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Apologies for breaking my promise not to post again nor respond but I feel I was not clear enough on a key point----that might save a life.
Yett Muat is local slang for "fucked them all". I'm not a professional linguist and would appreciate a better understanding, why in this instance the words are reversed as say in "Muatt wella" or time's up. My transliteration is poor so sorry.
Those looking for "proof" clearly don't understand. If you know when you got it it's a simple case of looking at the log. In my case I was outsdide Thailand for an extended period so know precisely (within 2 girls) who gave it to me. Neither is now working at their respective places but their pictures are on the web. And no I cannot share with the identities as the stigma here is still huge.
Further, to say there is nothing new misses 2 points of my message---1. We are all playing Russian roulette and the gun is indeed loaded. The short medical explantion is that one can develop micro fissures on the skin of your dick which allow transmission as well as a girl with cancer sores giving you head. Any cuts abrasions etc in the mouth or dick and you've got a point of entry. Further a lot of the girls like to use babay oil or lotion rather than KY which compromises the intergrity of the condom. I too engaged in denial of risks of the "game". Since I now have children I saddened I won't be around as long as I could have been. 2. For those thinking something is just not right, please understand I have to protect my identity. Screwing with someone's rice bowl here in Asia often results in death by the offended party. The things I reported are true but an Asian will never say so. To do so is asking for him or loved ones to snuffed out. I have had to wrap things in an opaque wrppaer if you will to remain anonymous for safety and livelihood sake.
Classify the entry anyway you like but I hoped the general reports would reach the widest audience. And yes I am very impressed by the experience level found on ISG. Having arrived in Asia before fax machines, this would have saved me a ton of time and money! One last note, I didn't mean to brag about being to walk out with the best. I was trying to convey to the other older guys on ISG they can compete and win out over the younger guys:.) And it is not done with money! Good old fashioned sweet talking still works. Remeber smiles are free.
On a personal side to OTH. Been wher you've been, where you've reached a tipping point and get jaded with things in Asia. The best cure is to spend a few weeks in say Japan or another country to refresh your self and reason for being here. And no I wasn't in a shack in Klong Toei (but a tip of the hat to you for being able to endure).
EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.
Jungle Bluebird
10-12-07, 12:20
Oh well, what do you expect. Pattaya is all about pussy, so yes, it's all about money.
Pattaya and for that matter Patong, Phuket are slums open to the public. I say this as usually slums are no go areas and not tourist attractions.
In fact it would be easy to draw a fence around Patong, Phuket and charge entrance fees. Tall wooden fence, just like Jurassic Park, guarded by huge Katoys dressed up like Neanderthals. Hey, they just don't have to shave their legs anymore and voila.
What amazes me - still - is that Thailand prides itself on cultural aspects while maintaining slums of sleaze. But then again, Pattaya and Patong do in a way represent what Thailand is most known for overseas, cheap pussy.
Ok, anger vented LOL. Rant over, can go back to work now.
JB
In a book at Jasmine Mansion in Pattaya there was a quote from a TG -
"If money talks in the rest of the world, in Thailand it SCREAMS!"
It's all about money in Pattaya ...
"Hello hansum man... welcum...WELCUM!!"
(as she yells in my ear over the din on Soi 8 last nite. Ever watch them carve up a roast pig? Now if the Thai would only learn to B-B-Q TEXAS style...)
Lover Boy #2
10-13-07, 04:58
jb
there's something about the post that's not quite right. but, i'm not sure what it is.
the whole of the hiv stuff is wild speculation without any hard facts whatsoever.
yes, there is some bullshit going on here. but, i'm not sure what it is.
interesting that you should feel this way, as i feel exactly the same.....and thought about this for a full day before commenting (as his post is not a common "troll" post and is fairly well written in some respects). there is something that doesn't ring true...but what is it? here are some thoughts;
just a brief and single post from an old asia hand regarding trends, ongoings and a warning. (wsg has been around for quite some time and was proceeded by some other form of it…that was taken over by jackson. you are a guy with amazing bad luck…..but this is the first post on the subject….where you tell all mongers that you acquired hiv using a condom due to “micro fissures”. anything is possible, but this whole thing doesn’t sound right based on my own research. as you know, there are women on the sperm receiving end who have sex with hiv positive men and do not contract it. obviously everyone here feels your pain, but it appears <on the face of it>…that something is very wrong here)
i'll not reply nor engage other isg folks as a 30+ year resident vetran of the night scene in asia and especially thailand i've nothing to prove. a few credentials. i've been very lucky (yeah right!!!!!!...i don’t think so!!!!.....you got hiv using a condom) as my vantage point of being a very highly paid european executive and entreuprener has allowed me to experience asia's nightlife without regard to financial concerns (yet you go to annie’s???????). i've married several times into both high and lo so as it's called here on isg and am fluent in several asia languages. i've lived in the pricey penthouses as well as "thai style" in thai neighborhoods. indeed most of my experience comes from living amongst the working girls (you are an “executive and entreuprener <sic> but live among the working girls…what are you thinking??) not from the gilded/shielded elite housing. having kept a diary, i stopped counting "encounters" after several thousand (what does this mean??....you certainly are compulsive keeping a diary of encounters) and sorry i can never share pictures (who asked for any from you?…we have quite a few here).
the good.
thailand and other parts of asia still offer a counter balance to the unchecked feministic power in the west. many men beaten down by the west's preferential treatment of women can still come here and get a new perspective on relationships the old asian way. what so many never understand (or forget) is asia is still all about "face". a facet of which means most of what you see hear and enjoy is for fun, enjoyment, but mostly money.
as an old fart, well into my fifties, fat and bald, i can still walk into any bar and walk out with the best on offer much to the chagrin of the young turks. i continue to have poor and even middle class thai's offer me their daughter for marriage. in their eyes a well respected wealthy foreigner is much prefered to her running off with the local motorcycle taxi casanova. sorry i will not share how.
nana, patpong, soi cowboy and their sprawl continue to evolve and segment as they mature. nana is going japanese and transexual as prices have sky rocketed (drinks 4-5x in the last 6-7 years) and the number of katoeys achieves parity with the "sow's" or girls. patpong is fighting back with lower bar fines, drinks prices but continues to lose market share. soi cowboy, the longtime favorite of the expat community seems to still offer the best value of lots of skin and cheap drinks. the economics of the bars will continue to drive the girls onto the streets and free-lance arenas.
pattaya is always recommended for newbies as but bangkok's shear numbers of girls can't be matched anywhere.
the bad.
the poor here are still poor and in for a bleak future. so cut them some slack. china's cheap labour will continue to close factories around the globe, especially here in south east asia. most of these girls live from hand to mouth and the good ones usually support their kids, spouses and parents. and yes most (80-90%) have thai husbands, many of whom work hard for 2-300 baht per day.
if you are an oldster like me, many of your favorites are no longer around. many are dead from aids. more are sick and not getting treatment. and here's the warning i promised:
many working girls here are hiv positive. indeed in one of the thai apartments, 80% of the residents are working girls and at least half are hiv positive. i know because i've read their "visa denial letters" to them or via the local thai grapevine. (why the fu ck would you live here…..it just doesn’t make sense)
kidding yourself that it doesn't exist is the same delusional thought category that a twenty year old hard body really does love a 50 year old fart. do not be "reassured" by claims that monthly checks via the "establisments" is a defense. it is not. i'm hiv positive, for 8 years now, and know (thanks to the diary) it had to have come from either a nana rainbow dancer or an annies massage girl. i do not say this to diss (european business executive speak?) either, indeed many girls on soi 33, and everwhere else have it too. and yes i still patronize rainbow bars and even annies (although my last visit was such crap for the money i'll probably not return (this really makes no sense all….you are a wealthy guy and give a shiite about a fee at annie’s?????). sorry aey) (damn right “sorry”….you just penetrated her ass as far as her business goes and you say “sorry”…are you joking?). i have always worn a condom and will leave the possible explanantions to the medical folks on isg (this has already been commented on…….the medical folks here mean nothing…..why wouldn’t you provide proper info in your first post…instead of the second…now going with “micro-fissures”…..as stated, we all feel bad for you…but the way you have approached this does not seem “right”.
the ugly.
if you are a jabba-the-hut or buff turk type, take a shower! (?????....this seems trite after getting hiv at annie’s or rainbow…….maybe this comedy is not called for in a serious post where you have contracted a deadly disease)
the number one complaint from the girls is falang smell bad, to which i can only agree.
dress accordingly! (thanks for the info….but next time i enter a den of hiv…i think i will wear a hazmat suit…..i’m not concerned about my brooks brothers suit anymore!)
you do not see thai men running around in short pants and singlets for a reason---that's what coolies wear.
the most abhorrent are the pricks who cheat the girls.
if you are one of them beware you will get yours someday (tahm dee dai dee, tahm cheau, dai cheau). a most recent example was an asian from an english speaking country who picked up one of my favorites from the beer garten promising 1000 baht. this girl is very honest and works hard to please a customer. well, the bananna (thai name for folks that are yellow on the outside and white on the inside) only paid her 600 baht after the deed, saying he was short of funds only to be seen cavorting about the other bars in the sukhumvit area. you may think you were clever and saved yourself 400 baht but you are beneath the dirt on a thai's shoes as they say.
most falang will [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) away 400 baht ( $12usd) without thinking twice but to this thai girl, and many like her hard working husband it takes him 3 days to earn that amount! as they say there is a special room in hell waiting for you. and by the way, the girls like to take our pictures too---so they can tell their friends which dickhead (not a common european “wealthy guy” word) cheated them (or which is a great customer)!
whether or not isg will post such a controversy is yet to be seen (what’s the controversy?) personally, i would post the bastard's face at the entrance to the bg. and before any start claiming i'm a "capt-save-a-hoe""(hoe or ho?……i never heard a wealthy european use that word????...i’m confused) that is hardly the case. i pay similar rates to what's typically posted here (1k st) and flatly refuse to pay more for play, even to the rainbow superstars (you go back there after 50% contracting hiv there?). and yes i eventually get them too as a, very longtime customer, a good reputation always pays off, especially now during rainy season when the bars are at the seasonal low.
in closing.
