DonaldBattles

7 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Security stepped up again, is it the fifth time now? How many levels do they have? 

It is my opinion without proof that these two ladies entered Tachilek Burma illegally. They stayed in a Burmese hotel together for 6 days before they returned illegally. One went to Chiang Mai and the other checked in to the Bangkok Chiang Rai Hospital and tested positive for the Covid 19 virus. I believe they contacted the virus in Burma. Bangkok Chiang Rai  is a very expensive private hospital. Without big money you can't stay there. I suspect that they were in Burma on a business trip that lasted 6 days.

9 minutes ago, pomozki said:

Did you book with a credit card? I booked to go the Tokyo Olympics and AirAsia gave me the runaround good and proper, clearly were NOT interested in refunding the cash when the Games were cancelled - they only offered to travel on a different date (no thanks) or to be redeemed in AirAsia points, which I read were a big con, so no thanks again

My mate said if I'd booked with a bank credit card the bank would secure the refund for me. I had! So In contacted the bank and after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing I got all my money back

I booked with AMEX so I will contact them. Thanks.

21 minutes ago, transam said:

Why..?

No more Air Asia for me. I can't make the trip for health reason so I loose my entire investment unless I want to pay 50% more to change the date.

26 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Yes they do. Their terms and conditions are easily the best part of 2-pages of A4 but it is ALL in there.

When you buy a ticket they do not give you a copy of their terms and conditions. How are you supposed to know what their restrictions are. I decided to buy Air Asia for the first time as they were cheaper than Thai Smile. Now I know that cheaper could be more expensive.  I can't make the trip so I have to loose all that I paid unless I want to pay 50% more for change of date.  I classify Air Asia as a rip off. Enough for me for ever.

16 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

And neither bear any resemblance to reality.

 

They have to face it, it's over. The tourist industry has gone.

Mandatory expensive insurance policy and 14 days quarantine are more than enough to keep the tourist out. They are not going to pay this price.

19 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

It also effectively saturates the country with Chinese which is one direct aim of the Commie Chinese government in order to take over everywhere..

The Chinese are doing a hell of a job taking over the economic world. They have $1.2 trillion foreign currency every year that they have to dispose of. This much money can buy you the entire country of Laos.

21 hours ago, Formaleins said:

You can buy them on Lazada, but they don't look that safe from what I have seen. Flu's and venting being the least of my concerns, but I stand to be corrected.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/jk-i955018341-s2012788785.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.2.99ca48a4h6klQD&search=1

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/haite-i960782028-s2040476923.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.4.99ca48a4h6klQD&search=1

This looks like a good gas water heater to me. With the starting system on most heaters they are safe.

18 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

Would you mind sharing details of your heaters?

 

Many of us like loads of hot water and are on weak electrical supplies (is there any other kind here?).

 

Gas is a good way forwards if this is you.

Gas Heater is made by Hitachi and bought in Thailand. As it was less than $100 I assume it was made in Thailand. This was a very good investment and strongly recommend gas hot water heaters. The water is hot instantly. No waiting. It uses 2 D cell batteries for the ignition. Gas will not enter the heater unless the batteries are working to fire the heater. 

6 hours ago, sezze said:

I also got a gas water heater , and i have to agree on the efficiency part . Gas water heaters got the power without needing big electric power .

With the gas heater I agree that it is less efficient but you have instant hot water. I use one tank of gas per year. I took my electric heaters out and gave them to the Thai neighbors. The gas is instant and great. I like the quick response. I would never go back to an electric water heater.

1 hour ago, Trillian said:

I disagree that it is that. The productivity of a country is reflected in its GDP, if GDP increases it doesn't mean the currency will also strengthen. The strength of a currency is determined by a series of factors including the amount of debt owed by the country, its foreign currency reserve levels and the status of its current account. If the the current account (and trade balance) are in surplus it means the country exports more than it imports so the positive balance will go to increase foreign reserves. All those things are true in the case of Thailand which is why THB remains strong.

Thanks, a very good detailed response. However I stand by my position that productivity is a serious factor in the value of currency. If you are not exporting then money is simply going in a circle and it does not gain value.

The value of currency is a product of the productivity of the nation. A serious drop in productivity will result in a drop in the currency. Unless, the BOT decides to protect the currency  value. Most military would be opposed to a big drop in value.

It is not so difficult for a person this age to be taken advantage of. Especially when he can not speak Thai and lives up country. I pity him.

9 hours ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

Wonder if Big Bill is still alive?

I paid 30k to get big Bill out of the hospital once. He never paid me back. Last account I had several years ago he was in Phuket. No word for many years.

I lived in the ITF Tower on Silom Road near Patpong for 25 years. An enjoyable period of time. During that time I worked on short trips in the Middle East, South America, Australia and New Zealand. A great period of time in my life.

Don't think Randy owned the Goldfinger. He moved to another place where he is full or part owner. He married a girl from the Madrid. Real good guy.

At 85, my health is still good. I am following Clint Eastwood's advice and trying not to let the old man in. If you did not know when you were born you would not have to worry about how old you are. Everything for me is beginning to slow down.

3 hours ago, Rod the Sod said:

Problem is, have you ever seen a pretty middle-aged Chinese lady disembark from her tour bus, or anywhere else for that matter? What is it that transforms this undeniable beauty into what they become. God can be cruel - teasing us with such beauty only to take it away completely. Good job men aren't like that!

It seems that for many Asian women when they reach 50 both upstairs and downstairs dries up.

Don
 

What ever the rules are today they probably will change again in 90 days. Don't think we are welcome.

We had a little rain last night and strong winds. When the sun is up I am hoping that the smoke will be gone or cut way down. With all of the fires still burning I fear that the smoke will come back.