chricha

I was a frequent shopper at Makro over the last year until January when I was living in Phitsanulok, which has two Makro stores. And as a regular at Costco in Canberra, I can report that both stores have many wholesale customers who have small shops and so naturally buy large quantities.

The queue shown at Makro was definitely below normal but the true facts don't support the fake news story

Similarly in Australia Costco featured in a story about 10 days ago prior to the insane run on toilet paper in Australia. I would suggest this story contributed to the situation here where you have to be very lucky to be shopping when the truck arrives (as I was last week) to be able to buy any toilet paper or tissues or even kitchen paper!

My point is some journalists will do anything to sell their story and <deleted> the consequences for the elderly and disabled who now cannot buy toilet paper and other such essentials. This is why I watch ABC News 24 in Oz. The facts are sound and the stories well researched. Nothing remotely comparable in Thailand!

This is the thorny issue of POOT - proof of onward travel. I will test this on the 30th of this month with a one-way Sydney to Bangkok and Visa exemption on arrival.
I intend to arrive at the airport about 3 hours before the flight in case the check-in clerk asks for POOT. Then I'll buy a refundable or throw-away ticket.
My research suggest that it's the airline which checks this. In general Thai border officials don't look at this unless you are flagged for other reasons.

The reason for this is we are waiting for my fiancée's PMV 300 visa and I want to be flexible about when I return with her and our infant son born in Thailand who is now Australian. I was in Thailand for nearly 4 months recently and made 3 visa runs but I had a return ticket.