lungbing

It would be more newsworthy if he didn't attempt to negotiate his release.

I did my 90 day at the new office today. For me it's now a 62km round trip instead of a 7km one. It's easy to find because of the large water tower at the side of it. You can see it from some distance away. But you have to go nearly 3km past the site to get to the next U-turn if you're coming from Khon Kaen up Mittrapharp. They have a separate office for 90 day reporting. It's on the 1st floor (2nd floor if you're American) and outside the office is a lady with a photocopier who checks your documents and copies any missing ones. But I had mine already done. In the office you hand your paperwork and passport to a man sitting behind a counter, he checks it and hands it to another person to fill in the receipt with the new date and staple it in your passport. When ready she calls your name, you collect your passport and off you go. Do be careful exiting the car park as you drop down a steep ramp onto Mittrapharp. There does appear to be a lift (elevator if you're American) but I needed the exercise.

I don't know, ask the choirboys.

Giving the suspects bail allows them to flee the country, which means no trial with its attendant publicity.

Which also applies to you. The word does not need a capital 'c'.

On my mobile I interact with K Plus, on my computer I use K Biz. But it's the same account.

I'm going for my 90 day report on the 9th, next week, so I'll go to find out where the new office is and then ask if I can register for online 90 day reporting. The existing office is less than 4km from where I live so it's a big change for me. I feel sorry for those without transport as the new office is miles from anywhere.

Early last month I raised an official complaint with HMRC which they have to look into within a limited time. They took about a week longer than that time but the officer investigating my complaint replied, apologised for the delay and said she agreed completely with my complaint and had set my tax code back to what it should be. But she basically blamed the pension people. Quote from her email "The state pension are informing us that your pension is going up each year so that causes your tax code to be changed until you contact us to revert it back to the original state pension amount. This is the contact number for state pension 0800 731 7898 if you give them a call and explain the situation it will stop you having to contact us each year." unquote So I've got a year to do that. God willing, I'll report back next March when the new tax codes are issued!

I presume that the allowances mentioned by topt above are per annum?

I'll stock up and hibernate.

I was careful not to say if it was better or worse. But, as you've asked, I think worse. I miss the Malibu Bar revue, the banter with the girls, The Wienchang restaurant where the waiter would wear roller skates to bring your food while blowing a whistle. I think I remember Pattaya at its best. The best value there now is the 10 baht songtaew ride. Pattaya now is more like Blackpool (UK).

Every Sunday, usually with my homemade bacon and sausages. But, that's all I eat every Sunday.

I've just returned from a week's holiday in Pattaya. It was my first visit in 13 years. And boy has it changed! Here are some observations in no particular order. 1. Far, far less bars. Up on my old stomping ground on Second Rd about soi 2-4 the bars are not only closed, but gone and built over. That includes the former Carlton Hotel at the top of soi 4 where I used to stay. Now they're just anonymous offices. Most bars along Beach Rd gone. 2. Far, far more massage parlours. Not the soapy sort, the open to the street ones. All appeared to be doing no business at all. 3. Far, far more Indian restaurants, all appearing empty. 13 years ago you'd have been hard pressed to find one. 4 Far more families. 5. Far more Russians. 6. Far, far more Indian people, including a large proportion of the shop owners. 7. Ganja shops. They just didn't exist 13 years ago. 8. Walking Street and soi 8 now mere shadows of their former selves. 9. A much cleaner beach. 10. Ladies of the night standing on their own patch all along the Beach Rd were from every nationality under the sun. I've never seen African women there before. 11. Far less ladymen on Beach Rd. 12. Speedboats getting far too close to the beach and swimmers. I can recommend the buffet breakfast at the LK Empress Hotel. 350 baht per person and very good it is too. Fill up there and you won't need lunch. Finally, can any tell me what is the sailing ship in the bay down towards Nahklua? I was half excpecting Captain Jack Sparrow to appear.

Why is it Muslim refugees always want to go to non-Muslim countries?

For some years now I have been to renew my retirement visa on my own. My wife sits outside the office. I found I was getting better treatment from the IO without my wife being with me. This may just be a feeling, but it seems to work for me. Khon Kaen office.