roger buttmore

I wouldn't get out of bed for 3%.

Good grief 😬

I never wai anyone. A smile and perhaps a gentle nod of the head is sufficient in my mind for me as I am not Thai. Been coming for 25 years and lived here for 12, but I am still not Thai and never will be. The only time I can picture myself performing a wai is if I have an encounter with immigration officials or police where a positive outcome is dependant upon them, but that hasn't happened yet. I cringe when I see farang at a bar, restaurant, or reception waiing the staff - eek!

I went to Royal Garden Plaza today at around 11.30am for my third shot, first booster -Pfizer, which followed AZx2. Enter at the Beach Road end. Up one level on the escalator. Just on your right. There were perhaps 8 people in front of me but they were already progressing through the process and by the time I got to sit and wait for the actual injection I was sat for less than a minute when the time came. Only saw one farang, the rest were Thais. Nothing compared to the crowds and long queues at Central Festival for the previous vaccinations last year. My decision to get this booster was based more upon ease of international travel than protection. In addition to Royal Garden Plaza this following link may be useful for other options in Pattaya as well as for Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen. https://members.bccthai.com/BCCT/asp/news.asp?NewsID=1101&SponsorID=0

Arriving in any country with less than 4 bucks of local currency in your pocket seems a bit thoughtless and adds unnecessary hassle on arrival, especially after a long trip. It's always worth taking some Baht back home with you at the end of a trip. At least enough for a sim card (if you need one) and to cover transport to your first accommodation and perhaps some food, drinks or snacks. For me it's just common sense.

A bigger table wouldn't hurt.

hawk

Time

This thread needs livening up.

I recently completed all 4 seasons of Goliath, watching S1 again as that's all I'd seen previously. Prior to that I'd just re-watched the first season of Fargo, too, having only seen season 1 previously. In both cases the high IMDB scores were gleaned from the first seasons alone. I really enjoy Billy Bob Thornton ever since I saw him as the mechanic in U-Turn, which is an extremely frustrating movie, but also an immensely enjoyable one. Regarding Fargo the first season was excellent and well deserving of its high vote status, but subsequent seasons not so. BBT only featured in S1 of Fargo and I'd give that 9/10. S2 7/10, S3, 3/10 S4 gave up after episode one as it was garbage. In Goliath again the first season was excellent and well worthy of another 9/10. S2 6/10, S3 3/10, S4 2/10. I became so frustrated with the need to be shown inside the character's dreams, hallucinations, minds and thoughts. Stop spelling things out to me like I'm in possession of a juvenile mind! I've just finished watching the first season of The Responder, with Martin Freeman. Freeman was very good indeed. 8/10 from me.

Kanye

Email it to yourself using the smartphone. Then read the email on your computer and download the pic from there. It is too easy to become attached to an animal, so often the best defence it to do your best not to become attached in the first place as it's a one-way street. Impossible to care for every stray cat and dog out there. A few lucky ones get plucked out. You've already done far more than most people would ever do.

I bought a Samsung J7 about 7 years ago. It is the only smartphone I've ever owned/used. I don't have 'data' because I never use it beyond being a regular phone away from home. At home it connects to my Wi-Fi so I get email notifications. I then check my emails using my computer. I just top-up when it needs it, which isn't often. I found it a nuisance with all the chirps and beeps. All long since permanently silenced or offending app removed completely. I've never liked smartphones. I guess I'll have to activate some data package for a day or two when I eventually travel internationally again. I'll be an unwilling participant when no other option exists. Big Brother loves that we all provide our own monitoring devices from which they can data-harvest. Only while the data package lasts.

Thank you. In fact, thank you very much indeed. I'm booked for the 22nd October, noon. Again, sincerely, thank you.