Andrew65

That might well be true where most of the Thai employees were privately educated. At the level of ordinary people, taxi drivers, waitresses etc, the level of English proficiency isn't good, it's better in Cambodia, a much poorer country. As I mentioned in my other comment, I wonder if that's because UNESCO was/is heavily involved in education in Cambodia?

During my many trips to Cambodia I noticed a better level of English proficiency than in Thailand, amongst ordinary people. i wonder if it's because UNESCO was involved in education in Cambodia?

No tightening of restrictions in England...........yet!

Some years ago an old friend was riding his rented motorbike in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, when he was pulled over by some cops. He was a bit worried because he had a small amount of cannabis in his bag. He wasn't wearing a crash helmet, so the cops said they would have to fine him. When he asked how much, they said "Up to you" (heard that before!?)????. So he handed over a crisp $10 bill. When he handed the bike back to the renter he related his tale of woe to the guy. the man became visibly angry and said "Why you give $10, $2 more than enough!"????

I would think that making sure that you have a facemask with you is a good thing to do. I still do in the UK, just in case, and it's no longer a requirement in most places here.

In my later years in Thailand an old friend got emphysema, a Marlboro Red smoker. In 2018 I moved back to the UK, after nearly 20 years of living in Thailand. I also moved from paying £1.50 (60 Baht) a pack, to £10 a pack in the UK. £300+ a month was enough incentive for me to quit in June 2020.

Do you share a bottle of beer with your mates, and all 4 of you all have a straw, like some do!????? (JO......KING!)????

That would be the Russkies, but they-re just outside 7/11 rather than inside!????

I've thought for the last 10-15 years that Soi Cowboy & Nana could go the same way as W Square, as lower Sukhumvit is gradually gentrified.

True, but people don't hang around for 2 or 3 hours in 7-11 chugging back their bottle of 100 Pipers????

Many year ago I flew Vishakapatnam to Chennai on Alliance Airlines. I've never had so much food in an airline meal! Very nice Indian food too!

Time to call in the Dutch?!

As Myanmar has done, with Gvt buildings anyway. But Bangkok would remain the most major city for a long time after.

Most full fare airlines will do that. What they might not do is check your bags in in Bangkok for Sydney, checked-through to another Australian city, I'm not sure?

PIA - Panic In the Aisles!????

I think Amsterdam & Vienna were the others.

Me too. That was when I'd been in country for several months though.

Was it Thai Air Asia, or Indonesian, or Malaysian?

Eva Air are good, Bangkok - Europe (direct).

The Air Asia girls are way better looking than the Thai Airways girls. but Air Asia don't fly to Oz.

Some years ago I managed to travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin rtn for 300 Baht on the train/bus, saved around 4,700 Baht on taxis.

What does the Swampy airport-Pattaya bus cost? 100'ish Baht?

I've kept mine, on the slim chance that one day I might win the lottery and return to live in Thailand. Why not close the account? Cos it would be a pain in the <deleted> going through the hassle of opening another!???? There's still about 38,000 Baht there, I'll use about 36k of that for spending money next time I'm there.

I think many Thais would like it if there country could shed it's image of being a destination for 'sex tourism'. In many ways it's true what you say. For example, I always said that as a country to live in, in SE Asia, for me, Malaysia comes a close second to Thailand. Costings similar. Climate tropical. Doesn't have Thai cuisine, but has maybe some of the best Indian food outside India. Beaches similar to Thailand. Some of their infrastructure is as good or better. In the 35 years that I was visiting Thailand, including almost 20 years living there, I fully indulged in the 'sex tourism' thing. In more recent years, my interest in that was greatly diminished

For about the last 10 years I've thought that Soi Cowboy and Nana could be on borrowed-time. Partly because some serious redevelopment and 'gentrification' has been going on in that area (where I lived for nearly 20 years). I suppose it might only be when things fully re-open up that we might know what has survived and what hasn't.