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Sanook D
12-27-07, 17:21
a paternalistic society that wants to keep women as childlike girls well past their due-dateIn Japan in the 1980's one still heard unmarried women over 25 referred to as "Christmas Cake"- in other words, growing ever staler past the 25th. The women don't seem to have fallen for it, and lo and behold, the expiration date appears to have been moved forward. I wonder if the same isn't happening here- I've seen statistics suggesting that more and more urban women in Thailand are declining marriage and assuming the duties of childcare (of a physically mature male as well as a babe or two) in order to pursue their careers, and the anecdotal evidence (I. E. , my significant other's girlfriends) supports it. Of course, "urban" in Thailand means Bangkok, more or less, so the country girls will probably pick up the slack for a while, provided many urban Sino-Thais don't mind lowering their sights a bit (their granddaddies didn't).

All the better for me- I hope the news that women reach their sexual peak at around 30 never reaches Thailand.

(Apparently there is a delayed marriage trend for men, too- hmm, I wonder what that is about. . .) http://cos.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/47/2/83

Old Thai Hand
12-31-07, 08:26
(Apparently there is a delayed marriage trend for men, too- hmm, I wonder what that is about. . .)

It's quite simple really. The cost of marriage including the sin sord (dowry) has shot up in recent years and a lot of Thai men simply can't afford it.

Old Thai Hand
12-31-07, 08:29
But then again maybe this is all bull shit BS and OTH is a seventeen year old with too much time on his hands.

While perhaps I don't wish I were quite that young, I wouldn't mind being in my early 30s again, knowing what I know now.

It's funny. Whenever I write about regular TGs, you always take it back to P4P as if it's relevant. It isn't. As I've said, ad nasueum, there's a world of difference between P4P and non-P4P Thai women. Apples and oranges, mate.

Member #2041
12-31-07, 17:50
While perhaps I don't wish I were quite that young, I wouldn't mind being in my early 30s again, knowing what I know now.

It's funny. Whenever I write about regular TGs, you always take it back to P4P as if it's relevant. It isn't. As I've said, ad nasueum, there's a world of difference between P4P and non-P4P Thai women. Apples and oranges, mate.
OTH, The reason that we always take it back to P4P, is that this is, fundamentally, a P4P forum. You are welcome to post about your freebies with the students in your classes and your doctors and nurses, and clerks you meet in shops in some venue that is oriented toward this. Maybe you should be writing letters to Penthouse magazine, or a column for Stickman Bangkok.

Old Thai Hand
01-01-08, 03:55
OTH, The reason that we always take it back to P4P, is that this is, fundamentally, a P4P forum. You are welcome to post about your freebies with the students in your classes and your doctors and nurses, and clerks you meet in shops in some venue that is oriented toward this. Maybe you should be writing letters to Penthouse magazine, or a column for Stickman Bangkok.

OK. Not worth any real argument, and you're probably correct.

But, there are several people on here who do talk about and are interested in non-P4P. In fact, I suspect that there are a great many, judging from my PMs that are quite keen to get out of the P4P scene and meet regular Thai women. Therefore, my experience and comments are of value here for those who would like something more than to shag some tart from the Nana parking lot. While P4P is obviously the focus of the forum out of necessity, the actual stated purpose is information about "finding women for sex" - not just prostitutes for sex. In that regard, perhaps I can provide invaluable information because of (as you state it) all my "freebies, with the students in [my] classes and [the] doctors and nurses, and clerks [I] meet in shops".

And, the point of my original comment was a response to something said concerned the sexuality of regular Thai women, and therefore PinkPearl's comments, while certainly relevant to the board in general, were irrelevant to the specific discussion.

Anyway, Happy New Year.

LittleBigMan
01-01-08, 04:29
Happy New Year Everyone,

Home in the U.S. visiting my mother and family for the holidays. Right now it is New Year Eve, not much for parties so decided to stay home for the evening and write my first year experience in Thailand. Don't know exactly what I want to say and how to say it there is so much but I don't want to bore anyone with all the details. So as they say from the beginning!

As many of you know I decided to leave my job after my pension was given to the government PBGC, and my medical coverage would end as soon as I retired today or 10 years from today. The job being very physical I decided to leave while I still could walk and spend as much time as I could with my wife and son in Pattaya. For nearly 9 years I worked months without a day off, overtime, double shifts, paying off my debt, saving as much as I could so that I could visit Thailand twice a year for 1 month at a time.

Prior to my retirement when the dollar was strong I wired as much money as I could afford and placed it into the Bangkok Bank. Meantime my wife and son lived very modestly in the out skirt of Pattaya near the reservoir. We had a clean place to live with lots of modern conveniences. A sit down toilet, hot water heater for showers, and a big A/C when we needed it and a hand full of fans. We had plenty to eat and I was able to send my son to a private school.

After years of riding around on my motorbike throughout Pattaya looking for land to buy to build a house and looking at home projects I finally found the home the year prior to my retirement. It was really a matter of finding the best bang for the buck nothing too fancy. The house was purchased with 100% cash and so was the small Toyota a few months later. The motorbike was great transportation but having a car for the safety of my son and wife when it rain was the main reason.

Years of looking for a house I knew exactly what I wanted. The house cames bare so in 2 weeks I spent alot of time at the ATM taking out money for rain gutters, 2, 1250 stainless steel water tanks, grass and palm trees, outdoor furniture, and a house full of new furniture from Index and Num Chai. It was a long haul to my retirement but that day finally came December 5,2006 and I was on a flight First Class complimentary of friends and my old boss.

When I first arrived in Pattaya for the 1st time as a retiree. My biggest concern was whether I was going to be able to obtain a retirement visa not having a pension to live on. I moved some money around and was able to obtain documents from my 401K, stating a draw and income and had the U.S. Embassy notorize the form and the rest of the process went smoothly at the Pattaya immigration.

With the hard part done, major items like housing, transportation and visa was paid for the next thing was whether my plan of living on $1,000 U.S. was going to be enough each month. The answer of course is NO! with the dollar being so weak I'm currently over my budget. Some months are better than others. My stay in Pattaya now was no longer a vacation I had to learn to be a husband and a father. My day starts at 6AM, getting my son ready for school, making breakfast, driving him to school, cleaning and fixing the house. Time really fly's and it's the end of the day.

The next project was finding Medical insurance for myself and family. I was able to do so but I'm not sure what is covered and how much so I'm on a constant search for something better but meantime I have create a medical fund for me and my family for any outpatient needs. Once again it's back to the best bang for the buck!

It's hasn't been all work this year. I have been able to drive up North to see my wife family and see parts of Thailand other than Pattaya. I find time once a week to go for a local 2 hour massage for 200 baht, to work on my back. I'm still trying to find more time to swim, jog, and find someone or group to play pickup basketball. When I return in February I will be shipping my Mountain bike so if you see a guy at Nana Hotel lugging a big box that will be me.

Finally, living in Pattaya and being Asian has many benefits. There have been lots of talk about skanks being in Pattaya but I know those comments are mostly referrence to P4P. But I can tell you as I travel daily around town I run into so many great ladies young and old. Once they hear me speak and find out that I'm from the U.S. the conservation draw on and I have been given phone numbers and even took a chance one time when the wife was gone to have a short 2 day affair. There are so many women running around this town and you free and single guys are so lucky. I've had so many encounters that I can't act on. The restrain is killing me but I'm a believer that the grass is not greener on the otherside. I have a wonderful wife and great son who don't ask for much. I never in a million years thought I would find my soul mate on the otherside of the world.

So not being able to get into another relationship or enjoy the hunt of getting a non-pro in the sack I spend my quick get away time on Soi, 6 for the price 500 baht ST, 250 for the BF, allows me to get things out of my system within a hour and get home like nothing ever happen. As I stay longer in Pattaya and meet more locals I need to be more careful. You never know if your neighbor might be working in a bar!

I hope my second year of retirement goes as well as my first. Thanks for lending me your ear and Happy New Year to everyone once again!

LBM

Jungle Bluebird
01-01-08, 04:53
OTH

Seems that there is little appetite for non P4P action on this board. You, NICFrenchy and myself tried to create some interest. But then I also side with LBM's comment '...allows me to get things out of my system within a hour and get home like nothing ever happen...'. Sure, ready access to P4P in this country has it advantages.

Here in Bangkok though temptation for non P4P is just too great. Not a day passes and I talk to the most beautiful women, educated, excellent English (which helps), willing and of course very much all 'good girls'.

The abundance of beautiful women in this city makes my day.. every day. In fact it's the only bright spot in this otherwise dump of a city :-)

All the best for 2008 everyone!

JB



But, there are several people on here who do talk about and are interested in non-P4P.

Traveler1234
01-01-08, 05:04
OTH
Seems that there is little appetite for non P4P action on this board. You, NICFrenchy and myself tried to create some interest.
JB

PM Jackson for a special thread - call it 'freebies' or preferably OTH thread...i think jackson will be accomodating. Happy 2008!

Old Thai Hand
01-01-08, 06:21
OTH

Seems that there is little appetite for non P4P action on this board. You, NICFrenchy and myself tried to create some interest.

I think that's only the case because most simply don't know how to or can't get access to non-P4P. That doesn't mean, though that's there's no interest or desire. I think given a choice, most guys would rather shag some of those lovelies one sees in the malls, on the BTS, or walking around Siam Square. I've seen plenty of Farang at MBK, for example ogle gaggles of students from nearby Chulalongkorn University. If they had a shot, I'm sure they'd go for them any day over some tart from Nana. On occasion, I've seen admittedly younger Farang guys trying to chat these girls up. I'm sure some succeed.

That you, NicFrenchy and I, among some others do describe the alternative provides some fresh perspectives that have value here. The only thing I can think that would prompt some to say that what we write about is irrelevant is a profound sense of envy.


Traveler1234

If we had our own thread, it would die on the vine in pretty short order. I wouldn't have the time to contribute enough to keep it alive. I'm sure that the same could be said for others like JB and NicFrenchy.

Gangles
01-01-08, 11:52
Hello Little Big Man, thanks for the excellent summary of your first year.

I am also thinking of relocating to Thailand. So I am very interested in the cost of living.

Could you estimate how much it would cost for a single man with one partner to live in Pattaya. Could you tell me in baht, so that I can convert?

Thanks again foe sharing your experience.

best wishes,

Gangles

NicFrenchy
01-01-08, 12:45
Here in Bangkok though temptation for non P4P is just too great. Not a day passes and I talk to the most beautiful women, educated, excellent English (which helps), willing and of course very much all 'good girls'.Absolutely! I do have the same problem (if you can call that a problem LOL).

I got more than a few more reports on Good girls coming, from my hairdresser to the Swensen's Ice cream boutique supervisor, emporium sales girl, bts girl and more. Also my latest: Chiang Mai's Camfrog little spinner (5 days with her and I have to say she will kill me soon, she is a sex addict and won't stop, even I tell her my pecker hurts!)

Traveler1234
01-01-08, 15:49
Traveler1234

If we had our own thread, it would die on the vine in pretty short order. I wouldn't have the time to contribute enough to keep it alive. I'm sure that the same could be said for others like JB and NicFrenchy.

Why not start your own blog, like Stickman (someone i don't read) or even Coma Boy :)

DirkDingy
01-01-08, 16:03
Happy New Year

Can anyone tell me how much a very nice house (pool, jacuzzi ,etc) would cost to rent in Bangkok? I assume that some delux condos would also suffice, but I am leaning more towards a house. I know that the location will largely determine the price. I don't want to live to far out in the sticks. Thanks in advance.

DirkDingy
01-01-08, 16:07
Happy New Year Everyone,

Home in the U.S. visiting my mother and family for the holidays. Right now it is New Year Eve, not much for parties so decided to stay home for the evening and write my first year experience in Thailand. Don't know exactly what I want to say and how to say it there is so much but I don't want to bore anyone with all the details. So as they say from the beginning!

As many of you know I decided to leave my job after my pension was given to the government PBGC, and my medical coverage would end as soon as I retired today or 10 years from today. The job being very physical I decided to leave while I still could walk and spend as much time as I could with my wife and son in Pattaya. For nearly 9 years I worked months without a day off, overtime, double shifts, paying off my debt, saving as much as I could so that I could visit Thailand twice a year for 1 month at a time.

Prior to my retirement when the dollar was strong I wired as much money as I could afford and placed it into the Bangkok Bank. Meantime my wife and son lived very modestly in the out skirt of Pattaya near the reservoir. We had a clean place to live with lots of modern conveniences. A sit down toilet, hot water heater for showers, and a big A/C when we needed it and a hand full of fans. We had plenty to eat and I was able to send my son to a private school.

After years of riding around on my motorbike throughout Pattaya looking for land to buy to build a house and looking at home projects I finally found the home the year prior to my retirement. It was really a matter of finding the best bang for the buck nothing too fancy. The house was purchased with 100% cash and so was the small Toyota a few months later. The motorbike was great transportation but having a car for the safety of my son and wife when it rain was the main reason.

Years of looking for a house I knew exactly what I wanted. The house cames bare so in 2 weeks I spent alot of time at the ATM taking out money for rain gutters, 2, 1250 stainless steel water tanks, grass and palm trees, outdoor furniture, and a house full of new furniture from Index and Num Chai. It was a long haul to my retirement but that day finally came December 5,2006 and I was on a flight First Class complimentary of friends and my old boss.

When I first arrived in Pattaya for the 1st time as a retiree. My biggest concern was whether I was going to be able to obtain a retirement visa not having a pension to live on. I moved some money around and was able to obtain documents from my 401K, stating a draw and income and had the U.S. Embassy notorize the form and the rest of the process went smoothly at the Pattaya immigration.

With the hard part done, major items like housing, transportation and visa was paid for the next thing was whether my plan of living on $1,000 U.S. was going to be enough each month. The answer of course is NO! with the dollar being so weak I'm currently over my budget. Some months are better than others. My stay in Pattaya now was no longer a vacation I had to learn to be a husband and a father. My day starts at 6AM, getting my son ready for school, making breakfast, driving him to school, cleaning and fixing the house. Time really fly's and it's the end of the day.

The next project was finding Medical insurance for myself and family. I was able to do so but I'm not sure what is covered and how much so I'm on a constant search for something better but meantime I have create a medical fund for me and my family for any outpatient needs. Once again it's back to the best bang for the buck!

It's hasn't been all work this year. I have been able to drive up North to see my wife family and see parts of Thailand other than Pattaya. I find time once a week to go for a local 2 hour massage for 200 baht, to work on my back. I'm still trying to find more time to swim, jog, and find someone or group to play pickup basketball. When I return in February I will be shipping my Mountain bike so if you see a guy at Nana Hotel lugging a big box that will be me.

Finally, living in Pattaya and being Asian has many benefits. There have been lots of talk about skanks being in Pattaya but I know those comments are mostly referrence to P4P. But I can tell you as I travel daily around town I run into so many great ladies young and old. Once they hear me speak and find out that I'm from the U.S. the conservation draw on and I have been given phone numbers and even took a chance one time when the wife was gone to have a short 2 day affair. There are so many women running around this town and you free and single guys are so lucky. I've had so many encounters that I can't act on. The restrain is killing me but I'm a believer that the grass is not greener on the otherside. I have a wonderful wife and great son who don't ask for much. I never in a million years thought I would find my soul mate on the otherside of the world.

So not being able to get into another relationship or enjoy the hunt of getting a non-pro in the sack I spend my quick get away time on Soi, 6 for the price 500 baht ST, 250 for the BF, allows me to get things out of my system within a hour and get home like nothing ever happen. As I stay longer in Pattaya and meet more locals I need to be more careful. You never know if your neighbor might be working in a bar!

I hope my second year of retirement goes as well as my first. Thanks for lending me your ear and Happy New Year to everyone once again!

LBM


Congrats Mate

Opebo
01-01-08, 16:11
Could you estimate how much it would cost for a single man with one partner to live in Pattaya. Could you tell me in baht, so that I can convert?


When I lived in Pattaya my expenses were thus:

Room - 5,000 baht
Util - 1,000
food - 6,000
bike - 2,000
misc - 6,000
girls - 40,000

So without girls its 20,000/month, with girls say 60,000 baht/month.

LittleBigMan
01-02-08, 00:15
Gangles,

It is hard to answer all your question without knowing exactly what you are looking for since everyone is different. Need to know what country your from since the exchange rate is different for each. U.S. right now is bad it might be 30 to 1 at this time which makes it 1 USD = 30 baht. If you are holding Euro you are in good shape might be 59 Euro to 1 + 59 baht.

Is your lady a Thai or a Farang? Do you like to stay in a Hotel or can you stay in a basic room with A/C, do you like to eat American and European food? Does your work or retirement plan offer you Medical coverage for you and your mate? Can you and your mate ride a motorbike or you prefer a car only? Be more specific and I can give you a more specific answer.

Let me know, LBM

Jungle Bluebird
01-02-08, 07:25
Excellent idea. We should call the 'Thailand good girl' thread :-) Experiences strictly other than P4P.

JB


Why not start your own blog, like Stickman (someone i don't read) or even Coma Boy :)

Jungle Bluebird
01-02-08, 08:52
NicFrenchy, looking forward to your posts. In particular the 'Swensen's Ice cream boutique supervisor' :-)

JB


Absolutely! I do have the same problem (if you can call that a problem LOL).

I got more than a few more reports on Good girls coming, from my hairdresser to the Swensen's Ice cream boutique supervisor, emporium sales girl, bts girl and more. Also my latest: Chiang Mai's Camfrog little spinner (5 days with her and I have to say she will kill me soon, she is a sex addict and won't stop, even I tell her my pecker hurts!)

PinkPearl
01-03-08, 19:38
Here in Bangkok though temptation for non P4P is just too great. Not a day passes and I talk to the most beautiful women, educated, excellent English (which helps), willing and of course very much all 'good girls'.So BKK has two types of girls:

1. Good girls, that is sluts.

2. P4P

Personally I prefer ladies who speak no English at all. That removes their temptation to start a conversation, which would definitely ruin the sex, and only thing that matters. They still jabber on in Thai to themselves, no doubt at times cursing me, but since I have no clue what they are saying it is like water off a ducks back.

I get some smiles from the young ladies working the seven eleven stores near NEP. I'm sure they'd love to accept an offer to polish my nob for an hour for 1000 Baht. Do you guys get this from any "ordinary" girls, I. E. The unofficial *****s? And if so, do they have a clue what they're doing or where to find it? LOL. I think that I'll stick with the experienced pros.

Vedado Fun
01-03-08, 22:59
Happy New Year Everyone,

Home in the U.S. visiting my mother and family for the holidays. Right now it is New Year Eve, not much for parties so decided to stay home for the evening and write my first year experience in Thailand. Don't know exactly what I want to say and how to say it there is so much but I don't want to bore anyone with all the details. So as they say from the beginning!

As many of you know I decided to leave my job after my pension was given to the government PBGC, and my medical coverage would end as soon as I retired today or 10 years from today. The job being very physical I decided to leave while I still could walk and spend as much time as I could with my wife and son in Pattaya. For nearly 9 years I worked months without a day off, overtime, double shifts, paying off my debt, saving as much as I could so that I could visit Thailand twice a year for 1 month at a time.

Prior to my retirement when the dollar was strong I wired as much money as I could afford and placed it into the Bangkok Bank. Meantime my wife and son lived very modestly in the out skirt of Pattaya near the reservoir. We had a clean place to live with lots of modern conveniences. A sit down toilet, hot water heater for showers, and a big A/C when we needed it and a hand full of fans. We had plenty to eat and I was able to send my son to a private school.

After years of riding around on my motorbike throughout Pattaya looking for land to buy to build a house and looking at home projects I finally found the home the year prior to my retirement. It was really a matter of finding the best bang for the buck nothing too fancy. The house was purchased with 100% cash and so was the small Toyota a few months later. The motorbike was great transportation but having a car for the safety of my son and wife when it rain was the main reason.

Years of looking for a house I knew exactly what I wanted. The house cames bare so in 2 weeks I spent alot of time at the ATM taking out money for rain gutters, 2, 1250 stainless steel water tanks, grass and palm trees, outdoor furniture, and a house full of new furniture from Index and Num Chai. It was a long haul to my retirement but that day finally came December 5,2006 and I was on a flight First Class complimentary of friends and my old boss.

When I first arrived in Pattaya for the 1st time as a retiree. My biggest concern was whether I was going to be able to obtain a retirement visa not having a pension to live on. I moved some money around and was able to obtain documents from my 401K, stating a draw and income and had the U.S. Embassy notorize the form and the rest of the process went smoothly at the Pattaya immigration.

With the hard part done, major items like housing, transportation and visa was paid for the next thing was whether my plan of living on $1,000 U.S. was going to be enough each month. The answer of course is NO! with the dollar being so weak I'm currently over my budget. Some months are better than others. My stay in Pattaya now was no longer a vacation I had to learn to be a husband and a father. My day starts at 6AM, getting my son ready for school, making breakfast, driving him to school, cleaning and fixing the house. Time really fly's and it's the end of the day.

The next project was finding Medical insurance for myself and family. I was able to do so but I'm not sure what is covered and how much so I'm on a constant search for something better but meantime I have create a medical fund for me and my family for any outpatient needs. Once again it's back to the best bang for the buck!

It's hasn't been all work this year. I have been able to drive up North to see my wife family and see parts of Thailand other than Pattaya. I find time once a week to go for a local 2 hour massage for 200 baht, to work on my back. I'm still trying to find more time to swim, jog, and find someone or group to play pickup basketball. When I return in February I will be shipping my Mountain bike so if you see a guy at Nana Hotel lugging a big box that will be me.

Finally, living in Pattaya and being Asian has many benefits. There have been lots of talk about skanks being in Pattaya but I know those comments are mostly referrence to P4P. But I can tell you as I travel daily around town I run into so many great ladies young and old. Once they hear me speak and find out that I'm from the U.S. the conservation draw on and I have been given phone numbers and even took a chance one time when the wife was gone to have a short 2 day affair. There are so many women running around this town and you free and single guys are so lucky. I've had so many encounters that I can't act on. The restrain is killing me but I'm a believer that the grass is not greener on the otherside. I have a wonderful wife and great son who don't ask for much. I never in a million years thought I would find my soul mate on the otherside of the world.

So not being able to get into another relationship or enjoy the hunt of getting a non-pro in the sack I spend my quick get away time on Soi, 6 for the price 500 baht ST, 250 for the BF, allows me to get things out of my system within a hour and get home like nothing ever happen. As I stay longer in Pattaya and meet more locals I need to be more careful. You never know if your neighbor might be working in a bar!

I hope my second year of retirement goes as well as my first. Thanks for lending me your ear and Happy New Year to everyone once again!

LBM
Great report LBM. I wish you the best of luck and hope that everything works out for you and your family.

Old Thai Hand
01-04-08, 07:25
So BKK has two types of girls:

1. Good girls, that is sluts.

2. P4P

Personally I prefer ladies who speak no English at all. That removes their temptation to start a conversation, which would definitely ruin the sex, and only thing that matters. They still jabber on in Thai to themselves, no doubt at times cursing me, but since I have no clue what they are saying it is like water off a ducks back.

I get some smiles from the young ladies working the seven eleven stores near NEP. I'm sure they'd love to accept an offer to polish my nob for an hour for 1000 Baht. Do you guys get this from any "ordinary" girls, I. E. The unofficial *****s? And if so, do they have a clue what they're doing or where to find it? LOL. I think that I'll stick with the experienced pros.

Do you actually have this kind of attitude? Or, are you just trying to wind people up to provoke a response?

PinkPearl
01-04-08, 11:06
Do you actually have this kind of attitude? Or, are you just trying to wind people up to provoke a response?Something like that. Why, did you not fully agree?

BTW I see now how you accumulated 1240 posts.

PinkPearl
01-04-08, 12:18
I think given a choice, most guys would rather shag some of those lovelies one sees in the malls, on the BTS, or walking around Siam Square. I've seen plenty of Farang at MBK, for example ogle gaggles of students from nearby Chulalongkorn University. If they had a shot, I'm sure they'd go for them any day over some tart from Nana. On occasion, I've seen admittedly younger Farang guys trying to chat these girls up. I'm sure some succeed.That's ridiculous. The tarts at Nana are just as lovely as those at Siam. Furthermore, I'm sure I could get an ordinary TG, but just the thought of banging a virgin is repulsive. As for the other good girls, who are all sluts and *****s of another kind, are they going to lick my ahole for 60 minutes for nothing? Not. So I'll definitely be sticking with P4P which is at times P4Free. At least until you show some signs of not being so miserable in your non hooker world of TGs, or I get them propositioning me for sex. Even then, I'd be highly reluctant to investigate that kind of pussy.

Jungle Bluebird
01-05-08, 12:39
We understand Pink Pearl..anything which moves :-)

Point is to get some (hopefully) interesting exchanges going on this board. Your input is not productive. Non P4P experiences are part of life in Thailand. I also put my dick into a lot of P4P, but truly, with 'good girls' it can be fun.

A little flirt here and there get's my mind of work. It simply makes me feel good. And who knows, from time to time I get laid in the process. Believe me, I do not work hard for it. To chat up 'good' Thai girls is a piece of cake.

And for the ahole licking comment... try street dogs, they do it for free.

JB


That's ridiculous. The tarts at Nana are just as lovely as those at Siam. Furthermore, I'm sure I could get an ordinary TG, but just the thought of banging a virgin is repulsive. As for the other good girls, who are all sluts and *****s of another kind, are they going to lick my ahole for 60 minutes for nothing? Not. So I'll definitely be sticking with P4P which is at times P4Free. At least until you show some signs of not being so miserable in your non hooker world of TGs, or I get them propositioning me for sex. Even then, I'd be highly reluctant to investigate that kind of pussy.

Old Thai Hand
01-06-08, 03:57
Point is to get some (hopefully) interesting exchanges going on this board. Your input is not productive. Non P4P experiences are part of life in Thailand.JB

PinkPearl, with a mere 147 posts, all which seem to be full of silly, wind-up bull-shit and no imformation of any use to anyone is nothing but a forum troll.

This thread is about living in Thailand, which PP doesn't do. Therefore, chances of him knowing anything about Non-P4P experiences with Thai women is practically nill.

Your assessment of why non-P4P is appealing is dead on. Flirting is fun and there's something more satisfying in the genuineness of a more normal male/female interaction and the fact that the exchange doesn't center around: ST vs. LT, barfines, and crass discussions about cost. Also, you're correct that chatting up TGs is a piece of cake, if you are here and have some semblance of a personality which I think eliminates PP, completely.

