Burma Bill

You cannot resort to a paper TM6 - as I recently discovered at a land border crossing between Cambodia and Thailand. Form TM6 no longer exists. I do not have a smartphone. I completed a TDAC form from the Thai Immigration website on my computer and received a pdf file to download once my details had been processed. I then printed off the A4 sized paper TDAC form three days before my entry into Thailand. On this TDAC form is a QR code which is checked along with your passport at the border crossing. Everything went well and I was cleared entry into Thailand for 60 days. My passport and the paper TDAC form were returned to me. The TDAC form has now been destroyed by me - it is no longer relevant. If you do not have a smartphone or access to a computer with print facilities, then you may be snookered unless a friend or agent allows you access to theirs. You need a TDAC QR code.

A possibility:- The third season of “The White Lotus” wrapped Sunday night, capping off the popular HBO show’s most viewed season yet, which averaged about 15 million viewers per episode. A major point of conversation online over the past few weeks has centered on the “suicide” tree featured in the show and the poisonous fruit it produces. The suicide tree is very real and can be very dangerous, explains Jing-Ke Weng, a Northeastern professor of chemistry and chemical biology and the inaugural director of the Institute for Plant Human Interface, which studies the toxin made by the suicide tree plant and its relatives. While he doesn’t watch “The White Lotus,” Weng says he appreciates the show spotlighting the pong pong tree. https://news.northeastern.edu/2025/04/08/suicide-tree-white-lotus/

These dreaded Chinese certainly caused a bit of a stink!!

What was he trying to find Brussel Sprouts?

Pattaya again - the World Class resort for quality tourists -🤣🤣🤣 🤣

As with many other cases throughout Thailand, sadly this elderly gentleman was hooked on, and married, a much younger Thai girl who eventually stitched and ditched him. Need I say more. For reference:- The case has reignited long-standing public debate over foreign-Thai relationships, especially those involving significant age and cultural gaps. Social media users and local residents expressed mixed opinions — some sympathizing with the man, others criticizing the perceived pattern of poor judgment among certain foreign men who enter into relationships with much younger Thai women. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/german-man-abandoned-by-young-wife-in-pattaya-sparks-public-debate-on-foreign-thai-relationships-499823 No further comment from me.

Perhaps another pot head supposedly enjoying the euphoria of marijuana but trashing the accommodation whilst high? Get her to pay for all the damage and deport her back to the UK.

Yes, yesterday (4th May and today 5th May) I negotiated the land border crossing between O'Smach (Cambodia) and Chong Chom (Surin Province, Thailand). There were many people being helped by Thai Immigration to complete the TDAC form ON THE DAY OF ARRIVAL in Thailand. These were people travelling further into Thailand and beyond the regular border pass limits. My experiences at this particular land border crossing are now listed as per previous post from me. What happens at other land, sea and air border crossings I have no idea and will not comment. I do not have a smartphone. I presented my passport to Cambodian Immigration in O'Smach which was stamped and returned to me. There was no departure card to remove as I had previously registered on Cambodian Immigration's equivalent to Thailand's TDAC at Siem Reap Airport. (This I completed ON DAY OF ARRIVAL in Cambodia). I then proceeded to the Thai Immigration Office and presented my passport with a paper copy of my TDAC reference, printed from a downloaded pdf file on my computer. My passport and entry details were processed and both passport and TDAC form were returned to me. They checked my 4 fingerprints of my right hand and got the green light. I asked if they needed to keep my TDAC form and the IO said no, everything now complete for you to travel in Thailand. I was given 60 days entry even though I was just one night in Khon Kaen for a hospital appointment. My TDAC form has now been destroyed by me. On my return from Khon Kaen, Thai Immigration just stamped my passport as departing Thailand. Cambodian Immigration required me to complete a paper arrival & departure card, their TDAC system is restricted to the 3 main International airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. The arrival portion was kept and the departure portion clipped to my passport. The same four fingerprints were scanned and again I got a green light. There was much new development in O'Smach with new hotels and casinos, along with shopping arcades and many other business outlets. Even Thai and Cambodian Immigration have new offices. I am sure this once quiet and easy land border crossing will become as busy as Poipet - I hope not! Everything is gambling related. Even Thai PTT have built a brand new gasoline station on the Cambodian side of the border complete with Amazon Coffee Shop and what appears to be a forthcoming 7-11.

yes indeed, especially if all the ladyboys cruise around outside!

