Burma Bill

Do not waste any more money on the scumbag, just revoke his visa and throw him out of Thailand - easy!

Hi Xylo, Regarding accommodation, you may find this website of interest (rather than me rattling along!). I believe it is an Australian/Khmer company - no Chinese- and is popular throughout Cambodia. Select your filter properties for example Siem Reap/apartments/ 250$ per month and see the results for rent or buy. Please remember less expensive apartments are rented very quickly and, as I previously stated, there are no tall condo blocks. I rent the complete first floor of a new villa in a suburb for 350US$ per month. There are two toilet/shower rooms, one in the bedroom and one in the lounge. I pay extra for electricity (which is more expensive than in Thailand because we have to buy from Thailand.) Government water supply is included as is waste disposal. I share the internet cost with my landlord. Fans throughout with air-con in the bedroom. https://ips-cambodia.com/residential/ (having problem with this) TRY internet search on Google etc. for IPS Cambodia Regarding medical facilities, they are less advanced than in Thailand. There is one large Government Hospital in Siem Reap part of which has recently been rebuilt, with other areas modernised, from aid donated by Japan. However, there are many private clinics and some private hospitals, the most horrendously expensive being The Royal Angkor, Bangkok Hospital Group. ( Need I say more!). I use the Neak Tep Private hospital which is sufficient for most illnesses, but should I need more specialised advice and treatment, I and many Cambodians, cross the border to Thai hospitals in Ubon Ratchathani. I am also a registered patient with the private Ratchaphruek Hospital in Khon Kaen (Thailand) and recently drove there (7 hours) for specialist orthopedic treatment. I trust this information will be of use. Enjoy life - I do!

I hope you do not mind me replying in open forum, maybe some of the information is of interest to others. It is Sihanoukville that has been ruined by Chinese domination and business and there is now a growing presence in Phnom Penh. Siem Reap is different in that high-rise condos, hotels and offices etc. are banned, nothing higher than 5 floors due to the presence of nearby Angor Wat, a religious site (one looks up to Buddha, not downwards!) During the Covid period and beyond, massive infrastructure projects were completed providing improved roads, pavements/sidewalks, gardens, parks, cycle lanes, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. New hotels, restaurants and shops have been built, others redecorated and modernised. Pub Street has become civilised with ghetto blasting street music now banned. There are many new bars, supermarkets and restaurants, The skyline is dominated by a Japanese owned "Siem Reap Eye", like the London Eye but smaller (cannot exceed 5 floors in height). Extensive restorations and improvements are on-going at the Angor Wat complex with the emphasis on tree planting on land reclaimed from the removal of many ramshackle food and souvenir huts. Inconveniently, the new Siem Reap International Airport is 40 kilometres or so from town and is owned and operated by the Chinese (Yunnan Aviation Service). There are many apartments to rent but no condos in tall buildings. This means that there is a distinct lack of lifts/elevators so if you have mobility problems please bear this in mind.

Yes indeed when us Brits got 89 baht for 1GBP! (late 1990's when the Thai economy crashed)

Very much so and one of the reasons I left Thailand after 20 years, to continue happy retirement in Siem Reap - now 5 years.

Where I live in Cambodia is very hot and humid. The air conditioning in my bedroom is set at 19C at maximum fan speed. I always get a good night's sleep. I live on my own and sleep on top of a duvet. No further comment from me.

From photo 1 - By the reflection of the light on the sea, maybe they are enjoying a golden shower!

Pattaya - sadly the hub for the mentally sick. No further comment from me.

"'Bandits in Sector USA"

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!

Maybe - no earthquake in Siem Reap, Cambodia.