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Butch

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Posts posted by Butch

  1. When you Gents finally finished your job, or wound up your business or handed it over, was it bittersweet?.

    Did you see retirement (either in Thailand or in general) as a new beginning, or as something that you felt was a natural and deserved progression?.

    Lastly, and be honest , How many of you would have liked to have kept working another year or two, given the benefit of hindsight?.

    reason for the topic is because I was chatting with my Dad, he retired at 68, pretty much on the orders of my Mum. I asked him the last question, he told me he would still be working if no one had stopped him, but he was happy that he did when he did. I guess he was as happy at work as he is in retirement.

  2. I recently had it up to my neck with Private Internet Access, the password request form didn't work, it wouldn't automatically connect and the whole product was unstable. Shame because I've used them for 5 years without any hassle, and when I did get hold of Customer support they tried telling me the yahoo mail servers were down, because Yahoo mail servers often fail across the UK for 3 days at a time.

    Anyway, I've ruled out Earth VPN as they're awful as well.

    I don't mind paying, with PIA it was about $40 per year or so which is less than $1 a week.

    Cheers

    Butch

  3. It is financial madness lol.

    I mean, I guess that I can understand it, a National Airline is flagship, maybe a sign that a Country has "made it" on some level, thus if the Airline fails then it's seen as a slight against the Country.

    Is the success of the Flag Carrier seen as a yardstick of the success of the Country?. I really don't know how the finances work and like MLC, I'm asking the questions simply because I can't begin to fathom the logic of it all.

    Either way, I really hope that Thai manage to pull through in whatever guise, better still I hope the Thai Govt continues to bankroll them, so people keep jobs and families keep food on the table. It is a crying shame that quite literally within a week of opening the borders, Thai will see a massive input of cash, but as always, the Junta can't or won't see it.

  4. 9 hours ago, teelack said:

    I have to disagree on one point. I really cannot see the Thai government wiping their hands of Thai Airways.. There are millions looking for internal flights and perhaps even more wanting to fly into and out of the Kingdom. Its too important to scrap and the infrastructure is there now and massive.

    Sent from my CPH1941 using Tapatalk
     

    Good  point and well worth considering, but given the fact the auditors won't sign off, maybe we will see someone taking the fall for this?

    9 hours ago, midlifecrisis said:

    On Monday, the state-owned airline announced that it had ended the year with a net loss of 12 billion baht ($383 million) in 2019. It was the third straight year with a net loss. The loss was larger by 3.6% compared to the previous year. Total revenue decreased 7.7% to 184 billion.

    https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Coronavirus-brings-another-year-of-struggle-for-Thai-Airways2

    That was on March 2nd of this year. The government will likely continue to have the back of the airline but for how long? I'm not sure that this year will alter anyone's thinking. It is an aberration. The airline won't just cease to exist as long as they have this backing. Airlines are suffering all around the world. Were the airline to fold, who would buy the assets? That would be a firesale that would not benefit creditors I would think as there may be a lot of assets on the market for very cheap over the next year or two. Time will tell.

    Bugger! I downvoted by accident MLC with my fat fingers, have changed it to a green! Apologies for that chap

    Indeed this year is a unique event, and you're 100% on thwe button . Thai have been running at a loss for a while, maybe they will fold the airline, then rebuild with a massive restructure and possible rebranding and put a European or American in charge so they have a built in fall guy next time.

    I'd ask a question, if the past failure and continued failure of Thai airways and the money being pumped into it not just a face saving exercise on the part of the Thais?. Despite massive losses it still has a public image of being a world class airline, much in keeping with another issue which is making headlines at the moment, maybe the cost is worth bearing up to?...

  5. From the Bangkok post:

    "Trading in Thai Airways International Plc shares was suspended by the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Friday after auditors declined to sign off on its financial statements for the six months to June 30.

    Auditor Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Jaiyos Co said it could not reach a conclusion on the statements due to issues including a lack of liquidity and debt defaults, which created "material uncertainty" and may affect the value of assets and liabilities.

    THAI is under bankruptcy protection and is due to submit its rehabilitation plan to the bankruptcy court on Monday.

    In a statement, the airline said losses from operations since 2013 had resulted in a capital deficiency.

    THAI booked losses of 22.68 billion baht and 5.35 billion baht in the first and second quarters, respectively, according to a delayed earnings report released late on Thursday.

    The collapse of travel and tourism due to the coronavirus pandemic slashed revenue by 23.7% to 38 billion baht in the first quarter, THAI acting president Chansin Treenuchagron said on Friday.

    In the three months ending in June, it booked 2.49 billion baht in revenue, down 94.1% from the same period a year earlier.

    The airline began suspending flights in February."

     

    Auditors declining to sign off? There's been some very serious discrepancies found somewhere methinks.

    I don't think we'll see Thai survive in its guise for much longer, doubt the Junta will bail them out. I can see them slowly shuffling away to the side as if to say "you're on your own"...

