Burma Bill

Measly?? Currently converts to 19,746 GBP!! That is a lot of money for many ex-pats in Thailand and to keep it in a Thai bank for six months by law is outrageous IMO - keeping the Thai banks afloat are you??? Fortunately I now live across the border in Cambodia where bureaucratic financial restrictions do not exist and hassle free when renewing/extending an annual retirement visa. As for "cheap Charlie's" there are those affluent ex-pats who are reluctant to put their hands in their pockets!!

Very much so, and whenever "sing a song" microphones appear, it is my cue to leave!!

Personally, I fid it very alarming and sad that so many young children (including babies) are transported on motorbikes, positioned between 2 adults - usually Mum and Dad - with no protection. RIP young father.

From the photo, I wonder if Anutin's family business will offer to pay the young Burmese man's funeral expenses??

With respect, perhaps he was playing Stravinsky's Firebird Suite?

An alarming reference, especially if I was Russian:- "Earlier, the head of Rosavia, Oleksandr Neradko, said that Western-made airliners, which are currently not undergoing maintenance due to sanctions, can be used until 2030. "I am sure that it has not become more dangerous to fly - and this [lack of original spare parts] does not mean anything," he said. The official demanded to stop calling the fact that planes in Russia fly using spare parts from other planes as "cannibalization". https://www.txtreport.com/news/2023-02-05-a-russian-plane-caught-fire-during-takeoff-in-thailand--more-than-300-passengers-were-on-board-(video).BJOGHrThi.html

Good old Russian name??? Should it have been Mikel Mikel??

And maybe smoke detectors?? The hotel I regularly used in Chiang Mai had both smoke detectors and sprinkler systems in all rooms. It was a "No Smoking" establishment . I appreciate in this incident, it was a condo block and smoke detectors would have been a nightmare for the management, having to respond to smoke alarms every time a resident lights up a cigarette.

Unfortunately, highly unlikely. Reference: "Myanmar's junta extended the country's state of emergency by another six months" https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/myanmar-elections-junta-granted-six-month-state-emergency-extension-3247076

The prawn farmers will be getting bumper orders???

At least the children had more space in an 18-wheeler compared to this:

Whatever - from this afternoon's AN (1st February 2023) RTP Chief apologizes to Taiwanese actress: \"Good cops will be rewarded - bad ones punished\" Guides\' group say Pattaya cop extorted 30K in E-cig case Thai media investigate floating market tourist rip-off Thailand Elite Card embroiled in scandal over suspicious Chinese businesses Thailand - the hub for tourist scams, extortion and corruption???

Further information from the link:- "They called us on a mobile phone for help. We checked their location and realised they were on an old trail to the top of the mountain.....................................They were Mr. Prasannatma Das Bhatt, 30, Ms. Stagey Anne Pedder, 35, both British nationals, and Ms. Sandra Helena, 44, Netherlands national"

I appreciate all the other numerous comments on health improvement methods, but being an insulin dependent Type 2 Diabetic, the most important for me is the sugar content in food/drinks which IMO should be approaching 0% - use "sweeteners" instead . During my 20 years in Thailand, I always had trouble finding non-Thai "low sugar" or "sugar free" products, for example mayonnaise, salad cream, fruit juices, jams and carbonated drinks etc. etc. (the Thai products were IMO disgustingly too sweet). The Thai Mitr Phol Sugar Corporation invariably "lobbied" politicians whenever there was any suggestion of sugar controls. Fortunately, here in Siem Reap there are many international brands of sugar free, no added sugar and reduced sugar products on offer in the larger supermarkets, many imported from the UK, EU and Australia. With respect, I know many of you find sweeteners disgusting and that I should stick to a strict "diabetic diet" but it is my choice.

I wonder how long before we read about Chinese tourists in a Tour Bus or a Boat accident????

How about recruiting the likes of Manuel??? (UK TV Comedy Fawlty Towers)

For reference, also in Cambodia, should anyone decide to do a border run (28th January 2023): "Authorities cracked down on illegal ‘vape’ or ‘e-cig’ suppliers in Siem Reap.....................Anti-Drug Bureau forces implement the crackdown on businesses that distribute prohibited e-cigarettes" https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501228588/vaping-crackdown-in-siem-reap/

Seafood served direct to your table???

Maybe the Thai postman/lady cannot read an address written in a foreign language??

Well I never - no postmen??

When I lived in Thailand, I always used the Thai Post EMS facility which I could track on my computer.

I am in a similar situation, but with cards from my friends in the UK. Unfortunately, postal workers were on strike prior to Christmas and International mail was just stockpiled. Still waiting today - 30th January, maybe the cards have disappeared into a "Royal Mail Blackhole" ??

"Nice One Cyril" (UK) The song title is a reference to Cyril Knowles, a left back who played for Tottenham Hotspur. It was released before the 1973 Football League Cup Final where Tottenham played Norwich City. (Wikipedia)

Amazing! Yet again Safe & Trusted Thailand for tourists. With respect, anywhere near Hell Fire Pass on the Death Railway??

Possible - I never go near the sea or deep fresh water.