Burma Bill

Makes a refreshing change from the usual shorts, singlets and flip-flops!

Not strictly true. If you enlarge the photo, you can claerly see carriages towards the rear still standing on the tracks!

Well, she was certainly given the cold shoulder treatment!!

With respect, the Head of State for Cambodia is King Norodom Sihamoni. The new Prime Minister is now Hun Manet. He is Khmer but never Khmer Rouge. He was educated in the West - UK and USA. His government is now establishing new links with the West, along with many other nations. Yes, his father is Hun Sen who is now an elderly man and sits behind "offering advice"!

And 7-11's?? Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is expanding rapidly in Cambodia, where it aims to open its 100th branch by the end of this year. https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40028608

With respect, no. This purpose built complex (including fitted out) is like a school and IMO $2,199,920 seems reasonable. Picture (EAC News Cambodia)

Yellow/Grey bus company operates a daily service from Chiang Mai right across country to Ubon Ratchathani (a very long journey!). It travels via Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Lomsak, Chum Phae and Khon Kaen onwards to Ubon. Maybe it visits Mukdahan before terminating in Ubon. If not, alight at Khon Kaen Bus Station and get a bus onwards to Mukdahan. I used this service overnight to Chum Phae - 11 hours!! Sombat Tours operate a VIP bus from Chiang Mai to Khon Kaen. If you go to the main Arcade Bus Station in Chiang Mai, the enquiry office/bus company office will be able to help you ,as they did for me.

Back to its pre-covid popularity with International and domestic tourists visiting the UNESCO Angkor Wat Archaeological Park. During covid restrictions, much restoration work was (and still is) being done to preserve the ruins. The city itself underwent extensive infrastructure projects to modernise the roads, street lighting and pavements/sidewalks. Dedicated cycle tracks were created, especially towards Angkor Wat, along with upgrades to parks and riverside walks. Some hotels and restaurants have been refurbished or rebuilt. The "Angkor Eye" big wheel is now operating providing views across Siem Reap. Museums and similar tourist attractions are open again. Pub Street is as popular as ever but now without the ghetto blasting music and the "alcofrolics" boozing at the mobile street bars - they are now banned (a great improvement IMO) - the monks in the nearby temples can get a good night's meditation! Musical entertainment is within the established businesses. A new International Airport is now due to officially open on the 1st December 2023. Many ex-pats live here and they meet at coffee shops, cafes and bars.

For reference: Map of Central Chiang Mai surrounding, and within the the moat. Tae Pae Gate is mid-way along the east side of the moat.

Will the satellite suffer air brake failure and fall to Earth??

Yes, ME. On retirement I first chose to live in Lanna (Lampang Province) then moved across to Isaan (Khon Kaen Province) before continuing retirement in Cambodia. Bangkok and the Southern seaside resorts were of no interest to me.

Boyz Town in Pattaya??

With respect, since 1978 he may have died thus avoiding any further embarrassment.

Back in the late 1990's WE DID when times were happy and hassle free! As successive Thai Governments came into power, the immigration rules got more and more complex, the worst being under Prayut. Fortunately way back, the "private agency business" and "Immigration consultancy" started blossoming to relieve the stress and worry. I will not elaborate other than to say my final retirement visa when I left Thailand in 2019 (after 20 years) was issued after consulting with my friendly local Thai Immigration officer - none of this 800,000 baht in the bank rip-off! For reference, I now OBEY the Immigration rules of Cambodia which are so, so easy, having just extended my annual retirement visa by presenting my valid passport (until 2028), proof of registration on Cambodia's FPCS, one pp photo and 300$.

Thanks Sheryl. I stand corrected.

That will be a delight!!

A very interesting post to read of the various restrictions or not. When I lived in Thailand, insulin for my diabetes was my primary concern. Each month, when visiting the diabetic clinic at my local Thai Government hospital, I had to sit a very long time (2 hours or more) waiting to see the doctor for a signed prescription for insulin (Mixtard in my case) which enabled me to purchase it from the hospital pharmacy. So, so different here in Cambodia. I can buy as much insulin as I want over the counter at my local pharmacy - no prescription needed! I keep enough insulin stocked in my refrigerator that could be potentionally lethal. I enquired about opioid painkillers - morphine a definite "no, no" but he could supply others "over the counter" without prescription.

Cocky so and so!

I wonder who/what spirited it away!

The latest on this (today 26 September 2023) The Army has been stood down from supporting the Metropolitan Police after hundreds of officers stepped back from firearms duties. Soldiers were put on standby .......................... but the Met said on Monday that enough (police officers) had returned to duty. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66909729

Whatever the sad circumstances, I find it rather inappropriate for a "haha" emoji to be posted!

Well I never - a wet dream??

IMO, not only fined but ordered to attend (and pass) a first aid course before being re-appointed. This would be beneficial for other passengers who may sadly be taken ill on a bus. Maybe all bus drivers/conductors should take a basic first aid course. No further comment from me on this subject.

Yes indeed. Such humanitarian assistance should be recognised (IMO)

Funny you should mention this because my regular tuk tuk driver usually accompanies me when I go shopping or sightseeing etc. to help me maintain stability, being an old fart with dodgy legs!