Eneukman

I reckon Scotland are going to come good on 19th March. thus consigning the current world champions, whoever they may be to the wooden spoon. Alan

I don't see a problem with getting off the plane at a scheduled stop though obviously if you had baggage that went into the hold you would have to ensure that it was only checked as far as your stop. It would seem to be a good idea to tell the airline that you're not staying on for the whole flight but plan on getting off at London. This would avoid the flight being delayed through it waiting for your non reappearance. Alan

According to the web-site the hotel is on "Phra Tamnak Road", which is the extension of 2nd Road as you head towards Jomtien. The "driving instructions" map is a waste of space though but hey - TiT Alan

I'm not an expert on the law but I would say that you should be allowed to fly out on another date with Phuket Air or if that is not convenient you are entitled to a FULL refund. Of course, if you get a full refund you will then have to find another package and it could be that this will cost you more than £200 more than the original cost. If you can't get an answer from your travel agent, (who might be trying to dodge the issue ) it might be worth putting the question to your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Alan

I've just booked the RG for 4 weeks from 15th June 4 months, 3 days till I fly out to start a new life. Alan

Jack, as some people will be fed up hearing I'm retiring to Pattaya in the next few months. My intention is to rent, at least to begin with. You, yourself, have given a number of reasons for renting. On top of that there are the various obstacles that are placed in your way if you, as a foreigner, want to buy your own place. OK, they're not insurmountable but still a pain to deal with. I've still to decide where I'm going to live and won't make up my mind one way or another until I've viewed a few properties but I am very interested in View Talay. They're close to the beach at Jomtien, on the main baht bus route into Pattaya and have a large pool (an essential for me). Another reason I'm going to rent is that after 2 or 3 years or so, I may decide to move up country to live - particularly if I find someone I want to live with on a permanent basis. It is also my intention to try and learn to speak the language once I arrive, which should make moving away from a city like Pattaya easier. Good luck with whatever you do. Alan

Sorry to hear about your problems nidnoyham. Think you forgot to mention that your old school now had indoor toilets! When I first went to primary school, the boys' toilet was outdoors - close by the bike shed. It was certainly a sure way of ensuring that you went at break time, particularly in the winter. I'm all in favour of England getting its own national anthem. In the Commonwealth Games, England uses "Land of hope and glory" for it's national anthem. As much as I detest that song, why can't England's football and rugby teams follow suit? They could use another song such as "Swing low, sweet chariot" if they so desired. I mean, anything would be better than that awful dirge that is the current British National Anthem. I'd love to see that replaced with something more stirring - but - hey that's likely to be a bit too revolutionary for some. . As someone once wrote (sung to the tune of Johnny Lad) "Now Johnny he's a nationalist But Johnny he's no fool He says all our problems will be solved When England gets home rule" Alan

Doug, A charge of £75 for the ability to change the return date is probably quite a good deal. You could always wait till nearer September before buying your tickets but you would of course run the risk that ticket prices would be considerably higher. I take it you'll be obtaining the appropriate visa before flying out. Alan

Liked that Alan

Dode, There are three firms virtually next to each other offering taxis to Pattaya etc. The one I took last time was, I think, 1,800 baht plus tolls. With all the competition, I really don't know how Thai Air get away with charging what they do. Doubtless, they rely on people arriving for the first time and not knowing what a taxi should cost. I know I could get down to Pattaya cheaper but, by the time I get through customs i'll have been on the go for a bit under 20 hours and really can't be botherd hauling my case up stairs to find a taxi that's just arrived from Pattaya. Alan

bifcake, Unless you have a work permit, the answer has to be "No". Even bar or restaurant owners are not allowed to work in the bar etc unless they have a work permit though doubtless someone will be able to correct me if I'm wrong on that point. I'll be applying for a retirement visa later this year and my intention is to simply relax, get plenty of exercixe (swimming) and learn to speak and read the language. It will be essential not to get into the habit of having a beer of three in the afternoon before going out at night for a few more. Alan

I would say it's around a 10 minute or so walk to Walking Street - not allowing for the time it takes to cross the road. The location doesn't really bother me though if you are heading back from Central or North Pattaya it is better to take one bus to Walking Street and then walk round to the extension of 2nd Road and get a bus that's moving to take you the rest of the way. Alan

