@Gary *******

- Seems like you are jumping to the conclusion that the lady in question is damaged by contact with gorgeous, scatter cash, farang men aren’t you Gary? Think the reading and understanding is required by you rather than making assumptions. Seems like you’ve associated with a few damaged girls yourself.

@Gary *******

- Rather cynical don’t you think? If he’s willing to marry the girl then surely he trusts her?

@Jim ******

- If you read what I dictated. The reference of South is to Isan and not Thailand as a whole. I am aware that Cambodia lies to the South of Isan and the typo is due to unfamiliarity with referring to it. Teaching in Thailand were you? BTW I’ve travelled extensively in Thailand over more than a decade and actually worked out of Songkhla for a while, so am no neophyte. Recently drove from Ubon Ratchathani province to Udon Thani province for a family wedding. Stretching it a bit with the reference to 2,200km and irrelevant to someone currently working and travelling in Kazakhstan. Drive as far to go to and from some work sites.

Nice short flight of only 6-½ hours from Almaty to Bangkok.

You could pay a bit extra for a more flexible return ticket that allows you to change the return date at no or nominal cost.

@Jim ******

- Isan people may well be more Lao genetically but majority, I’d say, prefer to be Thai. Even then, those in the South are more likely to be Kymer origin rather than Lao. As for language? For examples, Spanish is not exactly the same throughout Spain or within the former Spanish colonies in Central and South America. I’ve been told by Norwegians that people from various regions in Norway converse in English as they don’t understand each other when speaking Nynorsk or Bokmal.

My Thai is so far almost non existent and I can’t say the prospect of having to come to terms with two languages (dialects) fills me with much pleasure!

Anonymous participant - latest occasions when departing Thailand I’ve used e-gates at Suvarnabhumi airport which are proof, I’d say, that all arrival and departure information is digitised and available to Thai embassies.

@Jim ******

- my wife would disagree and gets most offended when I stir the pot. There is also a distrust of Lao people crossing the border in their own vehicles. Driving standard on the opposite side of the road. Vehicle condition etc.

@Graham *****

- Thanks

@Graham *****

- Good to know. Save multiple transfers or delays with larger payments. What steps did you take to verify your account in Thailand?

@Graham *****

- just takes longer to process any amount over 50k baht. Days rather than minutes.