TaoNow

I don't have any data to support this, but I would suspect that many of the drownings on Phuket's West coast during May to October are related to excessive alcohol consumption or otherwise unfit swimmers making risky judgments.

The point I'm trying to make is let's not make swimming during the monsoon season a hazard unless you are unprepared.

"Tourists on holiday are immune from all the dangers, no matter what signs/flags are up, or what you tell them."

And, possibly because some have been drinking before going into the water on West coast beaches during the monsoon season.

I swam at Kata Noi weekly throughout May-October for the past three years.  Most days were swimable for the competent.

Treacherous days were fairly easy to identify.  If you stand in the water up to your knees and have trouble keeping your balance, you'd better be a good swimmer, sober, and wear fins before going deeper.

I realize conditions on Karon are more dangerous than Kata and Kata Noi.

A Thai friend of mine (who travelled to villages in the countryside) advised raising the right arm while holding it above your head with the left arm (as if a club).  That seems to scare the aggressive dogs away without having to carry a weapon.  May not work in Bangkok though....

Sorry if beating a dead water buffalo, but Falcon and I have attested to the fact that it is possible to lead a very confortable life on less than 20,000 baht a month in Phuket.  See previous posts  (or PM me) if interested in details.

JT:  If you want to know how I manage my 800K baht you can PM me.  And please refrain from shouting (all caps) -- this is one of the more civil sections of TV, so let's try to keep it that way.  You seem to have a short fuse when members question your posts.

NancyL:  It would be important to know if IMMO/CM asks this of many or most of the retirees -- but I can't recall any trip reports other than yours to that effect.  Please advise if you think your experience is typical of other ex-pats.

Yes, Lopburi3, I didn't mean to imply a requirement.  I raised the example in the (hypothetical) case of those without social security, or a pension and who do not want to park 800K baht in a bank in Thailand.  I haven't seen a trip report from someone using a liquid, off-shore source of non-pension funds when making the affidavit at the US Embassy  -- kindly correct me if wrong.