As usual with Thailand, no apparent facilities for disabled persons/tourists.

by the smell being emitted?

Why not have the planes coming to the beaches??

FOR THOSE WITHOUT A SMARTPHONE- I have just completed my first TDAC form 3 days prior to travelling to Khon Kaen in Thailand for a hospital appointment on 04/05/2025. I will be travelling by car via the land crossing border at O'Smach into Sisaket Province. I do not own a smartphone but experienced no problems - quite user friendly . I completed the relevant website application form provided by Thai Immigration on my personal computer. I stated I was a British citizen residing in Cambodia - no problems. I sent the completed form and immediately received an email acknowledgement with a QR code. Around 30 minutes later I received my TDAC form with its reference number and QR code which I was able to print using my Epson printer. Very efficient. This paper copy I have to present to Thai Immigration this coming Sunday. I will keep you informed. My only concern was the detail required for where I was staying the night. Not just hotel name, but District within Khon Kaen, Sub-District and address! I am sure this will confuse many tourists arriving in Thailand not knowing the full details of where they are going to stay.

Yes indeed - the bars etc. want cash so as to avoid paying the Thai Inland Revenue Service. No bank app - no record for tax purposes! Just like the days when I lived up north in rural Thailand. At the local market, cash was king which was thrown into a cardboard box - no apps on smartphones!

TAXI - get me out of here!!

For reference, just over a week ago I flew from Siem Reap to Bangkok (DMK) and onwards to Khon Kaen. Because I was in a wheelchair, and to avoid all the long queues at the Immigration desks in International Arrivals, I was wheeled to the Diplomatic/VIP desk where a charming, efficient and friendly young Thai lady processed my passport and gave me 60 days entry into Thailand. Within a couple of minutes I was being wheeled to the baggage collection hall. No trouble from this Thai Immigration lady.

Whatever turns you on I suppose! I would not want one on my head - cockroaches are well known to have a good crap!

For reference, the Chinese Yuan can be used throughout Cambodia, especially in tourist areas, along with the US $ and the Khmer Riel. Feb. 2023. The Minister of Tourism has stated that Cambodia will allow the use of Chinese RMB (Yuan) – instead of Cambodian Riel or US Dollars – in all tourism services in order to attract more Chinese tourists. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501234431/chinese-tourists-can-pay-in-chinese-currency-at-all-tourism-services-throughout-cambodia/

Lucky man - at 81, I only get 102 GBP per week State Pension frozen at this rate for the past 16 years! Fortunately I have two other pensions that are index linked. Being a former banker, no doubt Mr. Lee has additional means to support his retirement in Thailand.

Very sorry to read of your current breathing problems and I wish you well for the future in an air pollution free environment. Coincidentally, 5 days ago I returned to Siem Reap from a hospital visit in Khon Kaen, Thailand. During many recent years, including the Covid period, I never experienced a bad cold/flu, until now! A cold started developing whilst I was in KK and it has now turned into full blown bronchitis and sneezing - tissues galore! No such symptoms before leaving Cambodia. My ex-pat pals in KK were also suffering. Now feeling better after taking medication to ease the symptoms.

Hello Simon. May I suggest Mandalay again. There must be many decent folk who regard you as a good friend and would appreciate all your efforts on their behalf. Many families must be traumatised and in need of support and encouragement. Yes, there will be much devastation but in time, infrastructure and lives will be rebuilt. In my opinion, one positive outcome is the weakening of the Burmese Junta through international condemnation of its lack of response to the tragic disaster and lack of help to the citizens. I am sure there will be a political change sooner rather than later. I wish I could visit Mandalay (and Rangoon) again, but with my mobility problems, not for the foreseeable future

Nothing wrong with dog meat. I ate it when holidaying in Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM. Photo of dog meat restaurant in Hanoi. Vietnamese sign above meat counter translates to "meat for civilians".

Yes indeed - still in the age of dinosaurs!

I wonder what a surprise the passengers will get on arrival to this sh..hole destination!

Free board and lodging courtesy of the Thai prison authorities?