Pikiss

You can buy this online at Biovea Thailand (http://www.biovea.com/th/results.aspx?KW=hard+as+nails) . I've ordered stuff here, the site and delivery have worked as charm. Payment on delivery, Visa or Paypal.

Update: I ordered my digestive enzymes from Biovea Thailand. Very easy to use web shop including online tracking of the order status, I paid with Visa, the package was delivered to my condo in 8 working days.

I’ve been suffering from serious online shopping withdrawals for a long time now here in Thailand so I’m happy to have succeeded with my Biovea experiment. They seem to have all kinds of interesting things to browse through for my next shopping spree..

My husband and I have almost similar tourist visa history and concerns as the OP. We have been spending time between Finland and Thailand 2-5 months at a time, since January 2012 with 3 tourist visas per year – this because we have been issued only single entry visas. Our last visa exempt entry to Thailand was in June 2011.

Our home embassy in Helsinki is very strict with tourist visas: for multiple entry visa you need to show flight ticket back to Finland for each entry’s expiry date, i.e. you would be needing to fly back every 60 days because the embassy does not even accept the 30-day extension to TR. That’s why – and because we wanted to travel in Asia too, we’ve had TRs also in Hong Kong, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur.

We are not yet at the age to “retirement visa”, nor is the Elite Card for us because we are now on the last leg of a 3-year sabbatical leave and heading back to work at home country this December.

We only need one more tourist visa in September, and that would be the 3^rd TR this year. We are planning a 4-5 day trip somewhere in the region (maybe Hanoi Vietnam). I know its early days to tell how the new visa rules are implemented but at the moment I’m a bit worried if we are deemed “legit” for the 3^rd TR.

I too need some vitamin supplements that seem to be hard to find here (digestive enzymes) so Shipito sounds interesting. I started to create a customer account but got somewhat put off by their strict account verification process as you need to provide them with various copies of personal ID e.g. passport, credit card information, wire transferring money to your Shipito account etc. I have a PayPal account which I thought would be sufficient to verify I am a legit customer. Anyway, this all seemed too confusing so I did not finish the account creating process still in hopes to find something "closer to home".

I did found the supplements I need in a Thai online shop called “Biovea” (http://www.biovea.com/th), have any of you ordered from there? Any info would be appreciated.

He won't get a 5 year licence with a tourist visa.

Sent from my V370 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Just been told the same by my local driving licence centre.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

OK, it’s one-year renewals then, until more permanent settlement on these shores.

A positive experience today at the Banglamung Land Transport Office, my husband got his first one-year Thai driving license without problems. He is on a tourist visa, has a European driving license and an international driving permit. He had copies of these plus a certificate of residence from the Immigration and a medical certificate from a local clinic. He only had to do the eye tests for color blindness and lateral and depth vision. No written or driving tests were required (probably because of the international driving permit?).

Though the place was crowded, the staff was well organized and the whole process took less than 1 ½ hours. Cost 205 baht.

Well done Pikiss. like you, I have only had positive usage of the place, until this one small glitch - now resolved.

If I remember, when I took out my first licence here 7 years ago the process was identical to your husband's. I was told that as I had a full UK car and motorbike licence I was OK. The point being that the licence had to be in English which they could understand. I suppose if one had a licence in Bulgarian the same may not apply. Whether that is correct now I'm not sure.

Again, well done, next year he will hopefully breeze through the 5 year process.

Yes, I was impressed with the staff’s efficiency.

His European DL is not in English so he always gets the IDP before we come to Pattaya. Next year hopefully he can apply for the 5-year license – does anyone know if that possible with a tourist visa? (he’s not 50 yet so no retirement visa option).

A positive experience today at the Banglamung Land Transport Office, my husband got his first one-year Thai driving license without problems. He is on a tourist visa, has a European driving license and an international driving permit. He had copies of these plus a certificate of residence from the Immigration and a medical certificate from a local clinic. He only had to do the eye tests for color blindness and lateral and depth vision. No written or driving tests were required (probably because of the international driving permit?).

Though the place was crowded, the staff was well organized and the whole process took less than 1 ½ hours. Cost 205 baht.

This particular model cannot be folded, it’s assembled with big bolts which makes it feel very sturdy. We placed the table in our condo building’s fitness room so no need for folding. Back home in Europe on the other hand my husband has a foldable one since we have to keep it in our apartment.

