jacko

Two Brohers

Well actually I don't live on the dark-side, I am well North of town only just over Sukhumvit. Six or 7 years ago I lived about 1km down Soi Siam CC which isn't far from it. And my new phone can take 13 MP pics from one side and 5MP pics from the other, what for is a complete mystery to me. You know I am normally rather too occupied for phone-play when I go out. I have another pal trying out the Suggestions place but only the lunch-time menu.

Thanks for the clarification. Although I wonder how many insurance companies have that approach. When I was investigating Bupa Platinum they did offer a policy with exclusions, yet the premium was the standard amount. My statement, that a policy with exclusions should be cheaper, didn't fly with them.

Hey Evil, I heard of a place on the Darkside and would appreciate one of your reviews... I am suggesting Suggestions. It is on Tripadvisor and Facebook. French style and well spoken of to me recently.

Is that the little place up the Arcade where Kiss and Beefeater are located? (Just B4 soi Diana off 2nd). If so I may have been responsible for the bad past reviews. That was many many years ago and if the place is much improved I am glad to hear it. When I went it was normally because I had won or acquired a discount voucher from the entry ticket prize draw at the Expats club. Being on a cheapo meal perhaps I got a curry from a special pot! Thanks for updating us.

I took up an insurance with a French outfit that looked extremely attractive. Reasonable premiums for fully comprehensive (no-limits) coverage. They were a new player in the Oriental market and I got suckered in by their 'loss-leader' approach. After the first year the premiums went up 10% and I sucked that up, the next year it was a bumper 20+% and I said bugger that and went elsewhere. Over 12 months later they chased me up and said I hadn't cancelled my policy (I bloody well didn't pay the premium) and I owed them for 12 months cover! You can't afford to waste years wrt health insurance and you need to get locked in with a good established company before you get to be too old to be accepted. They know you will struggle to go elsewhere beyond 65. As to the £25,000 pa. mentioned above, well likely the exclusions wrt diabetes and complications would mean the insurance covered bugger all, certainly nothing you are worried about, yet they can still churn out a big charge! There is always 'self insurance' for those who can afford it, Put 5 million baht in an account and leave it alone. That actually is only 4 years premium at £25k.

Health insurance can be purchased and is recommended. It is open to citizens and Expats alike. You can visit an insurance broker and let them supply options based on your criteria, or go directly to the provider. BUPA and AXA are present here. The plans seem to cover most of the hospitals but of course you could preselect a hospital and then just check if it is on the list. A specific doctor is generally not named as they all seem to specialise and you will see different doctor depending on the particular problem. General practitioners are less common here and the insurance and health issues are normally resolved by hospital visits. There are a couple of Expat Clubs and they offer a discounted member plan that is attractively priced. Likely you can start to research this using the internet. I cannot say whether it works the same as the States, but likely not.. Here is a link to a BUPA plan, I am not recommending it, simply supplying it as an example.

The 800,000 baht needs to be seasoned for 2 months, 60 days, when it is the first time application for a retirement extension. It needs to have been there for 60 days prior to the time of application for the retirement extension. The extension allows you to remain in Thailand for one-year, you need only report/confirm your address to immigration every 90 days. I get by with rudimentary Thai, but if you wish to live in rural areas, it would be necessary to be near fluent. (saying that many survive with little Thai, depending on their partner to do everything for them). The main Pattaya hospital is of a high standard, but it doesn't come cheap, and shall we say they run it more like a business, making money being primary. You will very likely end up with a Thai lady partner, how much you spend on her and her family is your business. It is up to you, and many remain isolated from external advice on this matter. Good luck!

The one month extension Atlas2 mentioned is limited to incoming calls, you will not be able to make outgoing calls on a non-registered pre-paid SIM card. Thankfully deadlines in Thailand are kicked down the road now and again.

Well if I wanted to go to the bank Pattaya is nearer, do they have one in Jomtiem? Fishing....

I used to have reason to park on Jomtiem front near the boat ramp,and when I came back I was often blocked in by parked boats waiting to be towed home I guess. It was annoying but the guys were fairly accommodating about shuffling them around to give me a gap.

Well of course it is a holiday weekend now. So perhaps you can tell us about it on Monday if the rain hasn't kept everyone away.

So he ain't nowhere until Aug 24th and then he will be off Threppassit. You can just type those coordinates straight into the search box on Google Maps and it comes up as just off Threppassit.

They are far from completely innocent and I have many recollections of finding baggage in the overheads from passengers sat much further back in the aircraft in the USA! It is compounded there as many refuse to check-in baggage.

I am inclined to say it is a never ending job, perhaps like painting the Golden Gate bridge.

Its on Sukhumvit near the Threpasit junction for Samsung. You bring up a point, I wonder if Tesco and Big C will accept returns or tell you to take it to the particular service centre. I know Numchai have a service centre and can take that onerous task out of your hands. When I was last in the Samsung one I gave up waiting, your time seemed to be of no consequence.

His website still points to his place near Tai/Day Night hotel.

I think MM bought a TV recently. Lazada have been spoken of well by a few folks I know. Reputed fast deliveries.

I once nearly caused a riot on a flight in China. I had had my patience stretched by the check-in, security checks and boarding. All the passengers had masses of hand luggage. When I came to my seat, the row was empty, but the overheads were packed solid, so I started to take stuff out and chuck it in the aisle. Memories like that make me very pleased to be retired.

Well obviously I haven't tried it but maybe have your Passport in your pocket. There was also a kiosk at the airport, just after customs, selling SIM cards and having a lot of trade. One can only expect they are selling Tourist SIMS.

Lazada is a good place to start. I saw a 46 inch Samsung Smart TV for under 14,000 Baht. Great price!

The Government are back-peddling all over the near college sois on this one! So the rather dodgy Coconuts says.

Well you need to turn right and go to the Beer Garden instead now. It gets bad before the actual bend as there is work going on in the vicinity of the sewage pumping place, but for a long time the pavement has been narrow or completely absent from the actual bend back 20-30 yards in-front of the boxing ring/ beer bar complex. There may well be concrete barriers now between pedestrians and the traffic but it is narrow and people are trying to go in both directions there. It is ironic to me that the access to a Walking St, the biggest tourist attraction in Pattaya, restricts walking and makes it dangerous! I recall someone ended up with 2 broken legs as they tried to dash between large coaches and failed a while back.