[Is it okay to tear the plastic wrapping of matress?]

I moved into a brand new apartment complex - I asked my landlord about removing the plastic he said well you wouldn't want to sleep on that!  As previously suggested buy a mattress protector mind you, you can carefully cut along one end of the plastic covering & slide it off then replace it when you move they can be folded up reasonably small.

[British family makes desperate plea for grandfather seriously ill in Thailand]

I'm an 80 yr old British/Australian expat without health insurance and it really annoys me when posters comment on what others should do or haven't done with regard to health cover. Before turning 75 I decided to apply for ins. I live a healthy life style not smoked for 45yrs only drink on special occasions and i'm practically a vego also don't eat dairy products and up until 2 yrs ago walked about 30klms a week - despite this I have moderately high BP and have had a few ops. the medical for the ins. was all good with the BP exception. the response from the insurer was a list of exclusions which covered just about every health problem I was likely to face in the future  plus they upped the projected premium by some 15000bt. even the broker said he woudn't accept it. I also fail to understand why all health cover offered is International I live in Thailand and that's the only country  I require cover for! The positive is I've paid nothing to these money grabbers and I'm pretty sure I never will!!!

[Has anyone successfully sent packages containing electronic with batteries overseas using Thailand post ?]

Hi yes of course you can. A friend died about a year ago he had an expensive new Asus laptop which his daughter who lives in England wanted. Thailand post have a courier service in the main Chiang Mai PO they also have a packaging service you just fill in the required forms I think it cost around 3500Bt & she received it in 3 days! Passengers travel domestically/internationally everyday carrying  their mobiles & laptops!!

[WRLife medical insurance - experiences?]

Information re: WRlife can be obtiained from the UK Govt. Companies register which shows they're a Limited Liability Partnership - I have followed this company on & off it was registered in 2015 when it had minimal assets of around 6000GBP. I've never found anyone who's had a successful claim or otherwise with this co. I did speak to AA Insurance and also a broker in CM about them earlier this year both said they were an option but had no further info about them. I believe they have an agent in Samui but not spoken to them. It all seems a little secretive. 

 

[Thai people not confident to remove their masks - better to wear them to protect yourself, Thai media]

I live in Chiang Mai where we are seeing a return of quite a few tourists mainly all Uni age  NONE of them wear masks and all seem to walk around with no problem with locals who all wear them. I agree time to make them optional for a while then people will slowly forget them. As for not getting Covid I've had 3 vaccs but got but got invected about six weeks back two days of fever & a cough gone in four days!

 

[Full Moon Party now "the symbol" of Thailand's Full Blown Reopening!]

I lived in Maenam Koh Samui for around three years dead opposite the full moon party beach on Ko Pha-ngan also a speedboat departure point for the party goers. I used to warn any friends wishing to attend to really take extra care as what is not mentioned are the numerous assaults robberies and rapes that occur add to that the fact that the ocean becomes a toilet for some 5000 - 7000 people and the literally tons of trash that is discarded on the beach and sea. The other problem is that many of the speedboat drivers have also been enbibing so acciidents quite often fatal are pretty common.

 

So if you feel that this is a Thai holiday essential I would advise caution!

 

[Posting a laptop from Chiang Mai to London costs]

I posted a laptop to the UK  about 18 months ago new Asus internal battery via Thailand courier at the main PO in CM cost 2600 baht + packing there's a service there arrived in 3 days.

[Thailand to introduce new road checkpoints from 1 April - here’s what you need to know]

Everyday I see quite a few cars with the rear number plate removed obviously so that if they're involved in an accident they cannot be identified. They can hardly claim the plate has been stolen as most of them replace the screws hmm... very thoughtful thieves??

[Mailing an iPhone from Thailand to the UK]

A friend recently died and he had a nearly new costly laptop which his daughter requested in the UK.

Thai Post have a courier service in conjunction with DHL cost of service was 3600bht. which included packing and arrived in the UK 3 days later excellent service!

[DLT open or closed?]

Well the DLT said that the Police would be instructed not to charge people on an expired license but there is no mention regarding insurance companies and no way would I trust any assurances by an insurer unless given in writing if I was involved in an accident!!

[Covid-19 curfew, if imposed, should be 24-hour lockdown , says Wissanu]

If 24 lockdown imposed what will the situation be as in my case my extension for retirement due in the next 16 days ---if banks are closed how to get letter and required statement then will IMM be open or is EVERYTHING being closed seems a little unrealistic as I don't feel their will be any compromises also all the Thai folks round here buy most food daily from the local markets????

