4niceight

Yes, thanks, Bazle. I got a refund, but only backdated about a year. I actually requested it over the phone and surprisingly they credited my bank account without a written request.

Thanks macam. On Monday this week I went to the tax office in Chonburi and am now awaiting a letter from them which is similar to the residence certificate which you can get from Immigration. It didn't cost me a satang. I have (unfortunately) already advised the UK tax authorities that I am living in Thailand and am aware of the problems getting health treatment back in UK. However I have worldwide health insurance. I say "unfortunately" because I left UK 6 years ago and wanted to keep my NI stamps up to date with class 3 contributions at 7GBP per week. It transpires that the law changed on the qualifying years and I had no need to pay further stamps. The sad thing about it is that when I'm due for my OAP in two and a half years I won't get it index linked. Also I can't claim Pension Credit. Wish I'd never told them!

I bought a laptop there three years ago. It was cheaper than Thailand but on a par or a little bit more expensive than UK.

For up to date rates and comparison of most major banks check this link. The default seems to be in Korean currency but there is a dropdown to the currency of choice. http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx

You're right Jacko in all you say, but I don't know where the tax office is. I suppose I could do a search for that but I was looking for any first hand experiences. I think that maybe Bigmick has the best idea and I should use Magna Carta. Maybe they can get the letter for me and do all the certification too. That is, if I decide to go ahead. I wonder how much they'd charge.

Don't guess. You are wrong. My situation is as stated. Also please read my post correctly. I certainly know that Barry Kenyon has nothing to do with the local tax authorities.

I am considering investing in a UK Government savings scheme, and they tell me that, because I live abroad, amongst other things, I need "a certified copy of a letter or notification" from my local tax authority, which must include my name and current address. My initial reaction was that any letter is likely to be in Thai script, but they tell me that's acceptable. I assume that I can get the letter certified by Barry Kenyon, the local UK consul, or any lawyer. Has anyone ever asked for a similar letter. Any advice on how to go about getting it. Where to go for it. FYI I am retired here in Pattaya and don't pay tax here.

After having their 11th child, a Liverpool couple decided that was enough, as the social wouldn't buy them a bigger bed and they weren't strong enough to nick one. The husband went to his doctor and told him that he and his wife didn't want to have any more children. The doctor told him there was a procedure called a vasectomy that would fix the problem but it was expensive. A less costly alternative was to go home, get a firework, light it, put it in a beer can, then hold the can up to his ear and count to 10. The Scouser said to the doctor, 'I may not be the smartest guy in the world, but I don't see how putting a firework in a beer can next to my ear is going to help me.' 'Trust me, it will do the job', said the doctor. So the man went home, lit a banger and put it in a beer can. He held the can up to his ear and began to count: '1, 2, 3, 4, 5,' at which point he paused, and placed the beer can between his legs so he could continue counting on his other hand. This procedure also works in Sunderland, Middlesbrough, parts of Bradford, Huddersfield and anywhere in Wales! Oh! and Liverpool of course!

Just a point for you to think about as you seem to be quite new to all this. I've seen people being really concerned if the first leg of the journey is delayed a little. Relax. It's not uncommon and the airline will generally take care of you. If there are quite a few passengers on the first leg who are transferring to the same second leg, they will often hold the second flight and your luggage will get there too.

Agree 100% with this advice. Go for it.

Soi 4

Just a thought. Flying via Helsinki in the middle of winter. Weather delays?

Thanks Frosty. Your link worked fine but the info there bore little resemblance to what I found when I clicked on My Computer. However, with a little perseverance I was able to navigate to where I wanted to be. I've now changed the DNS addresses and will see if it makes much difference.

Frosty...Can you please explain how to switch to an alternative DNS service for the technically challenged (me).

