JemJem

By the way, I must add that Air Asia folks are really nice. I lost my boarding pass today ???? Somewhere at Penang airport ???? Luckily, it proved to be no problem. Hey, I had to check out of my hotel at 12. Then, I had several hours to kill before my flight time. So, I had a bit too many beers ???? By the way, food in Penang is GREAT! Great curries, for example. And, anyway, as I wrote earlier, nice to see tourism picking up. The flight was almost full capacity.

Well, March 31 is just over. I doubt it will be extended. Back to 30 days now.

Turkey is messed up big time. Economically, politically and socially. I don't see much hope.

Yes, all via air entry. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. First time was from my country, Turkey. 45 days. Then, I extended it at Laksi for 1 month. Then, I went to Penang. 45 days. And then another month's extension at Laksi. Now, just got back from Penang again, as I said. 45 days. Possibly will go back to Turkey mid-May, when this expires. Already, enough money spent ???? I hope this was clearer, sir ????

Hey, folks. Just got back from Penang by air. Luckily, no problem, getting my third back to back visa exempt. And, today is the last day for 45 day visa exempt. I had actually thought they would extend it, but, they choose not to do it. I won't go for number four. When this 45 day stay period ends, I might or might not extend it for 1 month at Laksi, but, that is about it. By the way, my flight from Penang was like at least 90 percent full. Tourism is really picking up. Keep in mind that there are 2 daily flights of Air Asia.

RIP. I guess we will probably never be able to know for sure if it was an accidental fall or suicide.

I had first thought you swam somewhere along the Chao Phraya River ???? I don't know much about how it is in Bang Noi. Going back to HH topic, yes, the main beach area (you know, near the Sheraton) is not that great for swimming. I swam around there for 2-3 times only and each time stayed only a short time in the sea. And, I have never seen many people in the sea, each time I went there.

You swim in the river in Bangkok??! Are you sure that is a good idea? ????

Flying in a seaplane would be cool, I guess. Never done so.

I was going to start a new thread and ask this question, but I am glad I saw this thread. My guess is, and it is of course only a guess, since there are only 2 weeks left till March 31, it is not looking likely regarding the extension of it beyond March 31. But of course, you never know it here. So, assuming it doesn't happen, it would be a much better idea for some people to apply for and hopefully get a tourist visa instead of going for visa exempt. Now, regarding neighboring places, as far as I know, Penang used to be the easiest and most straightforward one for getting the tourist visa. Things may have changed by now of course. But, visa exempt plus in-country extension is still not bad. 30 days plus 30 days gives you a good length of period.

The place is quite far from where I am staying now. But, I might go for just one day of the tournament. I used to play six-red snooker in the 90's and early 00's. I never became very good at it but it was fun, having beer or whisky and playing and socialising at the same time. I think that for some reason, the no of snooker clubs in Bangkok has decreased a lot since the 90's. I was staying in Saphan Kwai back then. There were so many snooker clubs in that area back then. But, they gradually closed down one by one. I haven't been there for many years. I am guessing there might be only 1 or 2 left there now.

https://m.thaiticketmajor.com/sport/pathum-thani-red-world-championship-2023.html

As I wrote, the fact that it was a Friday and that the coming Monday is a holiday caused this high no of people. So, yes, I should have made an appointment. I didn't because I thought I would be there for 1 hour maximum. I guessed wrong ???? Previous time, I was in and out of there within half an hour. So, folks, I think it is best to make an appointment before going there. Especially if you plan to go there on a Monday or on a Friday.

Gosh, it was a busy day today at Laksi. I DID get my 30 day extension in the end, but I spent like 2 hours there. I totally forgot about the fact that Monday, March 6, is a holiday. And, so, it was busier than an ordinary Friday, which is normally the busiest day there, along with Monday. So, I have only myself to blame. I was there at 1.30 today. By the time I left, it was around 3.30. They didn't ask for TM30 by the way. I mean, not from me anyway. I have no idea if they asked it from anyone else today. I had my mine ready just in case. I am guessing that maybe they ask it from people who last entered Thailand via land. However, it is just my guess. Anyway, it was tiring. I think today was the longest time I spent for visa extension. But, as I said, Monday being a holiday didnt help. I should have known about that holiday.

