Batty

Just wondering if anyone can suggest a lab, or home test kit, for a full gut Microbiome test in Thailand? I have seen a few UK/US companies online offering the service but wanted to know if there is a Thai equivalent? Bumrungrad do it, but the 'package' is a ridiculous 40,000 baht. The home test kits in UK/US run for around (equivalent of) 5000 to 15000 baht. Would be great if there was a Thai equivalent? Context: wife's guts have been ravaged by H Pylori for a few years, it is improving, thankfully, but after a few years of various medicines, prodding, and poking, she wants to make sure her gut biome is in reasonable shape. Well, I do - and she's ok with it. She asked the doctor at local military hospital here in Udon but he apparently gave her the usual "Mai dai". Either he can't be bothered to get involved or has no clue such a test exists lol. And yes I know a good pro biotic & natural yogurt, kimchee etc will help restore gut bacteria, but would be good to learn what kind of shape it's in. I'm not playing doctors here, by the way. It's been a hell of a problem over the last few years and the level of care has been a bit crappy - honestly, it has - so I'm just trying to be a little proactive, that's all.

I'm assuming they are, but the wife seems to think they will all be closed on a Sunday. That's doubtful, isn't it? I mean the pharmacies in between Nanna and Asoke will be open, I would have thought?

Edit, I changed my mind. Sod it, going to fly instead like a normal person. Thanks anyway.

I'm gonna get trolled for posting this lol, I just know it 😁 I am thinking of getting the sleeper train from Udon Thani to Bangkok. Does anyone know if you can have a cheeky cigarette out of the window still? Not in the carriage, obviously, but you used to be able to go in between carriages and pull down the window. You know, that sort of dark area where the carriages link together. It's been maybe 17 years since I got a train though, so I don't know if it's still the case? I know, I know. It's pathetic, I agree. But like it or not, I smoke, and the ability to smoke is looking like a deal breaker lol. If not, I'll fly. Just thought it would be nice to get the train, as it's been so long 🙂

I was wondering if you guys could point me in the right direction for buying a UPS? I am not very computer savvy and I am finding the whole thing a bit confusing. I recently bought an all-in-one desktop. The electricity here can sometimes be a little patchy, with blackouts for an hour or two every couple of months. Apparently, I need a UPS to ensure the safety of my computer when a blackout happens. The other thing is, sometimes these blackouts come with power surges where the electricity comes on with bursts of low voltage. There might be enough power to keep a lamp running, for example, without any air con units. It doesn't happen very often, but I worry it will damage my AOI eventually. So I looked on Lazada, and there are a ton of options available. I could do with spending just 2-3000 THB if possible. Do I grab literally any UPS within the price range? I would have liked a UPS that auto shuts down the computer (through software) but I cant determine which of the UPS on Lazada do that. Probably none within 2-3000 THB? I have no idea. Obviously, everything is in Thai so it's impossible to know which one to go for. I'm not sure what the point of this post is, in hindsight. I suppose I'm just asking if its ok to grab any UPS within 2-3000 THB on Lazada? I'm assuming in that price range they are all mostly the same? Thanks Batty

Was just wondering if anyone might know of a good doctor in this field. My wife has been experiencing issues for a couple of years. I won't go into all the details, but we have tried lots of different herbal remedies in addition to the advice and testing of local doctors. Long story short, she has had issues stemming from an H Pylori infection. Her indigestion is next level, and she won't stop burping. She gets constant stomach aches after eating. Local doctor at the 'army hospital' has checked and confirmed H Pylori previously and has done a gastroscopy. They found nothing serious in her stomach apart from an ulcer. They are saying she has IBS. I would like to take her to see a real gastro doctor though. The current doctor is a general GP. She has always refused to go anywhere else as she is part of some cheap insurance scheme I'm not exactly sure what ti is but the army hospital charges nothing, or very little. It worries me that they might not be the most proficient though. I went around a few hospitals today asking the reception staff/international staff if they has a gastro doctor who might be considered as having the best reputation. None of them seemed to know. I have now convinced her to go see a real gastro doc at another hospital (I have been nagging about it daily/weekly for ages). Any ideas on a good doctor anywhere in the isarn region? WIlling to travel, although closer to Udon the better. Appreciate it

If we keep burning fossil fuels, a meteor the size of Everest will plow into the Yucatán Peninsula?

Yah, same here man. Usualy November is patchy, with a few days in the lower 20s here and there, but then most of December is late teens in the daytime, here in Udon. 2 or 3 years ago we had a solid 2 weeks of 10 to 14 degrees in the daytime, 8 to 10 evening. It can get really nippy here. So far this year its been hot every day.

My wife has been saying for a few months that this year's cool season (December through Feb in Udon) is not going to happen. According to her, some freak weather event will prevent it from ever getting cool. I was skeptical, but its mid-December already and it hasn't been cool yet, so maybe she is right. Has anyone heard anything about this? Absolute bummer if true. Its the only time of year I look forward to, in terms of weather.

Thanks for the replies everyone, appreciate it. I was rejected owing to a small issue with the address on file. It was rectified in person, with no fine. So, it is actually 7 days grace period regardless of whether in person or online.

Thanks mate. So, technically, shouldn't the 10th be ok? Reporting was due on 30th and I applied online on the 10th. That should fall into the very last day of the 7 day window, you would think? I'm wondering why they rejected it then. I guess I'll find out tomorrow!

Like an idiot, I mentally got the dates wrong. I checked my passport on Sunday 10th and realized I should have done my 90 day report on Dec 3rd. I applied online anyway on Sunday 10th thinking (maybe wrongly) that you had 7 days grace either side of the actual date, meaning 10th - seven days after the 3rd - would be ok. I just got an email saying it is rejected and I should go to nearest immigration. Any idea what is in store for me tomorrow - am I looking at a fine or something? Am I wrong about the 7 days grace thing?

Hi there. I want to try CBD oil (for various reasons), had a quick look on Lazada but I have no idea which seller is reputable and which isn't and the prices differ wildly. I "think" I want the full spectrum CBD (although I definitely do not want any THC). Any suggestions for a trustworthy online dealer? I basically want the best quality CBD that is out there from a reputable store if possible. Appreciate it!

Thanks, I'll take a look at that. Appreciate it ????

Thanks - I'll take a look at that. I've never really been to Laos, not properly - visa runs to Vientiane many years ago and a quick 2 night stay in the Mekong once but didn't leave the main strip. Always fancied seeing Laos properly. I'll have a good look at LP today. Cheers.