1. treat the girls with respect.
2. do not patronize the ripoff's, learn to turn a blind eye to the touts, even aggressive beggar brigades (half of which own cars and have mobile phones).(yeah…i saw the lepper on the suk. overpass driving a mercedes the other night…was quite funny!)
3. for god's sakes learn to differentiate between a women and a katoey (that is a great tip……you can get hiv by being plunged in the anus by a man…….one to live by)
4. always wear a condom (why…it obviously is a completely false economy), and forget about giving oral (too risky)
5. pay a fair price (yeah…that would be the biggest thought/problem on my mind after acquiring hiv from a micro fissure)
have fun! (how?....now that we know that we are all doomed?)
yes, there is definitely something very wrong here.
note to jackson……i have been here a long time and always follow the rules/tos….however, this post is very wrong…it has many earmarks of a complete troll…or at least a guy with an agenda. he keeps a diary, knows where he contracted hiv (the girls are still on the websites according to him), never notified the establishment, gives the names of the places where this happened, etc., etc. please allow for some latitude, as i feel something is amiss.
Yett Muat's reports are well written and informative.
His writing style (confidence bordering on arrogance; references to personal wealth; better than average command of the English language) reminds me of our old "friend" Domino. His reference to being fat and in his fifties doesn't fit, but you never know. Could be cover. Also, he actually sounds rather kind and helpful which is not Domino-like, but even that comes from a position of superiority; and Domino could certainly affect a "kind and helpful style for cover purposes.
Hmmm.... Could it be?
Lover Boy #2
10-13-07, 05:20
Yett Muat
Those looking for "proof" clearly don't understand. If you know when you got it it's a simple case of looking at the log. In my case I was outsdide Thailand for an extended period so know precisely (within 2 girls) who gave it to me. Neither is now working at their respective places but their pictures are on the web. And no I cannot share with the identities as the stigma here is still huge.
You see...this is another problem. This disease takes time to develop the markers that are read by the tests and these markers do not develop immediately. Are you saying that you had sex with a Rainbow girl, then an Annie's girl......then didn't have any sex for six months...then tested positive? Even this is no good because what did you do before these two?....were you not having sex for 6 months before these two? The only way this would make any sense is if you had unprotected sex (giver or taker)...and then developed HIV/pos. results within 6 months of that experience. Or did you get DNA tests and have the DNA linked to these two girls?...that doesn't match the original story......also this guy claims many conquests...and abstaining from sex for a year does not make sense based on his own comments.
Lover Boy #2
10-13-07, 05:25
"For those thinking something is just not right, please understand I have to protect my identity. Screwing with someone's rice bowl here in Asia often results in death by the offended party. The things I reported are true but an Asian will never say so. To do so is asking for him or loved ones to snuffed out. I have had to wrap things in an opaque wrppaer if you will to remain anonymous for safety and livelihood sake".
This is the internet...you are anonymous...what are you talking about? The more I think about it...there is something very wrong here.
Jungle Bluebird
10-13-07, 08:09
Lover Boy. Let me correct you here. The internet is not anonymous as you might think. IP addresses can be traced, leased lines or dial up, by geo location or fixed DNS. Not by members but the site owner. Some people are just cautious. Plus the local (Bangkok) expat community is quite small. Easy to locate individuals by the references made in their posts.
I think what feels not right is the very fact that all of us want to believe that there is some magical protection against AIDS. Russian Rolette it is. Just think back how many times that condom broke... You can research and turn the facts anyway you want, truth is, AIDS kills.
What is odd though how Yett Muat times the infection. Incubation periods vary and detection would not allow for an accurate timeline. However if he only screwed with those 2 girls over a 6 month period it would be easy to trace back.
The slum thing is another wicked one. But then again, some white boys come here with little and actually make money while being here.
I found best is to take things for what they are - at first that is.
JB
This is the internet...you are anonymous...what are you talking about? The more I think about it...there is something very wrong here.
...
But then again, some white boys come here with little and actually make money while being here.
...Jungle Bluebird,
I always thought it is the other way around :) ...
Giotto
Retired Army
10-13-07, 09:21
Now if the Thai would only learn to B-B-Q TEXAS style...)
There is a good BBQ joint on Suk 36 and a pretty good one up in Chiang Mai.
Old Thai Hand
10-13-07, 10:18
Lover Boy
I agree with you agreeing with me...(LOL) I've read this post again and his follow-up and am even more convinced that there are a number of glaringly obvious things that are wrong, not least of which is the writing style and vocabulary, which I would bet is not possible even by the most eloquent, high-born, well-established European businessman.
Sorry, Yett Muat, but on checking with a number of Thai friends, not to mention my girlfriend, the supposed slang expression your handle proports to represent doesn't exist.
The one gem that I liked the most was the image of middle class fathers offering their daughters in marriage to YM to save them from running off with a motorcycle taxi lothario. Gawd! The chances of a middle class TG falling for someone beneath her in status, with no money, no future, even if he was a stud (which few I've ever encountered are) is as likely as snow in BKK.
Rich businessmen do frequent gogo bars. But, I doubt an old Asian hand such as YM would still be doing this after all these years unless he's a complete loser with self-esteem issues, which judging by his arrogance seems unlikely. Lastly, in the same vein, what Farang in his right mind, and with money would ever live among working girls? That's just bullshit, pure and simple...
...and Daddy 07 gave the guy a RoD.
Note to Daddy
Daddy, while I admire your gee-whiz enthusiasm about your big move to the Land o' Skanks, you'd better grow up fast and learn the realities of living here. If it's too good to be true, (like the supposed mega-conquests of dozens of nurses and female doctors at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital recently reported by Bill Miami, that you enthused so much about) it probably is.
M P Lurker
10-13-07, 10:30
<cut>
Yett Muat is local slang for "fucked them all". I'm not a professional linguist and would appreciate a better understanding, why in this instance the words are reversed as say in "Muatt wella" or time's up. My transliteration is poor so sorry.
<cut>
Your code name confused me at first due to slightly unusual spelling.
Thai word "yett" (high tone I think) means "fuck" as you said.
Thai word "mot" (low tone) is pronounced a little differently to English so hence your slightly unusual spelling "muat". Perhaps thats how it sounds to you, so no complaint. There is NO correct spelling in English. Its all approximation.
This Thai word is a verb or adverb and means "all gone","all used up", or "none remaining"
Hence "mot weylah" means "used up the time" or "there is no time left".
"yett mot" or "yet muat" then means "fucked them all till none left" or "fucked every last one of them".
Hope you mean't girls rather than members of the Forum.:-)
I liked your disertation and I don't care how you got HIV, since we will never know for sure. Its not worth debating. The lesson is that nothing is certain.
Fucking girls will always have certain risks.
I wore a condom but contracted Clamydia in the eye.
Still can't keep my fingers off the pussy, but will be a little more careful.
Lover Boy #2
10-14-07, 06:20
A recent Nobel Prize winner (Al Gore) and myself invented the internet......so no correction is necessary. If OP was worried about IP, geo location, fixed DNS or tracing by Jackson.....then all he has to do is visit one of thousands of internet locations in Thailand and around the world. There would be other ways to mask location, but this would be the best.....don't you think? As to your second point, OP is the one that mentioned his age, physical description, name of the places where he caught the dreaded disease, etc. Maybe he has a death wish, as I would imagine he has done the best job (himself) of giving himself up to the "small" BKK expat community. (By the way, I don't agree with this as there is a definite strata in this community and further division by nationality and job type).
As to your second paragraph....I agree "AIDS kills". Let's all be careful out there. Guys who bareback all the time will eventually run into a major problem without any doubt. Nuff said.
The timing and the blame are a joke. It is impossible to time this the way he has and then to place the blame, is what alerted me in the first place. If a guy had no sex for a year....had a test (PCR DNA pref.)....tested negative.....had sex with an Annie's girl and a Rainbow dancer after that test...then had another test after 6 months of no other sex.....then I would say that the suspects are from Annie's and Rainbow. There would still be other possibilities as to what happened.....but at least this would sound logical. The way he has it set up...it makes no sense at all. Based on his own comments, there are conquests all over the place. This part of his explanation is the most suspect. (But there are other things, as noted below).
Then you go into the "white boy" thing. I'm not quite sure where you are going with this or what this means. Maybe some introspection is in order? In fact, with the use of the English language that the OP used (dis, ho, etc.), I was starting to think he was a North American black boy.
Lover Boy. Let me correct you here. The internet is not anonymous as you might think. IP addresses can be traced, leased lines or dial up, by geo location or fixed DNS. Not by members but the site owner. Some people are just cautious. Plus the local (Bangkok) expat community is quite small. Easy to locate individuals by the references made in their posts.
I think what feels not right is the very fact that all of us want to believe that there is some magical protection against AIDS. Russian Rolette it is. Just think back how many times that condom broke... You can research and turn the facts anyway you want, truth is, AIDS kills.
What is odd though how Yett Muat times the infection. Incubation periods vary and detection would not allow for an accurate timeline. However if he only screwed with those 2 girls over a 6 month period it would be easy to trace back.
The slum thing is another wicked one. But then again, some white boys come here with little and actually make money while being here.
I found best is to take things for what they are - at first that is.
JB
While I am enjoying the debate, and tend to agree that there seems to be more than just the smell of charred human flesh in the state of Texas, you do realize that endless discussion is going to encourage him even more.
If it was a troll (and I think it was), it was a damned good one - look at the reaction! One must admire his original post on its with an artist's eye if nothing else.. like any good art, its flaws add to its intrinsic worth.
