ignoramus

Prostate biopsy/screening cr_a_p.

I've just discovered this post - don't know how I missed it earlier, though I note that one post is dated June and the next is November???

I don't doubt that there are some amazingly marvellous spectacular world-class specialists in dear old Thailand...but...maaaate...I'm talking Australia. For those who just do not know, we are waaaay up there.

I am 67. I shall leave well enough alone. My fears were assuaged long ago. I won't go on....just get into the Sydney Morning Herald - www. smh. com. au, and in the Search field key in 'simon chapman prostate'.

It'll bring up the SMH of Nov 5. This guy is a professor, he'll ease your totally completely unfounded fears about this subject, and unsteady you if you've delved too deeply into the matter, clinically-wise. Don't you guys use GOOGLE???

(Oh, and ignore women on this subject. Show me a woman who's had her digit up there, professionally speaking, and I may listen, but otherwise...oh, puhlease).

Sorry Jingthing, I know how to spell, really. 'Old' is the operative word in my case.

To Pro, re your post at 5pm today about the Sydney consulate pushing your buttons, thanks heaps for that, as I'm in Sydney. Now I'll have to scroll up and find Lopburi3's reply to my list of questions and have ANOTHER think, as, as Jinghthing and one or 2 others have said/implied: O is beginning to sound much better than OA. Especially when one is a crotchety old croaker with canes, oxygen mask and private nurse (for the final injection).

Blood sport is an apt description, and this'll be the bloodiest for a while I reckon. A grudge match of some magnitude -- there's a lot of hostility in the air. Costello's frown will solidify into a permanent state if the Lib's lose -- long-held leadership aspirations down the tube -- and JWH will (privately) blow a fuse if he loses his seat to a media reporter! This is a possibility, as the boundaries have been changed since the last election. The really interesting moments of the coverage will be at the end, the more so if the Lib's have to concede. At least one of Sydney's radio stations has a site they tout as following the goings-on minute by minute, if that's the preffered option for political groupies -- livenews.com.au.

In Australia, foreplay -- an indelicate subject I know -- is a rather complex procedure. It consists of gently uttering the words "are you awake?"

dukkha, doubtless there will be a venue somewhere in BKK, but if not I will be watching it here in Syd on the night, and if you're stuck, clueless, email me. (I imagine this would be a last resort though, as you'd have other/s here who could/would be available for emailing). Cheers, ignoramus.

Lopburi3, Thanks for that. My mind is a lot clearer now. Apologies for delay with this, I had to go across town to feed an injured possum (true). ignoramus

I refer to lopburi3's and eyebee's reply to the OP. (And now, I see, ProThaiExpat's reply).

Do I understand correctly that:

(1) an O-A visa is a one-year-only visa, not less not more, yes?

(2) and having obtained the O-A from an O/S consulate, and having been in Thailand for 9 months of that first year (and wanting to stay beyond that year) that

(3) by that 9-month point, or earlier, in order to stay for a second year, the 800,000 must now be in a Thai account.

(4) that the 800,000 is not required for the first year's stay -- and if it's not

(5) what funding (and proof of funding) is required for the first year, and when is it required - before leaving (e.g. Sydney) or after arriving in Thailand.

(6) is a "non-immigrant O visa" different to a 'non immigrant O-A Visa'? Lopburi3, you do not refer to an "O" type.

(7) is there a visa known officially as a 'Retirement Visa'?

If this is too tedious to bother with I'll understand. I'll pick it up eventually. Thanks.

A bit more re credit cards and photocopying: several posters have the correct slant on the matter, especially the advice to not provide those magical last 3 check-digits, and certainly not the PIN.

