samtam

I think you mean the "grift" that keeps on taking.

Living in a high rise condo we constantly have pigeons perching on balcony balustrades, and leaving a souvenir of their visit. They are an annoying pest, but there is not much to be done to deter them, short of buying a hawk. I have tried a deterrent tablet from Daiso that is supposed to emit a smell that scares them, and it appeared to work.

Thanks for pointing out my oversight.

Yes, I've just informed her not to come in this week, and to do a test on Tuesday, (4+ days after her sister had symptoms). I'm pretty sure she will be positive by then. It's an abundance of caution, but at 65 & 68 it's best to avoid obvious scenarios where we are exposed again.

My maid has just informed me that her sister, with whom she lives, has tested positive for Covid today. I had Covid 35 days ago, with normal cold/'flu symptoms, (I've had 3 vaccines), but I'm not sure whether my recent infection, now cleared, will give me a slightly better protection from the next infection. Just juggling whether to pause the maid for 5 or 10 days. This goes on forever. Any thoughts?

This shop "Photo ID" on Saladaeng, at the Silom Road end does passport photos. They take about 30 minutes to process, but the staff are well-versed in what size/background etc is required. The Silom Road area is next to BTS Saladaeng.

What hosting the APEC Summit means to Thailand: Traffic disruptions, traffic jams.

You could try contacting Mac Modern (the official LINE) for Xiaomi. They answer questions relating to the product.

Yeah. I didn't bother to pursue the NDID registration, because I assumed it would preclude non Thai ID cards. And I barely use Paypal, so it's not a big deal to me. I can't even remember why I opened a Paypal account, or when I last used it. Having Thai debit cards for Thai online transactions, and international cards for anywhere else, plus online bank transfer facilities covers all that I require now. Besides, if I recall correctly Paypal's transaction fees are high.

My ID number (Pink, I'm not Thai), was accepted, but there are other hurdles, as detailed above.

These are the requirements. I have a Pink ID card, which I keyed in. You then have to have an NDID, which I haven't registered, go to the bank etc.... I think I can live without PayPal.

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)?