Timbob

Sure, it's just my humble opinion. I've never said it was a majority view. My hope is that one day it will be. That's all.

Yes, you're right because the British press are an absolute cesspit. But they wouldn't have to play the game any longer.

Because they seem deeply unhappy and dysfunctional. If the charade was ended they could live their own true lives, like their aristocratic chums away from the public gaze. I pity them.

British born and bred, me. Hopefully one day I can say "no" to that question. Not envious at all. I feel sorry for them. As I said previously, I think they'd be far happier if the monarchy were abolished.

They'd probably tell the world they died and ship them off to a mental hospital.... just like they did with the late Queen's cousins. Charming. With any luck the British public will have had enough of this nonsense long before George gets close.

They will still get visitors, just like in France.

France chopped the heads off their Royals over 200 years ago. To this day, the Palaces of Versailles gets more tourists than Buckingham Palace.

Sovereign Grant, plus a whole host of other benefits (i.e. zero inheritance tax). They are parasites. But it's not personal. I think they'd be far happier and live more fulfilled lives if the monarchy were abolished.

That's not my experience but I take your word for it. I don't have time to cross check every transaction. When I used HSBC I sent in GBP to not get ripped off. But this means you never know exactly how much THB you're going to get until it arrives. With WISE I can send the exact amount I want, which suits me much better. So even if it's not much cheaper, it's certainly more convenient.

I think you've misread my post, unless you're suggesting HSBC is in fact cheaper than Wise. I remember paying £4 as a fee with HSBC, but the fee isn't the issue. It's the markup they put on currency conversion, hence why I said Wise is a lot cheaper.

No he didn't. Read what he actually said. He never mentioned the word Nazi. He was right this time. But wrong about Corbyn.

Gary Lineker has upset the free speech warriors (for exercising free speech) and the true snowflakes are outraged. A non-story that's been blown out of all proportion but they've been spoon-fed their opinions by the right-wing press. It's cancel culture hypocrisy of the highest order. Not a peep when Lineker tweeted "Bin Corbyn" a few years back.

Wise is not a bank. I use them regularly to send money and have never had any major issue. Perhaps not as quick as they once were, but much better than when I used to send money via HSBC (and a lot cheaper!). I would not keep a substantial amount of funds with them. I'd say that's UNWISE. Better to keep your money in a UK bank protected by the FSCS scheme.

Yep, you'd think so. I went to the place with the Kodak sign on Sainamyen Road.

I was told last time to "go to shop near Hospital" to get photocopies. I first went to the Patong office a few years ago and was in and out within 5 minutes. Brilliant! Last time, back in November, I thought I was prepared (form filled in, photo, etc) but didn't have photocopies of the passport photo page / page with stamp in it. The office was almost empty. I came back a couple of days later and it was packed. So I came back the week after for a third time and got it sorted. But I had to come back an hour later to pick up my passport. So not a great experience. Tip: don't go on a Monday or Friday as very likely to be busy.

I'm not sure that would help to be honest. It may raise more questions. I can prove the same things but the truth is I do also work when I'm in Thailand - but online, running my own e-commerce business. So I'm not a real 'tourist'. It's a grey area. I've been splitting my time between the UK and Thailand since 2015 (aside from 2 year gap due to covid) and have only been questioned twice. It's not a nice experience and I'd prefer if there were set rules, but there aren't. I'm going to get a new passport when I'm back in the UK this summer. I know they have everything logged on the computer system, but I don't think having a passport full of visas and extension stamps helps. I think this gives them a reason to 'look me up' on the system.

I flew in last week on a 60 day tourist visa and got questioned by the IO at Phuket airport. My recent travel history: 'Jan 2022 > April 2022 (90 days)', then back to UK for summer, 'Oct > Dec (80 days)', back to UK for 3 weeks for Christmas / NY, and arrived again on 60 day tourist visa which I will extend for 30 more. All visits on tourist visa, not exemptions. She asked "what are you doing in Thailand?" to which I replied "I'm a tourist". She then asked how long I intend to stay. I said 90 days and she then asked for evidence of my outbound flight. I didn't have a print out and was struggling to find the email on my phone. After about 5 minutes of me failing to find the email she stamped me in and I was on my way. I've only been questioned once before and this was also at Phuket airport, maybe 4 years ago (did not visit for 2 years due to covid).

I went over yesterday on the motorbike. Cars were one-way only, from Patong.

The Patong Hill road is now open to motorbikes.

That route will probably get jammed now. Oh well, I guess people can always swim.

100% of tourists leave at some point and for the vast majority it would have been via this road. I know people who have businesses in Patong but live in Kathu. I also know someone who lives in Patong but their kid goes to school near Central Floresta. The alternative route is not a "simple inconvenience", but a major one.

I'm aware of how the internet works, thanks. I'd rather pay for an official stream with quality / reliability. Hopefully the games will be on Bein Sports or True Visions.

I hope there's a way to watch online with English commentary.

I got a taxi from the airport the same as usual. The hotel offered a taxi but it was overpriced so I just got a regular taxi for 800. FWIW, this was in January and it was not a requirement to enter any transportation details for the Thai Pass.

For breakfast I highly recommend Zebra Cafe: https://goo.gl/maps/4CYLGceJ1bnSexM97