Stocky

Not on the list. The one from the local water supplier that picks up the empties and replaces with new ones. Cost Bht10 for 20 litres. .

South Africa, yes - half a night in the cells (it was late) drinking in a public place. Tanzania, almost - arrested at gun point outside a local courthouse for sounding the car horn (it was an accident) marched into the court and promptly sentenced to a week in prison (a 'fine' alternative was negotiated in the back room).

Ahhh, but it was Singaporean and Malaysian companies that were financing/owning many of the companies in Kalimantan and Sumatra responsible for slash and burn ahead of planting new oil palm plantations. Both the Singapore and Malaysia governments were therefore able to bring direct pressure to bear on the money behind the problem of the 'haze' originating from Indonesia.

WTF - This happened in Rattaphum, northern Songkhla province near the border with Phatthalung not Malaysia. This is an area known for its hitmen and guns for hire. Neither the victim nor his nephew were Muslim.

Bull excrement.

It's possible in some rural parts of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani that a 7-11 might not sell alcohol, but 7-11s in the main towns will. Note that many resorts/hotels in the deep south are halal, so pork and alcohol free. Certainly in Songkhla, Trang and Satun you won't have an issue. It's the east coast that is more conservative, if you cross into Malaysia then in both Kelantan and northern Terengganu you'll find areas where alcohol is hard to find.

And laughing when he left

Incel or Imbecile - the difference is slight.

Mad F@%$^r Carlson is a Russian asset.

I noted a poster for Songkran festivities in Songkhla Town April 15-16th - one to avoid or not, depending on your preference. Not seen any details for Hat Yai yet, but they usually do something similar in a closed off area around Odean with live music, OTOP stalls, street food and an area for water fights.

Hat Yai mask wearing has dropped to about 2 thirds out and about, whilst most people still do in shops, banks, malls etc. However, you can see from someone's eyes when they smile.

When will they extend from Chumphon to Hat Yai and the border with Malaysia. The line from Singapore to the Thai border was completed several years ago; all dual track and electrified.

I've not really noticed a difference in Hat Yai, Southerners tend to be more straight forward, and more gruff than other parts of Thailand, but that's always been the case, they're just not that smiley down here. But I've always found them friendly, they smile if you smile. I'm in a mixed, Buddhist and Muslim community, I find them both equally friendly.

No, if even number the soi is south side, odd number north side!

Maybe just Lost his job Deep in debt Family problems

Not yet! If Langkawi is their template then an airport would be in their plan. .

I thought Ko Adang lay within the Tarutao National Marine Park, they've already trashed Ko Lipe, the way they're heading the above statement will be past tense soon enough.

We booked a 3 bed villa through AirBnB last time, but that no longer seems available, before that we used to stay at the Nishaville Resort.

Article just said "looking confused and intoxicated" , it may well be alcohol, but could also be methamphetamine.

Solely a bar then no I don't think so, but certainly the pizza restaurant near where we stayed styles itself a bar and restaurant and the bar stayed open after the kitchen closed. But there's no 'bar scene' if that's what you mean.

One would suspect the "he had no pre-existing condition" information came from family members, if the hospital subsequently identifies something I doubt they'd be phoning the newspaper to give them an update.

I think common sense dictates that that statement carries an implicit caveat:- "The man who had no pre-existing condition (that he knew of) is recovering in Hat Yai Hospital"

Be that as it may, it doesn't answer the question why tourists need to be westerners to count? .

What's so important about having 'western tourists'? Plenty of Malaysians, Indonesians and Singaporeans come to visit the south.

In the era of Lazada & Shopee then Santisuk is well past its sellby date, I've not been there in years and can think of no reason why I might ever need go there again. Kimyong is different, it's somewhere the wife goes to find particular pastes and spices, especially before going home to visit family in Prachuap. Kimyong it seems sells many ingredients that are hard to find, or particularly treasured. I avoid the place, nothing that I need there, and I find it somewhat claustrophobic. .