jacko

Well a while back SQ went via Delhi, so it was well and truly scrubbed off my list! Now they use an Airbus A350-900 and go direct 5 days, so should be OK. I never considered them for another reason....expensive. They now offer a Biz Light (lower mileage, non-refundable, changes cost you) and from this end, in Thai baht, looked reasonable.... I have paid more baht. In sterling, they don't look cheap!

SQ have a direct SIN flight 5 days/week.

Where is Greg's now. He had a place on the lake but I heard he moved?

Interesting. I wonder if they are pursuing transit passengers going elsewhere or aimed at Thai tourists. Also whether they will keep the 2 flights ex LHR. It is just I would expect European traffic to Thailand to decline now, have they come to the table late?

That is the situation to date, but does not cover other options such as using 'income' rather than the 800,000 deposit. The latter needs to be seasoned for 2 months before the Extension application, retained for 3 months after (verified a Jomtien), and then half can be used, ie retain 400,000 baht until 2 months before the next renewal, where it needs to be back up to 800,000 baht. There is also a marriage Extension option and agent assistance. I am more reticent to pin it as the requirements may likely change in the future, there have been a few changes in the last year as it is.

I read that Grab Food has gone on strike....... people will have to get out of their condos! Pattaya Grab Food drivers strike over wage cuts, long hours. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-grab-food-drivers-strike-over-wage-cuts-long-hours-277132

Boys Don't Cry

They are starting early this year... Hungry Hippo...

Available in Villa, about 250 baht for 2 dozen!

Wednesday evening.

Million Dollar Baby.

Yes the sequence is correct. Visa Exempt or Tourist Visa should not be any different wrt getting to the extension, other than the TV gives more time, a Visa Exempt can require an outward flight ticket. Make sure you are aware of what is required to convert that entry to a Non-Imm-O. I have no idea whether renting an apartment will prove difficult with a short Visa, renters are quite desperate and if you come up with the deposit and advance rent I think they will not worry too much. Don't over commit initially, Pattaya is changing and some people want a divorce after the honeymoon phase. Good luck.

Insane, the guy makes his ample money by getting a sign on fee, then later a bugger off payment, when he has alienated the players.

As far as I can glean from the ThaiVisa Forum, immigration at the airport have had their behaviour corrected and people using a Non-Imm_O-A Visa issued pre-Oct 31st are no longer being forced to show insurance and stamped in for a year. Anyone stamped in prior, still using the same permission, are OK too. As far as Retirement Extensions at domestic immigration, those on an original O-A Entry, are being asked to show insurance, notices have been pinned up in a few IO's. This thread is more focused on someone applying for a Visa in the USA, I realize, but implications are wider.

Well I didn't want to put you off. I only used half of my ticket, ex Bangkok and it was business class so got drinks etc. Didn't realize they were a budget carrier! The long haul on the A350 from BKK was OK, poor transit with a slow security check and not much in the way of facilities at Helsinki. The hop to Manchester was late and I got a tour of the UK , Lake District etc. It was also really rubbish.... I turned my nose up at the food, some crappy pasta thing.

It is likely even more noticeable at weekends when we have quite a lot of Bangkok drivers around. They push and squeeze and do not give much clearance.

I have just been riding around those areas and noticed non of those! Beware jacko on the road fellow Pattaya drivers! I zone out......

Today's rates.... probably the weekend's rates. After I took this pic I went to Big-CX and it was busy. Particularly busy were the two exchange places on each side of the main ground floor pedestrian entrance. I guessed mostly Russians, appearing to be exchanging cash. These places are bank affiliated so the rates would be lower, so I compared them to my picture. USD were about 1 baht per $ (big bills) down on TT Exch. Couldn't see Rubles there, but surely the rate would again be inferior .... I was thinking to let a few of them know they were losing out, then thought, they probably won't speak English, and these are the same ignorant sods who wont shuffle up on the baht buses... fxck them!

I see no mention of the Chinese Carriers....or do they just fall in the middle and not top nor bottom? I got an 'OK but nowt special' from a pal for China Southern, ex LHR. Poor early Bangkok arrival time, but fair connections. Surprised Lufthansa is getting reasonable reviews, I used them a couple of times over a decade ago and eventually moved to KLM. Most of the European carriers had poor short hops from Manchester and I hated CDG and FRA airports. Back then Lufthansa used 747 to BKK and as I got a cheap ticket, I ended up in the middle seat of a row of 5 on a packed flight...... not fun. So really OK now?

Yes there was. Kinda surreal to be sitting at a bar chatting to your neighbour

Better than Emirates or better price-wise?

In Thailand?

One never knows, I thought one had to have a Non-Imm-O or Extension to get the 5 year licence.

For houses one has to order a truck/ tanker to come deliver and fill your tank up. I have never had to do this in my current place, but my prior rental I had to do it quite often. The pipework was rubbish there, always failing and even when there was water it had hardly any pressure and those with below ground tanks fared better. Trouble is once this system gets organised and palms are being greased, one finds utility water is being cut more often by a guy with some money in his pocket. My neighbour has an automatic sprinkler system and a monthly water bill of around 4000 baht, that won't help supplies. Another actually had a bore hole but it has dried up. My Mrs uses water like it is a never ending supply, house cleaning day a small pool's worth gets used. Why anyone needs to flush a toilet 3 times per visit I never could understand.

WIN (Motorcycle taxi). Or do you expect to have a lot of shopping to carry back?