gerryBScot

JemJem like every alcoholic I believed I was unique, special and different and that no one really understood me. Thank God, on an off moment when I was feeling vulnerable, I made it to a meeting and kept going back and progressively it became easier to switch off the debate in my head. I was exactly the same - every time I quit drinking I felt better within a few days and every time I started back I felt awful.

An Australian emigré was summoned back from London on the unexpected death of a childhood friend aged 42. "What happened?" he asked. In various forms the reply was: "Drink". The emigré was surprised about this and was curious about why his old friend could not get help. Nothing anyone could do for him was the response. The emigré asked why he didn't go to AA. The reply: "Oh he wasn't that bad".

Keep posting, don't give up giving up and if you want me to call you, send me a PM with a number or email.

Heading home today, my platelet count stopped going down at 86,000, the doctor says it could take up to 4 or 6 weeks to recover.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Glad to hear you are going home and through the worst of it. Take care.

Quite astonishing that at the very least the alleged perp of the manslaugher/homicide wasn't required to surrender his passport. This is what happens in most jurisdictions on those very rare occasions a person is not remanded in custody when facing the possibility of a murder/manslaughter charge - and it is done precisely to prevent "flight". Out of interest did the guy have to post bail and if so how much? I am not in anyway surprised but I think we should take stock of the fact that a new generation of young Thai people are emerging, the perpetrator's generation, and I don't think many of them will buy this nonsense or most of the other nonsense that goes down here.

Welcome Mario to TV and thanks for taking the time to give such a detailed and clear account of what official thinking is. That really clears up a mystery for me.

recently got my new passport with no problems. the hong kong end veray efficient .... I recorded card number incorrectly and they emailed for clarification and I replied and it was sorted immediately.They retained my emergency travel document which contained my visa extension but sent it on by Dhl when I pointed this out to them by email.

My concern is Dhl and I see others in this thread have experienced the same thing. DHL sends the envelope/passport out by EMS once it has been delivered to them in Bangkok. Probably because we live out of BKK or main service areas. This does not appear to be official subcontracting. always loks as if someone from DHL has taken it to the post office for resending. Anyway it doesn't get delivered by DHL but by the post ofice. But seems as if DHL let the passport out of their "custody" and presumably the reason HMG insisists we pay the extra cost is to ensure a chain of custody and minimise losses/thefts. What's going to happen when one of these nice new shiny passports gets lost while it is out for delivery with EMS?

I haven't raised it with HMG because al our recent new passport applications have been received Safely via EMS but I do resent paying for DHL but not actually geting the passage delivered to my house but usually having to go collect it at the post offlice.

Whereabouts do you live, Gerry? I myself live well off the DHL beaten track depot-wise in Rayong Province, but they still sort of delivered my new UK passport to me a few months ago.

I say "sort of" because the DHL courier delivering my passport phoned me for directions to our abode out in the sticks, only then to inform me that he spoke virtually no English! However, I did manage to establish that he was in the same town as my wife happened to be at that time. So I got her to call him back and she accepted delivery of my new passport from him on my behalf.

I therefore also have concerns about the DHL delivery service, although maybe for slightly different reasons to yours. My particular concerns are based on my understanding that DHL are supposed to deliver your new passport to you in person, which clearly did not happen in my case.

However, like you, I decided not to take the matter any further because at the end of the day all was well that ended well.

I am 100 km west of BKK in Ratchaburi, we have two kids plus me so in last 18 months we have had three passport applications and all delivered by EMS - happry to say all received but all had to be collected from post office.

recently got my new passport with no problems. the hong kong end veray efficient .... I recorded card number incorrectly and they emailed for clarification and I replied and it was sorted immediately.They retained my emergency travel document which contained my visa extension but sent it on by Dhl when I pointed this out to them by email.

My concern is Dhl and I see others in this thread have experienced the same thing. DHL sends the envelope/passport out by EMS once it has been delivered to them in Bangkok. Probably because we live out of BKK or main service areas. This does not appear to be official subcontracting. always loks as if someone from DHL has taken it to the post office for resending. Anyway it doesn't get delivered by DHL but by the post ofice. But seems as if DHL let the passport out of their "custody" and presumably the reason HMG insisists we pay the extra cost is to ensure a chain of custody and minimise losses/thefts. What's going to happen when one of these nice new shiny passports gets lost while it is out for delivery with EMS?

