RayWright

Have a UK Credit Card which I use solely for travel expenses, i.e. Flights, Car Hire and Hotels. Otherwise I use a Debit Card for everything else, so in Thailand then K-Bank. In the 3 years I've been in Thailand my UK Credit card has had to be re-issued 5 times due to "fraudulent activity". Bit annoying, as takes on average 7 to 8 weeks for a new card to arrive. Did courier the last refresh, however the courier company couldn't deliver as Condo name and contact number weren't displayed on the delivery address. Took 2 weeks to arrive from their Chonburi sorting office, needless to say the Condo name was on the address, and I updated them with my Thai mobile, which when they delivered they didn't use. TIT. As to general purchases using my Thai Debit card, never had an issue, says a lot for the QR code system they use at the POS (Point of Sale). Hotels I use tend to be a big American International Chain (collect the points), who have numerous franchises. Interestingly, the card number with the most "fraudulent activity" tends to be the original Card Number which is on my profile, never the current one, which I use in person on settling the bill on departure. For deposits, always pay in cash, that way there is no pre-auth activity and POS or reservations computer system printout or stored record of the card number. (Certain Hotels prefer to store the card number details for the deposits return, as easier than crediting back using the original Credit Card Transaction number, as this tends to be a manual process and usually means a phone call to the Credit Card merchant). Despite having 2FA enabled by my Credit Card Company, the use by someone using a former card number triggers the security alert. Which back home wouldn't be an issue, as new card arrives in 3 days. Best to be safe than sorry. Also so far, my issues have been "activity", rather than "charges". If you can, best to have Transaction Activity enabled (SMS Alerting) if your Card issuer offers this service. Despite how careful you are, there are always nefarious individuals trying to scam and rob you.

Made me think of this. Can't find the original single on YT, think it's been taken down. But found a copy of the 1977 demo. Band formed but Giovanni Dadamo, Dave Fudger, Steve Nicol & Pete Makowski who were all journo's at Sounds. Best laugh was getting Single of The Week at NME, without NME knowing they all worked for the opposition. Mate of mine Mario, can't remember his surname, Tempus Fugit and all that, use to help out on Keyboards and Front of House (FoH).

Looking at the May stats from the ONS, then 7.47m currently on the waiting list, with some waits over a year (300k+). In terms of the Government target of 18 weeks, then 3.2m are waiting beyond this threshold. Also noted, that over the last 5 years number of Doctors have increased by 26% and Nurses by 24%. Further reading, since 2010 there has been a 47% increase in the NHS staff. Yet waiting lists keep going up. In reality a 9.8% increase in population since 2010, yet health wise a 87% increase on NHS resources. The current lot in the Gas Works reckon they will reduce the 3.2m 18 weeks plus wait time within their first term in office. Yer, right. Despite what D-Ream said in 1994, Things wont get better.

I think you mean MI6. MI5 deals with home soil issues, MI6 is the International stuff.

Thai version of Rag Week?

Not my sport, so couldn't give a monkeys. However, have my tickets for Saturday 19th July 2025 for The Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane when The Lions take on The Wallabies in the first test. Nout better than a bit of Aussi bashing.

Mate of mine in Brisbane has a couple of Ozzi Mozzi Guards ( https://ozzimozzie.com.au/products/ozzi-mozzie ) and swears by them. Apparently it's UV light is tuned to the desired frequency that attracts mozzi's. Have seen the collection tray the day after and looks impressive. Not sure if Thai mozzi's are attracted to the same frequency. However will pick one up when back over next year. In the mean time use the plug in liquid types. Always a satisfying site in the morning when use spot a dead body.

They'll never make their money back, you know. I told him. I said to him, "Bernie", I said, "They'll never make their money back.". (Eric Idle, Life of Brian).

Fly Air Iran or Air Algeria, they still have a smoking section in the cabin. Simples.

Can't say about BKK, but definitely a few more than last year down at Na Jomtien. Got the plugins working overtime, still got 2 bites last night. Annoying little critters.

Spot the celeb in a Safari Jacket?