Animby
01-07-08, 14:00
As for the other good girls, who are all sluts and *****s of another kind, are they going to lick my ahole for 60 minutes for nothing? ... At least until you show some signs of not being so miserable in your non hooker world of TGs, or I get them propositioning me for sex. Even then, I'd be highly reluctant to investigate that kind of pussy.

Maybe it's just me, but after 20 or 30 minutes of having someone lick my ass, I wanna move on to something else.

So, let me get this straight, PP. A girl who will stick her tongue up your ass and charge you nothing (!) is great but you wouldn't touch the pussy of a P4P gal?

What bridge do you live under?

The Traveler
01-07-08, 20:32
PinkPearl,

try to find the answer to the following question :

Who has more potential for a satisfying session, the one who only spreads her legs to get some bucks out of you with the least amount of effort or the one who has sex with you only because she likes you and feels attracted by you ?

The fact that you said "I'm sure I could get an ordinary TG" tells me that you never had one, so all you say is just an assumption not knowledge. That's like a blind man is talking about colours.

PinkPearl
01-08-08, 10:57
PinkPearl,

try to find the answer to the following question :

Who has more potential for a satisfying session, the one who only spreads her legs to get some bucks out of you with the least amount of effort or the one who has sex with you only because she likes you and feels attracted by you ?I'm not sure how this question relates to anything posted here. But I'd suggest many guys have self worth issues if they are concerned what a lady thinks about them! Or, BTW, what anonymous posters on an internet forum think. But lest your heart be crushed, and your bank accounts be drained, you should beware lest a so-called "good girl" is really playing you for your money, or her own sexual gratification, or a number of other purely selfish reasons. You never really know. In general, though, women are all *****s of one kind or another.

PinkPearl
01-08-08, 11:12
Maybe it's just me, but after 20 or 30 minutes of having someone lick my ass, I wanna move on to something else.

So, let me get this straight, PP. A girl who will stick her tongue up your ass and charge you nothing (!) is great but you wouldn't touch the pussy of a P4P gal?

What bridge do you live under?I'm not sure why you are asking that or what you mean. I deal exclusively with SW P4P ladies in the NEP area. They fuck me and I fuck them.

I like my ass massaged for hours at a time, but I realize that I'm a superman compared to the common guy who cums in an average of 5 minutes.

PinkPearl
01-08-08, 11:27
The fact that you said "I'm sure I could get an ordinary TG" tells me that you never had one, so all you say is just an assumption not knowledge. That's like a blind man is talking about colours.That would be more like a man who has driven a Mercedes talking about driving a Honda. Women are still women, so if you've had women from other cuntries then you have a clue about TGs. All the more if you have extensive experience with P4P TGs, and have taken some for free. But I guess it helps to be under 50, rich, retired, handsome, and charming.

PinkPearl
01-08-08, 11:52
1. PinkPearl, with a mere 147 posts, all which seem to be full of silly, wind-up bull-shit and no imformation of any use to anyone is nothing but a forum troll.

2. This thread is about living in Thailand, which PP doesn't do. Therefore, chances of him knowing anything about Non-P4P experiences with Thai women is practically nill.

3. Your assessment of why non-P4P is appealing is dead on. Flirting is fun and there's something more satisfying in the genuineness of a more normal male/female interaction and the fact that the exchange doesn't center around: ST vs. LT, barfines, and crass discussions about cost. Also, you're correct that chatting up TGs is a piece of cake, if you are here and have some semblance of a personality which I think eliminates PP, completely.1. You are certainly entitled to your solitary opinion of the value of my posts and the superiority of non P4P TGs over the P4P brand. Though I find it rather amusing that quite a few posters have expressed the same remark about the usefullness of info re your input at ISG.

2. I don't believe one has to live in Thailand 365 days a year to comment in this thread. Personally I have been living here for the vast majority of the last 8 months, and plan on doing so for the future.

3. LOL. This comment illustrates several reasons why non P4P *****s appeal to you and not to me. For example, I prefer to get straight to the physical intimacy and sex without wasting time flirting and yacking. As they say, talk is cheap, and time is money.

Fivebahtwiz
01-08-08, 20:33
OTH and PP:

Maybe you two canuckleheads should drop the gloves in the fight club thread.

The Traveler
01-08-08, 20:34
But I guess it helps to be under 50, rich, retired, handsome, and charming.
PinkPearl,

you just described me :D

If you haven't driven a Honda you can't talk about it, because you don't know how powerful the engine is and how the car reacts in certain situations, if it will oversteer or not, what kind of ameneties it has and so on.

Of course women are women, but men are men and dogs are dogs too, so this doesn't have any meaning. Some dogs may be nice and calm, others bark and are a pain in the arse and others may even bite.

Having been with P4P in other countries may give you a clue, but that's it, just a clue and nothing more. There are social, educational, economical, religious and numerous other differences between people, especially between people from different countries.

BTW, we aren't talking about P4P of different countries but about pro and non-pro TGs. You stated that P4P TGs are superior to non-pro TGs. I agree with you that there are some really nice P4P out there who provide great sex and are a lot of fun. But in general non-pros are more fun and provide better sex simply because they have a different motivation. I am not guessing it like you, that's the result of over 20 years experience in LOS with all sorts of girls with totally different backgrounds.

Your below comments clearly show that your motivation to get nothing but sex is the driving force behind your agenda and not any kind of knowledge. Personally I see nothing wrong with it if you prefer only to have sex and nothing more. Maybe you aren't willing or able to have a relationship, that's solely your choice but that doesn't make your assumptions about those non-pro you don't know about a valid info.

Animby
01-09-08, 16:35
PinkPearl,

You stated that P4P TGs are superior to non-pro TGs.

Maybe his preference is for pros because no one else would spend "hours" on Superman's ass.

PinkPearl
01-10-08, 11:03
You stated that P4P TGs are superior to non-pro TGs. I agree with you that there are some really nice P4P out there who provide great sex and are a lot of fun. But in general non-pros are more fun and provide better sex simply because they have a different motivation. I am not guessing it like you, that's the result of over 20 years experience in LOS with all sorts of girls with totally different backgrounds.I'm not sure where I stated that, but certainly P4P TGs are superior in that they are there to take care of you and you do not have to be concerned with their sexual needs. {Although at times, being the nice guy that I am, and a superman, I let them use me, nit noy, a little bit}. In that sense I suggest that the pros are "more fun and provide better sex". The "good girl" sluts could never satisfy me in the same way because they are, like all human beings, selfish. So they are not going to provide me with the one way service that the P4P do.

PinkPearl
01-10-08, 11:52
Non P4P experiences are part of life in Thailand. I also put my dick into a lot of P4P, but truly, with 'good girls' it can be fun.I don't doubt that it can be, for you. But after tasting the P4P scene, I'm afraid it would be endless misery for me. Unless you know one that likes to swim, smooch and 69 all night long. Must also be 99 percent dumb, hot, and not a clinger, since I am uninterested in any relationship besides casual sex. Finally, she should embrace butterflys as I will want my freedom, to sample the market, and get my eggs and sausage sucked 60 hours per month. But even if she meets all these criterion she may still be unacceptable if her attitude or service stinks. Good luck finding the perfect non pro woman! I already have it in P4P.

PinkPearl
01-11-08, 17:41
1. pinkpearl, you just described me :d

2. if you haven't driven a honda you can't talk about it, because you don't know how powerful the engine is and how the car reacts in certain situations, if it will oversteer or not, what kind of ameneties it has and so on.

3. of course women are women, but men are men and dogs are dogs too, so this doesn't have any meaning. some dogs may be nice and calm, others bark and are a pain in the arse and others may even bite.

4. having been with p4p in other countries may give you a clue, but that's it, just a clue and nothing more. there are social, educational, economical, religious and numerous other differences between people, especially between people from different countries.

5. btw, we aren't talking about p4p of different countries but about pro and non-pro tgs. you stated that p4p tgs are superior to non-pro tgs. i agree with you that there are some really nice p4p out there who provide great sex and are a lot of fun. but in general non-pros are more fun and provide better sex simply because they have a different motivation. i am not guessing it like you, that's the result of over 20 years experience in los with all sorts of girls with totally different backgrounds.

6. your below comments clearly show that your motivation to get nothing but sex is the driving force behind your agenda and not any kind of knowledge. personally i see nothing wrong with it if you prefer only to have sex and nothing more. maybe you aren't willing or able to have a relationship, that's solely your choice but that doesn't make your assumptions about those non-pro you don't know about a valid info.1. pardon me for being a bit skeptical, traveller, but i doubt it. if i didn't know better, i would not even believe myself.

2. at least i could read about it on the internet, and after absorbing oth's volumes of theory here, i would have more than a clue. that is, assuming he is not a teenage wannabe fbi hacker, like some of his brighter peers, who is good with fiction or has read a couple books on los for his class essay.

3. in my experience some p4p tgs are nice and calm, some bark, some may even bark and bite. i believe it's safe to say the same of the so-called "good girl" non pro tgs, that is, sluts.

4. as i said to you before, i have experience with p4p tgs. but if it is going to take 10 years in class listening to oth talk about thai culture before one is smart enough to bang a "good girl", then you can count me out. why add misery on top of itself only to be rewarded in the end with the same? better to stay in canada and jerk off to oceans of super hot internet porn with the ky and butt plug.

5. i would add to my previous comment on this point that what you say may be true for you, but it is your subjective view. someone else could take the same ladies you did over 20 years and conclude the opposite of what you did. i would even go so far as to say that i, for one, would prefer the p4p brand of tg. finally, how would you know if a pro has a different motivation? i have seen a few that seem to enjoy the sex just as much as any woman. as for non pros, unless you can read her mind, you can't be 100% sure.

6. assumptions? i came to los for sex, not to make babies or discover a knowledge of the childlike mind of the thai woman. if i want to seek out out new forms of life, i'll watch reruns of star trek.

Thaid Up
01-12-08, 07:08
I think the focus is wrong of P4p versus 'good girls'.

Really in my opinion, it is a direct relationship between country bumpkin and city girl. If you take girls who were raised and live in Bangkok proper they tend to be more metropolitan.

Most P4P are transplanted country girls who pretty maintain their country culture (bug eating and all) because they never travel outside their sphere of comfort, so they will remain very naive in the modern day environment.
Well it may be fine to take the average bar girl for a night on the town dancing and drinking, take that same girl to a business dinner and she will show up in some jeans and a T-shirt only eat Thai food and generally be an embarrassment to her partner. I really hate these dinners where someone shows up with last night rent-a-chick and you can see how uncomfortable she is squirming like a fish out of water.

I have nothing against guys having a blast going crazy with their P4P girls, but please keep them in the room and away from the breakfast buffet.
So the debate of dark skin versus light skin has nothing to do with it. In fact, in the global view tanned skinned bodies are the preferred choice. You can see this in the majority of fashion models. I think this is due to a darker body being able to accent the flawless body better just as a black car looks better than a white car, but as such require higher maintenance.

Conversely, as woman age the dark skin also amplifies imperfections and wrinkles so I think older woman (50+) tend to look better with light skin than tan.

So the real difference is a class difference and with most P4P staying within their comfortable environment with low education, they will remain low class or simple minded.

Run Mann
01-12-08, 12:40
. I really hate these dinners where someone shows up with last night rent-a-chick and you can see how uncomfortable she is squirming like a fish out of water.

I have nothing against guys having a blast going crazy with their P4P girls, but please keep them in the room and away from the breakfast buffet.


So you decide for others? Men should leave their "rent-a chick" that they paid for in the room to appease you? Snobs and elitist who think they know what is best for the world are always spouting off to others how they should live their lives. I've been in some of those breakfast and dinner rooms and observed the interaction; to me the only people that appeared to be uncomfortable were the snobs looking down their noses at the people they thought were below them.

If a man pays for any goods or services he should be able to use it anyway he wants without any regard to what anyone thinks about him or his choices, it’s his life. So what if you hate it, the idea that anyone should live life to be in lock-step with another person's opposing belief is beyond comprehension.

NicFrenchy
01-13-08, 03:10
Interesting how someone can change..... When I arrived in LOS (a little over 3 years ago) I was only after P4P, Massage Places and the Likes (you probably read some of the reports). I was not looking for a relationship and if I was going to get laid, better go see a girl who knows a thing or two about it (ie: a professional).

OTH and his "Good Girls" comment amused me, until..... Lately (about a good 8 months now).

I have started to interact a whole lot more with your "garden variety" TG, I realised that a fair number of girls do look at us (Farangs) and not in a bad way. How could I have missed all these signals before? Maybe I was too busy thinking about wether to go to SOL or Tulip.

Well, I have now had a few "Good Girls" and I can say the experience is far more rewarding and exciting than it is in the P4P milieu. Sure a quick fuck in a massage place and bar or BJ Bar is still appealing to me, but I realise that Thai Girls are as Horny and as eager in bed than any SW or P4P (except the GFE is a little more real).

My LOS life is slowly shifting from P4P Fuck Marathons to a few "Giks" calling me because they want to come over to my place.

They call me when they want to see me, no pressure, I like it that way and so do they (well, except the girl I met in Chiang Mai, but I will write that report and you can see it there).

M P Lurker
01-13-08, 08:59
So you decide for others? Men should leave their "rent-a chick" that they paid for in the room to appease you? Snobs and elitist who think they know what is best for the world are always spouting off to others how they should live their lives. I've been in some of those breakfast and dinner rooms and observed the interaction; to me the only people that appeared to be uncomfortable were the snobs looking down their noses at the people they thought were below them.

If a man pays for any goods or services he should be able to use it anyway he wants without any regard to what anyone thinks about him or his choices, it’s his life. So what if you hate it, the idea that anyone should live life to be in lock-step with another person's opposing belief is beyond comprehension.
One purpose of taking a woman out to a group dinner is because she will enjoy it including the discussion. Another is to show off what an incredible woman you have caught.:)

Now what is the point of taking along a woman, to a hi class or business dinner, who is "like a fish out of water" and a rented sex object, unless she is capable of looking normal and knows how to behave herself?

I am not saying it is forbidden, but rather its pointless, and the guy who does it may be embarassed or appear to be low class in the eyes of others. If you don't care about your image, great, you can go ahead.

On the other hand, there is no reason why your LT girl shouldn't stay for the breakfast buffet as long as she can behave. I usually take my LTs down to breakfast unless they don't want to, in which case, send them away.

Easy2007
01-13-08, 09:49
Depends what everyone is talking about here.

Breakfast in a hotel, well, its nothing, its leisure time, and anyone can take any friend along, does not matter who she is or what she is, its just a breakfast in a hotel.

If you are talking about business dinners in Thailand, then I would not take any girlfriends along and would advise others not to too. Simple, if its a business dinner, then go alone, pure and simple. If its something like a hotel breakfast buffet and not meeting anyone for business or like, then do what you want.

I like to see a few bar girls wandering around the breakfast buffet, gives me a chance to have a look and also see if I know them :) I mean, what else is there interesting to look at during breakfast.

Run Mann
01-13-08, 11:56
Now what is the point of taking along a woman, to a hi class or business dinner
So she can eat! Who decides what is normal or low class?



am not saying it is forbidden, but rather its pointless, and the guy who does it may be embarassed or appear to be low class in the eyes of others. If you don't care about your image, great, you can go ahead.?

It is pointless to you but obviously not to him and his er date. I certainly would not show up with one of those type girls but neither you nor I have any right to tell another man how to live his life.

Start living life to comply with other people's standards and you've got a pathetic life ahead. I subscribe to the John McEnroe and Charles Barkley school of social graces, if you're not putting food on my table or clothes on my back, I couldn't give a bleep about your opinion, class system or normalcy.

It has nothing to do with class or being normal, its all about individual choices which no one has a right to dictate to another person. I say that some of those cheap hookers have much more character than some of the snobs in those dinner rooms condescending from their airy perch.

Terry Terrier
01-14-08, 01:30
I say that some of those cheap hookers have much more character than some of the snobs in those dinner rooms condescending from their airy perch.

Yes, I've sometimes found this to be the case too.


Start living life to comply with other people's standards and you've got a pathetic life ahead. I subscribe to the John McEnroe and Charles Barkley school of social graces, if you're not putting food on my table or clothes on my back, I couldn't give a bleep about your opinion, class system or normalcy.

Exactly. And, as long as the tourists are reasonably well-behaved, most of the locals just have a good chortle about their 'cultural ignorance'.

I've always thought that visitors and expats who try to ingratiate themselves with the locals by ridiculing their own kind are more than a little bit desperate and sad. And locals in the countries that I frequent (Thailand, Spain and The Netherlands) often tell me in conversation that they consider those types to be quite creepy.

M P Lurker
01-14-08, 06:33
Start living life to comply with other people's standards and you've got a pathetic life ahead. I subscribe to the John McEnroe and Charles Barkley school of social graces, if you're not putting food on my table or clothes on my back, I couldn't give a bleep about your opinion, class system or normalcy.
Not keeping some of your morals and thoughts to yourself can lead to a pathetic life too.
I don't think its fitting that my parents or business associates have the full details of my mongering behaviour. Their moral values are or maybe completely different to mine. I know when to keep my mouth shut and know how to behave at least well enough so as not to be totally socially outcast. Unfortunately not all bar-girls know how to behave in public, nor do some of the tourists also.
My younger brother is like an outcast in society because he has a mental illness and unfortunately is far too open and unable to keep his personal views to himself when he would be well advised to do so. Total honesty is not the best policy.


It has nothing to do with class or being normal, its all about individual choices which no one has a right to dictate to another person. I say that some of those cheap hookers have much more character than some of the snobs in those dinner rooms condescending from their airy perch.
I don't try to dictate to others. Only to give sensible advice.
I have had problems with girls not knowing knowing how to behave with some decorum in the past, especially after drinking, and caused me great levels of embarassment. The lesson is to select the right girl, for the right occasion, or just the right sort of girls (full stop).
I certainly agree that SOME of the P4P girls have massively more interesting character in my own view than the snobs and guys who see themselves as superior.

Thaid Up
01-14-08, 08:37
Start living life to comply with other people's standards and you've got a pathetic life ahead.

If you want to be a renegade all your life you will have a difficult path to hoe. Some people thrive on being different for confrontation purposes. Having some class transcends any wealth level.

My Thai girlfriend tells me, “I glad you do not embarrass me by wearing shorts, flip-flops and a T-shirt like many farangs do when we go out”.

Likewise, she would not be caught dead wearing a T-shirt and flip-flops going out either.


I subscribe to the John McEnroe and Charles Barkley school of social graces

Those two are idiots. The only reason their behavior was tolerated was because they had some outstanding athletic ability.


if you're not putting food on my table or clothes on my back, I couldn't give a bleep about your opinion, class system or normalcy

Please do continue. It is a good humour to watch the dichotomy between the businessman dressed in a suit accompanied with his girlfriend in her mini skirt, tank top and three inch heels at the breakfast buffet. Besides it gives her a chance to exchange phone numbers with other potential customer while you are in the loo.


I've always thought that visitors and expats who try to ingratiate themselves with the locals by ridiculing their own kind are more than a little bit desperate and sad. And locals in the countries that I frequent (Thailand, Spain and The Netherlands) often tell me in conversation that they consider those types to be quite creepy

I agree with this as well. You will never ‘fit’ in and quite frankly, the Thai social life is very boring. Unfortunately, many expats have to maintain relations with Thai’s for business reasons. This does not mean that you should not learn some of the basic culture of a country.

Like NicFrenchy says, after you live here for a while, you get tired of the culture that exists in the P4P arena and you tend just to use it as an outlet for sex just as most Thai’s do and not a picking grounds for long-term relationships.

I think it is wrong to extrapolate the culture with P4P girls to that of the general Thai population. What you are experiencing for the most part is Issan country bumpkin culture in which the novelty for me wore off real fast.

For most visitors and tourists, I would highly recommend staying with P4P girls as you have time constraints that limit your access to non-P4P girls.

I used to be a regular on the P4P circuit, now I rarely go. Now I only go when I need to take out of town visitors there to see the sights. When you are outside the scene, it is amazing how little these areas have an effect on Thailand as the whole. The punters seem to exaggerate their own importance of their business to the whole of Thailand. Well maybe for Issan, that is true, but not for the country as a whole.

Run Mann
01-14-08, 08:55
My Thai girlfriend tells me, “I glad you do embarrass me by wearing shorts, flip-flops and a T-shirt like many farangs do when we go out”.


She is glad you embarrass her and you are in a superior class to judge others who are dressed in the same fashion you are?



Those two are idiots. The only reason their behavior was tolerated was because they had some outstanding athletic ability.

You missed the point; I wasn't using them as role models only to make the point about their opinionatedness. You can call them idiots but in many circles they are considered to be geniuses and they do not care about no one else's opinion as I suspect those mongers action's you despise don't care about yours.




Please do continue. It is a good humour to watch the dichotomy between the businessman dressed in a suit accompanied with his girlfriend in her mini skirt, tank top and three inch heels at the breakfast buffet. Besides it gives her a chance to exchange phone numbers with other potential customer while you are in the loo.

If its good humor why you want them to stay away from the buffet table, you should be welcoming them. It’s unbecoming to be a snob!




I used to be a regular on the P4P circuit, now I rarely go. Now I only go when I need to take out of town visitors there to see the sights. When you are outside the scene, it is amazing how little these areas have an effect on Thailand as the whole. The punters seem to exaggerate their own importance of their business to the whole of Thailand. Well maybe for Issan, that is true, but not for the country as a whole.
You and a few others who claim not to date P4P could start a cultural site and educated your fellow falangs. Its puzzling to me why posters who claim to they are not interested in P4P feel the need to continually post here about their superior good girls and their of lack of interest in P4P. Is it to shame P4P mongers or just to make yourselves feel superior or it could be that you just don't want to see others have a good time?

Thaid Up
01-14-08, 10:48
She is glad you embarrass her and you are in a superior class to judge others who are dressed in the same fashion you are?

In regards to the above quote, I made a mistake and forgot the NOT. I have edited the original report accordingly.


You and a few others who claim not to date P4P could start a cultural site and educated your fellow falangs. Its puzzling to me why posters who claim to they are not interested in P4P feel the need to continually post here about their superior good girls and their of lack of interest in P4P. Is it to shame P4P mongers or just to make yourselves feel superior or it could be that you just don't want to see others have a good time?

No, I love to have a good time and I like others to have a good time, but many times the content of these forums get unbalanced views of Thailand and Thai culture.

It has been posted about the difference between dark and white skin girls, where really I think it is a difference between country and city girls. It just so happens that many of the tan skinned girls are from the country.

As I said previously, if you are here for fun and games P4P is the best way to go. If you are in fact looking for a relationship you have better chances of success out of P4P with more modern era girls.

Hey if you are happy settling down with your country bumpkin and living simply in the country with the chickens waking you up at 3AM then by all means go ahead.

That is why I am posting in the Living in Thailand thread. I as others just want to help out fellows members to discover the world of Thai pussy outside of P4P. It is easy to get if you have the time and live here.

Finding girls in Thailand is easy, finding a good contractor here is next to impossible.

Easy2007
01-14-08, 11:43
Getting a bit silly here. This is rather like an argument about paying for sex or not.

Prick A says he pays for sex and is happy to do so.

Prick B claims to never pay for sex, although the Prick keeps on buying expensive dinners and gifts and drinkies for his girls.........errrr...would you be getting any sex without the dinners, gifts and drinkies ?

In this argument Prick B is a total prick, and you can never make them see the light that in fact all women have sex for money, and sometimes they do it for free.

Tell you wife you will no longer be giving her any of your monthly salary and you will pay only 50% of household bills - and see if you "get lucky" very often in the weeks ahead.

***********************************

At the end of the day, all women P4P. Its simply a matter of payment direct, or indirect.

The argument here is silly, simply because there will also be two pricks, like A and B, and their viewpoints will never correlate.

If this is a "living in Thailand" thread, then let me tell you I have "lived in Thailand" for over 20 years. Thats kind of like at least a small level of experience in matters relating to this thread.

Whilst everyone is raising some good points, its invariably all lost when people start spouting bollox, and it appears the good points and surrounded by bollox as well.

To summarise, find me a Thai girl who has not "had sex" to further her life in some way, and I would be very surprised.

Why do you think Mia Noi's and Gigs and Gaks exist. They are only allowed to exist as the majority of women are married for what it gets them, and so can allow their husband his "indiscretions". And that my friends is something you should all remember. The whole female society is set about utilising looks and sex for life improvement.

Run Mann
01-14-08, 12:28
No, I love to have a good time and I like others to have a good time, but many times the content of these forums get unbalanced views of Thailand and Thai culture..


Good to know and you may be right about Thai culture but as been pointed out before the majority of posters here are not too interested in Thai culture, because they are not here long enough to engage themselves in it as someone who lives here does. Although some Thais themselves and some residents expats do more damage to Thai culture than any visitor can ever do and I don't just mean the residents from that cloaca called Pattaya.

Old Thai Hand
01-14-08, 12:42
There are two different issues here.

I agree with Run Mann that it's nobody's business if some Farang decides to display his cultural ignorance or, perhaps indifference by flaunting his rent-a-skank at the breakfast buffet, shopping at Emporium or sight-seeing at the Grand Palace.

However, in a social, but expecially a business situation at which Thais are present, it is a different matter entirely. It is simply wrong on several levels to bring an bargirl as your date. Whether one agrees with the elitist, classist and snobbish mindset of Thais, the fact is that it is their culture, warts and all. If you socialize with, work with or do business with Thais, you must respect how they think and feel, even if you don't agree with it. By showing up with a bargirl, you are showing disrespect to those present. But, more importantly, you're doing yourself irreparable damage. You will immediately lose face ot worse. The girl in question will be totally out of place, and more than likely feel incredibly uncomfortable. By putting her in that situation, you're doing her no favours and just reinforcing her particularly lowly status within the culture. Bluntly stated, she will probably feel like shit and want to get out of there as quickly as possible. You will look like a low-life sex tourist and will lose any respect you may have hoped for from the Thais.

A few years ago, a newly-arrived colleague of mine became totally engulfed in the P4P scene and repeatedly brought one bargirl after another to different university functions. Contrary to comments here, each girl was actually made to feel quite welcome because, if nothing else Thais try to cover their true feelings in public and appear "Krengjai" (considerate). But, each of these girls simply didn't know how to behave in these situations, could not speak Thai on a level equal to other Thais present and all of them were totally in over their heads. Eventually my colleague was told, in a typically Thai, indirect, non-confrontational way that perhaps it would be better if he did not bring such girls to the university as the girls clearly did not enjoy themselves and felt uncomfortable. I later told him the truth and explained how things worked here. He refused to accept what he felt was a violation of his rights, as he saw it (a very Western-centric view, IMO), and so eventually quit his job and left the country.

