soi3eddie

I was in Thailand from February 2020 to April 2021. Really not concerned about getting Covid but more the about damage to life caused by lockdowns and restrictions of freedom. Amazingly I did not get Covid until end of February 2022 after being triple jabbed with Astra/Astra and then Moderna. Only a minor flu for about a week. Many here will call for perpetual lockdowns and restrictions but many older folks have limited time left to live life. Get over it! From older people and family of mine (over 80's) the biggest concern is limitation of life experiences and not of dying of Covid. Go on bleat all you like... I'm talking of people (nearest and dearest) who just want to get on with what life they have left. My 84 year old Mom (in Subjunctive Mood) can't wait to get on the plane to Thailand with her Son (Me), her daughter and 2 of her grandchildren in October. What's wrong with that?

Human Papilloma Virus HPV is not normally a big deal for men but potentially much more serious for women (Cervical Cancer). I reckon I got it from my Thai wife I met in 2000. She blames me though she never admitted to any symptoms. I've had some warts/growths on my dick/scrotum in the early stages. Nothing that Podophylin or Cryotherapy doesn't solve quickly and effectively. Seems that reduced immune system and stress levels can increase symptoms. Most people don't even know they have it and a huge number do have it (80% of sexually active Americans according to Google - don't think it's just Americans though). Very common these days. And who here can say they don't prefer "unprotected" vs "protected"?

She should still have a Thai ID card. If not she can and should get one. That will at least get her Thai health care although it may not get her social security payment unless she has contributed. This is my understanding.

Agreed and unlike many ME carriers, Thai Airways still have 3-3-3 on their 777s and not 3-4-3 seating to make you feel like sardines. No thanks!

I'll get flamed for this but here goes. I like Thai Airways, I've flown them as first choice between LHR and BKK since before 2012 and sometimes up to 5 times per year (2019), 0 times 2020 (when I was in Thailand for the whole year), 2 times in 2021 and 2 times 2022 so far with another 2 times this year to come. Why? Simply because in my experience, one steps on the plane at LHR and it's a warm welcome, serene (almost) and happy travellers. NEVER have I purchased anything other than flexi/full fare economy but have been upgraded to business class a few times. Prices are not always the cheapest but the travel time is ALWAYS the fastest avoiding stops and hassle in the middle east or elsewhere. True, many of you got burned by Thai during covid but that is almost certainly because you chose to save £10 by booking on an agency site who likely played you off against the carrier when it came to refunds. I had a flight cancelled by Thai in Nov 2020 and simply raised a chargeback with the credit card and was credited in less than 3 hours. Another flight was cancelled for 2020 and I simply extended the validity for another year and flew in 2021 at no extra cost. Call the Thai centre in Bangkok via Skype for next to no cost and they are very accomodating. I am flying EVA in Dec/Jan coming but only because they were cheaper than Thai for premium with full mileage accrual. There are other ways to get more mileage at similar fare but that's another story. In short, in my opinion Thai is the best, friendliest and easiest way to go. For those who say their In Flight Entertainment is S.H.I.T.E then surely you can read a book, chat to other travellers, sleep or listen to music for 11 hours? Even before Thai added IFE to their fleet they were still the best IMO. The food on Thai is better or no less than equal to any other quality carrier.

What a shambles! I use DLT Morchit/Chatuchak and find it hard to beleive it takes so long for a licence renewal appointment. Always just walked up and was done in a few hours. Are they still blaming Covid for delays? I stay nearby so would rather go early and wait. What time should I get there for a chance of bring seen same day?

Why do USA Telcos make it so difficult to get a global roaming SIM at a reasonable fee for receiving SMS 2FA codes? Surely $10 per month should be easily attainable. They seem to make any form of international communication an impossible mystery. From the UK, just about every pre-paid SIM card will work internationally and even the minimum credit stays activated for 3-6 months so long as at least one text is sent. Even Thai SIMs can work overseas with no ongoing monthly charges (I used to use DTAC pre-paid for over 10 years when in the UK for receiving 2FA codes). Good luck in your quest. There must be a viable option for you.

