Post Office

A week or so ago, I found myself needing the Post Office.  There's a lovely new one near Immigration which is pretty big but the old Post Office opposite the Kasamsarn hotel is just up the road so off  I went.  It was quite busy and I had to wait a little while with my number. 

When you walk into the post office, there's a small plastic holder on the right hand side of the long counter that has laminated cards with numbers on.  The idea is you take one of these then sit on the plastic chairs waiting for your number to be called.  Fortunately, they have a display screen that tells you the number being called and which numbered "slot" you need to go to.  They also announce this system in Thai with some pre-recorded voice. 

The level of English from staff varies but I haven't had a problem yet.  Smiling and showing them your clearly addressed envelope usually does the trick.  Anyway, I was sat there patiently waiting when I noticed the TV showing stuff in Thai so I really have no idea what it was about.  They work the same kind of system at our bank only they show the news still don't know what they're saying and it's on a flat screen TV.  As this TV is so old, it kept flickering between a black and white then colour picture.

Mr John has had some breathing space at school this week.  Since Wednesday, the Grade 6's have been on Buddha camp.  This is where the kids go and stay at the Temple, sleep on the floor and have talks given by the Monks.  Sounds like a blast, doesn't it? 

This weekend is a long weekend with the Queens' birthday being held next Tuesday.  In order to "return happiness to the people" the ruling military have also decided that Monday should be a holiday too.  I believe the idea is also to try and boost local tourism as a number of countries are still telling people not to travel here.  Sadly, tourism will not be getting a "boost" from us this weekend.  As we used to do in England, we tend to avoid travelling on "bank" holidays.  We'll be doing our bit later this month when we will be returning to Pattaya as Expendables 3 will be showing.

So have a lovely weekend everyone.