It is good that I had a look at this thread. I had no idea that TM 30 form is now being asked for 30 day extension. When I went there about 2.5 months ago, it wasn't asked. The usual 3 forms were necessary. Anyway, I got it printed. I want to ask something. I thought of filling it in myself so that it won't cause any inconvenience to my landlady. And then only asking her to sign it. But, they might not like it at the Immigration if it is my handwriting, right? So, the landlady should fill it in, I guess? By the way, should she fill it in in Thai or in English? Or, does it not matter? Thanks.

The Republican race will certainly be very interesting ???? I mean, assuming the frontrunners will be Trump and DeSantis. (Of course, there is still plenty of time to go. But, can you see a third person who can seriously challenge these two guys? I can't) I doubt DeSantis can manage to successfully respond to Trump's verbal assaults though. But of course, he can manage to win by sort of playing the cool-headed guy. But, I say, get ready for the Biden-Trump rematch ????

So true. Once, I stayed at an apartment building with such balconies. The small toilet and shower was outside, right by the balcony. Once, I slipped on my way to the room from the toilet/shower. It was a close call. My room was on the 8th floor. I would have had no chance of survival.

I remember that to some degree. It was like ages ago. I think it was 500 baht. I thought that was only for non-Thais. I might be remembering that part wrong.

Hey folks. I have gone from Don Meuang Airport to Victory M by the airport bus, but never the other way around. Firstly, such a bus still exists, right? And, secondly, where exactly does it leave at Victory M? As you know, it is a vast area, and I don't want to waste time and energy looking for the exact spot. Cheers.

In the meantime, the fascist, killer guy Kyle Rittenhouse is free and last I checked, was provoking people on social media. Far right so often gets away with various crimes they commit. So I am surprised they have gone after this fascist group. I guess they had to. It was too out in the open.

Right now, for example Seven Elevens can sell alcoholic drinks from 11 am to 2 pm and then from 5 pm to midnight. I think the start and end times are reasonable. But, them not being able to sell between 2 and 5 can be annoying. This 'No alcohol from 2 to 5' is also valid for some bars and pubs. For bars in the Nana and Asoke area, I think that is not a problem. They can sell alcoholic drinks. But elsewhere, you can come acoss some places that don't sell drinks in those hours. It has happened to me recently. The place is actually part of a hotel, so I was really surprised. And, they used to be able to sell in those hours before. But now, there is that restriction for them. I have no idea what the criteria are for being able to sell alcoholic drinks in that interval.

Here is the newest link I have just found about all this : It is not looking very good. But of course, I guess we will know for sure by this Sunday. I have a question. I will most probably in Hua Hin by next Monday the latest. There are a few bars, pubs etc there with big screen TVs. Now, if somehow the Thai government manages to buy and get the rights and matches are on free Thai channels, of course I will have no problem watching them (at least those matches that end before the closing time) at such venues. But if all attempts fail and there is no Thai broadcaster, do you think maybe some of those venues would show the matches via some streaming thing? Or, would they not dare do it due to broadcast rights etc? Let us just hope that the government manages to buy the rights. Preferably to all matches of course ???? I have about 30-40 percent hope as of now.

Cheers, folks. I think I will go there, because if I don't go, I will probably feel sorry later. 7-10 days in Hua Hin should suffice this time. There were times when I stayed there for 2-3 weeks.

Hey folks. It has been ages since I last posted in the forum. Happy to be back. Anyway, I am back in Thailand after nearly 3 years. I saw a similar thread here but that one was several months old so I started a new one. I am in Bangkok now. Actually, I am planning to go to Hua Hin next Friday. For at least a week. Some recent videos and comments on YouTube made me think like the place is still very much empty. Is that so? I am not much of a hardcore nightlife guy anymore, but I was hoping the place was gradually getting back to late 2019 levels, when I was there last. For example, is the huge beer garden near the middle of Soi Bintabaat up and running as before? That place is one of my favorite ones. Also, how about the venues along the main street just off the beach? Cheers. Jem