If you are going to be in Thailand for a while, I'd recommend the kleenex brand of tissue rather than the useless, garbage Thai brands. In using the latter that I wet with water for bunghole washing for the TGs and my butt plug, there were many pieces of tissue stuck all over my arsehole. It was a pain in the ass to get it off. That is, the tissue, not the water.
Speaking of water I've had no problem drinking the free Nana hotel brand or the Nelson {Neilson? } label. The latter is available from 7-11, Foodland and Villa Market. Do not drink the tap water which often looks like something you see in your toilet.
Speaking of the toilet, you can get coffee for only 10 Baht at 7-11. But at Starbucks, the hotel & other places you are typicly looking at 50-60 Baht per cup. Then I tip 20 baht more. After 4-5 cups a day that adds up. By shopping at 7-11 before long I'll have saved enough for a pussy.
Lover Boy #2
10-15-07, 04:45
Very true......but it makes me think of something else....to even encourage him....... even more. This person knows he has HIV....yet he continues to experiment at the local venues where he caught the disease. So, does he now wear a condom for all contact.....or is he still looking for some BBBJCIM? He seems to feel that his last visit to Annie's was total shiite and not worth the small amount this wealthy business exec. paid. Was the girl a starfish....or did she possibly see some marks on his body...and thought it better to do everything with a condom? (making him feel that his less than 50E was poorly spent...and never wanting to return to the place that he 50% got the dreaded disease in the first place). If this guy is on the level and trying to infect the girls where he feels he was wronged.....then surely a bullet up his ass would certainly be in order.
After all is said and done, the greatest wisdom on this subject is offered by the member known as PinkPearl when he says;
"If you are going to be in Thailand for a while, I'd recommend the kleenex brand of tissue rather than the useless, garbage Thai brands. In using the latter that I wet with water for bunghole washing for the TGs and my butt plug, there were many pieces of tissue stuck all over my arsehole. It was a pain in the ass to get it off. That is, the tissue, not the water".
If you had listened to this Yett Muat......everything would have been ok in the universe.
While I am enjoying the debate, and tend to agree that there seems to be more than just the smell of charred human flesh in the state of Texas, you do realize that endless discussion is going to encourage him even more.
If it was a troll (and I think it was), it was a damned good one - look at the reaction! One must admire his original post on its with an artist's eye if nothing else.. like any good art, its flaws add to its intrinsic worth.
Speaking of water I've had no problem drinking the free Nana hotel brand or the Nelson {Neilson? } label. The latter is available from 7-11, Foodland and Villa Market. Do not drink the tap water which often looks like something you see in your toilet.Correction, that is the Nestle brand of water, not Nelson.
And, yes, Alzheimers has arrived.
After a long absense of more than three years, so far, only positive thing of this trip is to encounter very good exchange rate. On the net, prior to the trip, I was seeing quotes of mid 31 Baht to one USD. In reality, at the airport, I got 33.42, around NANA Plaza, 33.8. The best I got is at the TMC Bank exchange place in Soi 11, about 200 ft from Sukumbhit Road towards Ambassador hotel. The rate was consistantly 33.90 for all the days. Hope this helps.
Bandy
Apologies for breaking my promise not to post again nor respond but I feel I was not clear enough on a key point----that might save a life.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.
I will not get into the debate about the veracity of your post but have one simple question. If what you say is 100% true and your warning on the simplicity of getting AIDS, shouldn't you take your own advise?
Saving of a life (or lives) can come about by you abstaining from the sex scene, wouldn't it?
The risk I am talking about is the condom breaking when you are cumming which is a very real risk. Isn't that a risk you should be concerned about in saving lives?
I had a friend who had a condom break on a Thai girl and 6 mths later found out she had AIDS. Luckily he later tested negative.
I had a friend who had a condom break on a Thai girl and 6 mths later found out she had AIDS. Luckily he later tested negative.I have heard that it is more likely you get struck by lightning or run over and killed while crossing the street.
Montecristo
10-19-07, 02:25
I have heard that it is more likely you get struck by lightning or run over and killed while crossing the street.
Yes i have heard that is quite unlikely to get aids caused by condom break, but i am not an expert .....
AncntFornicatr
10-19-07, 07:48
After a long absense of more than three years, so far, only positive thing of this trip is to encounter very good exchange rate.
Bandy
Having been away all of 8 months and returning in January I think of a GOOD exchange rate as somewhere around 40. Return I will but plan to spend a lot of time in Cambodia where a buck is still a buck.
Lover Boy #2
10-20-07, 06:36
just a brief and single post from an old asia hand regarding trends, ongoings and a warning.
...blah, blah, blah............i've married several times into both high and lo so as it's called here on isg and am fluent in several asia languages.
........"as it's called here on isg"?????........here is an article appearing in conde nast traveler (certainly not isg)....note the references;
i go through some fabrics with victor, looking for a summer suit, passing the material through my fingers, turning them against the light. it is hard to wear a suit in bangkok, the world's hottest city, unless you speed from air-conditioned bar to air-conditioned bar. i need something tropical but lined—an ultralightweight italian weave that will allow me to spend a few minutes on the street without suffering cardiac arrest.
so we pick a light, subtle pale-gray herringbone wool, and the measurements begin. i am starting to enjoy the ritual more and more: the passing of hands over my limbs, the nips and tucks, the order to stand straight and throw the shoulders back. every tailor creates a suit particular to him, and rajawongse suits are indefinably different from raja's suits. there is something beautifully clean and old-fashioned about mine when i finally put it on: a suit my grandfather could have worn suavely while taking the water at lourdes in the fifties. the night i pick it up i wear it to a "hi-so" (high-society) party at the q bar thrown for the birthday of one of thailand's innumerable crown princes. i feel like a bit of a shark in this shimmering ice-gray costume, and i immediately realize that no one else is wearing a suit.
instead, they are dressed as characters from batman (the ever-frivolous crown princes and their hangers-on enjoyed these sorts of theme parties even through a tumultuous year that included the army's bloodless coup in september). the crown prince arrives dressed as batman himself. he glances at me as he enters the bar and registers a slight surprise. the only man in a suit, and a farang, to boot! but bespoke clothes make you feel invulnerable, and among all the robins and penguins and catwomen i feel a tremendous calm. the prince later comes up to me, dead drunk, and asks if i am with the cia. "what does it look like?" i reply, and the bodyguards laugh.
M P Lurker
10-20-07, 09:22
Speaking of the toilet, you can get coffee for only 10 Baht at 7-11. But at Starbucks, the hotel & other places you are typicly looking at 50-60 Baht per cup. Then I tip 20 baht more. After 4-5 cups a day that adds up. By shopping at 7-11 before long I'll have saved enough for a pussy.
We spend money on lifes pleasures while in Thailand.
Therefore the Hotel only needs cost enough to be very confortable while sleeping and screwing.
You can also eat very cheaply in Thailand and you can screw very cheaply.
Unfortnately alcohol and coffee are not proportionally cheaper than Farang countries. If you enjoy them, then why not indulge a little.
But no need to stoop to super cheap stuff (like white spirit rice liquor or crappy coffee like at some "Black Canyon" stores where the staff are untrained).
Save money on food and accomodation instead.
If coffee is one of lifes pleasures, you can get a really good one for half the starbucks price. Is the 7-11 coffee really that good at 10 Baht? Perhaps it is good (I haven't tried it yet). You could save more money and be healthy by drinking only water bought by the big flagon.
Yes i have heard that is quite unlikely to get aids caused by condom break, but i am not an expert .....Neither am I. In 100's of sessions I cannot recall a condom ever breaking, though quite a few times I've had it cum off inside the lady. Fortunately I never unloaded any babies on those occasions, and now I am mindful to check the cap regularly during extended sessions, if the lady does not. And especially just before I cum, though I prefer not to release that way due to the risk of pregnancy. For the same reason I dispose of any seed myself, down the toilet. Never trust anything that bleeds for three days and does not die.
BTW earlier this week I stuck it in a TG, forgetting the rubber. Though she immediately brought that to my attention.
Old Thai Hand
10-20-07, 15:06
Having been away all of 8 months and returning in January I think of a GOOD exchange rate as somewhere around 40. Return I will but plan to spend a lot of time in Cambodia where a buck is still a buck.
Those of us who live here, hope you enjoy Cambodia, while we enjoy the fact that the baht is almost back to where it was in '97....bring on 25/$ !!!!!!!
Those of us who live here, hope you enjoy Cambodia, while we enjoy the fact that the baht is almost back to where it was in '97....bring on 25/$ !!!!!!!
Actually, for most of us who live and work in Thailand, the strong baht is a negative. The reason is that one makes so little in Thailand that even at 25/$ it would not make sense to spend it in the US - one could probably never save up enough for the plane ticket anyway.
Personally, though I can just barely get by on the 35K typical farang salary, those occasional inputs from home still mean more to me. So, this expat is praying for 50/$, as much as I know that is not in the cards. Perhaps if burd-flu really gets going someday.
Actually, for most of us who live and work in Thailand, the strong baht is a negative. The reason is that one makes so little in Thailand that even at 25/$ it would not make sense to spend it in the US - one could probably never save up enough for the plane ticket anyway.
Personally, though I can just barely get by on the 35K typical farang salary, those occasional inputs from home still mean more to me. So, this expat is praying for 50/$, as much as I know that is not in the cards. Perhaps if burd-flu really gets going someday.
That one confused me... what is the advantage to you in the baht losing value?
As far as I can see, most expats are better off with a strong baht:
We still get paid the same in baht terms.
Foreign goods are effectively cheaper (foreign foods, pretty much all electronics etc etc)
Our money is worth more when we do cross the border - I accept that all farangs don't have the money to go to Europe/US, but I'd think most could take a trip to Laos/Cambodia/Malaysia on occasion. Laos a bit baht based, but Cambo as someone else mentioned is strongly dollar based, so the baht is worth a lot more there.
