dundas

I've flown on the Thai 787-8. It's 9 abreast like just about every other airline's 787 (except JAL's), meaning that seats are narrower than those on a 737 ... the legroom is OK, better than Jetstar's, let's say.

Reading between the lines of the article and it all seems a bit ... opaque. Maybe what they're really saying is: we're within a hairsbreadth of a disaster on a daily basis and if we don't do take action soon and address a list of major issues as long as our arm we might tarnish Thailand reputation as a destination. But then again, let's do the bare minimum because we don't want to spend the money.

I've stopped flying Thai anyway – their airfares are very high and their frequent flyer scheme has become miserable), so it probably won't affect me. But I agree with the comments above. Boeing is the same as any other business which gets over-run by accountants. Ultimately the cost cutting destroys the business.

Scoot-plus seating is equivalent to premium economy on any other airline, the seats are OK for recliners, but the service is pretty ordinary -- one meal and drink for the flight, served soon after take-off (presumably so that you will buy more later in the flight) Staff are focussed on making sales in economy, for the most part. Jetstar Business charge more, have similar seating, and better service. On the long haul flights I've been on, two meals (each pretty good), plus you are permitted to help yourself to anything available on the economy menu. The seating on Air Asia (via KL) is not all that roomy. I'm 194cm and had to curl up in a foetal position in order to sleep ... but the seats do lie flat (so they're definitely superior to those in Scoot or Jetstar), and that's way better than sitting up overnight. Service arrangements are similar to Scoot but the food is better and you can choose the service (first or second) for your included meal/drink. A major disadvantage is that changing flights in KL isn't all that luxurious an experience, more like one that can make the journey stressful rather than relaxing. If it was my choice, I'd take the Jetstar flight.

Thai have also made it much harder to earn points in economy -- and that, and the new higher prices, are the reason I've stopped flying them. It's a shame, I flown them since not long after their inception.

In fairness, hasn't Thailand become a medical hub? The success is reflected in the way prices have gone up in the last 10 years or so.

They've been dropping hints about 'new routes' on Australian social media. So maybe Perth and NZ will be back.

it's typical that after a traumatic event such as rape, people are unable to even think about it, let alone talk about it or take action. Anecdotally, I've heard that for the typical holocaust survivor this period was 40 years. So 20 years after a rape sounds about right (not dismissing the trauma of a rape, but for many holocaust survivors the trauma was ongoing, and in many cases, even more brutal). If you're interested in the delay many survivors experience in being able to talk about it, google the search phrase why-many-people-dont-talk-about-traumatic-events-until-long-after-they-occur.

I am 73, and touch wood, so far all my implants have been set and forget (first one was in 2012, I've had three more since). I'm probably lucky in that so far my gums haven't seemed to pose much of a problem for successful implants and on my occasional dental checkups, the implants have never been diagnosed as being in need of extra care. My gums are probably in better shape because of the implants, too. If I were in the OP's shoes, I'd consult with a dentist who knows their stuff, because some recipients of implants aren't suitable in any event, some are maybes, some need bone grafts (think extra $$$$) and are still maybes. If the implants fail, that's money down the drain and time lost waiting for an actual solution. If I knew I was likely to be a successful candidate, I'd probably go for it, even if I were a decade older than I am now. And having said that, my experience of the Thai dentist I went to In Chiang Mai wasn't all that great – she kept pushing me to agree to a bone graft; fortunately for me the surgeon she employed told me that it wasn't necessary and it was only his advice that saved me from unnecessary expense. And I've since realised that a lot of dentists are in the business of up-selling and as they're experts, it can be hard to resist their pressure and to make properly informed choices. After the CM experience, I found a dentist in my home country who is price competitive, competent and bluntly honest, and that has made my decision making on my more recent implants a lot easier. So if I'm in the OP's shoes, finding an ethical and competent dentist/dental surgeon would be top of my list before making any more decisions.

A monk told this story, that he was meditating in darkness in a cave one night, when he heard a scuffling noise, so picked up his flashlight and turned it on. The light hit on a cobra in strike pose, and he could almost see the snake deciding whether or not to attack, causing a most excruciating death. The monk's response was to spread loving kindness all around and after doing this for an interminable time, the snake relaxed and decided to go on his way. Which is when the monk noticed that despite his calm mental attitude and his ability to show loving kindness in the most adverse of circumstances, his body was shaking and that went on for a long time afterwards. We might think we're not frightened of death, but our bodies know otherwise. My mother held onto life, until she overheard a nurse saying that she (my mother) would never walk again, at which point she decided to give up. But I think her clinging onto life was more about the fact that she had never really lived it -- she was a good wife and mother, but she had never lived her own life, had never really done her own thing. I think it's easier to let go of life if you have lived a full one, a la Bangkok Barry's post above. All the more reason to cherish every moment.

The answer to your question depends on the travel arrangements for your inbound and outbound flights. The easy way: If you are flying on Thai Airways/Thai Smile on both flights and on the one ticket, for example, you can transfer airside by following the signs. You'll clear Immigration in Bangkok, and Customs at your destination airport. The minimum time for connecting in this way is around an hour. The not so easy not so fun way: If you're flying another airline into Bangkok, and then Thai on your domestic flight, you will probably have to clear Immigration, pick up your luggage, clear Customs, then check your bags in again and go back through security into the domestic part of the terminal. If this is the case then depending on the time of day, I would allow at least three hours. I should say my comments are based on my experience of a couple of years ago, when I arrived on Royal Brunei and then went to Chiang Mai on Thai. I was turned around when I attempted to transfer airside, and was told 'even if your Brunei flight has a TG number, you will still have to clear Immigration and Customs here.' In any event, I'd ask the airline/agent who's done the ticketing, which experience you're more likely to have.

From my observation, the dermatologists I've seen here are both skilled and thorough, and used to working with people from Australia.

I visit Thailand once or twice a year (Covid excepted), but apart from going to a dermatologist for skin checks (still more than 50% cheaper than the same service in Melbourne), I get all my medical and dental work done in Australia. I did have one dental implant + crown done in Chiang Mai and that cost $A3,000. My next two were in Melbourne, and cost the same, but I could claim insurance on them, so I ended up paying just over $1,000 per implant + crown. Another big advantage apart from cost: my dentist in Melbourne guarantees his work (replacement or refund if an implant fails) – I'm not sure how many Thai dentists guarantee their work (although to be fair, my Thai dental implant hasn't given me any trouble). Plus I wasn't impressed when the dental assistants in the Chiang Mai practice stayed in the room when they were taking x-rays. If they care so little about their own health and safety, how much do they care about mine? Not saying this is representative of all Thai dentists, but it was my experience. As for medical services, I can access local networks in Australia that tell me where the better doctors are, which makes me more confident about the treatment I get. Each to his own, I guess. For me, Australia works out as a better deal.

Wonder if the phone was found, and returned.

I missed your columns, I'm glad that you were able to have a sanity break and that you're back. Looking forward to many more.