I beleive that the Pharmacy Council are correct. May be an element of self promotion for them but surely this should be Land of Smiles NOT Land of Stoners. If there's a medical need then fine but for recreation no.

The Thai authorities used to test too. Any positive for drugs then guilty. Different country, different rules as they choose to enforce their law. Simple. Don't do drugs!

Thailand preparing for the surge in arrivals that never comes...

Same sentiment applies for the UK too in my experience. Thailand far safer and more civilised.

Somewhat agree with the false premise of implication of another person (Thai) in committing a crime against him but there seems to be no mention of a specific taxi driver. The British guy is clearly a waste of space. Many of us here have been truly <deleted> faced after a night out but to go as far as accusing another for our injuries is wrong. How he came to truly sustain his injuries will likely never be known.

I bought GoPro9 nearly 2 years ago. Lots of generic mountings and accessories on Lazada. Very good prices for stick on mounts for helmets, fairings and panels. No end of batteries, cables, holders and charging options.

No mention of the cash used to obtain the gambling chips (pieces of plastic) said to be worth 2+ million baht... And a raid on a private villa <deleted>. Posting of FaceBook. Dumb or what?

After many years and a large number of massages in home settings, hi end shops, low end shops I've never had a complaint. I would say that the sort of massage you experienced is wrong. You didn't say where, however your location states "USA" so would suggest you hop on a flight and arrive in the Land of Smiles and happy massages. I have found that in Thailand the service is most obliging and the staff will massage at the pressure level you prefer. Come to Bangkok or Pattaya and satisfaction is guaranteed! Just sayin'

If it was just the original debt then it would a minor issue. The true problem is the escalating and extortionate daily/weekly or monthly interest rates charged.

It's surely nice inside but what an ugly looking boat. Maybe it's there to repratriate a few Ruskies from Jomtien to Vladivostok? Or how about some boat parties? Could be a good earner...

In my experience, Thai Airways don't seem to care about having a return flight. Other airlines do and have checked me for it. Fly Thai and you're unlikely to need a "throw away ticket".

Surely it's not a "bribe" but a service fee? FWIW my GF from a "neighbouring country" just received a 1 year extension of stay for Thailand. She has two half-Thai children. She could have got the extension by herself with 400,000 Baht permanently in the bank but in absence of that for a 26,000 Baht service fee received the extension from a province at least 400kms from her residence. Right or wrong what does it matter. This is how it is in Thailand.

A good idea if the bridge ever gets built. The ferry operators will not like this one little bit. A big plus for Samui making access easier in all weathers.

These "job" offers have been going on and known about for many years and it's only now the Thai authorities decide to issue a public warning.

No need to shutdown the world for it anymore (unless seeking to control populations and their activities).

I only have experience with Kasikorn Bank and have been using their online banking since 2004. Important thing is always to keep same Thai number and ensure that roaming is activated on the sim to enable receipt of the SMS codes to allow transactions. Can't imagine that they would allow anything other than a Thai number to be used. I've been outside Thailand more than there and have relied upon Kbank online banking to pay bills for my Thai condo since 2009. The app is not essential and doing online banking on a laptop or PC is much more straitforward. On the rare occassions I have called Kbank contact centre English language line they have been very helpful (change address and update passport details followed up by email). Hopefully others here might give you their experiences in using other banks online banking whilst overseas.

I switched accounts used for the 800K back in 2020. Was worried about spending and letting the balance fall below the threshold so moved to an account not used for daily spending. I made the switch of funds on a weekday and did it electronically during banking hours. When doing the next annual extension I got two full 12 month statements to show that my total balance never fell below the required amount on any day. The IO at CW checked those statements line by line and it took ages - she also got another (more senior) to double check. All was OK as expected. This year renewal only needed the one 12 month statement.

A great many Thais (and likely many foreigners, some here on TVF) are already paying 6-9 Baht per KWH Unit as charged by their unscrupulous landords from who they rent rooms or apartments. Many people would love to get the 5 Baht government rate but cannot.