Bangkok Reports

[LA Guy 5]

I don't know how long it has been since you used SVB taxis LAG but now you have to line up to get a ticket from a machine which prints out the Bay number, Taxi ID and name of driver and you then walk across to that bay. You have a printed record of the details plus phone numbers to call if service is not good.

I have used these taxis 3 times in July and August this year and it was smooth as you like. No scams.

Well as I posted it has been a few years as I now have a taxi driver who comes and picks me up. I also mentioned in my post there was a more recent effort by the government to clean up the taxi situation although I did not know one way or the other how successful it was; it sounds from your post it seems to have worked, which is a very good thing. The last thing one wants after arriving in Bangkok after a long plane flight is to deal with difficult or dishonest taxi drivers.

[Red Kilt]

<SNIP>

I should add though that just before I settled on one taxi, the government did start a program to clean up the taxi situation at the airport. And from what I gather that program was a success, whether a perfect success or just partial I don't know.

I don't know how long it has been since you used SVB taxis LAG but now you have to line up to get a ticket from a machine which prints out the Bay number, Taxi ID and name of driver and you then walk across to that bay. You have a printed record of the details plus phone numbers to call if service is not good.

I have used these taxis 3 times in July and August this year and it was smooth as you like. No scams.

[LA Guy 5]

"Hot meters"? That is certainly not my experience in Bangkok.

I used to take the express airport train until that stopped running. Carrying my luggage on the normal airport train all the way to Phaya Thai station and then on the Skytrain to Asoke station was too much of a bother (and I'm not getting any younger either).

So of all the times I took a taxi from the airport to my hotel near Asoke, I doubt if the meter showed a price that was 50 bath more or less than the other taxis charged me and those differences could be easily explained by traffic jams or other deviations that are a fact of life in Bangkok.

I found most taxi-drivers courteous and willing to please. The few that suggested a "fixed price" would immediately relent after a polite "mai khrab" and "Please use the taximeter". None even tried to make unnecessary detours to rack up the price.

A few years ago I took an airport taxi to my hotel in the general Sukhumvit area and the metered fare was about 150 baht more than it should have been (there was little traffic or delays on the trip so that didn't account for the high fare). I also had stayed at that hotel tens of times so knew what the fare should have been and I also confirmed there were no recent fare increases. When I got to the hotel the bellmen agreed the fare was way too high and made the taxi accept what was the usual fare (approximately) to the hotel.

Around the same time period, I also had a couple of airport taxis refuse to turn on the meter, and I ended up getting out of their taxis.

Since then I have had a taxi driver I know pick me up at the airport so I don't know whether my few bad experiences a few years ago happens much if at all these days. But it was because of a few bad experiences with taxis at the airport that I decided to rely on one taxi I know.

I should add though that just before I settled on one taxi, the government did start a program to clean up the taxi situation at the airport. And from what I gather that program was a success, whether a perfect success or just partial I don't know.

[Christian G]

Went to my usual pharmacist on Sukhumvit to stock up on meds. They provided everything I needed except for Valium. Although they did not say it, it was kinda clear from their body language that they don't do it for some enforcement reason.
Anyone have any info on this? Or where I might get some valium without hassle. I am only looking for a 5 MG strip.

You must to go in the Doctor Clinic and they will give to you. Also in Pattaya they don't sell valium, xanax, alprazolam or similar in the pharmacy but if you go the clinic you will have this kind of medicines without any question or problem.

[Wolvenvacht]

Went to my usual pharmacist on Sukhumvit to stock up on meds. They provided everything I needed except for Valium. Although they did not say it, it was kinda clear from their body language that they don't do it for some enforcement reason.

Anyone have any info on this? Or where I might get some valium without hassle. I am only looking for a 5 MG strip.

In most countries Valium (Diazepam) is on the restricted list and considered an illegal drug when not prescribed by a doctor. Some countries even do not allow import unless you have a local prescription or import licence.