The fact is, while we in the West might flaunt convention somewhat, I doubt (Pretty Woman, notwithstanding) that a New York businessman, for example would show up at a business function with a hooker, an Ozark hillbilly, or a Jerry Springer-loving, piece of trailer park white-trash. Everywhere in the world is elitist to some extent, and egalitarianism a utopian fantasy, at best.

Oh, and BTW , Run Mann, subscribing to John McEnroe/Charles Barkely behavior wouldn't get you very far in this country. The angry Farang is a well-known phenomenon here that gets zero respect from Thais.

In the end, this discussion is about the casual visitor who should be allowed to be seen anywhere and do anything with his rent-a-date vs. the other situation in which someone is interacting with Thais within their cultural norms, where respect for those cultural norms is expected.


Good to know and you may be right about Thai culture but as been pointed out before the majority of posters here are not too interested in Thai culture, because they are not here long enough to engage themselves in it as someone who lives here does.

Well, the point is that this thread is called, "Living in Thailand", not 'Visiting Thailand'. Therefore, one would presume that those reading this thread are interested in what living in Thailand means, including specific aspects of the culture and how to fit into that culture.

Run Mann
01-14-08, 13:44
There are two different issues here.

Oh, and BTW , Run Mann, subscribing to John McEnroe/Charles Barkely behavior wouldn't get you very far in this country. The angry Farang is a well-known phenomenon here that gets zero respect from Thais.

You got this one wrong, read again! I never said I subscribed to their behavior; I was talking about how their critic’s opinions and what people thought about them did not move them, there is a difference.

Yes the angry Falang gets no respect but how much does the level headed falang gets? Didn't you write a piece about all the people Thai's hate and the deplorable conditions at your workplace? Do they respect you now for being level-headed? What about that Female Boss you wrote about, Is she fair minded to you because behave properly?


I agree with Run Mann that it's nobody's business if some Farang decides to display his cultural ignorance or, perhaps indifference by flaunting his rent-a-skank at the breakfast buffet, shopping at Emporium or sight-seeing at the Grand Palace. However, in a social, but expecially a business situation at which Thais are present, it is a different matter entirely. It is simply wrong on several levels to bring an bargirl as your date. Whether one agrees with the elitist, classist and snobbish mindset of Thais, the fact is that it is their culture, warts and all.

By modifying your values/beliefs to comply with a questionable culture that tells you who you can date and who you can take to breakfast you are a controlled robot. This discussion was about talking your "rent a date" to the breakfast buffet; you and others expanded it to business luncheon and Grand Place and other places. As I said I personally would not take them anywhere but object to anyone telling another man what he can and cannot do. I get it that there is a certain amount of decorum one should display but what exactly are Thai cultural norms? Even you seem conflicted by them by the various posts you have written here.

In regards to Thai culture and how they view you, this stuff is beyond silly. Thai’s have a perception of Falangs that will never change but if you see the need to modify your beliefs/values to comply with them so that it elevates your status with them go for it. It’s about choices if a man had a cheap chick on his arm or a well dress Thai woman, I suspect that the Thais would still have a negative perception of him and his date. I agree that you can't live in this country using your western norms/cultures here but surely you can't accept the all Thai norms just so you fit it. Some people endure quite a burden to live in Thailand. Its sad that a country that can give so much joy to many can also inflict so much pain on you.



Well, the point is that this thread is called, "Living in Thailand", not 'Visiting Thailand'. Therefore, one would presume that those reading this thread are interested in what living in Thailand means, including specific aspects of the culture and how to fit into that culture.
This would be true if we had thread integrity where everyone posted only in the appropriate threads but we don't and this discussion while initiated in this thread was more universal than limited only to Thailand.

Sanook D
01-15-08, 05:06
It’s about choices if a man had a cheap chick on his arm or a well dress Thai woman, I suspect that the Thais would still have a negative perception of him and his date. I agree that you can't live in this country using your western norms/cultures here but surely you can't accept the all Thai norms just so you fit it. Some people endure quite a burden to live in Thailand. Its sad that a country that can give so much joy to many can also inflict so much pain on you.

It is more or less true that Thais (not to mention quite a few resident farangs) will automatically jump to conclusions about a Thai woman accompanying a farang/non-Asian-looking foreigner, even when the woman in question is not obviously on the game. There has been some change in perception, perhaps, in recent years, but I've been told many a time by non-P4P women here (and in Japan), including some very wealthy Thai women, that they realize how they will be viewed by many of the locals if they are seen in the company of a farang. Many of them simply don't care- in some cases because they feel so superior themselves to the rabble. Others see the derision directed toward them as what it often is- a form of envy- and possibly take some enjoyment from it. Add to that the fact that the anonymity of the big city permits behavior that the tongue-wagging in a small town would make unbearable.

Living successfully in Asia, especially in strongly conformist/hierarchical societies like Thailand, Japan, and Korea, requires maintaining a certain level of pretense and embracing, at least superficially, some of the local versions of hypocrisy. If a resident farang on this board appears to be talking out of both sides of his mouth, realize that he likely has been forced to make compromises and indulge in certain "polite fictions" in order to maintain a job and get along here. He very well may not like doing so, but once one has made an investment in establishing a life in a place, in terms of making the long effort to acquire a deep knowledge of the language and culture, creating a social and professional network, and perhaps even making a family, "leave if you don't like it" isn't always a viable option.

The tourist isn't encumbered with such considerations- he can walk around in shorts and a tank-shirt with an Isaan toy on his arm in Paragon just as he does on Soi 7 and really not worry about how he looks or who sees him (although admittedly it is hard not to feel both a bit embarrassed for them and contemptuous of their inability to see how pathetic and foolish they look). In fact, as far I am concerned he can release his escort's paw and wai the tuk-tuk driver to his heart's content- it's the next best thing to his painting a bull's eye on his back.

Run Mann
01-15-08, 10:40
At the end of the day, all women P4P. Its simply a matter of payment direct, or indirect.

Isn't there a difference though? Don't you at least have the good girl all to yourself?



If this is a "living in Thailand" thread, then let me tell you I have "lived in Thailand" for over 20 years.
That is a long time, but you know there are those who will question your experience saying that living here alone does not equate to knowledge of the "real" Thais whoever the real Thais are.


To summarise, find me a Thai girl who has not "had sex" to further her life in some way, and I would be very surprised.
What about all these good girls some people are talking about, are they included here too?


Why do you think Mia Noi's and Gigs and Gaks exist. They are only allowed to exist as the majority of women are married for what it gets them, and so can allow their husband his "indiscretions". And that my friends is something you should all remember. The whole female society is set about utilising looks and sex for life improvement.
So, is this cultural?







I've always thought that visitors and expats who try to ingratiate themselves with the locals by ridiculing their own kind are more than a little bit desperate and sad.
Powerful and quite true!

Raverboy
01-15-08, 11:13
...The tourist isn't encumbered with such considerations- he can walk around in shorts and a tank-shirt with an Isaan toy on his arm in Paragon just as he does on Soi 7 and really not worry about how he looks or who sees him (although admittedly it is hard not to feel both a bit embarrassed for them and contemptuous of their inability to see how pathetic and foolish they look)...


I agree with Run Mann that it's nobody's business if some Farang decides to display his cultural ignorance or, perhaps indifference by flaunting his rent-a-skank at the breakfast buffet, shopping at Emporium or sight-seeing at the Grand Palace.

However, in a social, but expecially a business situation at which Thais are present, it is a different matter entirely. It is simply wrong on several levels to bring an bargirl as your date. Whether one agrees with the elitist, classist and snobbish mindset of Thais, the fact is that it is their culture, warts and all. If you socialize with, work with or do business with Thais, you must respect how they think and feel, even if you don't agree with it. By showing up with a bargirl, you are showing disrespect to those present. But, more importantly, you're doing yourself irreparable damage. You will immediately lose face ot worse. The girl in question will be totally out of place, and more than likely feel incredibly uncomfortable. By putting her in that situation, you're doing her no favours and just reinforcing her particularly lowly status within the culture. Bluntly stated, she will probably feel like shit and want to get out of there as quickly as possible. You will look like a low-life sex tourist and will lose any respect you may have hoped for from the Thais.

Interesting viewpoints from respectable members of this board. I wonder what your thoughts are on how Thais in general (or you) would feel if the 'visitor' in question is Asian (of Chinese or Japanese or Korean descent for example), speaks basic conversational Thai, is a little more clued-in on Thai-culture (no shorts and tank-shirts, no wai-ing the tuk-tuk driver, etc.) but yet parades his 'rent-a-skank' (non-Isaan for example but perhaps Low - Mi-so) at 'the breakfast buffet, shopping at Emporium or sight-seeing at the Grand Palace'. How would such a character fit into the 'elitist, classist and snobbish' mindset of Thais?

NicFrenchy
01-15-08, 12:02
To summarise, find me a Thai girl who has not "had sex" to further her life in some way, and I would be very surprised.I fail to understand what exactly you mean by that comment?

I can see only 2 options: Professional or Personnal.

My guess is you meant "further one's life" on a personnal level, Because, doesn't getting married & having a Family (Children) elevates your status in regards to Buddhism? If so, then you are correct, but was this really what you had in mind?

Old Thai Hand
01-16-08, 02:29
Interesting viewpoints from respectable members of this board. I wonder what your thoughts are on how Thais in general (or you) would feel if the 'visitor' in question is Asian (of Chinese or Japanese or Korean descent for example), speaks basic conversational Thai, is a little more clued-in on Thai-culture (no shorts and tank-shirts, no wai-ing the tuk-tuk driver, etc.) but yet parades his 'rent-a-skank' (non-Isaan for example but perhaps Low - Mi-so) at 'the breakfast buffet, shopping at Emporium or sight-seeing at the Grand Palace'. How would such a character fit into the 'elitist, classist and snobbish' mindset of Thais?

Thais are incredibly judgemental about everyone. However, the Thais wouldn't notice an Asian with a TG, nearly as much, if at all, unless that Asian was Indian, because that would be quite unusual.

But, why do you care as a visitor what the Thais think? Do you want their approval, for some reason? Someone like me has to curry favour with these people out of necesssity because I'm with them all the time. But, trust me. Thais aren't really worth bothering about, if you are merely a visitor.

Raverboy
01-16-08, 03:04
...But, why do you care as a visitor what the Thais think? Do you want their approval, for some reason? Someone like me has to curry favour with these people out of necesssity because I'm with them all the time. But, trust me. Thais aren't really worth bothering about, if you are merely a visitor.

It's a long story. 'visitor' is my official status when I'm in the Kingdom, but like many things in Asia, that status is a little fluid...

Sanook D
01-16-08, 03:26
Interesting viewpoints from respectable members of this board. I wonder what your thoughts are on how Thais in general (or you) would feel if the 'visitor' in question is Asian (of Chinese or Japanese or Korean descent for example), speaks basic conversational Thai, is a little more clued-in on Thai-culture (no shorts and tank-shirts, no wai-ing the tuk-tuk driver, etc.) but yet parades his 'rent-a-skank' (non-Isaan for example but perhaps Low - Mi-so) at 'the breakfast buffet, shopping at Emporium or sight-seeing at the Grand Palace'. How would such a character fit into the 'elitist, classist and snobbish' mindset of Thais?

I'm still trying to get over being thought of as "respectable", even tangentially.

But seriously, I second what OTH has to say. Don't worry too much about what the Thais think, especially people who make snap judgments on the basis of appearance. Judging someone based upon their skin color or perceived ethnic origin (more on that below) is not the same thing as making a determination according to how a person willingly presents her/himself. I tend to resent it when I am out with a perfectly respectable Thai national and notice her getting less-than-respectful treatment, but saying something isn't worth the aggravation (not to mention that I would only end up embarrassing the said respectable Thai female). In the words of St. Elvis, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused.

In re Asian visitors, there is a tendency for Thais to assume that any Asian person is Thai. I've witnessed Japanese acquaintances mistaken for Thais (i.e., Thais come up and start yacking at them in Thai) more times than I can remember; while some of these Japanese may look Chinese enough to be mistaken for Thais (odd that no-one could ever look Indian enough to be Thai. . .), some of them, at least to me, look about as Thai/Chinese as I (a white guy who needs a shave). When it turns out that white guy speaks more or less passable Thai and the Japanese guy doesn't, much hilarity ensues. Well, I tend to find it humorous, but then I find myself desperate for things to laugh at in Thailand these days.

Raverboy
01-16-08, 03:54
I'm still trying to get over being thought of as "respectable", even tangentially...

LOL! Get over it, I've read your posts on non-P4P issues and well, you deserved that, at least to me. OTH is, well, ... OTH. ;)

Jungle Bluebird
01-16-08, 05:00
All varies where you live/work in Thailand.

Reality is this:

G/f or wife, if dark skin, short, a bit on the chubby side, is not the way to go if one wants to hang out on more serious official events in Bangkok (business related). I see foreigners who at some point surely were deeply in love years back - they did not know better then - then married the short black girl and now regret it. It sometimes shows so apparently how deeply embarrassed they are by the looks of their wife.

What's desirable is tall, white skinned Thai g/f/wife which speaks perfect English. Kind of trophy wife, but one can take her anywhere, which is nice. No need to feel out of place.

Phuket, Chiang Mai etc.. the trophy wife is hard to get and in fact may stand out to much. Darker one with a few kilos may do.

It is what is.. and I only describe realities here.

Only a complete fool would bring a P4P sweet heart to a biz meeting. However, it is desirable to have trophy P4P girl - again tall, white skin - for after work guys night (incl late night biz meetings). The smarter ones can get deals going and can assist in the proper conduct of late night business pitches.

Overall, skin color is a big issue in Bangkok. Mind you, its the package overall. Just skin color alone does not make a proper, socially compatible wife.

All this is by nature not easy to comprehend to the Thailand tourist. And quite frankly he does not need to be concerned about this.

JB

Opebo
01-16-08, 07:19
All this is by nature not easy to comprehend to the Thailand tourist. And quite frankly he does not need to be concerned about this.

JB

It is actually not particularly difficult to comprehend the lives of persons who feel they must prostitute their personal lives to their pursuit of money. People such as yourself must please others, JB. For that you do have my sympathy, though you do attempt to assuage your own misery by shitting on those below you, brother.

That said, I would never marry, and do prefer tall thin girls (though I certainly don't care about skin tone).

Jungle Bluebird
01-16-08, 10:11
Opebo, I merely described as it is. And can you please explain what you mean by 'they must prostitute their personal lives to their pursuit of money'. Not quite sure how one can 'prostitute their personal lives' :-)

JB



It is actually not particularly difficult to comprehend the lives of persons who feel they must prostitute their personal lives to their pursuit of money. People such as yourself must please others, JB. For that you do have my sympathy, though you do attempt to assuage your own misery by shitting on those below you, brother.

That said, I would never marry, and do prefer tall thin girls (though I certainly don't care about skin tone).

Old Thai Hand
01-17-08, 10:27
Opebo, I merely described as it is. And can you please explain what you mean by 'they must prostitute their personal lives to their pursuit of money'. Not quite sure how one can 'prostitute their personal lives' :-)

JB

Whatever he means, JB, Opebo 'prostitutes his personal life' for a lot less than you or I, which might be the root of his not-so-quiet indignation all the time. If I was condemned to earning 35K/month in f-ing Isaan, like he is, I might be a little bitter, or whatever, as well.

Opebo
01-17-08, 14:46
Opebo, I merely described as it is. And can you please explain what you mean by 'they must prostitute their personal lives to their pursuit of money'. Not quite sure how one can 'prostitute their personal lives' :-)

JB

Well, firstly please allow me to apologize for the excessive vehemence of my last posting, JB. But what I meant by prostituting one's personal life is quite simply to choose one's 'love partner' based on their acceptability to business contacts and or ability to cultivate those contacts.

But we all have difficult rows to hoe, as OTH so kindly reminds us, so I will not offer any criticism of your lifestyle.

PinkPearl
01-18-08, 17:39
The tourist isn't encumbered with such considerations- he can walk around in shorts and a tank-shirt with an Isaan toy on his arm in Paragon just as he does on Soi 7 and really not worry about how he looks or who sees him (although admittedly it is hard not to feel both a bit embarrassed for them and contemptuous of their inability to see how pathetic and foolish they look).Against my better judgement {rule 114 A re P4P TGs} of not getting involved with hookers I asked a couple of these ladies to go with me to see a movie at Siam Paragon. The first would not go in case in her brother saw us, since she told him she was a factory worker. The second suggested an alternate activity, a place in BKK with Isaan music and dancing.

Terry Terrier
01-19-08, 01:50
The tourist isn't encumbered with such considerations- he can walk around in shorts and a tank-shirt with an Isaan toy on his arm in Paragon just as he does on Soi 7 and really not worry about how he looks or who sees him (although admittedly it is hard not to feel both a bit embarrassed for them and contemptuous of their inability to see how pathetic and foolish they look). In fact, as far I am concerned he can release his escort's paw and wai the tuk-tuk driver to his heart's content- it's the next best thing to his painting a bull's eye on his back.

But D, DON'T feel embarrassed for A.Tourist having a good time. After all, he probably doesn't feel embarrassed for pathetic, foolish guys like you who have to stay on in that shithole of a city dealing with it's fuckwit residents day-after-day long after he has cherry-picked it's entertainments and caught a flight back home to civilisation.

Old Thai Hand
01-19-08, 05:14
But D, DON'T feel embarrassed for A.Tourist having a good time. After all, he probably doesn't feel embarrassed for pathetic, foolish guys like you who have to stay on in that shithole of a city dealing with it's fuckwit residents day-after-day long after he has cherry-picked it's entertainments and caught a flight back home to civilisation.

Sad, but true.

Sanook D
01-19-08, 07:41
But D, DON'T feel embarrassed for A.Tourist having a good time. After all, he probably doesn't feel embarrassed for pathetic, foolish guys like you who have to stay on in that shithole of a city dealing with it's fuckwit residents day-after-day long after he has cherry-picked it's entertainments and caught a flight back home to civilisation.

Watch your ankles, boys, he's out for blood! Ferocious Mr. Terrier (is that Yorkshire or Bedlington?), it seems you are under the impression that I and several other posters on this board are "pathetic" and "foolish" because we "have to stay on". Speaking for myself, while I do have major complaints about this town and its "fuckwits", and often think it would have been a good idea to remain a tourist, I am still here by choice. I'm not in a position in which I need to take much shit off of the locals or anyone else- well, maybe the local I'm living with, but she is usually worth it, and otherwise there isn't anyone I need to worry about pleasing. By the way, I have nothing at all against tourists, as I think I pointed out, and I am sure there are plenty who leave here and return to very interesting and fulfilling lives. All the same, I suspect they are not, for the most part, the tank-shirted hangebauchschwein lumpen white trash who are here for their annual two-week rutting-cum-cheap-beer-swilling session before getting back to their lives of sex-deprived quiet desperation. If I am embarrassed for the slobs lumbering along with their tarts hanging off of them like remoras it is because there is a place for that sort of behavior, and it isn't the Emporium or Siam Square- it's Pattaya.

Is it desperation that drove you to your lightweight attempt at an ad hominem cheap shot (executed from a safe distance, of course); did something I wrote strike a nerve? I'll admit to feeling somewhat embarrassed for you, too, but by all means, yap away, little Terrier; the bravery of ferocious little doggies is always amusing, in large part because they are so easy to wind up, just tweak their little noses and look out! (By the way, if you don't want to look like an illiterate puppy, learn the difference between "it's" and "its"; it will make your yapping seem even more effective.)

Old Thai Hand
01-19-08, 14:01
All the same, I suspect they are not, for the most part, the tank-shirted hangebauchschwein lumpen white trash who are here for their annual two-week rutting-cum-cheap-beer-swilling session before getting back to their lives of sex-deprived quiet desperation. If I am embarrassed for the slobs lumbering along with their tarts hanging off of them like remoras it is because there is a place for that sort of behavior, and it isn't the Emporium or Siam Square- it's Pattaya.

While my sympathies would normally tend to favor your side of this argument to some extent, (contempt for the "lumpen white trash" is afterall, what I'm known for), I think the "Khun Noo" with their big hair (Elvis hair for men) who trapse around Emporium and Parragon with their tasteless, tacky and ostentatious displays of often, ill-gotten wealth are as, if not more distasteful than, Fritz from Frankfurt or Nigel from Norwich with their little rent-a-skanks hanging off their tatooed arms. While here, the "Khun Noo" and their spoiled offspring, "Dek Noo" may constitute the "Big I am" - the HiSo that every Thai wants to be, in the West they would be exposed as the pretentious wannabes they truly are.

Thailand is full of pathetic people and nobody has the lock on which group is the most pathetic.

Terry Terrier
01-19-08, 16:48
Watch your ankles, boys, he's out for blood! Ferocious Mr. Terrier (is that Yorkshire or Bedlington?), it seems you are under the impression that I and several other posters on this board are "pathetic" and "foolish" because we "have to stay on". Speaking for myself, while I do have major complaints about this town and its "fuckwits", and often think it would have been a good idea to remain a tourist, I am still here by choice. I'm not in a position in which I need to take much shit off of the locals or anyone else- well, maybe the local I'm living with, but she is usually worth it, and otherwise there isn't anyone I need to worry about pleasing. By the way, I have nothing at all against tourists, as I think I pointed out, and I am sure there are plenty who leave here and return to very interesting and fulfilling lives. All the same, I suspect they are not, for the most part, the tank-shirted hangebauchschwein lumpen white trash who are here for their annual two-week rutting-cum-cheap-beer-swilling session before getting back to their lives of sex-deprived quiet desperation. If I am embarrassed for the slobs lumbering along with their tarts hanging off of them like remoras it is because there is a place for that sort of behavior, and it isn't the Emporium or Siam Square- it's Pattaya.

Is it desperation that drove you to your lightweight attempt at an ad hominem cheap shot (executed from a safe distance, of course); did something I wrote strike a nerve? I'll admit to feeling somewhat embarrassed for you, too, but by all means, yap away, little Terrier; the bravery of ferocious little doggies is always amusing, in large part because they are so easy to wind up, just tweak their little noses and look out! (By the way, if you don't want to look like an illiterate puppy, learn the difference between "it's" and "its"; it will make your yapping seem even more effective.)
Thought it was you:D. Welcome back. And thanks for correcting the typo.

OTH,
Actually, I have no idea if the profile fits him personally. I just wanted to draw him out to confirm he is who I think he is.

LittleBigMan
01-20-08, 04:23
If a person is now retired and living in Thailand majority of the time but still have a resident in the U.S. but for so many reasons that one can't go into! If one wanted to move money out of the U.S. Bank and place it into another oversea's bank ( perference in Asia ) and still get the type of interest and protection as a U.S. Bank and have access and not need to be a resident of that Country.

Where would that bank be?

Thanks LBM

1Ball
01-20-08, 04:37
If a person is now retired and living in Thailand majority of the time but still have a resident in the U.S. but for so many reasons that one can't go into! If one wanted to move money out of the U.S. Bank and place it into another oversea's bank ( perference in Asia ) and still get the type of interest and protection as a U.S. Bank and have access and not need to be a resident of that Country.

Where would that bank be?

Thanks LBM
LBM, try Nevis, or Panama.

Sanook D
01-20-08, 05:58
I think the "Khun Noo" with their big hair (Elvis hair for men) who trapse around Emporium and Parragon with their tasteless, tacky and ostentatious displays of often, ill-gotten wealth. . .Thailand is full of pathetic people and nobody has the lock on which group is the most pathetic.

You're probably right- Unlike Kh. Noo, Fritz isn't likely to run me down with the brand-new sports car that Mommy bought him.

Plenty of pathos to go around, to be sure, and that includes among us resident farangs, but not all of us all the time, as was suggested. I can still come up with a long list of things I still like about this place. At least I think I can. . .OK, maybe not a long list, but the items on it would be significant.

Terry, I don't know where you think I've been, but if you know me buy me a drink or something, you old soi dog- the exchange rate is killing me! Glad you can take a joke. If you do know me you know I can.

Jungle Bluebird
01-21-08, 11:19
LBM. I suggest either Hong Kong or Singapore.

I recommend HK. Here is what you do. Fly over, open an account with the HSBC (online account) and important! setup a standard transfer protocol (i.e. regular transfer) to your local Thai bank account (SCB etc.). This allows for unlimited transfers anytime. You can go to any branch in HK.

While there, get a HK credit card. Careful though not to use it in Thailand as they hit you with 3% commission on forex.

To open an account takes 10 minutes. You only need a passport. Once open wire all monies from the US to your acount. BTW: The account should be a multi currency account (i.e. HKD, USD, EURO, THB etc..)

Interest wise convert your USD into EUROS and setup an online fixed deposit account. You can select from 1 week to years. Interest varies. Currently for EUROS abt 2.5%.

JB



If a person is now retired and living in Thailand majority of the time but still have a resident in the U.S. but for so many reasons that one can't go into! If one wanted to move money out of the U.S. Bank and place it into another oversea's bank ( perference in Asia ) and still get the type of interest and protection as a U.S. Bank and have access and not need to be a resident of that Country.

Where would that bank be?

Thanks LBM

Tiger 888
01-21-08, 14:07
LBM. I suggest either Hong Kong or Singapore.

I recommend HK. Here is what you do. Fly over, open an account with the HSBC (online account) and important! setup a standard transfer protocol (i.e. regular transfer) to your local Thai bank account (SCB etc.). This allows for unlimited transfers anytime. You can go to any branch in HK.

While there, get a HK credit card. Careful though not to use it in Thailand as they hit you with 3% commission on forex.

To open an account takes 10 minutes. You only need a passport. Once open wire all monies from the US to your acount. BTW: The account should be a multi currency account (i.e. HKD, USD, EURO, THB etc..)

Interest wise convert your USD into EUROS and setup an online fixed deposit account. You can select from 1 week to years. Interest varies. Currently for EUROS abt 2.5%.

JB
They require a proof of address since some time. That can be a current (max 3 months old) electricity bill or something alike in your name.

Interest wise I am not sure how much you get in the US, but I get way more interest (4.15%pa as per today on a daily basis for US$ and 3.85% for Euros) from my forex broker (Oanda) in the US than I would get here.

LittleBigMan
01-21-08, 21:37
Tiger 888,

Are you talking that what J.B. indicated that you need a address in Hong Kong or Singapore to open a account there?