But did Fergie and Wenger come to blows after the final whistle? Alan

Or that he's slipped an extra zero on to his monthly salary Alan

One point I didn't see being covered is - What happens if your flight is diverted for some reason? On Airline (the programme that looks at easyJet's operations - or a copy of BBC's Airport except that it concentrates on one airline rather than one airport) one flight was diverted because Luton (I think) was closed because of bad weather. The airline didn't give a toss about their customers inconvenience. It wasn't their fault - so basically make your own way home or back to Luton where your car is. Airlines should also be expected to help passengers get back to the correct arrival airport. I keep hoping that my flight back from Bangkok will be diverted to Edinburgh - though I'm not sure whether the runway is long enough to take a 747! Alan

80,000 baht per month is a very high salary in Thailand and you will be able to have a comfortable lifestyle on that. One point to bear in mind is that even with your work permit, you may have to leave Thailand every so ofen and re-enter. Again, I would suggest asking the same question on the Thai visa board. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/ There will be many people on that board who will be able to give you a very quick and full answer. Alan

I'll do that leadbelly. One point I would make is that I think it is essential to have a look at any place you're thinking of renting beforehand. There is I believe quite a difference between many of the condos in View Talay. Alan

Leadbelly, I'm not there yet - still got 4 1/2 months of miserable Scottish weather to put up with first. :crying I'm looking at getting a condo with a serperate bedroom. I quite fancy around the View Talay area. The baht buses pass by the door and it is only 10 baht to Pattaya South Road. There are a couple of condos available just now via East Coast Rental at 18,000 baht per month. http://www.thaiproperty.com/renting.htm I also plan to e-mail View Talay direct and see what sort of deal they are willing to offer me for a 12 month lease. My plan is to book a room at the RG for 4 weeks to give me time to find somewhere. Being the low season, I'm sure I could extend it for a week at a time without too much difficulty should the need arise. Good luck with your move next year. I'll post the odd update once I'm a permanent resident in Pattaya. Alan

Chef Andy, I don't know any web-sites with the information you're looking for but bear in mind that if you plan to do ANY kind of work whatsoever in Thailand, you MUST have a work permit. You may also want to check out the Thai Visa site - there is more chance of someone there being able to point you in the right direction - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/ Alan

I think on 45,000/50,000 baht you would be better off staying up country somewhere. But then, you would need to be able to speak the language reasonably well and have a live-in girlfriend who is able to work and doesn't have expensive tastes. I'm retiring later this year and am budgeting on around 80,000 baht per month or so. I will have a one-bedroomed condo for that, which will cost me around 18,000/20,000 baht per month plus electricity and water etc. Alan

Don't know about United but British Airways will allow you to change your return ticket though the fee is a bit steep at £200. Alan

Don't see why it can't be done - subject to availability of course. I managed to wangle a free upgrade to Business Class on QANTAS once. Alan

I can see a few problems here. 1. If a cheque is being sent there is potential for the it to be delayed, lost or worse stolen in the post. If a cheque does go missing or is fraudulently cashed, it will be a lot harder to deal with from Thailand than if you were in the UK. 2. If you try to pay a sterling cheque into a bank account in Thailand it will take several weeks for the funds to be cleared and available for withdrawal. 3.Fluctuation in exchange rates - though this is unavoidable to a certain extent. I am retiring to LOS later this year and whilst it is several years yet before I can get my state pension, I can claim my employment pension from June. My intention is to have it paid into my UK bank account (the Nationwide Building Society). I have opened an account with Nationwide International, which is based in the Isle of Man and they have telephone banking facilities where you can nominate accounts to which you want money sent or transferred from. With my account, I have to give 60 days notice though in emergencies I can once each year request the sum of £10,000 to be remitted without the need to give any notice. Of course, I can forego 60 days interest and have larger sums sent immediately. Most, if not all, UK banks will have offices offshore offering similar facilities. Incidentally, I will be maintaining a correspondence address in the UK to which bank statements etc will be sent. I would suggest that you aim to proceed somewhere along the above lines and would strongly recommend against having cheques posted to you in Thailand. Hope this is of help to you. Alan

Steve, What version of windows are you running? If you're using XP, try this Right click on My Computer and click on Explore Right click on your "C" drive and click on Properties Click on Disc Clean Up Click on OK Click on Yes Worth a try, Alan

That would be handy . Alan