patsfangr

I know that there will be some negative responses to what I'm about to tell you; but I offer it as sincere advice.

I moved here in 2006. I had some problems about a year later. I went to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, and eventually ended up in the care of their top Urologist, "Dr Jimmy". He was and is, IMO, an excellent doctor. Tests and ultrasound showed that I had what he later acknowledged as "one of the largest prostates I've ever seen". Unlike many surgeons (in many countries) today, he suggested that we try testing (to eliminate the possibility of cancer) and medication, rather than immediate surgery. It worked. My prostate was shrunken, and I have been OK since. (The medication was "Proscar", which does have a less expensive generic equivalent.)

About a year later, I developed extremely painful bladder stones. Dr Jimmy said they were too large, and in too remote a location, to allow for laser destruction. I had to undergo an invasive surgery to crush them, which I won't describe further here, other than to say that no "cutting" was involved! (You follow the anatomical map!!) :-)

The diagnosis and care I received from Dr Jimmy was outstanding; as was the care and treatment I received while in the hospital.

The caveat I must add is that this all took place BEFORE they began construction on the new wing. I believe that the prices have (to quote Obama) skyrocetted since then.

I can only tell you that the medical care I have received at BPH has been outstanding. (I also go there for treatment and monitoring of my high blood pressure condition.) Costs, over the past few years, are another story.

Jing, you have to (seiously) consider the fact that the Thais have no concept of how to properly run a business, including a grocery business. The supply-demand process is beyond them; as is the concept of inventory management.

How many of you have frequently found products that you enjoy out of stock. One example I can name is Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail. Foodland constantly runs out of it, while they the shelves are stocked to the fill point with other Cranberry Juice products. I could name dozens of other examples, but you get the point.

They simply do not understand how to monitor and manage their inventory of ANY product, whether food or other items. I honestly don't believe that they make any effort to monitor sales volumes, or that they even understand that there's a sound business reason to do so.

As to your point about cheese, I am not a gourmet with regard to any food. But I am a cheese lover. I find the Thai cheeses to be very satisfactory. My favorite cheese is emmental, and the Thai variety certainly lacks the full flavor of a good import. But it is, at the very least, recognizable as emmental; and a reasonable "quality vs price" value. Same is true, IMO, for other varieties. (I do wish that Foodland would stock more sliced emmental; but that, again, goes back to my point of not monitoring sales volumes.)

Speaking of infrastructure on the Darkside, the electricity went out at about 10PM last night, during a moderate level t-storm. It didnt' come back on until 4:30 AM; which, for me, meant no sleep during those 6+ hours in this heat and humidity.

Simultaneously, my 3BB internet service was out from 1:30 yesterday until about 30 minutes ago tonight - about 30 hours. During that time, the several phone calls I placed yielded virtually no information as to the nature of the problem, or the estimated time of restoration of service.

So, as to earlier discussions on this point; what will happen when thousands of residents are added to the area, with no improvement to the infrastructure?

Economics is the only thing keeping me here. I wish it would have been possible for me to remain in 21st century civilization; but I simply don't have the income to return to it now. I really hate dealing with the incompetence and inefficiency in Thailand - at least in this area of it.

Darrel, on 2012-05-15 11:18:27, said:

:-) With answers like that, you should get a job for the Obama administration.

My point in response to your comment that "lack of infrastructure" was not a problem, regardless of the significant addition of residences. Additional residents means more demands on the already inadequate and inefficient power grid, water supply, drainage, and internet access; as well as upon the traffic that we've discussed. (Though we on the Darkside are fortunate enough be on slightly higher ground, and have less problems with drainage than do the west side areas.) I'm simply saying that said lack will be a problem of increasing proportion for current residents, Darrel.

Darrel, on 2012-05-15 10:04:19, said:

Darrel, infrastructure includes the size and condition of the roads. If the roads lack parking space, which they certainly do; and the condos are not providing adequate parking areas for the cars of the occupants; where will the added vehicles park? What do you think happens to the traffic? Not a problem?