2 hours ago, retarius said:

I have taken it. Outstandingly effective, I lost a lot of weight and my fasting blood sugars improved along with my longer term blood sugar, HbA1C levels. What I found is that it makes me feel profoundly nauseous and not really wanting to eat anything. I went from 94 to 80 KG in 3 months. I used the two lower dosages because I was unable to tolerate the higher dosage levels.

Now the downside: When I stopped taking it, I immediately put all the weight back on and then some. I went from 80kg to 96kg in 2 months....hungry all the time and nothing would help the cravings. 

Thank you for sharing your experience.You might be interested to know a recent study reported in the British press indicated the weight could be kept off when not taking the drug by very slowly tapering off usage.Obviously this drug treatment is at a very early stage.It's hard to believe that in ten years time many of the teething problems won't have been ironed out.Cost down too probably.

52 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

adverse effects never mentioned on msm whatsoever, anyone that did suggest that was shot down, attacked and banned from social media, dont remember any politicians warning of adverse effects either

Nonsense.There was extensive discussion of adverse effects particularly with AZ.Those with some appreciation of statistics and proportionality understood the position very well - see previous post giving seat belts in cars as an example.Others (those of the deniers who had not died or become seriously ill) succumbed to paranoia and conspiracy theories and some even perpetuated their strange perception to this very day.

8 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

'rare' enough for it to be withdrawn totally. 

 

recognised early on, yet in many places still forced on people, and those that didn't want it or refused were all of a sudden right wing anti vax and demonised in the press, lets not brush over that part!

I was withdrawn because it made no sense commercially now and there are other newer vaccines designed to tackle later variants.IT is estimated to have saved over 6 million lives thus served its purpose well.

Yes there were many anti vaccination fanatics (are you one, I don 't know) ranting about conspiracies and globalist plots.They did immense damage particularly where the gullible and ignorant were concerned.I suppose its inevitable a few of these geniuses are wittering even now about their discredited theories.

Weight-loss jab ‘cuts heart disease deaths by 20%’

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/uk-weight-loss-jabs-prescription-drugs-ozempic-7dbsvkblg

21 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

For in Thailand Ozempic weight loss pen is considered a dangerous drug that must only be prescribed by a doctor. By law, trading cannot be done through online channels or general stores. It is also expensive. and may not be effective for weight loss If you want to lose weight, you should use other methods that are safer and get more certain results.

Of course it has to be prescribed by a doctor, and specifically for diabetics not for those who want to lose weight.Contrary to what you say it seems to be very effective in most cases and as I mentioned earlier the medical advice is that it should be combined with exercise/calorie control/good diet.Obviously I'm no expert but all the indications these drugs are here to stay and presumably will be improved and get less expensive over time.

I had wondered whether any member has had personal experience.It would be interesting to know.

There's been  much publicity about drugs to tackle diabetes and weight loss.Recently I read that they can also reduce the risk of heart disease and this week I read they may in the future be prescribed to millions of middle aged people.The reports I have seen make it clear these drugs should be combined with exercise and good diet.It seems there are some side effects but they appear to be manageable.

It would be interesting to know the position in Thailand.Weekly injections are needed (about Bt 12,000 I believe)

1 hour ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Saying FALSE things about any business can lead to this ,,anywhere....see how this works???

This fellow misunderstands the meaning of defamation as practiced in Thailand.One might reasonably assume that if an accusation is true, it cannot be defamation.It's a complicated subject but broadly speaking that is the position in most legal jurisdictions.In Thailand however it is not true.An accusation can be defamatory even if it is based on the complete truth.

The case  against the BBC's Jonathan Head detailed in this report was eventually dropped, but the saga shows how matters can proceed in Thailand

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/24/bbc-correspondent-jonathan-head-has-criminal-defamation-suit-dropped-in-thailand

13 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

I used to go there a lot back in the day and it was always superb but haven't been since it reopened. I have friends who have been though and the consensus was food was ok (so-so) but service was terrible. Not my first hand experience though so take it or leave it for what it's worth.

Same here.Used to go there a lot.What you say about the current position accords with what I have heard from a couple of friends.But I have also had a very favourable report.Any other recent visits?

As many will know L'Opera Italian Restaurant recently reopened after a lengthy refurbishing.It was quite a popular dining spot for many years.I am not sure whether it is under the same ownership/management but I have had very conflicting reports on quality/service etc. Anyone tried it recently and if so would they recommend it?

For discounting buying coffee beans purposes, I was told by my local Starbucks I should download Starbucks Thailand app. Trouble is on checking App Store on my iPhone it doesn't appear.I think it is on the Thailand app store but not sure how to access.Any pointers?

On 5/3/2024 at 9:42 AM, oldcpu said:

BUT to re-iterate what others have noted - its a lot of effort to get the 'pink-ID' where the utility can in the most part be questioned.  However it is NOT useless all the time. Sometimes, this being Thailand, one can be surprised

There was another unexpected use for the Pink ID, namely at the start of the government sponsored Covid vaccination programme.As I recall there were a few weeks when foreigners needed a Pink Id to get on it.