In Sydney, NSW, if not Australia as a whole:

(1) recently a couple of gangs have been caught with hundreds of c/card blanks, from many banks, including o/seas ones. One guy was caught entering Australia with a bunch of them. It's an international scam, and not too uncommon;

(2) at restaurants and shops wise people here don't lose sight of their card/s, and make a point of retaining the carbon copy imprint made by their card;

(3) occasionally crooks here stick attachments onto ATM's which record the desired numbers including, I assume, the PIN. Alternatively, a 'remote' surveillance system is set up to 'record' the PIN;

(4) re the net, the advice from the 'money' people here is to make purchases with a low-limit c/card, or, better still, use a debit card with just enough funds to cover the transaction (topped up when required);

The banks here (and one assumes in most other places) provide telephone numbers to be used in the event of a lost or stolen card, and, as far as I can determine, banks here are liable for losses incurred if the telephone call is made without delay. From what I read and hear the banks here don't quibble about this, unlike the mighty Barclays Bank, as noted in the forum.

Re ompact fluoro lamps (globes), I've not checked this on Google, but have heard that these globes contain a small amount of mercury. Try not to break one indoors, is the hearsay. (I know you know about mercury, the vapour being doubleplusungood an all). Cheers

I'm interested to note that posters consider the Immigration Officer gregarious enough to have gone to the the trouble of seeking out a farang friend/acquaintance willing to translate the Thai word for 'FOOL' (and clever enough to explain why he wanted to know, to said farang), or sufficiently resourceful/curious to have purchased and consulted a needlessly costly Thai/English dictionary for the word 'FOOL', and, additionally, transposed the undoubtedly lower case translation into upper case, and, lastly, silly and/or brazen enough to actually insert it into a passport! One wonders how good the I.O.'s English language skills were? One wonders why he isn't in charge of Immigration. What a useful fellow he would be to know - an insider, so to speak. (Most certainly he would seem to be worthy of quick promotion, to 'Chief Smarty Pants', if nothing else - are the Thais really this subtle, or even interested in farangs, to bother with a written put-down? Doubt it. Did he, on this particular occasion, turn to a colleague and make what our dear poster might consider to have been a snide remark? Doubt it). Oh, has our dear poster been considered to be a fool on previous occasions, and, to add insult to injury, actually been unfortunate enough to have had someone state this judgment in writing?

Ah So, #1 Chinese sage understand woman-on-bike syndrome same same philosophy. Wish I did too.

Oh, now I see -- clk on ADD REPLY, not REPLY. Obviously a major difference. Though not new, am still newish. An innocent abroad, no less.

Further to my previous report on, mention of, statins, co-enzyme Q10, frozen shoulder etc: I shall have to pay more attention to punctuation - sorry for any confusion caused.

Apart from the fact that shoulders have muscles, and Q10 is apparently germane to muscles, I wasn't specifically trying to link the two.

That guy I mentioned - Russell Setright - reads studies/analyses and meta-analyses like a crazy man. His knowledge is encyclopaedic. He is a jai dee man. I've been listening to his radio show for decades (but don't necessarily take his word on everything - I double-check some things, as I've been reading health stuff for about 40 years, and have learnt that one needs to read widely in order to be even vaguely informed). I am not necessarily a true-believer of his, just a 'dedicated follower of fashion'.

(Am a true-believer in Voltaire, only. Oh, Ok, Omar Khayyam as well - there's that smarty-pants one about 'doctor and saint'. He had no respect! Likeable chap).

In this country, I understand (but am not stating this as a fact) that medical students receive about 8 hours nutrition tuition! (So we go to Google). Consequently, in my experience, you will find few medical doctors - or any university graduates for that matter - willing to admit ignorance on any subject not their specialty - nutrition included - to you anyway. Unspoken is: "I'm a graduate mate, I know all there is to know about my specialty plus catching crocs and cobras, creating crop-circles and cool horse-whispering". (Yippee and yahoo to those lads who stared intensely for a moment or three at one another and said "should we call it Google").

Statins, one understands, deplete the body of its Q10. Maybe other substances have the same effect. Immaterial, irrelevant, not germane et hoc genus omne.

One understands that Q10 is a naturally occurring substance in the human body.

