richard_smith237

This is hilarious and highlights a ridiculous delusional sense of entitlement. How about... a 7th point. 7. Save your nice taxi driver time by paying for the fare without actually taking the journey.

Are you sure the AU SIM is active? Have you recently sent or received a regular call with it ? 1) Enable WiFi calling. 2) Keep the SIM in your phone but use Airplane mode (connect to Wifi). It wont work if the SIM is not active. Also, this is slightly different than the Ops question - as it appears you are trying to call out from an Australian SIM, rather than ensure you can receive OTP on a Thai SIM while travelling. I'm not certain what network permissions are required (if any) from Vodafone Australia to allow Wifi Calling (its possible that requires network clearance). Both are simple - I do agree, IF for some reason Wifi calling cannot be activated, the SIM roaming is a perfectly viable option That said, IMO - the risk with SIM roaming is incurring charges because something was not toggled off. With frequent travel this presents a risk. Airplane mode engaged presents assurance that any received calls / voicemails / data use is over the internet and nothing else. I've been burnt before: - iPad with SIM installed - Went to HK (left iPad in sleep mode - didn't turn it off) it used up 10,000 Baht's worth of data (expensive roaming charge and I didn't once even open the iPad) - my own fault, but the carrier was good enough to wave the charge. - In Malaysia (about 10 years ago) 2 phones, 1 using a local number, another with my Thai number. Turned on my Thai phone to check for messages and was bombarded with hoards of Multimedia messages from Thai News Network (carrier wanted to charge me 6000 baht for the data to receive all these messages) - carrier waved the charged as I'd never signed up for the news updates. Airplane mode and Wifi calling = no extra charges because I left something un-toggled.

You’d have your normal local SIM mobile broadband connection to access your bank account. Thai SIM to receive OTP. In which case you already have internet connection with your 'normal local SIM mobile broadband connection' and you can hotspot to that.

It's also possible that Wifi calling is automatic on your phone / network. To find out... Turn on Airplane mode (ensure you are connected to the internet / Wifi) and have someone call you / and send an SMS. If you receive it, you are good to go. If you don't then there is an issue with your carrier (due do being pre-paid possibly ?).

Not quite: I usually have another phone with a local package to which I hotspot. But realistically, the only time anyone will need an OPT is when they are doing something online (shopping or banking) and for that, they have the internet connection already. Which ? Wife and I have never had it fail. (in any country we have travelled to - Wife uses DTAC - I use True). Why the need to reject calls ?... because you are worried about getting charged to receive an international call while roaming. With Wifi calling you can accept any call you want, you wont be charged. Of course, SIM roaming works (I haven't said it doesn't) my responses are primarily in regard to NextG arguing that the solution I use is not viable (we fell out on another thread and now he wants to argue with me in every thread - If someone else has made the same suggestion he wouldn't have responded at all). I've used SIM roaming before, but its more of a faff, knowing for sure the 'Data is turned off' and ensuring the the network turned off the data off roaming etc... And then knowing if I'm going to incur charges if I receive a voice mail etc. Then when I'm going to a different country (Japan for example which has better rates for roaming) and actually activating data roaming (having to turn it all back on again, only to turn the same settings off again when SIM roaming).... as I said its a faff. Turning on Airplane mode is simple.... and enabling Wifi calling once done is something that only needs to be done once (whether travelling or not).

You can do that without an internet connection ?

What could a person be doing 'on the way to the Airport' that requires an OTP ???

AND receive SMS over WiFi - it seems you have a fundamental struggle with this. Now.... Argue that the solution I use on every overseas journey (thats about 10 per year) does not work ??... You wont be able to, because the solution works perfectly. Name one situation where someone would NEED an OTP when there is no WiFi available ?