    • Upvote 1
  6. On 8/11/2020 at 5:11 AM, teelack said:

    Good reply. I pass the Honey in Soi Honey on a regular basis and I see the same thing on a daily basis. Indian guys coming or going in mini vans. It's all a mystery to me. I did however expect Rasputin to be a step ahead of the Honey so was surprised to read your comments.

    I would imagine that if this is the case then maybe all the soapies are the same but it just increases the mystery as I have always associated them with the 5 guys for a 1000 baht.

    One other thing. My TGF and I go into Walking Street and I can guarantee that she will complain about the smell of Indian people even when I can detect nothing.

    Sent from my CPH1941 using Tapatalk
     

    Interesting point, I always wrongly thought that the Honey massage was aimed at Indian guys, and as such the numbers of Indian guys hanging around was counter productive to encouraging farang visitors.

  7. Sorry to cut and paste directly, but this affects us all:

    TAT deputy governor dashes hopes of 2020 reopening for Thailand’s international borders

    By Marissa Carruthers

    / Posted on 7 August, 2020 18:50

    Thailand is unlikely to reopen its borders to international leisure visitors this year, predicted a deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

    Speaking at a webinar hosted by Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office and TravelMole, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, deputy governor for international marketing at TAT, said that there has been no talk of or timeline issued for reopening the country to inbound or outbound leisure travel during weekly Covid-19 national meetings.

    He added that as part of the government’s “very, very cautious” approach to reopening borders, he does not expect Thailand to welcome leisure visitors until 2021.

    Noted Ayudhya: “I see no signal from the government that the country will open this year. That’s putting lot of pressure on the tourism industry. The Christmas period, usually the high season, is in jeopardy and I’m looking horribly even to Chinese New Year in February, which is an iffy proposition at best now. Unfortunately, this is not a rosy picture.”

    He added that discussions over creating travel bubbles have also been halted. Said Ayudhya: “Last month, there was talk about forming travel bubbles. That talk has not continued so far because of outbreaks in many of the countries we were hoping to get tourists from, unfortunately, including Vietnam.”

    However, the list of groups allowed into Thailand under strict measures has been expanded from diplomats, UN officials, as well as business people and investors who have an agreement with the government to include film crews and exhibition personnel.

    This is only applicable to visitors from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China and Hong Kong. Every arrival must spend 14 days in quarantine.

    Thailand will also open up to select countries for medical tourism.

    Ayudhya added plans are being mooted for when safe bubbles can be formed for leisure travel, with a proposal that all visitors spend a minimum of 30 days in the country. This would be in designated areas – probably islands, such as Koh Samui or Phuket.

    “Currently, this is not moving forward as the government is taking a wait-and-see attitude. They want to see how the current groups of foreigners, such as film crews and diplomats, do first. There is still a lot of nervousness,” he said.

    With uncertainties surrounding the reopening of borders to international travel, Thai tourism operators are proposing a new inbound tourism plan, called Safe and Sealed, to replace travel bubbles, reported the Bangkok Post.

    The scheme is designed to help tourism businesses tide through and avoid layoffs this year, should Thai borders remain shut to international visitors.

    During a joint meeting of the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the private sector chaired by tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, tourism-related groups proposed to allow tourists to enter Thailand in 4Q, said the report. As compared to the travel bubble scheme, the plan envisages safer, more flexible screening procedures for many countries, it added.

    Under the plan, explained Vichit, only visitors from cities with a record of zero infections for at least a 30-day window will be selected, and they will be able to travel and stay in designated hotels and provinces. Other safety protocols will include a Covid-free certificate 72 hours before flights, as well as insurance and swab tests.

    The report also quoted Vichit Prakobgosol, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, as saying that although Thailand has started allowing entry for certain group of foreigners, the tally will be below 100,000, which is inadequate to buoy the tourism industry.

    The new inbound plan is expected to draw at least 500,000 tourists to Thailand and generate 50 billion baht in revenue, according to the report.

    TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said Phiphat will forward the proposal to related organisations, said the report. According to Yuthasak, the tourism sector employed four million workers pre-Covid, but with businesses having zero revenue over the past six months, unemployment in the sector could grow to 2.5 million.

    • Upvote 1
  8. 4 hours ago, Rawhide2 said:

    There has been a change though from the Embassy on number 5

    Previously those fit to fly certificates and Covid test results had to be presented in person to the Thai Embassy to get "signed off".....now thats been relaxed to present at check in instead. Much of the previous angst and rightfully so was that for most people a trip to the Embassy takes a day

    Still not a chance in hell I could achieve in the 2 days pre flight (because thats what it is in reality)  to visit to the GP, get a test, subsequent results and then a medical to get a fit to fly certificate

    Its just impossible for most punters

    It is. even with the Mrs working for the NHS in a fairly decent position and using a bit of "professional courtesy", I couldn't get a test certificated and back within that time. It's bollocks but kudos and props to anyone who actually pulls it off.

    Judging from recent events in Vietnam, plus the panic beginning to surface here in the UK regarding a second wave, I think Thailand will remain shut until next year, (sorry for the thread drift) - however, even when they do eventually open up, I still think the measures will be draconian, over enthusiastic and erring on the side of discouraging travel. Should a vaccine appear then it'll be a Vaccination Cert, C-19 clearance Cert , proof of insurance specific to Thailand plus very possibly a deposit like Cambodia in case of hospitalisation.

