soi3eddie

My 18yr old son and 35yr old employee both just had covid. Son had a mild cold and employee mild flu. Neither hospitalised. Both back at college and work within 7 days. The "new normal"?

Look at China, Hong Kong and now even Australia. Covid zero doesn't work. Why should Thailand think differently. It will fail. Let Omicron rip - it is already everywhere (low reported numbers are not accurate) and let's get over this. Numbers in Pattaya amongst expats are insane (not reported as self test/isolation) but no one I've heard of has been hospitalised. My son had had it. An employee has had it. Both over it in less than a week and no trip to hospital. Normality now!

This is the reason for my thinking on my post above. Quite simply, Lazada does not want the responsibility of losses for dodgy sellers on it's platform. I bet this is the reason for failed authorisation on credit/debit cards. Try getting a refund on a pre paid bank transfer. Good luck with that!

I use Lazada and as many state here use "bank transfer" to pay. The problem using payment cards, be they credit or debit cards issued by Visa or Mastercard is that they can be subject to "chargebacks" using the dispute process. I am a merchant accepting cards and disputes are almost impossible to reverse as a merchant. UNLESS they are authenticated by 2FA/3DS such as WISE using transaction approval via the app or via SMS code in which case merchant cannot be held liable. Even Thai issued cards may fail to be authorised. I bet this is the reason for the OP's blocked transactions on Lazada. Quite simply Lazada don't want to risk losses. IMO.

But, but, but... The cops didn't stop the pretties from handing out the coffee. I suspect the cops in attendance were quite chuffed to have some hotties to keep their minds off the mundane process of checking vehicles. The senior officers are likely <deleted> off because they weren't there there at the time to enjoy the ladies' company.

As a business owner dealing with public in the UK, I can say that a good reputation (and the confidence it gives to future clients) is much more important than failing to resolve an issue such as this. I would immediately investigate and tighten IT security whilst making good the financial loss of the customer by either compensating or offering the services expected. Sadly Thai businesses do not seem to care to uphold these values. Then they cry when they have no customers (but maybe fear of defamation suits stops their name being published so why care anyway?). T.I.T.

It would seem to be an entirely appropriate case for either the Cyber Crimes Investigation Bureau (CCIB) or the High-Tech Crime Division (HTCD). But question is will they really be interested in investigating this real crime rather than easy targets such as "defamation"? Should be easy to trace which bank account the money actually went to for sure.

Covid negative PCR test certainly has to be done within 72 hours of boarding flight to Thailand or the airline will not let you board. I do direct non-stop so am unable to confirm procedures for those needing stopvers, transits or connections. Have you asked the airline/s? Maybe someone with experience of connections can answer more accurately.

This was 3rd road near Soi Excite earlier this year. 2nd road near Pattaya Tai and Dolphin Roundabout are regular checkpoints too. Like another poster said look out for traffic jams on Google Maps as a fair indication of checkpoints.

Keep renting. Preserve your wealth.

I went through that phase with my ex wife. Not pleasant.

It's too late. You are already married. Even if you only have money in the bank she may be entitled to 50% anyway. If you were married in a western country you'd be screwed. In Thailand you may fare better. Condo 100% in your name she may not challenge you for a share. House (can only be her name) you'd almost certainly lose it all or spend fortunes on lawyers trying to recover your half of the value.

...are the Chinese even allowed to exit from China and travel overseas in 2022?

Definitely an easy out to avoid loss of face. The (inflated) projected numbers just weren't coming under Thai Pass.

As I always told my ex-wife (Thai), "the money has to come from somewhere". How are the personal debt levels of many Thai citizens these days? That could be a clue as to why you've observed lots of new cars etc. The day of reckoning is coming and there will be plenty of foreclosures and land/property repossesions or defaults on all this borrowing. I have never seen so many homeless in Bangkok, even living on the embankments of Khlong Saen Saeb. Never saw that before the pandemic.

Sadly, none of the pandemic or Thai travel restrictions will have any effect on his and his cronies' salaries whilst many members of the Thai public suffer enormous hardships with little, if any, assistance.

Chafing aside, his shirt looks more like a decoration runner for a dining table.

The teaching assistant salary is a pittance. Would only just cover 3 servings of streetfood let alone accommodation or other costs. Saw no mention, in English, of whether housing was included or not. I learnt way back in my early Thai days 2001 that there is no point in asking for a service or item that is not in the instruction book. "Mai dai" was the common answer to many requests. My frustration soon dissipated. Unfortunately it's not just Thailand that has this issue these days - staff in the UK don't seem to be able to think either. Making decisions is an issue too as they worry they will get it wrong. IMO the only thing worse in making a wrong decision is not making a decsion at all.

Unbelievable that it's been closed all this time. Due to the almost non-existent tourism I'd bet that they would have been lucky to get more than a handful of foreign visitors per day. Maybe more Thai tourists but not many. Plenty of room for distancing (as in all national parks) outdoors and virtually zero chance of Covid-19 transmission especially with masks wearing enforced. More risk from snakes, bugs and microbes IMO. It is a very nice place to visit and worth the effort to go to the top tier of the falls and swim in the lagoons. Went there in November 2018 and had the place to myself. Right on the border with Myanmar (Burma). 20181122_130934.mp4

Situations can develop and it may be that whitey disrespected the Thai guy and <deleted> him off. It can be a fine line between toleration and abuse. I've been in many situations over the years where everyone has been wasted and some guys can be very persistent in their annoyance. Best just to humour them and if that means sharing a beer then so be it.

I knew they stopped the "additional time" but beleived it was more to bring passport issuance within a global set of rules i.e. having no more than 10 years validity. Either way, the OP may have left it far too late but hope it works out for him.

Was thinking same. Not a knife a freaking machete. Whitey did the right thing in legging it. Maybe enter for selection in the Olympic 100 metres sprint. BUT: OK I wasn't there so from the story not sure of exact nuances of the events. NEVER be the one to <deleted> off a Thai and lose them face. It will not be a happy outcome. Maybe, being a cheap Charlie could have cost him his life. a 40 baht beer better than a slashed neck or speared heart or being disembowled.

Plus one this question as I'm booked to arrive on Test and Go 19th January with Thai Pass already issued and hotel booked. How might this be affected?

If the OP is concerned about doing stuff rather than relocating then absolutely agree not to go to Thailand now. FWIW I would rather be stuck in Thailand than in the UK (or any other locked down country) though. If OP can work remotely or stay long term then Thailand not so bad. Many wish they never fled in March 2020! I was lucky and stayed. Sadly I am now in UK and booked to go back to Thailand on 18th January but suspect it will not be easy.

I was newly single in 2015 and went on to Thai Friendly. It was very friendly and found a very nice and genuine lady. Had a good relationship for a few years until things soured. Now I hear that there is a lot of P4P on TF but have not been on it recently. Badoo app not bad either for a bit of fun. There are many ways to meet new friends, partners and lovers these days.