Smiler

I now use 2 phones. One has my Thai Bank, Revolut and Wise Apps on it. The only time I connect to the net to use them is at home, where I know the connection and network is secure. The phone stays in the house in a safe place. The other is for everyday use (like posting on here right now 😁). I also have True Money Wallet on it which I am using more and more when in Thailand. Can't remember the last time I paid cash in 7 or Lotus's etc. It was worth the hassle IMHO to set it up. Always have cash as a backup of course because not everywhere accepts TMW and occasionally there is no net.

Yesterday it was in our family compound 100%. Not the usual water war but it got loud and messy. Was a great day. Tell the truth I have been suffering today but a 14 hour session is going to take its toll I guess. 🙄

I had 2 Astra shots in UK, yesterday got Pfizer in the village. Feeling a lot better since my last post as it happens, still going to take it easy today though.

Wishing I hadn't had covid vaccine no. 3 yesterday. Feeling like shit squared.. 😞

It's my first time for 3 or 4 years and TBH mate it's not my favourite Thai celebration. We have friends and family from Pattaya here for 2 or 3 nights because it can get too full on down there. And then there is the carnage on the roads...

Well it won't be long before Songkran and some expats will be telling Thais how they should be celebrating 🙄😁. Never fails to amuse me when I hear or read comments along the lines of "it goes on too long" or "it's too noisy" or "it's too wet" 👀 or "not meant to be like that, it's not traditional" etc etc IMHO it is whatever Thais want or choose how to celebrate their new year celebrations. I get the impression that they really want to let off a bit of steam this year. Even if larger scale organised events don't go ahead there will be some serious partying on a house to house basis. Certainly will be in our part of the jungle anyway. My plan is to accept it and enjoy, plan b is to stock up, hide in the house and complain bitterly on social media 😉🙂😬.

Stay safe Dave, hope the family recover soon 👍.

Bob Marley Frank Sinatra The Prodigy

Yep, credit where it's due, it is impressive Thai customer service. This is my fourth time and TBH I have no complaints aside from the obvious faf and hassle of having to go through the whole procedure. AND of course the extra money I have spent on quarantine, PCR tests, insurance etc. Really try not to think about that.....

Woke up this morning to find the Thai Pass has arrived 😀😃 so that was sorted within 24 hours. I used my Hotmail account. I booked the SHA Hotel through Agoda, 4 days before applying for the Thai Pass.

How long are you around in Udon for? I am planning a trip to Pattaya after Sonkran, maybe 3 or 4 nights.

I just registered, am traveling 23/03. Was straight forward enough although I have had a bit of practice over the last couple of years 🙄. First time I have booked a SHA hotel through Agoda though.

I just can't see how taking photos of prostitutes/hookers is somehow bragging?? Unless of course others are jealous that a guy has the money to spend on paying for his pleasure.

https://youtu.be/3pMqQu3WKZw Bit different from the usual Vlogs.

Easy enough to buy a drone in Thailand, check out Big Camera shops. You need insurance, register the drone with CAAT and get a license for the radio controller. Cost around about 4k baht. Bloke I know has one in his wife's name and he is down as a pilot on the paperwork. The Thai authorities are serious about drones if you get caught using one illegally, apparently. Just seen other posts and the 250 gram thing means dogshit if the drone has a camera, still needs to be registered.

You need to check the fine print on your insurance. An IDP may only be a temporary measure. If you are in Thailand on a long term visa (retirement or marriage extension or work permit) a Thai license is recommended and some insurance companies will require it. Check the small print on your policy or even call the company if you are serious.

Bugger, you got me now as well....

Hope she is on the mend soonest Dave.

Did a couple of weeks back in November 2020 and another 2 in June/July this year. Learned a lot from my first experience - the days revolve around food, I spent another 10k baht for a hotel with better food on my second trip and it was worth every single satang. Also brought a load of cold cuts, cheeseboard, biccies, crisps, chocolate and treats with me. I am a coffee snob so took my own supplies, French press and enough fresh milk to get started. Second trip I wasn't allowed to leave the room so I hired an exercise bike which was well worth it. Brought a devilishly difficult 1000 piece Jigsaw, first time I have ever completed one! Never travel without my Firestick for Netflix etc iPad and of course my phone. I brought an extension lead both times. Booze?? I brought a bottle of wine and a couple of minatures but I am not much of a drinker. Good luck mush 👍😊

First met Jethro on a rugby weekend in Cornwall 35 plus years ago. He wasn't a celebrity then, well perhaps on a local scale but certainly not country wide. A few years later and one of our team had an awful accident and ended up paraplegic. Somehow or other Jethro got to hear about it and offered to do a benefit gig to raise funds. His career was really taking off by this time. The guy made a 7 hour round journey, did a 2 hour set, bought a good few rounds and made a very generous donation to the cause. Really can't speak highly enough about the bloke. Rest In Peace sir.

No No Thanks Dave. Mods let me know if you want me to make a separate thread regarding my experience or add to an existing one. Will do my best to put something together over the next couple of days.

Get a positive PCR test in Thailand and it's off to hospital whether you have symptoms or not for 10 days. My source for this information? Young Smiler, Mrs Smiler and myself have just spent 10 days locked in Ampoe Phen hospital. Really quite frightening how freedom/liberty is suddenly taken away....

I did notice there was at least one place selling SIMs in the baggage hall before you go through customs.

When I checked out the hotel gave me a rapid antigen test kit and asked me to use it in 6 days time. I am then supposed to take a photo of the results and send it via Line to the hotel. I haven't heard about this before TBH so I will do a bit of research when I get back to the village to establish if the test is mandatory. Now for a late afternoon and evening of debauchery 😇.