General Reports

[LittleBigMan]

Having accelerated China's punishment before elections he now takes aim at Thailand.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-sus...022212941.html

How is this going to impact US mongers'relations with personnel in their favorite destination?

It isn't going to have any large affect since Thailand had already made it choice as to the side they want to support although haven't come out in public to say it but their action surely has for some time! Personally living here I've been in support of this move for sometime and has even written to the trade commission as to why. Take Trump out of the conversation it is something that should have been done years ago and the delay of 2 plus years something they learn from China and the art of war. One only has to go to a place like Food land look on the shelves and see why they should have been on the list years ago plus even before the trade war China had already made arrangement with a number of large Thai companies to circumvent the USA Action by shipping products into Thailand then package it under a Thai company to get around the tariff going into the USA.

[Banana Boi]

The Condo Association is trying to push a program where anyone who buys a condo worth 10 million baht receives residency status in Thailand. I'm sure most of you guys are richer than I am and can afford the $321k US price tag to get to go to Thailand.

I'm trying to understand these proposals. Rich people don't have COVID I guess.

[AggieDad1]

Having accelerated China's punishment before elections he now takes aim at Thailand.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-sus...022212941.html

How is this going to impact US mongers'relations with personnel in their favorite destination?

None. I visited China several time in the last few years. The trade war had no effect on my abilities to get Chinese ladies to spread their legs. I even have a girlfriend who is a party member.

[Turgid]

Having accelerated China's punishment before elections he now takes aim at Thailand.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-sus...022212941.html

How is this going to impact US mongers'relations with personnel in their favorite destination?

[Sky Ryder]

Has anyone here taken a post-COVID international flight? Just wondering if there is still full meal service and beverages? If so, does that mean that whenever you have any sort of food or drink in your hand you do not need to wear a facemask? If so, I'll just be holding a bottled water in my hand the entire time. You're supposed to drink something every 10 minutes anyways to limit your chances on getting COVID.

Also, what constitutes a face mask? Does a face shield or neck gaiter qualify as a mask?

Not sure if it made the news here, but I will tell you that the airlines do not take the mask issue lightly. There have been more than a few pax removed for not following the rules, and if you put up a fuss, it just increases the odds you will be off loaded. I am not talking about fairness, or if it is necessary, I am just saying those are the policies and you are not required to follow them, but if you don't follow to the satisfaction of the crew you WILL be taken off the flight. It is all about making everyone else onboard feel safe, it is not about your comfort I will guarantee you!

Also, you won't have a bottle of water in your hand the entire time, because you are not allowed to pass security with a bottle of water in your carry on. If you fall asleep with the mask on, they will wake you and ask that you put a mask on, if you get up to go to the toilet, you will need to have your mask on. Do as you please, but you are not the one making the rules in this case.

BTW, I just returned from 4 months in the USA.

[Bule2004]

Has anyone here taken a post-COVID international flight? Just wondering if there is still full meal service and beverages? If so, does that mean that whenever you have any sort of food or drink in your hand you do not need to wear a facemask? If so, I'll just be holding a bottled water in my hand the entire time. You're supposed to drink something every 10 minutes anyways to limit your chances on getting COVID.

Also, what constitutes a face mask? Does a face shield or neck gaiter qualify as a mask?

I just returned from a round trip on Delta to the USA. Delta was less than 10% full on every segment. I had an entire 9 person row to myself, going and returning. Jakarta to Seoul to Detroit.

Full food and beverage service provided.

I even scored an inexpensive Skymiles ticket.

Either facemask was acceptable. TSA was friendly!

Bule2004.

[Banana Boi]

Has anyone here taken a post-COVID international flight? Just wondering if there is still full meal service and beverages? If so, does that mean that whenever you have any sort of food or drink in your hand you do not need to wear a facemask? If so, I'll just be holding a bottled water in my hand the entire time. You're supposed to drink something every 10 minutes anyways to limit your chances on getting COVID.

Also, what constitutes a face mask? Does a face shield or neck gaiter qualify as a mask?

