@David *********

Get a letter from your doctor saying you take the Tramadol for pain. Don't produce it unless you have to which would be about 1 chance in 100 -no one gets their bags checked on arrival. Don't listen to people who say you can buy them over the counter. Tramadol used to be available and perhaps still is in some places, but I personally tried to buy it and met with no success. Codeine products you can't buy. Bezodiazepam was aavailable ove the counter 30 years ago, but now would be a drug you would only get through a hospital. Thailand is really down on the heavier pain and sedative medications, while antibiotics etc are freely available over the counter. Bring it with you. You won't have a problem. No one will look at your stuff, but if they do, you have your doctor's letter and the pills are in their containers with prescription details attached.

@David *******

I can't say that I have had this experience. The day I arrived and left have to the best of my knowledge and calculations always been counted in my 30 now 60 days.

As with all posts and replies on Thai tax and/or Australian pension entitlement, I am none the wiser after reading them.

@Bob ********

It was 500 baht from AIS in their Future Park store. True next door could only offer me a one month plan for over 1000 baht! I only wanted a one month SIM. AIS also had a 2 week SIM for around 300 baht.

Well if it's the weather you're after, my advice would simply be to avoid April and May. I am in Bangkok now and the skies are largely grey and the temperature not too hot. Rain is intermittent but rarely heavy. I have the aircon turned off in the room much of the day and evening. There's still something not ideal about it but it beats being in Melbourne.

You want to check how easy it is to start your pension and move OS straight away.

@Wayne ********

Also if you arrive at night, you just want to get quickly to your hotel. I would only take the train in the daytime or if I was taking only one train to my hotel. I have never been charged for luggage and never been cheated by a taxi driver.

@Barry *****

Several each day. Takes 3+ hours.

@David **********

If true it's crap. If you're Russian you get 3 months visa free entry. I'd be buggered if I would be getting a visa 4 months ahead of time with all the other strings attached to visa approval.

I can imagine you joining the line for BTS tickets in your bikini and sunnies, with your towel draped over your shoulder as you flip-flop your way to the platform to catch your train to the beach. (Sorry - just realised you're a bloke!). I am going to give Hua Hin a try this time after a couple of weeks in Bangkok. I think you'd be happier there too. It's the rainy season so you might be spending a lot of time indoors.