@Tony ********

Sorry to hear this Tony. Never failed for me (both making and receiving calls and SMS). From UK banks to airlines to Amazon to my UK GP’s surgery to the UK blood transfusion service and energy companies I receive all SMS and voice calls/voice mails. I have had great success with Skype too. I didn’t have a Skype number so whoever I’ve called couldn’t ring me back. That was why I subscribed to Vyke. People in the UK honestly believe it’s only a local call.

How about a UK mobile number for £12 per ANNUM? Receive SMS and calls for free. Caller pays at UK rates. Outgoing SMS and calls very cheap. Never had an OTP blocked in the three years I’ve subscribed. Runs on top of your mobile data or WiFi connection.

My experience was that the cheaper companies insisted upon excluding my pre-existing conditions (even those from 40 years ago with no treatment being necessary since). Cigna Global regarded such as ‘resolved’ therefore no exclusions apply. However, their Silver Plan is $565.48 USD = 19,000 Thai baht per month. $750 USD deductible applies.

@Brandon ***********

Last time I exited Suvarnabhumi International, the immigration officer (very pleasant and female) noticed my date of birth and wished me ‘Happy Birthday!’ She seemed delighted when I said; ‘Thanks!, you’re on the ball’.

@Graham *****

Airline check-in staff aren’t all that knowledgeable. For example, I was asked if I had a ‘visa?’. I answered ‘yes’ and was asked to show it. I found my passport page with the latest Retirement Extension stamp. That satisfied them. However, they should also have ensured that I had a re-entry permit too (which I did). They were Thai Airways staff. To be fair, that’s expecting rather too much of them.

@Brandon ***********

Top and most comprehensive info! Can confirm your airline might ask for sight of your return/onward ticket (within 30 days) or ‘some sort of visa’. Without those they can deny boarding. Checking-in online or at airport totems doesn’t avoid this, passengers do get asked at the departure gate.

Trip.com, opodo.com (after selecting flights then select Multi-city).

My local vehicle repair garage (no use to you in your location) sends a youth on a Scoopy with a battery and booster cables to get you going. To buy replacement car batteries we go to a motor parts shop in our nearest town. Last time we broke down on the road we went to a nearby noodle stall, bought food and drinks and asked for help. The husband went off on his moto and, soon after, a breakdown guy arrived in a pickup. We gave the noodle guy 100 baht for his trouble. He was delighted!

@Debbie *******

Well spotted Debbie. That’s the problem with websites; either never get updated when they should or prematurely when they shouldn’t! People think they’re the gospel unfortunately.

Consider an alternative (or additional) cloud storage service. I use MEGA. The free plan gives you 20GB of storage. Alternatively, IDrive although it isn’t free would give you 500GB of storage for only £8 per ANNUM.