When you talk about interest rate, or you talking about interest rate you are receiving now in the U.S. or one of the banks J.B. mentioned in Hong Kong or Singapore?

LBM

Tiger 888
01-22-08, 01:10
Tiger 888,

Are you talking that what J.B. indicated that you need a address in Hong Kong or Singapore to open a account there?

When you talk about interest rate, or you talking about interest rate you are receiving now in the U.S. or one of the banks J.B. mentioned in Hong Kong or Singapore?

LBMYou need a proof of your address anywhere in the world. The interest rates I receive with oanda now in the US (www.oanda.com) for the deposit I have to make to secure forex trades. (But I don't have to trade). In HK we talk interest rates of around 2% unless you really have huge amounts and settle a special deal. (That always involves threatening to change banks).
Ops, I just logged into HSBC and saw to my surprise:

Time deposits in USD,
2 weeks, +500k 1.2%
12 months +500k 0.78%

Time deposits in HKD,
2 weeks, +1mio 0.5%
12 months +1mio 2.55%

Time deposits in Euros,
2 weeks, +500k 2.47%
12 months +500k 3.04%

Time deposits in Pound Sterling,
2 weeks, +500k 3.31%
12 months +500k 3.61%

(Oanda pays 5.45% for GBP, 3.85% for Euros, 4.15% for USD and 3.25% for HKD)

Jungle Bluebird
01-22-08, 11:42
Yes, Tiger, you are correct. Address is required. But Thailand address is fine.

You are correct that Forex trading accounts pay higher interest, but usually at USD 20,000 min and you are suppose to trade - not save.

I personally like the HSBC account. Tried others, but none is advanced as HSBC. To open an account in HK is a piece of cake, in Thailand HSBC is a pain.

JB


You need a proof of your address anywhere in the world. The interest rates I receive with oanda now in the US (www.oanda.com) for the deposit I have to make to secure forex trades. (But I don't have to trade). In HK we talk interest rates of around 2% unless you really have huge amounts and settle a special deal. (That always involves threatening to change banks).
Ops, I just logged into HSBC and saw to my surprise:

Time deposits in USD,
2 weeks, +500k 1.2%
12 months +500k 0.78%

Time deposits in HKD,
2 weeks, +1mio 0.5%
12 months +1mio 2.55%

Time deposits in Euros,
2 weeks, +500k 2.47%
12 months +500k 3.04%

Time deposits in Pound Sterling,
2 weeks, +500k 3.31%
12 months +500k 3.61%

(Oanda pays 5.45% for GBP, 3.85% for Euros, 4.15% for USD and 3.25% for HKD)

Tiger 888
01-22-08, 12:16
Yes, Tiger, you are correct. Address is required. But Thailand address is fine.

You are correct that Forex trading accounts pay higher interest, but usually at USD 20,000 min and you are suppose to trade - not save.

I personally like the HSBC account. Tried others, but none is advanced as HSBC. To open an account in HK is a piece of cake, in Thailand HSBC is a pain.

JBBut thats not HSBC's fault but the Thai rules on them. It's the same in China. They are not even allowed to issue ATM cards there.

Of course I should trade at oanda, but I don't have to. I still do. But they don't have any minimum and a spread of sometimes less than 1 bip. They are simply the best. You can do 1$ trades (not sure if that makes sense though).

RCA Knight
01-22-08, 12:34
Both HK and Singapore are super place for banking. I have now put almost all my assets in HK and Singapore. In HK, many yeras ago, you did not need anything but just a passport to open accounts. But now at HSBC, a prrof of address is required. All foriegn addres is okay. Some other HK banks required introducers these day.

HSBC HK has very bad fixed deposit rates for USD, and other currency also have lesser rates than other banks. I personally do not put anything in fixed deposits, almost all in unit truts. My India and China funds grew over 100% in about a year, sold them last Nov. Planning to buy them back maybe in Feb after this market disaster. For a more stable investment, there is Deposit Plus there that you have a pair of 2 currencies and a designated target rate at fixing, I now have AUD/USD pairing for so many 1 month terms, give me 6.5-7% annual, out of the 2 years or so in Deposit Plus, have not yet once hit below the target rate, so my USD stays plus higher interest, but of course there is always some degree od risk, that may hit below target rate at time of conversion, and get the money converted to AUD, but at this time, even this option may not be bad at all for long term, since USD is probably going more weaker.

In Singapore, I bank with UOB for so many years, you need passport, and may need a letter of reference from your other bank to open account depend on the branch. There have the same Deposit Plus, but its called Maxi-Yield, I also have AUD/USD pairing, also have 1 month terms for a few years, and also they never hit below the fixed rate. So my experience is that this investment is very safe, and much better interests than fixed deposits. UOB Singapore also have their own huge mutual funds department, they have a few really good Asian concept ex Japan funds. If you are going to bank with UOB in Singapore, I reccommend United Greater China Fund, United Asia Fund, and Asian Growth Opportunity Fund, all three are now cheap as junks after this fall.

So if you live in Thailand or anywhere in SEA, put your money in HK or Singapore, you will have so many options to invest that will spin your head, for younger folks, do not put all the money in boring fixed deposits, I gurantee the funds in all new economies especially the BRIC(Brazil, Russia, India, China) will out perform the developed economies for another 10 yeras to come. Good investment planning will provide poeple with luxurious monger lifestyle, lots of people just to lazy to do some planning and afraid of any type of risk.

Ralph Kramden
01-22-08, 14:07
RCA Knight
Your banking post sounds very informative and knowledgeable. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions as a person who could possibly live in Thailand in a few years?

I have a growing Internet business that gets paid in USD. I pay my suppliers in JPY. I am thinking about incorporating in Hong Kong because my understanding is that you don't pay corporate income tax for transactions made outside of Hong Kong. I want to set up an account with a bank in which I can receive the USD funds from the online transactions, trade USD, JPY and other currencies, have both a USD and JPY account, pay my suppliers by TT in JPY, receive TTs in both USD and JPY and plant the excess funds in a variety of investment vehicles in various currencies as you described. All of this to be done online only. Any suggestions? Is Singapore also a possibility too?

This set up would allow me to live anywhere in the world. Thailand would be high on the list. This would also benefit a friend of mine who has a web hosting business and is interested in doing the same thing.

Sammon
01-22-08, 16:12
If you are making money in business you should think about opening an offshore company in Hong Kong.
You can open a company bank account.
You can transfer the money wherever you want without any regulation.

NicFrenchy
01-22-08, 17:05
Am I the only one bored by this?

If you want financial advice, go see your banker.

RCA Knight
01-22-08, 20:13
This is living in Thailand forum, so I think many people who live in this country or other Asian nations may need to know the best way to park their assets.

Thailand's banking and finance is light years behind HK, Singapore and all other developed nations. Also the ATM and bank fraud in Thailand is beyond belief. I even had my money drained empty from my Bangkok Bank account by inside thief, a bank staff, I reported this matter on a report some months ago. So its best to put your assets elsewhere and have online accounts that you can wire the funds to your local bank when you need it.

To answer Ralph Krandem, yes, you can have Global Currency Accounts at UOB Singapore, up to 9 different currencies in your account. This is like a saving account with checks. Can wire in and wire out all these 9 different currencies from online banking. All types of investments saving, fixed deposits, structured investments, unit funds ect ect all will be linked to your one online account. The online account is very secure with double authentification. You can have a pre-programed one time password device, they call the Token for secure sign in.

Both UOB and HSBC have primier or priviledge banking if your assests go beyond a certain figure, they will appoint a so called "relation manager" to you. These guys will try to sell you thousands of type of investment products, so you have to research them yourself, and make your mind which investment you want to make, and don't listen to thes relation managers completely, because they have thier sales quotas to reach.

Both banks will mail you all the statements to anywhere in the world, and your relation manager will also call you wherever you live in the world. When you want to speak to them and do not want to waste the international call charge, just mis call them, they will call you back right away. Both first class banks.

Giotto
01-22-08, 20:51
Am I the only one bored by this?

If you want financial advice, go see your banker.NicFrenchy,

Go back to the massage parlour thread :). In here serious people are exchanging serious information. Not that bad at all :)!


Giotto

NicFrenchy
01-23-08, 02:07
NicFrenchy,

Go back to the massage parlour thread :). In here serious people are exchanging serious information. Not that bad at all :)!

GiottoFair enough, I will :)

But where do I post my non P4P stories now? In the middle of the HK Dollar exchange rates?

Jungle Bluebird
01-23-08, 04:12
To add to RCA Knight's informative post.

What you want is this (the perfect solution):

1. Reg. a company in HK. Buy a shelf company. Incorporation max 1 week.
2. set up biz account with HSBC (they want to see biz plan and won't make it easy. but can be done in 1 day).
3. set up a merchant account. again not easy but can be done. you may need to fake a HK office (i.e. hire people for a day to sit and look busy).
4. get a foreign currency deposit account. You receive in JPY. Monies go automatically into your FCD JPY account and you pay whoever in Japan. I.e no loss on forex.

As you correctly pointed out NO corp income tax applies in HK as long services have been rendered outside of Thailand.

Local business is declared as a branch (cheap labor etc) and gets a monthly retainer from HK office. I.e. lower taxes in Thailand.

Loads of companies do it exactly like this and its legal.

JB



RCA Knight
Your banking post sounds very informative and knowledgeable. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions as a person who could possibly live in Thailand in a few years?

I have a growing Internet business that gets paid in USD. I pay my suppliers in JPY. I am thinking about incorporating in Hong Kong because my understanding is that you don't pay corporate income tax for transactions made outside of Hong Kong. I want to set up an account with a bank in which I can receive the USD funds from the online transactions, trade USD, JPY and other currencies, have both a USD and JPY account, pay my suppliers by TT in JPY, receive TTs in both USD and JPY and plant the excess funds in a variety of investment vehicles in various currencies as you described. All of this to be done online only. Any suggestions? Is Singapore also a possibility too?

This set up would allow me to live anywhere in the world. Thailand would be high on the list. This would also benefit a friend of mine who has a web hosting business and is interested in doing the same thing.

NicFrenchy
01-23-08, 04:30
Maybe we should have a Special Non P4P/Marriage experiences Thread (I think I saw one in a different country section here)

Anyhow, below is my experience with a girl I met in Chiang Mai (Freebie) whith whom I did everything (except Anal) and she stayed with me for 5 days.

Part 1: http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showpost.php?p=698028&postcount=974

Part 2: http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showpost.php?p=698030&postcount=975

The rest coming soon ;)

LittleBigMan
01-23-08, 04:32
Giotto, took the words right out of my mouth! Some people only got one thing on their minds!

Thanks, Fellas, for all the great infomation!

LBM

Ralph Kramden
01-23-08, 04:55
Thanks to all Gents for this informative discussion.

JungleBluebird

Thanks for your input and comments.

Comments about your points:

#1&#3-There are service companies that can handle both of these for you. #3 gives you a virtual office, so you don't have to fake anything. I have checked this out and there are legitimate businesses offering these services. The US Department of commerce web site even recommends one.

#4-Completing steps 1 and 3 take care of this matter because you have a bona fide business presence in Hong Kong. A new business would require a business plan, but I think proof of an ongoing concern would be sufficient.

“As you correctly pointed out NO corp income tax applies in HK as long services have been rendered outside of Thailand.”

Perhaps you mean Hong Kong here.

“Local business is declared as a branch (cheap labor etc) and gets a monthly retainer from HK office. I.e. lower taxes in Thailand.”

Excellent point here because you could set up a local branch office in Thailand, which could provide you enough justification for a longer term visa. There might even be service companies in Thailand that will set up a “virtual office” just like the one in Hong Kong. The beauty of the Hong Kong plan is that you can establish a branch office anywhere in the world, live in that country and pay very little local tax by receiving only the money you need to live on. Most of true business income remains untaxed in a world-class Hong Kong bank. And it is all perfectly legal.

RCA Knight
I am not yet in the league as you describe, but in the next year or two, I will have cash flow coming into the business that will remain in the business but be idle, so I will want to park into investment funds.

Question: Do you know if the same incorporation opportunities exist in Singapore like they do in Hong Kong?

Giotto
Pleasant greetings!

Jungle Bluebird
01-23-08, 05:28
Ralph

For the merchant account in HK you need a real office. Bank rep. will come to visit the office. After all you handle credit cards. They also will hit you with 'secure by visa' requirements. But again, they are ways around that.

One point I forgot. The merchant account should be multi currency. I.e. you receive in JPY, deposit JPY into your FCD account, then pay your suppliers in JPY. I.e. no loss on forex and no forex risk!

A good HK (Hong Kong) accounting firm will actually go with you to the bank to setup the biz account. Merchant account you will need to setup yourself.

JB





Thanks to all Gents for this informative discussion.

JungleBluebird

Thanks for your input and comments.

Comments about your points:

#1&#3-There are service companies that can handle both of these for you. #3 gives you a virtual office, so you don't have to fake anything. I have checked this out and there are legitimate businesses offering these services. The US Department of commerce web site even recommends one.

#4-Completing steps 1 and 3 take care of this matter because you have a bona fide business presence in Hong Kong. A new business would require a business plan, but I think proof of an ongoing concern would be sufficient.

“As you correctly pointed out NO corp income tax applies in HK as long services have been rendered outside of Thailand.”

Perhaps you mean Hong Kong here.

“Local business is declared as a branch (cheap labor etc) and gets a monthly retainer from HK office. I.e. lower taxes in Thailand.”

Excellent point here because you could set up a local branch office in Thailand, which could provide you enough justification for a longer term visa. There might even be service companies in Thailand that will set up a “virtual office” just like the one in Hong Kong. The beauty of the Hong Kong plan is that you can establish a branch office anywhere in the world, live in that country and pay very little local tax by receiving only the money you need to live on. Most of true business income remains untaxed in a world-class Hong Kong bank. And it is all perfectly legal.

RCA Knight
I am not yet in the league as you describe, but in the next year or two, I will have cash flow coming into the business that will remain in the business but be idle, so I will want to park into investment funds.

Question: Do you know if the same incorporation opportunities exist in Singapore like they do in Hong Kong?

Giotto
Pleasant greetings!

Ralph Kramden
01-23-08, 06:43
JB

I have a Merchant Account set up with Visa, MC, AE and others and have received payments at the online business in USD for several years. All I need do is direct my online receipts into another bank account of my choice instead of the current one in the US. But all the receipts are in USD and only need to be in that. Occasionally I receive JPY, but by TT only, which is payment for larger orders that the web site shopping cart software can't handle. I don't do business in Japan from the web site, so don't receive JPY from it. I will need to engage in Forex to change the USD to pay my suppliers in JPY. Receiving JPY by TT happens only occasionally for these orders because I give a nice discount when I don't have to use Forex.

Therefore, I think it may be possible to get set up right away with a HK bank using the virtual office plan and without having to hire an accounting firm for the visit.

Further, I suppose one can handle Forex transactions strictly online through a HK bank, but I don't know this for a fact. Any thoughts there?

Ralph.

Jungle Bluebird
01-23-08, 11:52
Ralph C

From what I read you do not need to setup a company in HK as you need no merchant account. The standard HSBC multi currency account will do, as you simply looking for a way to secure your earnings.

Controlling FOREX liabilities really makes sense if you run high volume. Example you may loose 1 % on accounts receivable and loose another 1% on accounts payable due to FOREX cost and possible more if you have 2-3 month credit. In such case you may take a hit on the FOREX.

Ok this is very rough. But 2% on - lets say PA sales volume is USD 50 million - = USD 1 million loss. Hence the 'perfect' setup description. 2% can make the difference between being profitable or not.

Even on USD 100,000 at 2% you would loose USD 2,000.

As others wrote here, the HSBC HK bank gives you great tools to receive monies in fixed currencies, invest in fixed or FOREX trading accounts, and to wire unlimited amounts (online in realtime) to any account of your choice - i.e. in Thailand. You can even set a fixed amount monthly - i.e. your earnings are posted to your HK account and automatically a fixed amount is send to your local Thailand (SCB or whatever) account.

JB



JB

I have a Merchant Account set up with Visa, MC, AE and others and have received payments at the online business in USD for several years. All I need do is direct my online receipts into another bank account of my choice instead of the current one in the US. But all the receipts are in USD and only need to be in that. Occasionally I receive JPY, but by TT only, which is payment for larger orders that the web site shopping cart software can't handle. I don't do business in Japan from the web site, so don't receive JPY from it. I will need to engage in Forex to change the USD to pay my suppliers in JPY. Receiving JPY by TT happens only occasionally for these orders because I give a nice discount when I don't have to use Forex.

Therefore, I think it may be possible to get set up right away with a HK bank using the virtual office plan and without having to hire an accounting firm for the visit.

Further, I suppose one can handle Forex transactions strictly online through a HK bank, but I don't know this for a fact. Any thoughts there?

Ralph.

Ralph Kramden
01-23-08, 15:54
JB

Thanks again for the advice. My intention of incorporating in Hong Kong or perhaps Singapore is to escape paying US and Japanese corporate income taxes, which is perfectly legal to do. It is convenient to do with an Internet business.

Here are my last comments about this topic:

The latest information about him known to me is of a fellow monger who either acquired or started a service orientated web site. He has worked his ass off building up the business and appears to be making a success of it. The beauty of this business is he has his customers trained to correspond with him strictly by e-mail. In other words, he doesn't have to be tied to a phone all day on bull shit calls, most of which are not necessary. He also doesn't have an asshole boss dictating orders to him and keeping him under pressure all the time. And he can operate this business from anywhere in the world and his customers don't know the difference. So what he did was to move to Argentina, which happens to be his favorite mongering destination. Sounds like a pretty set up deal to me.

I have a product orientated online business, so distribution makes it a little more complicated than the business described above, but I am getting a handle on it. I am also headed in the same direction as the person described above and in time will be able to live anywhere in the world and operate the business. And the customers won't know the difference. I wouldn't want to live in Thailand year around, but January and February seem very appealing about now because it is freezing cold outside.

Having a temporary secretary suck my cock while I correspond with customers sounds very appealing as well.

So the discussion we have had has been very helpful for me. Thanks a lot to everyone involved.

LittleBigMan
02-26-08, 09:27
Being my second year applying for a retirement visa and being in a fog my first year I wanted to write my experience this time hoping it helps others in the same position in the near future.

I have heard several opinions about this particular subject in the last year from not only Lawyers practicing in Thailand speaking at clubs but heard different contradictions so I wanted to make sure I didn't get caught off guard so I planned a trip to visit the US Embassy in Bangkok prior to leaving for Pattaya and also get in a few good licks.

On my visit to the US Embassy, I wanted to obtain a new form to verify the income I was receiving in my retirement. Luckily I did because when I applied for the Visa in Pattaya, the immigration clerk told me ' you won't get the original back' you need to obtain a new one every year' Cost for the form and notorizing from the Embassy was approximately 1100 baht or 30 USD.

A. Back in Pattaya, I went to the Bangkok Bank and obtain my letter to verify that I had 800,000 baht in the bank. You will need to provide your passport to the bank clerk. For 100 baht, you will receive a letter from the bank also attached to the letter will be a copy of your passport picture along with a copy of your departure card. You will be asked to sign them and off you go.

B. When you get to the Pattaya Immigration on Soi 5, in Jomtien, once enter go to the counter on the right to obtain your Retirement Visa form TM-7. Since I don't like to be pressure I don't obtain a service number from the little white machine opposite of the forms counter. I take the form outside to be filled out and get my documents in order before returning for a number. From my experience they seem to move pretty fast. You will need the following along with the TM-7

1. Form TM-7 filled out
2. A recent passport photo
3. Verification of Income notorized by the your Embassy
4. Recent letter from your Bank verifying money
5. Copy of Passport
6. If you are married to a Thai, copy of Certification of Marriage.

Now go back in and grab yourself a number, I believe it is number 9, once call you will be directed to go to desk (8). The clerk will go over your application and documents and ask you to sign them and then pass them to another clerk next to him. That clerk will then put the information into the computer. Thereafter, you will be given everything back to take behind you to desk (4), this is where you pay your 1900 baht for the application. Now you are given everything back and you return to desk (8). Once they see you have paid your documents are given to the desk behind (8), you are asked to take a seat to the side of the desk if the clerk is busy with another applicant. When call she will review your application again and if everything is in order she will give a a number and time and date to return to pickup your passport. I went on Monday so they were extremely busy so they told me the next day a 10AM.

Came back the next day exactly at 10AM, gave the clerk behind desk (8) my number and I was given back my passport. Since I plan on leaving Thailand during the year I needed to apply for my Multi-Entry permit now that I got my Retirement Visa.

Multi-Entry Permit.

A. Obtain Form TM-8 at counter on right
B. Fill out form outside again before obtaining service number
C. Need recent passport photo
D. Copy of Passport with the photo
E. Copy of recent Retirment Visa and departure card
F. Original passport
Now obtain your service number from small white machine near form counter. Press (1), now wait to be called to desk 2 or 3, the clerk will review your documents and if in order have you sign the forms. The clerk then will ask you for 3,800 for Multi-Entry or 1,000 baht for Single Entry. Once received the clerk will give everything to the desk behind them. Now you will be ask to wait until your name is called. I waited approximately 5 minutes before I was called. I was handed my passport back with the Mutli-Entry stamp along with my change and off I went outside for breakfast to celebrate another year.

Note: Although, I'm married to a Thai, I have never been given the exact answer so when applying for my retirement visa I'm playing it safe by doing a overkill! Can't get a straight answer from anyone whether I need the 800,000 baht in the bank and a letter verifying that I recieve 65,000 baht per month from my Embassy. Both or one or the other? The clerks just take all my information and never ask me a thing or to tell me I don't need all this stuff. I also realize that I being married to a Thai that I can stay in Thailand for a year with only 400,000 baht in the bank. But can't seem to verify this either at the Thai Immigration?

Didn't need a medical certification nor a police report as being request in the United States!

My experience this year! LBM

PosterLion
02-27-08, 09:08
. . . that will buy my books.

Guys,

I have a small library of fiction and poetry that I'd like to sell. I'd say it is about a 50-50 mix of contempory and classic prose.

I've got Hemingway, Miller, Dostoevsky, Bukowski, Kundera, Rilke, and much much more.

I am looking for a used bookstore here in Bangkok that might perchance pay me a decent price for a much more than decent set of literature.

Perhaps I'll jot down a library catalog and post it in the classfieds.

Thanks in advance!

poster

Sanook D
02-28-08, 05:44
PosterLion,

Dasa might be able to take some of them from you: http://www.dasabookcafe.com/

Ibeme
03-02-08, 03:44
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but thought it can't hurt. Does anyone know where I can eat Cobra in BKK or Pattaya? I saw a program on tv and this guy in BKK had a restaurant where they killed the snake just before cooking it and the patron drank its blood. I will be in BKK and Patts next month and want to try it. Any leads?

Opebo
03-07-08, 09:41
Is it possible for a foreigner to own a car in Thailand? I don't mean putting it in some wife's name, I mean can a single farang own a car?

NicFrenchy
03-07-08, 10:43
Is it possible for a foreigner to own a car in Thailand? I don't mean putting it in some wife's name, I mean can a single farang own a car?Yes, it is possible.

Animby
03-07-08, 12:10
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but thought it can't hurt. Does anyone know where I can eat Cobra in BKK or Pattaya? I saw a program on tv and this guy in BKK had a restaurant where they killed the snake just before cooking it and the patron drank its blood. I will be in BKK and Patts next month and want to try it. Any leads?

I'm not at all sure but this activity may be illegal in Thailand. Many times, the snake is sacrificed for it's gall rather than blood. The gall is considered to be very strong medicine.

Try a Google search for Suan Lumpini or Lumphini Park in BKK. Even if it's available there, you may not be able to find it. Still, it's a beautiful park in the daytime and a hell of a night market. If I were inclined to do this, I think I'd hire a local guide and give them a day or two to find a place for you.

Klong Toi Market might also be a good place to try. More geared to locals. Also less English. I still recommend a guide.

If you find it, I bet it will be expensive.

Old Thai Hand
03-07-08, 12:57
Is it possible for a foreigner to own a car in Thailand? I don't mean putting it in some wife's name, I mean can a single farang own a car?

of course. I would suggest you buy second-hand as you'll get a far better deal than buying new, what with import taxes etc. that jack the prices of new cars well beyond what they should be.

Old Thai Hand
03-07-08, 13:05
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but thought it can't hurt. Does anyone know where I can eat Cobra in BKK or Pattaya? I saw a program on tv and this guy in BKK had a restaurant where they killed the snake just before cooking it and the patron drank its blood. I will be in BKK and Patts next month and want to try it. Any leads?

Eating snake is widely practiced up-country. When I lived in Hua Hin, the locals near where I worked were always hunting snakes (tastes like chicken...:D). Also, one day I came out to my back yard to find a 3 meter cobra asleep under my house. I called the garderner and he and his mates killed it and BBQ'ed it for dinner.

If you're in BKK, it's available in Chinatown (Yaowarat) restaurants. I don't know names, however. I had a student once, many years ago whose family owned a restaurant in Chinatown and I ate there many times. Included was grilled and fried snake, turtle and snake-blood mixed with alcohol (a bit thick and gooey) - believed to be some sort of natural viagra as well as promoting longevity. If you're in Vietnam, especially the north, eating snake and drinking its blood is quite common.

Opebo
03-08-08, 12:18
of course. I would suggest you buy second-hand as you'll get a far better deal than buying new, what with import taxes etc. that jack the prices of new cars well beyond what they should be.

Not to mention they cost many multiples of what I have on hand. But used cars are also ridiculously expensive in Thailand - the same car that would be maybe $500-1,000 in the US would be 100,000 baht here.

M P Lurker
03-08-08, 12:30
Klong Toi Market might also be a good place to try. More geared to locals. Also less English. I still recommend a guide.

That would be Klong "Toey" Market
pronounced dter-ee. dt indicates an unaspirated "t"
From "Toi" the spoken sound would come out not close enough to correct for a Thai to understand. (Vowel sounds are more critical than consonants in Thai)

Old Thai Hand
03-09-08, 03:09
Not to mention they cost many multiples of what I have on hand. But used cars are also ridiculously expensive in Thailand - the same car that would be maybe $500-1,000 in the US would be 100,000 baht here.

Well, you asked. So, what are you really asking?...Are you asking if a Farang can get financing? The answer to that is 'No'. You'd need a Thai to under-write it.

