Tropicalevo

How is China's 'belt and braces' thingy going to sort this one out?

"I want to fly to Samui from Pattaya or Bangkok. " Currently, there are no flights from U-Tapau. The only flights to Samui are from Bangkok, Phuket or Singapore. https://www.samuiairportonline.com/flight-status/

It is my belief that Thailand (this current government) cannot (does not want to) learn anything from anyone.

Small point to watch out for. Many builders will quote for waterproof cement and grout BUT they use basic stuff. Not waterproof. You will be re-grouting in a few years.

"Thai virologists think mixed vaccine use may give some protection against Omicron" The Thai government thinks that mixed vaccines give some protection against everything. ????

Surely banks stopped taking foreign currency more than a year ago? (Foreign notes can carry Covid but apparently Thai notes are safe....) As far as I know, the rule still applies. FX booths still taking it though.

Well done ladies. RIP Khun Luay.

There must be an election due soon. The press is giving Uncle Tu a lot of publicity on "Thai PM orders........." Obviously, senior politicians et al cannot do their jobs properly. The PM is running the country single handed?

My understanding is that most of these cases are from school clusters. It is making the authorities/schools do more PCR tests. Hence more positive cases. One parent told me that one of the schools will probably be closed until next year. I have no idea how many of these cases are asymptomatic.

Options at the moment are Car Ferry - Raja from Nathon https://www.rajaferryport.com/sailing-schedule?route=sailing-schedule-koh-samui-koh-phangan Speedboat from Maenam (Pralarn pier) https://lomprayah.com/timetable Or the Haad Rinn Queen from Bangrak (Big Buddha pier). A travel agent can help. You can book all ferries from this site. eg https://www.phanganferries.com/time-table/?from=2&to=1

So - 'That's Where You Go To (My Lovely)' *With apologies to Peter Sarstedt. PS I forgot to mention that the Aussie BBQ restaurant on Beach Road was also open.

I went into Chaweng last night, Even more quiet than previous visits. A number of tourists walking the road at the north end - after the one way section. Near the Sala Resort. A few restaurants open and Prego was packed. Heading south down the one-way Beach Road - nothing except massage parlours open. Eventually saw some lights - Burger King and MacDonalds. Both open and both empty. Mind you, I have lived here for over 20 years and never eaten in either. Still looking for food - did a U turn onto the Lake Road behind MacDonalds. Duke Pub open and a bar restaurant nearby blasting out live rock music. Packed and very noisy. Finally ate at Duke Pub. Very limited menu. Very quiet there but what was offered was good quality, reasonably priced food. Looked at Soi Green Mango - dead, Went to Soi Reggae, a few bars open but not many. Maybe 4 or 5. Again, the soi was very quiet. I feel that it is going to be a few years before Chaweng picks up.

"Thailand’s English proficiency plummets" However, Thailand's proficiency in Mandarin is improving.

Another piece of useless Thai software on your phones.

It is going to cost Boss a lot more to stay free now that Interpol had a new head from the UAE. Maj. Gen. Al-Raisi is reported to be corrupt and a torturer.

Which December?

Covid clusters love cruises.

But they are witnesses in his evading capture and as such should be interviewed. They are also likely to be funding his lifestyle.

I understand that they also had 'leads' in the famous Red Bull case. Those leads led to nothing. ????

A friend tried to apply for a 'Foundation/Volunteer' visa last week. She was told that immigration no longer accept them.

There is a guy in Bangrak called Ian. He rents out scooters and cars. No passport required. I have sent his number to you as a personal message.

So it is official? Not all Thais are equal in the eyes of the law.

"The metro area population of Bangkok in 2020 was 10,539,000, a 1.83% increase from 2019. " Still a way to go then?

Amazing that the RTP can catch these 'criminals' for their friends but they cannot catch Red Bull's Boss, who killed a policeman.

Yes. Many forget that before we had 'no season' that this time of year was 'shut-down' season here on Samui. Just as a reminder. If anyone has friends/family coming - car hire. We have some guests coming in December and they are struggling to find car rentals. (Hertz has closed at the airport. Not sure about others.)