Also, as far as I know, the Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is no longer fixed against the dollar, but tends to follow it up and down (probably by virtue of being an oil based economy), so Malaysia gets cheaper the stronger the baht gets.
Ooh.. Burma as well - dollar based economy as far as I know.
The only disadvantages I can see for expats to a strong baht is:
1) If your money comes from exports you'll be making less
2) There'll be less tourists, so if you make money from them, you'll struggle a bit (that's effectively the same as exports I guess)
3) If you are not paid in baht, your salary will effectively decrease - live with it, you're probably making a packet anyway :)
That one confused me... what is the advantage to you in the baht losing value?
Brother, I'm saying that most of us expats make so little and are so unlikely to ever go back to the US on our paltry salaries that a strong dollar for those occasional checks from home (from the family, etc.) is far more important.
That brought a huge grin to my face.
I hadn't considered that side of it.
For years every letter and email to my parents finished with 'please send money'.
They never did!
(To be fair to my wonderful parents, my including that was a running joke, if I had ever seriously asked them for money, they would have given me some).
Brother, I'm saying that most of us expats make so little and are so unlikely to ever go back to the US on our paltry salaries that a strong dollar for those occasional checks from home (from the family, etc.) is far more important.
M P Lurker
10-21-07, 16:37
NOTHING in Thailand is as important as the King making a full recovery as soon as possible hopefully in time for his 80th birthday celebrations.
We are pleased to hear in the news he is doing well.
M P Lurker
10-21-07, 16:43
Neither am I. In 100's of sessions I cannot recall a condom ever breaking, though quite a few times I've had it cum off inside the lady. .
Condom breakage is not that unusual.
Major causes are fingernail scratches (sometimes guys do this on purpose)and friction against sponges that some girls wear indside them.
Its much less likely for short sex sessions of course.
Faulty manufacture is rare I believe.
Old Thai Hand
10-22-07, 01:07
Actually, for most of us who live and work in Thailand, the strong baht is a negative. The reason is that one makes so little in Thailand that even at 25/$ it would not make sense to spend it in the US - one could probably never save up enough for the plane ticket anyway.
Personally, though I can just barely get by on the 35K typical farang salary, those occasional inputs from home still mean more to me. So, this expat is praying for 50/$, as much as I know that is not in the cards. Perhaps if burd-flu really gets going someday.
Opebo. You're a chump if you're working for 35K. I don't know what you're doing for so little, but there are lots of jobs that pay more. Personally, I don't know any Farang making less than 60,000/mo minimum and even that's low.
Old Thai Hand
10-22-07, 02:02
i could never move to thailand to be a salary worker on such a pitiful wage. that's ridiculous.
i guess most westerners in thailand don't have a family to support (or don't support an ex-family).
dubai - minimum 300,000 baht/month (tax-fee) for western professionals with a higher degree.
cost of living is higher than thailand, but we get by.
we've discussed this before and you're absolutely right. but, not all farang are losers like mr. 'o' scraping by on 35k. there are lots of farang making 100,000+ and even 200,000+. anybody working for less, unless a young guy (or girl) in their 20s here for an adventure and to get some experience should think about what they're doing with their lives.
even at 125-150,000 (depending on the month) i only accept that i'm doing 'ok' because i don't have any kids (except my gf ;) ) to support.
btw, dubai is in the cards for me in a year or two to make a last chunk of dosh before i retire.
Opebo. You're a chump if you're working for 35K. I don't know what you're doing for so little, but there are lots of jobs that pay more. Personally, I don't know any Farang making less than 60,000/mo minimum and even that's low.
Where? I've not been locally employed in Thailand, but have had plenty of farang friends who are/have been - usually teaching English, but, some of them have switched to some sort of stocks based telesales and brokerage thing in recent years - I don't know what they make. The teachers have all been in the 35-50k region - some of them get a few benefits chucked in. All of them make at least half as much money again with private lessons.
If you know of places where degree educated farangs can easily get 60k jobs, I know some folks who would be absolutely delighted to hear about it. Further, I am sure Opebo the chump wouldn't mind almost doubling his income after a quick couple of words of advice from you.
Old Thai Hand
10-22-07, 05:59
If you know of places where degree educated farangs can easily get 60k jobs, I know some folks who would be absolutely delighted to hear about it. Further, I am sure Opebo the chump wouldn't mind almost doubling his income after a quick couple of words of advice from you.
He's already had plenty of advice from me. Even third-tier International schools pay at least 60,000 base salary. First-tier schools pay double or more plus bonuses. I know some international school teachers making close to 200,000.
As has been posted on here ad nauseum, I'm a university professor, teach about 20 hours per week (including overloads) and make roughly 135,000+/month. Even adjunct faculty can make a lot more than Opebo is apparently making in his full-time job. My university pays 2,000 baht/hour to part-time faculty. My other university pays 1350/hour. I have part-time faculty working for me who are making 48,000/month teaching 2 days/week.
Just in education alone, there are loads of opportunities even outside of teaching including consulting, special lectures, and writing manuals. You just need to get into the system.
Lover Boy #2
10-22-07, 06:18
NOTHING in Thailand is as important as the King making a full recovery as soon as possible hopefully in time for his 80th birthday celebrations.
We are pleased to hear in the news he is doing well.
Hopefully the care he gets at Siriraj Hospital is better than that obtained by the American teacher turned away from Pattaya Bangkok Hospital when they could not confirm his insurance status. PBH claimed they did not have enough blood for him...then transporting the dying man by truck to a hospital that they claim had the blood and of course with different admission requirements. He died before reaching the second hospital.
NicFrenchy
10-22-07, 08:05
I'm a university professor, teach about 20 hours per week (including overloads) and make roughly 135,000+/month. OTH,
135k/month (I assume it's after all taxes) for 20 hours workweek is not bad at all.
I have a very comfortable salary, the only downside for me is the Travelling and the sometimes never ending work hours.
I don't know how one can live (let alone Monger) on a 35k salary! My rent and utilities are almost double that (fortunately, the company pays the bills)
FritsVanegter
10-22-07, 11:01
Hello,
Sometimes I wonder what will happen if the KING will die when I am having my annual holiday in Thailand. It is likely that HE will die pretty soon. Probably it will paralyze the nation for a long time. I know the future KING is not loved by a lot of Thai but he will become KING anyway. I really hope that the present KING is able to come up with a good solution but I am afraid chaos will be there. Just wondering what all the experts are thinking.
Best regards,
Frits
Opebo. You're a chump if you're working for 35K. I don't know what you're doing for so little, but there are lots of jobs that pay more. Personally, I don't know any Farang making less than 60,000/mo minimum and even that's low.
Brother, it does seem a bit harsh to call someone a 'chump' for working for the salary which is by far the most common one. Virtually all Thai public schools as well as most private English schools, and 'English centers' at universities pay 30,000-35,000 baht. I know you like to refer to those that pay more, OTH, but please try to understand that these are a small minority of employers of foreigners in Thailand.
Anyone considering teaching in Thailand should understand that the salaries that OTH mentioned, while they certainly are not fiction, are extremely rare. Don't count on it. Think about it - every Thai I meet considers my salary 'big money', and these are all middle class people making 16-25K, making payments on houses and new cars. Why would they pay more than they have to?
Keep in mind also that for most of us this is not that much less than we could make at home. I like so many am essentially unemployable in the US, as it is far more difficult to get a job there, so $1,100 or a bit more is great money for me, particularly in a country where rent is around $100. It sure beats making $8/hour in a land where rent is 500-600.
Old Thai Hand
10-22-07, 13:40
Opebo
While this may not be of concern to you, (I don't know your age), I can't understand 50+ y.o. English teachers without a pot to [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) in stuck here making 30,000/mo. at some third rate teaching job, with no thought of what's going to happen when they hit retirement age and can't work anymore. Thailand is full of these types.
Stuck in a job that makes you a virtual prisoner of Thailand because you can't afford to fly home makes you a fool, in my books.
I can tell you that, unless you've got savings when you aren't employable anymore, you'll be tossed out on your ass as the Thais won't let you stay here even if you have put in years and years of trying to teaching their little rug-rats how to speak English.
Using Thais as a comparison as you did is misleading. Firstly, Thais obviously can stay here and can live on a lot less than we do (They can buy a house with little down payment and can get 30 year mortgages, for example). They have a social safety net of sorts (their families and a somewhat inadequate social security/old age pension scheme). In stark contrast, most Farang are left to their own resources and therefore need to make more money and plan for the future. In my case, I'm fortunate that I'm in a job that pays relatively well, and has a very healthy co-op pension fund that actually pays dividends every year. I also am about to become a civil servant which means I won't be subject to the usual crap faced by most Farang. If I'm still here in 10 years, I'll be able to retire on a lousy Thai government pension, but thankfully with a reasonable uni pension. As a former government employee, I won't have to have whatever the current required bank account is for Farang retirees. Understandably, in this regard I am fortunate, as this is extremely rare for Farang.
So, I just wonder why you chose to stay here, in a dead-end job with little prospect of any kind for a decent future, and with no way home.
Opebo
While this may not be of concern to you, (I don't know your age), I can't understand 50+ y.o. English teachers without a pot to [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) in stuck here making 30,000/mo. at some third rate teaching job, with no thought of what's going to happen when they hit retirement age and can't work anymore. Thailand is full of these types.
Stuck in a job that makes you a virtual prisoner of Thailand because you can't afford to fly home makes you a fool, in my books.
I can tell you that, unless you've got savings when you aren't employable anymore, you'll be tossed out on your ass as the Thais won't let you stay here even if you have put in years and years of trying to teaching their little rug-rats how to speak English.
