jacko

I arrived before they opened, but the girl upstairs checking things decided she wanted a copy of something else. By the time I returned and had the paperwork accepted the morning group was full, and I had to come back in the PM. I was there until about 3pm.

Olympus Has Fallen.

Not sure, always best to make use of it as soon as possible. I would expect next day to be no issue.

That in itself, while OK, sometimes doesn't suit some regional IOs... they want you to change to a Non-Imm-O. If retirement extensions join the throng, I would expect it to be for all. Heads down in the meanwhile.

In the longer view I believe that too. I am concerned all retirement extensions will be impacted, but please note, at the moment that is not the case! We should all be aware that the Non-Imm-O-A Visa now requires insurance when one applies for it in one's own country, since Oct 31st.The O-X has always required it. But it is more ominous, almost as if they want to kill off the O-A. People who got the Visa pre Oct 31st, and are returning/coming to Thailand after (remember it is a one-year validity multiple entry), are also being asked to show insurance at the airport. People who have retirement extensions, based on an initial O-A Permit to Stay, are being asked to show insurance at domestic immigration on Extension renewal.(The O-A could be from many years ago!). And lastly, if one is on a retirement extension based on an original O-A, and has left Thailand and is returning on a Re-Entry Permit... yes, I hear insurance will be mentioned. This seems wrong as the police order explicitly states existing permissions of stay will not be affected. I can't say this is always the case, lots of second and third hand reports here. It is a heads up. So far, the basic and more common Non-Imm-O is not included. Some immigration offices may vary in their implementation too. What a mess.

Has anyone noticed on the right hand side, the exchange rate for SCP at 37.0/37.5, and the flag of Scotland. Now GBP are exchanging at 38.81/39.2..... Nice little earner there, change 1000 GBP, get 38,810 baht, change back to SCP, and get 1035. Take them home.....

Jackie Brown

Hope you can see this.

Probably, I usually exclude their parents from the bedroom.

As stated I did this BA flight a year ago, round trip. That old equipment made for a pretty crappy flight...but that wasn't the complete reason. And I flew up front. Their shuttles between London and Manchester let them down too.

Unbreakable.

No need if you are a monger hanging around Pattaya (and probably a few other tourist areas).Every need if you are in business here or spend a bit of time in the boonies. I am personally surprised how utterly bloody useless I am at Thai, after quite a few years here. In my working time I was in Central and South America a bit and Spanish was coming along. All these years in Thailand and I am still useless, and when I listen to Thais nearby, or even on TV, I can't make out anything. Have to face facts, it isn't going to happen.

I still have confidence that Sterling has some value. Thailand's inflated value, due to a lot of investment for one, is the surprise. Sterling is looking flat at the moment and with a General Election I am expecting it to remain so, outside influences excepting of course. I will post a pic probably Friday.

I flew in to work at Thai Oil, Laem Chabang, many years ago. What a collection of piss heads and dead wood there was on that project!

It is some years ago but I recall I could not get into the Residence Garden, or had to move out for 3-4 days because he was fully booked. He offered me The Boathouse, his property in Jomtien and I took him up on it. I was bored witless there and getting back and forth was a complete drag. How is it in Jomtiem now, I see a lot of flights straight into U-Tapao from Russian Cities I have never heard of.

If you were a vegetarian, why would you need to eat something that looks like meat or indeed impersonates closely something that epitomizes a meat meal. Do we expect to see KFC, made from soybeans, wrapped around plastic bones, coated in shit and deep fried? Or is this simply targeting those who have recently given up meat, or simply want to skip meat for the day, without really knowing? I have often had a subway sandwich, and the meat component is well disguised by the time I have made my selection of toppings, may well have left out those miserly slices of ham or salami. Should I try their veggie option? I recently spent 200 baht on a few Brussels Sprouts in Villa, for some reason I fancied them more than a steak. Congrats to Biggles for returning us to sex from an unlikely starting point.

The Fifth Element.

I was in Europe with a group of Muslims and they got quite upset over finding ham in their salad, wouldn't touch it or order again. Although I caught another munching on a bag of scratchings once, when I told him, he said 'tastes good'.

I have often watched as my bacon is cooked on a flat grill and wondered if the Muslims complain or go for poached.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy..

If someone using this then did a runner on a hospital bill or two.... It is public here.

Well, if more people have to show insurance, and at this time not so, for non-imm-o based retirement extensions, I would certainly expect agent demand to increase.....and with that price. But who knows, many people might decide enough.

Good feedback.... agent fees expected to rise!

Moving to Expat Issues.

I thought Insurances had to come from an approved list , and Thai companies, I believe. You would need to check your own Embassy website. Blue Cross / Blue Shield copies seems easy and I can only bow to the OP's experience. Here is what the London Embassy States. Copy of evidence stating that applicants have insurance as stipulated by the Office of Insurance Commission and health insurance of Thailand which has insurance coverage for outpatient not less than 40,000 Baht and for inpatient not less than 400,000 Baht. Please check < http://longstay.tgia.org> for more information regarding the insurance requirement.