Burma Bill

Well I never - he we go again, Pattaya the International family friendly holiday resort!

Thanks, and how interesting. I had the same problem with my Cambodian bank, ABA. Without warning, the bank withdrew its personal internet banking facility for computers. I changed to a bank that did and closed the original account. A lot of hassle initially, but now okay. Ironically, the original bank still sends a demand for the annual debit card fee despite being informed the account was closed and the debit card destroyed around 2 years ago!

Just a thought, RIMPING supermarkets in Chiang Mai have extensive "drinks" sections.

From my experience, no (not now). Pre-pandemic when I left Thailand, the TP office in Khon Kaen recruited local Thai volunteers to replace foreign ex-pats as their numbers decreased. There were just 3 of us remaining - one Brit (me), one Japanese and one German. Several Chinese students from KK University were also recruited as part of their degree course in Tourism. Our job description changed, especially in latter years under PM Prayut. Militarisation crept in - we eventually had our own team!

Oh really. I only ever had one - my mobile phone.

Only once have I experienced the actions of a leech in the Nam Nao National Park between Chum Phae and Lomsak in Isaan. Whilst walking through a forest area wearing strong walking shoes, socks and long trousers, a leech managed to crawl inside my trouser leg and attach itself to my calf area. I did not see or feel a thing and it wasn't until I sat down after the trek that I noticed my blood stained sock. A park ranger poured a few drops of a liquid onto the leech which immediately detached itself. I had forgotten to tuck my trouser legs into my socks.

Well I never:

A slim possibility if he is a friend of Mister Thaksin: Thaksin has invested in two U.K.-based health tech startups, DNANudge and Owlstone Medical. https://www.forbes.com/profile/thaksin-shinawatra/?sh=cbe3aa44e789

Quite rightly so - it may be poisoned!! IMO Som Tam would make anyone ill!

In an ambulance?

The latest on this topic:- Surachate said he had explained to the Myanmar authorities that most of the 164 were victims (Thai) of human trafficking gangs, which had lured them and forced them to work for call-centre gangs. The Myanmar authorities reportedly agreed to let Surachate take them home. However, Surachate said Laukkaing is in an area to armed conflict, so he decided to repatriate them to the northern border to Kunming in China first and then fly them home from China. https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40032599

For reference (possibly for the future). Some years ago when I lived in Thailand, and being a member of the Royal British Legion in Chiang Mai, I was sent a metal poppy brooch from the UK which I have worn for the occasion eversince (no need to hunt for a poppy). I shall be wearing it this coming Saturday at the Remembrance Day Service at the Foreign Cemetery in Chiang Mai where there will be a RBL Poppy Appeal box. https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/collections/poppy-pins-brooches

During the covid crisis, I had no difficulty in sending money from Cambodia to family members in Thailand who had lost their jobs. WU was very efficient and the money was received quickly, however the exchange rate between US$ and Thai baht was rather low.

Dedstined for the Lullah Festival (Street Food and beach entertainment) in Jomtien??

I totally agree. I have never visited China but have encountered its rude people on many of my travels in ASEAN, especially at airports. Remember the Chinese woman who crouched and pi..ed on the platform of a BTS station in Bangkok. When I was a TP Volunteer based in Chiang Rai, this was another regular problem at the famous White Temple: ..............when he saw the mess left by the tourists (Chinese) in the restrooms, which are just as ornate as the rest of the temple. A Thai visitor complained of used tissue on the floor and faeces on the toilet seats. So..... banned all Chinese henceforth. https://www.nationthailand.com/lifestyle/30253717 This ban was rescinded after tour guides had been warned. I understand additional toilet blocks were constructed for use by the Chinese.

Oh really - then who?

With respect, not just military bases but the important cross-border trading city of Chinshwehaw at the Chinese border. 2 Nov 2023 "Myanmar’s military government says it has lost control of an important town on the border with China after days of fierce fighting with armed groups.The loss is a major blow to the generals who seized power .............. and have since struggled to contain opposition to their rule. “Government, administrative organisations and security organisations are no longer present” in Chinshwehaw, government spokesman Zaw Min Tun said on Wednesday. The town, bordering China’s Yunnan province, is central to the flow of trade from Myanmar to China. More than a quarter of Myanmar’s $1.8bn border trade with China passed through Chinshwehaw from April to September........ coalition of three ethnic rebel groups known as the Brotherhood Alliance – the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, the Arakan Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)................they said they have taken over several military posts and key roads linking Myanmar with China. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/2/myanmar-rebels-seize-vital-border-town-as-china-calls-for-ceasefire

Was she suffering from "tunnel vision"?

Here is a rare breed that did - now sadly extinct - The UK Chicken Man (Norman Collier species) 🤣

For reference: (mixed loyalties?) JAKARTA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Malaysia called on its Southeast Asian partners on Monday to impose "strong" measures against Myanmar's ruling generals, saying "obstacles" they created had blocked a peace plan for the strife-torn country. The unusually blunt message from Malaysia came as top Southeast Asian diplomats met to review their regional bloc's stalled peace plan for Myanmar, with frustration growing with the military's failure to end violence more than two years after it seized power in a coup. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/asean-diplomats-meet-review-stalled-myanmar-peace-plan-2023-09-04/ Tokyo (October 27 2023) ASEAN's engagement with Myanmar's military government to restore peace in the country will continue under the chairmanship of Laos next year.........................Communist Laos, which will assume the bloc's rotating chairmanship next year, has been relatively conciliatory toward Myanmar's military government. By contrast, countries such as Indonesia, this year's chair, Malaysia, and Singapore have taken a more hard-line stance toward the generals. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanm

Thailand with its notorious air pollution - now to become a noise polluted destination??

Oh really! In the UK what we might call a "Cock & Bull" story.

Yes indeed, exactly what I thought - thanks.

Oh really! In the UK what we might call a "Cock & Bull" story:

Going to a party or shopping? Be prepared.