I haven't raised it with HMG because al our recent new passport applications have been received Safely via EMS but I do resent paying for DHL but not actually geting the passage delivered to my house but usually having to go collect it at the post offlice.

Single,young, women have a problem exiting the Philippines.

Wait until someone more knowledgeable than me comes along.

Everybody potentially has a problem leaving the Philippines - immigration regularily stop people from leaving for no apparent reason. I know of people who have been stopped when travelling here to attenda family wedding. It seems immigration take their responsibilities very seriously in the Phils. I think the approach is justified on the basis of minimising the cost of repatriating those who may become a burden. However not 100% certain of why.

The people I know who have been most affected by this are teachers. I know someone who was denied exit because they found he was travelling with his teaching credentials but nothing to indicate he had a job to go to. so he was coming here on spec........entering as a tourist in the hope of finding work.

Your gf will almost certainly have problems if she is travelling overseas for the first time presumably on a new passport and if she is travelling on her own. if it is feasible you might want to accompany her when she is leaving. the authorities will be much more cautious if you are present and you should also buy a return ticket for her.

This is the only country I know which makes it dificult for its citizens to leave! on the plus side being married to a filipino means i get a one year permission to stay for free when I enter with mrs gerryB and we produce our wedding report isued by the filipino embassy in bkk.

I answered a similar Q here. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662792-macbook-air-battery-replacement/

Just make sure you order the right battery. Look up your model number by clicking the apple in the menu bar/About this mac. You can switch the battery yourself in about a minute.

thx for this lujanit.i noticed this soon after my posting and now know what I have to do. many thx

Looks like the battery on my MBP has died. Whats the quicket way to get it repaired/replaced. Three year old model, bought here but no warranty or aftercare. So Im paying.bangkok western suburbs....

Hello Jem Jem

Been keeping up with your progress but incommicado for the last 6 weeks!!

Hope you are still going well

I am quite amused to find I was never a 'real alcoholic' as intimated by dogbreath above, 40 years of excessive alcohol consumption, money wasted, relationships ruined, fooling my self that drinking to excess was making me happy, putting drink before every other aspect of my life.....

You see Jem Jem I have discovered the will to control my drinking, (as you are making a real attempt to do) and yes in most cases that is abstinence, because I no longer wish to expend the energy controlling something more easily avoided. Yet because I do not 'fit' into the explanations of 'we alkies' it would appear I was never a 'real alcoholic'........the problem I have with many organisations is the complete inability of some members to accept that others do not require the 'services' and 'advice' they despense combined with their smug attitude such people are doomed to fail......well not this guy!!......It is the crass comments of people such as dogbreath that spur me on, care to join me as an 'individual'? look to yourself, not the experience of others, you can be stronger than they if you wish.....or you can fall into line with the failures who support and encourage others with stories of failure then roll out the 'corporate' solution....I have been successful on my journey...me..the individual working to my own strengths.....you can be too.....and if that makes us not a 'real alcoholic' then I am pleased I never was!!!

Geo I have read Dogbreath's post and I can't see any part of it where he says you are not a real alcoholic. AA is built on the concept of self-acknowledgement: My name is XXXXX, I am an alcoholic. Beware of anybody who says you are not an alcoholic - it's your opinion alone and that is what counts and I hear you loud and clear saying you're an alcoholic and that it why you abstain from alcohol. In fact my reading is you agree with Dogbreath. However I am an alcoholic and I get things wrong so maybe I am missing something. One of the best things I heard in the AA rooms, said to a newcomer who was still debating: you're better off in here pretending you are than out there thinking you are not......

Keep well and strong for this day only and then start again tomorrow.

I heard shipitto does a good job. I think they use DHL. Suggest to Google for info.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks Stefan I am using that company but seeking advice on best options that they offer through the various company. Note the recommendation for Fedex, thanks Neagrenu...... expensive however. WHat about the cheapos? AirPriority, a fraction of Fedex's cost? What can I expect?! Anyone know? Thanks.

