It's a real drag all these Asian airlines who don't talk/type English to accommodate non-Asians while flying all over Asia carrying Asians, isn't it

@Ja**

? Methinks there's a big ol' Universe out there and unfortunately, you're not the centre of it.

As I said, I did explain to the hotel reception that I already live here so as far as I'm aware no report was filed on our little trip away,

@Bra****

and nothing has come to light since.

I get domestic travel insurance when we go on trips within the Kingdom so we're covered for baggage, cancellations, etc and that's all reflected in my home address here in Bang Saray. That's probably irrelevant too but it all adds to the fact I live here but I'm visiting there all within the country.

I live in Chon Buri province and a couple of weeks ago we went to a hotel in Phetchaburi while away for a weekend.

I was asked for my passport but I gave them my Thai driving licence as ID and also explained I already live here. They were ok about that. I can't speak for anywhere else nor indeed any other hotel's policies but that's what I intend to continue to do unless otherwise asked.

Given my wife is also British and she wasn't the booking person, they didn't even ask for her credentials at all so I'd be a bit miffed if the person making the booking was the sole recipient of any policy like this.

There's an immigration office on Pattaya Beach in Koh Lipe as you arrive and yes, that's the name of the beach ⛱️🏖️

We've gotten the speedboat there from Koh Lanta before now so we walked straight past it but if you're sailing in from Langkawi, you will need to go through that immigration point similar to any passport control ...and yes, it's a 60 day visa exemption stamp.

I've had a couple of pairs of varifocals done with my UK prescription at

@Pattaya*******

and they've been spot on. Lots of choice, competitively priced and good customer service.

I'm long-sighted and can't see shit up close inc. phone, menus, ATMs, etc hence my need for varifocals. Lens for an existing frame cost me 7,500 baht and a separate lens with a quality frame cost me 10,000 baht. Any purchase has a one year warranty too.

That's a better deal than what I was paying for lens back in the UK before we moved here 2 years ago. I have what they call a 'complicated' prescription! 🙄

We live here full-time and I'd have to try on and test drive any glasses wherever I'd be so if you added flights, accommodation, etc to glasses costs I'm better off here at these prices even if they have gone up.

Can't you leave the returm flight date open-ended as per a flexi-ticket so you can confirm it at a later date?

I flew from Don Mueang to Krabi c/o Airpaz in February using my UK number before I changed over to the Thai AIS number I use now,

@Ru**

. I will say every internal/domestic flight I've booked since we moved here have been Standby when I've checked in and only allocated seating once at the airport. My experience.

I use Airpaz website for all my flights



I've flown domestically with AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Thai Lion Airways all through booking tickets through Airpaz ...and yes, we live here in Thailand too.

We're both British, in our mid-50s and we've retired in Bang Saray. Near enough to Pattaya city for the facilities, amenities and entertainment but far enough away that we have a nice quiet life.

Suburban life here in Thailand is not the same as when I lived in the suburbs of London for the past 20 years nor the previous 35 years growing up and living in East London itself. My wife is an Isle of Wight girl so it's always been the aim to retire beachside albeit a bit warmer than on the south coast of England.

Lots of local eateries worth visiting and cheap as rice compared with a lot of areas we know.

We're also only half hour (300 baht Bolt) from U-Tapao Airport which is really convenient. We just spent 10 days in Koh Samui for our 21st wedding anniversary and we went from our front door here to the hotel on Chaweng Beach in less than 4 hours including check-in, baggage collection and transfers at both ends.