bradiston

You might as well have deleted Ukraine and inserted Russia in the second paragraph. Ukraine hasn't invaded any of its neighbours, never intended to, and has been careful not to land missiles on Russian territory wherever possible. All the talk of denazification of Kiev and liberation of Russian speakers in Donbas is for the enjoyment of the media-washed Russians who can't get any other news. You've got it all back to front, like so many anti NATO proponents. All the "what about this" and "what about that". Where does it get you? The clear and present danger is Putin's invasion of the Ukraine, nothing more nor less. How anybody can point the finger at the Ukraine and say "There's the problem" I have no idea. It's clueless, and wilfully blind.

Yes, I checked it out, just past a 7. First van at 0600. But for me, minivans are really unknown variables. I was told 3 hours. An 0900 arrival would be perfect in reality, but they always somehow stretch it out, so I'll probably stick to plan A, or was it B? Whatever!

I agree with much of what you're saying, and would just like to add my 2¢. I figured from the outset this war and its aims are both intensely nationalistic, but almost more importantly, aimed at the control of food and energy supplies. If Ukraine falls into Russian control, God help Europe. Putin will have them by the proverbials. He's outsmarted them so far. What's their answer? Where's the off ramp? Yeah, that's right. Putin blew it up.

Yes, just checked myself at the NBT. 0430 first out for Ekamai, 0500 for Morchit. Picture of Morchit timetable both ways.

Cheap Charlie not same Cheap Chump! Although I don't do this for the buzz, I do like a bit of a challenge, which a taxi isn't. I'll be setting off hopefully on the 0430 Ekamai bus, possibly the 0500 Morchit bus, and taking it from there. I'd rather 3 hours checked in at the airport than sweating it out in a traffic jam 15 minutes prior to check in closing. Been there, got the empty valium bottle and the charge sheet for public disorder. Better safe than raving mad!

You mean the red line from Bang Seu? Yes, there is a helpful video of the trip on YouTube. A bit of walking involved, but probably welcome after buses and trains. Luckily the Pattaya to Ekamai buses start at about 0430. The BKK ones from Jomtien at about 0730. And can park a motorbike at North bus terminal.

Thanks responders, but as I said in the OP, I'm excluding taxis. And posting repeats of links I already posted is fairly pointless. I was hoping for first hand experience of this trip. Surely it's a fairly common one? Anyway, I think the Ekamai bus/BTS/MRT combo via Bang Seu looks most promising.

Thanks, but I specifically excluded taxis. I'm planning on getting to the airport by about 8am. Rush hour in Bangkok, no? Long time since I went anywhere near it.

Trying to figure out best way to DMK from Pattaya, excluding taxis (Cheap Charlie Travel). So far, I've got: 1. Bus to Ekamai (or hop off at first BTS stop), BTS to Wat Phra Sri Mahatat, then bus to DMK. I'm not sure about this bus. Any pointers? https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Pattaya/Don-Muang-Airport-DMK#r/Bus-BTS/s/4 Or 2. Bus to Ekamai (as above), Asok, MRT to Bang Seu, Bang Seu to DMK on red line. Only 7 kg of luggage on wheels. Any experience of these, or other suggestions. I need an early bus from Pattaya, 1100 flight, so BKK airport bus not an option. TIA.

I also got a renewal, via an agent, over 2 months before the renewal date. I had gone to do my 90 day report on July 6th. My renewal date for ext. of stay was September 21st. So I was offered that. The renewal start date is 21st September. Plus got a multi reentry permit at the same time. A potentially very costly omission if you forget when you're leaving Thailand and intending to return.

Eye turning hub?

Hats off to the Thai government for having the balls to do this. Take the plunge. Jump in the deep end. Following her suggestions there would have been a million committees and sub committees, feasibility studies, environmental impact studies, economic well being strategy policy committees etc etc. Nothing would ever have got done. The horse is out, leave the stable door alone. Relax! It's just the bureaucrats cxxxxxxx themselves.

The AIS link brings up a screen which says "for Thais" and no mention of foreigners. And the whole phone call is in Thai.

