thanks for the input, gonna wing it and cross my fingers. This trip has so far been a catastrophe in that the 2 places I stayed with friends and family for weeks even months are BOTH off the table and a third possibilty for long stay with a ladyboy friend in Cambodia ALSO fell thru so plans for a possible longer stay this time are dead and it's kind of like the first time I ever went not knowing what I was in for, except that was 2007 and things were cheap and inflation had not hit food, hotels, companions and the Thais egos (and I was 57, not 69). For me, Bangkok has become one big luxuray mall and condo/hotel zone with upscale restaurants covering areas I used to love...like Soi 38's famous and long time food street. I'll base in Khon Kaen and make forays up to Udon to git me some now and then, and see what happens. Let the adventure begin.