Bob, Not a daft idea. Property rental prices are 4 times what I pay here, however at Marina Bay you can get an annual mooring for £800pa for a 20m boat, so maybe an option as a live-a-board. The odd weekend in Marbs, walk across the border at La Linea and grab the bus. The 90 out of 180 days might get an issue, however could always nip across to Morocco for a change of culture. Off to look at 52 footers.

Not true.

Jilted John, or to give him his proper name Graham Fellows, ex Coronation Street actor, in fact one of Gail Tilsey (now Gail Pratt) many ex's. Also the man behind alter ego John Shuttleworth. In fact his original single had Jilted John as the B side. John Peel commented on playing it on his Radio 1 show the B side was better, and if pushed by a major would be a hit. Picked up by EMI it reached No. 4 within weeks. Not to be undone, "Julie" got together with her boyfriend "Gordon" to release "Gordon's not a moron". Didn't chart as well as "John's" single. Ah the mid / late 70's were fun days.

The $5 SIM was a starter pack when I was over in March. Something like this:- You can order online and get the $5 SIM delivered to your Hotel / AirBnB before you arrive. Would need to check first. If staying with rellies even easier.

Yes, need to visit an Aldi, SIM cards at the checkout.

Looked into this end of last year, as previously used Optus, but their roaming costs are through the roof. Found AldiMobile (the German discount supermarket lot) to be the best. They piggy-back on the Telstra network, so good coverage. I think it was $5 to buy the SIM and currently they have a basic tariff of $19 for 30 days with unlimited calls / SMS to Australian numbers, plus 10GB of data. I bought their PAYG plan, $5 for the SIM and $25 top-up, reason being the number remains valid for upto a year if you keep your account in credit, which is useful for receiving SMS messages from my Aussi bank, even in Thailand.

Nah, 2003 was the best. I was there. Great evening, and the gloating afterwards was momentous. Had to behave myself though; as was staying in the Aussi team hotel, Crown Plaza Parramatta.

17 minutes & 43 seconds of pure Prog brilliance from When In Rome, 2007.

Oak leaves rolled up in a page from the Beano.

Can't confirm on PER, but flew SYD in March with Thai Airways, highly recommend the Lorrent Perrier and the wee bags of peanuts, don't eat the open food on Airlines having worked at Heathrow years ago. Pre departure lounge was okay, bit dirty, saw a long tail scurrying about, so kept my bags up on an adjacent chair. Hate to think what Aussi customs would have done if I brought in 'livestock'. Business class has multi-pin 220V power sockets, so great for laptop working. Always try and fly direct, Quantas had a deal, but couldn't get a window seat, so flew Thai instead. Flew Thai cattle on the way back, got the front of section aisle seat, so happy, saved a few Baht, plus working the next day, so no drinking.

With this year's TT week starting Saturday, practice week is nearly over. This from 2011 comes close to catching the magic of the event. Been track side on a couple of occasions, unbelievable the speeds these guys pull on the open road. In terms of Best Real Motorcycle Chase Ever, was there in 2010 for Hutchinson vs Dunlop in the Supersport race 2, both set new lap records during the 3 lap race, with 1.45 seconds separating the two at the end, Guy Martin came 4th, absolute magic.

Michael Gambon teaching Daniel Craig a fact of life...

Just watched "Mysteries of the Pyramids with Dara Ó Briain", 2 parter, 90 mins all in. With the BBC axing Mock The Week with no explanation, Dara is branching on on Ch5 presenting documentaries. Him being a bit of a nerd his style works as he discusses the academic solutions and theories as well as some of the far fetch 'Alien' ideas. Programme mostly covers Egypt, however makes reference to some of the other 5,000 pyramids across the planet. Could easily be expanded into a longer series to cover more of the South Amercian, Chinese, SEA etc constructions. Found it on TG, just aired in the UK.

Just watch it. Great popcorn flick. Always watch the credits, which on this movie copies the Jackie Chan end credits showing the stunts from behind the camera. Recognised the name Hannah Waddingham but couldn't place her (old age creeping in), then clicked, Tonya Dyke from Benidorm.