[Prostitution, the CIA, David Bowie and Patpong – Undercover in Bangkok infamous red light district]

Hi 'China Girl' which I worked on was all shot in Sydney Aus. also shot at the same time was 'Lets Dance' also shot around Syd. and inthe Worranbungle National Park[sorry spelling wrong] the pub scene at a little pub in the middle of nowhere all those in the clip were locals. Cheers

[if a Thai girl who isn't a bar girl accepts money for sex....]

Food for thought:

A friend of mine living in Samui refused to have anything to do with bar girls and was looking for a "good woman" - on visiting his bank one day he took a fancy to the Bank Manage and asked her out on a date over a period of a few weeks the dates were getting more and more amorous and they eventually ended up in bed as the love making got more and more intense and he was about to make the final plunge she said "STOP" what's the matter he asked she said I want 5000bht but your a Bank Manager yes she said but I do'nt have sex for nothing!! True story.

[buying a new car uk citizen]

Length of time you wait for your new car depends on availability looked at a Suzuki Swift in Chiang Mai last week they had a lot in stock

Chiang Mai Immigration have stopped issuing Cert of Residence for one month as I went also last week no idea why they can also be issued by the embassies but some charge up to 3000bt. Good luck

[Buying a car...Is the type of Visa you have important?]

I bought a 2ndhand Toyota from Toyota Sure in Chiang Mai a month ago they insisted on a Cert of Residence which is kept by the Transport Dept. For everyone's info CM Immigration Office that issues C of Res. is closed for a month big sign on the door 'Sorry for any Inconvenience" ha ha was there last Thurs not sure when it reopens.

[Electric fan heater in Chiang Mai?]

Re: Fan Heaters Siam TV on Chang Lor Rd just past Chiang Mai Gate had them about a month ago did'nt note price though!!

[Entering Thailand without an onward ticket..]

It mainly depends on the airline Thai out of Sydney are very strict basically the Thai Authorities do'nt worry but if you have'nt an ongoing ticket and on arriveal in Thailand you're refused entry the Airline is responsible for your repatriation - if you have a 2 month or more Tourist Visa there's no need for an ongoing ticket!!

[Many females want to be fair skin. Why are they so Prejudice? Or are they?]

I live in Chiang Mai where women from this area tend to have lighter skin than say ladies from Isaan who are often looked down on because of their darker colour the other factor is the full on marketing by the cosmetic companies even deodorant comes in 'Whitening' not to mention the millions of baht spent on promoting YES 'Vaginal Whitening Cream' I think says it all!!!!!!!!!

[apparently Air Asia does not require proof on onward travel]

This is a REAL requirement but depends on the airline and maybe country. My brother was refused boarding by Thai Aiways at Sydney because he only had a one way ticket to BKK & was getting a Visa on Arrival. I asked the Thai Consulate in Sydney about this he just laughed & said they do'nt care but if you're refused a VOA in LOS the airline is responsible for your repatriation which is why they check. If you posess a 60day Tourist visa & hold a one way ticket no probs I did it 2 weeks ago. BT2017

[Should I buy a used Ford in Thailand?]

Really do'nt where theie getting these prices - this week my brother bought a New Mitsubishi with a Turbo diesel 4 door pick up for 700'000bt he traded in his 12 old Mitsubishi Stradis for 200,000bt in Lamphang lots around in Chiang Mai so do'nt envisage parts problem!!

[Is it safe to do 1 year bank savings with Thai banks]

A friend of mine a Thai National had 20,000bt taken from her SCB account in BKK 6 months ago she lives in Chiang Mai and rarely goes to BKK the banks response was "this ca'nt happen & it's a police matter" it then transpired that many accounts had been scammed but absolutely no response from the bank. I just keep a savings acc. without an ATM card I feel safest way to go!!!!

[Tourist multi entry visa]

Hi

It's fascinating to read all the various responses I've been travelling back & fro to Thailand for 10 yrs always with a return ticket the only refusal at check in was my brother going back from Sydney to BKK without his usual 1yr visa he lives in Chiang Mai as suggested he had to quickly buy on onward ticket not easy at Syd airport at 8.30 am. I'm returning to Thai next week with a double entry TR visa with a one way ticket I asked the official at the Thai Consulate if an onward was required his response was to laugh & tell me they do'nt care but the airline might refuse you so will have laptop on hand just in case--the guy at the consulate behind me said no you only need when you have to go for a VOA.

Good Luck