StayinThailand2much

And they didn't even mention that during Pride Month there will be thunderstorms, and, possibly, a rise in Covid cases...

Absolutely my experience too. Smaller branches often don't want to open accounts for foreigners, stating the 'work permit requirement', so yes, having them call their head office can help. I recently enquired about opening an account in Pattaya, and was told, yes, with a retirement visa possible, but need either, a driving license, or a document from immigration. I didn't go through with it, though, as I still have bank accounts in Bangkok.

Yeah, I should have known.

Any suggestions on Walking Street bars with girls in their birthday suits, and where to pick up girls (for whatever, but no bar fine)? - Recent information, anyone?

I usually get the ones about PayPal, never mind that foreigners in Thailand can't use it anymore, and I haven't used my account for several years. Some of the scams seem to have their origin in New Zealand, which I blame on posts I did on Facebook...

I think neither did the big traffic jams during Sydney Mardi Gras, but just in case I will send a protest note to Australia's ABC... ????

You should have known with the wildfires in the news for months...

Damn. He was tired, and tripped... Proves that he is human.

Naw, if I go naked then totally...

True. Was surprised to be charged only 15 baht recently. Seems to be a flat-rate. I think to remember that it was more years ago (20 baht + 0.1%?). Not a big deal, but you can always limit such fees by withdrawing less often but larger sums.

Also, do I have to be gay, or whatever, to be proud?

Where I come from there is no 'Super Bowl' (and a majority of people wouldn't know what that is), and you cannot expect from every foreign tourist to know that there is a Sydney Mardi Gras (or do you know all the festivals in Spain, Argentina, and Pakistan?), especially if, like me at that time, they only pass through Sydney on the way to someplace else. Also, there weren't any government or media announcements that one should expect hour-long traffic jams when leaving the city...

I know. I'm white, male, and heterosexual, ergo bad, bad, bad, and the reason for all the world's troubles... But no, not everyone knew about that one-time event in Sydney, contrary to Mardi Gras... (And I challenge you to do a survey, say, in Bangkok, randomly asking people what 'Mardi Gras' is, not to mention 'when'. Wonder, if only 1 out of twenty would know about it...)

I had nothing against such events until recently, that is until such an event in Sydney earlier this year totally f***** up my Australia holiday, thanks to huge traffic jams it created. Just tell me 'when' and 'where' something like this takes place in Thailand so that I can stay away and avoid it...

If they are bad guys, no way they are 100% Thai...* (*sarcasm)

Most Thai women I encounter online seem to be after quick sex for $$, and the 'rest' don't really seem to know what they want... It seems to me so bad now, that, after being solo for almost 3 years, I am contemplating to change my residence to the Philippines.

Many Indian tourists (mostly male) in Pattaya, definitely since late March until now, so maybe it's just a question of what places in Thailand they like best...

Opening a bank account with SCB (as a foreigner) has always been a challenge unless one is recommended by a current customer.

I wouldn't either. How can a Thai citizen be on overstay in Thailand?

I once had a girlfriend whose parents were money-lenders. Both were Thai teachers in their day-jobs. The father had a handgun collection. If debtors couldn't pay loans back in time, this couple would go there, knock on the door, gun in hand, asking for the money back. - They also had a farm. One day I went there with them. The father pointed to a hill on the farm, asking me if I liked it. I said it looked nice. Later my then girlfriend translated, 'if I had said that I liked the hill, he would have given it to me'...

I wish they would use as much scrutiny checking taxi services in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, etc., so that people are not systematically and gangland-style ripped off... Now that would earn them praise from everyone, not just tourists.

T. has always just cared about himself, and enriching himself and his family to the disadvantage of the country. But he is an able demagogue and manipulator of people's opinion...

Nothing new, but charging 4,000 or 5,000 baht must be from the playbook of the Phuket taxi m̶a̶f̶i̶a̶ organisation...

I've been observing the problems, and the measures suggested and taken by authorities over the past 25 years, and it has only gotten worse and worse... Yes, there are 'honest' taxi drivers who just do their job, but, generally, using a taxi in Bangkok (not to mention other places) has become more and more a nuisance...

That's why I don't use 'regular' taxis anymore, cause... 1. They either want to overcharge you upfront, or cheat you after you're in the cab, announcing to you that they won't use their meter. 2. It is sometimes a pain to get a taxi, cause they don't like longer trips, or only want to go certain routes, don't like it if you have larger bags, etc. 3. They don't speak or understand English (anymore), unlike taxi drivers 10 or 20 years ago. 4. They often don't know how to get to the destination (if it isn't the airport or another landmark)! And a good number don't seem to be able to read properly, and follow GPS instructions. 5. They sometimes use longer routes than necessary, thereby wasting passengers' time and money.