Using Thais as a comparison as you did is misleading. Firstly, Thais obviously can stay here and can live on a lot less than we do (They can buy a house with little down payment and can get 30 year mortgages, for example). They have a social safety net of sorts (their families and a somewhat inadequate social security/old age pension scheme). In stark contrast, most Farang are left to their own resources and therefore need to make more money and plan for the future. In my case, I'm fortunate that I'm in a job that pays relatively well, and has a very healthy co-op pension fund that actually pays dividends every year. I also am about to become a civil servant which means I won't be subject to the usual crap faced by most Farang. If I'm still here in 10 years, I'll be able to retire on a lousy Thai government pension, but thankfully with a reasonable uni pension. As a former government employee, I won't have to have whatever the current required bank account is for Farang retirees. Understandably, in this regard I am fortunate, as this is extremely rare for Farang.
So, I just wonder why you chose to stay here, in a dead-end job with little prospect of any kind for a decent future, and with no way home.
OTH,
I most certainly agree with you with respect to the Thai's being able to stretch less a lot further - you omitted the oft mentioned dual tier pricing which is another point in favour of that argument.
I've met several bar girls with my english speaking teacher friends who are utterly amazed by what they pay for rent etc..... (this doesn't apply so much to BKK I admit). Farangs have a particularly hard time negotiating a good deal... non Thai speaking farangs, even more so.
On the other hand, I do think you are laying it on a bit thick with respect to the salary thing. I am delighted for you that you draw a nice salary and have found the life you want, and, I have indeed heard of English teaching jobs that pay what you suggest.
Now, my Thailand circle of farang friends is mostly English teachers. About 2/3rds of them are university educated. About 2/3rds of them have TEFL qualifications. As far as I know, one of them has made it to 50k a month (salary only), and probably makes about the same in private lessons (are you including private lessons in the numbers you mention?).
I know of noone (not one person!) who is making more out of teaching English than that, and, she has worked her way up to that over the last 6 or 7 years.
Are you really saying that just about every farang (in my little sphere of experience, and, while I don't wish to speak for him, it sounds like Opebo's as well) has underestimated their financial worth to Thai schools by 100% or more?
If you can point me in the direction of some companies who offer high paying jobs which are fairly easy to get to foreigners, I'd be delighted (PM me if you like). Do note that if the jobs are not easy to get, then, you are talking about something entirely different. Every country in the world has very high paying jobs in every industry - they are just v difficult to come by.
I know one girl who has just done her TEFL and has been doing a little private tutoring in Europe who would be positively moist at the prospect of 60k+ monthly!!!
Old Thai Hand
10-22-07, 16:12
Blunderer
Actually I don't teach English.
Having a highly marketable specialty outside of English is the key. I've taught over 40 courses across a range of disciplines. I have almost 30 years experience in teaching concurrent with about 20 years in the private sector. You need qualifications, and the right qualifications beyond a BA and a TEFL or you're not going to get much.
But, having said that, I still think that you can work your way up even in English teaching and make connections and therefore the salary I'm talking about. But, you don't just get off the plane and get such a job unless you have good qualifications. But, that's true anywhere. If you've got a Masters in linguistics, or TESOL, for example you can easily get more than 60,000. If you have an MBA and especially a DBA or PhD you can get considerably more and work multiple jobs quite easily.
People with a TEFL, a useless BA or even a useless MA who whine about only making 35,000 don't understand that like anywhere, it's simply market forces. I know someone with only a BA, but in Design Technology, a high demand area who easily gets 65,000 and is in demand for part-time work in a variety of places.
Many unversities have international programs with a wide variety of disciplines all looking for foreign expertise. But, like anywhere, an MA in psychology or sociology or comparative literature, for example isn't exactly what they're looking for. But, if you've got a decent business degree, a degree in technology, or a design area you can easily get a good job here.
Blunderer
But, that's true anywhere. If you've got a Masters in linguistics, or TESOL, for example you can easily get more than 60,000. If you have an MBA and especially a DBA or PhD you can get considerably more and work multiple jobs quite easily.
People with a TEFL, a useless BA or even a useless MA who whine about only making 35,000 don't understand that like anywhere, it's simply market forces. I know someone with only a BA, but in Design Technology, a high demand area who easily gets 65,000 and is in demand for part-time work in a variety of places.
OK, now I understand... you started by saying Opebo is a chump for working for 35k.
The big magic secret you had is that if you get a PhD or get into a specialised higher paying industry, you can make more money than in an industry with a relatively low educational barrier to entry.
You are of course quite right. Opebo you fat tossing loser, your priorities are massively screwed up... I don't understand why you haven't thought of this yourself. If you went somewhere and got trained as an astronaut you could make a fucking fortune on the Thai lecture circuit.
Sorry OTH, I am probably being a bit unnecessarily abrasive, but I actually thought this conversation could possibly end with some of us finding out something we didn't know before, only to turn a corner and walk under a tree and find that Captain Bleeding Obvious is sitting above me with a laser guided anvil aiming mechanism.
sorry for butting in, but I have a newbie question.
Haven't been to LOs for a while, and can't remember if they make a fuss about the year, serial number, cleanliness etc of US hundred dollar bills. So many SE Asia countires do, I just plain forget.
Can anyone enlighten me please?
Terry Terrier
10-22-07, 23:21
sorry for butting in, but I have a newbie question.
Haven't been to LOs for a while, and can't remember if they make a fuss about the year, serial number, cleanliness etc of US hundred dollar bills. So many SE Asia countires do, I just plain forget.
Can anyone enlighten me please?
Don't know about dollars, 1Ball, but my experience of sterling is that older is better. The Bank of England introduced a new £20 note earlier this year, and I had serious problems getting it changed on my holiday in March/April. Even with the old-style notes on previous holidays, the newer ones were sometimes rejected. Thais seem nervous about new foreign currency.
Thanks TT, but in Indonesia and the Phils, they don't even accept US100 bills issued in 1996. So it might be the other way around. But I am not sure.
anyone?
Old Thai Hand
10-23-07, 03:41
Blunderer
What did you expect?
There are no magic set of beans, here. I never said that. If you've got the goods, you can make money here. If your qualifications are as common as muck, you can't. Unfortunately, Opebo falls into the second category. Yet he moans about making a paltry salary. As the Thais would say...sohm nahm naa.
English teachers worldwide make lousy money because their qualifications are considered of little value, comparatively speaking.
But tack on another degree that is marketable and then you can make money. For instance, I have a friend here who had a BA in English and a TEFL. He used to make only about 40,000 teaching English at a university, until he did an online MA in Education Technology. Now, suddenly he's making well over 100,000/month. He's currently doing an online MBA which will raise his value even more.
Also, common degrees in the US are still of value here. So a Farang with an MBA (especially from a good school like Thunderbird, Wharton, Kellogg, Harvard) can do very well here teaching, but would more likely be teaching at the community college level in the US, if he could get a teaching job at all.
The point is that there are lots of higher paid jobs teaching here for people with qualifications. The only reason that people like Opebo go on about the common salary for Farangs being around 30-35,000 is because the vast majority of Farang here can't make any more because they're not qualified to do so, not because the jobs and the salaries aren't there.
Blunderer
There are no magic set of beans, here. I never said that. If you've got the goods, you can make money here. If your qualifications are as common as muck, you can't.
Yep - my fault, I thought you were implying that you knew of some sort of network of recruitment agencies or something that finds better paying jobs for decent English teachers. You never alluded to anything that was especially Thailand, I thought it was implicit that a discussion on a board about Thailand, would allude to something Thai specific, not just generally "in Thailand if you find a better job, you'll get more money", which, as far as I know, is true of everywhere on the planet.
I get the sense there's a bit of frustration or exasperation coming through from conversations the 2 of you may have had before, and, my misreading of that sentiment lead me to believe there were some nuggets of the non obvious variety lurking in the shadows waiting to be coaxed out.
To be honest though, I got such a childish kick out of my Caption Obvious metaphor, I will remember this whole discussion with absolute delight :D
Old Thai Hand
10-23-07, 05:49
Yep - my fault, I thought you were implying that you knew of some sort of network of recruitment agencies or something that finds better paying jobs for decent English teachers.
There are websites that list jobs in Thailand for English teachers that give a full gambit in terms of salaries available. The best is www.ajarn.com. The more general one for worldwide recruitment is Dave's ESL cafe, www.eslcafe.com.
You actually can't get a good English teaching job through an agency unless it's one of the agencies that recruit specifically for international schools here. Most of these agencies are in the UK. It's better to just do it yourself.
I actually do know where most of the best paying teaching jobs are here, even English teaching jobs. But, again at the risk of repeating myself, it's all about qualifications. At my uni English teachers have a terrible base salary of 25,000. But, most actually make well over 100,000 because they are assigned to courses in international programs which pay 2,000/hour tax free beyond their base salary. As well, many are doing consulting work for the Ministry of Education which pays obscene amounts of money for useless projects. These are the connections, "the Network" to which I alluded in one of my earlier posts. One needs to work the system and get connected. You just don't arrive and fall into this. Most of this extra work is tax free. Of my salary, I only pay taxes on less than half. The rest is viewed as tax-free government consulting.
With regards to Opebo; I might have helped him get something better, as he asked me once. But, he's a smart mouth who has pissed me off one too many times. So, as far as I'm concerned let him suffer in his little 2-bit job.
Thanks TT, but in Indonesia and the Phils, they don't even accept US100 bills issued in 1996. So it might be the other way around. But I am not sure.
anyone?
My experience with US$100 bills is in HK, the Phils and Europe, but I should think it applies to LOS too. Anything from before 2000 is highly likely to get turned down. Turns out some of these (like the 1996 series) are allegedly easier to forge. So when you're taking out US$100 bills at your local bank in the US, go over them closely and reject anything from before 2002 to be safe. Then from what's left, reject anything that's worn, marked, torn or otherwise defaced. Hope that helps.
