traveller123

Thanks Sglad. A merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and all other forum members

If your pension is from a final salary scheme or a money purchase scheme in the days when you had to buy an annuity - I am assuming you can't do this

Hanan, you have to compare the % falls in various currencies immediately pre the date of the Brexit referendum to current rates. If the GBP has fallen more than say the Euro, USD etc that means there are factors other than the strengthening of the Thai Baht

Can you imagine what it is doing to us UK expats over here who are living off our UK pensions. The rate was around 51 immediately before the Brexit referendum vote. In my retirement financial planning I did factor in reductions in the exchange rate but it does mean my partner and I will have to restrict our holidays. Fortunately for my retirement visa I am able to use the deposit of 800,000 baht system, but for the guys waiting for clarification of the figures for the monthly income method it must be a big worry as the income will almost certainly continue to be a Thai Baht figure

This is one of the times I wished I lived in Bangkok and not 400km away in deepest Isaan

Congratulations on your anniversary, hope you enjoy the place and let us know what you think

I understand it to be when a search throws up some keenly priced flights but when you click to get further details the price has increased usually substantially. I don't know if this happens in the US but it certainly happens in the UK

I have never flown with Turkish Airlines, but like fedssocr I have noticed they get good reviews

Here is one contributor who didn't vote for the reason Z909 stated in the post above - I have a long time partner and never off anyone (but do enjoy a massage). Incidentally I do like the website which I find helpful and the contributors civilised and not prone to insulting comments - and I am an avid reader of the reports of offs to see what I'm missing!

Josh, it is very popular, if it fits in with your plans make a reservation

It is not special in the fine dining, dress up sense but my partner when we are in Bangkok (and so do I) likes Smokin' Pug. Run by a young very friendly American couple serving good beer to go with the food https://www.smokinpugbbq.com/

Thanks Curtis - I have just bought Jasmine Nights for my Kindle. Looks like it will be a good read

I posted elsewhere about requiring a tour guide in Bangkok for a lady friend of mine and Moses recommended Mac. I would just like to send sincere thanks to Moses and Mac, she had a great time and when I met up with her a couple of days later she was full of complements for Mac

In the village where I live cock fighting goes on and you see the fighting cocks in baskets outside houses, some dogs are very poorly treated full of mange and worse, you see similar dogs all over Thailand.. Similar things probably happen in the West, but they are not the norm and if noticed would be quickly reported What I am saying is that in Thailand, in the poorer rural communities, there is often no concern for animal welfare unless there is a monetary value attached to it.

Brunos keep your eyes open on the left if you are on the baht bus going down the hill from the Pratamnak traffic lights in the direction of Jomtien Cafe des Amis is next door to Sansuk Sauna Au Bon Coin, as you are coming from Jomtien turn left at Pratamnak traffic lights and turn left again down Soi 6, quite a way down there is a Family Mart or Seven 11 not sure which on your right, walk down that small soi and the restaurant is on your right - keep your eyes open the restaurant sign is old and faded. When I have been the last two have been busy I would advise making a reservation

I have eaten dinner at Bruno's twice, admittedly a few years ago, a both times there were very few customers meaning there was no atmosphere. My two favourites for a special evening are Cafe Des Amis and Au Bon Coin. The latter my hubby has chosen for his birthday dinner on the 11th November

I had another discussion with my partner about the photo. He was surprised that people thought it was abuse, he thought it was just part of the training, a Thai way of demonstrating army discipline. My view is that it is another illustration of the difference in Eastern and Western ways of thinking - I live in an Isaan village and I frequently have to remind myself that I choose to live here and can not inflict my values - don't get me started on cock fighting (supposedly illegal ha ha) and neglect of dogs.

I was asking my partner, who has done his national service, about this today. He told me they "never went strong" as they were too tired or the lads would go to the toilet to jack off to lady porn.

Agree with the latest comments. A bit more background about myself. I have been with my partner ten years (UK Civil Partnership, living in Isaan the last 6 years) and I don't doubt that he finds it very useful to speak to his friends and relatives on the phone or in person without me understanding the conversation. It is good that I trust him completely or I would be paranoid

When I tried to learn a few words of Thai my partner told me "don't bother, nobody can understand you"

Anddy you should also remember that as you get older for most people learning, along with hearing, gets more difficult.

Has anyone a recommendation for a taxi firm for a journey from a hotel in central Bangkok to Jomtien

One of the pleasures of Jomtien is that it is so easy and enjoyable to walk down the main soi and decide for yourself

I feel sorry for the Cambodian guy. If he was working without a work permit he is going to suffer more than the Arab

OMG Vinapu such stamina