connda

When it happens, I wonder how many farangs will be falling over themselves to get seats on planes exiting Thailand. Given the extreme levels of anti-Chinese sentiment on this forum, my guess is that most will.

20 posts a year?

Reality is that viruses mutate and vaccines are known to drive 'immune escape.' So mutations abound. When various entities, organizations, and government chose to lock onto one of those many mutated variants which they have identified in-silico (in computer models) and promote it (hype it) then the New Normal is just being reinforced ad-infinitum. One of the basic premises of infectious diseases is that novel pathogens mutate, become more transmissible but less virulent over time. The reports out of Africa tend to support this as cases are reported as mild similar to a common cold. But I expect that this plot line to continue unabated until an ex-machina moment is eventually forced into existence. Until then - the fear machine will be dialed up to a Spinal Tap "11." Borders open today and close again tomorrow, restrictions loosened then reimplemented, businesses allowed to open and then forced again to close...in this insane dance of new normalcy.

I'll have to order a pair of skis.

I fell in love with Pattaya in the 1980s. Left and didn't return until 2007 when I took a trip to Pattaya to revisit those fond memories. I stayed less than 24 hours and left. I doubt that it's become a better place in the last 14 years. These people don't understand that the "wealthy, well-heeled" folks that Thailand is seeking aren't interested in third-world s***-h***s. I understand what the Thai puuyai, big-wigs, and TAT poster-boys don't: You can embrace and promote a Covid New Normal which will permanently destroy your tourism; or You can re-embrace Old Normal tourism, ditch the Covid "New Normal", and learn to live with the virus as the human immune system does what it has done since the dawn of man - adapt. And this isn't just Thailand - it's globally. I fully expect the government and media stoked continuing fear of Covid and 'new variants' to extend into 2025 if not beyond. It's not ending anytime soon. I've said it before: You were promised a New Normal in March 2020 and this (look around you) is the promised New Normal - the destruction of everything that used to be. This doesn't end anytime soon.

In Chiang Mai even those huge buffets the Chinese loved are now closes and out of business.

I'm going to toss this spanner in the works for all of us long-timers who haven't left Thailand for 10 years or so. The previous online system simply did not work for us. I came her on a different passport number and it seems there was some arbitrary cutoff date for arrival into Thailand that the system didn't recognize if you entered before that date. My last entry was 2009. The only work-around was to go pay Immigration 1900 THB for an reentry stamp and then leave the country and return. Before Covid I wasn't too interested in that option; With Covid here it's not an option as I'm not leaving the country - too much of a PITA. So I'm very interested. If anyone else who is in my situation is able to successfully register and submit a 90 day, do let the rest of us know. Although the online system is convenient, the reality is that the trip to Lamphun Immigration is a 2 km detour on a weekly trip to Big C/Makro and on average about a 5 to 7 minute wait. So "convenience" is a relative term.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303

The government cut CM's heart out economically. Hell, even major hotels can't cut it anymore. Boarded up shops and For Sale signs everywhere. Cultural-Wasteland is more like it. It significantly cut the traffic down though. That's a plus.

How about a Tea Tasting Festival. That's should be a hit!!!

Increased levels of PM2.5 particles can be spreading Covid 19 and other virusses Yeah why not. Get Dr. Yong's stamp of approval and it will be fact. The more fear mongering the better.

'Do your own research / I do my own research' has become code for conspiracy theory followers That sounds like a rip-roaring good conspiracy theory you've constructed. This should be entertaining. ????

I'll check back in January 2022 to see if the system actually works. Until then. Kudo to all of you who are Beta-Testers.

One more time: "Has anyone had a lawyer draw up a Living Will in Thai and English here in Chiang Mai?" I'd like a Living Will/Advanced Directive drawn up in Thai and English and would like to know if anyone could recommend a lawyer if they have had one drawn up.

We're all going to die.

????

She had Pfizer shots so she is completely safe from contracting the virus. I hear that daily so it must be true.

The noise would have driven me off, not the fear of viruses.

Welcome to New Normal Thailand - Pattaya Edition. They had two years to work on making Thailand a World Class Tourism destination for the wealthy and well-heeled. And this is all that they have accomplished. <laughs> I hear all those private Gulfstream jets warming their engines to depart for Thailand Dubai or Singapore. Well, unless the well-heeled are up for slumming.

Pattaya: Hundreds turn out in Walking Street to save 'world class resort' from a "Dry New Year" Don't worry. If they continue to make a public ruckus the benevolent authorities will turn water-cannons on them and make it a Wet New Years.

Sale of top Chiang Mai hotel - 50% off is still not enough to attract bidders And there is the Death Knell for tourism in Thailand.

Probably because these guys are constantly moralizing about illegal gambling, or in other words, gambling that the government doesn't receive a cut of the profits. "Bad evil people gamble, blah blah blah. The Tu Twins just want to save you from yourselves and Buddhist Gambling Hell." Lottery? Legal. Why? The right people get the profits. Casinos? Probably will be legal. Why? The right people get the profits. All other gambling? Illegal. Why? Ya'll get the logic. Same as cannabis. Cannabis grown and processed by the right people. Legal. Cannabis grown by the commoners. Illegal. "Elementary my dear Watson. Economics and power!"

As good as my pump and the gravity-feed tanks on the hill on our property. Village water. So-so. Iffy.

I wonder what odds I can get from a UK bookmaker about that actually happening? ???? Probably just a likely as the government rolling out Dr. Yong to announce imminent disaster if Thailand isn't locked down for New Years Eve. Living in fear isn't living but it seems to be the preference of a large segment of today's population.

My wife. She's not very accurate but she is full of suggestions.