soi3eddie

Looks like the elephant was drawn by a pussy (must have been a super one).

I use Agoda quite frequently here in Thailand and elsewhere. Sometimes, the transaction will show twice on my card statement. One is "pending" and the other is normal. I think the "pending" is just a temporary hold on the funds whilst the booking is confirmed. I have never been charged twice. Unless you have 2 separate email confirmations (with different confirmation numbers) then I would suggest you have nothing to worry about. The "pending" hold on funds normally drops off within a few days.

This is better than reading about a "cat stuck up a tree" rescue.

Drill baby, Drill! Trump has it right on energy (and many other things). Whilst the sun sets on the UK, America will triumph under Trump, Vance and Musk. The UK neeks a dream team same as them. Unfortunately it's too late. Adios UK! Would rather be an American than British (economically) right now. In fact, I have two good friends here in Thailand who were born Brits but got American citizenship. Their prosperity did not come from ther UK.

That is true. UK residents risk death by late diagnosis and late treatment.

I paid my 3BB this morning. Direct from my Kbank app to 3BB. Went through in seconds and received text from 3BB to confirm receipt. The Kbank app actually shows what amount is due (same when paying MEA) so don't even need a bill. Also, I log in to 3BB on their website where is shows full billing history (and can download invoices and make subscription changes etc.). Paying a year in advance is something I did before but just haven't done it recently. For some reason, the 3BB emails with bill attached take several days to arrive after the billing date.

Probably to reduce BBC costs. Their licence fee base and therefore, revenues, are falling. AI Overview Yes, the BBC is losing licence fee payers as more people cancel their subscriptions in favor of streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. The BBC's revenue from the licence fee has also been declining due to inflation and funding cuts. Explanation Changing viewing habits: People are watching less linear television and more streaming content. Cost of living pressures: Many households are struggling financially and can't afford the licence fee. Funding cuts: The BBC has been underfunded for a decade, and the licence fee has generated less income in real terms since 2010. Impact on the BBC The BBC's income from the licence fee has been declining, and the corporation has been struggling financially. The BBC has been forced to make cutbacks, including limiting senior salaries and cutting excessive expenses. What the BBC is doing The BBC is launching a public engagement exercise to help shape the future of the BBC. The BBC is working with the government to secure the long-term future of the BBC.

Do you pay the BBC licence fee of £169.50 ($217)?

Insurance would have done nothing to save their lives. Such a sad story and heartbreaking for the community. RIP.

I started another topic on this yesterday. It now appears that it only affects users of K-Biz website for customers transferring from their account to another account in Thailand. This makes sense, as the security on the website is less than on the app i.e. only user name and password needed to login to the website. This versus the app which requires setup with phone number, pin number, fingerprint (and maybe facial recognition) to initiate transfers. I wouldn't be surprised if they soon remove web access and go phone app only.

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I just logged on to Kbank on a PC web browser. There was a message (below) that from 7th March 2025, the maximum transfer is 50,000 Baht per day. Does anyone know if this is just for web browser initiated transfers or does the phone app have the same restriction? Logged in on phone app but see no similar message.

Once he's in Thailand with a long term visa, opening a bank account "should" be much easier.

The buyer does not need a Thai bank account to buy a condo in Thailand. Transfer to his lawyer's client account (foreign transfer must state reason such as "for purchase of property in Thailand" or similar or more specific such as condo address). The lawyer can then do the purchase and title transfer whilst fulfilling all the Land Department requirements. Both times I purchased in Thailand, this is what I did and the money never touched my thai bank account. Also, I wasn't present on either transaction as the lawyer did everything using my Power of Attorney.

Been to Samui twice in last 24 years. Gave it a second chance. Never feel the need to go back. Much nicer places in Thailand. Hope the White Lotus lovers enjoy the prices there.

How about local tourism suppliers actually supplying services that meet the international visitor's expectations? Things such as speaking English (or the visitors own language), transparent honest pricing, punctual delivery of service, safe service (such as safety equipment working - buckles on boat life vests not being broken), safe drivers and safety tested vehicles. That would be a great start at least. Unfortunately, it's always easier to blame "foreigners" for everything. Until Thai tourism operators are brought to scrutiny, nothing will improve.

...and the reason for that was almost certainly the construction on route #35. The massive construction on that road has been going on for many years. We too, were stuck in that last night (Saturday) after leaving Amphawa at 8pm, arrived back in Bangkok 10:30pm. For what should have been a journey of less than 90 minutes. Apparently, every weekend night, the main road will be closed and traffic can only use the frontage roads. A huge number of cranes and workers on the route after Samut Sakhon all the way to the city. A nightmare for anyone heading between Bangkok and Hua Hin or further south.

Yes. There is a serious and professional alternative. It's called RingCentral and I used it for a UK based business from 2017 to 2022. They offer local numbers for most of the world. We used to have a central London (0207) number whilst not being in central London. We also had USA and Australian toll free numbers so customers from those markets could book with us by phone if they wished. Their phone app works great for making and receiving calls. Also, if desk based, it is possible to plug in a VOIP phone to your router - and this works wherever you are in the world. Call management, recording, routing and voicemail features too. Quite a complicated but extremely versatile system. I too, currently use a Skype number and have a monthly subscription so am considering options once Skype is no longer viable or shut down. https://www.ringcentral.com/gb/en/office/plansandpricing.html

Wise cards do not work in Myanmar. That's at ATMs or for purchases. Wise are full woke and block places they feel should be sanctioned (while other UK cards worked fine).

From the pictures of the scene, it looks like the bike was a CRF250cc. Also, no sign of a helmet and not wearing a shirt - but did have a "man bag" still over his shoulder. A terrible case and situation. Family says they cannot find his passport or any insurance policy. Even with insurance bought in the UK, it is unlikely to cover bikes bigger than 125cc (nearly all the policies I've bought have this restriction). Even then, they stipulate must be wearling a helmet and have a licence for the bike. No mention of him being an experienced or licenced rider in any reporting on this. If not, then a recipe for disaster. Hope things improve for him.

"Grooming" gang is the wrong name. They only ever set out to do terrible things to those vulnerable children.

I'm surprised that the Thai Hotel Association (THA), haven't been raising this issue loudly before in protection of their members. Just what have they been doing? I know of one condo building in Pattaya, that has a huge number of rooms rented to short term rentals. Place really is a nightmare for many residents. So much so, that resident owners and long term occupants, use the service lifts to get their floors. Apparently, one owner/business has acquired so many units in the building for short term rentals, that they use a couple of units simply as laundry/servicing facilities.

Just did a test booking for November 2025. Return in economy classic was just £499. Pretty good fare (and sensible departure/arrival times too). Even cheaper if not taking any checked baggage. Brace for the influx of "quality tourists" 🙂 Flights are only 3 days per week as presently available. Thats still about 1,000 passengers per week.

That's crazy as Openreach are replacing all copper phone connections in the UK so eventually ALL phone connections will be VOIP (Voice over internet protocol). Also, just about ALL corporate phone systems are VOIP already.

It is also possible to buy travel insurance whilst already travelling. I did that during Covid times to ensure coverage.