LittleBear57

The high speed train from China to Vientiane is hardly high speed. Barely reaching 100mph. Which I agree is a lot faster than Thai trains, just not groundbreaking.

Any chance of her signing the legislation that the UK government hides behind to stop pensioners here receiving their cost of living increases. Thought not. Not interested then.

I read something in a recent email from Wise. It said they can only send money to some Thai banks and not all. It wasn't a problem for me as my 2 banks were good. Kasikorn and Krungsri, pretty confident that Bangkok and Siam Commercial were also OK.

Micheal Fish springs to mind.

Simple Thai wife of 19 years and a 17 year old daughter in full time education. Also I bought a house here. Vietnam is great though.

Not every meal though surely.

Yes if the mayor of Pattaya visited Danang and looked at the city especially the promenade area. It would blow his mind. It's been thought out. Wider streets less traffic lights very little congestion. It all makes a nicer experience. Then I never saw drunken tourists, fights or anything. Just more pleasant. Shame there's no retirement visa at this moment.

Yes if the mayor of Pattaya visited Danang and looked at the city especially the promenade area. It would blow his mind. It's been thought out. Wider streets less traffic lights very little congestion. It all makes a nicer experience. Then I never saw drunken tourists, fights or anything. Just more pleasant. Shame there's no retirement visa at this moment.

Many Chinese are not traveling anywhere due to the downturn in their economy or the confidence in it. I was told to expect thousands everywhere in Vietnam hardly saw any. Mostly European and American, but the biggest amount for one single country was India.

Food is a very individual thing. We found it bland in general. My daughter loves noodles but didn't like the pho so I ended up eating it. OK but I wouldn't buy it. Had a lovely tasting chicken dish but the chicken chopped into pieces bones and all. Sort of Chinese styl I guess, made it hard eating. Ended up eating a lot of western food in the end which was generally of a high quality, but not what I expecting to eat. Thai wife and daughter not impressed either. Horses for courses. Will it stop me going back, no chance, lovely place.

Just returned from 2 weeks in Vietnam. Obviously didn't do everything. But did Hanoi, Halong bay Ninh Binh, Hue Danang and Hoi An. For families it was so much easier to get good hotels for 3 people or more, no 800bht extra bed charges. Hotels were excellent and like for like half the price. Everything in Vietnam is on time. Trains buses tours, taxis etc. I found pollution a little worse for sure and I much preferred Thai food generally. Ban me sandwiches were nice though. Nightlife in Hanoi similar to Bangkok, I didn't see a red light area but perhaps it's there but I wasn't looking. Halong bay nicer than Phang Na bay area. Can be crowded though. Ninh Binh loved it, nicer than anywhere I have visited in Thailand. Cycled everywhere there it felt so safe to do so. Hue a lovely city buzzing with life at night preferred it to Chiang Mai. Danang is nicer and cleaner than Pattaya, especially the beach and sea front area. If there is a red light area I didn't see it. Hoi An a wonderful place in the evening, with the boats and lanterns. Like loy kratong every night but with boats in a lovely old town. More bargaining required in Vietnam and more hard sell than Thailand. Apart from food Vietnam for me is nicer especially for a holiday.

Flew in from Danang last Thursday to BKk no issues at all minimal queues lady polite and friendly. I'm on a retirement visa and came back from a holiday with my Thai family. Maybe it's down to the type of visa held.

I live in Thailand and I walk, swim cycle and go fishing in my spare time. It's true you have do something with your spare time. I am married to a Thai and have a daughter in school but if I wasn't I would give Vietnam a serious look. It has fantastic scenery and the North and central areas are noticeably cooler and less humid. You have to look at visa requirements and areas where expats live as you will need some company. It s not seedy either. And despite what you may hear it's not full of Chinese tourists or Russians. Da Nang would be a good place to start.

The biggest threat to damage coral is the anchor thrown onto it by fishermen and tour boats. Then of course we have warming, salinity and chemical issues. These boats often do it daily and cause massive issues.

For years I carried a card saying I had been exposed to a type of this disease, whilst in the jungles of central America. Thought I'd heard the last of it. Hate sand flies. I found insect repellant less effective against sand flies hope it's improved over the years if this becomes more prevalent.