VBF

Spot on - that was exactly what I was thinking as I read what @piston broke who i rather think is wearing rose-tinted specs (The red rose of Labour?) posted.

civil and service - the very definition of an oxy-moron! ????

Assuming one is a UK resident planning to ride a bike or drive a car when a tourist, it's reasonable to assume that one HAS a UK licence. Given that, it's sensible, possibly even essential, to get an IDP, which, as I said earlier is very easy and cheap in the UK. Driving abroad That definitely covers you for your stay in Thailand, as long as you are a genuine tourist, which is the subject of this thread.

I am pedantic, some would say to the point of OCD Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) inasmuch as I check contracts, policies, tickets, doors and many other routine items. I'm NOT ashamed of it - I'm actually proud of my attention to detail. If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing properly and thoroughly and it's interesting how often my approach pays off. This is "IMO" - my opinions are never humble ????

Luckily, I've so far (!) never made a major claim for sickness, but over 20 years, I've made 5 small ones, all paid in full - things like ear infections, pickpocketed (in my early naïve days) but I DO tell the insurers that my trip is over 30 days (and pay the extra premium); I DO tell the insurers about my medical condition (and pay the extra premium) and I DO avoid things like bungee jumping (terrified anyway!!!) and DON'T ride motorcycles. I'm surprised that elephant trekking would be regarded as too dangerous to cover and I always thought that a UK driving licence was good for one's FIRST 30 DAYS in Thailand. If I'm going to drive (a car) I get an IDP anyway - very cheap and easy. My last claim was for a Business Class flight from BKK to London in 2020 when the UK went into lockdown. My airline had stopped flying and UK Gov told all British travellers to return home. As the policy stated that one must comply with FCO advice, they paid without a murmur - including my bus and Uber fares from London Heathrow to home. ????

Thanks. I think I'll stick with my present approach - a combination of a Thai a/c with SCB and cash. I credit the Thai a/c from UK using Wise which IS cost-effective and use my SCB ATM card which is free in both SCB AND Bangkok Bank's ATMs. Bring cash as a "backup" Sometimes...if it ain't broke, don't fix it! ????

Does the Wise card also attract the ATM fee (220 Baht per transaction)? I've asked in different places and got conflicting answers and am considering getting a Wise card (I already have an account) for my next trip.

Well it WAS originally reported in the Daily Mail. I thank you for your description which perfectly matches the right-on, PC, "woke" morons who write for and read that so-called publication!

Just to update.... I got to SUV 5 hours before flight time - check-in opened 4 hours before fight time so i sat waiting. Checked in - Fast Track through Immigration - there was ONE person ahead of me (!) so it took about 5 minutes. So my precaution WAS unnecessary but as I was travelling Business class, i simply enjoyed the comfort and food in the lounge. I'd actually rather do that than fret in the taxi and /or at the airport in case there are delays ????

My friend left for UK last night and called me from the lounge, apparently there was only one person ahead of him in the Priority (Business class) queue and he got through in 5 minutes! I'm hoping for the same experience tonight but am still arriving at the airport 5 hours ahead of departure time. Happy to spend a bit longer in the lounge rather than fretting in the taxi or at immigration!

Anyone got an update on outgoing delays? I'm leaving April 6th and would appreciate updated info. TIA

If he's in the sun too long, a Sore Kraut perhaps?????

This appears to be one of those "YMMV" situations. ???? No idea WHY Ding behaves as it does but I just do 2 topups at a time with them.

Careful! I did exactly that on one occasion and Ding blocked me after 3 top ups. When I contacted them, I was told that multiple identical transactions get blocked. I was told to try again next day.... I did and it worked.

Add parasailing to your list! Watching it in Pattaya frightens the life out of me!????

Do you still pay the same ATM fee when you use a Wise card in Thai banks as you would with a "standard" credit or debit card?

You're welcome. I keep stuff like that in my Google Calendar - I've got a rotten memory too ..????

I don't do it that way. As I do this when in UK, I top up 10 Baht per transaction which costs 29 pence from my UK PayPal account Each 10 Baht top-up adds 1 month to the expiry date which is the sole aim of the exercise.

Agree with all the above - I use my AIS prepaid SIM in UK and also use Ding to top up

Exactly. The warranty is a contract that the supplier has signed and should honour, either by fixing or replacing - it SHOULD be THEIR problem, not yours

Was forced to fly on Thai in March 2020 when UAE closed its airspace and Emirates couldn't fly. Same Business Class, same aircraft (A380) - NOTHING about Thai is even close to Emirates: cabin layout, service, food quality, friendliness - just NOTHING! Happy to be back using Emirates (they even held my cancelled flight for 3 years with no fuss or expense)

So they're natural politicians then?????

Actually, I asked that very question in SCB ( Pattaya Klang) branch jusv2 days ago. A manager told me that they are keeping both the website and App. Of course she may not have been informed herself ????

Oh my oh my....doesn't time fly? Pun very much intended!

Sadly (for you) that option is likely to vanish in the near future the way commerce is heading However, have YOU ever heard of Pre-paid cards? I find them useful inasmuch as i can only EVER lose the funds actually on the account. I use https://www.pockit.com/ but there are others available.