jacko

I find your statement surprising. It was common practice in the USA to book multiple flight seats when I was there, that country had already initiated a credit-card deposit scheme for hotel rooms. Despite which, on arriving once at midnight, the room had been given to another customer. Had I not arrived, I wonder if I would have had the credit card deposit taken too!

Good....... Guess I won't be seeing you on Pattaya City News being led off in handcuffs (inside a plastic bag... ) for the murder of a Thai national then. Sounds like the type who cannot accept 'not getting his own way'......I hope it all ends here.

I go regularly and after a few visits the repetition can be a bit tiresome.....the information for 1st time visitors being repeated every meeting. Waffled on last week about how to get from Bangkok to Pattaya..... My neighbour says he will be doing a presentation on his business there soon.....on waterbeds...yeah I'll set the alarm for that one! Best was a dull presentation by a sausage shop...... But then they had a free buffet of their products.... Whatever you need to know about settling in LOS can be answered here.

Sounds to me like a good policy, with a good company. Do you expect to be paying more in January 07, due to loss of 'no claims bonus'?

Electricity costs for a private residence average out at about 3.5 baht per unit...so they could lock the ACs in the on position and give the room rent free!"

The BUPA leaflets I have here show from 41k to 78k, and they jump to 46-87k at age 61. That is for 1 million hospitalization only to 5 million baht with 50k of out-patient costs. The expats club offers a group plan, 16k, for 1.0 million baht with out-patient cover, to about 22k for 1.5 million.

And so it should be. Good service should be the norm, bad service the exception.

They may work and drive in Bangkok, but their origins are more rural. I have had a lot of problems with BKK taxi drivers being unable to find their way around Bangkok. Most hotels have web sites, or you can locate them on a map...print it out and use it.

Great examples....... Can only be funny by being crude and refering to fucking or sucking....... A good comedian surely is one who can actually say something funny rather than abusive....... 'You're a true vulgarian aren't you' John Cleese....

I just booked him to go TO the airport. All very polite and efficient in the booking process. I think you got a 'substitute'........you should have called Mr Toom and complained. Ting Tong......what is the khong fa reference?

Well I did say something! But I don't like to get into those 'I'm gonna kick yer ass over your shoulders' exchanges. All so 'uncivilised'. We are a more subtle race over the pond! As Jay Leno once said (an American comedian who actually is funny) 'They have that way of insulting you that leaves you wondering whether or not you have just been insulted.' You, on the other hand, do not like to leave any doubt.....

Well if it works don't fix it! I get nervous putting the DVDs in my computer as I know it will lock the region eventually. Some DVDs I bought in Thailand also seem to work fine in my UK machine....all very confusing...no doubt a better head than mine will wake up in the USA soon and explain it! Anyhow, I am a Fucking Poms can't do anything? Everything I touch turns to shite.....

Big Chief....you confuse me somewhat! But I begin to reap amusement .....God help me and my bad British teeth!

As mentioned, original DVDs have an 'regional lock' in them. So the player must match the region code. Some whiz kids manage to strip this out when making copies, but this is beyond my knowledge. Normally computer DVDs have the region code open...you can change the region selection 5 times, then it locks in. This can be bypassed...and I would love to hear how as my computer will probably lock it's region code soon. VCDs are far inferior, storing only 1/2 a film, poorer quality and no real features. Probably depends where you buy the DVDs, if you have a good single source that is the best. I buy from all over, from Pattaya Malls to hawkers in beer bars. The latter is normally where I end up with the crap.

Well apart from the extra 330% cost, and perhaps he doesn't want to carry them back home (where they may not work due to region lock) or throw them away or get arrested for transporting illegal copies. Also I have a 30% throw away from these purchases, poor quality.

Breaking the law I believe.......... Supposed to keep your passport with you.

No ideas, other than going to see a solicitor, and asking if there is anything equivalent to a 'restraining order' that your sister-in-law could swear. It might save her life! It sounds like you have tried the legitimate channels. Ever considered the 'Dark Side of the Force'........? Or don't want to go there?

I think the fixed interest account is actually a fixed term deposit. Three or 6 months and you cannot withdraw...just got the GF to transfer her (my old) money into one and out of the account paying about 0.3% p.a. I like the Bangkok Bank here in Pattaya, but that might be because the guy who changes my traveler's cheques speaks great English and is super nice and helful.

That's another saving......... Hardly ever buy any clothes.......shoes?...you mean 25 baht flip-flops? Toilet paper, if it wasn't for the TGF I would stop buying that and use just the hose thing! toothpaste and soap are cheap items, and I don't need to buy them very often.... I always bring a shit load of razor blades from the UK, as the ones here are sold in silly little packs, and the blades are not sharp or long lasting. books...I trade my read ones in for fresh, pretty cheap.......some bars swap them for free too.... doctors and dentist......well I do buy tootpaste and rarely am sick enough to warrant a doctors visit.....2 times in maybe 4 years...... Movies...shit why do I want to listen to a load of Thais talking on their telephones, I rent the DVD for 30 baht! Don't get me wrong, I live on more than 20k/month...my rent is nearly that...

Having a car is a bit of a status symbol, particularly in Thailand, and the TGF may put pressure in that direction. I get by without, my neighbour's car is collecting dust...I see it move one a week. Driving in the Thai cities is a major pain in the ass....although I expect one would get used to it. I get around on a little motorcycle, occasional trips, I rent a car. Perhaps you have a superior place at home, but downgrading accommodation I do NOT believe is necessary. Move away from the tourist areas, and very nice houses can be rented for 15-30k.

What for? I haven't worn trousers since I got off the plane in April.

First thing to get out of our head is this £65.93 / week idiocity. That, in the UK, is probabaly 1/3 of a minimum weekly wage, whereas here (Thailand) it is about 4x a small weekly wage. My point is, the buying power of your money here is far greater. There are plenty of reasons to be in Thailand on a minimal amount of money, other than the weather. It is a less stressful, relaxed, non-interfering country. I would also say that here, freedom, so cherished in the West, but hard to come by, is a reality. As someone stated, give up the farang orientated entertainment, smoking and ringing the bell, makes life here cheap. There are people posting here having pretty good lifestyles for less than you state (70k/month). You are right that medical cover here will cost you as you age.....maybe 30,000 - 50,000 baht/ year. Nothing wrong with setting your sights on a high number though, leftover cash can always be useful.

Perhaps he did....... I know I did and did not get much joy! Some problem with people asking for information?

Some shit that...either the guy can or cannot issue the visa. If cannot he can fuck you off empty handed and get his kicks.... If he can he should just get on with his job..... A 5K bribe and still you get aggravation......

So what?...I don't see any other active ones in the Expats Forum..... Yes I realise I can buy the house, but the underlying insecurity of having no rights on the land is a worrying factor that I want to discuss if you do not mind. I recall many Bangkok beer bars being demolished in the early hours despite having paid rents.....Thailand is not a place to be unaware. The old western answer of 'get a lawyer' doesn't necessarily cover you either.....