nkped

Back in the 70s, tribal lore was that they didn't feed you in the monkey house as free food would negate the deterent effect of being locked up.

That's how much of the world gets its fresh water. Don't know how much it would cost to dig the wells and install the pumps for a major city's water supply or how long it would take.

A nicely fitted out one bedroom condo is okay. A studio, even a larger one, would be oppressive for an extended stay.

Planes would have to fly and there would have to be some confidence I could get back into Thailand on a reentry permit. Then there would be the flight itself. No, it's not just recirculated air but it still wouldn't be great for social distancing. Couple that with the likelihood of having to wear a mask for a couple of 10-12 hour flights. Yeah verily, this may be the long tour.

No tourist visas, no entry without visa, no visa on arrival? I suppose it could be done but with just returning Thais and business travelers, doubt there would be many flights. We're in unknown territory.

Have a reservation with Eva for 4 June which I have not cancelled so far. Out of curiosity, checked the seating for the Taipei-Seattle leg. Of 64 seats in Premium Economy, only 6 are filled at this point. No, I'm don't really expect to be making the trip.

Every other day seems to be optimistic.

Rain right now, forecast for this week looks promising. If we can get into the pattern of an afternoon shower, that will be a start.

Thunder. Now if it can consumate the process.

Copied from a US Embassy email:

Made a Korean Air connection that tight a few years ago. My bag didn't but got it the next day.

Been raining at night in Korat.

Water was on overnight, off sometime after sunrise.

Two weeks on from the mass gaggle at immigration and I seem to be okay. Well, I knew the odds were in my favor. I went when I did on the theory that the situation wasn't going to improve. There are times I would prefer not to be right.

JUST IN!! The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has announced the extension of temporary ban on all international flights to Thailand. 1. According to the latest Notification of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, the ban on international passenger flights to Thailand will be extended from 6 April 2020 at 17.00 UTC to 18 April 2020 at 17.00 UTC. All flight permits granted for such period will be canceled. 2. The ban does not apply to state or military aircraft, emergency landing, technical landing without disembarkation, humanitarian, medical or relief flights, repatriation

I don't do the C to F conversion that well but if a couple of them where the guy showed it to me were accurate, I suspect I would have been curled up shivering.

Picked up the passport with a new extension just after 3pm. They had a table under an awning just to the right of the street entrance so quite quick and easy to keep my distance. I should add that yesterday, I also submitted a copy of my bank book for proof of income. Now, just hoping I didn't draw the short straw standing in line yesterday.

Yesterday, the Bangkok Bank ATM at the Soi 7 office went tilt. Thirty minutes later at Central, my card worked in another bank's ATM.

Retirement extension of my in country non-immigrant O due by 28 April so decided to go today as the best of the various suboptimal alternatives. You queue outside the building to get a number. It is covered and there are a couple of fans. Arrived about 9:30 and it took about an hour to get in the door. They let perhaps ten in at a time. Guy takes your temperature before letting you in and you get a number. Good news is that it is not completely jammed inside. They were processing the number before mine when I got in. Young guy checking the documents at counter 8. I had a photo

No, but at least it will be one on one rather than 30 people in a bar.

I was quite impressed. I waited until 11am. I park at Central and take the baht bus as I have no confidence in my ability to park a Toyota Hilux in the bank's rather small car park.

I'm coming up for renewal of the retirement extension next month and it is the first year I can't use an embassy affidavit. So I headed for the Bangkok Bank office at Soi 7. I figured things are as likely to get more restrictive in town than less. They knew exactly what I was asking for. No surprise, you need your passport and bank book. It took about 30 minutes and 700 baht. I got a letter showing dates, USD received, and baht credited. They attached the computerized transaction records for each deposit. I should note I have a direct deposit account for my government annuity.

They've shut down tourism.

EVA notice saying Taiwan has suspended international transit March 24-April 7.

While I feel in good health, the DOB on my driver's license says I am at risk. 20 hours on airplanes to eat frozen dinners at home doesn't seem like it would be worth the effort.