KhunBENQ

Each border checkpoint has its own opening hours. Some are open during daylight hours only (can close as early as 6 PM). Others like 10 PM or 11 PM (major checkpoints).

Bangkok Bank, SCB and Kasikorn moved to new phone without visiting branch. It should be noted that the phone number wasn't changed (put SIM to new phone).

No uploading but what sometimes goes unnoticed: after submitting the browser should open a popup window with the generated TM47. Can be ">downloaded<. Often browsers are set to block popups and users overlook the hint about it. (just submitted this morning)

Correct. Basic error. You have to use the reverse rate. You "spend"/"buy" THB and pay in USD. E.g. you withdraw 10000 Baht and will be debited 287.60 USD. Which means your Dollar buys 34.77 Baht. This new redesigned site is easy confusing. The old site said something like "your card currency".

Never has VISA used the mid market rates that a site like xe.com shows. They always cash in on a lower rate. And most card issuing banks eat another bite of the cake The links above are preset with 2% bank fee which you can change. Long ago when I used VISA at Thai ATMs I sometimes won a bit over last cash rates by the fact that VISA updated rates only once a day. No idea whether this still the case.

In the past there were two different looking sites for Euro and US issued cards. Seems they have streamlined that: https://www.visa.co.uk/support/consumer/travel-support/exchange-rate-calculator.html https://usa.visa.com/support/consumer/travel-support/exchange-rate-calculator.html

They don't even come to senses. They push forward for more and more Balkans states getting candidates. Schengen free travel/residence/work permit from Romania and Bulgari. Hooray! Shout the traffickers. Visa exempt for Kosovo, a country in dispute with Serbia. Good to watch from the distance.

You should check whether in other countries they come without any assistant functions/ABS etc? Manual gearbox?

Using Lazada is like walking through a minefield. They are just a marketplace for most products. They don't check on the credibility of the sellers. I was lucky so far (and very cautious selecting seller, checking plausibility of prices etc.).

Good for you. Enjoy London. Here a BOLT qualifies by being able to handle two mobile devices for navigation and handling next job at the same time while at the wheel like I experienced in Phuket. The Phuket BOLD experience was bad both ways. On return I got nervous to miss my flight because I was arsed for 20 min. My friend in Jomtien though never complained.

Just finished posting on another pickup crash in Phuket It will never get better. How can you be sure. Could be the rare case of a pickup/light truck used for meaningful purpose, delivery truck with a close cargo cabin and a wind deflector. It's obviously not a long truck. Delivery driver paid on piecework fallen asleep. Would makes perfect sense after 12+ hours at the wheel?

Or stop financial preferences of truck purchase for every Somchai that never needs it for business/transport. The country is pestered with the ugly /bulky diesel trucks for no sensible reason. And Somchai races them around the corner (even wet) as if sitting in a Porsche (his dream car). Empty rear wheel trucks sailing.

Didn't know they call it ganga in Canada

Initiated EUR transfer (for long term stay) on Dec 15th afternoon. On the Bangkok Bank account Dec 16th, 14:01 as international transfer. As usual.

And after reading try to make sense of the story. I am just confused. One of the more mysterious service stories

Having lived in Berlin for decades I have visited the place only twice or so. Sure it was impressive but you need trust in the quality of the construction. Similar to the spectacular aquariums where you walk in glass tunnels with masses of water and sea life above.

Wow, alcohol in Patong and without a license. Hard to believe such heavy offense is possible in Phuket. Good that it is in the news!

Of course not. Compare the network with real commuter networks like London, Paris, New York etc. Look at these tiny capacity BTS trains. Compared and in relation to the number of travelers just a drop in the ocean. Pattaya has a traffic problem about pedestrians along beach road?? What a brain fart. As long as there are zero restrictions for private traffic, 24/7 on beach, 2nd rd, all side Sois nothing will change. Thailand is in an automobile dependent status like Europe in the 1950s. Free parking on the road, free parking for shoppers!!! In Switzerland you can not find a free (no cost) parking in the most sleepy district towns. The videos from the last firework festival were just unbelievable. Even pedestrians and bicyclist had to give up not to speak of anything motorized. Beware you need an ambulance. When will a stampede happen? Some idiot shouting bomb? Every Somchai tries to drive close to the event. No shuttle from organized parking outside. No road blocks. Every evening traffic chaos becomes part of the folklore (until you get hit by some crazy motorcyclist) Close to zero policing even for the few rules that exist. "Baht bus" as the backbone of public transport? What a joke.

Be prepared. A Russian will win like the last 5 years in Pattaya ("bikini run" in speedos ????).

Old British passport and most EU passports.

Sure. I know. That's why I took the effort of a border run to get rid of my Non O-A. Your agent fee would have been lower ????. It becomes expensive if the financials are not met. 25k typically

Friend in Jomtien got his extension two days ago. He is on Non O-A status and 80 years old. Basically impossible to get/afford the required health insurance (financials are sufficient). His female special agent got his extension for him. Not even seen the office. Super service he writes. 10000 Baht. Last year I had seen his insurance. A cheap accident insurance for the elderly ????

As if it wasn't cold enough yet. Forecast shows min temperatures at about 10 C for us on Monday and Tuesday.

If the Chinese really open the flood gates after Chinese New Year (Jan 20 to 23) then hold on to the rails.

European Central Bank follows with only 0.5 %.