One understands that it is required by the muscles, including, it would follow, the heart muscle. A circular connection: Heart - statins - Q10 - heart.

Depletion is also said, by some, to occur concomitantly with aging, ### it.

I previously noted that apparently some statin drugs are manufactured to include Q10. In Google type "merck statins" for example (only because I am given to understand that Merck was one of the first to include Q10).

Co-enzyme Q10's depletion (if such depletion is a fact) results, I am given to understand, in a general decrease in energy, and of muscle strength in particular. This week on the radio a caller (to Russell) reported that she'd been told by another naturopath to throw away her statin drug. Russell went almost ballistic, to use the technical term. As a firm rule, he never overides the professional opinions of callers' (medical or other) practitioners. That other naturopath is seemingly a somewhat unwise person, as he would have to hand no (reputable) studies on which to base that 'advice', or at least one trusts that it is so. It appears that there is some 'advice' up with which one should not put. As 'chiang mai' said, statins are miraculous wee blighters. Such tiny little things too.

Re frozen shoulder: since, presumably, a muscle (or three or four or 27) is involved, Q10 may indeed play a significant part. (If one is aging as I seem to be, it plays a part in any case, or so one might be perhaps unwisely tempted to surmise.)

However, lypronil (NZ green-lipped mussel extract) is the substance which specifically solved the particular frozen shoulder problem I previously noted. Presumably it acts upon tendons. Key " lyprinol " into Google, or wherever.

Oh....for those who harbour suspicious minds, who are attempting to second guess me, my 'vested' interest in mentioned products inter alia is (a perfectly formed circular) zero - more like minus 273 degrees celsius, actually. FYI: Some bods, as is obvious from other Forum posts, just like to help. Whoa there....helpinggg eeehh? What a concept! Where are you Montgomery Burns.

PS Re heart probs: the bread in Siam is, to me, ghastly (no cake I guess), so I imagine few use the average margarine, yes. To me the term "hydrogenated oil" is cold sweat stuff, heart-wise. We now have rice bran oil 'butter' here. Supposed to be 'gooder' for one than marg or butter. Haven't tried it, prefer butter. With the oil version's higher smoke point it is apparently better for frying than olive oil. Have tried this. (We shan't mention the macular degeneration/vegetable oil connection).

All of the above can be catergorised as info that which I am given to understand , but don't necessarily subscribe to, and no responsibility can be accepted by the management. This has been a what-you-see-is-what-you-get post.

Kindly excuse my underlining (I'm a timid lad -- damocles-sword-sensitive skull).

Last word: think >>> Google et al, mate. Best wishes, cheers and regards.

I was on statins up until about 3 years ago. I had sore everything - hips, fingers, shoulder, feet. Doctors of course said aches had nothing to do with statins. I was scheduled to have an op on my shoulder but stopped statins instead. Now I have no problems! I stopped checking cholesterols so have no idea what goes on there. I exercise and eat low fat, no meat, just veg, fruit and fish. At bedtime I take 58 mgs of CoEnzyme Q10. One can only buy 29 mgs capsules in Thailand but if I go to Phnom Penh or Singapore I stock up on 200 mg capsules. You should read Duane Graveline M.D. and former astronaut and NASA scientist on the internet re statins and CoQ10.

My, my, my, isn't that interesting! What the doctors don't tell you and what all Statins users should know. Thanks

What else shall we ban at the same time as Pit bulls?

Tobacco?

Alcohol?

Motor Bikes?

Fast Cars?

All Cars?

McDonalds?

Ice Cream?

I have seen studies proving that all the above can be deadly.

