Burma Bill

Yes indeed, it does appear to be rather expensive. In two weeks time, I shall be flying with Air Asia from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai. My "Fly-thru" return ticket, including add-on admin and fuel costs with baggage in the hold, cost me 397US$ (about 13,500 baht). The fare each way was more or less the same - not lop sided.

For reference: Aside from being a potential source of embarrassment, passing gas is common and usually harmless. Most people pass gas between 13 and 21 times per day. Flatulence during the night is generally due to diet and lifestyle, although there are some digestive disorders that can cause excess gas............pressure in the anal sphincter muscle fluctuates in cycles throughout the day. This muscle is more relaxed during sleep, and it controls whether or not gas present in the large intestine is released.........By making lifestyle changes or addressing underlying health issues, you may be able to reduce your nighttime or morning flatulence. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/can-you-fart-in-your-sleep

Yes indeed, especially those that "follow up"

When I fly from Siem Reap to Thailand, no TM6 has to be completed at DMK. When I drive from Siem Reap to Thailand via the Choam - Sisaket land border I have to complete a form TM6.

What a laugh. Has the iCon CEO, who has scammed so many unfortunate people, been scammed himself?

I am not surprised. On 25 October 2004 - The Prime Minister was Thaksin Shinawatra and his Defence Minister (responsible for the Thai Army) was General Sampan Boonyanan! ref. wikipedia)

Saves on laundry bills because stains and dirt do not show up as much on light coloured clothing!

Yes indeed. As a type 2 diabetic myself (30 years since being diagnosed), urination can be far more frequent. Like yourself, I find 3am the prominant starting time for visits to the loo. I do not wet the bed and am now used to trotting back and forth to the toilet throughout the "wee" small hours. I also have an enlarged benign prostate gland which contributes to frequent urination. I rarely drink alcohol and my urine is the result of drinking water, coffee with sweetner and sugar-free canned fruit drinks.

or he may have been deaf.

Would'nt "enhancing" be more appropriate than "threatening"?

Another "hissed up" old fart Brit trying to drive back to his accomodation. As an English man myself, no sympathy from me. After hospital costs, charge and fine him then throw him out of Thailand!

With respect, Thailand IS still using a coal fired power station at Mae Moh, near Lampang in Lanna, North Thailand. Lignite, a crude form of coal, is mined locally. Generating units at the power plant are gradually being closed down but some are still active producing electricity. For full details please check: https://www.gem.wiki/Mae_Moh_power_station

I agree, an admirable solution but with respect, have you lived for several years in rural Thailand where sugar cane and maize are grown? I have. Both crops are subject to burning but for different reasons. Sugar cane is burnt to remove the dry leaves so that when the canes are cut more easily and delivered to the sugar refinery, the price is based on weight - more cane, less leaves more money! With maize (also sweet corn) after the cobs have been harvested, the remaining dead leaves and stubble in the fields are burnt. More convenient. There is a third source, the burning of mountain forests prior to the wet season, for the growing and collection of mushrooms. When it comes to "official" intervention with fines to stop the burning, what one must realise is that many national and local government officials, including police, own the farmland and support tenant farmers to harvest the crops. It is okay for Bangkok to suggest massive fines for burning but in reality out in the sticks it will not happen soon, I can assure you. I now live in Siem Reap and Cambodia has the same problem. However when the wind is in the right direction, the smoke is blown westwards over the border to Thailand.

My laugh for the day! Wait until the commencement of burning seasons in neighbouring Burma, Laos, Cambodia and faraway Indonesia.

Enjoy. It is an overnight service and will be far more comfortable and warmer than "freezing cold" buses.

With respect, how many days were you on a bus from Chiang Mai to Singapore?

I have made many interprovincial bus journeys between Lanna, Isaan and Bangkok. From my experience day time services were no problem and quite comfortable, but it was the night services that were always cold. These buses are not fitted with heaters (for obvious reasons in a tropical climate) but do have air conditioning units. More often than not, these units are left on at night producing the cold air. I once asked for the air conditioning to be turned off and the reply was "it is on for the comfort of other passengers"!! Fortunately on all the night journeys I travelled, a blanket and pillow were supplied but their use was slightly restricted as I always kept my seat belt fastened.

Yes indeed - my thought as well. Shorts, bum bag and possibly flip flops. No shirt or crash helmet. Le imbecile!

Interesting and thanks. Where I lived in Khon Kaen Province, the popular and busy "farang" bar also had this arrangement, but not every few hours. Once a night, the local police used to call, do a check to see if all okay and sign the book which was kept in a box near the main entrance. This was not for Burmese beggars (none in that part of Thailand), but for any abnoxious drunk or drugged ex-pats, tourists or Thais causing problems. Eventually, the landlord and myself became Tourist Police Volunteers and a small area in the bar became an information point. It became a very busy family orientated bar with pool, quiz and speciality food nights, also a children's play area for Thai and foreign kids. This was pre-covid and sadly, trading eventually ceased. The landlord now teaches English, firstly in Vietnam but now back in Thailand. I moved to Cambodia.

Thanks, my thought as well. Hardly a mafia in the true sense, just a few Burmese migrants and not gangsters like these: Imagine this happening in Pattaya -oh what fun shooting up all the go-go prossie bars!

Perhaps they were dancing to "Jail House Rock" (Elvis Presley)

As a UK citizen, I totally agree. I have no interest in the garbage about Trump and Harris.

For reference: Until researchers actually took a closer look at these crocodile newts – and were surprised to discover that the seemingly widespread Spiny crocodile newt actually hid a whole series of similar-looking, yet clearly different species. The number of crocodile newts has virtually exploded in the last twenty years. By the end of 2022, the original Tylototriton asperrimus had already become 19 different species, clearly distinct not only genetically, but also in many morphological and biological details. A couple of examples: Ziegler's Crocodile Newt (North Vietnam) Kweichow Crocodile Newt (China)

Yes indeed and I totally agree. Only the other day I stated "Thailand the hub of greed" in the article about "posh" hotels increasing their prices. With these scum people traffickers and the likes of the iCON Group, it is about money, money, money and greed! I now feel vindicated in my greed comment.

Once - for good! After 20 years in retirement in Thailand I moved across the border to Siem Reap in Cambodia where I have lived happily for almost 5 years (February next year will be 5 years). Main reason - the total bureaucracy and scam financial requirements regarding a Thai retirement visa. In fact, yesterday I collected my UK passport with another retirement (ER) visa from the Cambodian Immigration agent - oh so simple! Valid passport, recent pp photo, 300US$ and proof of entry on FPCS (Foreign Persons in Cambodia System). My landlord accompanied me to show this as the onus is on him. 10 working days later, passport returned. Visa for one year includes multiple re-entries.