jesimps

Jomtien these days is like living on Beach Road, Pattaya.

What a pallaver eh? The hoops I now have to jump through to do something which I've been doing smoothly, effortlessly and LEGALLY for the last 12 years using the embassy letter, which sadly is no longer an option. 

You must give me the address of your optician, I want some of those rose coloured specs that you wear.

When I arrived here in early 2007 there were no TM30s to worry about. Because these have to be done within 24 hours of arriving back, I should imagine that adds quite a few to the queues every day. Also people switching from retirement to marriage extension must add to the backlog, in view of the time it takes to process the ME. 

Well stab a sausage! Who'd've thought it hey?

I'm waiting with baited breath for reports of someone applying for retirement visa extension at Jomtien using the monthly income method, with proof of international transfers from Jan/Feb of this year and asking for leniency.

It'll also be interesting to see accounts of people using the combination method at the same office. 1) Does the lump sum have to be seasoned for two months?   2) Does the whole or part have to remain banked for three months afterwards?   3) On the income part, can there be less than twelve months international transfers, providing that added to the lump sum it totals 800,000 ie 450,000 lump and six months intl txfers totalling 350,000?

Good!

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

It is - and probably going to get worse!

Only if the politicians carry on ignoring the result of the referendum. In a democracy, if you disregard the will of the people then eventually the brown stuff's going to hit the fan.

My missus is exactly the same and I'm nearly 75 yoa and have nothing to shout about. I find it difficult to raise a smile these days. I'm ok if I'm just wearing my scruffy old shorts around the house and garden, but when I put on a "going out" pair, I have to wear undies, otherwise she complains. I suppose I should be flattered that she still notices me.

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Indeed. I remember reading a long time ago that many suicides by hanging involved securing the hands. Apparently, if not, instinct kicks in and the struggle for life such that many would-be suicides would prevent their own hanging attempt.

 

However reading all the circumstances here, separate lives after 2 years of marriage, younger "brother" living-in; wife away; bruising to ribs - hmmm, Seems the police are right to be suspicious.

Agreed. I wonder if the police have checked if the brother really is the brother. In the last house that I lived the farang who had the house opposite used to work in the Middle East for long periods. Every time he went away, his Thai wife's "brother" used to move in "because she was nervous on her own" according to the farang. He may well have been her brother, but he gave her a big sloppy kiss every morning before he went to work. 

1 hour ago, gmac said:

About 4 kilometres actually on the road outside my village where they widened the road to dual carriageway in the last few years!  There is no consideration given to locals when they improve(??) roads for through traffic which is why so many drive the wrong way and create their own u-turns.

Whether walking, riding or driving, a Thai will always take a short cut. They just can't resist it. Any breach of a fence and there'll soon be a well worn track there. That's why they all cut corners, it's irresistable to them. The track across my local golf course which I jog down, often has cars and motorbikes using it causing choking dust, even though it only takes a few more seconds to go around the concrete perimeter road.

2 hours ago, gmac said:

Roundabouts and lots of them. They work in the UK they could work here if only they were created, drivers were taught how to use them and the law on right of way when using them was enforced.  There is just no willingness to change here, no law enforcement beyond the collection of easy fines, and of course no proper teaching before allowing people to drive.

 

I keep banging on about roundabouts and keep getting shouted down, but they are the way to go and one day I just hope the authorities will do something about it.                                                                                                                                                               

I agree entirely because even though the locals don't know how to use them, I reckon there'd be fewer accidents than at the uturns. At least for roundabouts, most people slow down. The problem is, roundabouts need a lot of space on either side of the carriageway, it'd mean deolishing a lot of property.

"Kamphaeng Phet tourist police Monday checked various spots where the men posed naked for clues."

I'd love to know what clues they were looking for. This lot wouldn't recognise a clue if they tripped over it.

Despite being nearly 75, I'm built like a racing snake and never have a day's illness despite preferring soda to still water. I wonder what sort of shape those posting on the dangers of soda drinking are in? There are things far worse for your health than drinking soda water, being a couch potato and over-eating for example. I also have a few scotches of an evening, but at 75 why should I worry?

I have a little chubby German friend who's always advising me on the things I should and shouldn't be eating and drinking. This despite him spending most of his time in the kitchen cooking up delights for himself and never exercising. He's a good lad so I just smile and say "Ja"

I think I can state catagorically that there are many far worse things to drink than soda water and compared to most of the rubbish we stick down our throats, isn't worth worrying about.

None of those bludgers who're listed. Unless the new leader is a revalation, I think the Tories are finished for a long long time. However, if I was going to choose, it'd be Steve Baker or Esther McVey. Macca might just edge it, but only because I'd love to see her lovely face on the news after having to look at the wicked witch of the east every day for goodness knows how long. 

2 hours ago, wgdanson said:

 

After two weeks in the fermenter I usually syphon into a 10 litre glass container, hence only doing 6 litres. Put a Camden tablet in and it stops the fermenting and prevents oxidisation. A week in there and then into the bottles. Mine seems to clear quite nicely itself. Then I store the bottles under the sink for a month if I can wait that long. And a couple of days in the fridge before supping.

It's not Beajolais Nouvea, but it has the desired effect at minimal cost. Makes good Sangria too.

I'm definitely going to give it a burst if and when I can gather all the stuff together. Thanks.

4 minutes ago, Basil B said:

Thatcher made sure there was no one to oppose her...

and?