Though I've never been to South America, my perception is that the women are larger and more aggressive. I like the small, demure Asian women and am not sure I would like the South American women...
Not true, you can find all kinds of women in South America, spinners, tall and slim, athletic type, and so on. I even had an ATF (all time favorite) girl in Colombia, who was of Japanese decent. She looked Japanese but was very much Colombian in her behavior.
...In Thailand, I can always find something non-sexual to do and have always felt safe (beaches, temples, markets, food, tours, shopping, and just wandering about), I'm not confident the same would be true for me in South America. Still, recent reports on South America have piqued my interest, it's time to look into a trip.
To the contrary, there is a lot to see and do in a place like Rio or Buenos Aires. Other places that I have visited not so much.
Indeed, safety can be an issue. One has to be a lot more careful in South America than in Thailand. I am lucky in that I can blend in with the locals easily and I speak decent Spanish. I have also been to Colombia on 25+ trips, and I have taken just as many trips to Thailand and South East Asia. I have met many US expats in Colombia who have the gringo look that can be spotted a mile away, yet they still manage to practice safe behavior.
I also never visited South America. But I had a great time with a Bogota lady in New Jersey. She was awesome. Either Madrid or straight SaoPaulo is still in my bucket list to have some fun with Latinos. I love that big structure with big round accessories.
Though I've never been to South America, my perception is that the women are larger and more aggressive. I like the small, demure Asian women and am not sure I would like the South American women. In Thailand, I can always find something non-sexual to do and have always felt safe (beaches, temples, markets, food, tours, shopping, and just wandering about), I'm not confident the same would be true for me in South America. Still, recent reports on South America have piqued my interest, it's time to look into a trip.
I also never visited South America. But I had a great time with a Bogota lady in New Jersey. She was awesome. Either Madrid or straight SaoPaulo is still in my bucket list to have some fun with Latinos. I love that big structure with big round accessories.
Even if we book a double room(for two) some hotels (very few) in Pattaya demands for a joiner fee 600 or 400 bath. I think it is a tourist trap. Before booking the hotel I cross check it.
Why quote me in your post? I never said they don't! I was just stating that some guys are not aware you have to book a room for 2, girl friendly or not!
Did you book your room for 2 people? If not, some hotels in Thailand will ask for a joiner fee. If you booked for 2, see Croc's post.
Even if we book a double room(for two) some hotels (very few) in Pattaya demands for a joiner fee 600 or 400 bath. I think it is a tourist trap. Before booking the hotel I cross check it.
This is why Natty and I are recommending Brazil / Columbia over Thailand.
Though I've never been to South America, my perception is that the women are larger and more aggressive. I like the small, demure Asian women and am not sure I would like the South American women. In Thailand, I can always find something non-sexual to do and have always felt safe (beaches, temples, markets, food, tours, shopping, and just wandering about), I'm not confident the same would be true for me in South America. Still, recent reports on South America have piqued my interest, it's time to look into a trip.
Did you book your room for 2 people? If not, some hotels in Thailand will ask for a joiner fee. If you booked for 2, see Croc's post.
There is also a hybrid between guest friendly and not guest friendly. One of my Phuket hotels required that my guest be fully registered and given full hotel privileges for the duration of my stay (order room service, drinks at pool, laundry service etc.). This same hotel was temporary-guest friendly to a limited extent, dropping off ID at front desk and joining me in the room was fine, but she was not allowed breakfast or pool privileges. This was pre-COVID.
No longer? That's exactly the kind of a cash grab that Phuket is infamous for. If you had an option of switching to another hotel (without losing what you paid), I bet they'd quickly become girl-friendly again. Most other places in Thailand are free of such bullshit.
I'd rather pay 500 for a short time room out of spite than give it to the greedy bastards.
My hotel is no longer girl friendly. They want a 500 baht joiner fee per girl.
No longer? That's exactly the kind of a cash grab that Phuket is infamous for. If you had an option of switching to another hotel (without losing what you paid), I bet they'd quickly become girl-friendly again. Most other places in Thailand are free of such bullshit.
I'd rather pay 500 for a short time room out of spite than give it to the greedy bastards.
This is why Natty and I are recommending Brazil / Columbia over Thailand. There are lots of variables in Thailand. The reopening program just started. I'm sure there will be lots of changes.
Brazil, on the other hand, is very open and easy to get into. I'm not sure what civil unrest you're speaking of. There was none, other than a parade of motorcyclists in support of Bolsonaro. There are also no health insurance requirements. Many have gone and are going to Brazil right now for mongering purposes. You can see all the activities on that sub (both Sao Paulo and Rio).
I am a bit skeptical of Columbia due to all the violence that happened about a month ago. But from what I hear, that seems to have died down. Not sure about health insurance requirements there, but many are speaking highly of mongering in Columbia.
You mentioned saving 700 euros if you book with certain risks. 1100 US was my mongering costs during my 2 week stay in Brazil. Hotel was less than $50/ night.
