isaanistical

no need, I am sure we all agree, but your list of grievances hasn't changed in the nearly 30 years I have been here, so why do they only now cause people to up and away?

That was for Malaysia too, so maybe two-thirds that figure for TH. I meant CP lost, which has definitely shot itself in the foot. They had 'plans' to merge and rationalise with CP's other retail brands but it seems the panic delayed that and now they don't know what to do.

They have them in Villa too, and BigC (eg Rama 4). Worse than useless and don't actually know anything about their products. Nice to know no-one has even mentioned (Tesco) Lotututut, probably the biggest loser of the last few years and deservedly so. I don't know anyone who goes in there, locals included.

Some FLs - eg Srinakarin - you'll hardly ever see farangs, even before the panic. A lot of middle-class Thais like(d) it because it was a cut above the Big Cs.

Agree about Fooodland's downward spiral, and it's a shame. Can't be specific about soi 5 because I always used to avoid it as it was often full of people who would not buy pork, shall we say. But elsewhere, Took Lae Dee simplified their menus during the panic and have not reverted. No fish 'n' chips, for example, while even the Thai food selection has halved. And food prices jumped around 6-8 months ago, since when I have stopped using Foodland altogether. Their deli sections were good - and very good value, but prices of [locally-produced, don't forget] hams, etc just doubled overnight. They stopped selling bread too. So all the reasons for using FL just evaporated. I joined Makro, which is not a like-for-like, but it fills some of the holes.

Problem is they turn up in court wearing a kilt and no-one knows what to think......

What about Thai parents? Generally they never correct, scold or discipline their little brats. Saw disgraceful scenes yesterday on BTS; if it were mine, it would have a very thick ear by now.

if you mean kennedy, he paid for it eventually!

No I don't have, never seen the point (maybe this is it!). To explain, just in case someone wants to repeat useful advice about Italy, I couldn't give a 4x for the tourist attractions which are all and only temples and I have no interest in them. My wife mentioned we might go to the Ancient City again - we went a million years ago and I didn't like it then - and I immediately looked for an excuse, like 'it's too expensive'. agree entirely, although on one or two occasions with the family it was necessary to compromise. Not any more though. And even then, we usually just refused to pay the extra; I can't recall that ever failing, given my wife's acerbic tongue! Now I only go to overpriced Italian attractions...........

Not precisely what I was asking but thanks anyway. Question refers to attractionS.

I've been here 20-odd years and I still hate dual-pricing. However, I have just discovered that numerous attractions in LoS appear to be bookable through online services such as Klook and Tiqet, which charge much less than the standard entry fee at attractions. Eg: Ancient City, Samut Prakan. Official website: farang B750 (unless with WP). Tiqets (via link on google maps): AUD15.04, or approx B350. The site acknowledges you are an international visitor. This is not the usual moan about rights/wrongs of dual pricing. I may be the last to know about this, but my question is whether or not tickets booked online with these operators would actually get you into attractions, or whether you'd be told to go away, or pay the difference. Anyone any experience?

You got that waaaaay wrong. Same like you can stay in UK, or EU, or China "as long as you want". Where you from?

Can't see it's any funnier than when it popped up on page 1529, and it wasn't then…….

I would not bother with an imogi. Thanks for explaining this "good joke"; I looked this guy up; he died in 1995. This might have been funny then, or within a couple of decades. All the topicals, as we used to say.......

Gerroff…. they're all FCCTTBTGT+ (or possibly minus).

It's ok – till it goes wrong. Try seeking help. They tell you to turn your system inside out, including resetting just about everything, just because their app decided not to return after I took a 5-minute pause. I have found a workround, with none of their help, but I will not be renewing – assuming I don't sue them for non-delivery of service. Warning: the help-desk m**kies are called the “customer success team”. Pass the sick bag, Alice………..

RIP Bill Tidy - one of the best cartoonists of all time: “Yes, but is there any news of the iceberg?” Cartoon by Bill Tidy

Stone me. Again:

well she was asking for it.......

Very flat, Dutch comedy.............

Well in my neck of the woods (Samut Prakan), 711s were already not selling at 1300 Sunday. Signs up and everything. Fortunately, Mom n' Pop disagree, as usual, so I won't go thirsty - but just as well I checked at lunchtime for a change.

Like the Chagos, you mean?

As I said, the last report I saw (in a national newspaper, to be fair...) said free public trials to start in December 2022. 2042 sounds entirely plausible if not optimistic. What a waste of resources, as usual.