isaanistical

Indeed. Long time since I saw wooden clothes-pegs.......

First time I went was a week after the tsunami - just wonderful, idyllic, except, of course, for a few terrible parts of the west. Nowadays, I wouldn't cross the street to go there.

No, give him credit: he wants all visa-holders to enter via Phuket, so we avoid the B300 and Phuket gets more - er - tourists........

as I said, no alternative was offered

I have a yahoo.com email address which I rarely use. Yesterday, on starting the PC (I get email via Thunderbird, but it appears to be the same if I go direct to yahoo's site), I got a new message from Yahoo demanding I sign in again, and wanting to send a verification code – to a phone number that finished years ago. No alternative is offered. This email is important only because it's the one I use for Immigration TM47s, etc, (and previously also Lazada, but I have the same view of Lazada as of Immigration, so…). Otherwise I could dispense with it and yahoo. Is there something up with yahoo? Is there a known way round not having the requisite phone number? And why are they so d@mn obstructive for no apparent reason?

sorry but I flat-out don't believe this. I have just staggered back from a round-trip requiring 3 of the routes, each way, buying tickets, and NOWHERE is there any hint of a joint card. Details, perhaps? Or is it only availabe in Pattaya......

Well I bought beer in BigC on Monday and we ate and drank at a restaurant (though not in anyone's 'honour'). Monday was not a booze-ban day at all. As for tomorrow, I was grateful for the warning because these things catch me out. If I know in advance, I don't have to get annoyed. Or impugn someone else's culture. "Exclude farangs"? Seriously? You just arrived or something?

with more of a head on it, although that's just from the pollution.

yeah. Apart from the US, it's the only place people need to be told the difference between beer and rainwater…..

Thanks. So I would use my phone with NFC and it magically connects, even though the card details are international. I'll try it, or it's going to be a dry weekend...........

I'm a beginner with contactless payments, but because an international transfer has been delayed I need to try either cardless cash from a local ATM or instore payment using a virtual card (Visa) with details in Google Pay. Is that possible here in BKK? Or does Google Pay work here now? (I think only with Thai-bank Visa cards?)

Of course - September 3, The Day War Broke Out

or the whole thing on a QR code to store in your phone?

It's what used to be called a "passport". But I don't hear any country saying you'll no longer need an expensive and increasingly useless lump of paper - or deal with the odious VFS mob.........

yeah, and I am over 70 too but I don't tell anyone.