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I definitely look for UPF 50+ clothes to wear when I will be out in the sun for an extended period

I think most people don't use the amount that you're supposed to either. Or reapply as frequently as necessary

this seems to be an evergreen topic of discussion

If you're interested in Thai Politics this Thai academic based in the US has a good newsletter explaining what's going on from his point of view https://www.coffeeparliament.com/p/anutin-is-almost-prime-minister-can?r=nsi9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

I did the day trip including a stop at Bang Pa In many years ago. I think if I were to go back I would take a bit more time. The boat trip back sounds really nice.

I always use SP Limousine to get to/from the airport. Nice cars, fairly easy to find in the airport. I get a small discount as a repeat client. Basic rate for a regular midsize car like a Camry is TBT 1150 There are a variety of eSIM providers out there. But I think most of them are data only. I have used Flexiroam many times. Good customer service. They have regional, country-specific, and worldwide plans. Airalo is pretty well reviewed but I have no experience with them. They seem to have much cheaper plans

Sadly BTS and MRT still don't have an integrated payment system. MRT is largely underground on the original blue line but there are many aboveground stations and lines now, especially away from the downtown core. I just use my contactless credit card (US-based Chase Visa) for the MRT as it's the most convenient option. Queues for the ticket machine or booth can get quite long at busy times otherwise. If you have a compatible credit card you just walk up to the fare gate and and touch the target on the way in and use the same card at the exit gate.

I agree that staying in Silom area is a good idea. Transferring to your other hotel is pretty straightforward either by BTS/MRT or taxi/Grab. I haven't been to CM in quite a while so I don't have much input there. But it appears there are a decent amount of massage places and a couple of host bars. I follow user ShunJou on Twitter/X who reviews massage places mostly in BKK but he also goes to CM fairly frequently

yes. It's a little odd though in that there is the main entrance lobby and then you take a lift up to the hotel lobby level (23rd floor I think). And then you go up another lift from there to your room. So you need to make sure you work out where you are meeting if you aren't bringing him home with you from a bar or elsewhere

when I cruised with Virgin they sent a survey on the app every day

yep, they definitely dress to show off with their tight pants/shorts. At the main tourist temple site in Tokyo there are many to choose from. When I was there admiring them I certainly wondered what they might be willing to do

Yep. It's always been my contention that these people are just closet cases

can't you just take him to a love hotel?

I'm a big fan of those artists as well. Hoodoo Gurus still going strong...or going strong again. They still put on a hell of a show

I think most people have their musical tastes set in their teens and early 20s. I like a variety of things and really enjoy live music. I think my taste is a particular kind of guitar sound that was popular in my university days and still lives on today. So I listen to current artists as well as things from the 80s and even 70s. I do enjoy discovering new artists. YouTube Music has some good tools for recommending things based on what you like.

The Algorithm started serving this guy's videos to me. Charming Taiwanese guy does lots of local attractions and food videos. Speaks very good Thai. He was an exchange student apparently

when you look like I do there aren't a lot of options. Especially as I enter my dotage. But I've been paying for it for a long time.

hope they will have a better business class than their original 787s

I stayed at an Airbnb in BKK once. I felt like a criminal going in and out through the parking garage backdoor. There are lots of serviced apartments around the city which are a good alternative. More space, somewhat cheaper than a regular hotel, often include a washer/dryer.

If you're looking to help I've been donating to Better Burma for a few years now since the coup. They're good at helping people on the ground https://gofund.me/67c9150f

Haneda suffers from this too. Just too many tourists. Wait forever at immigration then get in another gigantic line at customs. CDG is one of my least favorites. Although my last trip through it wasn't terrible. Skytrax is notoriously unreliable. Some people call is Scamtrax

#1 is a bit of a surprise. I always heard that foreigners should avoid the wai since we don't know all of the nuances. I always just give a little bow.

How dare they tarnish Pattaya's image!

I agree that you should give it a trial run before committing to moving there full time. Do a few months and see if you like the place, culture, tropical climate, etc.

But there is no "passport control" on exit from the USA. As crew he would go through the crew security lane with just his airline ID.