dundas

Well, if it all fails, I've had experience running a few red lights, if that's any help ... 

This is beginning to sound like 'in order to save the village, first we had to destroy it.' In other words, in order to persuade people to get this wall built, first we have to close government down and in the process weaken border security more than any wall could strengthen it. 

Smart thinking, #45!!!!

I'm in Chiang Mai and my Thai landlord goes back to Immigration each time I return to Thailand. So far no-one at Immigration has told the landlord not to bother with his repeat visits, and a bonus is that no-one can use non-compliance with TM-30 to fine me at a later date. 

Morrison sits far out on the right wing, right out near the wing tip in fact. He's recently been displaying a fondness for wearing MAGA-style caps, so it's no surprise that he wants to follow Trump as only the second leader in the world to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Never mind that Australians are now being urged to take extra care in Bali, because doing so has offended the world's most populous Muslim country, and given jihadists throughout Asia something to rail against. He presents himself to the electorate as a knock-about-bloke, so he likes being filmed drinking beer and eating meat pies, even though his values are 100% Pentecostal.  He wants to subsidise coal power stations, is on about 'protecting' minority groups (but only if they're churches) and has announced a so-called anti-corruption commission designed to leave politicians well alone. Cannot wait to see the last of him. 

I'm a regular visitor to Thailand and have spent four months this year on visa waiver entries. March, then July, followed by a week in Japan, August, and then November (entry from Japan again, although I am Australian). I don't think I'm in breach of any published rule, but I've started bringing the equivalent of THB20.000 with me. I haven't been asked to show the money -- yet. All arrivals so far have been in BKK. Next time, instead of flying THAI, I'm thinking I'll fly SG/Silkair and clear immigration in Chiang Mai. And yes, maybe I should get a tourist visa, but that is such a PIA. I don't even want to check in a bag when I go on holiday, let alone go through any visa getting process. 

As you're not flying to the US, presumably APIS is not needed by US Immigration Authorities, and Eva aren't interested in collecting it – it's totally irrelevant for a London-Bangkok flight. Forget about it, is my advice, at least until Monday when you can talk to the airline.

This whole discussion reminds me of something a Thai once said to me, 'things are much more fluid here.' They weren't talking about gender, they were talking about the law, but I think it's true of Thai life more generally. Amazing that so many people in this forum live here and cannot see that there are other ways of thinking other than the one they grew up in. 

I also had a right inguinal fixed at RAM hospital, in 2012, from memory. I did stay in overnight which might have added substantially to the bill.  I paid a lot more than 25,540 (original quote was 60,000 but I paid less than that, maybe 50,000 from memory), and if i were to do it again, I would get a quote from another surgeon and think about doing it somewhere else besides RAM. 

Well, as a matter of principle, if every news site had a pay wall, I still wouldn't subscribe to any site that's owned by Rupert Murdoch, as I can be sure it will be pushing his agenda (climate denial, lowering wages, demonising the poor), which is not in my best interests at all. His companies pay no tax of course, and in Australia at least, receive large government handouts. I will pay for quality writing, but so far (being poor/a  cheap Charlie) have avoided the need to do so.  I like the quality of article I see in the Atlantic, but dip into it only occasionally.  I'm learning to do the same with the New Yorker. I'm willing to donate to Salon. Some Washington Post articles I can read on other sites (SFGate and Fairfax in Australia). 

Given a choice between Vietnamese and Thai food, I wold probably choose Vietnamese. It's so fresh and delicious. As another poster has mentioned (and just to contradict myself in the next breath), you probably do need to be careful about how the food is prepared -- I also have had food poisoning there.

I'm also inclined to agree that Vietnam generally (and especially outside HMC and Hanoi) feels safer, less hostile and less of a ripoff than what Thailand can be – but I'm also aware that the attitude to foreigners from countries that fought in the Vietnam war (smiles and forgiveness I've heard some former soldiers describe it as) is very different from the government's attitude to the Vietnamese who fought on the losing side.  

Overall though, I reckon it's well worth at least one visit. 

Well, I'm aware i can quite easily get killed in my own country by drug crazed drivers (we have more than a few of those) but getting back to the topic, as I ride a Honda Wave mostly when I'm in Thailand, what really irks me is pick up drivers (nearly always pick up drivers) who take calculated risks with my life and miss me (so far, so lucky) by thaaaaat much, I'm talking mm, not cm. Oh, and a while ago there were a lot of Chinese renting motorcycles who would sometimes surprise me by coming around a corner on the wrong side of the road, but that doesn't seem to have been happening so much recently. Generally, I don't like the terrible driving and the lack of effective policing, but on the other hand, I enjoy being able to pay attention to the road and conditions, and not worry that I'm exceeding the speed limit by 2km/h and might be heading for a radar trap and a fine ... 

The sad part about these dogs is that when they retire, they can only hang around the kitchen looking for treats as rewards ... 

Sounds like you want the flexibility of individual lessons. 

FWIW, I attended CMU In 2010 and although I liked my teacher, I didn't have such a great time at the hands of the admin ... yes, I remember having to make a trip to KL and back in order to stay legally in the country (visa waiver on my return from KL), because my Ed Visa was no longer valid  .... I would never go back to CMU. Enough said. 

I've noticed that fares from Australia to Thailand on Thai aren't nearly as good value as the fares for longer distance. I fly Melbourne - BKK - Osaka several times a year, and Thai offers great value on this route. On the other hand, flying to Chiang Mai in the same fare 'buckets' costs nearly as much, despite being a lot shorter distance. 

As for improving the service, using air bridges would go a long way. I curse airline management each time I have to get on a bus. Yes, they save money, but schlepping around airport perimeters really detracts from the passenger experience, and definitely diminishes the brand. 

From an operational point of view, having a few of every conceivable type of passenger jet flying cannot be all that smart. Personally, I would like them to simplify the fleet and with any luck get rid of those new long distance aircraft offering minimal short-haul levels of comfort (AKA 787s).  But as at least one or two other posters have noted, maybe buying new aircraft is all about the 'commission' for interested parties ...  

Hello, OP, what's happening with you? 

I was asked by a friend (from Melbourne) about the article when it first came out, and I called BS, although in fairness I hadn't read the article and didn't realise the writer of the article was talking about savings for a couple, not per person. 

I live in Melbourne most of the time. I have solar panels on the roof and very low energy bills. I get half price on my car registration, and discounts on council rates and water. I can live fairly OK there, provided I don't eat out a lot. 

That's what I enjoy about coming here – the only meal I eat at home here is breakfast, which I enjoy. Lunch and dinner are always eaten out. I don't normally eat at the Four Seasons, but if i did I think my savings from living in CM would be fairly minimal. 

I enjoy CM for all kinds of reasons, (and I accept that there are some negatives, just like there are negatives with living in Melbourne), but saving money isn't one of them. Money isn't the measure of everything. 

I'm very grateful for the man on the motorcycle. Based on his performance, I now know that my motorcycle riding skills are good enough as long as I don't start bashing into other people's cars. Everything else he does is standard practice.  

6 minutes ago, glamont002 said:

Fast track is supposed to be for business and first class passengers. About time they kept economy class out which just made the fast track lines longer.

So presumably fast track is now for business and first class passengers, as well as those who speak Mandarin ... 

He would say that, wouldn't he? 

54 minutes ago, amexpat said:

You found one unsatisfactory dentist in CM and one good one in Aus.

 

I guess that proves....something. 

It's an anecdote, like most of what's being described here. Beyond two dentists, what I also found was a structure that's likely to be more supportive if something goes wrong -- and that's the Australian one.