On 4/28/2024 at 12:33 PM, EVENKEEL said:

I wouldn't hire a foreigner in Thailand for anything.

That's going too far but I certainly wouldn't use a Thailand based investment advisor.The out and out shysters are easy enough to spot but the semi respectable ones like MBMG should in my opinion also be avoided.

8 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

If y’all have it set up great but that’s my take, 

Weird.Just set it up and no need to complain.Easy too - just phone Lazada who have excellent English speaking staff at the call center.They will help you go through the simple process which will take five minutes at most - assuming you have a Thai bank account.

On 5/3/2024 at 7:22 PM, torturedsole said:

QR codes do the job for me linked to my Bangkok Bank account, although still not as smooth as an Apple Pay purchase.

I've sometimes wondered why Apple Pay isn't available in Thailand whereas it is in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. I suppose it's the same old story of the large Thai banks/telcoms/corporates using their very strong links with government to block innovative outside commercial interests.

11 hours ago, retarius said:

The other odd thing is that when I go to the doctor's office or the bank, I get priority service, in and out very quickly ignoring the queueing system and all the Thai patients sitting there

Never happened to me in many decades here.If hypothetically queue jumping was suggested I would politely decline and wait my turn.Equally to the point, I don't think Thais would tolerate foreigners queue jumping these days, at least in cities like Bangkok.I give my place at supermarket checkouts to elderly Thais and of course to monks when the occasion arises.

On the more general point it's true that farang are no longer a rare commodity and don't get the treatment accorded in the 1970's and before.The British community was widely respected in Bangkok circles in those days because they were seen to be "gentlemanly"  and in tune with Thai virtues This was a delusion because the British trading company employees and the like were often as enthusiastic fornicators and libertines as their contemporary equivalents.The main difference  between now and thenwas essentially one of class - not many true toffs but many public school remittance men etc.

16 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

Nope. Not with me. I can price it I have funds in my lazada “wallet” that I can’t spend. 

Do you realize that you can transfer funds from your wallet to your bank account? It's quick and easy and I've done it a couple of times.Just call Lazada and they'll explain exactly how - very good people in my experience.

5 hours ago, superal said:

It is clearly odds on that K. Starmer will be the next PM , after yesterdays by election results . So I have emailed him at the House of Commons and asked him if he will review / unfreeze  the UK pension for those living abroad outside of reciprocal agreement countries . What chance of a reply ?

He is a courteous and conscientious man by all accounts so I think you will certainly receive a reply.However it's unrealistic that he would endorse such a large unfunded commitment shortly before a General Election and at a time of acute financial pressure with many competing priorities.My understanding is that the cost of uprating is approximately Pounds 1 billion p.a and there are about 500,000 overseas people affected.Actually that's a smaller figure than I has earlier anticipated and is I think doable under the right circumstances.But it will in any scenario be a long time from now.What's needed I think is a much more aggressive campaign - demonstrations against visiting UK ministers, lobbying Ambassadors on every occasion with energy and directness (don't let them get away with their usual - nothing to do with me mate responses), lobbying for expat representation in Parliament like the French.Expats now have the vote so a persistent and annoying letter writing campaign to MPs can be undertaken.Don't play nice - it won't advance the cause.Don't be shy about embarrassing decision makers.

42 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

But I don't agree with the second part, I've been able to repatriate funds on a couple of occasions, the last time in 2019 when I went back to the UK for 4 months, UOB had no problem with it.

 I didn't suggest it wasn't possible (obviously it is) and in the past I have done it. However my currentpersonal circumstances make the transfer of funds to the UK highly unlikely.Too much information?

My Thai bank (BB) phoned to ask the reason for a Sterling remittance of £ 25000 from my UK bank.I don't recall this happening before but I haven't made so high value a remittance for some time.As usual on the UK remittance instruction I had indicated the purpose as "general living expenses".Didn't get the impression the Thai bank inquiry was anything other than a box ticking exercise and the amount has subsequently been credited to my account.But it hasn't happened here before and I wondered what is the general experience.

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

AI writes it.

Thanks.I hadn't seen the announcement.Intelligent people will draw their own conclusions on these cobbled together arrangements but no more on the subject as that might be considered "disrespectful".

1 minute ago, Mike Lister said:

I keep two Thai bank accounts for that reason, one for receiving income, the other for investing, Imm money and savings. Separating funds in the UK or overseas level would also make good sense. 

Agreed, and there is the considerable advantage of the record taking aspect being taken care of.In other words in the unlikely event of a RD dispute/query, bank records could be easily shown.

3 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

I maintain that the law change has already happened and that enforcement will either come as a result of more audits or a link to Immigration for visa renewal purposes, I see both those things as probable but the latter more so.

 

I wonder whether many , in anticipation of future audits by RD, propose proceeding as I do, namely by having two UK bank accounts - the first (for remitting) covering all investments, cash deposits etc made before 31.12.2023 and the second covering all current income (not for remitting).