Burma Bill

Very much so and to rub salt into the wounds:- For reference from today's UK Yahoo News (28 August 2023):- China has faced many economic problems this year, from deflation and record youth unemployment to a property crisis. But now, an even more worrisome threat is emerging: the colossal hidden debt of China's local governments. Some estimates put the liabilities of China's local financing vehicles close to $10 trillion. For some time now, markets have been buffeted almost on a daily basis by gloomy economic news filtering out of China......... and its much-anticipated post-pandemic rebound has failed to materialize. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/chinas-10-trillion-hidden-debt-170001361.html

I experienced a similar situation many years ago when I lived in North Thailand. A young member of the Thai family was accused of murdering a Malaysian relative. After arrest and interrogation, he confessed to the crime. During the trial, which I attended, it transpired that the confession was obtained at gunpoint. The trial was halted and the accused released. Later investigations identified two Laos "contract killers", one of whom was arrested, found guilty and imprisoned. The other "did a runner" back to Laos and is, to my knowledge, still free today.

Well I never!

To visit his "off shore" bank account??

No, just once in November 2022 to Chiang Mai. The pandemic restrictions (especially in Thailand) prevented earlier visits. I hope to visit Chiang Mai again this coming November 2023, flying with Air Asia Fly-Thru from Siem Reap to CNX via DMK. No red tape on return to Cambodia if you have a valid passport and visa. One has to complete another "Arrival/Departure" card part of which is stapled to your passport for your next departure. For reference: The new Siem Reap International Airport is due to open this coming October 2023 but is 50 kms from the city and could potentially add extra travel costs. Check with your hotel etc. regarding pick-up and drop-off facilities. A monorail system has been agreed with the Chinese, but for the future.

Having lived up North throughout his tenure as PM, the Bangkok establishment "stitched him up" in the first instance! I hope he now "stitches up " the Bangkok establishment, but IMO it looks more like a collusion to maintain and protect laise majeste.

Today: Bowl of Branflakes with raisins and milk. Yesterday: Egg with mayonaise (Co-op) sandwich and a ham with small chunk Branston pickle sandwich. A glass of skimmed milk. For reference: a vast range of UK food and drink products are widely available here in Siem Reap.

Yippee!!!!

and on a personal computer!

Amazing! Police acting with good conduct.

Good job it is not a Vietnamese restaurant: 100 Thai baht is currently 68,429 Vietnamese Dong!!

Wow! Here in Siem Reap a small bottle of Chang would be under 60 baht!!

Rhesus Negative???

Very much so. When I opened my account, the bank (J Trust Royal) set it up as a $ account. Currently, most ATMs in Siem Reap issue only 100$ bills. The days of smaller 50$, 20$ and 10$ bills are more or less over because the Cambodian Government is promoting the Riel. If I want smaller $ bills, I go to my bank and withdraw them over the counter. Although my account is $, I can withdraw Riels from ATMs, or over the counter, for the local family shops and markets where $ are rarely accepted. (same for cashless smartphone apps etc.) For reference: The ATMs in the Immigration Hall at Siem Reap Airport do issue lower value $ bills so that you can pay the 30$ for a VISA ON ARRIVAL which will take up one page in your passport.

With respect, may I add a reference. I also had an ABA account, but the bank withdrew Personal Internet Banking on computers and laptops in favour of smartphones. I now use J Trust Royal Bank which offers and supports Personal Internet Banking on computers and laptops (also smartphones of course). The branch in Siem Reap has just been completely refurbished and the staff extremely helpful. Thank you.

Not at all - he is in the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. Like Thailand, Cambodia is a Constitutional Monarchy where Royal Decrees are issued. The PM's of both countries are "in control". For reference:- King Norodom Sihamoni has appointed former National Assembly President Heng Samrin, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, former Interior Minister Sar Kheng, former Defence Minister Tea Banh and former Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations Men Sam An as members of the Supreme Privy Council of the King. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501347410/hun-sen-made-privy-council-president/