Today is now three weeks since I had multifocal lens implants in both eyes at the same time at BPH. The doctor was Dr. Srisuraj. He was the chap I first saw when I went to the hospital complaining of cloudy vision. I had looked him up on the internet after the consultation and his credentials and experience looked good, so I decided that I would let him do the surgery. I have international health cover through a UK provider and they had said that I would be covered under my plan. However BPH showed me on their computer screen that my provider was one that they didn't deal direct with, so I had to pay cash and claim back. Not ideal, but OK and cheaper (at 190,000 baht plus or minus 10%) than the first quote (230,000 baht) when they thought the insurer would be direct. As my insurer would reimburse me I had decided to go for the most expensive lenses (multifocal). Two years previously I had a friend who had both eyes done at the same time at Pattaya International Hospital, and all went very well and he was so pleased with the results, so I was a bit apprehensive but more excited at the prospect of better vision, and possibly I could look forward to playing pool a bit better! Here is the story. I was admitted and paid them a Banker's cheque for 190,000 baht. I was asked for 50% of this as an initial payment, but as I didn't want to carry much cash I got the bank to make out a cheque for the full amount, and I had some cash spare in case there were extra expenses. I went into the operating theatre at 5pm after a couple of hours sitting and getting drops put in both eyes. I was sat in a chair which was then reclined almost flat and some more drops were administered and a cover was put over my right eye with a gap for the surgeon to work through. My eyelids were clamped open. While performing the operation I was anxious and obviously tensing up as he told me about three times to relax. I was unaware of any instruments going into my eye but could feel him working. He wasn't saying anything so I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next. I could feel a little pressure but no pain as he worked away. After what must have been about 30 minutes he told me that he had removed the natural lens, then about 15 minutes later the new lens was in place. I could see the new lens being positioned as it was multifocal and had many concentric rings. Part one completed. He then asked me if I was ready for him to start on the left eye. OK go ahead. Same procedure as the first eye with a cover being placed over the eye and the eyelids clamped open. He started to work and I could feel movements but no pain, when suddenly I felt him apply some pressure and I felt a bit of pain. Under these circumstances I defy anyone to not flinch a little and try to blink. That is what I did and he said "Why you do that? It's dangerous!" Then he told me that there was a big problem. The pressure exerted when I flinched had caused the back of the "sac" which holds the lens in place had ruptured and the natural lens had dropped into the eye fluid and was now lying at the bottom of the eye. Oh my buddha! He then said he had to get another doctor to get the lens out. One of the nurses got on the phone and I heard her say to him "Mai maa" which I knew meant "not come". At that point I had visions of being blind in my left eye. Anyway he got on the phone himself and then told me that another doctor would be there in 20 minutes, but it would cost me extra. He told me it could possibly be an extra 120,000 baht, and asked if I could afford it. What do I say? What would anyone say? OK, get me mended! So the new doctor came. A lady, who I was later to discover was Dr. Attaporn. She got to work and I could see an instrument in my eye sucking pieces out. A really strange sensation as it was as if I was looking back into my eye and watching it happen. There was no pain as she had given me some injections , but I had a period of about one and a half hours of anxiety, as anyone could imagine. When she had completed the extraction of all the bits of natural lens, she proceeded to fit the new multifocal lens. This seemed to take longer than the first one to fit but eventually she finished, and I was wheeled into the recovery room. Time 9 pm. So I was in the operating theatre for 4 hours. Then after about 45 minutes I was wheeled up to my room for the scheduled overnight stay. Opening my eyes on the way I could see well enough out of the right eye which was the first one operated on, but the vision in the left eye was dark, almost sepia coloured, and there seemed to be a lot of debris floating around, both dark and transparent shapes. I was worried! The next morning I was taken to the eye centre on the third floor and was introduced to Dr. Attaporn, who told me that she was the one who had performed the rescue operation. Then I was seen by Dr. Srisuraj who explained what had happened. He examined both eyes and discussed what further treatment was needed. He explained that there was a suspension of blood in the eye liquid and that was what was causing the sepia colour effect. Also, all the floating debris I could see was caused by blood and inflammation. He said this would all clear but would take time. Perhaps months. We discussed what treatment and medicine I was to have on leaving the hospital. He also mentioned money and 120,000 baht again. I told him that I could find the money but not immediately. He said that because I lived here and wasn't a holidaymaker, an arrangement could probably be made, and I had to speak to the office/cashiers. I asked about further expense because of probable numerous further visits to the hospital for treatment/check ups, and he told me that he would provide his future services free of charge, but that I would have to pay for any drugs. I went back to my room and started to think that this "mistake" was not my fault. He had hurt me and I had flinched. The fact that he was going to provide his future services free seemed to me like an admission of guilt. I started to think that I should pay no more but also I had to be able to leave the hospital. No doubt I had also signed a disclaimer before the operation. I know that I did sign some forms in the admissions office the previous day but of course they were in Thai. I started to think about lawyers. A couple of hours later I answered a phone call from a lady who was probably one of the cashiers. She advised me that there was an additional 50,000 baht to be paid for the extra work involved in the operating theatre. (Feeling of relief. Not 120,000.) I told her that I didn't have the money available and the doctor had mentioned an arrangement. She said she would come to my room. On her arrival I told her that I had been talking to my friends on the phone and because the extra work was because of a mistake caused by the doctor, they had all advised me to seek legal advice. I told her that I had an extra 25,000 cash with me and offered that as a full and final payment. Otherwise I would have to make an arrangement with the hospital, but I would be going to see a lawyer as soon as possible. She went to see her bosses. I waited until after lunch then mentioned to one of the nurses that I was still waiting for the cashier to come back to me with a decision and I wanted to go home. Half an hour later I was brought a couple of bags full of eye drops and pills and taken to the cashier's office. The lady who had come to my room was there and said that all of her superiors were in meetings and she had no decision. I told her that all I was going to pay was 25,000. Another cashier then made up the final invoice and I paid the 25,000. I was then asked how and when I was going to pay the extra which had amounted to 27,000 and change. I said NO WAY was I going to pay any more, and if they insisted I would see a lawyer. THEY ACCEPTED. They were obviously trying it on. OK....Most people would say I shouldn't have paid, but in the end my insurers were going to pay anyway. I went home with an appointment to come back two days later. Over the past three weeks I've been getting better. My right eye is great. The sepia colour in the problem left eye is diminishing, and also the "debris" in the left eye has diminished. I do, though, have a worrying small dark shape which appears directly over any line of text which I'm trying to read with the left eye. When reading using both eyes it's OK. My right eye probably takes over. I have been back to the hospital about 5 times for tests and consultations with both doctors. I have been told that the dark patch is probably inflammation and will probably eventually disappear. Dr. Attaporn has done various tests and says that she cannot see any damage which might be causing that patch. Dr. Srisuraj hasn't charged me for his further services but I have been charged by Dr. Attaporn. My insurers have now reimbursed me although I am about 10,000 baht short on what I was expecting them to pay out, and am awaiting their letter to see why. Yesterday I went to Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok because I was still concerned about the prognosis and the dark patch when I was trying to focus on a line of text, and I related what had happened. I asked the doctor there for a full examination, and was given tests and a macular scan. The doctor, a lady, Dr. Chatchompoo, was really good in explaining things to me and told me that both lenses were in exactly the correct position, there was no damage to the retina or the macula or the optic nerve as far as she could see, and I could indeed expect the dark patch and the residue of the "floaters" to disappear over a period of perhaps three months. She said also that the surgery seemed to have been performed as well as anyone could have performed it under the circumstances. I have an appointment with her in 4 weeks time but she expects me to call and cancel because I should be almost 100%. Today I had an appointment at BPH with Dr. Attaporn for a check up and she next wants to see me in three weeks time. So, overall, it's been quite a worrying three weeks since the operation. At first I suppose I was angry, concerned, downright worried at times, and I also felt foolish at having had both eyes done at the same time, and perhaps for choosing the wrong doctor. Right now I'm feeling relieved that I'm almost certainly going to get better. I may have mellowed a little over those three weeks, but I now have no issues with BPH or the doctors, and therefore I have given you the benefit of my experience. For anyone else thinking of undergoing similar surgery I would say, as others have said to me, choose your surgeon well, do your research better than me, use BPH if you can afford it because their facilities are superb, and perhaps ask the doctor to ensure he uses sufficient anaesthetic!