[MichaelSamuel]

Thought I would throw my information in as well. I have been flying Cathay almost exclusively for the last 25 or so trips. Mostly I have managed to fly business using AA miles, asia miles, or points from citi or chase. I have also done the purchase AA miles to use them for cathay redemption which works out to RT business for a little over $2 k USD, NYC. BKK.

I also agree you should minimize connections as much as possible. I take the train, sometimes amtrak to LIRR to Airtrain to JFK just to avoid a connection and it's worth it to fly direct JFK-HKG even if it's costing me extra. Also key is to have some type of lounge access whether due to status or flight class or something like priority pass from a credit card. Having a more relaxed place to be before a flight or being able to shower when arriving is the perfect setup to being ready to go on arrival.

Personally I actually like the 15 hour flight compared to a flight of 6+. The reason for it is that I know I have 15 hours of peace without any news or internet. I can focus on a bad movie or a good book and both are rewarding when you can't get distracted by your phone. It of course helps that cathay service is great. My personal recipe for handling jetlag and maximizing energy for the girls. 1. Eat on schedule even if you aren't hungry. 2. stay hydrated and try to sleep as much as possible on the flight and change into pajamas before the flight even takes off. 3. Drugs, ambien for sleep and strong coffee in the mornings.

I usually then do a layover in Macau mostly due to the hotels being better and more affordable and the girl scene so easy with the spas, albeit expensive. Though sometimes while transitioning through HKG I have enjoyed the affordability of 141's. Food is also great and within the central neighborhood between the ferry and airport express there are good restaurants and 141's available.

I have also done stopovers in Tokyo which are great as well but I used the paradise soapy primarily. There is lots else to explore P4 P scene wise in Tokyo but for simple ease of access for non-japanese paradise is the way to go.

I did a stopover last year in UAE, but was really more of a stop for 5 nights. I flew in and out of Abu Dhabi, but rented a car and went to Dubai for first 4 nights. Driving was easy and car was cheap. Dubai wouldn't be a bad spot to stopover on another trip. Hotels were affordable, food a bit pricey, and girls somewhere in the middle between LOS and Macau but with more variety to try.

As with everything in life, there is a trade off between comfort and money.

Upgrading your seat from economy to premium economy may cost an extra 50%, but for me it is much more comfortable. I used to fly Korean Air, but they don't offer that class. For me, Cathay Pacific and Delta offer premium economy and affordable prices.

In years gone by, my long business trips were in business class. Felt as fresh upon arrival as I did before departure. I might spring for that sometime in the future. Cost is about 5 times that of economy.

Minimize your total travel time from home to BKK. For me, this means taking an airport shuttle or Uber to an airport 70 miles from home instead of the airport 25 miles from home. This way I can get 2 legs to BKK instead of 3. Saves about 3 hours total travel time for me. It also eliminates the chances of flight delays associated with a 3rd leg. My first ever personal trip to BKK was 3 legs and the first leg was delayed, which screwed my entire trip. Didn't get my luggage until day 3 in BKK.

For layovers longer than about 5 hours, you might find sleeping pods in your transfer airport. Longer than 8 hour layover might warrant a day room at your transfer airport hotel.

Upon arrival in BKK Im exhausted. I check into my hotel but cant sleep. A quick piece of ass at a place like Doki Doki completes the journey and I sleep perfectly for about 10 hours.

[Sammon]

I usually stop in Taipei from west coast of US via Eva Air but connections are good so carry on direct to Bangkok. I also generally travel to SEAsia in late December and the weather is always foggy and rainy in Taipei that time of year but would still like to check it out though there is no real club or bar scene like BKK or so I have been informed.

Taipei is a must see as it is mini version of China. I like the food in night markets and seafood restaurants. There are plenty of expat domestic workers who hang around central station on sundays. I hooked up with a girl from Indonesia. There are lots of things to see and places to visit. Transportation infrastructure is very good. Unlike China there is not much prostitution out in the open. There are local clubs and bars but on a westerner point view hard to mingle unless you have a local friend.

