yogi100

2 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Its pretty common for Americans to have a single bullet in their luggage if they are shooters. I have been stopped by TSA myself with one in Alaska, so it was no big deal, but it would be somewhere else.

I used to target shoot at a club in the UK with an air rifle. I still do occasionally. The slugs are much smaller than a bullet and therefore easier to misplace yet I've never ever had one find its way into my holiday luggage!

However it would be quite easy to slip a bullet into someone's luggage especially if there's a financial incentive to do so.

4 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

I’m not British. If I were to immigrate there, what sort of benefits can I get?

Everty thing handed to you on a plate. It's the life of Riley in the Promised Land.

11 minutes ago, yogi100 said:

What's so confusing IraqRon. It seems pretty straight forward to me and possibly to many others.

In a case like this missing kayak couple it's more likely that holiday makers will know more about such pursuits than Phuket ex pats.

The fellow who rented this kayak was a tourist. In my experience very few residents or expats can be bothered with such activities.

The guided tour attractions are aimed at tourists rather than ex pats and it's mainly tourists and HMs that avail them selves of these sort of offers.

So if anything tourists and visitors are therefore more qualified to comment upon them than are ex pats. You rarely hear of expats visiting elephant parks, water parks and zoos nor hiring jet skis or canoes etc.

33 minutes ago, yogi100 said:

No I'd just conclude that you're ill informed and if you want only ex pat residents to contribute to Thai Visa then you should contact its administrators and try and get the rules changed to that effect.

 

I've two friends who have lived in Pattaya for over 20 years in the same hotel I stay in. One has been in the LOS for 29 years!

 

One only goes out in the mornings and midday to the Soi Bhukaow market and never goes out at night even over Xmas. He's married to Thai lady who is a seamstress.

 

The other one is single (29 years) and does his shopping 3 or 4 mornings week and only goes out to a nearby sports bar to watch his favourite team play football once a week. If it's a 3 am Thai time kick off then he does not even bother doing that. Going out to the bars and chasing the girls even at Xmas is also the last thing he'd do. He's long had the T shirt as they say.

 

If you ask either one if it's busy they'll readily tell you they don't know and will only be able to tell you what it was like on the their daytime excursions which is no indication of what it is like in the evening and at night on the ground which is what most people want to know about.

 

Neither of them post on Thai Visa nor any other forums because not only do they not want to but also because apart from visa and retirement issues they have nothing to contribute and don't claim to have.

 

Neither have much interest in nor knowledge of Thai nor Western domestic politics unless it affects the exchange rate. They've been in Thailand too long to care about such matters.

 

Visitors like myself get out most nights, get around town, go through immigration, travel more, see what's going on and are therefore able and qualified to comment on it because we do actually have considerably more direct knowledge regarding certain issues. My two pals do not and they readily admit it.

 

 

 

 

 

What's so confusing IraqRon. It seems pretty straight forward to me and possibly to many others.

3 hours ago, nkg said:

 

So you post about issues that you have no direct knowledge of, and that do not impact your life in any way. Would you be offended if I suggested that your posts on the "Pattaya forum" carry less weight than posts from people who actually live there?

No I'd just conclude that you're ill informed and if you want only ex pat residents to contribute to Thai Visa then you should contact its administrators and try and get the rules changed to that effect.

I've two friends who have lived in Pattaya for over 20 years in the same hotel I stay in. One has been in the LOS for 29 years!

One only goes out in the mornings and midday to the Soi Bhukaow market and never goes out at night even over Xmas. He's married to Thai lady who is a seamstress.

The other one is single (29 years) and does his shopping 3 or 4 mornings week and only goes out to a nearby sports bar to watch his favourite team play football once a week. If it's a 3 am Thai time kick off then he does not even bother doing that. Going out to the bars and chasing the girls even at Xmas is also the last thing he'd do. He's long had the T shirt as they say.

If you ask either one if it's busy they'll readily tell you they don't know and will only be able to tell you what it was like on the their daytime excursions which is no indication of what it is like in the evening and at night on the ground which is what most people want to know about.

Neither of them post on Thai Visa nor any other forums because not only do they not want to but also because apart from visa and retirement issues they have nothing to contribute and don't claim to have.

Neither have much interest in nor knowledge of Thai nor Western domestic politics unless it affects the exchange rate. They've been in Thailand too long to care about such matters.

Visitors like myself get out most nights, get around town, go through immigration, travel more, see what's going on and are therefore able and qualified to comment on it because we do actually have considerably more direct knowledge regarding certain issues. My two pals do not and they readily admit it.

On 12/27/2019 at 11:46 AM, BobBKK said:

I have been to Phil 45 times and owned a condo there. Both places have their benefits but there are some big ones here in Thailand. Internet and Infrastructure are far superior in Thailand. If you could swap the Thais for Filipinos (who are far more polite and warmer) you would have heaven but alas we can't have everything.

When I first came to Thailand (Bangkok & Pattaya) in 1984 it was the people that impressed me more than anything else. They were kind, helpful friendly and my opinion of them was shared by everybody else.

