General Reports

[OldHarry]

Arrived at Swampy on an Emirates flight (full A380 airbus) Monday 18th Feb at 12:05 pm, fast walk to immigration and all booths manned, NO queue at all and had to wait 10 mins for case.

Got stopped by customs and case passed through scanner but no problems, did not look in my laptop bag. Had all my prescription meds in there.

Taxi from the taxi queue, no problems with taxi meter and driver did'nt frighten the shit of me for a change. Cost was about 310 Bt plus tolls to Suk grande in soi 6 in moderate traffic.

Exchange rate sterling to Baht at TMB was 44.30 at the airport, Ever rich at Chidlom was 45.5 same day.

Sky Train is mobbed between 5- 8 pm most days, never been up early enough to use it in the morning.

Indian tailors still a pain, and I'm still a "hansum man".

Its good to be back.

Oldharry

[Dr BJ]

Dear Farang.I write this letter to you. Have to tell you now have big problem at my home Nakon Nowhere.

I'm guessing you were not the only person out the 35 who were sent the same letter. This is just a numbers game for these girls and the sad truth is that there will be one or two who fall for this kind of scam. Even if they don't agree to send the full amount she is asking for they may send 10 or 20K baht x 2 that is most of her living cost's covered for the month. I know a few girls who have 3 or 4 sponsors.

But at the end of the day I suppose it is their money to do with as they wish. Certainly not for me, thank's.

Regards,

BJ

[Rodwint2]

Are there any cigar smokers who can recommend any venues that allow cigar smoking in Bangkok? If anyone has had any experience with any, I would appreciate your recommendations and reviews of these venues.

[WildHawk]

I heard there were a couple of respectable places in Pattaya where quality knockoff watches could be purchased. .

Brings back memories of the firstm and last, fake-o watches I ever bought. In Patpong in the mid-'90s. The USD 30 automatic, cough,"Rolex" was presented as a top-quality knockoff "Hong Kong Rolex," the vendor said. The second hand did indeed sweep. As far as an hour into the flight back home! (Perhaps there's safety in thinking that the locals assume that my very real Rolex is fake.) The "TAG Heuer" quartz started to rust about a month in. In this case, and I'm doubting times have changed, ya get less than you pay for. In Beijing, I have always wondered about the thought processes of the foreigners who flock to the Silk Market to buy fake Callaway drivers (Imagine yelling "fore!" when the fucking club head flies off) and LV bags that stink of polyurethane. Maybe it's just me.

[PinkPearl]

Anyway, I have paid 40 E 2 times, and 50 E 1 time. The sessions were very good. BBBJs, DFK, DATY, and GFE services.

So at 40 E, that is about 1500 B. That is what I pay usually at the BKK MP's for the exact same service I am getting here.

I just find that interesting. Because, this town is obviously much nicer and upscale than BKK.

Not a mongering destination I don't think, But a great mix, and I really like it very much so far.

How much are the hotels compared to BKK? I've heard this is an expensive city for accomodations.

So no BBFS was on the menu. Or you didn't ask?

Say hello to Ronaldo & Messi for me.

[Luvpuss]

I am just reporting on BCN as an interesting comparison to BKK.

I am in BCN now on business.

This city is unbelievable. I have seen just about every major European city, and this ranks near the top.

I have had time to monger. There are several options here. From high end escorts and clubs, to SW's on Ramblas.

There are no Gogo's, or MP scene like BKK.

I have chosen to go to the Apartamentos. The Asian spots. HAHA. I just love Asians. From my research, there are about 25+ of these places in BCN. All Chinese from what I am seeing. They parade 4 to 6 girls for you to choose.

Anyway, I have paid 40 E 2 times, and 50 E 1 time. The sessions were very good. BBBJs, DFK, DATY, and GFE services.

So at 40 E, that is about 1500 B. That is what I pay usually at the BKK MP's for the exact same service I am getting here.

I just find that interesting. Because, this town is obviously much nicer and upscale than BKK.

Not a mongering destination I don't think, But a great mix, and I really like it very much so far.

[Duniawala]

Dear Farang.

I write this letter to you. Have to tell you now have big problem at my home Nakon Nowhere.

Buffalo sick and can not get rice from Field.

My father need 3, 000 baht for medicine to make buffalo good again.

My brother me fall down the well for water and he break leg, cannot help my father same.

Need 5, 000 baht for borrow, good man help my father.

Now my mother stay hospital and my baby also, both have danger feber from drink water, no good after my brother fall down well.

Grandmother have motorbike accident, hit four chicken in road, but chicken fled scene, so have no one pay for her in hospital, next bed my mother and baby, want 4, 000 baht for her.

Sister in monkey house for make sex show in Bangkok, have to pay 200 baht everyday for food she, but police say no problem, give 20, 000 baht sister can go free.

Young brother go hospital to cut for be ladyboy, need 10, 000 baht for operation.

I think easy if you send 100, 000 baht to me, can send my bank at Mangdar Bank.