I like Eva Air. Efficient clean and connections from taipei to other places are easy. Very good prices as well. Unlike Cathay Pacific planes are pretty new.

[Kerrstar]

One last question. Anyone ever go to Thailand from Istanbul? I could handle a nonstop from Chicago to Istanbul with some meds, no diapers hopefully and then fly to Thailand assuming Istanbul is about halfway.

I've done Singapore to Istanbul which was pretty easy. If you have a star alliance gold card then you can use the huge lounge at Istanbul airport, which is really nice. Turkish airlines fly to lots of places, so getting connections through there is pretty easy. Not too bad of a place to have a couple of days stop over, all depends on how much time you have.

Flying East. West always seems to be the best with regards to minimising jetlag for me, no sure about others, so via Istanbul may make jetlag worse. Then again, if you arrive sometime in the afternoon and head straight out then jetlag won't be an issue.

Whn are you planning to go to BKK, at the moment it's effectively closed for tourist and is likely to sty that way for some time.

[ChuchoLoco]

Lots of seasoned travellers with excellent advices.

One last question. Anyone ever go to Thailand from Istanbul? I could handle a nonstop from Chicago to Istanbul with some meds, no diapers hopefully and then fly to Thailand assuming Istanbul is about halfway.

Thanks in advance.

There are flights with one stop in Qatar. Cost now is around $850 RT. Total time 13 hours and so, e minutes including layover. At least there is an alternative but really not saving a whole lot of hours but it may work for me. Chicago to Istanbul is about 9 hours. Got to check price. Probably will end up double of a cheap Chicago to Bannon.

Thanks again everyone. I'll probably end up in Colombia for now and when I visit family in eastern Europe, I have an option to get to Thailand.

[Member #4698]

One last question. Anyone ever go to Thailand from Istanbul? I could handle a nonstop from Chicago to Istanbul with some meds, no diapers hopefully and then fly to Thailand assuming Istanbul is about halfway.

I was in Istanbul a long, long time ago. It is very a interesting city from a cultural & culinary perspective and a good layover candidate for that reason, but I very much doubt the girly scene in Istanbul today has much to write home about.

Turkish Air can hook you right up: ORD. IST - BKK. They have just what you are looking for and currently at bargain prices on relatively short durations.

[ChuchoLoco]

Moved response here from the Pattaya thread as the query is not Pattaya specific. I see Natty already had the same thoughts.

I think guys don't do overnight layovers on their way to Thailand because I find a short 2 or 3 day layover in another country like Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Taipei, etc. Would have more expensive flights. They also may have only 2 weeks vacation and want to spend every minute possible getting Thai pussy. None of us enjoy long flights. Why would we?

If I have a short layover of 1 or 3 hours I try looking for an extended layover of 6 or 8 hours and sleep for a few hours at an airport hotel. That way when I arrive in Thailand I'm ready to roll immediately.

Lots of seasoned travellers with excellent advices.

One last question. Anyone ever go to Thailand from Istanbul? I could handle a nonstop from Chicago to Istanbul with some meds, no diapers hopefully and then fly to Thailand assuming Istanbul is about halfway.

Thanks in advance.

[DazeUp]

French lady goes to Thailand. She satisfies the quarantine period and is now symptom free. Then she goes to a gym and catches COVID. Thailand's population is 70 million people and she is one of 135 active cases in all of Thailand. Pretty unlucky for her. If my rough math is correct without a calculator it's 500,000:1 odds she catches COVID.

Hmmm. Interesting, nice catch!

Either that or as another BM noted. Maybe not all Thai covid case numbers are what they seem.

[Whoreman]

French lady goes to Thailand. She satisfies the quarantine period and is now symptom free. Then she goes to a gym and catches COVID. Thailand's population is 70 million people and she is one of 135 active cases in all of Thailand. Pretty unlucky for her. If my rough math is correct without a calculator it's 500,000:1 odds she catches COVID.

The rumour is that she's actually a Thai woman married to a French man but arrived on her French passport, which is why they're referring to her as a French woman.