Old Thai Hand
03-09-08, 03:10
That would be Klong "Toey" Market
pronounced dter-ee. dt indicates an unaspirated "t"
From "Toi" the spoken sound would come out not close enough to correct for a Thai to understand. (Vowel sounds are more critical than consonants in Thai)

Have you become the resident linguist?

M P Lurker
03-09-08, 09:42
Have you become the resident linguist?
Studied Thai part time for several years (didn't just pick it up). So I know a few technical things but not exactly "resident" or a "linguist" :)

Being a pedantic type its hard to leave it alone when its a wrong spelling that will cause lack of understanding. But close is good enough.

But many times I have been caught out myself mispronouncing Thai words such that the Thais either couldn't understand or laughed due to wrong meaning.

Pronunciation is of course the most important part of speaking any language if we are to be understood at all.

Once in New Asia Books (or DK) a woman was asking for books on the River Kwai. The Thais had no idea what she was talking about.
I had to point out that she was interested in the river "kwae" then they understood immediately. Unfortunately the English Name for same river just doesn't sound like the real Thai name at all due to different vowel sounds.
To a westener, vowels are not important but to a Thai they are nearly everything, as OTH probably is well aware.

Thais like to drop or change consonants from words without noticing that anything is wrong.

Opebo
03-09-08, 11:28
Well, you asked. So, what are you really asking?...Are you asking if a Farang can get financing? The answer to that is 'No'. You'd need a Thai to under-write it.

I was asking if it is legally allowed for the foreigner to own a car. I never asked anything about financing, as I am well aware that this is not available. I was only noting the facts about sky-high car prices as I thought they might be of interest to members of the forum.

Old Thai Hand
03-09-08, 12:33
I was asking if it is legally allowed for the foreigner to own a car. I never asked anything about financing, as I am well aware that this is not available. I was only noting the facts about sky-high car prices as I thought they might be of interest to members of the forum.

OK. understood. Yes, it's legal.

Easy2007
03-09-08, 17:58
OK. understood. Yes, it's legal.Come on OTH, that is misleading.

Yes, its ok for certain falang to own a car, it depends if you have a work permit, retirement visa etc, or just plain tourist visa etc.

Certain types of farang are not allowed to own a car, however, this does not of course stop the sales people selling you a car.

Old Thai Hand
03-10-08, 00:20
Come on OTH, that is misleading.

Yes, its ok for certain falang to own a car, it depends if you have a work permit, retirement visa etc, or just plain tourist visa etc.

Certain types of farang are not allowed to own a car, however, this does not of course stop the sales people selling you a car.

Well, Opebo has a work permit. So, it's legal for him.

PosterLion
03-13-08, 14:47
I have a question for the BKK power brokers: OTH, Giotto, etc.

I am the (sort of) owner of a 3 bedroom 2 bath house located 6 kilometers from the new airport in Bang Na.

It is one year old and has never been occupied. My wife bought it last year for 3.6 million Baht. It is part of a gated community with private security, a club house and pool, and a very nice list of additional amenities.

Before I am bombarded with stories telling me what a sucker I am let me just say, "This was my wife's hard earned money and not my own."

So here's the deal. She is trying to sell the house because she has no need for it, but the market in Bang Na seems to be a little soft as there has been no offers on the house. Anyway, this is not the main point.

We have been thinking it over and it occured to us that it might be a prudent idea to become landlords and let someone rent the house from us instead of selling it. But here's the rub.

If our plans continue to move forward as we expect, my wife will be joining me in America sometime in June or July after her visa processing is completed. That means neither of us will be around to collect rent, or fix a malfunctioning A/C (that is currently working perfectly), not to mention the necessary lawn mowing and shrub clipping that I assume will remain our responsibility.

All that said, here is my question.

Does anyone know of a good real estate management company that can help us with this problem. I know these types of companies exist in America, but I haven't a clue how all this works in Thailand.

I thank any and all comers in advance who can provide me with good information concerning this matter!

poster . . .

Dinghy
03-13-08, 21:18
watdee mick - you mean like that? no "sa"

or yip instead of yee-sip? or kup instead of krrup (rolling the r)?

If it's too long, they shorten it.

If it's too short (yes, some are) they lengthen it.

and with an-grit, they pronounce it the way THEY see it -
like "ROW-BIN-SUN" (Robinson) ;)

M P Lurker
03-15-08, 07:41
watdee mick - you mean like that? no "sa"

or yip instead of yee-sip? or kup instead of krrup (rolling the r)?

If it's too long, they shorten it.

If it's too short (yes, some are) they lengthen it.

and with an-grit, they pronounce it the way THEY see it -
like "ROW-BIN-SUN" (Robinson) ;)
So you understand Thai lazy alternative abbreviated pronunciation very well and have shown how leaving out consonants sometimes doesn't matter.
Not really relevant to the earlier point about vowels, so
I assume you are just "taking the [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140)" re my pedantic streak. :)

But its usually true that those who mispronounce badly will not be understood. Happens to all of us.

Giotto
03-15-08, 15:09
...
Does anyone know of a good real estate management company that can help us with this problem. I know these types of companies exist in America, but I haven't a clue how all this works in Thailand.
...PosterLion,

No, and I also would not trust a company if you not stay in Thailand and can control what is going on with your property.

My recommendation would be: Sell the house, even if you lose some money.


Giotto

PosterLion
03-15-08, 17:30
PosterLion,

No, and I also would not trust a company if you not stay in Thailand and can control what is going on with your property.

My recommendation would be: Sell the house, even if you lose some money.


Giotto

Thanks G,

Your thought is mine as well, but convincing the wife is not so easy. You've been in Thailand longer than me and know how it is, right? I mean . . . Naam Jai and Gren Jai and Som Nuuk Boon Khuun aside, Thai people are just so very damn sticky with MONEY! :)

me

P.S. and on a final thought. Sticky might be the wrong word. Thai people are notoriously KEE KHOE.

meaning

THUUK KHUUN KHON THAI PEN KEE KHOE BOI BOI

Bsm23
03-18-08, 03:40
Broadband internet access, how good is it? how reliable? how fast? what prices? whats the latency like with websites hosted in the US? what technology? ADSL or cable or fiber?

I run an e-commerce business, so all I need is a very reliable 4Mbit minimum broadband connection to work.

Johan007
03-18-08, 15:16
Allthough I never was in Thailand. (only in the PHP and some SA countries) I want to share with you guys a story which is true.

I bought my house 2 years ago in Germany (I myself am Dutch). And the old owner was a olderly (72 yo back then) gent that was a widower and he lived alone for about 9 years now.

As of lately I encountered him because he now lives not too far away from his old house. And we syart talking about several subjects.

He told me he went to Thailand in March to stay there for 3 months to look up his girlfriend of 46 yo. When he told me this I nearly felt down to the ground. Becoase I know he never did traveled far. , and his english skills are limited. And thai knowledge is practicaly 0. 0. (she only speaks limited English and is learning German now) hew asked me about some advise as he knew I was in many countries (like I said. NOT Thailand. But I know some guys that were there, several times) so I told him to be VERY carefull. And watch his money and other usual turist crap with makes common sense (avoid tapwater. Don't eat out of foodstands at the street etc. Etc.)

He told me he spend 2500 (! ) euros with a lokal german mailorder bride business which arranges hom to be set up with a serious thai lady. Well guys. He has a good pension and he saved some money but still I think that was a LOT of money to spend. Just to meet some gal in Thailand!

Thing is. He wants to marry this Thai woman and wants to bring her back to germany. He also told me the german authorities allready denied the turist visa application for her last January. So the only way for her to get into germany is that he marries her.

Given the fact that woman is 28 years younger then he is. I possible can NOT imagine true love is involved. (he is 74 now she 46)

I mean lets be honest. Thai women are NOT dumb. And they surely know what they are doing! Like all other women imho.

The germany agency told him that 20 years age difference or so is quite common in Thailand between thai woman and men. But I realy have serious doubts about this. Back here I also hear (and see) that many Dutch and German guys get a divorce after 2-3 years. And their age differency is WAY under 20 years!

He told me his family (he has 3 sons and 1 daughter) did NOT like the fact that he want to do this. Offcourse I know they have good talks. Becouse they are NOT alone anyways.

I realy tried to talk him out of it. But he just don't wanna listen. I understand that he is alone. And also still likes sex (well me too! )I am afraid this woman is gonna strip him (she is unmarried but has a 13 yo daughter). And gonna shake him down for his money. At his house in germany I saw a pic of the women. And she still looks good and way younger then 46. I also think she isn't gonna stay long with him after arriving in germany.

Right now he still is in Bangkok somewere (he arrived the 7th of March)but he told me that he also would go to visit the family of the woman in nakhon Ratschasima (or something). He doesn't have an email adress. As he is unfamiliar with internet. I advised him to buy a cheapo lokal cell phone to keep in touch which would be way cheaper then to use his german gsm cell phone offcourse!

What you guys think about this?

Johan

Dinghy
03-18-08, 18:45
adsl, no cable available so you are limited by the modem if nothing else - slower than us or other cable capable locales, for sure.

no t-1 available at all (or at least not to the "general public").

i suspect the max you will get is 1mb and that might be advertised, but not "real". many of the "hi-speed" sites advertise 512k

back in october when the cable (backbone) was cut, it dropped to maybe 128 if that - i swear it was down to 56k or less at times s l o w cha cha mak mak

Marcusbkk
03-18-08, 21:32
broadband internet access, how good is it? how reliable? how fast? what prices? whats the latency like with websites hosted in the us? what technology? adsl or cable or fiber?

i run an e-commerce business, so all i need is a very reliable 4mbit minimum broadband connection to work.you can get 4mbit connections from true if you are in bangkok. the problem is not really the access speed but congestion on the international routes into and out of thailand. you especially find that the internet crawls to a halt at about 4pm every afternoon, i guess kids getting back from school and logging on. the business service is a bit better than residential, but only with regards to contention on the local routers, everyone has the same problem internationally. i guess it depends on your application.

if you are in the us try logging onto some of the bigger thai web sites like tot to get an idea of throughput.

Lover Boy #2
03-19-08, 09:34
Allthough I never was in Thailand. (only in the PHP and some SA countries) I want to share with you guys a story which is true.

I bought my house 2 years ago in Germany (I myself am Dutch). And the old owner was a olderly (72 yo back then) gent that was a widower and he lived alone for about 9 years now.

As of lately I encountered him because he now lives not too far away from his old house. And we syart talking about several subjects.

He told me he went to Thailand in March to stay there for 3 months to look up his girlfriend of 46 yo. When he told me this I nearly felt down to the ground. Becoase I know he never did traveled far. , and his english skills are limited. And thai knowledge is practicaly 0. 0. (she only speaks limited English and is learning German now) hew asked me about some advise as he knew I was in many countries (like I said. NOT Thailand. But I know some guys that were there, several times) so I told him to be VERY carefull. And watch his money and other usual turist crap with makes common sense (avoid tapwater. Don't eat out of foodstands at the street etc. Etc.)

He told me he spend 2500 (! ) euros with a lokal german mailorder bride business which arranges hom to be set up with a serious thai lady. Well guys. He has a good pension and he saved some money but still I think that was a LOT of money to spend. Just to meet some gal in Thailand!

Thing is. He wants to marry this Thai woman and wants to bring her back to germany. He also told me the german authorities allready denied the turist visa application for her last January. So the only way for her to get into germany is that he marries her.

Given the fact that woman is 28 years younger then he is. I possible can NOT imagine true love is involved. (he is 74 now she 46)

I mean lets be honest. Thai women are NOT dumb. And they surely know what they are doing! Like all other women imho.

The germany agency told him that 20 years age difference or so is quite common in Thailand between thai woman and men. But I realy have serious doubts about this. Back here I also hear (and see) that many Dutch and German guys get a divorce after 2-3 years. And their age differency is WAY under 20 years!

He told me his family (he has 3 sons and 1 daughter) did NOT like the fact that he want to do this. Offcourse I know they have good talks. Becouse they are NOT alone anyways.

I realy tried to talk him out of it. But he just don't wanna listen. I understand that he is alone. And also still likes sex (well me too! )I am afraid this woman is gonna strip him (she is unmarried but has a 13 yo daughter). And gonna shake him down for his money. At his house in germany I saw a pic of the women. And she still looks good and way younger then 46. I also think she isn't gonna stay long with him after arriving in germany.

Right now he still is in Bangkok somewere (he arrived the 7th of March)but he told me that he also would go to visit the family of the woman in nakhon Ratschasima (or something). He doesn't have an email adress. As he is unfamiliar with internet. I advised him to buy a cheapo lokal cell phone to keep in touch which would be way cheaper then to use his german gsm cell phone offcourse!

What you guys think about this?

Johan

If history is the greatest input...then the pensioner is in for some pain. Maybe he can visit Planet Happy Garden (Butzenstrasse-Oedt) or Goldentime and see that there is a better economy in this....but I wish him good luck.

Channy
03-23-08, 13:29
Just have a look about this story and mail order business in Isaan.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=126645

NicFrenchy
03-25-08, 05:12
The Hairdresser

Continuing on the Experiences with "Good Girls" (Non P4P) that JB & OTH participated in.

THE PLACE & THE STAFF

For a little over a year now I have been going to the same Hair Salon, tucked in a small soi near my office, I find it to be both convenient and not overpriced: The Shampoo + Cut is at 300thb.

I know you can find barbers who will cut your hair for 90thb, but I am not looking for a Cheap cut, more like a haircut in a relaxing place where I am happy with the end result.

What makes me laugh every-time is the sign they have outside: "Man Wash & Blow 300thb", now that is sweet and I am sure one day a dude will walk-in and ask for his penis to be washed and Blown LOL.

As most of the Hair Salons in Bangkok, there are only girls working there and by now, they all know me and call me by name. I always have my hair cut by the same stylist (not sure what the real name is? Hair Cutting girl? ) and luckily for me she is not bad looking at all, however, the best looking gal in the shop is the Shampooing girl, sweet and cute as can be, always laughing and up for some funny surprises.

Let’s call the Shampooing girl "SG" and Cutting Girl "CG"

THE DAY IT ALL HAPPENED

My hair start to grow a little longer than I like it so I decide that today, as the office isn’t busy, I’ll pay a visit to the Hair Salon. As I walk in, the receptionist/cashier wais me and asks me to take a seat. I notice another man is there and is being treated with the whole 9 yards (Haircut, Manicure, Pedicure), we look at each other and smile: I guess we both love the way Thailand can be in making you feel like a pampered individual.

SG is busy with the pedicure so she can’t wash my hair and they assign another girl this time, not quite as cute but I don’t really care as I will have my eyes closed during most of the wash. As CG is also busy cutting the other man’s hair, the lady takes her time Shampooing and treats me to a nice head massage that almost sends me Sleeping.

As I take place in the Cutting Seat, CG comes to greet me and tells me she will be with me in 5 minutes which does not bother me as I am not in a hurry.

When she Finally shows up, she just looks me in the eyes and asks "same? " to what I reply "same" with a big smile. She starts cutting and I start daydreaming, mostly looking at SG who is sitting on the floor finishing the Pedicure Job.

I am satisfied with the cut (as Usual) and as I go to the Cashier to pay, SG and other girls are sitting on the entrance Sofa eating some pastries, they naturally invite me to Join (Thai Hospitality), I politely decline but SG insists I sit with them a little bit. I sit with them and eat a little bit but cannot stay long so I go pay, tip 100 and wave them goodbye. SG gets up and comes towards me as if she had something to tell me: "We go dinner Sizzler 6pm, you want? ", I was a little taken by surprise as I would have never expected her to actually be daring enough to invite me (a Farang) to a dinner but I accepted the invitation and we decided to meet in front of the Hair Salon at 6pm. I gave her my number so that she could let me know if any change of plans via SMS.

I figured I would go directly from the office, even if my being in a suit might be a little over-dressed, especially for Sizzler. I was surprised to see all 6 ladies waiting for me in front of the Shop, some had arranged themselves very nicely and I could see that they had plenty of time in the afternoon to "Sculpt" their hair. Shampooing girl was looking terribly sexy and I sensed my Groin area’s temperature heating up in anticipation.

To be completely honest, I did not think that anything would happen that day, just a great way to get to know the girls a little better and possibly build a rapport with SG (she has my mobile number now).

We walk to the BTS direction Thonglor and I get a few stares from "Tourist Joe" who I guess wonders if I am in the company of 6 hookers, and if I will be able to satisfy them all.

The Funny thing is, a lot of people just assume that every Thai girl seen in the company of a Farang is a "Working Girl", wrong.

Fast forward to Sizzler and the girls all order the 130thb All you can eat Buffet, Cheap and a lot of Variety. I tell them that they could order whatever they wanted and that I would pay for it: All were very happy and ordered Steaks, Burgers, Seafood. A very good time was had all around and I got to know the girls a little better. Some were Married, some with Kids, I learned that the Shampoo girls were earning a very low Salary and that the Hairdressers were not making much more either (Tip well next time you go for a cut). Shampoo Girl (SG) told me she had a Thai Boyfriend who works for a telephone company and Cutting Girl (CG) was just single and waiting for the Prince charming (how naďve LOL).

After Sizzler (3, 000 thb Bill), 4 of us (me included) went on to play some Bowling while the other girls went home to their Families. I was left with CG, SG and another SG.

We played Bowling for a while and I was getting closer and closer to SG who was always telling me how nice CG looked and is in life. As you guessed it, they were trying to set me up with CG (did they see in me a Prince Charming material? I am flattered LOL).

SG and CG wanted to go dancing but I was getting a little tired so I thanked them for a Great Evening and was ready to head home. SG joked about having a drink at my place and was quite surprised when I accepted. They all came (3 ladies), we grabbed some coolers on the way and headed home.

Once in the condo, the girls went into ALL the rooms to see how big it was and I guess they satisfied their curiosity: I am not poor.

We gathered in the Living room and some ladies asked me how much I pay for rent but I did not tell them. The girls stayed for nearly 2 hours talking about anything and everything, from studies to Funny clients all the way to what they like in a man and their dream relationship. All 3 were unanimous that the dream life is to find a man who can take care of them so that they do not need to work and can go shopping and take care of the Children. Alcohol helping, the conversation deviated from relationships to sex and they were very curious, asking a lot of questions about what Farangs like and compare with Thai guys.

Out of the 3, only CG and SG had sex before, the other Shampoo girl never had sex and said she would only have it once married. SG confessed that her Thai boyfriend is not really into Foreplay and that he goes right to the main course. CG was very quiet and only confessed she had sex 3 times with 3 different guys. Discussion escalated to where was the most daring place one had sex and I was shocked to learn that they only had sex on a bed. They were shocked to hear that I liked sex pretty much anywhere from the Bathroom to the Kitchen, and that I also had sex Outdoors.

They said that Farangs are crazy but I could see in their eyes that, somehow, they found it exciting.

Anyway, After a lot of Coolers and Other Alcohol I had at home (we ordered a Pizza and chicken wings because the girls were hungry) they were ready to make a move. As a good host, I offered them to sleep in the other Bedroom (which has an En-suite Bathroom so Totally private) but they refused and said they had to go back home. They thanked me for the good time, the Food and drinks, the Taxi Money I insisted on giving them and left.

Not even 5 minutes after they left, I heard a knock on the door: CG was standing in front of my doorway, all by herself. She told me she live far and asked if she can sleep in the other bedroom, I saw the opportunity and was not going to let it pass, I kissed her.

Obviously, we had sex and the only regret I have is not to have used a condom, I know it is stupid but with the alcohol and both of us being horny. Well, you get the picture.

CG was not very experienced in bed and I was lucid enough to give her a very long Foreplay before having sex. She was going crazy with the neck and ear kissing, the catbath and especially the DATY part, I am not sure she was used to it.

I can write a report about the sex session with her but it is not very exciting as she does not do BJ’s yet. She is my Gik, I see her now and then but nothing serious and she understands it (she does not know about my Extracurricular Activities LOL). So far it worked out well but last weekend all changed. I had a one on one date with the Stunning Shampooing girl and she also ended up sleeping with me, that was last Friday (reason why I missed the Livingstone Gathering).

I now am in a great dilemma, I have slept with 2 girls from the same Haircut shop, the one I have been going to for a long while and where most of the time, my girl has a pair of scissors in her hand. I am a little confused as to what to do from now on. Did they talk? Does she know I went out with SG? I am a little reluctant to go for a haircut now LOL.

I will write later about my evening with SG and Maybe post some Pics (no sex pix, sorry guys)

M P Lurker
03-25-08, 07:02
The Hairdresser
<cut>
I now am in a great dilemma, I have slept with 2 girls from the same Haircut shop, the one I have been going to for a long while and where most of the time, my girl has a pair of scissors in her hand. I am a little confused as to what to do from now on. Did they talk? Does she know I went out with SG? I am a little reluctant to go for a haircut now LOL.

I will write later about my evening with SG and Maybe post some Pics (no sex pix, sorry guys)
Just as well you have such a strong excuse for not showing up. Apology accepted.

The hairdresser is one of the very best places to pick up Thai girls in my experience.

I am amazed that you have managed to do both, especially after you seemed to have been lined up for CG. This seems to indicate that SG is not knowing clearly that you have been doing CG. Otherwise I feel she wouldn't dare try to "steal" you.

You can possibly get away with this scene a while longer before it blows up one day. But I think its a bit too dangerous to be with both girls at the same time, even just for a hair cut as some tell tale subtle signals could occur. But depends on whether either of them are going to act at all "clingy" or can they be totally discreet?

As long as you don't get serious with SG I don't see that you need to worry too much as long as both girls understand you play up. But if you want her to become a real GF you are in deep shit already.

NicFrenchy
03-25-08, 09:41
I am amazed that you have managed to do both, especially after you seemed to have been lined up for CG. This seems to indicate that SG is not knowing clearly that you have been doing CG. Otherwise I feel she wouldn't dare try to "steal" you.

I am amazed too, After I hooked up with CG I never would have thought that SG would accept to go out with me (she is the one I always had my eyes on). I was sure they talked and CG did confess staying the night, but you can never be sure as you said.


As long as you don't get serious with SG I don't see that you need to worry too much as long as both girls understand you play up. But if you want her to become a real GF you are in deep shit already.CG knows that I am not serious, I tell her I do not want a girlfriend but if she wants to see me she can call (which she does about twice a month). Maybe she is hoping that I will change my mind. Anyway, we almost always meet for dinner, movie (sometimes) and sex, so she know the relationship is purely sexual (but still far from Great as she needs to learn a lot).

SG still has her Thai Boyfriend and I am guessing that the encounter of last friday was a one timer only. This girl is gorgeous but almost as inexperienced as CG sex-wise. I guess after Tulip, Eden and SOL, I have been spoiled Rotten!

Anyway, we will see what happends next but I will be sure to call SG before I drop into the Hair Salon to ensure it is still safe for me to have a cut there :)

Old Thai Hand
03-25-08, 11:50
nic

it's my experience that when thai gigs say they understand it's "not serious", they actually don't believe it, and eventually and most likely suddenly turn serious and go psycho on you. i recently had this happen. despite my years of experience here, it still caught me a little off guard.

i had a very occasional gig who i met maybe once or twice a month, at most. she knew i had a gf and another more regular gig and still repeatedly agreed that it was "just for fun" and nothing more. she seemed to be content with the arrangement. then, suddenly, out the blue, one day i got both a rep001hing email and sms ordering me to delete her number from my phone because i was just "playing games with her, i was a liar", i was just "using her", i was a "butterfly" etc. etc. nothing was different, nothing had changed. but, she simply went beserk, for no apparent reason other than she suddenly had decided with no warning, that she wanted something more.

shagging 2 girls from the same place is really asking for trouble. i suggest that you find another place to cut your hair.

NicFrenchy
03-25-08, 13:25
suddenly, out the blue, one day i got both a rep001hing email and sms ordering me to delete her number from my phone because i was just "playing games with her, i was a liar", i was just "using her", i was a "butterfly" etc. etc. nothing was different, nothing had changed. but, she simply went beserk, for no apparent reason other than she suddenly had decided with no warning, that she wanted something more.alright, that spooked me enough to not go there for a while. i don't want to upset a lady who has a pair of scissors in her hands. i guess i will wait and see what happends for a while.

VanDammage
03-26-08, 01:58
Can anyone recommend any good shops in Bangkok that makes good made to order leather shoes?

Old Thai Hand
03-26-08, 03:24
Alright, that spooked me enough to not go there for a while. I don't want to upset a lady who has a pair of Scissors in her hands. I guess I will wait and see what happends for a while.

I meant to add also that the other mistake you made was to take the girls to your apartment. Now they know where you live. I could regale you with any number of potential horror stories of girls showing up at your place unannounced at all times of the day or night - say, for example: standing outside your building, screaming your name at 3 o'clock in the morning. Or, even perhaps somehow, they might get into your building and stand outside your door banging away and screaming your name, while you're inside with someone else.

I dated 2 Thammasat uni girls a couple of years ago, both in the same faculty, although thankfully at least one was in the Thai program and the other was in the International program, so they didn't know each other, well. Still, it was quite dangerous. They also both knew where I lived. Thai program girl (TPG) was in the habit of coming to my place and camping out for days at a time. While International program girl (IPG) was more hit and miss because of being on a very tight leash held by her parents. Her favorite thing was to show up unannounced at 6 am for a quick fuck before heading off to school. It was inevitable that their paths would cross. One day, after a 3-day marathon stay, I was saying goodbye to TPG at her car and spotted IPG's Beemer coming down my soi. I managed to bundle TPG quickly into her car and the 2 cars passed each other at the entrance to my building. If it had been a second later, I would have been in deep shit. Fortunately for me, it was a narrow miss.

Also, I've said it before, but it's worth repeating. There's a high incidence of mental illness in this country, coupled with repressed emotions that usually explode at the drop of a hat. Thai women at best can be emotionally unpredictable. It's best to refrain from giving them any additional opportunities to exercise that unpredictability.

Tiger 888
03-26-08, 04:24
Just as well you have such a strong excuse for not showing up. Apology accepted.

The hairdresser is one of the very best places to pick up Thai girls in my experience.

I am amazed that you have managed to do both, especially after you seemed to have been lined up for CG. This seems to indicate that SG is not knowing clearly that you have been doing CG. Otherwise I feel she wouldn't dare try to "steal" you.

You can possibly get away with this scene a while longer before it blows up one day. But I think its a bit too dangerous to be with both girls at the same time, even just for a hair cut as some tell tale subtle signals could occur. But depends on whether either of them are going to act at all "clingy" or can they be totally discreet?