Yes, I've cleared it with my supplier, but pm me for the link. I'd post it here but on reflection, that doesn't seem such a clever idea. I've been using this company for a couple of years. I don't want to give out endorsements as everybody is different in their requirements and expectations. As always, YMMV, caveat emptor, and please, be discreet!

I googled Rivoxan and got a lot of insecure links to Thai government websites which told me nothing about it. I followed a variety of other links but got nowhere. So I'm not sure it actually exists. Maybe you have a reliable link. I did read reports a while back about a locally produced alternative but there was never a follow up. 20 mg Xarelto is ~90 THB here. I paid ~45 including postage, to my Indian supplier, so I saved 16,425 THB on a year's supply, ie one a day. The other "prescription" over the counter drugs I take are easily and cheaply available here. I don't believe Bayer has released the patent for Rivaroxaban, except maybe to licensed manufacturers. I don't use a website any more with my supplier as we have reached a stage of mutual trust to enable us to communicate and do business via a well known "secure", encrypted, chat app. Trust helps a lot!

I did check. Riveroxaban, aka Xarelto, an alternative to Warfarin as a blood thinner. Half the local price on line. I've shown the box and strips and pills to several heart specialists here in Pattaya and they had no problem with it. Obviously they couldn't exactly recommend doing it for a variety of reasons. But you're right about the postage costs. I order stuff for a friend too, to make up one order. My contact is ok taking my strips out of their boxes which reduces the volume and weight considerably. Normally just one small package for a year's supply. I had to collect from my local PO. They sent me to Banglamung first, then back to Chayapreuk ????. Bit of a schlep. I have a mate who had to go and pick his stuff up at customs, I think in Sri Racha or Laem Chabang maybe. Had to pay 180 THB duty and was warned not to do it again. ????.

I buy all my meds from India. Have a trusted supplier. She does charge extra on the postage for customs clearance but I'm not sure how it works. Not had a problem to date.

Like the Walking St wellies

Depends what you're looking ̶a̶t̶ for.

I think it depends a bit on your departure point. Sure, it's about equidistant and same flying time Heathrow to Mexico City/BKK. 12 hours minimum. For possibly 30% of US citizens, it's a short hop. And, can just drive there!

The most visited country on earth is France. Approaching 100m pa. Yet the 2019 revenue from same represents only 2.6% of GDP. Thailand is far too reliant on tourism. 40m represents about 13% of GDP. Tourists will shop ultra competitively. Short holidays, limited budgets. Value for money is surely the name of the game. 24 flying hours minimum, 24 hours recovery, from Europe, of your precious 2 weeks is a high price to pay. And let's face it. Hasn't everybody been here before? Yesterday's destination for Europeans IMHO. https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/international_tourism_revenue_to_GDP/

Great leads guys. Much obliged. But not for Carbonara! Point taken though.

I've searched in vain for this in all the supermarkets and one or two delis. I want to add it to my coffee and to make carbonara. It's supposedly keto friendly so I would love to hear from anyone who has found it. I'm in Pattaya. I've tried whipping cream - I guess not a bad substitute, but it's pricey and the large cartons will go off quite quickly I think, even in the fridge, with my usage. I bought a small 200ml carton from Foodland of Emborg for 109 THB. After 2 days I had to cut the carton open to get at the contents, which really resembled double cream. I got maybe 5 cups of coffees' worth out of it. Almost 22 THB per cup. The Danish UHT milk isn't really keto friendly but is ok if there's really nothing else available. TIA.

I stayed at P Plus about 2 years ago, for 2 weeks, just as the pandemic was breaking. It was a bargain online, about 460 THB, including gym and pool, a good location and a decent room. It closed like most Pattaya hotels when the pandemic got serious. Why are people talking about Chinese tour groups? There aren't any! A lot of Indians seem to like the far end of 2nd Rd, the Pratamnak end, just a short walk to Walking St and a lot of Indian restaurants. Bangla Mung!

On the mor prom app. หมอพร้อม in Thai.