simon43

I used to live in Phuket for many years. I won't return because I'm probably too old to learn to speak Russian or Chinese.....

Absolutely a top bloke that Trump guy 🙂 Now why don't we have a PM and a king in the UK who put British people first...?

Thanks VERY much for your kind comments. To legally live in Myanmar (unless I marry a Burmese woman!), is to register my own company and get a business visa. I can do that and Yangon lawyers quote me $2,000 USD to do all the paperwork etc. I've asked my Burmese friends if they know a lawyer who can do it cheaper 🙂 (I will pay $2k if needed, but if I can save money on these documents, then that means more money for donations etc) Alternatively, please propose a young Burmese lady who is willing to marry me so I can get a Social visa... 🙂

Yes I did, but I returned a couple of weeks ago to sign a contract to rent a small condo at Jomtien Beach as a long-term 'base', since I've now retired from in-class teaching. So I wasn't in Mandalay when the earthquake occurred. However, I have seen the damage etc from friends in Mandalay and at Inle Lake, and so I'm trying to work out a way to return legally to Myanmar to run my charity efforts. Basically, the issue is to get a viable visa, not a short-term tourist visa, and I'm speaking with lawyers in Yangon about that.

No...

In Mandalay (Myanmar), where the street lighting doesn't work most of the time, the local BBQ restaurant staff would all help me to cross the busy road after dark, lest they lose a good customer! I hope they are all OK after the earthquake!

Thailand is 'open' for Russians, and clearly many Russians have voted with their feet to relocate to a warmer and safer country. In my condo building in Jomtien, most tenants are Russians. Most are OK, some are tw*ts, just like any other nationality.

Bye...

Starlink is not authorised in Thailand, but that doesn't mean that it won't technically work! In Myanmar, the various pdf fighters use Starlink Mini, even though it's not authorised in Myanmar. They buy the kit with a subscription for Mobile Roam legally in the PI, then take it into Myanmar. If I manage to return to Myanmar, I plan to do the same - the antenna is small enough to easily fit into a backpack.

Give it a rest Bob - you're getting tedious...

Why was he allowed to take his mobile phone into GCHQ? That beggars belief...... (I never worked at GCHQ, but I signed the Official Secrets Act and worked on military equipment design. We were frisk-searched before and after we entered/exited the area where we worked...

Excellent news! Then we are both happy....

Trapped on the 4th floor? What 4th floor? It's all one big pile of rubble.....

Now she is one foreigner that I definitely don't want to meet! 🙂

DON'T go to Chiang Mai!! (I am currently relaxing in CM)