Thailand Lounge and Chat area

[Christian G]

Whats BTS stand for? It's not under abbreviations.

BTS is the skytrain in Bangkok http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/main.aspx.

[Dinotrex]

Whats BTS stand for? It's not under abbreviations.

[Phordphan]

I'm packing more carefully for my 2nd trip, everything is going to be lightweight and quick drying. More than half of the stuff I packed on my first trip, though suitable for hot summer weather in the states, didn't last 20 minutes in Thailand.

If you go often enough you get used to the weather. At least somewhat. As long as you get used to walking around in a state of perpetual moistness.

I find it best to wear loose-fitting clothing. Cargo shorts or jeans, depending on where I am, where I'm going, and what the GF thinks is appropriate. And a loose-fitting Hawaiian shirt. Loose T-shirts when touring the countryside. No matter what you bring it won't last 20 minutes. Just try to avoid too much direct sunlight and stay hydrated.

[Breadman]

Bringing your own antibiotics on a hobby trip is the topic of discussion here. I've talked to a few posters who do this religiously. What are the benefits and risks of doing this? It also depends on how easy said antibiotics are to get in your country, in the States you can buy pretty much anything on the internet and have it shipped to your house without needing a doctors prescription. In many cases your buying the same drugs doctors prescribe when you show up on their doorstep with a problem. I've been told Doxycycline and Zithromax are the two main antibiotics that are prescribed and that both can be taken together. If you do self medicate (or at least bring along antibiotics just in case), how do you use them? Before symptoms show or after? And what about the guys who've never considered this approach? Arguments can be that any bug you might catch might become resistant to said antibiotic. Another is that your knocking off the infection before it takes hold.

http://www.drugs.com/doxycycline.html

http://www.drugs.com/zithromax.html

[Goyave]

I'm just curious about what the average cost of a bottle of booze from 7/11 runs? And if 7/11 is the best place to buy such an item?

You may find 'booze' at various prices in Thailand, but you will get better deals at a hypermarket (such as Big C or Tesco-Lotus for instance) than at a 7-Eleven convenience store (where you probably pay about 10-20% more for the same stuff on average).

[Breadman]

I'm just curious about what the average cost of a bottle of booze from 7/11 runs? And if 7/11 is the best place to buy such an item?

[TwoTimeTed]

I visited Thailand during high season Dec to March (winter; LOL).

So what happens in the low season? Obviously, less mongers. However since there are less mongers, do the ladies lower their rates because of the increased competition with the remaining mongers?

Do the Chinese and Japanese still come in droves during this time too?

Even though I'm from a desert in the states, I could barely take the sweaty stickiness of Thailand in Jan-Feb. So must be ten times worse.

On a unrelated subject: The BKK Post doesn't mind offending Thais: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/worl...s-length-study.

[Breadman]

I think I got the travel bug. I am already trying to figure out when I can go back to Thailand, although I dread the weather.

I'm packing more carefully for my 2nd trip, everything is going to be lightweight and quick drying. More than half of the stuff I packed on my first trip, though suitable for hot summer weather in the states, didn't last 20 minutes in Thailand.

[Phordphan]

My choice of beer were: LEO, Chang, San Miguel Light.

Liquors were: Thai Whisky, Black Label.

Leo is OK, a lot of locals drink it. I don't recall ever NOT having it over ice. Chang is very strong and would be Malt Liquor in the states. Personally, my favorite is Beer Lao (when you can find it) or Tiger.

I actually rather like Thai whiskey. But, just to be pedantic, it's not whiskey, despite what they call it. It's actually rum, which may explain why I like it. It's made from sugar cane, not grain.

[TwoTimeTed]

I think I got the travel bug. I am already trying to figure out when I can go back to Thailand, although I dread the weather.

I got to thinking, I want to go to the Philippines maybe a week and then over to Thailand. I can go to Thailand by myself, but I don't wish to go to Philippines by myself, too dangerous.

If I go, I want to hit up Angeles City. Most resembles Thailand scene.

Prices seem to be about the same. A little cheaper in Philippines it seems.

[TwoTimeTed]

I wanted to add that I drank a lot of beers while in Thailand and I got buzzed everyday and drunk many days. But my take-away from this is I never had a hangover all vacation.

I even drank the Thai whisky and didn't have a hangover at all.

I drink in the states certain liquors and I can easily have a headache or hangover the next day.

But the beer fairy must have been hanging over my shoulder letting me drink mass quantities without that burden.

My choice of beer were: LEO, Chang, San Miguel Light.

Liquors were: Thai Whisky, Black Label.

[Onnut69]

I guess this website is out of date? http://www.thaiembassydc.org/?page_id=286.

That's where I got the age 50. Where did you get age 55?