Be very careful in Thailand where drug related offences are treated harshly.

[Mua Tur]

Went to my usual pharmacist on Sukhumvit to stock up on meds. They provided everything I needed except for Valium. Although they did not say it, it was kinda clear from their body language that they don't do it for some enforcement reason.

Anyone have any info on this? Or where I might get some valium without hassle. I am only looking for a 5 MG strip.

The generic name of Valium is Diazepam. Since you are user of this drug so you know better why you used.

Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. It is also used to relieve muscle spasms and to provide sedation before medical procedures. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).

Other than that there lots of miss handling of this drug. Addicted peoples using this drug as a substitute of addiction material if not available in hand. More over it helps and causes suicidal attempts too.

Thats why this section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. Thats why you might be correct not to sell out for some kind of enforcement reason, just need the valid prescription.

[Simian]

Went to my usual pharmacist on Sukhumvit to stock up on meds. They provided everything I needed except for Valium. Although they did not say it, it was kinda clear from their body language that they don't do it for some enforcement reason.

Anyone have any info on this? Or where I might get some valium without hassle. I am only looking for a 5 MG strip.

[Syzygies]

"General purpose" ? What's that -- like a multi-vitamin, full spectrum? LOL. Better to resist the impulse to spew here than to say something useless.

Bacterial infections can be gram negative, gram positive. Or a ph00age interactive infection. Have any 'bad symptom thing' tested (so cheap and fast to do) and get prescribed the appropriate remedy.

Sure however internet research can show what types of problems antibiotics are suitable for. For example Azithromycin is known to treat Chlamydia and also some other infections.

I have stated I buy spare antibiotics as have found some General practioners quite useless and the difficulty of getting doctor appointments in foreign countries where don't speak the language and on an urgent travel schedule.

It is essential to use the correct or siutable antiboitic for the right problem and take them on correct way.

General purpose only means that an antibiotic can be suitable for more than one condition and not every condition. I am not giving medical advice as am not a doctor. I merely say what I do.

Sometimes doctors guess wrong and prescribe the wrong treatment too. Happened to me too many times. If treatment works, its great. If not try again.

I once went to a GP in Germany exoecting them to test what type of infectikn I had. No. Said I would have to go to a specialist to get a test. Gave me eye drops that failed to work. They guessed wrong. Waste of time for me. Their guesswork was no better than mine. Azithromycin potentially could have worked if I got lucky. I had to put up with eye infection longer than necessary because of wrong treatmemt and no test to find out what it was.

A later treatment worked Gentamycin drops but I never found out what my infection was.

There do exist other problems where correct treatment is more obvious

[Wolvenvacht]

And if they use the meter it more often turns out to be a hot one nowadays. Will cost me an extra 100-150 bath from the airport, so now I've stopped complaining. Last time I even used the Skytrain since I didn't have much luggage.

"Hot meters"? That is certainly not my experience in Bangkok.

I used to take the express airport train until that stopped running. Carrying my luggage on the normal airport train all the way to Phaya Thai station and then on the Skytrain to Asoke station was too much of a bother (and I'm not getting any younger either).

So of all the times I took a taxi from the airport to my hotel near Asoke, I doubt if the meter showed a price that was 50 bath more or less than the other taxis charged me and those differences could be easily explained by traffic jams or other deviations that are a fact of life in Bangkok.

I found most taxi-drivers courteous and willing to please. The few that suggested a "fixed price" would immediately relent after a polite "mai khrab" and "Please use the taximeter". None even tried to make unnecessary detours to rack up the price.

[Tim Bone]

That sucks. How hard is it to just turn on the meter and go!?

If that ever happens again, just point to the meter and say taxi meter before you even get in. If the driver starts talking price, walk to the next taxi and ask again.

Good luck.

And if they use the meter it more often turns out to be a hot one nowadays. Will cost me an extra 100-150 bath from the airport, so now I've stopped complaining. Last time I even used the Skytrain since I didn't have much luggage.

