VBF

Yup! At the time, it was (or should have been) "you don't have to be vaxxed - just don't mix with others if you're not". Now it doesn't matter as all the sensible, thinking people have been vaxxed. As for discipline- it's a necessary facet of mixing with others - again a choice if you don't want to mix with others. In most work places, military or civilian there are rules to which you implicitly agree to abide by when you take a job: behaviour, timekeeping, dress codes etc. This is just another of them.

Quite right. 👍 Always remember "Growing old is compulsory, growing up is not" 🙄😎

You are a funny man! If you work for someone else amongst other people, you do as you're told or leave. You call it coercion, I call it discipline. You might as well say that not bathing and going to work stinking is OK and you can't be told to clean up or leave!

I watch those TV docs about Aussie Customs too. They are scarily efficient - I know one thing for sure - if I ever go to Oz I shall be sooooo careful about what's in my cases! That said - more power to them for keeping Oz clear of some nasty diseases in their flora and fauna.

Nobody in UK was forced to vaccinate, but for a while there were restrictions on those who didn't - therefore a choice. Said restrictions then went away when the majority had some immunity from....vaccination!

I like a "CLT" = Chicken, Lettuce, Tomato sandwich Chicken, lean, roasted, sandwiches, Hellman's Light Mayo + Sri Racha sauce. Or..... Houmous and Marmite and lettuce - really! Always wholemeal bread.

Nobody said you MUST get vaccinated - it's just that intelligent science followers saw how effective the vaccines would be and have been proven correct. You're right - it's not my business so just carry on enjoying your conspiracy theories and I'll carry on enjoying my (usually) healthy life.

I usually agree with you @spidermike007 but must say that: 1 I love my trips to Pattaya, have lots of adult fun there, but know how to behave to avoid antagonising others. 2 Correction - stay at least 100 to 200 meters away from any predatory "working gal" ladyboys. The ones who are not "on the game" are often nice people IME.

Exactly. The common cold is not the same as influenza, but covid is similar to influenza. I've had covid twice that I know of (tested) and once where I think it was covid but not sure at age 68. Not sure because I wasn't planning on going out and mixing with others so didn't bother to test and it's just annoying, no more. Been vaxxed / boosted 5 times now - age 70. What must be said is my experiences hold true for the majority of people who get covid - for a minority it's more serious as we know. But we should never have shut the world down for a minority. Those who have pre-existing issues or who are very old should have been offered the opportunity (and supported) to isolate. Furthermore, Charles Darwin had something to say about survival, as we all know. As for the morons who deny science and won't be vaxxed - you're free to go your own way, but just shut up about it!

I'm sure you're right, but not quite sure how that's relevant? I was referring (and you replied) to VE vs SETV to Thailand which is (or was) ".....an extra £30 on the cost of a trip to Thailand" if a Brit applies in UK.

True, but IF VE is reduced back to 30 days, people like me will be applying for SETVs again, but as my reply to @Enoon above implies, it's really no big deal.......just a waste of everyone's time, and an extra £30 on the cost of a trip to Thailand.

You're correct - I just looked up my Feb 2023 trip online visa application and I included obfuscated bank statement and pension statement. So actually this change is the process returning to "normal" after all the stupidity that occurred during and after covid.

Short answer Yes. But only if the property can be passed on when the original lessee dies. It has to be better than just 30 years. Being Thailand, the devil will definitely be in the detail.

AIS did want my original PP when I changed my SIM card a few years ago. The staff member assured me that he'd lose his job if he acted on any sort of a copy.

Slightly but I DO bring a couple of plastic jars of instant coffee in my suitcase when I visit Thailand. My chosen Gold Blend is much cheaper in UK, plus I cannot just get it at 7/11 - I need to make an effort and go to a bigger shop. Rather just pack it at home.

I haven't had a paper bill or account statement for 5 years or more. All online so a simple matter of downloading a couple of PDFs, or screen grabbing and making PDFs. Just redact the account number on bank accounts. Some years ago, when consulates offered Non-Imm O visas, I used to do exactly that. If you do happen to have paper bills, scan to PDFs. Having said that, as others have said, the amount is ridiculous and its all rather intrusive for no obvious benefit.

You bitch!

Well even perverts have standards! 😆

Normally I'd agree with you there, but if the tourist did "allegedly grope the driver and reach into his trousers" and if he was drunk, then the driver is defending against a potential assault. Thing is, we don't actually know how much of a "grope" and how drunk the tourist was.

We're all adults here, aren't we?

Maybe to Ayutthaya or Sukhothai even?

There were books called "Hello My Big, Big, Honey" and "A Killing Smile" both set in Bangkok which I read in the eighties. Similar ideas, so basing a new book in Pattaya would be a variation on a theme so to speak. Maybe @owenjones would like to read these for additional inspiration? But, whatever you do, do not name names - there will likely be both legal and physical repercussions if you do!

it's probably quite new so would that be a child ticket? 🙄

My fellow "oldies" will get this.....

Quite agree - The much-missed Jethro