I am a UK ex-pat living in Siem Reap for the past 3 years. Unfortunately I cannot comment on Phnom Penh, Battambang or other Provincial cities as I am not familiar with them other than as a tourist. There are many ex-pats in Siem Reap. Retirement Visa (must be 55 years or older):- On entering Cambodia, on arrival at point of entry (land or air), get an ORDINARY visa (tick the appropriate small box on the application form). Do not tick the "Tourist" box. This visa which is stuck into your valid passport allows you 30 days and costs 30$. This was convenient for me as it allowed me time to settle into my new accomodation, set up a Cambodian bank account (not necessary for a visa) and, most importantly, get registered free on FPCS (Foreigners Present in Cambodia System) once you have found suitable accomodation. The onus for registering is down to your landlord, hotel manager etc. and not you, so ask. Before the 30 days expires, go to an official visa agent, usually incorporated within most travel agencies. You do not deal with Immigration itself. Present your valid passport (with the initial Ordinary visa), 2 recent pp photos, visible evidence of FPCS registration (smartphone or paper copy) and 300$ (this can vary slightly). My current one cost me 290$ for 1 year. You do not have to show the Thai scam of money in the bank. The agent sends your passport and application form etc. to Phnom Penh for processing by Immigration. This usually takes 10 working days and the agent notifies you on its return. SO take a copy of your passport with the initial Ordinary visa - no problems with copies as everyone knows of the "10 day process". On return, your passport will display a Retirement (ER) visa which also incorporates Multiple Re-enteries. There are no 90 day reports, so you repeat the process one year later. There are 6 month (and shorter) retirement visas. Banks and Finances There are many safe and reputable banks in Cambodia, the most popular being ABA (Associated Bank of Asia - part of the Bank of Canada group). For reference: However, the biggest banks in Cambodia are considered to be ACLEDA Bank Plc, Canadia Bank, ABA Bank, Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia (FTB), Union Commercial Bank (UCB), J Trust Royal Bank (formerly ANZ Royal), Vattanac Bank, Maybank, BRED Bank (Maybank is Malaysian) I receive 3 UK pensions which are paid in GBP. These are converted into US$ and credited to my Cambodian bank account. A fee of 10US$ is charged for each pension. I have a debit card but not allowed a credit card. I have the option of withdrawing Khmer Riels at ATMs. I am not a financial "whiz-kid" or investor so I cannot comment on such matters. Siem Reap is a safe city, however as elsewhere in the World, be cautious at night (Phnom Penh as I have been informed).

Yes, possibly so. For reference (january 2019):- This week, Caixin discovered her (Yingluk) in a less-expected place — working as the chairwoman of a Guangdong-based port operator. Sources at Shantou International Container Terminals Ltd. confirmed that Yingluck, 51, began serving as the company’s chairwoman and its legal representative on Dec. 12. (2018) .............. Shantou International operates in the Shantou Port area, a key transit point for goods flowing to eastern Guangdong, a rich industrial province in China’s south. The company is 70% owned by Hutchison Port Group Co. Ltd., itself a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., the sprawling conglomerate built by Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-Shing .................... Yingluck is a fourth-generation Thai-Chinese and her family is rumored to have high-level connections within the Chinese government.................. Yingluck and Thaksin were reported to have visited relatives at their ancestral home in the city of Meizhou in eastern Guangdong. https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-01-07/former-thai-leader-serving-as-chairwoman-of-chinese-port-operator-101367311.html

An interesting post. I have never used a pawn shop, but on many occasions when I lived in Thailand, I used to pawn my gold necklace at local gold shops whenever I needed emergency funds, mainly medical bills, as I do not qualify for medical insurance. Always got "the going rate" and never scammed. I always repaid within 2 months when my 3 pensions were credited to my bank account. I rarely took the full value, just borrowing 15,000 or 20,000 baht using my necklace as security.

Close Facebook and promote Tik-Tok???

As a former "country bumpkin" ex-pat who lived in Lanna for several years, I wish you, Mister T, a speedy recovery and a quick return to your family home in Chiang Mai.

Yes indeed. As a so-called "yellow shirt" Deputy Prime Minister under PM Abhisit (reference Wikipedia) After several Criminal court rulings that deaths and injuries sustained by Red-Shirt protesters during the political unrest in April and May 2010 were the direct result of orders to soldiers given by Suthep Thaugsuban ...........public prosecutors and police agreed to file murder charges against him.[20][21] Suthep along with Abhisit was also found responsible by the Court for the assassination of Italian journalist Fabio Polenghi, who was covering the 2010 protests.[22][23]

Maybe the Russians with "Telegram" as well???

Really??

OMG - things have certainly changed since my last visit to Patong in 2000!