Yawn... pathetic... you're just looking to argue... Simplest solution has been provided - this very same solution works in ALL countries if the Op wants to receive an OTP - Wifi calling Enabled. - Airplane mode on. - Connection to Wifi. - SIM remains installed in phone. This is 100% effective at receiving SMS (OTP) from a Thai Bank while travelling anywhere in the world with an internet connection. It doesn't involve having to toggle roaming on/off. It doesn't involve having to turn off Voice mail. It doesn't involve having to specifically turn off Data Roaming. It doesn't involve any risk of making a mistake and potentially incurring roaming charges. IF the Op doesn't have access to Wifi what on earth would or could he be doing that requires access to an OTP code at that time ???... Agreed... Try to be sensible instead of allowing your dislike for me to hasten your argument and cloud any intelligence you may have.

Absolutely.... News reports coming to a stand near you (at any time in the next few weeks). - Thaksin needs vital 24 hour medical care he can only get at home.

I think anyone who's spent even the slightest amount of time here and witnessed the Machiavellian skullduggery of Thai politics would struggle to imagine that at all !!...

Hyperbolae much.... 'if they can't get seat reservations right'... really? The change of plane happens... this has impacted the seat reservations of two posters once, its hardly a regular occurrence. At least apply a little intelligent balance with your prejudice. As far as meal options - I can't speak for the vegetarian options on flights as I've never had it. But given the quality of the regular meals, I very much doubt the vegetarian option is the 'sludge' you describe it to be. And.. the non pork meals you mention... is just a normal chicken, fish or beef meal and they too are perfectly fine !!!... Regarding your 'Lacto-vegetarian' meal - on which airlines have you had a 'Lacto-vegetarian' or 'vegan' meal you are happy with ??? (genuine question which may be of use to others with specific dietary requirements).

I had termites in a 12th floor concrete condo in Hawaii where all species are invasive. Came up from under the floor where they ate carpet tacking strips, wood doors/trim and furniture Years ago we had Termites in a Table... (the wood they made the table from already had termites) the table was swapped out without issue. Thus, I'm aware termites 'could' be an issue, but I've been here a long time and this is one example I have heard of (amongst myself and friends etc), so I don't think termites are a concern in the towns and cities unless getting cheap furniture where the wood has not been treated. I don't think an IKEA kitchen is at risk of termites if installed in an indoor kitchen in Bangkok, Pattaya etc and it certainly looks better than the 'brick' built units (just an opinion of course). I think the termite debate is fairly moot unless building a kitchen open to the elements.

Well, you mentioned plastic cupboard doors.... Which, if it's a kitchen which is open to the elements makes perfect sense. Also, if up in Kalasin or Nakhon somewhere else, availability of anything other than the 'traditional' inbuilt Thai kitchen is thin. If in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket etc... there is a lot more choice.

Basically this... I travel a lot, via and to the Middle East (i.e. I enter the Middle East, not just transit, about 8 times per year).. not once have I been flagged, stopped or searched in decades. That said, travelling with pills which may be illegal in another country is always going to be a risk. I've become complacent recently and travelled with a couple of naughty sleeping pills (Lorazapam and Clonazapam) and I've just had a mental word with myself - it really isn't worth the risk.

I'm Silver with Emirates (downgraded from Gold this year). I'm Gold with Qatar (used them more this year). I took 34 flights in the last 12 months, some in business class, some in economy. The food on both Emirates and Qatar Airways Economy is perfectly fine and meets expectations. The food on both Emirates and Qatar Airways Business Class is excellent and again, meets expectations of the 'elevated class of travel'. In both classes the food exceeds the qualty of the food I've expereicned on other carriers I've recently travelled (again in Business and Eco) - KLM, Finn Air and Thai Airways. If you are a fussy eater, then thats kind of on you. I just had to google what 'Lacto-vegitarian' is... Someone who doesn't eat meat and eggs, but does eat dairy.... I'm not surprised your food was hideous, every meal probably is !!!... - 'Lacto-vegitarian'... Kind of spells 'Karen' !!!!

