geisha

I think he meant hidden cash !

Ken Follet, a winner for me every time. Ive read all his books and wait for the new one . The thing I like with his writing is that the history subjects and descriptions are mostly exact , so I learn as well as enjoy. I also have my Kindle and I like to read one of the classics now and again. No searching the shops needed.

Then you don’t buy a condo with a pool. Where I was in Jomtien all the expats used the pool, tho generally at quieter times of day. On Phuket, lots of us used the beach obviously, same Koh Chang. Id never buy something without a pool.

Had the most terrible food poisoning from this dish on Phuket. Avoid at all costs sauce that is made in advance and kept ( or not) in the fridge at correct cooling levels. I have never eaten something similar since. Stick to fresh stir fry. Another time, mild food poisoning in Pattaya at a very nice Japanese restaurant. I could see the sliced chicken piled up on the counter and realized what had happened a few hours later. The hygiene is severely lacking in most places , the thing that horrifies me most is the serve yourself sushi ( if you can call it sushi).

Hi, There was a message on FB today from Thai embassy Paris, saying visas are now to be done completely online , meaning you don’t have to go and pick up your passport, all this from 18 th September. It did say a 60 day tourist visa needed 2000€ + in bank statements. This is the one that interests me, as I çan extend.

I lived opposite the taxi rank and bus stop in Kata beach for many years. And for all that time I saw the drivers sitting around drinking, and the pile of empty beer bottles and even sang som grew every day till the trash picked them up. There, on the ground, for all to see ! I had two lucky escapes ,one big argument, and one miracle of an escape by getting out of a tuc tuc on Karon hill on my way to Patong. The driver was drunk and weaving over the road, so I jumped out ! I had to stop a car to ask for help. That’s when I decided to move away from Phuket. Never had that in Hua Hin, or Bangkok. I often take taxis from Jomtien to Koh Chang, all very good, but they’re KC companies. So, if there’s a bus, I’ll use it. I don’t drive a bike, and it’s not worth renting for 4 months.

Yes, if I remember correctly they don’t run evenings.

Find her exact location and a photo of her.Anyone living near can contact you, you send them the photo, and they go have a look. Good luck.

Are the government not embarrassed that the whole world can see the queues of people begging food qall over Thailand ? The jobs that are lost , and the 20 000 a day suffering because they are too mean to fork out the cash to buy the COVID vaccins ? Amazing Thailand, the land that has been reaping in the tourist dollars for decades, and not giving anything back ? The world is watching. The government will eventually have to face up to the consequences of their actions . You reap what you sow .

Ok, so all male answers here so I’ll give my penny worth. I’ve been single since about the age of 50. I’m now 68, had a very good life, and enjoy my “ individual “ life. I think it has a lot to do about being dependant on someone. If you need a person, because of finance , living a more comfortable life, or passion, then obviously you’re going to look for a live in mate. I have a very unhappy friend who stays with her husband as it would mean living in a smaller apartment and having less spending money. I’m very happy as I am, go out daily for walks, swim, see friends, i have interests that occupy me, I go to restaurants, and travel a lot around the world. I made sure I saved enough through my long working years to be able to do this. I have a cleaning lady once a week to do the heavier stuff, and if need be one day , then I’d have someone to do a shop, as well. It’s just knowing what you want to do with your life. Then do it.

They were renting at very low prices. I visited one in Pratumnak Pattaya, the condo was nicely done, new, 12000B a month for 12 months, 18000B for 6 months if I remember right. There was everything in the kitchen which was smart, and the pool was good. A few local shops. I didn’t take it as there is no public transport nearby, and the walk uphill to Theprassit is steep. ( don’t drive in Thailand )

Quite agree. I had the most wonderful caring parents, we were 4 kids, but we knew how to behave outside the home, and when , rarely, ( on holidays) we were taken to restaurants or other peoples houses, we behaved ! I’ve been in the hospitality business all my life, and memories of parents letting the kids run through the restaurant and throwing food and drinks on the floor , spoiling other guests dinner and stressing out everyone , are painful. Who wants their evening spoiled ? Many now refuse children under a certain age, and quite right too. I’ll never forget a family gathering with 3 prams ( we were not told!) who ignored the older children taking things off neighboring tables. I won’t tell you what they did in our toilets/ rest rooms. When asked to keep things a bit quieter, I was rudely insulted as a child hater !