Now you stay your country.

I know that I stay with you only one night, but you number one man from all 35 I go with last month.

Now I know it you I love too much and I think of you everyday, I go room after disco.

P. S. Please send photo, so I can remember which one you.

[FruitNinja]

I heard there were a couple of respectable places in Pattaya where quality knockoff watches could be purchased. Notably from Mr. Jacks and Zarah Watch Shop. Has anyone bought some fake watches from these sellers? I know good knockoffs have quartz movements, keep decent time, and look very much like the real thing down to the wristband. I think it would be a kick to bring back a couple Patek Philippe's as a souvenir and a gift for my father. I have a real Patek Philippe that I bought in '86, but there is no way I would ever travel with it.

They had catalogs. Not sure where the watches were. I'm not sure you want a quartz movement. Most knock offs are based on an ETA 2892 movement (I think, it's been a long time) If you do but one I would make sure that the movement is Japanese or Taiwanese made and not Chinese. That leaves you having to rely on the word of the guy selling it. Eh. I would also make sure that the case is stainless steel and the crystal is sapphire crystal but more than likely it will be mineral.

I always wear my IWC and Panerais when I travel. Rolex's no. Thieves don't know. And I have insurance on all of my watches anyway. The only one I never wear traveling is the PAM 75, which is probably irreplaceable.

I've got a GMT that I would probably let go for reasonable money if you want a nice watch for you dad.

[Member #4698]

I heard there were a couple of respectable places in Pattaya where quality knockoff watches could be purchased. Notably from Mr. Jacks and Zarah Watch Shop. Has anyone bought some fake watches from these sellers? I know good knockoffs have quartz movements, keep decent time, and look very much like the real thing down to the wristband. I think it would be a kick to bring back a couple Patek Philippe's as a souvenir and a gift for my father. I have a real Patek Philippe that I bought in '86, but there is no way I would ever travel with it.

[FruitNinja]

Gentlemen,

Next week I will be in Bangkok on business. I'd like to buy me a nice suit. Any good and honest tailor you can recommend? By preference somewhere at or near (lower) Sukhumvit.

I know there has been some discussion about this matter, but the search function is not friendly to me (all links are completely wrong for me. I do not know why).

Little husband and wife place on Soi 11.

Jhasper Fashion.

I liked the fact that it was small and family owned and didn't use touts.

[RCA Knight]

Used to be called Seamico. This company has a very international staff that can speak perfect English, Japanese, and Chinese. They can send their everyday e-mails in any of these languages. This is probably the best SET online trading in Thailand. I keep an account here for over 15 years already, and recent years I have not done much trading, but they still send all the statements and letters overseas to me years after years, even I can simply view everything online. Very well managed company.

Strongly recommend foreigners who are interested in Thai stocks to open account here.

[Giotto]

Hi, I hope someone can help me here.

I would like to buy (being a foreigner) certain stocs (from the SEC stock market) but I do not have a Thai bank account.

All my information tells me I only can open a Thai bank account when I have a Thai address as well.

For your information: I am from Western Europe, have a bank account with Etrade (USA) linked to my home address in Europe and through this account I can trade on the US stock market.

Would like to do the same on the Thai stock market.

Somewhere15,

When you visit Thailand next I can arrange a meeting with KT-ZMICO, if you want to.

http://www.ktzmico.com/en/home/index.aspx

You can open a trading account there and transfer funds into it from overseas. You then can use their online trading system on PC, iPhone of Android. I am working with this broker company for years. No problems.


Giotto
http://www.livingstoneslodge.com

[BionicMan]

Hi, I hope someone can help me here.
I would like to buy (being a foreigner) certain stocs (from the SEC stock market) but I do not have a Thai bank account.

Seems quite some banks are accepting your hotel as your address in Thailand. They even give an ATM card. But didn't read anything in here about capacity to trade on SE from such a bank account, maybe it is a more sophisticated procedure, to give the bank a safety net also against money laundry.

[Somewhere15]

Hi, I hope someone can help me here.

I would like to buy (being a foreigner) certain stocs (from the SEC stock market) but I do not have a Thai bank account.

All my information tells me I only can open a Thai bank account when I have a Thai address as well.

For your information: I am from Western Europe, have a bank account with Etrade (USA) linked to my home address in Europe and through this account I can trade on the US stock market.

Would like to do the same on the Thai stock market.

[Paul Kausch]

Gentlemen,

Next week I will be in Bangkok on business. I'd like to buy me a nice suit. Any good and honest tailor you can recommend? By preference somewhere at or near (lower) Sukhumvit.

I know there has been some discussion about this matter, but the search function is not friendly to me (all links are completely wrong for me. I do not know why).

Highly recommend Tailor on Ten, which is actually on Soi 8 (http://www.tailoronten.com/). Owned by two Canadian brothers. Ben and Alex. Not cheapest, but good prices, great services and very honest. Had several suits and many shirts made there. Very pleased with quality of merchandise.