But that's history now it's been destroyed by greed, commercialisation and a worsening attitude. 

I dunno how people can still keep a straight face when they refer to it as The Land Of Smiles.

I just visit Pattaya and although people say that Pattaya is not representative of Thailand it is to me.

I went to Davao and Cebu about 15 years ago but while the people were generally very friendly neither place was remotely comparable with Pattaya in any respect.

The people had no pride in their surroundings nor much ambition apart from wanting to leave the PI. I could not blame them because I was bloody glad when we left to be quite honest. It was quite simply a dump.

2 minutes ago, nkg said:

 

Why do you keep posting on the Phuket forum? So far as I'm aware, you don't even live here.

You don't have to live in Thailand to post on any forum on Thai Visa or on any other of the various forums based on the LOS. I'd say most of the contributors are visitors. 

I post on the Pattaya forum yet I don't live there. The way things are going I'm glad I don't.

6 hours ago, faraday said:

I can well believe that Sanemax. Social Services in the UK, seem to 'bend over backwards' to help people from ethnic minorities, but make others wait years, to get accommodation.

I'm surprised that you did not ask him to 'supply evidence that supports this claim' like you did earlier.

20 minutes ago, faraday said:

Please supply evidence that supports this claim.

Go to Lambeth or Southwark in London.

Visit any of their housing offices and see for yourself.

Failing that please supply evidence yourself that said housing offices are not run by Africans.

Edit.

I'll tell you what, we'll have a 100 quid bet. I'll come with you and we can count 'em. If I'm wrong I give you the money, if I'm wrong you're 100 quid better off. But if I'm right you give me a 100 quid.

I'm not a gambler but I used to work in these places and it's a lot worse now. However I'm not one to turn my nose up at easy money.

1 hour ago, Andrew65 said:

I returned to the UK in June last year. Returned to Worcester rather than my home town Hereford. My GP surgery in Hereford (hadn't been there for about 10 years) said I'd have to register with a GP in Worcester (gave them the details of my old surgery in Hereford). Found a surgery in Worcester, registered, no questions, no problems.

I also gave the Worcester surgery the details of Bumrungrad Hospital so they could get my records re: a heart condition.

 

Subsequently got my yearly prescription and a check-up on my elbow at the hospital.

Just sayin', for anyone thinking of doing the same thing.

Were you asked if you'd been living in Thailand? The fellow I mentioned said nothing as he's a bit clued up in that department.

But another fellow I know has gone back to the UK for medical reasons. He is staying with a daughter. He's a bit of a dope and he told 'em he'd been in the LOS for 6 years and they informed him he'll have to pay for his treatment. If I hear any more I'll let you all know.

2 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

I hope he's going to be ok. Shouldn't he be heading back to the UK permanently, rather than just for healthcare?

Sounds like he can't really afford to live in Thailand or the UK?

He's got no home, nor relative and few friends left in the UK. He's English born and bred but that means nothing SE England especially London. He foolishly burned his bridges for the sake of a few years of fun and games in Pattaya.

The local housing departments are run by Africans and you know what that means especially if they are Nigerians.

He's happier in his room in Pattaya living on a shoe string where he at least knows a few people than having to sit in libraries all day and spend his nights in a London doss house among folk he can't even communicate with and who don't want him there anyway.

3 minutes ago, sanemax said:

There has been a misunderstanding , we are both betting on the same thing .

  I aM saying that if a man goes to the council and states that he is homeless , then he will get no help at all .

   I though that you were saying that if I went to southwark council and stated that I was homeless, then they would give me a council house, I was/am saying that they would give me nothing .

  You see to be saying that as well 

That's that cleared up then. I thought you knew something I didn't. 

Myself and my fiance at the time and our two children applied for a council home on two London borough councils and to date have not heard so much as a whisper.

That was 41 years ago.

It will be interesting to hear what happens to this chap when he gets back to the UK. In view of his age and appearance they'll have to look after him. That's if the airline will take him unaccompanied. 

I hope he gets treated better than a fellow I know who when he was 68 went back to London for health reasons. He had a cancer scare.

He claimed he was homeless which he was so they put him in an overnight hostel from 9pm till the next morning when he had to walk the streets or sit in cafes, pubs and libraries. 

A hospital was too busy to examine him and told him to come back in 10 days. He gave up and came back to Pattaya. I recently heard he's still there but I dunno what happened with the cancer issue. I know he does not have the necessary funds to get it treated in Thailand.

30 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

I don't want to discuss this specific case other than to say it's been suggested he has an alcohol problem. 

 

I guess a message for all of us who came here to party like we were teenagers, is that there comes a time when age catches up and adjustments to lifestyle are necessary.  To be a rotten falling down, <deleted>ting your trousers, drunk as an octogenarian or above is not a good look anywhere. If all you have to your name is a petty pension that mostly goes on the booze, it leaves you very vulnerable. 

To expect a local to look after you without significant financial incentive is asking too much of any individual, and there is no government support available here. If you fit the description and don't do something about it you deserve to get dumped on the street.