...I can't understand 50+ y.o. English teachers without a pot to [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) in stuck here making 30,000/mo. at some third rate teaching job, with no thought of what's going to happen when they hit retirement age and can't work anymore. Thailand is full of these types.
Stuck in a job that makes you a virtual prisoner of Thailand because you can't afford to fly home makes you a fool, in my books.
So, I just wonder why you chose to stay here, in a dead-end job with little prospect of any kind for a decent future, and with no way home.
OTH, you imply that being poor is 'a choice'. It is not. People work for 30,000 - or whatever amount - because they must. I wonder if you, conversely, credit the wealthy as 'intelligent' for the fortune of their position in the hierarchy, just as you deride the workers for their misfortune.
I can assure you that going home would lead to even more dire financial conditions - life in America is no picnic.
You also stress that 'people with [x or y] qualification' can get such and so amount of money'. Well, that may be so. But it is a fact that the vast majority of farangs in Thailand work for 30-35K. I have never denied that a very small number make other amounts, but I do feel that it provides dangerous misinformation to suggest to prospective expats that they can expect to be in that top few percent.
Old Thai Hand
10-24-07, 00:53
You also stress that 'people with [x or y] qualification' can get such and so amount of money'. Well, that may be so. But it is a fact that the vast majority of farangs in Thailand work for 30-35K.
O
They make that amount because the vast majority of Farang here are not qualified to make more.If you have the goods, you can make more. It's that simple.
The least I've ever made here was 50,000/mo and that was in 1997 when the baht was 25/$. For that, I worked 10-2 everyday.
Redfield10
10-24-07, 07:00
Ok, now I do live in California where the salaries are higher, but if you are saying it is difficult to find a job in the U. S. (even if you are over 50) for over 1, 000 USD a year, I think you are wrong.
There are tons of jobs that pay 35-50k that require little or no education.
I make about 90k USD, and it's a decent salary, but I certainly know many, many people who make a lot more. Some aren't educated at all. I have an M. A. But it's not related to my field.
Perhaps you are underestimating yourself?
OTH, you imply that being poor is 'a choice'. It is not. People work for 30,000 - or whatever amount - because they must. I wonder if you, conversely, credit the wealthy as 'intelligent' for the fortune of their position in the hierarchy, just as you deride the workers for their misfortune.
I can assure you that going home would lead to even more dire financial conditions - life in America is no picnic.
You also stress that 'people with [x or y] qualification' can get such and so amount of money'. Well, that may be so. But it is a fact that the vast majority of farangs in Thailand work for 30-35K. I have never denied that a very small number make other amounts, but I do feel that it provides dangerous misinformation to suggest to prospective expats that they can expect to be in that top few percent.
NicFrenchy
10-24-07, 07:02
But it is a fact that the vast majority of farangs in Thailand work for 30-35K. Wow, I never realised that these Salaries were paid to the vast majority of Farangs. A lot of my thai employees make more than that.
Now, correct me if I am wrong but, no matter what Salary you earn (low level
5k to 50k) and declare, you need to pay taxes based on your home countrie's base minimum taxes right? isn't that what they ask you for during your visa claim? (before you start flaming me, it was just a question, I am not claiming to know this first hand)
Old Thai Hand
10-24-07, 13:33
Nic
I don't know much about US taxes, other than they do need to file every year. There is a minimum amount they have to make overseas before they have to pay tax in the US. But, I don't remember what it is.
As far as Canada goes, I haven't filed since 1996, nor do I have to because I am not a resident. I pay taxes in Thailand and Thailand, only.
Retired Army
10-24-07, 15:40
Nic
There is a minimum amount they have to make overseas before they have to pay tax in the US. But, I don't remember what it is.
You are allowed to exclude about 80K a year of foreign earned income. That amount might have gone up in the past few years, as I don't study US tax anymore.
Wow, I never realised that these Salaries were paid to the vast majority of Farangs. A lot of my thai employees make more than that.
Now, correct me if I am wrong but, no matter what Salary you earn (low level
5k to 50k) and declare, you need to pay taxes based on your home countrie's base minimum taxes right? isn't that what they ask you for during your visa claim? (before you start flaming me, it was just a question, I am not claiming to know this first hand)
NicFrenchy,
Most of my long term resident farang friends are English teachers. They are all in that range. Some work as foreign consultants for other industries and make a lot more (one mate of mine was on about 350k a month for his 2 year contract which was a very nice lifestyle for him indeed).
As for taxes - I am guessing you are American? I am not aware of the full ins and outs of it, but, American expats are massively disadvantaged compared to those from other countries. As I understand it, they are required to pay normal US income tax on any money they earn outside the country for as long as they are citizens (and for 10 years after they drop their citizenship I think - or that may just be for bequeathing stuff, not sure). I say 'normal' tax, but they are given tax credits for any local tax paid.... the thrust of this means that tax-wise, the very best deal you can get is to pay US level taxes. If local taxes are higher, then you have to pay them. If local taxes are lower, you pay them, then pay the difference to the US government. Other nations don't have these rules. If I were American, I would just not tell them about my foreign earnings in a foreign country that have absolutely nothing to do with the US government, and each night I would whisper very very quietly, stick that up your festering clacker valve Mr Bush, then, I'd sleep very very well.
Short answer to your question: Yes if American, no if from anywhere else.
Actually, your literal question hasn't been answered at all. I've not heard of any country basing your tax liability on what your tax liability would be in your nation of citizenship, and, if you think it through, I doubt any country ever would:
a) it'd be a nightmare to administer and to keep up with all the foreign tax rates
b) tax law/rebates/what is taxable under what mechanism is complex enough in any one nation, can you imagine trying to effectively evaluate liability under individual foreign tax systems just to determine one individuals local liability.
c) Why would they care which country you are from unless there is a special trade agreement or something?
d) How would they deal with dual-citizenships? Charge you the average liability?
There are some countries that have different tax structures for non-citizens, but to my knowledge they are implemented across the board for all non-citizens irrespective of where they are from (with the exception of the aforementioned trade agreements and the like).
NicFrenchy, As for taxes - I am guessing you are American?
Would that be the dumbest assumption ever?!
I think the UK also taxes expats too. Both the US and UK have tax treaties with many other countries for income taxes and a smaller number of countries for Social Security (NHS in the UK) taxes. You can find them on their respective web sites. Just google for them. I know that HK, the Phils and Thailand are included in the US list of tax treaties.
Grrdnorton
10-24-07, 18:14
Some years ago I met this waitress in the 4-star fortune hotel BKK and had some ''nice experience'' with her. Just wandering if other people also had some nice moments with staff from this hotel?
I think the UK also taxes expats too.
OK, this one I know the answers to - but the question is a bit ambiguous.
The UK taxes expats within the UK exactly the same way as they tax citizens. Basically, the UK taxes residents regardless of their citizenship.
Tax treaties are a different kettle of fish altogether.. as far as I know they are designed to avoid double taxation. Say you own a house in Singapore that you decide to sell. You are in Australia working, but have been in the UK working earlier that same financial year. You were tax resident in the UK and are tax resident is Oz (tax residency is a funny subjective legal thing that is based around either your state of mind - ie, where you intend to live for the next three years, or, where you have lived for the past 3 years).
Now, you sell that house. As far as the UK government is concerned, you need to pay them tax for the money you made on the house because it is profit you realized whilst tax resident in the UK. The Australian government takes exactly the same position as the UK government. The tax treaty means that you can pay the British, then present a receipt for that payment to the Australians to have that amount deducted from your tax bill (only for that particular liability obviously). The same exact thing would happen if you worked half a year in Oz, then went to the UK and worked.. the UK would say, well, you earnt that this financial year, and so woult the Ozzies.
Tax treaties work in your favour in this respect. I think they work against you by allowing foreign powers to investigate you finances a bit more than they would otherwise be able to if you are doing something dodgy.
The situation with Americans is as far as I know unique. Say a German goes to the UAE - tax free earnings, laughing all the way to the bank. An American with the same job would need to pay tax to the IRS at the same rates as he would pay if the job were in America (? - I am not sure that the rates are the same, but it is something like that), even if he/she were to live in the UAE for 20 years.
NicFrenchy
10-25-07, 10:07
Sorry to disappoint you all, but I am just a simple French guy, not American LOL.
My observation about taxes had nothing to do with a Foreign Government. I must have not been clear enough (English is my 3rd Language so vocabulary fails me Sometimes).
A friend of mine was in the Following Situation: He was applying for a non-immigrant Visa (B I think) in order to get his work permit and his Salary at the time was something around 20k per month. (He Is American).
Immigration told him that it was too low for taxes sake and that no matter what Salary he was getting, his company had to prove they could pay 50k taxes for him (which was the absolute minimum taxes to be paid to the Thai Government for a Person from his Country).
He did not go into much Details, but his company agreed to pay the minimum Taxes required (which were much higher than he would have had to pay if calculated on the Pro-rata of his Salary).
As far as I am concerned, I never really cared since my company pays my taxes, I get a fix Salary (after taxes). This is good for me because the day the Thai government decides to raise the Taxes Foreigners have to pay, I'll still have the same amount in my pocket.
.......................
The situation with Americans is as far as I know unique. Say a German goes to the UAE - tax free earnings, laughing all the way to the bank. An American with the same job would need to pay tax to the IRS at the same rates as he would pay if the job were in America (? - I am not sure that the rates are the same, but it is something like that), even if he/she were to live in the UAE for 20 years.
For US citizens the first $80K earned overseas is tax free. The balance is taxable. Any taxes paid to the local government is deductible.
