Eneukman

I've still to get around to applying for my Thai driving licence - have the International Permit already. As many of you will know, your first Thai licence will only be valid for 1 year. Your 2nd licence will cover you for 5 years BUT (remember this is Thailand ) you must allow your 1st licence to expire before applying for a new one or you licence will again only be valid for 1 year. Alan

Next time a driver tries it on, I should maybe say to them "mai nak tongtiaw krap" (not a tourist) and see their reaction. Alan

I'll need to try that sometime. This afternoon would have been a prime time as the driver tried asking for 15 baht (or was it 20 baht?) for taking me from View Talay to Soi 7. I just walked away and crossed the road. After my Thai language lesson I had to change buses at Pratamnak Road and I think I got the same driver there down to View Talay. He didn't try asking for more than 10 baht that time. I've fallen foul of drivers taking a left turn up Central Road in the past though I had been on board since the Dolphin Roundabout or maybe Soi 2. Now, I never get on a bus between Soi 6 and S

There is actually a fast track service as on one flight an announcement was made apologising for it not being available. Certainly the only time I've flown 1st Class to Bangkok (BA) I had to make my own way to Immigration and wait in a lengthy queue. Then when I got down to the baggage carousel, it was jammed so tight with cases that you couldn't get anymore on! Even though I had bits of string tied to my cases it took bloody ages to find them. On my return journey to the UK, I was escorted from Check In through Immigration (no waiting in line ) and to the QANTAS lounge. Alan

I'm injured! Also, I had a pile of groceries from Carrefour with me. I'll be doing the same journey tonight though doubtless I'll have to change buses this time at the junction of Pattaya Tai and 2nd Road. I've never paid more than 10 baht from Pratamnak Road to View Talay though. Alan

I hoard 5 and 10 baht coins and hardly ever use them for anything other than the baht buses. Having said that the other day, I got on a baht bus at the Central Road end of Soi Buakaow and got off at View Talay and offered a 20 baht note for the fare. I was quite surprised when I got 10 baht change. One honest driver at least. Many other drivers would just have driven off. A few months back, I had to sit in the cab with the driver from View Talay back to the RG where I was still staying at the time and had quite a few moans about the increasing cost of fuel. It's gone up quite a b

Just as well the match wasn't being played today as play could have been suspended on safety reasons owing to the close proximity of lightning. Alan

Don't think I know Scoobys. Where is it exactly? Alan

On the other hand, the weather seems to have just changed back. Another thunderstorm this afternoon. Alan

OK Paul - you have a PM Alan

One important point - I would let the airline know that you're nervous about flying as the cabin crew can then come round and reassure you every so often. Alan

BA certainly offer a course like this, which includes a short flight at the end. Perhaps also something from your doctor to help you relax would help but if you do need to take some medication, I would lay off the alcohol. What's the longest flight you've flown to date? Alan

BA flights tend to be pretty full and certainly on one flight it appeared that every single seat was taken. I suspect that if you got an upgrade it would simply be to World Traveller plus. The extra legroom is good but the down side is that all the screaming brats are just behind you in economy. However, you never know. Alan

As I live here now, the only time I will definitely NOT be in Pattaya will be Songkran. Alan

Agreed. You will be able to live comfortably for 2 years (or more) on 2,000,000 baht. Obviously, you have to make the change from holiday mode to living here full time mode - in other words not going out drinking or on the prowl every night and so on. Alan

The Residence Gardens comes within your price range and is only a few minutes away from Walking Street by baht bus. Alan

I won at the first attempt. Do I get a prize? Alan

I played the 3 - D version of Connect 4 the last time I was in the Cherry Bar. Not totally sure either I or the girl I was playing fully understood the rules though. Alan

Exactly what I was thinking. The books and CD's I was having shipped from Scotland arrived this morning - 8.50 am to be precise I now have a selection of my own books to read so I thnk I'll go through them first. Alan

As Soi 7, Torrenova & Wrassel have said, apply to Hull for a muntiple entry non-Immigrant O visa. The cost is £90 (or £100 if you apply in person). As for the "purpose of visit", put down something along the lines of "extended holiday" If you do ultimately get offered a job, the firm will doubtless have to provide some form of documentation as to why you are the right person for the job. The Thai visa site - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/ should be able to give you more specific information. Alan

Hmm - this is weird. That review seems to have disappeared. Wonder why? Alan

So long as you folks stay away from the pool at View Talay Alan

Actually, he did not say he was not the author. The question was neatly evaded. If you follow the link, there is one review on the book, which is not exactly complimentary. It gives the book one star out of a maximum of 5. I'm well through my current book so I'll take drlawrence's advice and look out for it next time I'm in Royal Garden Plaza. If it's as good as you claim it to be, I'll buy you a beer next time you're in Pattaya. This could be a big mistake though. Alan

You're even more cynical than I am! Alan

Just to follow up on what Torrenova said, I noticed a studio appartment for rent in View Talay 2A on the 5th floor for rent at 25,000 baht per month. Now, I'm a floor lower and am paying 20,000 baht per month for a one-bedroom condo. One question though. If you're not using an estate agent, who do you pay the rent to and who do you contact if there are any problems? The switch that controls the lights in the bedroom blew a few weeks ago and it was a simple call to the estate agent to arrange for it to be fixed. Alan