2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Underground is on strike!

Elizabeth Line still running..

21 minutes ago, a3tsw said:

Elizabeth Line still running..

Thanks.  I booked a private transfer since I can't be asked to fight on the public transport system!

 

I'm flying with British Airways and I sent them an email to say that I currently have my arm in a sling (rotator cuff injury), and would it be possible to get some assistance in boarding the plane and with my small, lightweight hand luggage to put it in the overhead locker.

 

Their reply was akin to "computer says no...."

 

If I need some help then I'll have to ask the airport staff when I'm checking in - they can't forewarn them

 

No, they can't help me with my bags because of Health & Safety concerns for their cabin staff (what!?)

 

Wonderful BA.....

3 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Thanks.  I booked a private transfer since I can't be asked to fight on the public transport system!

 

I'm flying with British Airways and I sent them an email to say that I currently have my arm in a sling (rotator cuff injury), and would it be possible to get some assistance in boarding the plane and with my small, lightweight hand luggage to put it in the overhead locker.

 

Their reply was akin to "computer says no...."

 

If I need some help then I'll have to ask the airport staff when I'm checking in - they can't forewarn them

 

No, they can't help me with my bags because of Health & Safety concerns for their cabin staff (what!?)

 

Wonderful BA.....

 

It'll be Qatar Airways. Someone will help you.

If you do the same day service in Peterborough you will have 4 hour wait to get your new passport the town center is only 500m walk and plenty of pound shops 

41 minutes ago, Tidal wave said:

If you do the same day service in Peterborough you will have 4 hour wait to get your new passport the town center is only 500m walk and plenty of pound shops 

Yes, a 4-hour wait, but I have 2 online lessons to teach in that time period.  I'll try to find a quiet spot away from the druggies 🙂

7 hours ago, simon43 said:

What should I bring back from Peterborough/London to Laos/Myanmar??  Suggestions 🙂

medications, bandages, insect repellent.

 

6 hours ago, simon43 said:

I was looking for a UK flag to put on my motorbike once I returned to Myanmar, since when traveling in rural regions the soldiers occasionally like to shoot at locals on motorbikes for no reason.

How would a union jack protect you from trigger happy soldiers? It isn't like Wonder Woman's cloak. Many people adorn their motorbikes with football club decals and flags. Doubt it offers a protective spell.

 

5 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

medications, bandages, insect repellent.

 

How would a union jack protect you from trigger happy soldiers? It isn't like Wonder Woman's cloak. Many people adorn their motorbikes with football club decals and flags. Doubt it offers a protective spell.

 

It helps to identify me as a non-local.  I laos don't wear my full-face helmet, so that the soldiers can see that I'm not a local.

 

Every little thing helps to minimise the risk 🙂

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

It helps to identify me as a non-local.  I laos don't wear my full-face helmet, so that the soldiers can see that I'm not a local.

 

Every little thing helps to minimise the risk 🙂

Of course I mean "in Myanmar"!!

14 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Why did you not do that months ago?

 

W.A.I.T

 

(We are in Thailand)

But @simon43 must be young. I'd die.

10 hours ago, simon43 said:

I use an app called Speedify that can combine as many different kind of internet connections that one has.  I will use the allocated primary connection, but automatically combine others if the bandwidth/speed is lacking, or 'fall-back' to a 2nd or 3rd connection if the primary drops out.

 

The internet is usually fast enough for a single internet connection to suffice, but the nice military guys have a habit of switching off mobile networks as they please, so Speedify is a useful app.  I typically use the hotel wifi for one connection, ethernet to mobile phone #1, USB tether to mobile #2, wi-fi dongle to mobile #3 and mobile #4 is connected by writing the binary 1s and 0s on a piece of paper and pushing that into the SIM card slot 🙂

 

It IS complicated, which is one of many reasons why foreign teachers avoid Myanmar.  I like a challenge and have got used to these problems 🙂

 

Quite fascinating.

I would be interested to learn more about your project, teaching online, in a place that presents so many serious challenges.

This really cannot be easy.

And, just getting your passport updated seems to the least of the challenges, though that in itself seems rather challenging, based on this thread.

 

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Quite fascinating.

I would be interested to learn more about your project, teaching online, in a place that presents so many serious challenges.

This really cannot be easy.

And, just getting your passport updated seems to the least of the challenges, though that in itself seems rather challenging, based on this thread.

 

Years ago I had to climb onto the roof of my GF's house in Issan just to get a mobile internet signal.  Nowadays the network coverage and data rates are hugely improved.  In countries like Laos and Myanmar, which had minimal and outdated landline infrastructure, the simplest/cheapest way to provide the population with telecoms service was simply to install mobile networks into the country and forget about upgrading landlines.

 

I had expat friends in Myanmar who were at the sharp end of the installation of mobile network cell towers in remote parts of Myanmar.  They were a 'rowdy' lot, hooked on opium which was easy to obtain (I used to ride my motorbike through the opium fields of Pekon Town).

