Stevemercer

I'm pretty sure Israel has givem plenty of thought to strategic first strike scenarios as raised in the original post. I'm equally sure they have measures in place to ensure a retailatory nuclear strike. Iran launched drones and missiles against Isreal, but gave 3 days warning and didn't target any cities. It was meant as a show of strength. Hopefully Israel will not get sucked in and will continue their current mission until finished. A full scale war between Iran and Israel would draw America and its allies into the mix. As a consequence, Russia will quickly prevail in Ukraine and force a 'peace'. China is likely to seize the opportunity to blockade Taiwan under the imminent threat of war. North Korea will seriously consider a first strike on South Korea. Thailand will want to stay nuetral, but will probably have to cede to China. Hopefully us expats will have a few years warning to leave the country before being forceably expelled or taken hostage. I guees this will probably be like doomsday for most of us.

I regularly cal Australia using FacebookMessenger, Facetime or other social media. If I can't get through, I might use my normal mobile provider for short calls (it is about 5 Baht per minute). For longer calls to government organisations etc I normally try to find their 'free' overseas line. However, it doesn't always work out 'free'.

Sorry, I was thinking of other countries where appeal of Ministerial decisions is typically allowable. I remember the farce around the deportation of the famous tennis star, Novac Djokovic, from Australia during the Covid years.

I've helped a few Thai widows trying to retrieve money from a deceased farang estate. It can be difficult even with the death certificate, will leaving everything to the widow and proof of death. If there is the slightest irregularity, the banks will jack up and it can take years to finally access the money. One bank insisted that the widow get a death certificate from Australia for their partner who died in Thailand. Another bank defied an order from a Thai court that executed the estate (the husband died without a valid will) and ordered the money released to the widow. I would suggest that the widow has the necessary access and knowledge to transfer enough funds to handle the immediate funeral and 12 months living costs

What's really sad is that Minister Anutin probably doesn't even realise he is subverting the course of justice by advocating an outcome yet to be determined by the Court. Interesting time for farangs (and western countries) if Anutin ever becomes Prime Minister. Expect a sharp swing to China and tougher rules for expats.

That's the price of progress, I guess. On the other hand, Thais are generally richer and better off.

I never even thought about money and living costs until I married a Thai woman. Now it's a bit of a worry.

A 160 cc bike will do 100 km/hr, but is more comfortable at 80 km/hr. Motorway/Tollway traffic tends to be 100 - 120 km/hr and you would be stuck over in the shoulder and left lane along with the trucks and slow traffic. Setting aside the legalities, you'd be better off taking the slower Sukhumvit Road where you can keep pace with the traffic and stop for a break whenever you want.

On a side note, I find that Thai doctors often seem reluctant to do procedures that involve touching or manipulating the body. I recently saw 4 or 5 doctors for a hernia-like pain and only one actually felt around my lower abdomen. The rest just took my word for it (that I had a hernia like pain, but couldn't feel any bulges or protusions) and passed me onto the next doctor in the diagnostic chain.

Did the original poster say they were diabetic? I assume this would be relevant?

I would stick to the married extension if you qualify. The retirement extension is more likely to be subject to future changes and tougher requirements during Thailand's periodic crack downs on foreigners.

The older you get, the harder it is to pick up a new language. Peoples' brains are wired differently - some are good at languages and arts, others are good at mathematics and science. Girls are generally better at languages and boys are better at engineering-type skills. Thai gifted classes for English are nomally about 80% girls and 15% ladyboys reflecting this wiring of the brain. I am good at sciences, but very poor at languages. I can learn through association, but am poor at rote learning. Most elderly farang will be up against it in learning a new language. I would say you do not really need good Thai language skills if you are retired/not working and have a Thai wife/girlfriend. Most things you can manage with a little experience (eg going to the hospital, visa renewals, new driving licence, day-to-day shopping and typical daily interactions). You can manage more unusual purchases through showing a photo or buying on the web. Not speaking Thai is seldom a handicap in dating/entertainment etc. I think a ready smile, polite and calm manner and generous nature will get you through Thailand. By contrast, if you rarely smile, are often rude or disrespectful or are not generous by nature, the best Thai language skills won't get you far. I think you need Thai language skills if you are working here, raising a family, are young and looking for opportunities or want to make a living and want to spend the rest of your life in Thailand.

Bauhaus: The start of Emo music

The start of Emo music

I hope you are not implying that other doctors who take the time to respond are Quacks? I personally find recommendations about good Thai hospitals and specialists for specific ailments to be useful. Sometimes respondents have useful experience or comments that might be relevant. Ofcourse it all has to be taken with a grain of salt. Unfortunately, you too frequently get other respondents who are dismissive, negative, opinionated, tactless, ignorant or otherwise not helpful. Such are public forums.