When using Shipitto you need to go to all your shipping options before you commit to picking one. Their first option will most likely be the most expensive , yet depending upon the weight of your package, there are some very inexpensive options available. I use them to forward medicine from my insurance companies online pharmacy and since I manage my refills correctly I can pick the most inexpensive option and have never had to deal with Thai Customs

I pick Airmail Priority which is the cheapest option if your package is under one pound. But you will have to choose that option after your shipment arrives in their warehouse. (BTW, their Airmail Priority is not USPS Priority Mail, but some type of bulk international shipping that they use)

Thanks Langsuan man just the information I was wanting, simply to know about the Airmail Priority offered by this company. I was wondering if it was the same as USPS. My stuff weighs over 1 lb so we will see if it is an option.

Thanks all this has been very helpful.

Thx Sheryl and Jaideeguy; JDG - that's why I posted as I now understand this company is not quite as good as it makes itself out to be.

thx Wayne

I heard shipitto does a good job. I think they use DHL. Suggest to Google for info.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks Stefan I am using that company but seeking advice on best options that they offer through the various company. Note the recommendation for Fedex, thanks Neagrenu...... expensive however. WHat about the cheapos? AirPriority, a fraction of Fedex's cost? What can I expect?! Anyone know? Thanks.

I've recently signed up with a reshipper in the US and would like any views on what are the best courier options for my consolidated package. The company is offering a lot of different options with wide variation in price: it starts with "Airmail Priority" at $7.62 and goes to USPS Priority Flat Rate pack at $81.00. I am shipping a package of books and tracking etc is not important. I just want to receive the goods, exactly when is not really important. I have never done this before and am unaware of pitfalls etc. Anyone got some advice? Your comments would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

I guess every field guide is out of date before it reaches the shelves. I love that Round book on Bangkok birds and as far as I know it is still print and in the shops - it really was a labour of love, you can tell that from reading the text and it is beautifully illustrated.

I earn about 30K per month working part time at the language school, 35K at my morning full time teaching gig, and about 30K hiring teachers. So I think working part time at an hourly paying language school is a great gig!

That's a great gig. Thx for sharing.

Fair comment Mooris but what do you take home every month on average?

I'd advise you to avoid the places that pay by the hour. Bottom line: that means zero pay if you work zero hours, in other words you'll only earn if you work. In theory you might earn reasonable money if you get lots of work, but in practise you'll earn little if the school is not very good. No other benefits. These per hour jobs are becoming more and more common and indicate the general approach to the employment of foreigners: cut costs at all costs, strip out all benefits like sick leave, health insurance, no paid holidays, etc and pay as little as you can get away with. It's not unique to Thailand, in fact it is the ugly face of global capitalism - and people wonder why Thai school children's attainment in English is so low, about the lowest in ASEAN I believe.

And if you look for a bird guide book: Birds of South East Asia by Craig Robson. Get the latest edition (2011). No drawings of nests though.

I have this one Hanno and like it but my preference is for the Round & Lekagul guide, Birds of Thailand, which is completely out of date, at least 20 years old, and it's much sought after and very expensive if you can find one. Grab it if you see it, it's a real gem notwithstanding it's age.

Wow! It is great to see that someone out there knows about birds. I have a question which I hope is not off topic since the question was answered. In CM we have a large red wing bird that looks like a crow. It sounds like a monkey and no other bird sounds like it. I love to see and hear these birds but I can not find any info on the net. What is it

As Tolsti says sounds like a Coucal. Two possibilities: a Greater or Lesser Coucal though they are quite difficult to separate. They are quite skittish. The Greater is significantly bigger with much larger and stouter bill. Both can be found up north and the Lesser is a bit harder to see.

Thanks Salty Celtic were awful and never looked like scoring. The central defence looks porous and man on man Muoyokolo looked very vulnerable and nervous; I reckon he's going to give away a lot of penalties. It is entirely possible to overcome the 2-0 deficit in Glasgow but it will be much more difficult and the 'tic will be hitting themselves because a half decent side would be sitting pretty in this tie. Shakter were at best workmanlike.

GerryBScot, I thank you for the super fast response to my question. I think I will have to invest in some birding books. Thanks again for your help.

Don lots of interesting birds in and around your area so getting a field guide would be a good idea. Please also post photos of anything you're lucky enough to get near to - as you probably know already there are a couple of "hides" in operation outside the park and they get some amazing birds strolling in for water. Your Baya Weavers have built their nests above water I see, so who knows what might be drawn in for a drink in the upcoming drier months; might also be an idea to put out some bananas and bits of mango to see what drops in. You might be pleasantly surprised....... kind of depends on whether there is much human disturbance around you. Good luck.