You are right, it is over 50 for a retirement visa. I got mine through a kind of legal office I found on the web for 25,000 baht. The only requirement is the 800000 baht in your bank account. But I understand the legal office could also help with that, of course for a fee.

Also, if you are not over 50 it is not enough to invest millions of bath in an apartment, you have to create jobs for Thai people.

[TwoTimeTed]

That is about right, except it is under 55 and over 55.

If you are under 55, aside from the points you mentioned you can get residence in Thailand if you invest a minimum of 10,000,000 Baht, I. E. Buy a luxurious apartment.

If you are over 55, you can apply for a retirement visa. You need to open a local bank account with a Thai Bank and show a balance of at least 800,000 Baht for at least 3 Months. The visa fees are around 10,000 Baht and if you employ a reputable lawyer you can add another 30 - 40,000 Baht legal fees. The retirement visa is valid for one year and extensions require the same bank balance for at least 3 months before renewal.

I guess this website is out of date? http://www.thaiembassydc.org/?page_id=286.

That's where I got the age 50. Where did you get age 55?

[BkkMick]

My understanding.

US citizens can stay in Thailand for 30 days every six months without a visa, simply with a passport.

So if you want to stay longer, you can get a tourist visa and extend your stay to 60 days today (another 30 days).

So for those that want to stay longer, you fall into 2 categories.

1. Those under 50 years of age.

2. Those over 50 years of age.

Those over 50 can apply for a Visa O and with certain income requirements and / or deposit in bank can stay longer 1 year.

Those under 50 years old, I see only 3 ways to stay.

1. Marry a Thai.

2. Get employed and sponsor from a Thai business.

3. Somehow start a business.

Other than that, an American under 50 has got to go.

Overstaying can cost 500 baht per day.

Would this be accurate?

That is about right, except it is under 55 and over 55.

If you are under 55, aside from the points you mentioned you can get residence in Thailand if you invest a minimum of 10,000,000 Baht, I. E. Buy a luxurious apartment.

If you are over 55, you can apply for a retirement visa. You need to open a local bank account with a Thai Bank and show a balance of at least 800,000 Baht for at least 3 Months. The visa fees are around 10,000 Baht and if you employ a reputable lawyer you can add another 30 - 40,000 Baht legal fees. The retirement visa is valid for one year and extensions require the same bank balance for at least 3 months before renewal.

[Tomasb]

Yes, very accurate and concise. I just renewed my initial 30 day visa I received at the Bangkok airport upon arrival on Jan 18 for 30 more days. My visa is now good until March 20. The cost was $1900 baht or about $60. One can also apply in advance for a 60 day visa through a Thai embassy or consulate. However, I don't think you save any money this way as there are application costs involved. You only avoid the hassle of going to the immigration office in Bangkok or elsewhere. Unlike in PHP, they don't start the new visa date based on your application date so you get the full 60 days.

My experience extending my visa was quite good and I was in and out of the office in a half hour or so. However, the visa office is located in a warren of government offices and buildings outside of Bangkok proper. It took me a while to get there. For most people, one needs to take the Skyway to the end of the line at MoChit. When I did, I was distressed to find no taxis would take me to the immigration office due to heavy morning traffic. The taxis said it would an hour or two drive! Instead, I opted to take a motorcycle taxi. The trip took about 45 minutes through harrowing traffic, back soi's and bumpy lanes, etc. They do offer you a helmet for what it is worth. One can find similar moto taxis on your return and apparently there is a cheaper bus outside the complex. If you are traveling outside of Bangkok and come across an immigration office, I recommend you do the extension there. All of them, by the way, close for lunch from 12-1.

I also have a friend who is over 50 and annually applies and receives a retirement visa. This gives him a full year in country, whereupon he has to reapply. One has to deposit either a combination of money in a Thai bank or show proof of income, (social security, pensions). These amounts are detailed in the immigration office website.

I will be leaving the country for Cambodia on March 20 to comply with my visa expiration, however, I can renter for another 30 days at any time thereafter.

My understanding.

US citizens can stay in Thailand for 30 days every six months without a visa, simply with a passport.

So if you want to stay longer, you can get a tourist visa and extend your stay to 60 days today (another 30 days).

So for those that want to stay longer, you fall into 2 categories.

1. Those under 50 years of age.

2. Those over 50 years of age.

Those over 50 can apply for a Visa O and with certain income requirements and / or deposit in bank can stay longer 1 year.

Those under 50 years old, I see only 3 ways to stay.

1. Marry a Thai.

2. Get employed and sponsor from a Thai business.

3. Somehow start a business.

Other than that, an American under 50 has got to go.

Overstaying can cost 500 baht per day.

Would this be accurate?