champers

Beats having to close down; which was the only other option for many before Thailand opened up to tourists.

I hope the dog is OK. ????

I lunched today at a well known and busy beachside restaurant. Only thing I was asked was "smoking or non-smoking?"

15 minutes for me today. The queue for non 90 day business looked long at 2.15. A mobile toilet unit parked on the road is never a good sign. There were some hot tempers on show, an elderley American chap looked at the end of his tether. Tough times for many. The staff sure earn their money; I wouldn't want their job.

No pre travel test required after 4am UK time on Friday to return to England. Your airline may be a different matter, of course. Boris has spoken, per BBC World News online.

Either way, everyone knows what they are really for.

Nobody is obliged to take one of these tests out on the street. If you buy a test kit you can test yourself in complete privacy at home or where you are staying.

That may be so, but it doesn't get rid of all the tourists that are now here. Where will they all go? Is the genie out of the bottle?

Going along Beach Rd, 2nd Rd and Soi Buakhao this lunchtime and plenty people sat in bars, restaurants and cafes drinking beer. Were they tested first? I doubt it; I saw nothing to suggest testing before entering the premises. I find it difficult to see how these new rules are going to be enforced. There isn't enough manpower nor the will.

Bodega is open as is one of the Wonderful bars.

The investigation linked in an earlier post points the finger at the perp's boss; the bank's manager; who also appears to be his girlfriend.

Nobody forces anyone to drink in any bar; all the punters must know the risks and I have seen reports of some suffering the consequences when they test positive before flying home. Buyer beware.

Weak arguement that. George Best never got to a World Cup let alone a semi final. Frank McAvennie was an above average striker and would have had Maguire on toast in his pomp. Aaron Lennon; way past his best; showed up his poor defending for Burnley's goal.

La Playa getting ready to open on the old Coffee Club building on Beach Rd and Soi 1 junction, Markland site. This looks like the sister of La Plage - same sky blue and white signage, both translate to The Beach in English. Two prime locations with heavy footfall when things return to more normal.

It's nice to get your oats first thing in the morning.

A couple of months ago I bought some vacuum packed brussels sprouts at Villa, 18 largeish sprouts per pack. They were 150 Baht, a bit pricey but what the hell. 2 weeks before Christmas price had gone up to 600 Baht, 1 week before Christmas 750 Baht. 18 sprouts for 750 Baht is 95 English pence per sprout. Pass those smelling salts to me, please.

Can we rule out 1 & 3 if she has attained the role of bank manager?

Work ongoing at the Beer Garden suggesting that an opening is imminent. Many of the bars leading to it have re-opened but the boxing ring is no more. Tahitian Queen advertising a mid Jan opening. 15th or 16th; can't recall which.

Barracuda Bar now open on Naklua Road. Not a favourite of mine but pleased to see they haven't perished. Further up Nina and Coffee are hedging their bets. 3 in 1 and a kettle?

I believe this article only gives half the story. Along with the published 3 worst case scenarios there was also 3 best case scenarios but these are unpublished. Perhaps they offer a degree of balance.

Looks nice but not very Christmassy.

I doubt there are too many drunks during their working hours. They pack up when it goes dark ad stop the job if it rains.

Motorbike taxis come into their own; they know all the short cuts and back routes. Dearer than Baht busses but they do door to door. Agree a price before setting off.

Oh yes. Must be in his late 70s now. His Saturday lunchtime show plays some great oldies. Also has a C&W show which is pretty good and I am not really a big fan of the genre.

Dirty falang.????