To all bedders pals.

In these trying times, if you are in country, best of luck and keep your heads down

Best wishes........................

I am crying Suiging. In the 22 years I have lived in this country I have never seen it like this. My friends in Bangkok are all safe, so I have some relief, but still. This is awful. Well and truly awful.

Thanks Suiging, all quiet here at the moment, hopefully the criminal elements will be weeded out else where.

The real news is hard to get, even here it's just to much to wade through, what we need is a heavily moderated thread with all superfluous comments moved.

I realise many people have personal opinions to air at the moment but I don't want to have to read them when I'm trying to find information to keep the people I care about safe.

You don't read the live updates scead?

Is that the little moving red line?

I confess I'm not a big fan of it. I'm more interested in personal accounts.

Maybe I'm just grumpy after weeks of reading unmitigated garbage posted by people with no more idea about living in rural Thailand than living on Venus.

Thanks suiging,

I have to agree,

to all out there please take care, go with caution.

and report back to Nurse Diesel once in a while...............

I arrived back in Bangkok this morning after a month in Chiang Mai, whilst speaking to my wife on the phone last night she was telling me that she could hear explosions and gunfire. We live on Sukh 71

Also, on Tuesday night a friend of mine got caught up in gunfire in CM. He was only on his way home and he was shot at, fortunately he managed to get away unharmed.

All a bit too close to home for comfort.

Your OP seconded, Limpy.

Just one small personal issue. According to the news, all banks in the country closed today (Thursday) and Friday. I'm arriving at Phuket Monday morning and if the banks are still not open, I'll have problems because I've only got a few sheckles in cash and the rest are in traveller's cheques (AUD). I need to cash a few of the immeidately I arrive at the airport. If the worst comes to the worst, I suppose the non-bank exchange places will still be open, but it will be a pest because I think the only ones at the airport are bank ones (not that I'm 100% sure of that).

Banks nationwide can be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Bank of Thailand (BOT) assistant governor Sorasit Soontornkes said on Thursday.

Mr Sorasit said the central bank had received many complaints from the public after it announced that all commercial banks and financial institutions will remain closed this weekend due to the continuing political unrest in Bangkok and other provinces.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/econom...sm-suffers-more

Your OP seconded, Limpy.

Just one small personal issue. According to the news, all banks in the country closed today (Thursday) and Friday. I'm arriving at Phuket Monday morning and if the banks are still not open, I'll have problems because I've only got a few sheckles in cash and the rest are in traveller's cheques (AUD). I need to cash a few of the immeidately I arrive at the airport. If the worst comes to the worst, I suppose the non-bank exchange places will still be open, but it will be a pest because I think the only ones at the airport are bank ones (not that I'm 100% sure of that).

What's wrong with getting some Baht before ya leave.?

Generally the rates at UAE are very good.

I have used them for years when in OZ, no fees.

Travelex are the biggest ripoff merchants around.

UAE Money Exchange.

3/45 Elizabeth St, closest to my reg digs, near Flinders Lane.

429 Elizabeth St is another, but too far, near to Queen Vic market.

Thanks for the info, Scea - you've put my mind at considerable ease.

Offshore rates are never as good as onshore rates, Pete. And with the diving AUD, every little bit helps.

Thanks for the info, Scea - you've put my mind at considerable ease.

Offshore rates are never as good as onshore rates, Pete. And with the diving AUD, every little bit helps.

Fully unnastand, but your post gave the impression you would be Bahtless when you arrived, and be unable to get any ready if banks were shut.

Ping, the little exchange office on the departure level is always open.

But if you think you are still going t have problems, p.m. me and I'll give you my mobile number as I'm only about 2 & a half minutes away from the airport by speedy Honda Wave.

I can at least turn up with a bowl of Paad Thai, a 10 baht shot of Sang Som and a photo of a 20 Bt note.

555 The pad thai sounds good, though - I'll be hungry after having just arrived cattle class on the red eye (even the bread rolls are tough).

Is that the little moving red line?

I confess I'm not a big fan of it. I'm more interested in personal accounts.

Maybe I'm just grumpy after weeks of reading unmitigated garbage posted by people with no more idea about living in rural Thailand than living on Venus.

Nope, daily news only (read only) updates from george, webfact, maestro and thaivisa news. No garbage to wade through, just the facts, ma'am

Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Friday. FRIDAY MAY 21

Ta, sir.

E: Oh <deleted> - I've done a Bags job...