soi3eddie

That's because most lazy Brits only want to work 37 hours per week. 4 weeks paid holiday. All weekends off. No nights. All public holidays off. If they worked 12 hours a day, 6 days a week as many Thais do then there would not be a problem. Do what is necessary to support themselves and their families. There is always work for the workers. How many strikes are there in Thailand?

Cancel the trip and save your money.

I would not. Not because they were Chinese, but simply because the expectation that if the establishment was catering to Chinese, it would be serving s.hi.t.e quality.

If only! and supercharged!!!

....showing him and his cronies in a nothing but favourable light!

Increasingly in this world "market economics" has shifted. Costs have skyrocketed in most places, while affordability has decreased. For a business owner they cannot trim costs nor increase prices. Only one way to go. Closure. Sad, but true reality. There may be a few exceptions but not many.

I'm currently in Krabi, tourism seems quite busy on the streets yet there are still many shops and restaurants permanently closed. Was talking with a western bar/restaurant owner tonight and he said that whilst western tourists have returned, they are now having one or two drinks instead of five. Indeed, while seated, three Russian ladies entered and looked at the menu then left, saying it was too expensive (it wasn't for those dining there). Can't see that it's much different in Pattaya or with different nationalities. Things have changed forever and may only get worse for a while from now. Chinese are unlikely to be the saviours.

IMO, the forced move to apps only is mistake by businesses. I have friends that only have iPad, iPhones and Android phones instead of a Laptop. They constantly vent their frustrations at doing anything "online". I find that using a proper browser on desktop or laptop is simply easier, faster and more accurate. YMMV. As a business owner, the loss of business by not offering clients all options is a lost revenue stream.

Shouldn't interfering with evidence or threatening witnesses be added to any charges? Or if no charges, then that should be basis of charges. In most police forces around the world, at least, it would be a disciplinary offence surely.

A lot of talk in this thread about unlimited data sims at 10,20, or 30 Mbps. UNLESS you have a plan that gives you maximum data speed (and all the data you need at that speed), then the extra speed of a 5G router is wasted and a 4G router is still never going to be used at it's fastest. We are talking about cellular 5G here and not 5GHZ WiFi.

@Mac Mickmanus being provocative as usual.

This tells everything. Surprised nobody mentioned this. True, divers do like a drink or six but they have a total responsibility for their fellow divers. All divemaster and instructors I ever dived with were very conciencious. An autopsy MUST be carried out as the death is unexpected and unexplained.

It used to be visa free travel for Thais to New Zealand until "about" year 2000 but so many Thais overstayed there the NZ authorities imposed visa controls. Please feel free to state accurate date if you know.

Sauce for the goose...

Smile and shower them with pleasant politeness!

Not just banking stopping web based internet. I use www.do4you.net for condo cleaning. They recently stopped their website bookings and now force users to download their app to make bookings. Of course, none of the registration data from their website was ported to the app so had to register again. Apps seem to be the way Thai businesses are going (in same way that their "websites" are freaking Facebook pages). Guess that few Thai users have PCs or Macs or Linux. Just hope that Kbank doesn't go same way. Was just chatting with a friend here earlier about problems making travel arrangements by tablet/phone and "fat fingers syndrome" causing problems with bookings.

Since 1st February 2021 blaming the Burmese not so frequent. Now Burmese cannot get new passports (since 17th January 2023).

Was just in HomePro and saw this TP link 4g router for WiFi at up to 300mbps. Very good value. Plenty fast enough and has 2 Lan sockets. Just 1,590 Baht.

In the UK some banks - such as Metrobank - do, so long as the foreigner has correct long term Visa (marriage, study - or work), and proof of postal address such as council tax bill or utility bill. Getting credit is not easy though. No job requirement.

The mobile phone in your pocket is the best option for occasional or semi frequent use when hotel WiFi is not good enough. All smartphones these days can be used as a hot spot when needed and use your phone's data connection. If you need a more permanent solution then there are 4G routers available. Many have Lan ports, vpn support and other features. There are other threads on the forum debating those.

From the posts above, and my own experience, it seems that some Amphur offices go as far out of their way as possible to frustrate the issuance of legitimate documents (yellow book and pink ID card) to those who qualify 100%. Mine wanted a full list from immigration of evry entry/departure I had ever made from the Kingdom (what would happen if I was first time here?). There really needs to be uniform application of official, head office rules not only to these items, but also to issuance of qualifying visa extension requirements. I never expect it to happen, so we will all just have to accept the situation as the dinosaurs will never change their xenophobic beliefs. After many hoops, hurdles and numerous months of sloth like movement, I did get my yellow book and pink ID card a few years ago. Other than registering a vehicle and proof of addres for visa extensions, they are of little use at all. A few discounts level non-discrimatory pricings at attractions (where a Thai driving licence also suffices) and not even being accepted at some money exchange desks or by domestic airlines. Many hotels want only a passport too these days. OP: save yourself the butt hurt and just chill with an easier life here than in many western countries.

Would you let your friend do same for you?

In October 2022 I rented a passenger van service for our family of 7 from www.thaitransfers.com The drivers were always on-time. We did Airport, Bangkok, Amphawa etc. and also up to Khao Yai and on to Ko Samet Pier, Pattaya and finally Bangkok over 9 days. Prices were reasonable. Not same driver for all. We saw about 4 different drivers - two were really nice and helpful - the other two were OK. Driving was safe though there was some mobile phone use from one while driving. Dealing with their office on email could have been a bit faster but they did send individual, clear confirmations for each day. The one thing was that they wanted full payment upfront by bank transfer - cards not accepted (25,000+ Baht in our case) and there is a change fee/cancellation policy. Would I rent from them again? Only if I needed a large van. Otherwise I will rent a car and drive myself.

Thanks. Clearly it was simply a misunderstanding between the family and boat operator then ????

120% per year return on investment. Almost too good to be true. What could possibly go wrong?