As long as you don't get serious with SG I don't see that you need to worry too much as long as both girls understand you play up. But if you want her to become a real GF you are in deep shit already.Mick, as I said yesterday, don't shop too close to home (or on your regular path). You might not be able to go back.

NicFrenchy
03-26-08, 08:57
Can anyone recommend any good shops in Bangkok that makes good made to order leather shoes?Shop at the Ground floor of MBK called SAMMI (they have 2 shops, 1 small, 1 big) They make Shoes to order. I bought a lot of shoes there as they are nice and Fashionnable.

LittleBigMan
03-26-08, 09:27
NicFrenchy,

When in Bangkok I usually make a regular visit to my own favorite hair salon mostly to check out the girls but never made any attempt or had the chance to do what you did. But your story hasn't cross my mind or dreamed about.

But I can only say this nicely! Your a Dead Man Walking! Don't even think about getting a shave! Heh Heh! You Dog!

LBM

Dinghy
04-05-08, 23:06
Ah Nic - you little devil...

as others (and you) have said - the "problem" is having 2 gik who work in the same place. No matter what, girls talk...and sometimes compare notes. Your main problem might be if ONE gets more attached than the other and decides that YOU might be better off with the "Bobbit" treatment (google for explanation if you don't understand - it's the top of the list) you don't want to be a mounted trophy :eek:

Ah, but I wish I could be in your position (but with only ONE of them :) ) I never worry about joining them, just licking them...

No desire to feed the ducks ;)

DirkDingy
04-06-08, 01:21
Would anybody have any suggestions for a good real estate agent in Bangkok that could provide a great deal for a flat in the $500-$700 a month price range? Three of my female colleagues from work and I want to keep an apartment in Bangkok for our R&Rs. On of us will be there early next week for a two days. Thanks in advance.

Old Thai Hand
04-06-08, 04:18
Would anybody have any suggestions for a good real estate agent in Bangkok that could provide a great deal for a flat in the $500-$700 a month price range? Three of my female colleagues from work and I want to keep an apartment in Bangkok for our R&Rs. On of us will be there early next week for a two days. Thanks in advance.

I'm assuming you want a minimum of 1 bedroom, located in town. Chances are slim to none that you could find a decent place for below $700 (21,000 baht approx.). It's also unlikely that any Bangkok agent will bother with you for so little. They tend to favour those who want to rent something around $2,000 and up.

Here are some links to property agents, who might help.

http://www.thaiapartment.com/

http://www.bangkokpropertyagents.com/

http://www.mrroomfinder.com/

Mr Roomfinder is the best IMO. You can often contact the owner of the condo directly to rent and cut out the agent.

DirkDingy
04-06-08, 07:25
I'm assuming you want a minimum of 1 bedroom, located in town. Chances are slim to none that you could find a decent place for below $700 (21,000 baht approx.). It's also unlikely that any Bangkok agent will bother with you for so little. They tend to favour those who want to rent something around $2,000 and up.

Here are some links to property agents, who might help.

http://www.thaiapartment.com/

http://www.bangkokpropertyagents.com/

http://www.mrroomfinder.com/

Mr Roomfinder is the best IMO. You can often contact the owner of the condo directly to rent and cut out the agent.

If we have to pay more for something decent then we have to pay more. I thought that Thailand was cheap. Two years ago I saw a nice and modern 1 bedroom flat that a pal had for $400 a month.

I saw a high-rise next to the Grand Millennium right by the Soi Cowboy that I'd like to inquire about. I hope that it's within our price range.

Old Thai Hand
04-06-08, 13:13
If we have to pay more for something decent then we have to pay more. I thought that Thailand was cheap. Two years ago I saw a nice and modern 1 bedroom flat that a pal had for $400 a month.

I saw a high-rise next to the Grand Millennium right by the Soi Cowboy that I'd like to inquire about. I hope that it's within our price range.

Thailand is relatively cheap, if you live upcountry in some small village.
But, Bangkok, while not a world-class city (despite what the Thais think) is becoming world-class in terms of costs, especially if you want to live anywhere central. If you're looking around Sukhumvit, you're going to pay a top premium. A true 1 bedroom with a kitchen about 60 sq. m. (not one of these boutique, 35 sq. m. closets) near Cowboy, for example is going to cost probably 30,000++ baht. Actually, you'd be lucky to find something that cheap around Soi Cowboy. Asoke and Soi 23 have become prime locations with many new high-end condos. Soi Cowboy is now an anomoly in the area and will die eventually because of the value of the real estate.

Everything in BKK is expensive. FYI, inflation in February was 4.7%. Costs are skyrocketing here.

NicFrenchy
04-07-08, 09:03
A true 1 bedroom with a kitchen about 60 sq. m. (not one of these boutique, 35 sq. m. closets) near Cowboy, for example is going to cost probably 30,000++ baht.

Totally agree. I live not far from there and my 2 bedroom costs me 50,000++ (company pays so I don't really care). Any Area close to the BTS, MRT or entertainment venues will not be cheap.

Daddy07
04-19-08, 06:16
As a tolerant good natured fellow, I don’t mind now and then being squirted in the face with a bit of water as Thailand celebrates the annual Songkran New Year festival. And, of course, I submitted with relaxed amusement when a little Thai girl cornered me on the street to splooge my face with white plaster. It was fun.

But when good fun is taken to the extreme, it is no longer fun. That thought came to mind after I was suddenly and without warning drenched from head to toe with a 5 gallon bucket of ice water as I rode my motorbike through a gauntlet of sadistic revelers on my way home from the beach. These morons line up day and night along both sides of the street with 55 gallon plastic barrels filled with ice water which they throw from pails indiscriminately over and upon all passersby who come within their range. Some are even armed with garden hoses capable of shooting huge amounts of water toward their hapless victims. No one is spared. There is no escape.

If this mindless mayhem lasted for only one or two days it would constitute a minor nuisance IMO, but it’s been going on here in Pattaya for a week and I’ve had enough. It’s starting to seriously interfere with my normal mongering activities. I don’t want to go out if it means getting wet.

Going to Walking Street last night for a few drinks was a big mistake. It was brutal. I tried my best to avoid trouble but came home after only an hour looking like a drowned rat. Today before noon as I sit home writing this report, I can hear outside a steady drumbeat of loud music coming from the nearby main street, telling me plainly that the circus has not yet ended. They are waiting for me out there. I’m staying home tonight. Oh, well … I live in Thailand now and must learn to take the good along with the bad.

Regards,
Daddy

LittleBigMan
04-19-08, 08:37
Daddy07,

sorry about the water and paste. Being my first Songkon I was a good trooper and did my part with the family way out in Nongprue with my 50 gallons buckets of water, water hose connected right outside a ice factory buying blocks of ice trying to out do everyone!

But today I'm keeping a low key! I know it's crazy inside Pattaya today but I'm being a good family man for how long I'm not sure?

LBM

Old Thai Hand
04-19-08, 08:40
As a tolerant good natured fellow, I don’t mind now and then being squirted in the face with a bit of water as Thailand celebrates the annual Songkran New Year festival. And, of course, I submitted with relaxed amusement when a little Thai girl cornered me on the street to splooge my face with white plaster. It was fun.

But when good fun is taken to the extreme, it is no longer fun. That thought came to mind after I was suddenly and without warning drenched from head to toe with a 5 gallon bucket of ice water as I rode my motorbike through a gauntlet of sadistic revelers on my way home from the beach. These morons line up day and night along both sides of the street with 55 gallon plastic barrels filled with ice water which they throw from pails indiscriminately over and upon all passersby who come within their range. Some are even armed with garden hoses capable of shooting huge amounts of water toward their hapless victims. No one is spared. There is no escape.

If this mindless mayhem lasted for only one or two days it would constitute a minor nuisance IMO, but it’s been going on here in Pattaya for a week and I’ve had enough. It’s starting to seriously interfere with my normal mongering activities. I don’t want to go out if it means getting wet.

Going to Walking Street last night for a few drinks was a big mistake. It was brutal. I tried my best to avoid trouble but came home after only an hour looking like a drowned rat. Today before noon as I sit home writing this report, I can hear outside a steady drumbeat of loud music coming from the nearby main street, telling me plainly that the circus has not yet ended. They are waiting for me out there. I’m staying home tonight. Oh, well … I live in Thailand now and must learn to take the good along with the bad.

Regards,
Daddy

It's a stupid holiday and reaches an extreme level of idiocy in Pattaya. The Farang there are the worse - complete fucking morons. In BKK, it was 3 days. If you wanted to participate, you went to designated places. A few kids in my neighbourhood were playing. But, I simply said "mai aow" and they left me alone. I remained dry for 3 days.

You'll probably know enough now to leave town next year.

NicFrenchy
04-20-08, 06:40
It's a stupid holiday and reaches an extreme level of idiocy in Pattaya. The Farang there are the worse - complete fucking morons.

Well, you can find the same kind of people at Khao San Road


A few kids in my neighbourhood were playing. But, I simply said "mai aow" and they left me alone. I remained dry for 3 days.


Same here, you say "No" waiving your finger to ensure they understand and you'll have no problems. I also remained dry for the whole period but made sure I only travelled by Taxi.

Opebo
04-20-08, 20:36
The best way of dealing with Songkran is to leave the country, but be careful as many adjoining countries have the same awful holiday. I return to the US for my annual visit - April is reasonably nice at home and one avoids the worst month in Thailand.

Also regarding the high cost of living in Bangkok - of course this is not too troubling to those of us who avoid the awful sweltering capital, but Pattaya too has become more expensive recently. Still a huge bargain and a much more pleasant place than Bangkok, but a bit more than it was years ago. Last I lived in Pattaya I payed 5,000/month - can anyone comment if this is still possible?

Dinghy
04-21-08, 14:29
still can pay 5000++ (util and water) - not close though - out by 3rd road or even across Suk

(as of OCT, though. There were a few non-furnished apts avail off 2nd for 3000 but little more than a room)

Run Mann
05-09-08, 15:05
Put this story is in the category of things you should not do in Thailand or any where else for that matter. Why would anyone be walking around with this much cash?
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_06_05_51_2.html

Washburn
05-09-08, 20:12
Put this story is in the category of things you should not do in Thailand or any where else for that matter. Why would anyone be walking around with this much cash?

http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_06_05_51_2.htmlThey weren't walking around with that much cash. They just made up the story to explain funds they lost some other way - perhaps gambling - to a third party. Think about it: what are the natural odds of this happening? One in ten thousand having the theft occur, and one in ten thousand of having that much cash on hand when it did = 10,000,000 to 1 against.

Old Thai Hand
05-10-08, 07:20
They weren't walking around with that much cash. They just made up the story to explain funds they lost some other way - perhaps gambling - to a third party. Think about it: what are the natural odds of this happening? One in ten thousand having the theft occur, and one in ten thousand of having that much cash on hand when it did = 10,000,000 to 1 against.

While you could be right about the amount, drive-by snatch and grab thefts in Pattaya are an all-too-frequent occurence. You only have to read the Pattaya news to know that. Of my 11 years in Thailand, the only time I have ever been assaulted was in Pattaya in a similar robbery attempt. I managed to hang on to my backpack. But, I know others who have not been so fortunate.

Terry Terrier
05-10-08, 08:57
I was robbed of my 'phone in Bangkok (got it back later, luckily), and have also had to fend off katoeys many times trying to get at my wallet. All these incidents happened in the Sukhumvit ghetto region.

Never been robbed in Patts, but was approached by plenty of dodgy characters when walking on the beach side of Beach Road on my first visit there, so I stopped walking on that side of the road. The area where the Koreans were robbed is called 'The Darkside' for two reasons: (1) There isn't much street lighting; (2) Most of Pattaya's dodgy geezers, both Thai and farang, live there.

Incidentally, theft is also becoming a problem in Hua Hin, though it's mostly burglaries targeted at houses and condos.

I've always advised on here and in real life to hide money and only carry valuables when absolutely necessary. Those secret wallets sold in airports and luggage shops are worth their weight in gold. People need to remember that though they are on holiday and want to relax and not think too much, the local scum are not on holiday and are always on alert for people who look like easy pickings.

Old Thai Hand
05-10-08, 11:39
the local scum are not on holiday and are always on alert for people who look like easy pickings.

Hey! Who are you calling local scum? :D


Actually, I've been 'man'-handled by katoey several times in the past, as well. But, I usually just gave them a good shove or more and they backed off. They tend to hang around in the shadows under the foot bridges along Suk.

Dead Star
05-10-08, 15:42
TT, where are the 'ghetto areas' of Sukh?

Any other dodgy areas of Bangkok where I should be on guard/steer clear of at night?

NicFrenchy
05-11-08, 01:07
TT, where are the 'ghetto areas' of Sukh?

Any other dodgy areas of Bangkok where I should be on guard/steer clear of at night?

Don't worry, I walk along sukh at night quite often and I have yet to see anyone (Katoey or not) bother me. Yes, a few Katoeys hang around under the BTS Stairs by Soi 19 but let's face it, unless you are a drunkard or look like a dumb first timer, they won't attempt anything.
My guess is that your home country is much more dangerous than Lower Sukhumvit.

Old Thai Hand
05-11-08, 02:52
TT, where are the 'ghetto areas' of Sukh?

Any other dodgy areas of Bangkok where I should be on guard/steer clear of at night?

By 'ghetto areas' he doesn't mean dangerous. It might have been more accurate to say 'Farang enclave' rather than ghetto, unless, TT was referring as well to the Farang (and Thai) scum that hang around the area. But, I doubt he meant that.

M P Lurker
05-11-08, 04:20
They weren't walking around with that much cash. They just made up the story to explain funds they lost some other way - perhaps gambling - to a third party. Think about it: what are the natural odds of this happening? One in ten thousand having the theft occur, and one in ten thousand of having that much cash on hand when it did = 10,000,000 to 1 against.
Incredible as it may seem, I have known people to carry large amounts of cash into Thailand, because they were too stingy to pay small commission on Travellers Cheques or addtional fees to draw money from their OS bank account.

I have never been robbed in Thailand, nor has anyone tried to my knowledge, but I never carry more than 20K Baht, just in case. I prefer to keep money in Thai Bank Account. Its not hard to open account with Bangkok Bank Limited and then draw money from ATM when needed.
I transfer larger somes from OS Account to Thai Account.

Thailand is not dangerous if you don't go looking for trouble.
Its easy to avoid the Katoeys on Suk Road too.

Dead Star
05-11-08, 07:33
Ok cheers guys, I've only been here a week and can't say I've ever felt unsafe while walking around at day/night.

I do the same as you mick, I take out 19,900 from the cashpoint, stick most of it in the safe and just take a little bit more than I need whenever I go out. I hardly ever take my bank cards from the safe either. I'm not even a precautious kind of guy!

Retired Army
05-11-08, 07:49
By 'ghetto areas' he doesn't mean dangerous. It might have been more accurate to say 'Farang enclave' rather than ghetto, unless, TT was referring as well to the Farang (and Thai) scum that hang around the area. But, I doubt he meant that.

I thought he was refering to the area from Soi Zero out to about On Nut.

Terry Terrier
05-11-08, 10:22
My guess is that your home country is much more dangerous than Lower Sukhumvit.

Nic, I was going to mention in my original post that the central areas of places such as London, Brussels, Amsterdam, etc, etc, are nowhere near as safe as pretty much anywhere in Thailand, but thought it'd be off-topic. Though I suppose it puts such problems in LOS into perspective.


I thought he was refering to the area from Soi Zero out to about On Nut.

How about: "Starts at Soi Zero and ends at Ban Chang, with a few quiet spots in-between." :D

Daddy07
05-11-08, 10:32
... I have never been robbed in Thailand, nor has anyone tried to my knowledge, ...


You are fortrunate. I come from a place where people can leave their doors unlocked and go on vacation without a second thought. OTH once warned me ominously that the criminals in Pattaya would get me eventually. His remarks have turned out prophetic.

I left my iron barred outer gate locked one night but my sliding glass door open to allow air circulation through a screen which could not be locked. At 3am, a burglar scaled the fence, entered the house and made off with my wallet containing 2000 baht, while my little dog barked wildly at him. I found the wallet later that morning where the thief left it sitting on the gate. The money was gone but the thoughtful crook left me my credit cards and Bangkok Bank ATM card. I appreciated that.

Once, I left my motorbike in front of the house for a few minutes with my helmet perched on the rearview mirror. When I returned, the helmet (worth about 300b) was gone.

A zippered pants pocket was picked of a 100 baht note while I was riding a baht bus home from Walking Street one night. I was sitting at the rear as the thief rode standing behind me. Didn’t feel a thing.

One of my pretty young Thai Love Links friends from Bangkok stole my laptop computer after I left her alone in my house for just a few minutes to go to the food market. Luckily, I was able to contact and persuade her to bring it back to me after a week of urgent messages back and forth. Some Thai wrongdoers are actually very nice people.

So, be very careful whom you trust in the Land of Smiles. Keep the lights on and the doors locked. Try to remove any temptation to thieves. Give them an opportunity and they will take it in a heartbeat. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. We ain’t in Kansas any more.

Regards,
Daddy

M P Lurker
05-11-08, 12:24
You are fortrunate. I come from a place where people can leave their doors unlocked and go on vacation without a second thought. OTH once warned me ominously that the criminals in Pattaya would get me eventually. His remarks have turned out prophetic.

Thanks for the warnings. I come from a place where we are used to locking up. When I had an Apartment in BKK, I had a guard outside ( avery good guy) and lived on a higher floor.

I am fortunate that Hotel staff seem to be good and I have never even had problems with a thieving P4P girl.
Most of them are a reasonable class seem O.K.
I guess I don't leave them in the room unsupervised.

Retired Army
05-11-08, 13:46
How about: "Starts at Soi Zero and ends at Ban Chang, with a few quiet spots in-between." :D

Lets take this to the next logical step: there should be a little spot half-way between Soi 0 and Pattaya that's safe. Therefore, starting from that point the closer you get to Soi 0 or Beach Road the more crime increases. Works for me.

NicFrenchy
05-12-08, 03:44
So, be very careful whom you trust in the Land of Smiles. Keep the lights on and the doors locked. Try to remove any temptation to thieves. Give them an opportunity and they will take it in a heartbeat. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. We ain’t in Kansas any more.


That has nothing particular to Thailand, it's just common sense.

Terry Terrier
05-14-08, 23:47
Actually, I've been 'man'-handled by katoey several times in the past

How about "katoey-handled" or "indeterminate-sex-handled"? :D

Pointy Stick
05-17-08, 22:25
Does anyone know the deal of getting prescription drugs such as adderall or xanax in bangkok. Do you need to go to a doctor for a prescription or can they be purchased over the counter.

Terry Terrier
05-17-08, 23:54
Does anyone know the deal of getting prescription drugs such as adderall or xanax in bangkok. Do you need to go to a doctor for a prescription or can they be purchased over the counter.

Many drugs are available over-the-counter in Thai pharmacies. But even if the drugs you want are not available in this way, the medical professions are 100% business-orientated in Thailand. Tell the pharmacist a sob-story. If he doesn't go for it, try the next shop. If you are getting no joy, go to a private doctor's practice with a sob-story. Unless you are asking for meth-amphetamine/cocaine/suchlike I would be astonished if he didn't accomodate you.

1Ball
05-18-08, 00:36
Does anyone know the deal of getting prescription drugs such as adderall or xanax in bangkok. Do you need to go to a doctor for a prescription or can they be purchased over the counter.
Pointy, Xanax used to be widely available a few years ago, but it has become increasingly difficult to come by.
I have found a pharmacy however, where the guy is willing to help out. (Not so much his wife.)
I believe it is on soi 23, (1 block up from Asoke), 10m from the intersection with Soi Cowboy. If you go in, and ask for Xanax, he will ask for the money upfront, and tell you to come back the next day. I have done this several times, of course, the first time, I worried I would never see my money again, or the pills, but he came through for me, and has again several times.

Make sure you tell him you want the non generic ones; they are worthless.

Pointy Stick
05-18-08, 09:57
Cheers everyone for your information on pharma leads.

One more thing do these drugs like adderall et al usually go by their western names in thailand and are not marketed under another name?

May try cialis and v for a thrill since I've never had the need. I am correct in suspecting that the pharmacy down the road from the NEP which is open till the early hours of the morning will supply the legitimate thing without a prescription.

1Ball
05-18-08, 14:43
Pointy, xanax goes by that name. the other one you mention, I don't know.

Make sure you ask for the 1.0mg, rather than the 0.5mg, as they are the same price.

They used to be cheap, but since they went "underground" a few years ago, a blister pack of 10 now goes for about 350 bt.

I have no use for "V", as I use 2 tongue depressors and Duct tape if feeling a bit weak ;), however I hear the pharmacy on 33, 20m up from 7-11, sells the generic for 350 Bt. You need to remind her that is what you always pay, or she will try to get 500 Bt for a pack of 4.

Allegedly, of course......

Or you could get them even cheaper by doing what Tansak does. He buys 12 dozen boxes at a time, and gets a dozen free. ;)

Terry Terrier
05-18-08, 23:12
Out of curiosity, I googled Xanax and Adderall. Xanax is a bog-standard anti-anxiety medication. Adderall is a prescription full-blown amphetamine. You won't get Adderall in Thailand as a casual visitor, and this is not the place to discuss it.

Forcejam
05-18-08, 23:50
Hello mate,

Does anyone know where can find good tailors in bkk particularly sukhumvit?
How much does it cost to make a full suit of pretty good material?

Thanks.

1Ball
05-19-08, 02:52
Aren't you being a bit harsh, Terry? I use Xanax as a sleep aid, I can't imagine using it and functionning while awake. It is great on a long flight, or for a couple of days while trying to recover from jet lag.

If people can ask where to buy a suit, threy should be able to ask where to buy some meds.

Of course, the "general reports" might be a better thread for these questions.

Anyway, I have given Pointy some info, I will take it to PM with him, if he needs more info.

Member #3428
05-19-08, 03:26
Or you could get them even cheaper by doing what Tansak does. He buys 12 dozen boxes at a time, and gets a dozen free. ;)

12 dozen??? Shoot... I get them wholesale out of India, 30,000 pills at a time and sell them to you folks so you can keep up with young guys like me ;)

Duniawala
05-19-08, 08:54
Aren't you being a bit harsh, Terry? I use Xanax as a sleep aid, I can't imagine using it and functionning while awake.
Sleep aid? who the f**k uses it as a sleep aid. Try keeping awake and you will get a great high on it. You might be able to find your other missing ball, while at it. :D :D

Piper1
05-19-08, 09:47
Aren't you being a bit harsh, Terry? I use Xanax as a sleep aid, I can't imagine using it and functionning while awake. It is great on a long flight, or for a couple of days while trying to recover from jet lag. I can vouch for 1Ball's use of Xanax as a sleeping aid. The bestard once gave me one of his purple pills to try, as he felt sorry for my insomniac lifestyle. I kept it in my wallet for future use. One night I was with a hot girl, but already shagged out and sleep-deprived from partying, so I reached for a monger's little helper (the little blue pill, Vitamin V). Being color-blind, I took the xanax by mistake, and fell asleep during sex!

Retired Army
05-19-08, 14:19
Hello mate,

Does anyone know where can find good tailors in bkk particularly sukhumvit?
How much does it cost to make a full suit of pretty good material?

Thanks.

I recommend Raja's Tailors on Suk 4 across from the Nana Hotel. He's not the cheapest, but gives excellent service.

Here's the scoop on tailors in BKK: they all use the same sweat shops for the basic tailoring. Then each tailor shop will have their own finish tailors to do the final fittings. So it all comes down to this: fabric selection and service. Raja's has some excellent fabrics, but they ain't cheap. Figure a minimun of $250 (U.S.) for something decent. Add an extra pair of pants and some shirts and you are looking at $350.

Dickhead
05-19-08, 15:01
I can vouch for 1Ball's use of Xanax as a sleeping aid. The bestard once gave me one of his purple pills to try, as he felt sorry for my insomniac lifestyle. I kept it in my wallet for future use. One night I was with a hot girl, but already shagged out and sleep-deprived from partying, so I reached for a monger's little helper (the little blue pill, Vitamin V). Being color-blind, I took the xanax by mistake, and fell asleep during sex!

Shit, where I live they sell a 2 mg (big dose) of generic Xanax and it is blue and scored in the middle. Looks just like Viagra. Had a guy here tell me Viagra just put him to sleep and sure enough it was Xanax. The pharmacy guy made a mistake. Xanax is a good sleep aid and lasts a lot longer than Ambien but it does give you a dopeover. On planes I take small amounts of both; the Ambien knocks you out real fast and the Xanax keeps you asleep much longer. I can't imagine taking Xanax recreationally but whatever floats your boat.

1Ball
05-19-08, 17:18
Shit, where I live they sell a 2 mg (big dose) of generic Xanax and it is blue and scored in the middle. Looks just like Viagra. Had a guy here tell me Viagra just put him to sleep and sure enough it was Xanax. The pharmacy guy made a mistake. Xanax is a good sleep aid and lasts a lot longer than Ambien but it does give you a dopeover. On planes I take small amounts of both; the Ambien knocks you out real fast and the Xanax keeps you asleep much longer. I can't imagine taking Xanax recreationally but whatever floats your boat.
could not agree more Dickhead. Though you might want try to Ambien CR. Take 1/2, and 1/2 Xanax as you board your flight, a couple of glasses of bubbly, put the seat in flat mode, and you should be good to go for 10 hours.

Xanax recreationally? What a nightmare that would be.

Member #3428
05-19-08, 17:31
could not agree more Dickhead. Though you might want try to Ambien CR. Take 1/2, and 1/2 Xanax as you board your flight, a couple of glasses of bubbly, put the seat in flat mode, and you should be good to go for 10 hours.

Xanax recreationally? What a nightmare that would be.

Personally.... I like valium and Xanax. Ambien is OK but if I need a little kick... I do valium... if I need a big knock out then Xanax. And I do full pills, non of this half and half stuff.

I would STRONGLY suggest you try the med's out at home before you fly, and I would suggest you tell the FA's or your seat mate that you will be popping pills. I've witnessed about four times people having a problem because the FA's thought they were drunk when they were saying they only took sleeping pills. They were acting funny of course. So mixing bubbly and and pills might not be needed in your case. As far as trying them out at home... you don't know how bad Xanax or Ambien will affect you, how it will affect how you react to it when you wake up, how easy it is to wake up once you take them etc.... So experiment at home first before you pop them on the plane for the first time. I've seen some folks not able to wake up and deplane. (I travel a lot :( )

Member #3428
05-19-08, 17:40
I recommend Raja's Tailors on Suk 4 across from the Nana Hotel. He's not the cheapest, but gives excellent service.