 

 I avoided them in the pizza restaurant in Mandalay.  Some of them died from opium overdoses. Living on the edge....

 

Anyway, thanks to their hard work I can get internet connectivity for my online lessons almost anywhere in Laos and Myanmar, so long as I come 'prepared'.  Although sometimes I'm doing a lesson in the dark because my rechargable lights have failed 🙂

10 hours ago, simon43 said:

Yes, a 4-hour wait, but I have 2 online lessons to teach in that time period.  I'll try to find a quiet spot away from the druggies 🙂

There's a coffee shop 200m to the left of the entrance door for that. 

17 hours ago, simon43 said:

What should I bring back from Peterborough/London to Laos/Myanmar??  Suggestions 🙂

Moussa & Ahmad

32 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Although sometimes I'm doing a lesson in the dark because my rechargable lights have failed 🙂

 

Yes.

I considered this.

But, this is really such a minor issue, comparatively.

 

If I want to do the same, then I will need to buy a laptop.

 

I travelled to the UK to renew my passport and added in a visit to some friends same time, mainly because there was a risk of having a 2 month wait if done from Thailand.

What if I had some sort of emergency and needed to travel overseas with my passport not available?

 

I chose the Newport office as I used to live there years ago and with no spots available in London.

Don’t remember making an appointment but I must have done.

There was a short wait – when I said I just arrived from Thailand to renew my passport – they gave me priority with a smile. So, some things still work there.

Don't forget to print your TDAC and take it to the airport with you.

Pal just returned from UK, no TDAC not allowed to board, had to complete then have it printed and delivered by courier to airport (nowhere at airport to print) cost $$$$$$$s.

 

Surprised there was no coffee shop at the airport prepared to print it for a cash handout.

Surprised it had to be printed before airline would accept it.

11 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Don't forget to print your TDAC and take it to the airport with you.

Pal just returned from UK, no TDAC not allowed to board, had to complete then have it printed and delivered by courier to airport (nowhere at airport to print) cost $$$$$$$s.

 

Surprised there was no coffee shop at the airport prepared to print it for a cash handout.

Surprised it had to be printed before airline would accept it.

 

 

Sound advice.............................but you can also show a digital version.

7 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Sound advice.............................but you can also show a digital version.

Airline says NO.

Printed or no fly.

Just now, BritManToo said:

Airline says NO.

Printed or no fly.

 

 

Really?

 

I don't recall doing that when I returned earlier this year.

13 hours ago, simon43 said:

I booked a private transfer since I can't be asked to fight on the public transport system!

You cannot be arsed old chap, not asked. Teachers today eh?

17 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Airline says NO.

Printed or no fly.

Name the airline that does this?! No airline is officially allowed to deny boarding simply because the TDAC isn’t printed on paper. They have TDAC machines in the Thai arrival halls for those who don't even have one yet.

@WorriedNoodle It is actually, asked. I'm guessing that you went to a local comprehensive school 😊

29 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

You cannot be arsed old chap, not asked. Teachers today eh?

Lol, I thought 'arse' might be blocked by the profanity filter!

 

^^¥ So I was correct!

 

I'm at luang prabang airport now, got through immigration no problem with my full passport. Showed my LDAC QR code, which is now required for entry and exit from laos.

Flame post removed 

 

@Stuck in Thailand

 

Be polite and respectful to other users.

Mr LastMinute.com, try and work out the items you would otherwise come onto the forum in a few months asking where you can buy such and such in Thailand at short notice, because you have failed to allow enough time - as usual. I can't work out if you are genuinely disorganized or just an attention seeker. The planning of passport renewal probably ranks as one of the most important personal tasks for any expat.

33 minutes ago, kinyara said:

Mr LastMinute.com, try and work out the items you would otherwise come onto the forum in a few months asking where you can buy such and such in Thailand at short notice, because you have failed to allow enough time - as usual. I can't work out if you are genuinely disorganized or just an attention seeker. The planning of passport renewal probably ranks as one of the most important personal tasks for any expat.

Lol, you're so funny! Why should I ask about buying things in Thailand? I don't live in Thailand:)

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

 It is actually, asked. I'm guessing that you went to a local comprehensive school 😊

The expression is “can’t be arsed,” not “can’t be asked.”  It means cannot be bothered so your comment makes no sense.
To the corner with your dunce hat young boy.

4 hours ago, WorriedNoodle said:

The expression is “can’t be arsed,” not “can’t be asked.”  It means cannot be bothered so your comment makes no sense.
To the corner with your dunce hat young boy.

I'm sure that at my grammar school we learnt it as "can't be asked". I guess grammar school kids were more polite than comp kids 😁 

Passing through swampy airport right now - the Thai authority is serious about warning of Shwe KoKo scam city just over the border in Myanmar