jacko

Didn't you spot me at the back? I have always been a bit of a wallflower cactus.

The Jackal

Yes, my early trips into China were amusing. Once ordering orange juice at breakfast I received something else....on saying something and trying to get it replace I was met with 'It doesn't matter' our translator told me. But subsequent trips I did with China Airlines AMS-BKK in their very reasonably priced Biz Class, the service was very good...they were cute too!

Peter O'Toole

Charlie Cox (24hr)

I can't remember seeing these types.....doesn't mean they aren't though. Sprinklers are normally triggered on an individual basis, the heat breaks a liquid filled glass bulb and a valve can then open releasing the water. What you see on films, where all the sprinklers come on at once, isn't reality, unless it is a deluge system which would be triggered by a detector. These glass bulbs are pretty robust and an accidental discharge is more likely by someone chasing a gecko around with a brush. Most buildings have smoke detectors, or heat detectors wired back to a central alarm panel with audio alert and a few other actions. (Release fire doors, move elevators to ground etc). I would be more worried about maintenance of a sprinkler system and the pipework supplying it. Many condos have loads of tourists in them......... younger people are likely to be noisier.

I am not sure I am up to repelling down a 200 ft building but needs must. It is a little like when I was offered a bullet proof jacket on a work assignment once..... it didn't make me feel safer, it made me feel I needed to be some place else.

Charlotte Rampling

There probably isn't enough space in most modern built condos to coil up 150 ft of rope! Let us face facts, if you want to live 'in town', there aren't many houses to be had, beyond what is known as a town house. For something bigger you are going to be nearer Jomtiem or Naklua. A well managed building which has policed regulations would be imperative. (No pets, no construction outside specific hours, no kids playing football in the corridors, no parties, no balcony gas bottles, etc etc) I also think you need to be a person who gets out a lot and the condo is just a place to rest your head.

Coincidentally I visited someone at their condo only a few days ago and it was exactly like that. All the way down a long corridor, the door left wide open, I presume to let some air through. I sat out on the balcony and looking down over a dozen floors made me feel queasy... although the relatively unobstructed sea view was pleasant. It was a bedsit type, but bigger than average at 50sqm. It still felt claustrophobic, more so as he had so much stuff stored inside and out on the balcony you had to tuck your elbows in to walk around. Him and his lady shared this and sometimes they had her kid there too. The place seemed quiet enough although that would depend more on neighbours. I don't like the idea of a guest having to view your bed nor sleeping in the same room as a fridge. MM, my main bathroom, yes the shower faces the toilet but is separated by a shower curtain... but I can always use one of the other toilets. (PS... I do know of a house for sale, with an oven......and will surely match your 'living standard')

Condos are often located in desirable areas, central Pattaya, near the beach etc etc. It means you don't need to worry about transportation... You may open your curtains to a very nice seaview, and can take a walk to a nearby bar to watch the football and have a beer. There is an abundance of them, people buy for investment, Thais have to buy up 50% and then live elsewhere....there are good condo rental deals. Long corridors....Nope, there are quite a few long tall ones too... Moreso lately perhaps as the footprint, read land size, is a serious cost factor. A house is as safe as you make it and a factor of the area it is in. Many rental houses are located on the dark-side,and some dark-side areas could certainly be described as having high crime. My house does not have bars, nor does any of the neighbours, but they ALL have alarm systems. Gated communities can be very safe and secure.

Oh I know that....I was just confused that BigD thought they were sweeping the IRS's political agenda under the rug.

A Bridge too Far.

Streaky bacon needs to be well cooked, back bacon less so, but all of it needs some degree of cooking. Sometimes you get the idea the stuff has just been put into hot water and flops around like a fish on the plate. When I stayed at the Thai Garden resort the stuff was so 'well cooked' it was all crispy and dry, very moreish though as it was salty. Like eating pork scratchings.

Ghandi

???

Little Big Man

I struggle to swap my regular SIM cards over when I travel Thai to UK... so much so I just don't bother now and use an old phone over there.

Meet the Fockers

Meet the Parents

For Bangkok Bank the OTP is only required to set up a new transfer (eg to AIS on your number).... so just do that while in Thailand and subsequent payments to the Thai number can be made using the internet any-time any-place anywhere.. I was going to check what the minimum payment available was but the Bangkok Bank Logon doesn't seem to be working ATM..... Later Edit. Scheduled maintenance! OTP only required to add a new Payee. Minimum payment 50 baht and 30 days added to validity.

Thaivisa hardly worked at all yesterday...... they reported the server was 'busy'.... That and I have had sluggish internet for some months now is a combination of problems. Good job I can get my fill during the silly insomnia times.

What is a tax return? You have been living here forever, surprised you need to even put in the annual effort. Perhaps the accountant likes the custom?