Burma Bill

Great to hear from you and happy to know you were not in Mandalay when the tragedy struck. So much devastation including buildings I knew from my visits during the democracy era. There must be so many people suffering, including many children. If you are successful with a visa and a place to live, please keep us informed. I personally would be prepared to make a donation to your charity and NOT the Burmese military/junta.

At the moment - yes! The completion of a paper Form TM6 is mandatory at LAND border crossings into Thailand.

My ten selected (not in order) Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Doi Sutep Temple Chiang Dao and caves Doi Tung (Royal Gardens and Villa) Tham Luang National Park (of football lads fame) Thaton (on the Kok River near Burmese border) Golden Triangle Resort (not casinos) Mae Fah Luang (tea and coffee plantations in the mountains) Khon Kaen Province (to include KK city, Ubol Ratana Dam and Lake and Phu Wiang) As you can see I was an ex-pat living in the north of Thailand for 20 years and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Are you psychic ? The system does not start until 1st May so lets wait and see. By then this new system may be abolished. Flip flop Thailand!

Thailand Tourism Shake-Up: Very appropriate after an earthquake!

The smell? found lying on his back in an advanced state of decomposition.

Possibly - for reference: The Chinese Embassy has confirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Thai government on the inspection into the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok on Friday due to an earthquake. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang and Chinese disaster-management experts to discuss the incident on Sunday. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40048080

No doubt not many of AN subscribers will be interested, but I wonder if Simon43 is okay, having recently returned to Mandalay. His contributions from Burma, Mandalay in particular, were very interesting to read (IMO).

rather disconcerting - all HOSPITALS! Did the Chinese build these as well?

At the two land border crossings from Cambodia to Surin and Sisaket Provinces in Thailand, there is no such thing as TDAC. One still has to complete a paper TM6 Form to enter Thailand. Smartphones are of no use.

Thanks, yes I remember those days well. I still carry a ballpoint pen with my passport to complete Form TM6 at the land border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand. I can assure you pens are still scarce at Thai Immigration hence my own!

Oh, I shall be coming to Thailand, as I have done for over 25 years, still completing a paper FORM TM6 at land border crossings. I am certainly not getting bent out of shape and what I do is my choice. As far as I am concerned, you can stuff your smartphones up your ............!

Not actually write, but type emails on my personal computer. I also use Facebook to keep in touch. What is Whatsapp ? Sometimes I make calls on my 3G phone to family, friends and pension companies who are still on old landline numbers in the UK.

For reference:- (Google) According to the SAO, construction of the 30-storey building being built at a cost of 2.13 billion baht began in 2020. The construction was carried out by the ITD-CREC joint venture and supervised by the PKW joint venture. ITD-CREC consists of Italian-Thai Development Plc and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd.5 hours ago Please note ITD (Italian Thai Development) is the main contractor for the new elevated express highway, part of which recently collapsed onto Rama 2 Road in Bangkok, also killing people.

Absolute bull<deleted>!! I manage everyday without a smartphone here in Cambodia.. All my shopping - CASH IS KING. I also use my Bank Debit card for ATM and to pay my medical bills at my local private hospital. I have never been required to use a QR Code. When travelling by air from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai, boarding passes are issued by Air Asia for the 'Fly Thru' service and Thai Immigration in DMK (special desk for Air Asia transfer passengers) want to see passport and for me to undergo the biometrics formality. No QR codes or TM6 involved. Interestingly, my favourite restaurant in Siem Reap is now CASH ONLY. Evidently too many problems with smartphone transactions. It is still full everyday with worldwide customers visiting Angkor Wat. Several new banks have been constructed in Siem Reap and new ATM booths are springing up again - like pre-covid days!