Here's the scoop on tailors in BKK: they all use the same sweat shops for the basic tailoring. Then each tailor shop will have their own finish tailors to do the final fittings. So it all comes down to this: fabric selection and service. Raja's has some excellent fabrics, but they ain't cheap. Figure a minimun of $250 (U.S.) for something decent. Add an extra pair of pants and some shirts and you are looking at $350.

Agree with you, I personally like Hermann's tailors on corner of soi 3. There are many many good tailors in BKK. It's where you get your selection of fabric and how they take care of you. Kind of like a MP or bar or such... we all have our favorite hang out's......

1Ball
05-19-08, 17:58
Of course now Tansak, you can take your suits back in, and have them turn 1 into 2.
Hat is foo to you, my friend.

If there were a bridge from where you live, all the way to BKK, you could just hop on your bike................

Member #3428
05-19-08, 18:10
Of course now Tansak, you can take your suits back in, and have them turn 1 into 2.

Yes Hermann's does free alterations and yes I have had them alter the suits and shirts and such. Thanks for reminding me, I need to take them all back for a second alteration. They also can ship overseas to you if you want. I keep telling folks that thailand and the thai girls are best weight loss management system out there.....

You want to lose weight... go shag a bunch of times in the day...

Dickhead
05-19-08, 20:41
Unfortunately, 1Ball, Ambien CR is not available in the country where I live. I sure wish that it were. And agree with Tansak: experiment at home. That is how I found out that 1 mg of Xanax is way too much for me. But I am pretty sensitive to prescription meds, indeed to any kind of pills. Fine by me, saves me money.

Regular Ambien only keeps me asleep for 5 hours and once I wake up I cannot go back to sleep. With Xanax I can go back to sleep as long as I don't get up and walk around.

"Put your seat in flat mode." Ha ha ha ha ha. Now that's funny. I'm in back with the chickens. My employer ain't paying my way.

Member #3428
05-19-08, 20:58
May try cialis and v for a thrill since I've never had the need. I am correct in suspecting that the pharmacy down the road from the NEP which is open till the early hours of the morning will supply the legitimate thing without a prescription.

Yes... past the gas station on the corner of soi 4 and after kings tailor and before jw are two pharmacies that my older brother 1ball tells me that they sell very good cialis (original and generic) and vitamin V....

I understand the second pharmacy... the one closer to JW is a little better then the first one. But you can get V and C all over BKK even in the bars and many hotel staff will have it on hand... (I know four bars on cowboy that will sell to the girls to sell to the customer vitamin V if the customer wants it) however I would not advise you to get it from the bars or hotel staff. I have found (heard) that many girls are keeping a Vitamin V in their purse if the customer wants to buy it.

I guess I am looking too old as I was getting asked if I want to purchase it before I even left the bar with the girls :( on the last swing through....

Pointy Stick
05-20-08, 08:25
I recommend Raja's Tailors on Suk 4 across from the Nana Hotel. He's not the cheapest, but gives excellent service.

Here's the scoop on tailors in BKK: they all use the same sweat shops for the basic tailoring. Then each tailor shop will have their own finish tailors to do the final fittings. So it all comes down to this: fabric selection and service. Raja's has some excellent fabrics, but they ain't cheap. Figure a minimun of $250 (U.S.) for something decent. Add an extra pair of pants and some shirts and you are looking at $350.

What about the fit of the shirts and attention to detail at raja. If I wanted a more fitted design for slimmer build would they be able to make something like that or not because they use this basic tailoring. There must be a specialist shirt maker somewhere in BKK?

And terry I respectfully remind you that we are after all on a mongering board which is no place to start moralising.

Member #3428
05-20-08, 09:49
What about the fit of the shirts and attention to detail at raja. If I wanted a more fitted design for slimmer build would they be able to make something like that or not because they use this basic tailoring. There must be a specialist shirt maker somewhere in BKK?

And terry I respectfully remind you that we are after all on a mongering board which is no place to start moralising.

Every tailor uses the about the same sweat shop but they have individual tailors that do the fittings and such. You will get a very nice fit and cut, it's not a rubber stamp outfit, it is a custom tailored suit at almost every good shop.

Terry Terrier
05-20-08, 11:13
And terry I respectfully remind you that we are after all on a mongering board which is no place to start moralising.

Pointy, no moralising on my part. Feel free to discuss where to illegally obtain a class A amphetemine on an open forum that is monitored by the authorities in a country that has draconian sentences for the illegal possession of such a drug. I could also start on about the scams on foreigners that plenty of Thais (including police) are up for regarding drug deals. But I think it's better to have these types of discussions in private. I wouldn't want to feel in any way responsible for a fellow punter being scammed in a set-up out of his life savings, or spending the rest of his life taking it up the arse in the Bangkok Hilton.

Retired Army
05-20-08, 15:38
What about the fit of the shirts and attention to detail at raja. If I wanted a more fitted design for slimmer build would they be able to make something like that or not because they use this basic tailoring. There must be a specialist shirt maker somewhere in BKK?



They are going to take your measurements, sent them to the sweat shop for the initial product. You will go back to the tailors for an additional or two fittings (more if necessary).

I have only gone to Raja's so can't comment on anyother tailor shop in BKK. I know that the items I got from Raja's were top quality. I took them a Brook's Brothers blazer and they copied it exactly. And the Raja's blazer has held up better than the original. I also had them make me a bunch of dress work pants for everyday wear and I have no complaints. They have held up very well also. And if they don't Bobby stands behind his work and will make it right.

Raja's also made a bunch of work shirts and they are fine. But, I think they do a better job on suits. Another board member recommended Hong Kong for shirts and I would probably agree with him.

Retired Army
05-20-08, 15:42
Don't go to tailors that offer quick service. You need at least two fittings for a proper fit and most of the places that specialize in one day service count on you not coming back to complain if the suit falls apart the first time you wear it back home. Also don't fall for the Suit, two pants, two shirt,s ties, etc., package deals for $99. You get what you pay for.

Dinghy
05-21-08, 05:53
I took some blazers to "George Fashion" in Pattaya near White Rose Hotel and he did a pretty good job on the copies. that was 2 years ago though

the suits I had him make were really good. now if I can just shrink enough to fit back into them...

Pointy Stick
05-22-08, 10:44
Don't go to tailors that offer quick service. You need at least two fittings for a proper fit and most of the places that specialize in one day service count on you not coming back to complain if the suit falls apart the first time you wear it back home. Also don't fall for the Suit, two pants, two shirt,s ties, etc., package deals for $99. You get what you pay for.

There is a place in siam square that was mentioned in lonely planet but I've forgotten the name of. I paid a went there to have a look and they said a suit would take at least two weeks with minimum of of two fittings so I assume this would fit your critieria.

Since I have more time this trip I may take them up on it or Raja's since it comes highly rccommended.

Retired Army
05-22-08, 12:52
There is a place in siam square that was mentioned in lonely planet but I've forgotten the name of. I paid a went there to have a look and they said a suit would take at least two weeks with minimum of of two fittings so I assume this would fit your critieria.

Since I have more time this trip I may take them up on it or Raja's since it comes highly rccommended.


I am sure that there are many fine tailors in BKK and the one in Siam Square might be one of them.

There is also a very nice looking upscale tailor shop right off the Chit Lome BTS Station across from Central Department store. I don't remember the name of the shop, but it's on the second floor directly across from a pharmacy and above a Starbucks. There is a walkway from the BTS station into the front of the building and their shop. One thing I like about this shop is that I don't think it's run by the Indian tailor mafia and they might do all their own work. Probably more expensive. I have never used this shop, but I liked the way it looked. Perhaps one of the other members can supply the name of the building. It's on Phlonchit before it turns into Rama 1, right next to the Hayatt Erawan and there is, or was, a Radio Shack store in the front of the building.

NicFrenchy
05-23-08, 01:30
Guys,

It's very simple, most Tailors on Sukhumvit cater to the Cheap Tourist clientele and therefore only do Single Ply shirts.
You want to know if a tailor is worth his weight? ask for double ply shirts.

There is a shop, I think between sukhumvit soi 16 and 18 called SAVILE ROW, they do double ply shirts and always very fitted.
Most tailors will charge you 800 for the shirts (basic fabrics), but at Savile Row it is 1,800 with amazing fabrics (they have a buy 6 get 2 free which comes to 1300 for the shirts after the discount).

The lining inside the suits they make is also a one of a kind in BKK.

I had 3 suits and 8 shirts made there recently and they are much better than my previous suits and shirts from Ambassador Tailor on soi 19

Retired Army
05-23-08, 19:15
Guys,
I had 3 suits and 8 shirts made there recently and they are much better than my previous suits and shirts from Ambassador Tailor on soi 19

That's why... Ambassador Tailors caters to 3 Star hotel clientel who are looking to save money by buying a suit in Thailand and probably won't be coming back. A friend who lives next door to the Ambassador had some clothes made there and they fell apart in no time. If you want top of the line tailoring go to some of the shops in and around the Oriental Hotel, especially, the ones in the mall next door on the river. You are going to pay dearly, but the quality should be excellent. And everything is made by their own in-house tailors. No Indian mafia to deal with or illegal aliens working under deplorable conditions in back alley sweat shops.

Just for the record, most of the people who work for Western governments and Embassies in BKK go to Raja's Tailors on Suk Soi 4.

Cunning Stunt
05-23-08, 19:30
Used to be an excellent tailor in Panthip Plaza. Max something. Wonder if he is still there? Run me up half a dozen suits years ago and they are still as good as new. Anybody know if he's still there?

Member #3428
05-23-08, 19:42
Used to be an excellent tailor in Panthip Plaza. Max something. Wonder if he is still there? Run me up half a dozen suits years ago and they are still as good as new. Anybody know if he's still there?

Tailor inside Pantip (panthip) ??? My memory is failing in my old age but I think you are talking about Max Tino's Tailor and I don't think they are around anymore. They were around probably 4 or 5 years ago. I'm usually inside Pantip often and I can't remember them still being around for the last year or two at least and don't recall hearing if they moved shops or what happened.

Retired Army
05-23-08, 20:02
Used to be an excellent tailor in Panthip Plaza. Max something. Wonder if he is still there? Run me up half a dozen suits years ago and they are still as good as new. Anybody know if he's still there?

There is a tailor shop on the third floor next to the food court.

Member #3428
05-23-08, 21:18
There is a tailor shop on the third floor next to the food court.

Still there, told you I'm getting old :) I'll just add blind to my list as well.

Blood Yamo
05-27-08, 12:22
Is Penegra and Kamagra still readily available in Thai Pharmacies?

I asked a friend to pick me up some while in LOS and he was unable to find any.

Has there be a change in the rules?

Thank you in advance for any info.

Blood Yamo
05-27-08, 12:40
Is Penegra and Kamagra still readily available in Thai Pharmacies?

I asked a friend to pick me up some while in LOS and he was unable to find any.

Has there be a change in the rules?

Thank you in advance for any info.

M P Lurker
05-28-08, 00:25
Is Penegra and Kamagra still readily available in Thai Pharmacies?

I asked a friend to pick me up some while in LOS and he was unable to find any.

Has there be a change in the rules?

Thank you in advance for any info.
Of course its available at the right places. There is no way of stopping the incredible demand although I haven't tried these.

I did try Apcalis though from 2nd Pharmacy on Sukhumwit road after the petrol station from Soi 4 heading towards Soi 2.

Daddy07
05-28-08, 02:35
Is Penegra and Kamagra still readily available in Thai Pharmacies? ...

Kamagra is sold at small hole at the wall pharmacies all over Pattaya in packs of 4 tablets for 300 baht. (You might have to bargain a little) That comes to 75b/tablet or about $2.25USD -- less than the price of a lady drink.

Best of all, it works every time.

Siam150
05-28-08, 04:04
There is a very interesting Moroccan Restaurant on Ekamai soi 12 called Al Majlis. It is in the original home of the owners and developers of MBK. It is an Italian villa that has been decorated in Moroccan style. The building itself is quite interesting, the food quite good and the ambiance perfect. Outside they have a large seating area under a tent with low mattress to sit on and very comfortable pillows for seating. This is a must visit stop if even for the house itself. Very unique for Bangkok and that is saying a lot.

The owners of the restaurant are very hospitable and it is one of trendy places for the younger upscale young Thais.

Daddy San
06-08-08, 18:36
Hi there,

I am seriously thinking of moving to LOS and retiring there.
Buy a small house at the seaside, get a TGF, medical insurance, a small car, a broadband internet connection, and live comfortably ever after or at least untill I drop dead.

I am currently living quite comfortably in Germany and I realize that my kind of income should be more than enough in LOS (depending on the extent of the mongering activities and maybe not in BKK).

The catch is my current spouse, who would not get along with my TGF, will therefore stay in Europe and get a large bite of my income.

Can you please point me to some websites and/or other sources to help me estimate the monthly cost of living in Thailand?

Thanks for your input

Retired Army
06-08-08, 19:47
Hi there,

I am seriously thinking of moving to LOS and retiring there.
Buy a small house at the seaside, get a TGF, medical insurance, a small car, a broadband internet connection, and live comfortably ever after or at least untill I drop dead.

I am currently living quite comfortably in Germany and I realize that my kind of income should be more than enough in LOS (depending on the extent of the mongering activities and maybe not in BKK).

The catch is my current spouse, who would not get along with my TGF, will therefore stay in Europe and get a large bite of my income.

Can you please point me to some websites and/or other sources to help me estimate the monthly cost of living in Thailand?

Thanks for your input

You can live quite comfortably in the rural areas of Thailand on 1,000 Euros a month. But realize that if you want to maintain the same lifestyle you have in Europe it's going to be more expensive. However, if you don't mind a Thai style house and local Thai food, no cable TV, internet, air conditioning or Western conveniences you can do quite well. Just don't put all your assets in your Thai GF's name as you will soon be broke.

And, what's wrong with your wife not liking your Thai GF? I can't possibly see a problem there.

Sanook D
06-09-08, 00:23
There is a very interesting Moroccan Restaurant on Ekamai soi 12 called Al Majlis.

Try it I shall, thank you very much for the recommendation. I often go to the joint attached to Bamboo Bar for Arab tucker, but while the food is OK the service is usually not much like service at all.

Sanook D
06-09-08, 00:51
You can live quite comfortably in the rural areas of Thailand on 1,000 Euros a month. . .if you don't mind a Thai style house and local Thai food, no cable TV, internet, air conditioning or Western conveniences you can do quite well. Just don't put all your assets in your Thai GF's name as you will soon be broke.

Good advice at the end of the quote, but you must be having us on when you suggest the guy will be living a life of privation a @50,000+ baht a month in rural Thailand. 50,000 a month covers my basic expenses (and not much more, granted) for my family in Bangkok (2BR, 1B, Sukh, pool, pretentious neighborhood), and while we do eat a lot of Thai food (one of the reasons I live here) we aren't making do without any of the conveniences you mention. The air conditioner(s) has been running constantly since late February, btw. Were we to move near the wife's family in Phitsanulok a monthly 50,000 baht budget would leave me plenty after expenses- enough to buy a nice gun with which to shoot myself, for example. Granted, the inquiry did mention the seaside, and while that amount wouldn't go far in Phuket or Samui (can't imagine wanting to live in Samui) one would probably do OK at that in Sri Raja/Pattaya/Jomtien or the Chantaburi region. Not trying to start a "you don't know Thailand" pissing contest, and things are getting expensive here, no question, but let's not exaggerate.

Old Thai Hand
06-09-08, 02:16
Good advice at the end of the quote, but you must be having us on when you suggest the guy will be living a life of privation a @50,000+ baht a month in rural Thailand. 50,000 a month covers my basic expenses (and not much more, granted) for my family in Bangkok (2BR, 1B, Sukh, pool, pretentious neighborhood), and while we do eat a lot of Thai food (one of the reasons I live here) we aren't making do without any of the conveniences you mention. The air conditioner(s) has been running constantly since late February, btw. Were we to move near the wife's family in Phitsanulok a monthly 50,000 baht budget would leave me plenty after expenses- enough to buy a nice gun with which to shoot myself, for example. Granted, the inquiry did mention the seaside, and while that amount wouldn't go far in Phuket or Samui (can't imagine wanting to live in Samui) one would probably do OK at that in Sri Raja/Pattaya/Jomtien or the Chantaburi region. Not trying to start a "you don't know Thailand" pissing contest, and things are getting expensive here, no question, but let's not exaggerate.

I live in BKK on about 65,000/mo, supporting 2 TG uni students (GF and Gik) and have all the mod cons. Both finish school this year, so my expenses should drop to about 45,000/mo.

If one wanted to live by the sea, one could also live in Hua Hin quite well on less than 50,000. House rentals are about 10,000/month there, food's the same or a little less than BKK, there's cable, ADSL Internet and you can get everywhere quite safely on a motorcycle.

Aslan
06-09-08, 06:05
I'm aware of the respect that Thai people have for the king and am wondering what will happen to Thailand after he dies. I have a friend that lives there and she's concerned with how expensive things are getting and says that there is more crime there than before. I have also noticed this myself over the years. Will there be a power struggle in Thailand after the death of the king and what will this do to Thailand as a developing country?

Opebo
06-09-08, 07:16
You can live quite comfortably in the rural areas of Thailand on 1,000 Euros a month. But realize that if you want to maintain the same lifestyle you have in Europe it's going to be more expensive. However, if you don't mind a Thai style house and local Thai food, no cable TV, internet, air conditioning or Western conveniences you can do quite well.

Actually for 1,000 Euros per month one can easily afford cable TV, internet, airconditioning, and a house or apartment with western toilets, tiled floors, and air-con (I'm not sure what is meant by a 'Thai style' house - you mean the wooden ones on stilts? Those are actually pretty rare nowadays.).

Of course this is assuming that you are not paying to support a woman like OTH and many others. I live upcountry and while I do visit prostitutes maybe once or twice a week, my girlfriend is not in my pocket in any way.

Old Thai Hand
06-09-08, 09:29
I'm aware of the respect that Thai people have for the king and am wondering what will happen to Thailand after he dies. I have a friend that lives there and she's concerned with how expensive things are getting and says that there is more crime there than before. I have also noticed this myself over the years. Will there be a power struggle in Thailand after the death of the king and what will this do to Thailand as a developing country?

Nobody knows. One can speculate on all kinds of scenarios. For one thing, with the exception of the King and perhaps, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Thais don't really care for the extended royals, especially the crown prince, who's almost universally hated. As a result, one possible scenario is similar to what happened in the 30s. Thailand could easily end up a republic and/or a dictatorship. With the current political uncertainty, all that one can say for sure is that anything could happen.

Thailand is already a much less desirable place to live than it used to be.

Mouse1
06-09-08, 10:52
Of course its available at the right places. There is no way of stopping the incredible demand although I haven't tried these.

I did try Apcalis though from 2nd Pharmacy on Sukhumwit road after the petrol station from Soi 4 heading towards Soi 2.Apcalis and Kamagra are available from both of the two pharmacies next door to each other between Soi 4 and Soi 2. I think the first was a little cheaper but I'm probably mis-remembering.

Fon Tok
06-09-08, 12:12
...Thailand is already a much less desirable place to live than it used to be.But isn't this statement true of most countries around the globe, as well?

Ralph Kramden
06-09-08, 13:38
OTH

Hua Hin sounds like a great tip for a location that one might want to rent a house and spend few months of relaxation during the winter. It is not so far from Bangkok that one could make a run to the north for a few days of a different lifestyle.

I am thinking ahead of my semi-retirement years and wondering if that would be your first choice of such a destination, or if any of the others have an opinion.

Here is the first listing on Google.

http://www.hua-hin.com/

Old Thai Hand
06-09-08, 16:21
OTH

Hua Hin sounds like a great tip for a location that one might want to rent a house and spend few months of relaxation during the winter. It is not so far from Bangkok that one could make a run to the north for a few days of a different lifestyle.

I am thinking ahead of my semi-retirement years and wondering if that would be your first choice of such a destination, or if any of the others have an opinion.

Here is the first listing on Google.

http://www.hua-hin.com/

I lived in Hua Hin for 4 years and it was the best 4 years of my time in Thailand. I actually rented 2 houses when I was there: both for 7,000/mo and both a stone's throw from the beach. While prices have gone up in the 5 years since I lived there, they haven't increased that much. I noticed when I was there last Christmas that my old house which is near the King's palace is all locked up. I know the owner was trying to sell it or rent it again. I'm not sure why it hasn't been taken, except that it's an older house, slightly off the beaten track, and so many expats in HH now are buying the myriad of new condos and houses being thrown up in "Farang villages" in the area.

I think Hua Hin's a place that has a lot to offer, particularly as it still has a small town feel to it, is not far from some out of the way beaches, where one can still experience the old Thailand, but still has all the modern conveniences.

It may not have the nightlife of Pattaya (a bonus IMO), but it certainly boasts a better class of people, is extremely safe, and generally a friendly place to live.

It's probably where I will retire when the time comes.

Retired Army
06-09-08, 18:11
I live in BKK on about 65,000/mo, supporting 2 TG uni students (GF and Gik) and have all the mod cons. Both finish school this year, so my expenses should drop to about 45,000/mo.

If one wanted to live by the sea, one could also live in Hua Hin quite well on less than 50,000. House rentals are about 10,000/month there, food's the same or a little less than BKK, there's cable, ADSL Internet and you can get everywhere quite safely on a motorcycle.

I had a hard time living on $5,000 a month in BKK. But of course, I chose the Western life style which included an apartment on Wireless Road, a Pegagus Club membership, several Mia-a-nois and eating at Bourbon Street several times a week. Some Westerners can do it for $500 a month. I wasn't one of them. I know guys living in Rice Bug, Thailand who are living on $200 a month. It's all relative and what level of comfort you need to be happy.

Cruxifer
06-09-08, 19:08
There is a place in siam square that was mentioned in lonely planet but I've forgotten the name of. I paid a went there to have a look and they said a suit would take at least two weeks with minimum of of two fittings so I assume this would fit your critieria.

Since I have more time this trip I may take them up on it or Raja's since it comes highly rccommended.Could it be the Marco Tailor at Siam Square? I had a suit made there back in 2004 - by far the best suit I have bought in Thailand - it is still my favourite suit and looks as new. Price was around 600 US$.

Dinghy
06-09-08, 19:10
apsalis was not available in Cambodia a couple of weeks ago - they said the factory had stopped producing

Dinghy
06-09-08, 19:13
OTH - les majeste anyone?

The crown prince is "not discussed" - just "tolerated" :)

Old Thai Hand
06-10-08, 03:42
OTH - les majeste anyone?

The crown prince is "not discussed" - just "tolerated" :)

Yes. I'm waiting for the knock on the door.:)

I've heard my boss, a very HiSo Thai (father, a well-known general) publicly describe the crown prince in a very loud voice as a "moron" and an "idiot". Nobody has ever reported her or done a thing about it. I suspect it's because everyone agrees with her.

Retired Army
06-10-08, 07:01
Yes. I'm waiting for the knock on the door.:)

I've heard my boss, a very HiSo Thai (father, a well-known general) publicly describe the crown prince in a very loud voice as a "moron" and an "idiot". Nobody has ever reported her or done a thing about it. I suspect it's because everyone agrees with her.

The common rumor is that the guy has communicable social desease. One that his model girl friend died from and he isn't long for this world either.

Opebo
06-10-08, 09:47
The common rumor is that the guy has communicable social desease. One that his model girl friend died from and he isn't long for this world either.

Probably wishful thinking. Said disease is now rather amenable to treatment, and said treatment is most certainly available to the extravagantly wealthy, royal or not.

Ralph Kramden
06-10-08, 13:49
OTH

Many thanks for the advice worth far more than any travel or real estate agent could or would give. Sounds like my kind of place. See you there in 10 or 15 years.

Retired Army
06-10-08, 16:23
OTH

Many thanks for the advice worth far more than any travel or real estate agent could or would give. Sounds like my kind of place. See you there in 10 or 15 years.

Be too expensive by then...

Sanook D
06-11-08, 05:05
but isn't this statement true of most countries around the globe, as well?

re oth's original statement, while in general i think entropy/law of diminishing returns is functioning pretty normally everywhere, i think the issue here in thailand is how far and quickly this place has fallen. one of the interesting points for me was that while the tourist places that i liked so much when first started coming here in the early '90's had steadily been going to the dogs, bangkok actually for a time there seemed to be getting better. now i think bangkok is close to reaching the point where the bang (in every sense) is not worth the buck, as it were. in fact, in many ways singapore has become a better place to live and work as a foreigner than bkk- the entertainment is much improved and possibly more varied, the food is great, and the prices are hardly much worse; in bangkok we are getting close to paying developed world prices for "developing" world services. at least in singapore if you pay 1000 baht a month for "high-speed" internet you actually get it, plus the sidewalks aren't full of holes, you don't have dodge dog-rep001, mangy-curs, katoeys (i hope i am not being redundant), and rats, and if things go wrong you can actually call the cops without worrying about a shakedown. bangkok is expensive now, but to me it is still the same rat-hole with some pricey shopping malls and overpriced, tasteless condos; it reminds me of nothing so much soi cowboy bar sl-t with a million or two borrowed or stolen baht in the bank, putting on airs. she looked for a while she might be changing her ways, but i guess i should have known better.

as to the tourist areas referred to above, i think that as a european, for example, one would have a be a bit silly to choose thailand for fun-in-the-sun when mexico/central america and even florida are so much nicer and the beaches overall so much better.

i do think thailand is headed for some very rough times ahead- what with the threat of strikes, maybe not too far ahead- and this economic house of cards thaksin helped build will collapse sooner than later. i have my doubts that the people will take a future crash as well as they took the last one, especially if there is a political crisis, or a heaven forfend, a political crisis combined with a succession crisis to go along with it (or that precedes the economic crash). i don't like to sound like henny penny, but one doesn't have to be nostradamus to foresee some likely scenarios under which things fall apart here very quickly. things probably will get cheaper again at some point, but i don't think thailand will ever regain its status as the sanook capital of the world.