Cheers

Firefan, I trust it's you to whom I'm replying - the reply facility is a bit iffy for this newbie. I like your thoughts re steaks, cigars, and vino. I have made a careful note of your tips, and when I visit Siam - BKK anyway - will check 'em out. The talk about steaks etc has, to my surprise, engendered a renewed interest, and memories of a '92 (or '94?) visit to Chiang Mai - I recall some rather pleasant eating (and drinking) at a restaurant called, I think, Riverside. Their steaks/salad/music were pretty good. (Although a trip is a certainty, I am also seriously thinking about retiring there, but a thorough scouring of the TV forum is failing to inspire a lot of confidence in the immigration setup there, so that's still up in the air. Us Aussies are supposed to be a 'laid back' lot, but to me the Thais are really laid back - it's why we love 'em. However it seems that bureaucrats are the same everywhere. I should have known.

Sorry, I'm thinking out loud - thanks for the useful tips. Cheers, ignoramus.

While I can generally afford what I want, I feel the same when I look at prices on those luxuries here.

I do it as a "treat" rather than an ongoing thing. Also; there are as mentioned the chance to use alternatives. A very decent local steak house is located in Sathorn right across from Lido restaurant (Sathorn soi 1 area). Some resonable South American "copy" cigars can be found in Villa Etc. (just avoid the ones with fruity taste! ) and wine one should target Australien/NZ wines as lower tax - preferably the box one or big bottle - or simply replace with some of the cheaper local beer.

SO no worries! Even on a lower budget you can still live an unhealthly life of the rich!

Cheers!

I'm new, & not 100% certain this'll go where I want it to. It's for chiangmai and geriatrickid (both worthies), with reference to statins, co-enzyme Q10, and frozen shoulder. First, I'm in Sydney, and I listen to radio 2GB (2gb.com) mostly. A very smart Brian Wilshire has the longest-running (27+years) talkback show in OZ, from 9pm local time (4 hrs ahead as of end Oct). He's had calls and emails from around the world. His longtime Tue night (9pm) guest is Russell Setright, who, though an independent 'practitioner', 'spruiks' for Blackmore's on show (it being show's sponsor). He's smart too - there's no drug/procedure he hasn't heard of. RS has mentioned that there is one statin drug which also contains Co-enzyme Q10 - I forget name. Anyway, he's said to take Q10 along with statins, as depletion does occur. Re frozen shoulder: Brian W had it, and was told by a couple of docs it needed an op. Couldn't lift arm high. Now does push-ups etc. I understand the 'saviour' was lyprinol (contains NZ green-lipped mussel extract). Glucosamine and chondroitin have been mentioned but I can't elaborate(one is good for knees). Brian W is emailable via 2gb.com - just before show starts is probably best time (for health queries). RS has written a couple of health books. If I abandon this msg on 'standby' and check sites, I may be unable to return so FWIW: re statins, a controversial site is thincs.org, and for general stuff, I think blackmore(s).com.au is useful, though don't KNOW. Don't know if RS has a site, though he'd be on google. Geriatrickid - don't know how to get back to " elfe ", but he's OK by me if he cares for our 4-footed friends. (+ my email tells me that U responded to my post, but when I clk on link I just get a posts-list screen. I remain unperturbed tho', as am just trying to be helpful). Cheers.

Hi elfe, I've had the same symptoms. However, being a 67 year old public bus driver who has to have annual medicals, I find that the cardiologist says I'm OK. He checks pulses in the lower leg, amongst other things. It's a mystery to me, and has been worrying, but I feel that you can largely discount MS. I believe there's a hereditary component to this -which you would have by now discovered on the net. You don't sound too young, and I understand that MS strikes mostly when one is youngish. Frankly I think most doctors would be mystified by your symptoms, but a good one would probably suggest a circulation check with a specialist. For peace of mind this would be a brilliant idea for you I reckon. I smoke and of course know I shouldn't. A few weeks back I stopped for 6 days, to my amazement. Am now back at it stronger than ever, but will probably give up soon, once I fully convince myself that I don't need the 'support' that smoking provides. At this precise time I don't have a really good 'reason' to give up - which I understand to mean that I lack external support/encouragement. Maybe you do too. I feel I know where you 'are at' mate, and sympathise/empathise. The best I can do is to say that you shouldn't wait for something to go badly, suddenly wrong - look after yourself. You need you. Don't slowly, uncomfortably, go downhill. When the time comes you can always get a gun - meanwhile live as contentedly, as comfortably as you can. Nature wants you to look after your body - it's the way 'she' works. Make sure you eat WHEN you should, for the fuel which warms the body; eat enough; eat when you might otherwise have a fag and THEN have the fag. Coffee's OK as far as I know -but check the web. Exercise - walking is good. Stretch the limbs. Where possible swim -this enhances the efficiency of the so-called 'smooth' muscles, which aid circulation. And, last but hardly least, try to cut down on the smoking - forget giving up entirely - it's too big a step - it's like giving up part of oneself. I know. If you cut down you might find that you get a little more CONTROL over it. I hate the word, but this can be 'empowering'. If you can afford it, I believe gingko biloba is good for peripheral circulation. You ain't alone. Cheers, Peter.