Update: Super Sports in Central Festival did no have an inversion table (and the shop clerk did not seem to have a clue what we were looking for).

We went to the Seara sports & fitness store in Sukhumvit (towards Sattahip, in the corner of Chayapruk), showed the shop manager the web site that TV member “jimmybkk” recommended earlier ( http://spinefitness.ibuy.co.th/shop )

Seara store did the ordering for us, we chose Model SPL-003, price 9600 baht plus expenses to Seara (for ordering, postal fees, delivery to our condo and installation). It took 10 days from order to installation, works fine and quality seems good.

Thank you for your suggestions!

I would like to thank Sheryl and others for sharing their experience and recommendation of Dr. Wicharn in BNH Hospital. My husband has suffered from lower back pain for a couple of years and the pain has been increasing significantly during the last six months.

He went the usual route: exercise, stretching and lots of sessions with a chiropractor and a physiotherapist with no improvement. Finally he had the lumbar MRI done back home in Europe and consulted a back specialist. The diagnosis was degeneration of L4/5 disc with a right-sided bulge. This doctor said there is no compression on nerve roots and he didn’t quite seem to understand why he is in such a pain and urged him to just keep on exercising more.

Back here in Thailand he made an appointment last week with a doctor at Bumrungrad Spine Institute. The (not so) good doctor glanced at the MRI pictures for a few seconds: no need for a surgery, just keep on exercising, the consultation was over and done with in 5 minutes.

Reading this thread he decided to give one more go and booked an appointment this week with dr. Wicharn at BNH. Dr. Wicharn’s way of doing things was completely different compared to two previous doctors. Before seeing my husband he took his time to go thru all the photos of the MRI and also wanted to take extensive x-rays to support his findings.

Thanks to Dr. Wicharn we now knows where he stands and can stop guessing. Dr. Wicharn could straight away point out that: 1) there is no infection in the spine area 2) there is a pinched nerve causing substantial pain 3) the disc degeneration is so far gone that he is not a candidate for an ADR, artificial disc replacement (which would have enabled to maintain natural movement in spine) 4) no amount of exercise will reverse nor better his condition (but is of course good for the overall well-being) 5) the discs will keep on deteriorating making the pain radiate to legs and he will eventually need a surgery. This surgery would be the "traditional" lumbar spinal fusion i.e. fusing together the vertebrae and using metallic screws to hold the spine still which sadly limits your back movement. The surgery takes 2 hours and 5 days at hospital. When the time comes my husband will undergo this surgery in home country where it is covered by national health care system.

Good news for those who like Scandinavian, higher-end type design: Bo Concept, the Danish designer and manufacturer of urban and contemporary furniture and interior decoration accessories is coming to Pattaya.

I was today at Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok where Bo Concept has just recently opened a store. Bo Concept has ca 300 stores worldwide and this is the first in Thailand. I chatted with a Danish guy who is supervising the operation in TH and he told that the Pattaya store would be opening this fall (September?) at the location where Index Living Mall is now (Index is relocating to new premises). It seems that the same company that owns Index has acquired Bo Concept franchise in Thailand.

I can wholeheartedly agree with Patsfangr & Upnotover, the mussels in Aroi are delicious; I have had them many times. Depending on the season their sizes varies. E.g. they were smaller April - I think they were even sourced locally at that time, regardless, portions have been generous everytime (attached a pic of one of my visits). Can’t remember the exact price, between 350-400 b, great value.

Try these:

http://asseenontv.in...nversion-table/

http://spinefitness.ibuy.co.th/shop

Prices look reasonable.

Thank you all for your help. As some posters suggested I will check Super sports in Central Mall when we get back to Pattaya. If not available these webshops are certainly worth to try.

My husband has had lower back pains for some years. So far they have been manageable by loosing weight and regular exercise but unfortunately during the last few months the pain has gotten worse and more frequent. He has been going to a physiotherapist now that we are back in Europe for a few weeks. In addition to massage and manipulation the physiotherapist has stretched his back with an inversion table where you hang in upside down position, feet strapped in ankles, spine is supported by a back rest, see picture (if not shown, see link http://inversiondoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/61sSd-SfatL._SL1500_.jpg )

This seems to be working for him and the physiotherapist suggested continuing with it. Any chance in finding a machine like this to buy for home use in Pattaya? (or ordering from somewhere else in Thailand). Any info is appreciated.