I know Dr. Nattawat at Pattaya Eye Centre, and he seems very professional. I first met him at Pattaya International Hospital when I went for a full medical check up two years ago. However he is just a one man band now, and if anything were to go wrong in his procedure, where is the back up? I used BPH because the facilities and back up there are second to none in the area. Cost wasn't a consideration because I have health insurance. When I am fully recovered and have no issues with BPH I shall tell all. Meanwhile I'm recovering OK.

Well, it's now almost two weeks since I had the eye lens implants. I haven't posted since then because there has been a problem which is slowly resolving, and I didn't want to prejudice further treatment at BPH by commenting here just yet. Suffice to say that my right eye is almost perfect but the left eye is still recovering from a "mistake". The doc says I should be back to normal in another two weeks. When I am fully recovered and there are no more possible issues with BPH, I will report my experiences here. Until then suffice to say that I'm on the mend.

Emirate to travel agent ticket not any more useful. Everyone must pay. Better price next year?

I agree and am aware of pricing at BPH, but I have insurance and I live in Pattaya, so I want the best local treatment. My concern is a normal concern and anxiety, so I wanted first hand experiences of this treatment at BPH. Nowhere else. If I received several first hand bad reports I would reconsider and perhaps go to Rutnin instead. However there seems to be nobody responding, so I'm going ahead next Tuesday. I'll post my own experience when I'm able to use my eyes again.

I appreciate that he went to a lot of trouble posting his experience, but that experience was NOT what I asked for in my original post. Joe, I read your posts regularly and you come across as a very level headed guy with sound sense, but please read my original post and you'll see that I specifically asked for experiences at BPH. To Yankineire, I thank you for your input but unfortunately there was no relevance to what I requested re actual experience of surgery at BPH.

Yankineire....You are really disparaging about BPH but you never got beyond the attempted quotation stage. How can you give such an authorative bad report when you really have NO experience of their procedures good or bad? I cannot take your post seriously when considering BPH as a possibility for surgery. Please, if anybody wants to advise on BPH, I don't want idle chit chat. I really would like reports of first hand experiences.

Has anybody had recent eye lens implant surgery at BPH, and what has been your experience? I'm looking for first hand comments, not chit chat, please.

When I lived in that condo I paid electric and water at utility company prices. With aircon on a lot my monthly bills averaged 120 baht for water and 800 baht electric. That was just over a year ago. There was also 1-0 Mbps ADSL internet for which the cost of 738 baht per month was split with the condo next door which Eric also owns. There was a router to facilitate this. Unfortunately I don't know if this facility is still available but no reason to suspect otherwise. I repeat, this is a good condo, and good value.

$240 per month if you do your math correctly. I know Eric and I know the condo. I used to rent it before I bought in the same complex. Good value for money and a really nice condo. Eric was very helpful to me when I moved to Thailand so I'm putting in a good word for him.

Anybody know if there's an auction at Big C any time soon?