Did it work ?

They will know all right, a test in home country is under a thousand baht !

Bread and butter pudding too ? Left over sliced bread, buttered, raisons layered in between the slices , I make in a Pyrex oven dish. , then soaked in milk and baked. Lovely. Love these old fashioned recipes when everything was home made. Real lemon meringue, suet puddings , apple dumplings took all afternoon to make. Any more ????

Well, if it was in EU , I live in France for example, everyone who works with the public, bars, restaurants, shops, bigger offices , etc etc must be vaccinated or present a negative PCR test every 72 hrs to their boss/ workplace. You also have a vaccination Pass, where your COVID vaccinations are noted with their dates, your name. This you show and your QR code is scanned before entering the establishment. It’s a government app. Paper copy can be used. It’s easy and rapid to do, hold up your phone/paper, they flash it. Personally I am reassured by this, and it doesn’t bother me in the least. Where Thailand is concerned, I’m not sure that they are capable of organizing this .

But still not an alcoholic drink with your meal?Even in a good hotel for example ? Phuket being “dry”is in the news in EU, ( apart from some south end bars) this will stop,any future tourists, really very archaic rules. Question is why ?

I think it’s a great idea to have these very helpful people on the spot, I’ve seen the Volunteers on walking street and really, at least they understand what’s going on , there’s always misunderstandings where different languages are concerned. Shame there are not any in Jomtien Immigration!! There’d be much less of a queue. There is ( was?) a very helpful young guy in the outside shop, but there should be a few foreigners inside.

Palm fronds also fall off regularly, wasn’t a man killed in Jomtien 2 years back ? When those branches etc fall off it’s only because no one trims them. Lazy lot.

Yes, the place is a ghetto, I’ve seen cleaner and much better in Rio. A shanty Town that is a shame to Thailand, I’ll never forget walking on 2nd road towards the temple from Central, and seeing the rats running round in those cheap clothes and souvenir shops. The drains, the pavements (!!) the buildings, all needs knocking down and rebuilt , new road planning with no parking whatsoever , widen the pavements making it impossible except for a few bus stops. First things first, leave the beach alone, a clean up is all that’s needed and maintenance. Anyone who says they shouldn’t change Pattaya need their head read !

The cars could have been “confiscated” from dealers as payment ?

There are loads of flights on the net, but if you read the small,print, you might not qualify to use them, due to etcetc. Booking takes reservations for hotels in places you can’t go to because of restrictions. singapore airline flys to Phuket, I think this works as you don’t leave the plane in Singapore for transit. You can take a quick flight from Amsterdam to Paris for this flight if you’re in Holland. Otherwise, doesn’t the embassy have a list ?

I take Emirates and even tho being a member they always ask for an onward flight .( Nice France). I do think it could depend on the airport staff at different airports.

Hi, this is what I read, can’t print from Facebook, phuket provincial order no 4627/2564 upgrading of travel screening. From 17 th August 2021 to 31 August 2021. it clearly states top of page that all types of vehicles are prohibited from entering Phuket, ( except transport , urgencies etc) Either by land, ( Chat Chai) by water( port) and domestic channels ( Phuket International Airport ). Theres lots more “:must be vaccinated, Must be tested RT. PCR “:for those that can enter. So sorry for confusing myself with “Official “ rubbish , friends at Rawai says that’s the law at the moment but obviously people are getting through, and that if you’ve finished your sandbox with all the documents needed you can leave to mainland but it’s highly discouraged.

The greater number of the 2020 figures were from January to end March , still high season and everything was open .