Burma Bill

Sure made an ass of himself!!

Yes - quite possibly a Waved Umber Moth: It is harmless, but if you dislike, ordinary fly/mosquito spray will kill it.

Thank you Simon. Just one of the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay which houses the World's largest book (Google/wikipedia) - absolutely amazing! Created by King Mindon in the 19th century, 729 stone inscription "caves" each containing a marble tablet representing a page of the book Tipitaka Pali canon of Theravada Buddhism, each page being inscribed on both sides in gold. A more recent tablet (730) has been inscribed representing UNESCO recognition.

Hi Simon. With the greatest respect to your fascinating posts, I hope you do not mind me posting one or two photos from my visits to Burma - such happy memories! The lady with the bananas on her head reminded me of three ladies struggling with a heavy basket of pineapples at Hsipaw Station. Not on heads, but the basket was eventually carried on a shoulder, guided by the other ladies!

Burma certainly wasn't boring when I visited Mandalay, Rangoon, Bagan and Hsipaw (Shan State) when I visited during the short period of democracy. A wonderful country with extremely friendly people and food to my taste - mainly chilli free! My most memorable trip in Rangoon (other than to the Golden Pagoda) was to a suburban railway trackside market (name now forgotten - photo below) to the north of the main central station. I was escorted by a Burmese friend and what an afternoon of sightseeing and enjoying refreshments with the local people. I would love to return but only when the Junta is eliminated - it has crushed so much enjoyment and freedom.

Yes indeed - future candidates for the Peoples Party?

I just completed this quiz. My Score 40/100 My Time 264 seconds  

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Well done. As I have stated several times on TVF/AN over the years, it is not what you need to know to get what you want, it is WHO YOU KNOW to get what you want. There was always someone who, for a few "bob" could provide a hassle free service. No problem these days living in Cambodia. I ignore "sad" emojis in response to my actions.

OMG - my mind bogggles. Only China would do this. For reference: (no mention of energy boosting) In traditional Chinese medicine, earthworms are known as “earth dragons”. The Compendium of Materia Medica, a 16th-century encyclopaedia of traditional Chinese medicine, notes that animals “promote blood circulation, degrade blood clots, and unblock the body’s meridians”. Because of this, they’re often included in traditional herbal remedies https://dialogue.earth/en/nature/earthworms-wiggle-their-way-into-chinas-policy-protection/

Reading all the above posts, confirms one of the reasons I left Thailand for Cambodia - the Thai bureaucracy regarding visas and border runs. No such border run hassle here. When I lived in Lanna 20 years ago, I used to drive to Chiang Khong for border runs. In those days there was no Frienship Bridge and one had to use a ferry to cross the Mekong. The old Immigration Office was in town and was well known for its "courteous" service. I used to leave my passport with an Immigration Officer who told me to go and relax with a beer/meal at a Thai riverside restaurant. At a specified time, I returned to the IO to collect my passport duly stamped out/in Thailand and in/out Laos. I never left Thailand. The cost - 1000 baht and no hassle having to cross on a ferry! Happy days for ex-pats then.

male - male. For reference: The pair then approached the cadet and tried to help him perform an act of masturbation. Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2905690/police-cadet-school-admits-sexual-harassment. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.

to accomodate all the executives, employees and their familes on "freebies"?

Up yours China - you know what you can do with your roads and belts, stuff them up your .........!!

With respect, I have recently returned to my home in Siem Reap after one week's holiday in Chiang Mai. No foul air during my stay. Everyday sunshine and blue sky with clear views of Wat Doi Suthep from my hotel window. Really enjoyable mountain views. I saw many tourists cycling around the city.

Load the Chinese junk onto Junks and force them to sail back to China!

Also on the day itself - certainly out in the sticks from Mom & Pop stores as I can recall.

It is a matter of personal choice with several routes (as mentioned above). I lived in this area often driving from Chiang Mai via Uttaradit to Khon Kaen. For fast highways, may I suggest Route 11 to Phitsanulok, then keep left onto Route 12 for Petchabun Province, Lomsak, Chumphae and Khon Kaen. Then north on Super Highway 2 to Udon Thani and Nong Khai. There is spectacular scenery, especially in the Lomsak area which includes Nam Nao National Park (Route 12 becomes a 2 lane road through the park and is in excellent condition. There are check points at each end of the park). To avoid Khon Kaen, in Chumphae turn left off Route 12 onto Route 228 (this is at a set of traffic lights with Chumphae Government Hospital prominant on your left. Follow Route 228 to Nong Bua Lamphu eventually meeting Route 210 at a major junction. Turn right onto Route 210 through to Udon Thani to join Route 2 northwards to Nong Khai. There are several turns on this route but there are clear road signs.

He was expecting some crumpet but got "meat and two veg" instead!

Is Accident Insurance a Requirement in Thailand? No, but advisable. Travel Insurance - yes IMO. I could never get Travel/Medical/Life Insurance being an insulin dependent Type 2 Diabetic. However I did qualify for Accident Insurance. For several years during my retirement in Lanna and Isaan, Bangkok Bank covered me. It had a range of variously priced policies to select from. Fortunately I only had to claim once after an accident in my hotel bathroom - no bath mat provided whilst taking a shower standing in the bath. The hotel admitted liability but paid nothing towards my hospital expenses (only a basket of fruit). After 2 weeks in hospital, Bangkok Bank paid just over half of my hospital bill - 30,000 baht whilst I paid 25,000 baht. This was a private hospital but not a rip-off RAM or Bangkok Hospital.

Thank you for your comment and true in many cases. I have witnessed empty gin and vodka bottles being refilled with a "clear" liquid (ethanol) being poured from large plastic containers. The full bottles were then put back onto the optics for use in the "happy hour" cocktail specials. I will not state the location for fear of litigation. It was a high grade hotel and not a backpackers doss house. I do not drink cocktails anywhere in this part of the World.

Thanks and very much so. From the crude distillation method (an example below) poisonous methanol is the result and not ethanol. I have seen such crude stills when I lived in Lanna. In this sad incident, LAO KHAO from LAOS!

My sincere apologies - I should have quoted the 1st November 2024 In reality, when I travelled from CNX to DMK on 14th November 2024, no such identification system was in operation - i.e. defunct! Reference Google: As of November 1, 2024, six airports—including Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang/Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai—now use automated biometric identification for domestic travelers.Nov 6, 2024

Easy - if the driver was driving using "crossed arms" to turn the wheel. I have seen this many times in Northern Thailand. Can lose control.

FOR REFERENCE: My apologies if I have mistaken this technology as the "facial recognition system", which is supposed to be in operation. Last Thursday 14th November, I returned home to Siem Reap (SAI Cambodia) from Chiang Mai (CNX) using Air Asia's "Fly-thru" service. On arrival at Air Asia's check-in desk, I was issued with two boarding passes CNX to DMK and DMK to SAI. The new facial recognition technology was installed but not operational. In fact the camera was blocked by an AA placard explaining cabin baggage size and weight. At the Immigration desk I presented my passport and both boarding passes, eventually being cleared to leave Thailand. At the departure gate, all passengers had to show their boarding passes. So much for the new Thai technology operational from 1st October - defunct!!