Polar Bear

We share a wall with the grounds of a church school that has been closed since COVID. I think they mostly come in from there. There's all sorts of things living there. I guess no one has any suggestions for actual plants though, so I think I'll just get more bromeliads.

Sorry, I probably should have said, I've already tried repellents (diatomaceous earth, copper, etc.) with pretty much zero effect. Partly because they also drop down from the wall/fence/ roof, and partly because there are so many of them, they just crawl over each other. It's the giant ones that do all the damage. I spent a year trying to prevent them getting into the pots, and gave up. I'd rather just go for things they won't eat.

I'm trying to replace all the container/pot plants that I've killed off over the last few years. I bought a selection of plants (don't ask me what they were), potted them all up, and the first night, I could hear a weird sound in the yard. The next morning, I discovered it was the sound of a thousand giant snails chomping their way through my new plants. So I tried again, this time taking a bit more care to get snail-resistant plants, and now I've got a few bromeliads, some spiky things and a dracena that seem to be surviving. Everything else has been eaten immediately. I'd like to add a bit more variety, but I need things that a) are OK in a pot b) can survive in Bangkok weather c) can survive my neglect and d) survive snails. Can anyone suggest anything that has a fighting chance of survival?

Grab is currently quoting 180 THB.

I do use a VPN, and it's probably been on when I've made calls sometimes, but I don't put it on for that specifically. I only use my Google Voice number to receive calls from the USA, and they are always pre-planned, so the only outbound calls I make with it are the ones I need to do to keep it active. I wouldn't usually have my VPN on when I'm making the maintenance calls, but they go through OK.

I've got the best part of a year left on my package, which is the Skype-in number and UK landlines. But I can't put credit on it, so I can't call mobiles, non-geo numbers or other countries from my Skype number, which are the bulk of my outbound calls. What use is a phone number that I can only receive calls on and can't call out from? I'm now having to pay another company to be able to use my number, while Microsoft just keeps my money.

I was 2 months in to my 1 year package. For occasional calls to the USA, you might want to try Google Voice. The catch is that you need a USA number to register it initially. They send a code to that number to register, but it's a one-time thing. Once it's registered, it's free, you just have to use it regularly. (I call the Apple helpline every month to keep it active.)

It depends what you use it for and what countries you call. I use it mainly to call UK landlines and non-geo numbers, but I also have a UK skype-in number, which I really didn't want to lose, so I've switched over to Voipfone.co.uk At the time, (about 3-4 weeks ago) it was the only one I found that had non-business packages that would allow you to port in a UK Skype number, but more might have popped up since then. The call package I've got is practically the same as I had with Skype, just a little more expensive, but they ported my Skype-in number with no fuss. But it's meant for business really, and I have to use 3rd party apps (e.g., Zoiper5) to make calls. They are clunky and awkward, and I don't like them at all. But the calls are clear enough, and calls on my UK VOIP number come through OK, so I will stick with it for now. So, not a glowing recommendation, but it does what I need it to. When I was looking, there were a lot more options for users in the USA.

Nothing, they are just keeping the money and telling us to use Teams.

BTS green line, MRT and airport links were running as normal today. The BTS monorails (pink & yellow) were still off because they haven't finished the safety checks. There didn't seem to be any problems with the roads around Rama IV, but I don't know about other areas.

I haven't used any of them myself, but these all have a good reputations: BKK Dogster HappingPets Paw House Dog Camp Trail and Tail

Yes, you can get it a little cheaper if you shop around, but it's around that price.

Whichever you prefer.

It's very easy to make yourself. Coffee, sugar, vanilla and alcohol (you can use vodka). You'll find lots of recipes online, but you can just adjust it to your taste. Good vanilla and allowing it to age for a while makes a big difference to the flavour.

Looks like a juvenile Ashy Drongo to me though I can't remember which subspecies has the lighter colouring. I'll see if I can track it down. Edit: leucogensis