I bought mine 2 Years ago, still using it everyday.......

It was 8000 Bt from Powerbuy.

Same same

Another and healthier option is airfrying. Rapid Air technology makes hot air circulate very fast around the ingredients in the basket, no added frying oil is needed. I’ve been using Philips Airfryer in every day cooking for over an year now. I am still amazed how evenly it cook/fries and the tasty results, also the variety of food you can make is vast, e.g. fries, steaks, chicken, vegetable chips, fish, even muffins. The nonstick basket is easy to clean, it’s also dishwasher safe. I bought mine in PowerBuy next to Foodland for 7000 baht, well worth it.

Does it actually get hot enough to cook chipped potatoes properly? Do you par-cook them first at a lower temperature or just do it in one go? Or do you use frozen chips?

I've seen these devices for 1000B (no-name brands) and often wondered about them. I suppose the cheaper ones may not get as hot as the named brands.

I have a combi convection/microwave oven that bakes bread and does yorkshire puddings etc and I would like to try frozen oven chips in it, but no one seems to sell them here.

Yes, the Philips airfryer gets hot enough to cook everything evenly, I have no experience on how the lower cost brands manage. No precooking for potatoes is required. The frozen potato chips are a pretty straight-forward process, preheating the airfryer takes 3 mins, cooking 15 mins, the basket needs to be shaked once at halfway point, no added oil is necessary.

Peeled potatos take a bit more effort. For the best result, after peeling and cutting, the chips are soaked in water for 30 mins, then wiped dry and added a couple teaspoons of oil. Cooking time is 20-30 minutes depending on how thick the chips are, the basket needs to be shaked 2-3 times during. Delicious! I’ve done peeled potato chips also without soaking in water and no oil, quite edible.

My airfryer’s basket cooks up to 800 grams of frozen chips, peeled potatos about 500 gr. The new “XL” model has a capacity of 1,2 kg. Here’s one review of making frozen and peeled potatos

http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/articles/2011/feb/philips_air_fryer.htm

In the West I ate way too much processed and pre-made food and never really bothered to learn to cook, especially meats. Now with the airfryer even I can manage to prepare a meal. These days I use airfryer mostly for cooking chicken (drumsticks, legs, wings), salmon fillet and an occasional pork chop. What I like most about the airfryer is that you don’t have to use much or none oil. Also the hassle-free and time saving cooking suits me best. While I don’t have to stir pots and pans I’m free to prepare a salad, clean the kitchen or read a book : )

Another and healthier option is airfrying. Rapid Air technology makes hot air circulate very fast around the ingredients in the basket, no added frying oil is needed. I’ve been using Philips Airfryer in every day cooking for over an year now. I am still amazed how evenly it cook/fries and the tasty results, also the variety of food you can make is vast, e.g. fries, steaks, chicken, vegetable chips, fish, even muffins. The nonstick basket is easy to clean, it’s also dishwasher safe. I bought mine in PowerBuy next to Foodland for 7000 baht, well worth it.

In the Ladies Forum there is a thread with lots of information and do’s & don’ts on the subject http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/344939-hair-straightening-revisited/?hl=%20straightening

Foodland today: Buckwheat 500 grams, 150 baht.

In Bangkok, see http://www.maisonduvins1994.com/index.php

They have Orgran brand gluten-free cereals, crispibreads and baking mixes for breads and cakes, no porridge though. They also deliver by post.

For other shopping tips in BKK, see http://glutenfreethailand.wordpress.com/category/gluten-free-shopping/gf-shops/

I haven’t been able to find (in Pattaya) certified GF porridge oats, may have to try with quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat or such. Foodland in Pattaya carries cornflakes (Nature’s Path) so maybe in Bangkok, too.

You could check this blog about living gluten free in Thailand http://glutenfreethailand.wordpress.com .The blogger wrote also about Chiang Mai http://glutenfreethailand.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/surviving-gluten-free-in-chiang-mai/

I eat mostly home-cooked. When in restaurant I stick to naturally gluten-free dishes such as rice, potato, grilled or steamed fish or other seafood and salads. No sauces or dessert, a bit boring yes. Problem is that in restaurant you can’t know if they wash or even wipe clean the pots and pans in between cooking different meals so there is a risk for cross contamination. Soy and fish sauces can contain wheat so I stay away from glazed meats and such, especially street food.