1. Tuesday 1 January New Year Day
2. Thursday 21 February Makha Bucha Day
3. Monday 14 April Songkran Festival Day
4. Tuesday 15 April Songkran Festival Day
5. Wednesday 16 April Substitution for Songkran Festival Day
6. Thursday 1 May National Labour Day
7. Monday 5 May Coronation Day
8. Monday 19 May Visakha Bucha Day
9. Thursday 17 July Buddhist Lent Day
10.Tuesday 12 August H.M. the Queen's Birthday
11.Thursday 23 October Chulalongkorn Day
12.Friday 5 December H.M. the King's Birthday
13.Wednesday 31 December New Year Eve
Giotto
Jungle Bluebird
10-26-07, 07:26
Giotto, if you do not mind some small amendments :-)
1. Tuesday 1 January New Year Day -
meaning Thai employees will not show for work on Monday.
2. Thursday 21 February Makha Bucha Day
meaning Thai employees will not show for work on Friday.
3. Monday 14 April Songkran Festival Day
4. Tuesday 15 April Songkran Festival Day
5. Wednesday 16 April Substitution for Songkran Festival Day
meaning Thai employees will not work the entire week.
6. Thursday 1 May National Labour Day
meaning Thai employees will not show for work on Friday
7. Monday 5 May Coronation Day
meaning Thai employees will take Friday off
8. Monday 19 May Visakha Bucha Day
meaning Thai employees will take Friday off
9. Thursday 17 July Buddhist Lent Day
meaning Thai employees will not show for work on Friday
10.Tuesday 12 August H.M. the Queen's Birthday
meaning Thai employees will not show for work on Monday
11.Thursday 23 October Chulalongkorn Day
meaning Thai employees will not show for work on Friday
12.Friday 5 December H.M. the King's Birthday
13.Wednesday 31 December New Year Eve
ok, forget Thursday.
By some strange coincidence Thai public holiday mostly fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
JB
...11.Thursday 23 October Chulalongkorn Day
meaning Thai employees will not show for work on Friday
...I don't know what year you are in, but you are right, if it is not a thursday it must be a tuesday. And I enjoyed the ride from the airport downtown on monday in almost no traffic.
Lover Boy #2
10-27-07, 05:11
1. Tuesday 1 January New Year Day
2. Thursday 21 February Makha Bucha Day
3. Monday 14 April Songkran Festival Day
4. Tuesday 15 April Songkran Festival Day
5. Wednesday 16 April Substitution for Songkran Festival Day
6. Thursday 1 May National Labour Day
7. Monday 5 May Coronation Day
8. Monday 19 May Visakha Bucha Day
9. Thursday 17 July Buddhist Lent Day
10.Tuesday 12 August H.M. the Queen's Birthday
11.Thursday 23 October Chulalongkorn Day
12.Friday 5 December H.M. the King's Birthday
13.Wednesday 31 December New Year Eve
Giotto
Not a national holiday...but a good festival:
http://www.loikrathong.net/EN/
Once Bitten
10-27-07, 20:25
For US citizens the first $80K earned overseas is tax free. The balance is taxable. Any taxes paid to the local government is deductible.That's not quite how it works. Some details that need to be considered: US Citizens must spend 330 out of 365 in the calendar year outside the US for this to work. Under 330 days, it may be pro-rated. You will pay taxes on your salary, there is an 80K ADJUSTMENT to gross income made.
If you are in the tax bracket known as "highly compensated", your federal withholding will be significant.
I began working in Iraq the last week in March of this year. I will not reach 330 days out of country before the end of the calendar year, and will need to file an adjusted return to make use of this adjustment.
This exclusion or adjustment only applies to federal taxes, you will still be on the hook for your home state, check with a tax expert in your state to get the skinny.
Regards,
Matthew
Ralph Kramden
10-30-07, 13:45
Please forgive me gents for not RTFF about the following question:
A friend informed me you can purchase good custom made shoes in Bangkok. Can someone please provide some details and recommendations.
Just a quick question to those who are in Thailand right now.
I need the info as I will need to do a major transaction involving Thai bahts, the difference could be quite a lot.
What is the current exchange rate for Canadian dollar with Paper Notes (NOT traveller's cheques) at the local Thai banks and street money changers?
With online currency exchange websites, the current rate is about $1 cdn to 33.2 baht. But I know from past experience that the actual rate may be higher once you're in Thailand?
thanks in advance for your replies guys.
Tonedog
M P Lurker
11-03-07, 06:08
Today at breakfast with the GF in Grand President, in walks a past Australian boxing world champion "Jeff Fenech" now a boxing and perhaps Muay Thai trainer, and a lot heavier than his boxing days. Of course he can't be compared to Thai hero Khaosai Galaxy and his career came to an early end due to consistent broken hand injuries. Jeff lost his world title to Azuma Nelson.
However he brings back memories of the nightmare fight for Thais.
In 1987 Jeff challenged WBC's world Jr. Featherweight champion, Samart Payakaroon (Thai). Samart struggled to make the weight and was down on power. Samart managed to run away from Jeff somewhat in the early rounds, but in the 4th round Jeff mauled him againsts the ropes and knocked him out taking another world title in a higher weight class than his previous world title, all too easily.
Unfortunately Samart was held is disgrace by the Thai people and never really forgiven. But Jeff had many early round wins in his career.
M P Lurker
11-03-07, 06:20
One evening went to posh garden restaurant with the GF and spent 2500 Baht including one cocktail drink each.
The food was generally very ordinary (not Thai food). Must have a new chef as was previously better. Won't go back of course. I must have been crazy to waste this much money.
Last night we got food off the street.
BBQ'd Chicken leg, 4 porks sticks, 2 chicken gizzard sticks, Hor mok pork (a curried pork jelly set with egg), nam prik (chilli dip), some green vege., Som Tam salad, and a lot of fruit for the grand total of 140 Baht. The two of us coudn't eat it all. Had left overs for next day.
It was far more delicious than the expensive restaurant and under 10% of the price (although missing drinks as drinks were in the fridge already). Food suitable for keeping the weight down also.
Just a quick question to those who are in Thailand right now.
I need the info as I will need to do a major transaction involving Thai bahts, the difference could be quite a lot.
What is the current exchange rate for Canadian dollar with Paper Notes (NOT traveller's cheques) at the local Thai banks and street money changers?
With online currency exchange websites, the current rate is about $1 cdn to 33. 2 baht. But I know from past experience that the actual rate may be higher once you're in Thailand?
Thanks in advance for your replies guys.
TonedogRate at the exchange booth next to nana plaza last night was 34. 2 for canadian dollers but I got my best rate for Sterling at the airport, maybe worth a look for your dollers.
Just a quick question to those who are in Thailand right now.
I need the info as I will need to do a major transaction involving Thai bahts, the difference could be quite a lot.
What is the current exchange rate for Canadian dollar with Paper Notes (NOT traveller's cheques) at the local Thai banks and street money changers?
With online currency exchange websites, the current rate is about $1 cdn to 33.2 baht. But I know from past experience that the actual rate may be higher once you're in Thailand?
thanks in advance for your replies guys.
TonedogThe rate is higher here in LOS.
On Soi 11 today you could get 3512 Baht for 100 CDN$ in bank notes from
one money changer.
On the same street, w/i a block of the first, another was giving 3490 baht.
BTW, the rates for travellers checks were 3547 and 3551 Baht. So if you can
get TCs before leaving Canada it seems you'll get a better rate here. My bank
in Vancouver issues them to me at no charge.
Thanks guys for the info on the local exchange rate for Canadian $$
I will make it a point to exchange Bahts once I'm in LOS.
Tonedog
Got another question to you fellow travellers...
It's been a few yrs since I have been to Thailand. With the new airport, I know there have some changes...
1. In the past, the Airport busses that left DM airport were about every 20-30 mins interval.
--With the new AE3 leaving Suvarn Airport, how frequent is the bus, 30mins, hourly??
--And how long is the ride from the airport to about Asoke/Nana area on Sukhumvit?
--When about is the last bus leaving the airport?
2. I read on this forum that one can take a metered taxi from Suvarn Airport to about Nana area for about 200 Baht. Can anyone else confirm this--going either way, from the airport or to the airport?
thanks fellas.
Tonedog
The rate is higher here in LOS.
On Soi 11 today you could get 3512 Baht for 100 CDN$ in bank notes from
one money changer.
On the same street, w/i a block of the first, another was giving 3490 baht.
BTW, the rates for travellers checks were 3547 and 3551 Baht. So if you can
get TCs before leaving Canada it seems you'll get a better rate here. My bank
in Vancouver issues them to me at no charge.
But you also need take into consideration that by using TC there is an extra charge of, I think, 30 baht per transaction.
One evening went to posh garden restaurant with the GF and spent 2500 Baht including one cocktail drink each.
The food was generally very ordinary (not Thai food). Must have a new chef as was previously better. Won't go back of course. I must have been crazy to waste this much money.
Last night we got food off the street.
BBQ'd Chicken leg, 4 porks sticks, 2 chicken gizzard sticks, Hor mok pork (a curried pork jelly set with egg), nam prik (chilli dip), some green vege., Som Tam salad, and a lot of fruit for the grand total of 140 Baht. The two of us coudn't eat it all. Had left overs for next day.
It was far more delicious than the expensive restaurant and under 10% of the price (although missing drinks as drinks were in the fridge already). Food suitable for keeping the weight down also.
Mick
Thanks for allowing us to live through your experiences! The food at the garden was good last year, But Expensive! Across from GP is a german biegarten down the street 50 yards towards Suk is a street vendor thats excellent. The favorite place to eat when staying in that area. Very Clean as well.
Many things you report on and do are similiar to my experiences there in BKK.
I really appreciate your reports. Hows the GF friend thing going? Sure seems to be alot of free time based on your reports throughout the forum!
Did you get a chance to look at the KEY on Soi 19? Just concerned about my next 30 day stay and the conditions of this hotel.
Keep up the good reports and enjoy
M P Lurker
11-04-07, 05:42
Mick
Thanks for allowing us to live through your experiences! The food at the garden was good last year, But Expensive! Across from GP is a german biegarten down the street 50 yards towards Suk is a street vendor thats excellent. The favorite place to eat when staying in that area. Very Clean as well.
