Pattaya57

I had pointed out Singapore Airlines no longer had check-in desks when I used them in last 18 months (self check-in only way to get boarding pass and baggage tags to self check-in luggage). Not sure when other airlines will follow suit Good news is you never speak to a Singapore Airline staff member so no-one asks or checks if you have an onward ticket

Yep, I'm sure most border runs are done with 1 or 2 days remaining on entry stamp so why would you decline to stay 1 night in Laos when so close to end of stay?

Now that Bob Smith has left the forum I can't help but notice GG posts have increased. Could it be that Bob Smith is also both GG's and now he has more time to post as either GG?

As I said, some airlines are already self check-in only for last 18 months with no check-in desks available. Only a matter of time before more airlines follow.

One of the best things I like about Pattaya is the check-bin honesty system. I was just meaning it's sad that this honesty system is at risk because of a few

With Singapore Airlines it's not optional. Self check in only for me in last 18 months. I'm sure that when the ETA is mandatory it'll be added to self check-in

Thanks for heads up. I'm taking note now as I often drink alone and leave my bill unattended when I take a piss. I'll check it everytime I come back now as this might be the latest scam (drink a load, swap bills, quickly pay lower bill and sneak out) Explains why they ask for name to try and prevent it

I don't understand what the point of this would be? They ask my name and I say Tom, Dick or Harry. The bill is in my check-bin in front of me so when I go to pay what does quoting the name I gave them prove? Are they thinking people are trying to pay other people's check-bins which may be less than theirs so you have to prove it's your bill? I really don't understand and it's just not in the spirit of Pattaya 😆

Was in a fairly large soi bukhao bar yesterday afternoon and waitress asked for my name and mobile number to put on my bill. I refused as none of their business. She told me her boss make her do it as "people move around and walk out without paying". I paid up and left and probably won't be back. Not a good sign of how things are going?

Still early days obviously but the new kick-off return rules have been in place for 2 games. It's maybe not the excitement people were hoping for as teams seem happy to just kick it out the end zone and start on the 30 There were 20 kick-offs with: 15 kicked through end zone 2 returned from end zone to 16 & 23 3 landing zone returns to 33, 29 & 16 Maybe teams didn't want their valuable kicker to be a last resort tackler so played it safe 😉

Wish people would use better thread titles. If I knew it was yet another "person paranoid about tax" thread I wouldn't of opened it lol I extended at Jomtien in June and had no questions about income or source of my 800k

Made the IO suspicious that he was going to work on his girlfriends farm helping her cut rubber trees?

If you arrive on visa exempt why would immigration care if you have a Thai girlfriend who has a son. Neither are related to you so are not legal thai family, so why would they even bother to call her? If anything, claiming long-term ties to GF after extensive travel history should help IO to say you are not a real tourist and therefore deny you entry

'Climax' on corner of Lk Metro and Bukhao now being redone as 'King Kong Sports Bar'. As if we needed yet another Sports bar in that area 😆 They also removed all the food stalls in front of Climax, presumably they would impact on new sports bar food sales I miss the old pre-covid Climax. Was a great place to go for a good band and atmosphere before heading deeper into LK Metro

Climax is now changed to King Kong Sports bar. Do you think Chinese owners are now opening western sports bars?

As you're happy to do 'retirement' please note you don't need a pension to get the non-imm O retirement e-visa from Canberra (or Sydney). I applied in March and it was much simpler than what you had to do for the marriage. Simply had to upload Passport ID page, digital Pic, drivers licence and an Aussie bank statement with equivalent 800k baht. I got mine issued in 3 days

I said 7-9 months excluding the 2 year covid lockout (2020-2021) which basically reset the clock. I also think I got away with it because I always had at least 1-2 months away between trips 2022 I did 270 days (9 months) (1) 30 day VE + 30 day ext + 60 day covid ext (2) 45 day VE + 30 day ext (3) 45 day VE + 30 day ext 2023 I did 225 days (7.5 months) (1) 45 day VE + 30 day ext (2) 60 day SETV + 30 day ext (3) 30 day VE + 30 day ext 2018 and 2019 I did 210 days (7 months) purely on visa exempt + 30 day extensions. All trips were by air into BKK except one land border run to Cambodia last year

I'm shortly heading to Vietnam and want to go to Ho Chi Minh, Nha Trang and Da Nang (will do Hanoi next time). I've worked out the following daylight train trips to hopefully see a lot of the countryside. Ho Chi Minh to Phan Thiet (4.35 hrs - 06:30 - 11:05) Phan Thiet to Nha Trang (3.53 hrs - 09:46 - 13:39) Nha Trang to Quy Nhon (4.30 hrs - 13:59 - 18:29) Quy Nhon to Da Nang (5.23 hrs - 08:17 - 13:40) Any thoughts? Am I missing a great place or maybe wasting my time stopping in Phan Thiet or Quy Nhon? (I'm just trying to shorten the daily train journey but they did seem interesting) I've downloaded 12Go travel app which seems to be easy way to buy the train tickets?

Well not many condo's are built within an overgrown forest like yours seems to be so probably just you. You didn't notice the huge forest when you moved in?

You really shouldn't post like you have expert knowledge. Are you saying for example Nong Khai - Laos friendship bridge has issues?

I've spent 7-9 months every year in Thailand since 2017 using visa exempts (excluding covid 2 year lockout). Should be even easier now that it's 90 days per stay with the 60 day visa exempt + 30 day extension Also why would anyone get a 60 day SETV when visa exempt gives same 60 days

Definitely print it. I applied for TM30 online and had the very official looking TM30 receipt form printed out and they made me go to the TM30 desk and change it to the handwritten slip of paper they staple into the passport (was doing a non-imm O extension). People are dreaming if they think Jomtien will accept a Pic on your phone Edit: I should add the changeover TM30 took only about 2 minutes. Just handed over my form and they gave the paper slip back. Seemed pointless though

I believe the pub has spoken....13 thumbs up to go vs 12 hearts to stay 😉 Surprised it's so close, maybe too close to call even. Obviously some people enjoyed his fantasy stories lol

So you think having a mechanical engineering degree is not a notable skill?

Let's go, season starts tomorrow with Ravens vs Chiefs. There are 4 Thai friendly breakfast games this week 😀