I travelled from BKK to Manchester UK mid April returning in July.
Was on Emirates A380s economy changing in Dubai The flights were expensive twice to three times what I paid pre Covid.
All four flights were full suggesting people were not put off by the cost
Pre Covid flying from BKK to Manchester economy return 600 GBP was expensive, I'm flying on Emirates later this month and it cost me 1250 GBP (approx 150 GBP is because I want to try upper deck economy)
I went with my partner to the Buriram (Thai) passport office yesterday for him to renew his passport.
Cost for a 10 year passport was 1500 baht + 40 baht for EMS and they told him he should receive it in 3 to 4 days.
Last year I renewed my UK passport and it took 17 weeks and cost 128 GBP for a 50 page passport - I used an agent to avoid trips to Bangkok total cost 12500 baht
Quite a difference in cost and service
If money is no concern IMO Cafe Des Amis is far and away the best restaurant in Pattaya
Less expensive with an atmosphere I really like is Au Bon Coin which isn't open every day
Guess there is no way around that.
Using your VPN you can access BBC IPLAYER for free and view a good selection of programmes.
You do have to say you have a UK tv licence but they don't ask for its number