Too true OC. 

I did not imply that your post was sad but the subject matter most definitely is.

29 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

I don't want to discuss this specific case other than to say it's been suggested he has an alcohol problem. 

 

I guess a message for all of us who came here to party like we were teenagers, is that there comes a time when age catches up and adjustments to lifestyle are necessary.  To be a rotten falling down, <deleted>ting your trousers, drunk as an octogenarian or above is not a good look anywhere. If all you have to your name is a petty pension that mostly goes on the booze, it leaves you very vulnerable. 

To expect a local to look after you without significant financial incentive is asking too much of any individual, and there is no government support available here. If you fit the description and don't do something about it you deserve to get dumped on the street.

From reading the whole topic it would seem that his having a drink problem is only hearsay. He does not seem drunk in the video or the photo.

He's an old bloke who's rather frail and may be suffering from dementia. The one individual who met him and has commented on his condition did not mention anything about him having a drink problem.

You don't have to be drunk to foul your trousers in Thailand. It's the last place on earth where you can trust a f@rt.

It's always handy to be able to blame drink. It covers a lot of human failings.

8 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

As many have pointed out this is the tip of the iceberg and there are likely more like this to come.

 

In the Chiang Mai area foreigners have come together to form an association that helps expats in need, in coordination with relevant embassies etc:

 

http://www.lannacarenet.org/what-we-do/

 

TV member NancyL is active in it and could probably advise others interested in starting something similar in the Pattaya/Jomtien area.

 

So instead of arguing about social services in the UK, the helpfulness (or not) of the British Embassy, arguing about whether the police did right by him, and finding ways to blame Thais etc, how about some of you channel your energies into something constructive like this?

 

I do not live in Pattaya (about 3 hour drive away) and am in and out of Thailand this year bit to the extent my time permits I would be willing to help on medical issues if those of you in Patts get your act together and start a group to aid people like this.

 

He is nto the first and will be far, far from the last.

 

 

 

 

There is an expats club in Pattaya but most of us on this forum would sooner argue and bicker among ourselves.

But that was a fine gesture you made and sensible suggestion you put forward. You can bet this topic has put the heebie jeebies up a lot of ex pats in Thailand.

13 minutes ago, sanemax said:

You didnt send me the terms, I just replied asking to to tell me the terms, do reply 

Gimme a chance, I'm not a shorthand typist!

25 minutes ago, sanemax said:

I will take that bet up with you . 

I've sent you a PM regarding the arrangements for this wager.

20 minutes ago, sanemax said:

I will take that bet up with you . 

Are you sure about that you've just said in post 198 that

"Single men will get no help at all ."

So how are you gonna get one. Do you know something I don't or do you work on the council or do you know someone you can slip a few quid to.

Because that's the only way an Englishman will get council accommodation in London unless he can hang around for a few years.

1 hour ago, luckyluke said:

I reside since 2000 in Thailand.

I am not particularly fond of most of the English men I met in Pattaya, due to the discourteous language. 

When I am in Thonglor, they are somewhat different, till the 3-4 pint. 

However I refuse to believe that every Englishman in the U.K. is a violent person. 

You're not the only one Luke and I'm English myself.

Most of us are often ashamed to be English ourselves due to the behaviour of a few of our countrymen.

2 hours ago, possum1931 said:

Why would they ever think you are dead? Do pensioners not living in the UK not have to prove they are still alive every so often?

It's a proof of life letter.

If they get no reply it's their excuse to stop paying you and then the ball is in your court.

Once they are satisfied you're still alive you get fully reimbursed and the payment continues.

3 hours ago, possum1931 said:

Your first paragraph, It must have been his pension credits or some other benefits the money was taken for. Besides that 2000 Pounds they took from him would take a lot more than eight years to pay back, as they can only take a little from him every month unless he had a very good private pension. They cannot take payments from the state pension alone, it says so on the DSS website.

I don't believe I mentioned any private pension he may have had.

3 hours ago, No1 said:

Every physician and most of us normal persons would accept that alcoholism is an illness. What makes it so difficult for you?
 

People who smoke weed every day don't get stoned anymore as their body gets used to it.  I have seen guys smoking weed all day long just like other people cigarettes and they kept up working in a very normal office job without any of their colleagues taking note of it.

I've seen people who smoke weed who dunno what day of the week it is half of the time let alone hold down a job!

6 hours ago, possum1931 said:

He probably won't have much left after the British government stole his state pension annual increases from him.

They did that to an old chum of mine who was found to be over staying in Pattaya about 8 years ago. Two thousand pounds they actually took off of him in overpaid pension money! 

He'd served out here with the Chindits in the latter stages of WW2. 

Then we got a Muslim Pakistani Ambassador , one Asif Ahmad as our representative in Thailand who understandably applauded the action.

This old chap, the chum of mine (not Ahmad) actually served in this neck of the woods in 1943 - 45 when the Yanks the assisted by Errol Flynn ran the Japs out of Burma.

No wonder it's now no longer politically correct to describe yourself as being English.