion-asia.com

iHerb is based in the USA and ships from there to Thailand. Normal shipping time is between one and two weeks, sometimes less than a week. My experience is very good with iHerb, also their handling of complaints. Only twice in many years have I had reason to complain, and they refunded without question, and quickly too. No need to return the product, but perhaps a photo may be asked for. Choose Thailand and Thai baht (it may be automatic from your IP address, but if you use VPN it may be confused), then you see prices in local currency. Finally beware that Thai customs have a limit of B1,500 to avoid duty and VAT. I have routinely gone over this, often up to 1,650 and once or twice around 1,700. But safest to be close to 1,500. If you order for more that 1,400 you also get free freight! Good luck!

I don't know what it cost in a local store, but try iHerb.com: https://th.iherb.com/search?sug=kelp&kw=kelp&rank=0&rawkw=kelp&refererLocation=suggestion Here are a few examples:

So you do understand and have answered your own question.

Did I say I needed it?

As usual, you tend to get what you pay for, but I also know that private hospitals are money-making operations, and will charge whatever the market is willing to pay. I recently had a similar experience at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, and I got the full VIP treatment. Superb! My own dedicated nurse to take me around, a wheelchair for transport (I could have walked, but they insisted, so why not?), my own huge private suite on the top floor with great view, Nespresso machine, snacks and totally quiet. The doctor came up to the suite to go through the results, and she had as much time as I wanted to discuss (which was a lot). But of course, I paid for it. A bit like business class on an aircraft. You get to the same place on tourist class, but if you feel it is worth it, business class is nicer in every way.

Thanks @Sheryl for very detailed and swift answer! And you are of course spot on in your assessment of me as well . Difficult patient for sure! 🙃 The herbals I have used (saw palmetto, stinging nettle root extract, pygeum, lycopene, beta-sistosterol, ++) I believe are (mostly?) of the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor type, and I do feel (but cannot prove) that they did help to if nothing else slow the growth of the prostate, and keep the flow ok (but low), except if I wake up 2-3am with a full bladder, then flow is VERY slow indeed. Therefore I am worried that one day (or rather night) I may not be able to pee at all, and have to go to the emergency room. But I was not aware that one can actually shrink the prostate, I thought that once the tissue had grown, it would either continue to grow or stop. But not shrink? I have also heard (in a podcast with Dr Peter Attia and a famous urologist) that this type of drugs (herbal or otherwise) may suppress the PSA to give a too low reading, potentially masking a warning flag for e.g. prostate cancer. Is this your experience as well? My PSA has been in the 2.5 to 3 region for quite a few years, and I have no other indications of cancer so far. Touch wood. I will study the above mentioned drugs and therapies, and get an appointment with your recommended doctor for next time I am in BKK. So thanks again, you really are a valuable resource on this forum!