Done the same, looks great and got done for very cheap by my builder. Our kitchen designer presented pictures of the same (solid brick build cupboards)... it looked cheap. Boontavorn had similar brick built inbuilt cupboards... it looked cheap. I guess it's down to the end product you are happy with and also what type of property you are fitting. As per OMF - the Ikea kitchens were spot on, decent quality and no termite issues in the town. If you live in the middle of the countryside, then I imagine termites 'could' be an issue, but this is not a problem I've encountered in Bangkok and I doubt it is an issue in a house or condo in Pattaya.

This 'loud bolshy Londoner-sounding' character has cold called me three times over the past 12 months. I have to tell him - you've called me before, I'm busy, I'm not interested (then hangup). I never get as far as finding out what he's trying to sell, but nothing good ever comes from cold calls. This very much sounds like the same guy.

I would report the matter to the media of the country where the international insurance was delivered. Indeed... I was tempted to write to the insurance company and inform them of this 'dual pricing'... (which ultimately pushes up our premiums), however... - I'd guess the company (insurance provider) area already aware of this. - Or, they may remove said hospital from their network thus limiting the options. Its dual pricing, its opportunist, it stinks... sadly its typical of doing any kind of business in Thailand. I'm sure a Thai apologist will come along and tell that international companies are not paying extra, but local insurance companies are being offered a discount... Rubbish of course, its just an opportunity to dual charge.

You should have been able to file a claim with the airline and if the airline rejects the claim (which it shouldn't), then you can go to an Airline dispute resolution site to assist. ADR website is particularly strong if your Qatar ticket originates or ends up in Europe. i.e. its not just about the leg of the flight, but the ticketed start and end point - if either is in Europe you have a stronger case for a claim. https://www.aviationadr.org.uk/ I've successfully used the above site to claim EU 600 from Turkish Airlines who rejected my initial claim and only offered US250 which I rejected (after they bumped me off a full flight). Emirates have been easier to deal with and have paid out directly without first rejecting you and hoping you'll give up, thus without forcing you to go to the ADR website (I've claimed EU 1200 total so far from Emirates for delayed flights without any other hassle).

It were complimentary seats, and since it is in economy with a plane full to the rim, there was no rebooking possible. Didn't care much, a seat is a seat. Ah... thats quite irritating then... You get in early to select a seat (aisle or window) and they re-shuffle the planes without notificiation and when you check again, all the window and aisle seats are gone and you are stuck in a middle seat. I'd be unhappy in that scenario.

Somewhat of an exaggeration... On both Emirates and Qatar the food in Business class is multiple factors better than the food in economy class - that said, there is nothing to complain about with the food in economy class.

As soon as 'anything international' is mentioned, they want to charge a surplus. Wife was treated at Bangkok Hospital last year - she was given an 'expected bill' of about 50,000 baht for pre-authorisation. She showed her insurance card, the bill was then increased to about 65,000 baht after being told its a different price for international insurance.

Yes, I have a local bank account and do transfer money to it for just under 1%. My wife uses her phone to pay for everything - maybe I need to start doing the same for large purchases. otherwise I am fine for cash up to around 30,000 baht. One more option, slightly drifting off topic, nevertheless useful (as the discussion is about making large payments in Thailand). It's difficult for us foreigners to get and unsecured Thai Credit card. However, you can become a second card holder on your Wife's Credit Card account. This means you are not stiffed on overseas exchange rates with your overseas card (if wishing to use a Credit Card to make payment) Obviously, that's only if vendor is not charging the 3% surcharge for Credit Cards (most hospitals that I know of don't, in Bangkok anyway (Samitivej, Bangkok Hospital, Bumrungrad etc). Also, depending on the type of Credit Card you can accrue points and get discounts, air-miles etc.

You lost paid for seat bookings ? You lost free seat bookings ? Did they transfer the seat booking for a like for like on the new plane (layout)? Can you easily re-book your seats ? (for free ?).