I live in Pattaya and here is at least four supermarkets selling gluten-free products from Australia and USA, they are quite OK and a life-saver when you are craving for cereals, bread or cake. I have yet not started to bake from scratch but there is a good variety of flours for that. You probably have those products in Chiang Mai too and maybe even some bakeries making fresh bread, I read in a thread somewhere here in TV.

The good thing about celiac disease is that you can’t eat fast food anymore (but it doesn’t stop you longing for it..) Although, for example KFC and McDonalds SEEM to do their french fries in a dedicated fryer. I’ve fallen off the diet wagon a few times and did not get any symptoms from their fries.

I was mistaken about the hydrocortisone, apologies and thanks for warning not to use it. What I am looking for is a cream with bacitracin and/or neomycin which I believe is commonly used for preventing the infection settling in or at least slowing it down.

I will try soaking with hot salt water and irrigation with betadine and hydrogen peroxide mixture as Sheryl suggested.

I had a bad infection along the edge of in my finger nail a month ago. It is a condition called Paronychia, a bacteria gets between nail fold/cuticle and nail plate. It was all my own doing, too much manicuring and messing with the cuticle : (

The doctor (at Bangkok Pattaya hospital) wanted to remove the whole nail but I felt it was a bit too drastic. He reluctantly then only drained the abscess and prescribed a heavy dose of antibiotics for 7 days. That seemed to do the trick and the infection toned down.

However, during the last week or so the the skin has started to get swollen again and the cuticle that once started to grow back is gone. I have soaked the finger in warm water once or twice a day, put some antibacterial cream Fucidin on it and tried to keep the finger dry.

I would like continue to try the home remedies still and am looking for a hydrocortisone (or chlorhexidine) cream, does anyone know is there such available in Thailand and under what brand names? I went to Boots and one other pharmacy but they didn’t have any, or maybe I wasn’t able to make myself clear what I was looking.

Also, some say that soaking in Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) water helps to clear the bacteria, any available here? I am in Pattaya.

Where does one obtain these tests ?

They are not routine for certain !

It’s not a standard blood test, maybe Sheryl can recommend a clinic or gastroenterologist. I didn’t do the blood test, just went straight to a specialist to have the endoscopy (tissue samples in small intestine) done because I was so fed up with being sick all the time and by that time I was convinced that the problem is deadly serious. I have stomach cancer in my immediate family so actually I was relieved for the coeliac disease diagnose. After six months my doctor asked me to do the blood test to see if there were still CD antibodies: the test showed none which means that the gluten-free diet was working.

Coeliac Disease (CD) can manifest itself in an unbelievable wide range of symptoms: I had years of stomach problems (cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating), low fever coming and going, heart burn which turned into reflux disease, hair loss and a during a year or so, also small ulcers in mouth. After diagnosed most people start feel significantly better after only a few weeks or months gluten-free diet so well worth to go see a doctor.

Start with a blood test (gliadin-, reticulin-, transglutaminase- and endomysium antibody tests). If antibodies are present it would be wise to do also the small bowel/intestine biopsy i.e. upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to be sure. In my home country (Finland) they have developed a innovative do-it-yourself testing kit available in pharmacies but probably not available here. (it’s quite amazing, only requires only a drop of blood from the fingertip and identifies the presence of coeliac antibodies in minutes). Endoscopy cost me 500 EUR (22 0000 baht) back home where I chose to do it because I felt they have more knowledge in coeliac disease in the west. I believe endoscopy is about the same price here in Thailand.

Nine months after my CD diagnose, I’m still struggling but feeling much much better than before. Internet has been the most valuable source of information. For example, I couldn’t understand why I still got sick even though my diet has been 100% gluten-free. After reading CD web sites and asking around in chat rooms I had a light-bulb moment, my stomach didn’t tolerate a carbohydrate called inuline. It is an additive that has probiotic effects and therefore very popular in dairy products. It also makes food more thicker or crunchier and it turned out that there was inuline even in my morning porridge.. Now I am also looking at so called FODMAP carbohydrates which are known to be poorly absorbed in the small intestine for some people.