Caldera

Unlikely but ultimately it's up to your local Thai embassy or consulate. Can't hurt to ask them, now that you've already signed up with a school for reasons I don't quite understand given the circumstances.

Same in Pattaya, I've seen several boarded up 7/11s, McDonald's and Starbucks there. None in Bangkok, on the other hand.

I use PayPal in Thailand and the US but not in Vietnam. You should be able to do what you plan to do, but it's slow (PayPal withdrawals to banks in Thailand take 3+ business days) and expensive - fund PayPal in VND, cash out in THB, converted at less than favorable exchange rates plus fees.

I'm not surprised. Vietnamese seem a lot more eager to study, learn and work than Thais - and for a substantially lower salary at current rates.

The Thai government, busy with silly factional warfare, has done nothing to keep Thailand competitive while other countries in the region have been busy catching up - and the painful reality of this is just starting to set in.

Thanks for letting us know.

Considering the air pollution, the rain must be outright toxic, so it doesn't really surprise me.

SuperRich is generally open, but of course I cannot guarantee that all their branches are. If it's a major hike for you, it might be a good idea to call ahead to ask. As for exchange rates, they're published on their website.

12 hours ago, Cranky said:

No sympathy for a bunch of dossers. Get a haircut and get a real job. 

How did that work out for you? You don't sound like a happy camper!

Having had the pleasure to converse (555) with Thai English teachers at Thai government schools, I would have to conclude that most schools in Thailand teach Thinglish. Now, if that has an American or a British flavo(u)r almost doesn't matter, does it?

Unless you commute from Ko Samui or Trat (where flights are exceptionally expensive due to Bangkok Airways' monopoly) to Bangkok weekly, this doesn't make sense - I cannot imagine anyone flying enough to break even.

Ah the CIA, wasting tax payers' money boozing, whoring and massacring people.

What took them so long? Causing a mad rush once again, completely unnecessarily.

20 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

TBH I would try to avoid buying your son a smartphone as long as possible.  I have 2 sons, 16 & 13 & android phones are addictive & kill off family life.

Not really different from having a "home computer" when I was that age. Instead of not letting me buy one, my parents told me that I couldn't use it for more than two hours a day. I still think that's the better approach - teach children how to use their gadgets responsibly and make sure they get enough exercise. Being smart phone and computer savvy is great, being a couch potato isn't!

Great idea, General! How about starting with fake news reports about borrowing time pieces from deceased friends? I seem to remember them well, it's TIME to set the record straight!

So we need another coup, because only a coup maker can legally rescind orders of the defunct NCPO? Oh the irony.

I'd say it's impossible to predict at this point, but even this estimate looks optimistic to me.

Great, build a new city for the expected hordes of Chinese tourists and leave the existing town - which I consider quite charming - as it is. The same should have been done elsewhere.

3 hours ago, Promula said:

I'm not sure why so many struggle with the concept of having to swear and prove that they are unable to depart the kingdom per the document's key wording.

You seem to struggle with reading that form. There are several check boxes, and any applicant is obviously well-advised to tick only those that apply to their particular situation.

2 hours ago, Foreignheight6foot2 said:

Thank you.

 

Yes thank you, I understand they're not the same, I actually had to sign the affidavit when doing my wife extension in September, which made it more confusing now. I'm wondering whether I could extend my wife's 60 day as I was told can only do this once espevially as I heard issues with embassy letters. Then I saw this note, all visas apply from 1st November on immigration website so I couldn't tell.

I might go in today and try to turn one of the battle-axes..

As they have explicitly told you to return today, you'd be well advised to do just that.

Ways to restore the tourist industry? There's really only one way: let tourists back in!

5 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I don't live in Bangkok so the answer is no... try the Bangkok forum.

No offense, but the OP's question was specifically about venues in Bangkok. Nightlife is pretty much open and busy nowadays, so your statement came as a surprise to me.

58 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

State of emergency has been extended courtesy of the PM, so no large crowds or parties allowed

Okay, but back in the real world: Have you been out and about in Bangkok lately?