Was interested to see that you live in Kon Kaen. I am thinking of retiring to Thailand, but like to swim, and Phuket is nice for that. Would you be kind enough to tell me if swimming is possible there -is there a river or municipal pool? I think I have met (in Australia) someone who lives up your way, but only know his first name. Met a girl a few years back from K.K. (in Si Racha), and wouldn't mind seeing her again, as she was very good to me (I let her down I think).

I am happy I do not live in Phuket

Must be a nightmare

Hi Jingthing, I empathise with you. I wouldn't spend 1000 baht on a bottle of spirits, and don't here in Australia. I wait for specials - usually 2 bottles of Grants or Ballantyne's (700ml) at $AUD26 each, And as for $40 for a steak, well, perhaps I should stay here - much cheaper. Steak contains zinc, which is healthy. Blackmore's vitamins cost a bomb, from memory (last in Siam '94). Have only just signed up with the forum, have only just started thinking about retiring in Thailand. Wouldn't be poor, but also wouldn't be rich. Love seafood anyway, and fresh fruit etc - all good for one's well-being. Don't eat steak much here anyway, but I suppose it's nice knowing it's not too expensive if one so chooses.

I am not one of your richer expats. I think sometimes this is a good thing!

When I see a bottle of plonk for 1000 baht, I put it back on the shelf.

Now a little bit of wine is good for you, too much is bad. I think if I lived in Argentina where a decent bottle is 100 baht, I would drink a bottle everyday.

Also, Cuban cigars. I love em but they give you cancer. I have a look, over 1000 baht, forget it ...

Then there is good single malt whisky. Love the stuff. 4000 baht. Forget it. My liver says thank you, and yes there is cheap whisky here but it is kind of gross so I don't touch it much.

Oh, yummy steaks. Thai beef is a joke and a good imported cut in a restaurant, over 1000 baht, I think I'll eat Thai food instead Too much red meat causes heart attacks and cancer.

Ben and Jerry's ice cream? (Heart attacks.) Lovely. 300 baht? Forget it, I think I'll have some fresh fruit instead.

Not allowed to talk much about nightlife here, but you get the drift.

Relative poverty, is it a good thing?

Hi . I was always under the impression that low energy light bulbs do not work with dimmer switches but someone told me they do.

Before I change all my lights is any one using these?

Thanks.

I'm new to the TV forum, so god knows if you'll get this. Make a point of not breaking the money-saving globes, as they contain mercury - a deadly toxin. Your kids breathe the vapour and it's bad news down the track for them. Major cleanup required for the room involved -probably unvailable in dear old Thailand. Oh, in case U R a man-made global warming panicker, whatever you do don't read climatescience.org.nz - U might wise up.

Thank the lord (or Lord) that Bill's msg was replied to, or I wouldn't have got the joke. I can never resist someone called Bill - such a 'soft' name (no pun intended). I scrolled down to look for his bank a/c number for my generously large deposit, when I was rudely awoken to the ruse-joke.