jacko

Sort of, when you can go in there and write what you want, searching for ones to doctor seems superfluous.

There you are on another thread complaining that BMs are editing your quotes... Here you are plagiarising other editorials. Quite a piece of work aren't you.......?

Well obviously you haven't got the grasp of it yet....

I find closing the lid of my laptop, which may or may not switch off or sleep your computer, depending how you have set it up, does interfere with some peripheral functions. My XP machine more so than the Vista one. But scrolling within a website often seems to stop.... You could just set up the computer to switch off when you close the lid...... Are you using a USB mouse? I do and switched off the scroll areas of the touchpad as I brushed them sometimes.

Waste of time trying to get messages to the cooking staff via the serving staff, the communication seems to break down all too frequently. The risk factor is just too high for a simple slip up to hit you. But don't miss out on the chance of a great holiday....... Get a serviced apartment, or not hotel room, so that you can take care of some meals yourself. USA fast food outlets are commonplace, so you may have to accept a grease content. There are also many English pub style places where peanuts will not be a component, repetative fayre but possible. Other nationalities also well represented, Italian, French, etc..... You control the allergy, not the other way round...... go for it.

And he's a pilot too.........ooooooooh....

Roast potatoes done next to the meat or bird.......... far superior.Turning golden brown and blackening slightly at the corners.... Mmmmmmm I'll be having some later.......

Along with a few other towns, yes, driving in the rural areas is easy.Quite a good network of roads.

As js007 replied, there is an immigration office in Jomtiem (Chom Tein...), it is a large efficient place and can handle anything you need, there are offices nearby raking it in for copies and photos.

I feel all sad and sentimental now that I am going to miss the traditional white Christmas. The walk to the pub on Christmas morning wearing a new jumper and a packet of cigars in my pocket, the snow crunching underfoot. My breath misting in the cold. NO...... you can keep it.

Although it can be cold in Thailand....... Notice the dew on the bottle.........

I lived in Orlando some years ago, and quite liked it, it is of course a popular retirement destination. Houses are more expensive but well made, and you can actually own them as a foreigner. Great place for the old single men, as there are many rich old gals about.... trouble is they are pretty old... Here, outside Pattaya, it is cool this morning, felt a definite nip as I opened the doors at 06.30... But here she comes to warm things up........ I had a message from a relative in the UK last night.... 'It's bad here' it ominously said'....

Probably, do the Scottish have a word for sunshine? Or perhaps numerous words for 'rain' like Eskimos have for snow. Hmm, is that the icecream man I hear, I fancy a Magnum.....

I am watching miserable examples of people trying to get to work or the airport in the UK. Flights unable to land last night and further snow. Gridlock on motorways. Power cuts in France.... Guinness brewery on fire..... You have my sympathies back there.... This morning, as I look away from my TV at the open sliding doors, I have to squint at the strong sunshine. Sky is clear blue again....... Dragonflies flit about over the pool.... Today's pic...Pattaya Beach at 11am. (Ironic that those flights that are being cancelled by cold and snow, were more expensive due to taxes imposed in the name of 'Global Warming'......)

I find the immigration delay for daytime arrival means the luggage is there when I get through. Although I came in Biz Class last time and was given a pass through Fast Track, great, through in 2 minutes, had to wait 20 for suitcase though...:

Emil has a point that if you are content in a condo around Soi Buakhao or 3rd Rd, and life consists of going into Pattaya, a vehicle is as much use as an elephant. But I came to realise that the more time I spent in the hustle and bustle of the town, the more it frustrated me. I also felt very constrained living in a small place. So I moved over to the darkside... it was apparent that without my own transport there, I was very much tied to the house. The idea of calling and using motorcycle taxis did not appeal. I tried a motorcycle for a while, but you can't carry much, and get trapped in bad weather, and yes caught in sudden thunderstorms that can be dangerous and cause streets to flood and be impassable, and one day you will get hurt on that thing. A truck came next......! Trips to the north, trips to the south, and shopping for bigger items, and even going with her to 'the village' and bringing back sacks of rice. Since, I have moved further out of town, with space around me, gardens and swinging coconut trees to see. The odd trip into town for a night out is still possible, and is enjoyed not hum-drum. Yes, the truck is as much use as a chocolate fireguard into Pattaya beyond Carrefour, but I can whiz to Tesco, Macro or BigC quite quickly. Just have to avoid town for Songkran and Christmas/New Year.

BS...... one thing about tropical rain is it can be sudden and very localised. I have most certainly been surprised by a downpour on Sukhumvit a few times. Nor would I like to have no supplies at home because it has been cloudy in the mornings for 3-4 days. Carrefour do deliver but you have to get there to order the stuff. Most people who settle move out of central Pattaya and personal transport becomes obligatory. My quality of life is improved by being able to get out!

My commiserations to all of you living in Eastern USA, UK and Europe, presently suffering cold and snow and traffic chaos. Those of you attempting to get out are being hit by all types of travel problems. This morning in Pattaya, clear blue skies, and bright bright sunshine after a cool night of about 22 degC (72 DegC), thermometer climbing through 28 DegC (83 DegF) and a slight breeze. So here is a pic of Pattaya this morning, some of you guys currently snowbound please post your pics to make me feel even more smug over my decision to retire here. Save your pennies! Seasons Greetings and I hope 2010 is the year YOU make it here!

Depends what time you arrive but I never find the regular immigration lines to be short nor fast moving.

Well, 3 months in advance is a bit of a stretch for me, I normally don't book flights that far in advance. A trip to visit a pal in Newcastle shouldn't take a year of planning.......

Yeah... special pricelist for Expats.......

Or we could use Wikepedia like you. That should be 'You're' by the way.

And where did you meet them?......

I am surprised at the £30 return on the train.Paid over $60 to get to Newcastle from Manchester and that was a limited ticket. Ah yes, dragging suitcases up and down the London Underground escalators, happy days from my past, emphasis on past.

I have used them many times from Manchester using a KLM hop. I always flew Biz Class and while it wasn't 'Club World' it was good enough and a reasonable price. The early arrival and punctuality were good. I must admit the attendants were 'lovely'.... Drunken English yobs who I think got an upgrade or industrial injury claim spoiled the flight though.