Stocky

I lived and worked for 14 years in Africa. South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia. I also visited Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Togo and Ivory Coast. I enjoyed my time in Africa though I'm not sure I'd wish to retire there, there are still too many issues with corruption, poor infrastructure, and in many instances political uncertainty. If I did, then probably Ghana or Tanzania, both countries I found very welcoming, with interesting people, cultures, history and places to see.

Hat Yai's home

There's no real tourism 'high season' for Malaysians. Rather it's weekends, Malaysian public holidays of which there are a lot, and school holidays all of which occur throughout the year. If they can junk the TM6 for airport arrivals I fail to see why they're still required at land crossings? .

I wonder how they calculate it? My refund of Bht389.83 was from a total bill of Bht4,383.46 so approximately 9%. Either it varies by PEA or it's scaled based on consumption like the tariff. EDIT. It's not based on this months consumption, I've just realised it's a refund on last month's. So the FT last month was 0.6689 the new FT is 0.2048, so the refund is on last month's bill calculated at the new fuel tax rate. .

Electricity tariffs here Electricity Tariffs JAN66 Unofficial Translation.pdf Got my bill today with a Bht389 fuel tax refund - a pleasant surprise

Get well soon!

Precisely, so you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

You might be that messy, I most certainly am not.

It's been on its last legs for years now. As for beards, I've had one for over 40 years and no one has ever complained. Thais have never, at least to my face, had a problem with it, though facial hair is more common in the south. The wife has never said anything worse than it tickles, and her brother has tried his best to emulate me and sports a five-a-side and Fu-Manchu. As for being dirty, the beard gets shampooed at least once a day same time as I wash my hair in the shower.

Christ on a bike there are some cheery topics on here today!

What's it matter to you?

It's Hat Yai not Los Angeles!

"Nothing sucks like Electrolux"

Sounds more like an existence than a lifestyle. I'd cut yourself and the wife a little slack and treat yourselves now and again.

Alcohol is more easily available in most of Malaysia than in Thailand; none of the you can only buy between 11-2pm and 5-11pm nonsense. The only area where you might encounter difficulties is the North East - Kelantan and Terengganu. Certainly no problems in Penang.

Precisely, that's why having a Plan B, and possibly C & D is always a good idea.

Southern Thailand, from Hua Hin south to Hat Yai. The sweet spot is the zone between Surat Thani to Nakhorn Si Thamerat. To the north you can catch the haze coming south March/April and in the south you can catch the haze coming north August/September. Hat Yai is generally good but some years you get the haze from Indonesia, though this year has been fine. .

Probably just across the border to Malaysia, I have friends in Malaysia and I like Ipoh. Also close enough to keep in contact with family in Thailand.

I have a Time Deposit with Krungsri and as stated above if before 3 months, then no interest paid, if more than 3 months, you will get the interest rate of the savings account. From the website 2. Time Deposit 2.1 The minimum initial deposit for account opening is THB 1,000. 2.2 Upon the maturity of the deposit period, the interest after withholding tax shall be credited to the accounts. 2.3 The Bank shall consider the deposit contract is terminated at the maturity of the tenor is completed. If the account holders do not withdraw the money or notify the Bank otherwise, it shall be considered that the deposit has been renewed in form of previous deposit and the interest rate and conditions of the new deposit shall be as part the Bank’s announcement at the time. 2.4 In order to withdraw the deposit before maturity. 2.4.1 Deposits for a period of less than 3 months will not be paid any interest. The interest (inclusive of withholding taxes) which has already been paid will be deducted from the principal that account holders will be paid back. The account holders may ask for a refund of such withholding taxes from The Revenue Department. 2.4.2 Deposits for a period of 3 months or more will be paid interest according to the Savings Deposit as per the Bank’s announcement effective on the deposit day of such amount and the number of actual deposit days. The principal and accrued interest of the deposit will be paid to account holders after the deduction of interest which has already been paid (inclusive of withholding taxes). The account holders may ask for a refund of the withholding taxes from The Revenue Department. https://www.krungsri.com/en/rates/deposit .

Thailand is a signatory but it hasn't been ratified.

I have my Monzo banking app set up on a Thai phone, address is in the UK.

Note that it's monsoon season in the south from October through December. Switching to the west coast after Surat will save you some of the rain, you also avoid Thung Song near NST which is notorious flooding hot spot. But monsoon rain reduces driver visibility and the ability to stop, so I'd be extra cautious, and make sure your health insurance covers cycling!

Only when the person in front reclines there seat to maximum leaving me little option

Yes. Had an interest in rocks & fossils as a child, studied geology at university, became a professional geologists. Worked for over 40 years in mineral exploration & mining. Semi-retired now but still consult to a handful of projects that interest me. Geology has been very good to me.

Does the browser (and therefore iPlayer) have permission to see your phone location? I can get the iPlayer to work using Brave and NordVPN on my Android - I just checked.