DocTom

So many different views and experiences! To add my bit : we have 2 Mitsubishi Electric units in adjacent bedrooms, one a Mr Slim, one not. Both are some 10 years old. The Slim cools the room very efficiently, sometimes too cold for me; but has needed 2 replacement temperature sensors. The other just will not cool the room adequately now (it did so originally). Both are cleaned about twice a year by contractors. Asked why the two do not cool similarly the contractor engineer replied that the Slim unit is a bigger one that the other - but in fact they are both 24500 BTU rated. So I am less than satisfied with Mitsubishi Electric, and I am looking to replace one unit, so your comments are helpful even though very varied. A local shop offered me Daikin models at 20500 or 25500 BTU rating, but wanted me to choose. Online sites that calculate size for my room give values from 9000 to something over 30,000 BTU ! So please can anybody assist me, or point me to a reliable source, to determine the appropriate size for a new unit ? Tom.

We have Mitsu Slim 18500 BTU units in two similar size bedrooms. I am not happy with them - component failures in one, and poor cooling in the other. The independent engineer says that poor cooling is due to undersize unit, but I doubt this - I think there is something fundamentally wrong, and it is not lack of refrigerant as it was topped up. I am looking for a replacement. I have read all the posts. Does anyone have any updated comments now in 2024?

Mike Lister, your information is hugely helpful. Many thanks. I am a UK citizen, retired and living in Thailand for 20 years. I am approaching dotage now, and completing a Thai tax return will be difficult for me. So I am interested in firms that provide such services. One such is ExPattax Thailand. They have many useful videos. My question is : do you or other posters know of other companies offering tax return services for individuals (not companies), perhaps with any views or experiences, and approximate costs? DocTom.

Denim, many thanks indeed. The list seems to be quite good. I do not know why my net searches failed to find it. Thanks again, Tom.

Does anyone know of a glossary of automotive terms in Thai and English (with transliteration - not just Thai scripts)? I think that a list of car components (e.g. shock absorber, fuel injector....) and causes (e.g. worn-out, broken...) would be very useful to many English-speaking vehicle owners. Such an item would be very helpful when getting a car serviced at facilities where there are no English speakers. I am unable to find by searches anything useful along these lines. Can anyone help please?

I have used, and recommend, Cambridge Tax Practice. They specialise to a degree in expat tax matters. A director, Kieran O'Conner has been very helpful.

Mahseer, Raindancer, many thanks to both of you for your speedy and helpful replies. I shall act according to your advice, perhaps preceded by a telephone call to hear what the Mae Sod officials demand of me. DocTom.

Mahseer. Thanks for the reply. However my local Thai Immigration office is in Mae Sod, not an airport branch. But it still requires a long car drive. So before I go, please can you comment further - will the same conditions apply as at the airport branch? Do I have to go now, or is it permissible to wait until my August visit when I go for my one year visa extension? Thanks again, DocTom.

I just got my renewal UK passport from VFS Chiang Mai. Despite the strike, the total time was about 1 month. The service from VFS was excellent. However, I am informed by a friend that I should have been given an embossed letter from the UK asking Thai Immigration to record detail of the new passport. I did not receive the document, so I now need to contact VFS Global Chiang Mai. Despite exhaustive searches, I cannot find an email address, nor a tel. number fro VFS Chiang Mai. Can anyone help please? DocTom.