[Golfinho]

I buy general purpose antibiotics that can treat various types of infections.

"General purpose" ? What's that -- like a multi-vitamin, full spectrum? LOL. Better to resist the impulse to spew here than to say something useless.

Bacterial infections can be gram negative, gram positive. Or a phage interactive infection. Have any 'bad symptom thing' tested (so cheap and fast to do) and get prescribed the appropriate remedy.

[JesseJames]

I use to frequent Cocktail Club in Soi Cowboy and got to know a few of the girls. The owner was a woman and she owned several places on Soi Cowboy. One of them being Suzi Wong. Whether this is current I do not know. But I was surprised at the # she did own. Again, word of mouth, but was pointed out to the owner one time when she came in to the Cocktail Club. Older woman as you noted.

Real owners hire front people who call themselves owners and get paid to take the heat or do the dirty biz. The real owners stay far away from the places they control enjoying their lives and wouldn't be caught dead or alive in those stinky places.

[Jgm005]

One of the girls l picked up at Suzie Wong told me that the owner is indeed a woman, but I got the impression (perhaps wrongly and I did not take much attention as I was busy with other more interesting activities) she was older than the woman on that FB page..

I use to frequent Cocktail Club in Soi Cowboy and got to know a few of the girls. The owner was a woman and she owned several places on Soi Cowboy. One of them being Suzi Wong. Whether this is current I do not know. But I was surprised at the # she did own. Again, word of mouth, but was pointed out to the owner one time when she came in to the Cocktail Club. Older woman as you noted.

[Syzygies]

I was interested to read this. Don't want to start a big STD debate (not least as there is a forum dedicated to it rather than it become a big subject in this forum). I'm not a doctor but I know Azithromycin / Zithromax cures chlamydia and that used with I think Cefixime) it can cure gonorrhea but what are the others all for. I googled them and see they all kill bacteria but wondered if you carry these for medicinal (non-mongering) purposes or if for mongering cures can you tell me which do what?

Also, makes me think that as a frequent P4 P member in Asia and Germany you must consider there is a risk. This is obvious of course but I wondered why as it is clear you are sensible, practice safe sex, so I assume you must consider oral sex to be the risk.

As an aside, are you more or less concerned when in Asia than in Germany or does it not matter to you where you are as you think the risk is no higher or lower?

I buy generalmpurpose antibiotics that can treat various types of infections.

I can't predict infections. Could be eye infection, could be cuts or burns. I am not thinking of STDs in particular. If have a problem I consult internet to see if any of them might work well, and sometimes they do.

I have not made a habit of BB other than with long term GF and with another longer term almost GF. However getting an STD is still possible. Have had Chlamydia unexpectedly in my life, despite using condoms for sex. Its very easy to transmit.

I expect risks in Thailand are significant. My buddy went BB and had Gonor. In his first week here. You can get a dose pretty quick if you try hard.

As I have a GF I don't want her to get a dose of something.

[PayForIt]

I get several sorts of antibiotocs as spares in case of problems during travels. Azithromycin, Amoxillan, Ciprofloxacin, Celphalexin, etc.

I was interested to read this. Don't want to start a big STD debate (not least as there is a forum dedicated to it rather than it become a big subject in this forum). I'm not a doctor but I know Azithromycin / Zithromax cures chlamydia and that used with I think Cefixime) it can cure gonorrhea but what are the others all for. I googled them and see they all kill bacteria but wondered if you carry these for medicinal (non-mongering) purposes or if for mongering cures can you tell me which do what?

Also, makes me think that as a frequent P4 P member in Asia and Germany you must consider there is a risk. This is obvious of course but I wondered why as it is clear you are sensible, practice safe sex, so I assume you must consider oral sex to be the risk.

As an aside, are you more or less concerned when in Asia than in Germany or does it not matter to you where you are as you think the risk is no higher or lower?