lumply

The long term expats have got so accustomed to it (especiallly in Chang Mai) that they hardly notice it. Worringly most of them don't know what damage such conditions have already done to their lungs. The problems will come later in life for sure. A couple of choking months in HGK sent me scurrying for fresher air. What a relief!

What does HGK stand for? Why do you have to be so lazy as to only type the initials? If it stands for Hong Kong, why can't you type Hong Kong?

Hong Kong just for you. Now, do you have anything interesting to say about the subject itself or are you some kind of correction freak?

The long term expats have got so accustomed to it (especiallly in Chang Mai) that they hardly notice it. Worringly most of them don't know what damage such conditions have already done to their lungs. The problems will come later in life for sure. A couple of choking months in HGK sent me scurrying for fresher air. What a relief!

Whatever the outcome of the vote, let us not take this as a valid reason to pour hard earned tax payers money (aid) into the state. The Palestinians want their own independence, no problem, let them support their own with their own resource, aggregate for construction(?)

Yes, I stopped about 2 years ago. I miss the odd drink but at least It keeps me out of smokey bars and saves me money. My quality of life has not suffered and I would like to think that there have been improvements in health.

We got given a baby seat from a Thai family. Also the company I work for in Thailand gives employees with new borns a free car seat. Good quality one too!

A new born in a car seat. How odd

I retract that comment. There are indeed new born 'seats' these days. Just showing my age.

We got given a baby seat from a Thai family. Also the company I work for in Thailand gives employees with new borns a free car seat. Good quality one too!

A new born in a car seat. How odd

One in tesco here tried to crack onto my missus.....

Two tried to crack onto her at the zoo the other day.....made her uncomfortable and she said hurry lets go.

Mind your own business you pervs.

Your misses is obviously a cracker then, let's all be the judge of that, mug shot please. Chill

No such thing as duty free. Prices are still marked up excessively in airports, and exceed in many cases UK high street prices. The sweet innocence of a traveller bent on spending his hard earned cash. Up to you.

I say that Smokie's comment involving an ice bucket is spot on especially when it involves an iphone or any other smart phone for that matter. What makes the introduction of a new smart phone and the ridiculous price tag cause such a stir. More money than sense or maybe something else?

It amuses me how fathers' can be so protective of their young teenage daughters. This is not exclusive to Thailand, it can happen anywhere. My young girls were exposed to the vagaries of the Middle East where on one occassion an Asian guy was caught red handed by my eldest pounding the monkey behind a pick-up and at night. She just exclaimed 'disgusting' which drew the attention of the youngest (8 at the time). Mum and Dad were close by, It was a non event, no harm done and I certainly did not feel inclined to lash out at the poor guy; the girls had forgotten about it five minutes later. There was the leering on other occassions, so where's the problem? Ignore it.

Mine grew up well adjusted and well guided by their parents, which I know they are now following with their own children. I was let off the leash at the age of eight to attend boarding school and I had to grow up and learn fast which no doubt influenced me in my approach to bringing up my kids. I respect the freedom of parents to do what they think is best of course but I still believe that being over protective achieves nothing in the long run.

In all my years of working in the Arab world, I cannot recall once hearing an Arab apologise, I don't even recall the Arabic word for it. It's simply not in their nature. JB should NEVER have apologised. His advisers could then have classified his original statement as a misinterpretation, put it down to semantics etc.

To get back on topic re the Leyland woman. For her to think that it was her entitlement to use her Twitter account to attack the McAnns was an indication of her nasty character. I have little sympathy for a person who does something like this and then tops themselves soon after because they can't face the consequences of their actions. Maybe she was disturbed or sick but until that is proven thereby going some way to explaining her actions, I stick by my opinion.

Thanks Sheryl, I am a UK citizen and I have decided to return there for follow up.

I received the histopathology report in July for an excision lesion. The procedure was carried out on my left shoulder competently by a Dermatologist in Dubai. Although the margins of resection themselves were without tumour, it was suggested by the diagnostic centre backed up by the Dermatologist that I should have further pathologic assessment of neoplasm. Having been referred then to a an Oncologist who was most unhelpful when asked "where do I get the lymph nodes checked out", I have decided to get an assessment done elsewhere.

Thailand could possibly be my choice. I have spent a lot of time in Thailand over the years but have never had to call on medical assistance there. However I have heard good things about hospitals.

Can anyone suggest a cancer hospital in BKK and/or an Oncologist who might be able to offer an opinion on the histopathology report and suggest a course of treatment (if necessary). OK, if I go to the UK it could take ages although I have heard that cancer cases, or in my case suspected cases, are fast tracked.Any views please?

What are your views on a person of a pensionable (UK) planning to do this, say for 3 months a year, solo? No interest in making it my permanent home due to other commitments elsewhere. All to their own maybe but would be interested in hearing experiences of others, past and present who have chosen this route.

Tough call but having been implicit in an alleged illegal act it's too late now to do anything about it. Like a previous poster suggested you should have had more balls at he time. You just fuelled corruption. Good luck anyway with your extension.

I can never understand why an eclipse is such a big deal and is written about seemingly endlessly in the press when one is due. Similar to the summer solstice. Can someone explain the fascination of common events that have taken place for over three billion years?

What's wrong with that request? Lots of other things happen in a typical bedroom or is lovemaking only confined to that room in Thailand. How boring. Just a provide a shot of the two of you sitting on the edge of the bed.

Excellent news. Now what will it take to convince the skeptics on TV?

Is this a wind-up? If not, then it is likely to put the fear of Christ into most tourists who would have wished they were in Majorca instead.

Confused...

Unless sex tourism is your goal, I'd suggest going the opposite direction.

Phuket has a horrid reputation on many counts. About the only redeeming quality

is the beaches -- but access to these comes at a high price in terms of high prices,

scams, rip-offs, poor service, and many other issues.

If you can forego the beaches, head to Chiang Mai. Compared to Phuket it feels a

lot like going to heaven without dying.

One example -- yesterday we had pasta at Success restaurant on the river near

Narawat bridge. It's some of the best pasta I've ever had. The restaurant is nice,

friendly and good service. The pasta ranges in price from 80-150 baht. They also

have a wide selection of great thin crust pizza at very reasonable prices.

This place is rather typical of the friendly service and good prices in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai is the nicest place all-round I've ever been in my many years in Asia.

.....but avoid the burn off season surely(?)

Apologies if this is seen as a hijack, but it is bank related.

What if a non resident with a bank account, no Thai dependants, dies intestate. What happens to the dosh? Do you nominate next of kin, say in the UK, for the money to be transferred back? Or does the bank get to keep the money?

I make it back once a year but it irritates me when everyone expects me to tear around the countryside to visit them. Now I just inform them that I'm coming back for a while, great to see you all and you know where I am for a catchup. There are exceptions to this general attitude otherwise I would probably never see my family.

Sometimes I wonder about the questions being asked!! Use a bit of common sense!!! It all depends on a person's wealth and desires. Some people, like me, do not have the money to visit their own country, so desire is not an issue! I'd like to, but can not! Other people can afford to do it, so it comes down to desire. If they want to, they can. If thy do not want to, they do not!

Perfectly reasonable question to ask amongst expats, and interesting too. Just cut out the first two exclaimed sentences and your response could be considered ok as well