samtam

First Direct can only be opened by UK residents, "granfathering" overcomes those who did it before they moved. I rang them about opening an account about 6 months ago, as I was keen to change from HSBC UK, which was giving me grief. That account I have had for over 40 years, when residency was not important.

I've never used the bar, although it usually seems to be empty, but I'm usually mid sleep when I take a peek, and alcohol is not high on my list of priorities.

It's comfortable, and better than the 787, which only has 2 lavatories for the entire Business Class. The 787 also has a sliding door, but I found it quite claustrophobic. The A380 feels much less so. My recent trips on Qatar, in October, I had the same combo. Whilst the staff are very willing, the standard of F&B onboard has deteriorated, and the "a la carte" dining is chaotic. I was travelling with my partner, and we were in the middle two seats, but meal and food service did not co-ordinate, as his side was serviced by other crew. My (second) glass of champagne came after take off, his about 40 minutes later. I decided to avoid all food on the return journey, and instead ate in the lounge (in Madrid run by Iberia), and of course the Doha lounge. The latter was packed to the gunnels on the outward journey with a long queue to get a shower, as there were a number of flights arriving at the same time. Qatar still gets the "Airline of the Year" award, but I think that crown is no longer justified. Overall a huge disappointment after a 4 year hiatus because of covid. Sorry. I didn't answer your question: I haven't been in a Q suite, although the 787 with the door is described as a "suite".

Good to know. Thank you. I will take masks with me, even though they are not required in Spain as much as they are expected here in Thailand, (although I'm not clear that is not changing here WEF 1 October). With or without those "rules" here anyway, I expect the vast majority will continue to wear masks indefinitely.

Is mask wearing obligatory during flight now?

Thanks. I guess in an abundance of caution I should follow the recommendation, but I too have previously experienced a quick check-in to lounge experience pre-pandemic. The Q lounge was quite nice when I last went, (but it was brand new about 4 years ago), and I'm sure like everything here, they don't maintain it, unlike the Doha lounge, which is spectacular.

I am travelling on Qatar on Sunday, leaving LOS for the first time in 3 1/2 years. They have recommended that we should check in 3 hours ahead of departure, even though we're on Business Class and always do online check in. Is 3 hours before departure the norm for international travel these days?

Friends who recently returned to Bangkok (17 August) said no check was made of vaccination status at IMM. A check was made at check-in before departure.

Logic does not play a very large part in the psyche, and Thai society has been locked in a type of Stockholm syndrome, where the mask is the prison.

Yes. Sadly the lady who was checking my prescription for new lenses was not very good. Dirty lenses, sitting in front of the eye test screen, so I couldn't see it without asking her to move. My Japanese optician is much more attentive and professional, and he doesn't charge me THB910 for the pleasure.

Just had my last consultation with Rutnin, and the total of costs for 1 eye monfocal is THB100k. (Surgery fee + follow up.) I am so relieved that I am finally finished with Rutnin. The bureaucracy is a complete nightmare, and unnecessary. My visit to the doctor (scheduled at 09.50) took 4 hours door to door, which is pretty standard at Rutnin. The lens assessment was very unprofessional, and I shall use my own optician to do a more assured reading tomorrow, for my adjusted lenses, as post op they both need adjusting. The treatment and surgery is good, (Dr Roy), but the organisation is tedious to the extreme, and although a private hospital, with fees to match, it's like a factory, with seemingly endless "stations". It would be nice to have most things done by 1 operator. I need another eye done, (cataract), but am definitely looking for an alternative option to Rutnin.

Do you still have to wear masks on long haul Qatar flights, via Doha to Europe? I'm about to embark on my first long haul (Business Class) flight for nearly 4 years. Always loved Qatar Business then, so hope it will be as good.

@treetopsthank you so much. I changed the passport details online, as you outlined, and it has worked! I had to change the passport number, expiry date and upload a file of the details page.

Thank you. I will try both. Just to be clear email is health-cirt (and not health-cert)?

It's good advice, (to pay on time and treat staff well), and I always do, despite the fact that most have absolutely no sense of loyalty, and quitting on the spot seems to be quite "normal" in Bangkok. A vicious circle.

I have found the same in trying to employ a maid. I have had 5 this year. They appear to be happy, but then either have another job opportunity, or just decide that it's not for them. Of course, that is their right, but the labour market has certainly been upended by covid. In the first 15 years in Bangkok we had 2 maids, (8 years + 6 years), but during covid we had quite a turnover; we asked 2 (separately) not to come in because we (and they, and most people) were not vaccinated. We continued to pay them full salary for 2 months each. They then decided to leave. It's very frustrating, but unfortunately seems to be very common now. I also know there's a dire shortage of technicians. In the latter case many potential candidates have become food/delivery motocy drivers. Same sort of income level, but they are their own boss. In the case of maids, I think many went back to their home towns to live within their extended family units, and there they have remained because the certainty of job security is still very low, and the cost of living, (rent largely), is very high and pretty grim in Bangkok. I think this scenario will continue for another 6-12 months, or when the covid fallout stabilises.

Completed it on Monday night. It gets a bit slow, and could perhaps have wrapped up in 3 or 4 episodes. Really enjoyed: Slow Horses https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5875444/ The Old Man https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5875444/ was good, but then a bit obvious at the end, or anticlimactic, or both, I can't remember. The Lincoln Lawyer https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13833978/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_7 is good Redemption https://www.amazon.com/Redemption-Season-1/dp/B0B3WG7HCQ is excellent

Excellent advice, which I always follow. Sadly, the availability of recommended potential employees seems very limited at present. I tried the agency mentioned in the OP, but it is unreliable, untrustworthy and very unprofessional. There is no screening, so the fees are a racket.

I am very wary of this company, (in Bangkok). They have some reviews which suggest they are a racket, (to put it politely), and my recent experience would endorse that. They seem to churn and burn...supply a maid, then she resigns and you are locked into a cycle of new fees. Their Bangkok office is also chaotic, with follow up not taking into account what was agreed during interviews and LINE message conversations. I am at my wit's end, having tried all the resources I know to find a cleaner, who has good ironing skills. Any helpful suggestions readily welcomed. I have lived in Bangkok for 18 years and had long term employees for most of that time, but Covid has upended the market, and the scarcity is all too apparent.

I have my 3 vaccinations in my Mor Prom app, (and on my yellow vaccination passport), but I recall a thread about how to edit the Mor Prom app with new passport number; (my details show my old passport number, which I have recently renewed). Unfortunately cannot find that thread. Can anyone please advise how to do?

Just wish they could change the name to reflect its Spanish ownership.

Chaengwattana (Bangkok IMM) https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/home_en/

I did send an email about ten days ago, and they replied yesterday... telling me to ring their number 0044 191 218 3600 as they could not answer questions through email! Anyway, issue superseded now, as I managed to get through to Future Payments by phone, and have sorted out my queries, and paid up the shortfall.

You can pre-book Grab, on their app. I do not know how reliable they are to turn up at the appointed time. When you log in and click on Transport it prompts you to "Where to?", beside which is a drop down "Now", or "Schedule a ride", in which you put time and date. I use SV Limousine 0815132501 for airport transfers, and from Sathorn to Suvarnabhumi it's THB950. They are waiting at my condo five minutes before I booked them.

Received mine after 7 weeks. Email notification from VFS came on 11 July, but after the close of business. As I had an eye operation the following Monday, I only picked it up on 18 July, and my agent transferred the stamps at IMM CW yesterday, and returned the passport to me this morning. Good to go.