Old Thai Hand
06-11-08, 06:35
re oth's original statement, while in general i think entropy/law of diminishing returns is functioning pretty normally everywhere, i think the issue here in thailand is how far and quickly this place has fallen. one of the interesting points for me was that while the tourist places that i liked so much when first started coming here in the early '90's had steadily been going to the dogs, bangkok actually for a time there seemed to be getting better. now i think bangkok is close to reaching the point where the bang (in every sense) is not worth the buck, as it were. in fact, in many ways singapore has become a better place to live and work as a foreigner than bkk- the entertainment is much improved and possibly more varied, the food is great, and the prices are hardly much worse; in bangkok we are getting close to paying developed world prices for "developing" world services. at least in singapore if you pay 1000 baht a month for "high-speed" internet you actually get it, plus the sidewalks aren't full of holes, you don't have dodge dog-rep001, mangy-curs, katoeys (i hope i am not being redundant), and rats, and if things go wrong you can actually call the cops without worrying about a shakedown. bangkok is expensive now, but to me it is still the same rat-hole with some pricey shopping malls and overpriced, tasteless condos; it reminds me of nothing so much soi cowboy bar sl-t with a million or two borrowed or stolen baht in the bank, putting on airs. she looked for a while she might be changing her ways, but i guess i should have known better.

as to the tourist areas referred to above, i think that as a european, for example, one would have a be a bit silly to choose thailand for fun-in-the-sun when mexico/central america and even florida are so much nicer and the beaches overall so much better.

i do think thailand is headed for some very rough times ahead- what with the threat of strikes, maybe not too far ahead- and this economic house of cards thaksin helped build will collapse sooner than later. i have my doubts that the people will take a future crash as well as they took the last one, especially if there is a political crisis, or a heaven forfend, a political crisis combined with a succession crisis to go along with it (or that precedes the economic crash). i don't like to sound like henny penny, but one doesn't have to be nostradamus to foresee some likely scenarios under which things fall apart here very quickly. things probably will get cheaper again at some point, but i don't think thailand will ever regain its status as the sanook capital of the world.

absolutely bang on. i'm seriously looking to get out of here, if i can manage it, before it all completely goes to shit.

1Ball
06-11-08, 06:59
Sanook D, I feel you are, unfortunatley oh so correct. I first came to Thailand, (I think calling it LOS is incorrect, people really do NOT smile there) in the early 80s, probably 1983 or so. Went to Samui, in those days, no airport, it was the overnight train to Surat Thani, then a 90 minute boat ride to the dock at Koh Samui. A tuk tuk dropped us off at Chaweng, where we found a nice place right next to a hotel called the white house. (I believe it is still there, and is now a timeshare? ) Anyway, our place was a grass hut, mattress on the floor, and magic mushroom omelettes for breakfast. I seem to recall we paid 100 Bt per night.

Bangkok was fun then. Patpong didn't have a night market, it was just bars, go-go and then more bars. The girls were super friendly, and loved the idea of LT. It has gone downhill steadily since my first visit. Prices are ridiculous, considering all the points you bring up, (potholes, corrupt cops, dog shit). It is in fact still a third world country with some lipstick on it.

Shame really, I used to really enjoy spending time in Thailand. I used to go there 6 or 7 times a year. I have reduced it to a couple of 2 night trips a year now.

NicFrenchy
06-13-08, 04:09
Bangkok taxi fares to rise

The Thai government has approved a 12-14% rise in fares for Bangkok's metered taxis, the Bangkok Post has reported. The move is unlikely to impress customers or taxi operators, who were demanding a 20% hike.

The starting rate will remain at Bt35 (US$1.06), but will now include only
the first kilometre of travel instead of the first two.

No implementation date has been announced.

Retired Army
06-13-08, 06:17
Bangkok taxi fares to rise

The Thai government has approved a 12-14% rise in fares for Bangkok's metered taxis, the Bangkok Post has reported. The move is unlikely to impress customers or taxi operators, who were demanding a 20% hike.

The starting rate will remain at Bt35 (US$1.06), but will now include only
the first kilometre of travel instead of the first two.

No implementation date has been announced.

They had to raise the fare. The current fare was established when fuel was subsidized by the government and relatively cheap.

One Tree Hill
06-13-08, 14:59
re oth's original statement, while in general i think entropy/law of diminishing returns is functioning pretty normally everywhere, i think the issue here in thailand is how far and quickly this place has fallen. one of the interesting points for me was that while the tourist places that i liked so much when first started coming here in the early '90's had steadily been going to the dogs, bangkok actually for a time there seemed to be getting better. now i think bangkok is close to reaching the point where the bang (in every sense) is not worth the buck, as it were. in fact, in many ways singapore has become a better place to live and work as a foreigner than bkk- the entertainment is much improved and possibly more varied, the food is great, and the prices are hardly much worse; in bangkok we are getting close to paying developed world prices for "developing" world services. at least in singapore if you pay 1000 baht a month for "high-speed" internet you actually get it, plus the sidewalks aren't full of holes, you don't have dodge dog-rep001, mangy-curs, katoeys (i hope i am not being redundant), and rats, and if things go wrong you can actually call the cops without worrying about a shakedown. bangkok is expensive now, but to me it is still the same rat-hole with some pricey shopping malls and overpriced, tasteless condos; it reminds me of nothing so much soi cowboy bar sl-t with a million or two borrowed or stolen baht in the bank, putting on airs. she looked for a while she might be changing her ways, but i guess i should have known better.

as to the tourist areas referred to above, i think that as a european, for example, one would have a be a bit silly to choose thailand for fun-in-the-sun when mexico/central america and even florida are so much nicer and the beaches overall so much better.

i do think thailand is headed for some very rough times ahead- what with the threat of strikes, maybe not too far ahead- and this economic house of cards thaksin helped build will collapse sooner than later. i have my doubts that the people will take a future crash as well as they took the last one, especially if there is a political crisis, or a heaven forfend, a political crisis combined with a succession crisis to go along with it (or that precedes the economic crash). i don't like to sound like henny penny, but one doesn't have to be nostradamus to foresee some likely scenarios under which things fall apart here very quickly. things probably will get cheaper again at some point, but i don't think thailand will ever regain its status as the sanook capital of the world.

sadly this is all true. the "perfect storm" is brewing as we speak.

Opebo
06-14-08, 09:50
Sadly this is all true. The "Perfect Storm" is brewing as we speak.

Well, it is hardly sad - economic collapse of the host country is a positive boon to we sex tourists.

Sanook D
06-15-08, 06:45
they had to raise the fare. the current fare was established when fuel was subsidized by the government and relatively cheap.

absolutely, the current fare is anything but fair (sorry). these guys (and the occasional tom-boy) have to make a living, and to their credit, at least they are doing something other than mooching off of family or the women in their lives. the taxis are one aspect of life here that in general i like- for every nincompoop or would-be conman that i find behind the wheel of a cab i meet at least 5 guys that i genuinely enjoy riding with, and an equal number who do their job merely satisfactorily; i regularly get insights into thai (variously isaan and sino-thai) society and politics as well as thai language tips from taxi drivers all the time, and i don't mind tipping for the privilege. the other night i had a driver who was so engrossed in our conversation about religion and charity (mostly one-sided, i.e., his) that he missed my soi; he refused to take the full fare on the meter because of his (very minor) mistake. i usually tip about 15~20% anyway (roughly 10 baht a ride because usually my rides are within 50 baht- yeah, i know, last of the big spenders), so worst-case scenario i'll start tipping thai-style (nothing) or just rounding off.

Sanook D
06-15-08, 07:13
well, it is hardly sad - economic collapse of the host country is a positive boon to we sex tourists.

uh, speak for yourself there, buddy. this is the living in thailand thread- i'm sure there are guys living here who think of themselves as. . .that unmentionable species of tourist you refer to, but most resident farangs likely don't see economic collapse as something to crow about. some of us on this board have, to varying degrees, a stake in the future of this joint, and may not want to see it go entirely to hell. somehow i don't think the result will be catharsis leading to reforms such as at least a half-baked effort to have rule of law, an end the patronage system, investment in education and other infrastructure that would create an actual middle class, etc. things go wrong enough and you could even have a something like a soft version of burma- how is the p4p there, by the way? do i exaggerate? let's hope so.

the people here more or less took things in stride the last time the [CodeWord116] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord116) hit the economic fan in that special way way they used to have for dealing with adversity, before the average folk, from nong khai to bkk to surat, embraced full-blown consumerism and found out they were born to shop (as opposed to their tendency in hard times toward buddhist-inspired seizing of what pearls of sanook one can find in this vale of tears). how will they live now without the car and at least the shot at buying a condo or california-style tract home somewhere near suvharnabumi? whom will they blame when their american dream turns out the way it has by now for so many americans? the wrong people as usual, no doubt. the power elite won't suffer except to the extent that they do each other in, and i am quite sure that dim and nearsighted as they are they recognize it as in their interest, be they the hopelessly fey remnants of the ancien regime or chinese gangsters (or some combination thereof), that the masses remain ignorant and poor.

at any rate, given the rates i am hearing about at the farang fun centers it doesn't sound like the market is functioning all that well as it is, so i am not sure things falling apart will have the results you anticipate.

Old Thai Hand
06-15-08, 08:08
uh, speak for yourself there, buddy. this is the living in thailand thread- i'm sure there are guys living here who think of themselves as. . .that unmentionable species of tourist you refer to, but most resident farangs likely don't see economic collapse as something to crow about. some of us on this board have, to varying degrees, a stake in the future of this joint, and may not want to see it go entirely to hell. somehow i don't think the result will be catharsis leading to reforms such as at least a half-baked effort to have rule of law, an end the patronage system, investment in education and other infrastructure that would create an actual middle class, etc. things go wrong enough and you could even have a something like a soft version of burma- how is the p4p there, by the way? do i exaggerate? let's hope so.

the people here more or less took things in stride the last time the [CodeWord116] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord116) hit the economic fan in that special way way they used to have for dealing with adversity, before the average folk, from nong khai to bkk to surat, embraced full-blown consumerism and found out they were born to shop (as opposed to their tendency in hard times toward buddhist-inspired seizing of what pearls of sanook one can find in this vale of tears). how will they live now without the car and at least the shot at buying a condo or california-style tract home somewhere near suvharnabumi? whom will they blame when their american dream turns out the way it has by now for so many americans? the wrong people as usual, no doubt. the power elite won't suffer except to the extent that they do each other in, and i am quite sure that dim and nearsighted as they are they recognize it as in their interest, be they the hopelessly fey remnants of the ancien regime or chinese gangsters (or some combination thereof), that the masses remain ignorant and poor.

at any rate, given the rates i am hearing about at the farang fun centers it doesn't sound like the market is functioning all that well as it is, so i am not sure things falling apart will have the results you anticipate.

again, bang on.

if the economic meltdown of 97 is any indication, i suspect that the thais will do what they always do when they are making less money, they'll increase prices, as they did after the dust had settled somewhat, in late 97.

to put it into terms that even opebo can understand, before july 97, one could have practically any girl from the thermae, for example at 500 baht. barfines were 200-300 and st on cowboy was 500-700 and lt was 1000, even from such high powered bars as long gun. at nep, prices were a little higher, but not by much. within a year, girls at the thermae wanted 1000 minimum, barfines on cowboy had increased to 400-500, st was 1000 and lt 1500.

the current surge in prices where even nana parking lot girls are apparently asking, according to reports on here, 3,000, 4,000 or even more st cannot be blamed solely on the over-paying japanese and korean customers. it's simply that times are tougher, now and we haven't even had an economic crisis hit, yet. more importantly the number of customers is down considerably from what it used to be. there are less girls too, and those that remain are charging more to make up the short-fall in business and to meet increasing lifestyle costs. afterall, p4p girls want gucci handbags, too.

Retired Army
06-15-08, 08:35
Again, bang on.

If the economic meltdown of 97 is any indication, I suspect that the Thais will do what they always do when they are making less money, they'll increase prices, as they did after the dust had settled somewhat, in late 97.

To put it into terms that even Opebo can understand, before July 97, one could have practically any girl from the Thermae, for example at 500 baht. Barfines were 200-300 and ST on Cowboy was 500-700 and LT was 1000, even from such high powered bars as Long Gun. At NEP, prices were a little higher, but not by much. Within a year, girls at the Thermae wanted 1000 minimum, barfines on Cowboy had increased to 400-500, ST was 1000 and LT 1500.

The current surge in prices where even Nana parking lot girls are apparently asking, according to reports on here, 3,000, 4,000 or even more ST cannot be blamed solely on the over-paying Japanese and Korean customers. It's simply that times are tougher, now and we haven't even had an economic crisis hit, yet. More importantly the number of customers is down considerably from what it used to be. There are less girls too, and those that remain are charging more to make up the short-fall in business and to meet increasing lifestyle costs. Afterall, P4P girls want Gucci handbags, too.


Well, I guess it all boils down to supply and demand. Prior to 97 wasn't the Baht pegged @ 25 to the U.S. Dollar? 1,000 THB = $40. After the economic crisis the baht went to about 40 to the Dollar. 1,000 THB =$25 Now it's fallen to 32. 1,000 THB = $32.50 According to my caculations, which are usually incorrect, isn't the base price of pussy based on THB 1,000 for a ST cheaper now than 97?

Opebo
06-15-08, 10:48
...Some of us on this board have, to varying degrees, a stake in the future of this joint,

Profound error in judgment, I'm afraid. I don't think we second class citizens are even legally allowed to own anything here anyway.

However I, speaking as the only sex tourist on this board, must admit I am not confident of an incipient economic collapse. Probably just wishful thinking.


Well, I guess it all boils down to supply and demand. Prior to 97 wasn't the Baht pegged @ 25 to the U.S. Dollar? 1,000 THB = $40. After the economic crisis the baht went to about 40 to the Dollar. 1,000 THB =$25 Now it's fallen to 32. 1,000 THB = $32.50 According to my caculations, which are usually incorrect, isn't the base price of pussy based on THB 1,000 for a ST cheaper now than 97?

But he's saying that a short time was 500 baht in 1997, so $20.00. It is usually 1,000 baht now on Sukhumvit, but can go up to 1,500-2,000 ($47-62.50). That is a LOT of money. So there is little doubt the price has increased, nor should it surprise anyone. The supply is radically curtailed from what it was in earlier days when there was more salubrious poverty in the Kingdom.

Willo69
06-15-08, 12:47
Again, bang on.
The current surge in prices where even Nana parking lot girls are apparently asking, according to reports on here, 3,000, 4,000 or even more ST cannot be blamed solely on the over-paying Japanese and Korean customers. It's simply that times are tougher, now and we haven't even had an economic crisis hit, yet. .

It's called "price gouging" and they charge 3 or 4k for ST because they can (and some of us pay it), using the current economic circumstances (rising prices, cost of living) as justification. Thai Bar Girls are more organized than we give them credit for.

After all a %34 rise in the oil price (Last 6 months) should see a %75 to % 100 rises in the price of ST right?? BULLSHIT!

If %30 to % 40 of punters is prepared to pay those sorts of prices then pretty soon those prices will stick as they did after 1997.

Our only hope is for a complete melt down of the Thai economic and political systems (as predicted by Opebo) causing absolute anarchy and Chaos along with a murderous blood spilt coup to frighten off the Tourists (That is Overpaying Japanese and Korean’s)

Willo

Daddy07
06-15-08, 12:58
... Our only hope is for a complete melt down of the Thai economic and political systems (as predicted by Opebo) causing absolute anarchy and Chaos along with a murderous blood spilt coup to frighten off the Tourists (That is Overpaying Japanese and Korean’s)

Willo

Uh ... I'll gladly keep paying a little more for now if that's OK with you.

M P Lurker
06-15-08, 13:59
It's called "price gouging" and they charge 3 or 4k for ST because they can (and some of us pay it), using the current economic circumstances (rising prices, cost of living) as justification. Thai Bar Girls are more organized than we give them credit for.

After all a %34 rise in the oil price (Last 6 months) should see a %75 to % 100 rises in the price of ST right?? BULLSHIT!

If %30 to % 40 of punters is prepared to pay those sorts of prices then pretty soon those prices will stick as they did after 1997.

Our only hope is for a complete melt down of the Thai economic and political systems (as predicted by Opebo) causing absolute anarchy and Chaos along with a murderous blood spilt coup to frighten off the Tourists (That is Overpaying Japanese and Korean’s)

Willo
A 2 hour out-take from Thonglor 2 cost me 1K to the house and 2K to the girl.

Bargirls from Soi Cowboy know me and trusted me so price wasn't discussed at all.

Sanook D
06-15-08, 14:26
Profound error in judgment, I'm afraid. I don't think we second class citizens are even legally allowed to own anything here anyway.

Believe it or not, I understand exactly what you are saying, and putting oneself in a position in which one's own future, even from the standpoint of a second-class citizen (or maybe resident would be the more appropriate term), is tied to one degree or another to the success of this country probably does with hindsight constitute an error in judgment, I'm sorry to admit. I can't say I am particularly filled with regret, but that is mostly because I have been lucky, and if it comes to it I can pull myself and my immediate family out of here without much difficulty. Nevertheless, no matter how well one thinks one is doing it is important not to lose sight of one's status here, I agree.

Of course, legal ownership of property is not the only way to hold a stake- family ties, investment in learning the language and culture, and the development of professional and personal networks are other examples of being a stakeholder. Also, if my daughter is a legal Thai citizen and property owner, for example, her future and by extension my own are therefore affected by the fortunes of the country. Just because the ardently xenophobic population of this country, with their annoying combined inferiority/superiority complex and magical karmic thinking about the specialness of being born a (Buddhist, as opposed to animist or Muslim, presumably) Thai don't recognize that (black, white, Indian or otherwise non-Chinese) foreigners can also hold a stake in their country and actually have genuine concern about and a stake in its future doesn't invalidate the notion. Some of them might even pretend to understand the concept were it explained to them slowly, although I grant that appeals to reason are not generally all that effective around here.

I don't particularly like the term "sex tourist" because I don't know what it means exactly and it but of course you would be correct to point that the main purpose of this website overall is exchanging information about the availability and quality of local women. At the risk of sounding sententious, I would say that sex is a component of travel to varying degrees (more here, probably less in, say, Afghanistan) because it is of primary importance in life, to state the obvious- yes, when I travel I like to get laid, amazing, and I like doing so where I live, too- and it is especially so here for all of the obvious reasons. I was merely pointing out that this "Living in Thailand" section of the ISG mainly deals with the issues of residents or people thinking of living here, not tourists per se. I hope you (Opebo) didn't think I was trying to exclude you from the conversation or insult you.

AsiaTraveler2
06-15-08, 20:10
It's called "price gouging" and they charge 3 or 4k for ST because they can (and some of us pay it), using the current economic circumstances (rising prices, cost of living) as justification. Thai Bar Girls are more organized than we give them credit for.

After all a %34 rise in the oil price (Last 6 months) should see a %75 to % 100 rises in the price of ST right?? BULLSHIT!

If %30 to % 40 of punters is prepared to pay those sorts of prices then pretty soon those prices will stick as they did after 1997.

Our only hope is for a complete melt down of the Thai economic and political systems (as predicted by Opebo) causing absolute anarchy and Chaos along with a murderous blood spilt coup to frighten off the Tourists (That is Overpaying Japanese and Korean’s)

Willo

Willo,

It's easy to single out the Japanese and Korean visitors, but honestly, please check the posts on the ISG Bangkok and pics section. Many members proudly post the pics of a below average girl pulled from Beer Garden, Nana Car Park, etc., noting they only paid 2,000 or 3,000 baht, and these ISG members are NOT Japanese or Korean. Use your eyes and be objective. I see as many Westerners in the NEP bars and highend nightclubs, who freely spend 3k baht or more.

This is an economic issue. Those from Japan, Korea, but ALSO the U.S., Europe, etc. are paid higher wages and therefore can be a little more free with their money. Their spending habits are about on the same level. Many make at least 1,000 baht an hour and others make 2,000-3,000 baht per hour or more. Those from other countries with lower income levels will spend less. Those from neighboring countries, with cheap airfares will bring more economically strapped visitors, who travel on a budget. Those countries that have many business travelers, may have expense accounts for "entertainment". The Westerners chuckle at the amount Asians spend and the Asians chuckle at the amounts Westerners spend. It's mostly perception and point of view.

I did find on my recent visits, that the asking prices remain about the same (2k-3k baht), but they are just that .. "asking prices". The real prices that the P4P girls settle on, have dropped considerably from just a year ago. As RA pointed out, the exchange rates have fluctuated through the years. I do recall the exchange rate being about 40-42 baht to the dollar about a decade ago. No surprise that the exchange rates can influence spending habits too.

I had dreams of living in Bangkok in my youth, but the hurdles of coming back home later in life entered into my decision and thankfully never made that dream a reality. I'm sure that it would have been a great experience, but life is good where I call home, and the cost would have been too great. I do hope for those of you living in Bangkok, that your doom and gloom predictions do not come true.

Peace,
AT2

Old Thai Hand
06-16-08, 03:46
This is an economic issue. Those from Japan, Korea, but ALSO the U.S., Europe, etc. are paid higher wages and therefore can be a little more free with their money. Their spending habits are about on the same level. Many make at least 1,000 baht an hour and others make 2,000-3,000 baht per hour or more.

I make that much money in Bangkok and it's still not enough compared to the rapidly rising cost of living.



I do hope for those of you living in Bangkok, that your doom and gloom predictions do not come true.

The doom and gloom has already started.

Examples:

1/ Western-level living costs without Western-level infrastructure or services
2/ Ever-increasing political turmoil and instability
3/ Rampant corruption on a scale not seen before
4/ An economy that is as stable as a house of cards with disproportionately high personal debt
5/ Rising xenophobia, particularly anti-Farang sentiment


...and the future...

when the King dies, there will be a power struggle that could lead to civil war because there are two strong factions in the bid for succession, both of which have their own strong military backing and one which has the overwhelming support of the people, most of whom do not support the heir apparent.

Opebo
06-16-08, 07:15
I make that much money in Bangkok and it's still not enough compared to the rapidly rising cost of living.


I thought you said you live on 65,000 baht/month?

Anyway I think Asia Traveler was talking about people who make 1,000-3,000 baht per hour multiplied by a full 40 hours per week. Of course I have never met such people... I think they are actually quite rare.

Old Thai Hand
06-16-08, 07:48
I thought you said you live on 65,000 baht/month?

My expenses are 65,000/month. That's not what I earn.

FYI, overload teaching (meaning above 12 hours/week) pays 2,000baht/hour.

Anyway, who wants to work a 40 hour week?

Willo69
06-16-08, 08:59
Willo,

It's easy to single out the Japanese and Korean visitors, but honestly, please check the posts on the ISG Bangkok and pics section.
AT2

In my last post with regards to the final paragraph (Japanese and Korean) was written with view it would be taken “tongue in cheek”; in my opening paragraph when I wrote in brackets “and some of us pay it” the “us” (including myself) broadly speaking, (as evident from the posts in the pic section), most punters, regardless of country of origin, would have at some time overpaid for P4P.
Willo

SE Asia Joe
06-16-08, 09:20
I make that much money in Bangkok and it's still not enough compared to the rapidly rising cost of living.
The doom and gloom has already started.
.


My expenses are 65,000/month. That's not what I earn.

Hope I got this correct - are you saying that because the cost of living in Thailand is so high/getting higher everyday for an expat, that you are actually spending MORE than you are earning?

And as a FOREIGN professor in a top Thai University - that you are earning less than the 65K that you're needing to spend to keep body and soul together?

In Phuket where I've got a bit of thing going on, I know that I cannot get ANY kind of foreignor to work for me for any amount less than say circa THB 100K a month - not if they're half ass decent and NOT one of those who's main purpose in life is to hang around the bars in Patong.

And come to think of it, THB 65K/approx US$2,000 is NOT that much at all - for the kind of life that I 'detect' that you are leading in Bangkok.
Anyway, pelase clarify.
Thanks
SEAJ

Ps. come to think of it - THB65K a month does NOT make sense as I rent out my 2 bedroom apartment in Phuket for THB55K a month. So how can you live on 65k?

NicFrenchy
06-16-08, 12:10
Anyway, who wants to work a 40 hour week?

Shit, some of us have no choice LOL, I almost every week end up doing much more than 40. Thankfully my salary more than compensates for this.

Old Thai Hand
06-16-08, 13:14
And come to think of it, THB 65K/approx US$2,000 is NOT that much at all - for the kind of life that I 'detect' that you are leading in Bangkok.
Anyway, plase clarify.
come to think of it - THB65K a month does NOT make sense as I rent out my 2 bedroom apartment in Phuket for THB55K a month. So how can you live on 65k?

Do you honestly think I'd stay here if I was spending more than I was making? How stupid would that be?:)

Also, if I was making as little as 65,000/mo, I would never stay in Thailand.

So, to be clear...I make well over 100,000/mo for about 25 hr teaching/week. OK??? Also, I only pay about 2500/mo in taxes. The rest is tax-free.

BTW, Phuket is far more expensive than Bangkok and always has been.

My 1 BR condo is 20,000/month, is a highly desirable building (split between Thai, Japanese and Farang), in a great location not far from Sukhumvit and Asoke.

If you know where to look and have connections, one doesn't have to pay as much for accomodation, as is usually advertised to expats, not in the know. Newer condos tend to cost more to rent. Older buildings in BKK which are better built than the newer ones, and have much larger spaces, rent for less. I'm thinking of moving to a building in the Japanese ghetto near Emporium: 2 BR for 18,000/mo (again, a connection).

The rest of my expenses are utilities (about 8,000) food, (about 12,000), allowance for my GF and Gig (7500x2=15,000) and this and that (10,000). I probably spend more than 65,000 some months. But, that's about the average.

Anything else you want to know?

El Greco
06-16-08, 13:25
Shit, some of us have no choice LOL, I almost every week end up doing much more than 40. Thankfully my salary more than compensates for this.

Teaching 40 hrs/week is not the same as "working" 40hrs/week. It is much more difficult.

I used to be an "instructor" in my proffesion and had to study for 2-3 hrs the previous day if I had a 4 hrs instruction the next one.
No way I could do 40 hrs/week. It was a side activity for the young ones to benefit from the experience of the older ones.

On the other hand teaching does not pay well no where in the world.

2000 usd used to be quite enough up to 1995 when dollar was equal to about baht 25. It was about 50000 baht then. Now it is 65000 but prices have gone up much more than 30%.

Retired Army
06-16-08, 15:09
Anyway, who wants to work a 40 hour week?

Not me either. Get a government job. That way you can go in late and make up for it by leaving early.

NicFrenchy
06-16-08, 16:06
Teaching 40 hrs/week is not the same as "working" 40hrs/week. It is much more difficult.

Sorry but you're talking out of your rear. you don't know what others do and what amount of work needs to be done (at or outside work) so you can't possibly compare by generalizing.