You're right. With the current uncertainties of Thailand's sandbox and mongering restrictions and activities, I wouldn't risk going there. At least until there's some positive FRs. I'm hoping they have things sorted out by Nov / Dec.
Delighted to hear that you made it. No problems coming in on Qatar Airways then? Did you see any bars open while confined to your Prison Bus?
So if I understand you correctly, I don't have to come with the wife if I want female company in the room? But I will need to pay a joiner fee. I wonder if that's universal?
Can I ask, did you book the room on the SHA site, or with a hotel booking site?
Anyway, here's hoping for a speedy lifting of Purdah for you.
No problems at all with any airline. Just can't transit BKK or a high risk country.
Booked hotel direct. It was early days, so they didn't really know what they were doing with the shaba and pcr tests, but they got there in the end.
Hotel wanted to charge a joiner fee and check my guest was vaccinated. Got my test results in about midnight, got a girl here about 30 minutes later haha.
She wasn't vaccinated, but the night receptionist was amenable to my suggestion I meet her outside and don't come through reception. So no joiner fee either.
Literally the first girl to answer a video call.
Looked nothing like her pictures. To my mind, better! Very sweet 39 kg spinner. 32, saw her ID, but if she'd said 20 I would have believed her. Absolutely fucked my brains out, three times.
And in answer to your question, she says the bars aren't open.
See what tomorrow brings. Think I'm going to sort a car out and get further afield.
Excuse the crap quality of the pic, I should get a decent phone.
It's not "fear of the unknown". It's about risk assessment.
Obviously, the rules are there and and you flaunt them at your own risk. I've calculated that I will save about 700 if I don't fly Thai and use Agoda, and that is potentially a false economy. But when you ask questions like whether you will be allowed to accommodate guests in your room, or will the bars be open, and nobody wants to answer the question, how can you assess that risk? All in all, can you not see the potential for some new rules that have yet to be announced?
Brazil and Colombia were attractive options, but there is now civil unrest in both countries. Notwithstanding the issues over health insurance, it's difficult to see how you can get any cover for either of those when the Irish gov website is saying "don't go". That might change after July 19th, as the gov is hinting that those who have been vaxxed, will have freedom to travel anywhere. I just got my second today.
Right now though, Thailand looks of case "Pleases sign the contract, and we will write the agreement after you've paid your money".
This is why Natty and I are recommending Brazil / Columbia over Thailand. There are lots of variables in Thailand. The reopening program just started. I'm sure there will be lots of changes.
Brazil, on the other hand, is very open and easy to get into. I'm not sure what civil unrest you're speaking of. There was none, other than a parade of motorcyclists in support of Bolsonaro. There are also no health insurance requirements. Many have gone and are going to Brazil right now for mongering purposes. You can see all the activities on that sub (both Sao Paulo and Rio).
I am a bit skeptical of Columbia due to all the violence that happened about a month ago. But from what I hear, that seems to have died down. Not sure about health insurance requirements there, but many are speaking highly of mongering in Columbia.
You mentioned saving 700 euros if you book with certain risks. 1100 US was my mongering costs during my 2 week stay in Brazil. Hotel was less than $50/ night.
You're right. With the current uncertainties of Thailand's sandbox and mongering restrictions and activities, I wouldn't risk going there. At least until there's some positive FRs. I'm hoping they have things sorted out by Nov / Dec.
Actual process of getting here after the dystopian nightmare of the application, went pretty much without a hitch.
My two biggest hiccups thus far are, in order of increasing severity.
My hotel is no longer girl friendly. They want a 500 baht joiner fee per girl. I've resigned myself to spending an extra couple of hundred quid while I'm here. Contemplating asking for a discount for quantity. Though, as I did book for two, they have said I can book a girl in with me for the two weeks for free. Anybody know any depraved and wanton fully bisexual nymphets who can hold a decent conversation in Phuket?
Biggest problem. On arrival covid test. I can't leave this hotel room before the results come back, or have visitors. I was thinking of sacking it off and sneaking out / sneaking a girl in, but I spotted the Thai rozzers doing a walk around with the manager and it's put the wind up me.
It's one thing being 7000 miles away from all this easily available pussy. It's quite another being 3 miles from it.
Hopefully, the result will come in late tonight or early tomorrow. From what I've seen, the actual boots on the ground implementing the plan have been given a lot of latitude to smooth things over, overlook little irregularities, and put in overtime to get the sandbox off to a good start.
Delighted to hear that you made it. No problems coming in on Qatar Airways then? Did you see any bars open while confined to your Prison Bus?
So if I understand you correctly, I don't have to come with the wife if I want female company in the room? But I will need to pay a joiner fee. I wonder if that's universal?
Can I ask, did you book the room on the SHA site, or with a hotel booking site?
Anyway, here's hoping for a speedy lifting of Purdah for you.