soi3eddie

...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.

I saw an accident recently. Bike was damaged and unrideable. The rental agency representative attended the scene to recover the bike. They used LALAMOVE who showed up in a pick up truck within about 30 minutes. They loaded and secured the bike safely.

Reform UK were supressed at the last general election. They were given virtually no airtime on main stream media and were not allowed to join the debates. Still, they did really well in terms of votes but only got 5 seats due to the first past the post sytem. Reform UK, under whichever leader, needs to go full Trump and DOGE when they win the next election. They should campaign on that. The sad reality is, that the next election is unlikely to be for another 4+ years. By which time, if Starmer and his party continue as now, the country will be beyond saving. Starmer has cancelled many local elections this year due to Reform UK likely winning huge number of council seats.

A system that allows one card, either prepaid such as the Rabbit card, or credit/debit card to seamlessly travel on BTS, MRT, City line, busses and even riverboats would make life so much easier for residents and visitors to Bangkok. If it can be done in London, then Bangkok should certainly be able to do it. We can live in hope.

Same here. Re-entry permit queue at CW always seems in the 100's. I guess it is foreign workers of neighbouring countries that need that, as AFAIK, re-entry permit cannot be obtained at a land border. I have done last 4 years of re-entry permits at BKK and it takes about 5 minutes so long as you already have the form filled and picture attached. Maybe 15 minutes if you get their desk to do it.

How about doing that to those who drive cars into crowds? Or those who protest for the destruction of another state? Or those who form gangs to prey on, and harm children? Or rampage with knives intent on killing innocent people?

This is my thought too. Why go back to the gloomy and cold UK where he knows nobody, except for a niece he may not have seen in decades and an aged sister who may not be able to care for him. Surely staying in Thailand where he apparently has some "friends" is a better option for this gent's remaining days. If he's been living in Thailand, then assume he has enough funds to continue to do so either in a modest care home or in his own place with assistance. What a sad situation for him (if he even realises). Why make it worse by a long journey to a place where nobody will care properly for him?

That's crazy. How much does the previous owner want for the water meter?

Just pay the water authority for a new meter. Cannot cost very much. Not worth all the stress and hassle with the old owner. In the scheme of things, this will be a minor cost compared to everything else you're going to spend on the property.

Print baby Print! Copy multiple times too just for good measure. The Thais just love duplicate and triplicate prints. More seriously, if it's in print and on paper and rammed in their face, they cannot refute it. This is my philosphy and always a good fall back. Renewed my DL (motorcycle) at a DLT in Bangkok last year. Had copies of everything, but, beleive it or not, one copy was not enough for a motorcyle licence, had to get a second copy from the copy shop on the premises. Apparently, car licence needs only one copy but motorcycle two copies. Who knew!?!?

TLDR. Tats are for criminals, losers and tramps (for the most part). A single hidden or unobtrusive tattoo can have meaning for the wearer. Never, in my opinion, will tattoos enhance the appearance of the wearer. They can be both a curiosity and a turn off.

CP (7-11) and Boonrawd brewery et al?

I can say,that, as a tourist and visitor and now expat (for 5-6 months per year), the 2-5pm sales ban on alcohol in Thailand has had no bearing whatsoever over the years. I agree that the ban is ridiculous, but going to Pattaya or Phuket, or any other tourist area, they always serve all day. OK, it is a pain if I go to Big C or Villa Market in the afternoon for food and I cannot pickup a beer or wine to enjoy with dinner. I now either go to 7-11 after 5pm or use a mom and pop shop in my local soi if earlier. It really is no issue for a "tourist" but I do agree that the rules are outdated and should be scrapped. I remember, in the UK, that pubs were only allowed to serve from 11am to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm on Monday to Saturday and 12-2pm and 7-10pm on Sundays right up until the mid 1980's.

Surely, if an elephant is charging, it should be possible to use a tree as an obstacle to stop it attacking. A human, should be more nimble than a multi tonne elephant. FWIW, I've never encountered a wild elephant intent on killing me but would think it easily evaded. I may be wrong. Anyone here had such an encounter first hand?

I've been using Ugreen cables for some time now. In my experience, it's not the "cable" that is ever the problem, it is where the connecter joins the cable that breaks occur. A good cable and either USB A or USB C connector should have a good shroud where the cable enters the connector. The prevents harsh bends in the cable, and therefore, prolongs it's life substantially, or indefinitely.

I can't answer your question however I used to walk monkey hill in Songkhla most evenings in 2000, 2001 when dating my former wife. Always a pleasant walk, as the monkeys, or rather, long tailed macaques, were not too vicious those days. Used to watch them jumping from the trees into the pond at the top of the hill.

How about asking him for a copy of the Manila Thai embassy email (with his personal details redacted)? Then you'll know if it's for real.