    • Like 1
  9. On 7/30/2020 at 11:08 AM, Bullfrog said:

    In your experience what is the postal service operating like in UK? I'm guessing that you see a doctor, get a certificate, book a flight then post everything to a consulate authorised to issue a visa ...??? What chance is there of fitting everything into the required timeframe for those living too far to visit in person ( and stay overnight) ...??

    To be honest the first class / next day postal services by Royal Mail are very very good indeed. Pretty much anything which is "special delivery" is fully tracked door to door and hitting the mat within the 24 hour timeframe (some areas such as the highlands are exempt due to their distance).

    However the scenario above would be very difficult to do, for example let's say your flight is booked,  I know it is possible to get a daily appointment in numerous "clinics" in and around Hounslow, near to LHR for £90+ for a FTF certification (not sure if they will issue C-19 clearance yet as you need to be tested and await results), so that *might* be part of the medical clearance sorted out, however, getting all that tied in with an appointment at the Embassy / consulate or wherever you need to be AND all within the 72 hour timeframe for the C-19 clearance to remain valid, is going to be a very tall order indeed. The way to approach it is to book the flight well in advance, book the embassy appointment for the previous day along with the Medical appointment at one of the private clinics and hope everything works out, oh and also your hotel room, transport and hope that you are in fact C-19 clear on the date in question.

    In other words, stay at home.

    • Like 1
    • Upvote 2
  10. Watching Sky News, during the ads was one for Thailand tourism, the general gist was that "we're in it together" and "united" but it was definitely aimed at promoting tourism and encouraging people to consider visiting, which is somewhat ironic given there are currently no flights operating for tourists per se.

    Is this an indication Thailand might be opening up soon, or merely to increase awareness that certain travellers can visit but only those meeting certain criteria ?, also, no mention of the quarantine.

    I was pretty shocked when it came on to be honest.

  11. 11 hours ago, TheFiend said:

    Looks like Emirates are starting to bring the  A380's back into service...

    A lot of Boeing fanboys were hoping the A380 was killed off by Coronavirus...... Emirates obviously are proving them wrong.

    Coronavirus has killed off BA and Virgins 747's

    Yep, sadly the 747 is becoming a rare sight over UK skies. I think everyone knew her days were numbered, but C-19 has really done for it. Are other ME carriers bringing their 380's back into service or is it just Emirates?.

    20 hours ago, larrymac90 said:

    There was an Emirates flight left Bangkok last night for Dubai.

    Arrived in Bangkok empty and was full on its way to Dubai.

    With the Philippines now slowly reopening, hopefully the demand for the LHR- DXB - MNL route will begin to increase as well, time will tell of course, but running an empty 380 to BKK seems to be madness.

  12. Is that Emirates scaling back their fleet size or merely changing their schedule for predicted demand?.

    I'd be pretty surprised if Thailand fully opens to farang by Sept, the way they're going , Emirates would do well to fill one 380 let alone 4.

    Great info Brown, thanks for the heads up.

  13. 7 hours ago, parry said:

    Have any board members booked flights to Thailand with Dream World Travel? If so what are their experiences?

    Never booked with them .but reading the reviews that Brown1950 linked to, I'd give them a miss. sometimes paying a bit extra to go direct with the Airline or through a repuatble TA is worth not getting a headache when things d go wrong.

  14. 5 hours ago, tallguy said:

    I was also under the impression that he died a good few years ago (when Cherry Bar was still on Soi 8). However, a recent thread elsewhere suggested he was still alive in Samui or Phuket. Seems a bit unlikely, but who knows?

    I heard he died while Cherry Bar was on Soi 8, as I seem to remember it was Adam who reported it to the board, as one of his staff found him.

    Odd how these people find themselves remembered by so many others. Pale face Lady, Glitter Man and the guy in the pic whom I always thought was called "Tony". They all have their own stories, sometimes interesting but sadly in many cases, tragic.

     

  15. On 6/28/2020 at 8:34 AM, Shuggy said:

    How old is this pic? I remember this guy from Soi 8 back in the day. I thought that he had passed away.

    Yes, he was found dead in a skip.

    Always felt bad for this bloke, he was dealt a pretty crap hand in the first place, abused by people all his life, then died in a rubbish bin. That sucks whichever way you look at it.

    I hope that wherever he is now, he is enjoying an existence somewhat more pleasant and rewarding.

    • Upvote 1
  16. Great pics firth and thanks for taking the time and effort to upload them.

    I'm a bit surprised to see some "derelict" and abandoned boats, along with a couple of derelict buildings. Even in Brentford I'd have thought it would be prime houseboat real estate!.

    Any idea what boat is behind the foliage in this pic? - With a rig like that it looks commercial.

    645CB9DF-32AD-4A6C-9A7A-19CF91D6C1AB.thumb.jpeg.a81f512ae0ea25ef6a684ebc12b62dbe.jpeg

    • Like 1
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