Many things you report on and do are similiar to my experiences there in BKK.
I really appreciate your reports. Hows the GF friend thing going? Sure seems to be alot of free time based on your reports throughout the forum!
Did you get a chance to look at the KEY on Soi 19? Just concerned about my next 30 day stay and the conditions of this hotel.
Keep up the good reports and enjoy
The garden restaurant that has gone downhill badly (food-wise) is "Zanzibar". Definitely not recommended.
I should have been at the German restaurant. Its looks popular although most customers are drinking more than eating I think.
Alternatively there is Italian and Japanese nearby, that might be worth trying.
I didn't try "The KEY" after some reports of not girl friendly, and I wanted to use it for mongering.
But GP here at 2199 Baht per night including breakfast for 2 is quite O.K. with free internet, a kitchenette and a swimming pool and girl friendly.
Grand Business Inn (also Soi 11) is a little cheaper, but beds a bit hard and no swimming pool, and breakfast not included. So GP is a really good deal, I think.
Fast Eddie 48
11-04-07, 06:22
Rate at the exchange booth next to nana plaza last night was 34. 2 for canadian dollers but I got my best rate for Sterling at the airport, maybe worth a look for your dollers.Old Harry,
Can you believe the damn canadian dollar is stronger than the USD if you tell me 6 yr ago when the $ 1 USD is to the Can $ 1.6 I will never believe you .
Fast eddie 48
Got another question to you fellow travellers...
It's been a few yrs since I have been to Thailand. With the new airport, I know there have some changes...
1. In the past, the Airport busses that left DM airport were about every 20-30 mins interval.
--With the new AE3 leaving Suvarn Airport, how frequent is the bus, 30mins, hourly??
--And how long is the ride from the airport to about Asoke/Nana area on Sukhumvit?
--When about is the last bus leaving the airport?
2. I read on this forum that one can take a metered taxi from Suvarn Airport to about Nana area for about 200 Baht. Can anyone else confirm this--going either way, from the airport or to the airport?
thanks fellas.
TonedogI used the ae3 on my last visit, took 90 mins in morning rush hour traffic to get to nana skytrain stop. I think they run about every 30 mins, but are well air conditioned. Don't know when the last one leaves but I got a bus back which arrived at the swamp around 23. 00 after a much quicker jorney in the evening traffic.
Old Harry,
Can you believe the damn canadian dollar is stronger than the USD if you tell me 6 yr ago when the $ 1 USD is to the Can $ 1.6 I will never believe you .
Fast eddie 48Changing sterling for us dollars I can now get almost 2. 1 dollars / pound. That will make my next us trip very nice considering it was only a few years ago I could only get 1. 6 dollars / pound. Not so nice for those going the other way.
Old Harry,
Can you believe the damn canadian dollar is stronger than the USD if you tell me 6 yr ago when the $ 1 USD is to the Can $ 1.6 I will never believe you .
Fast eddie 48Almost all currency had been going stronger compare to the U. S. But the cdn dollar had simply skyrocketed because of the huge petroleum reserve in western Canada that are now being extracted (2nd proven reserve in the world)
1$ cdn = 1. 07$ U. S. Today and predicting it will reach 1. 10 by the end of the year
Guess I might cross the border and be mongering in the states if the trend continue.
M P Lurker
11-04-07, 15:10
2. I read on this forum that one can take a metered taxi from Suvarn Airport to about Nana area for about 200 Baht. Can anyone else confirm this--going either way, from the airport or to the airport?
Leaving the airport, there is an extra 50 Baht charge. But use a metered public taxi, pay the tollways (if you choose to use them), and the extra 50 Baht, and a small tip if you choose.
Should be able to get to the airport by metered taxi for about 200 Baht (and possibly less) I guess assuming start at say Nana and enter expressway. but still have tollway charges.
In the end the exact price doesn't matter except to compare an all inclusive price offered by someone. I probably wouldn't accept an offer over 300 Baht for going to the airport, unless in a big hurry. Of course most offers will be much higher so its easier just to use the meter.
2. I read on this forum that one can take a metered taxi from Suvarn Airport to about Nana area for about 200 Baht. Can anyone else confirm this--going either way, from the airport or to the airport?
thanks fellas.
TonedogThe meter usually says less than 200, but you are told to pay the driver an extra 60 baht on top of that, for the 2 tolls I guess. I give them about 300 which also covers the tip.
Old Thai Hand
11-05-07, 12:17
One evening went to posh garden restaurant with the GF and spent 2500 Baht including one cocktail drink each.
The food was generally very ordinary (not Thai food). Must have a new chef as was previously better. Won't go back of course. I must have been crazy to waste this much money.
Last night we got food off the street.
BBQ'd Chicken leg, 4 porks sticks, 2 chicken gizzard sticks, Hor mok pork (a curried pork jelly set with egg), nam prik (chilli dip), some green vege., Som Tam salad, and a lot of fruit for the grand total of 140 Baht. The two of us coudn't eat it all. Had left overs for next day.
It was far more delicious than the expensive restaurant and under 10% of the price (although missing drinks as drinks were in the fridge already). Food suitable for keeping the weight down also.
Personally, I think you're taking your life in your hands eating street food. I'm not concerned so much with food poisoning as just the residue from car exhaust, pollution and the like - Carcinogenic, man! I stopped eating it years ago.
There are plenty of inexpensive restaurants selling Thai food indoors, or at least out of harm's way, that almost rivals street food in terms of price and are in most cases actually better in taste.
For good Isaan food, try Papaya restaurant on Rama IX. It is outside. But, at least the food is all freshly prepared, very tasty and relatively inexpensive. It has a nice upcountry feel to it and is always fairly busy with Thais. My GF loves this place. Another good bet is the Isaan chain, Yum Saap which is also a fav of my GF. We eat there at least once a week. They have lots of variations on Som Tam, as well as other common dishes like Phad Thai. The bill for the 2 of us rarely goes past 300 baht for a big meal. There are dozens of branches all over Bangkok, including at MBK and on Silom across from Patpong. You can also order for home delivery.
If buying Som tam off the street cart turns your crank, I can fully understand it: authenticity and all that. But, I just think it's too dangerous in the long run - slow death in my book.
M P Lurker
11-05-07, 15:34
Personally, I think you're taking your life in your hands eating street food. I'm not concerned so much with food poisoning as just the residue from car exhaust, pollution and the like - Carcinogenic, man! I stopped eating it years ago.
There are plenty of inexpensive restaurants selling Thai food indoors, or at least out of harm's way, that almost rivals street food in terms of price and are in most cases actually better in taste.
For good Isaan food, try Papaya restaurant on Rama IX. It is outside. But, at least the food is all freshly prepared, very tasty and relatively inexpensive. It has a nice upcountry feel to it and is always fairly busy with Thais. My GF loves this place. Another good bet is the Isaan chain, Yum Saap which is also a fav of my GF. We eat there at least once a week.
<etc>
I have been eating off the street for years but not all the time.
I'm clearly not a person who has a lot of phobias about microbes, but I take your point about potential bad chemicals.
I guess weighing up the risks is similar to the "passive smoking" deal.
Thanks for the suggestied places. I can probably use them at times.
Today I ate at a nice Italian Restaurant in the Korean square.
The fish was absolutely magnificent so I didn't mind paying a little more when its really good. Was still way less than the Zanzibar in Soi 11.
Mick
Thanks for allowing us to live through your experiences! The food at the garden was good last year, But Expensive! Across from GP is a german biegarten down the street 50 yards towards Suk is a street vendor thats excellent. The favorite place to eat when staying in that area. Very Clean as well.
Many things you report on and do are similiar to my experiences there in BKK.
I really appreciate your reports. Hows the GF friend thing going? Sure seems to be alot of free time based on your reports throughout the forum!
Did you get a chance to look at the KEY on Soi 19? Just concerned about my next 30 day stay and the conditions of this hotel.
Keep up the good reports and enjoyHi,
I've been staying in a small decent new hotel "Ever Rich Inn" this is between Soi 5 & Soi7. No problem with GF's. Nice, simple & decent clean rooms at B1500. No fancy resturant but the rooms are clean & good. Just a walking distance to all the action places.
Cheers
Fast Eddie 48
11-05-07, 17:45
I used the ae3 on my last visit, took 90 mins in morning rush hour traffic to get to nana skytrain stop. I think they run about every 30 mins, but are well air conditioned. Don't know when the last one leaves but I got a bus back which arrived at the swamp around 23. 00 after a much quicker jorney in the evening traffic.To Old Harry,
The AE3 bus take too long Suhumvit is hell with traffic jam you better off going to the bus terminal take the bus to the bts skytrain station and take the train to Nana take less than one hr or just take the taxi and use the expressway.
Fast Eddie 48
Thanks again for all the feedback.
After doing some research and reading the different postings, I've come to these conclusions.
1. The AE3 bus now cost 150 Baht (friggin steep, I say.), and takes up to 90 mins from the airport to about the Nana area (from the old airport DM, it took about 40 mins, half the time). So, if I could find a fellow passenger who is heading to Suk area, then us 2 could split the "less than 300 Baht" taxi ride. Costs the same for each person, but much faster.
Same thing for going to the airport (but I imaging it would be harder to find someone going to the airport at the same time.)
2. If I'm alone, I would take the advice of the other member by taking the bus to On Nut BTS station and then skytrain it down to Nana area. This is not only cheaper (maybe some 70 Baht or so), but much quicker, as quite often one is stuck on a bus somewhere along Sukhumvit for hours.
On a different subject. Has anyone taken the Air-con bus to Pattaya from the Bus Terminal off the Suvarn Airport? From what I have read, there are 2 different companies offering the service from this bus terminal.
Can anyone confirm the service (s), and the most recent departure times?
Thanks.
Tonedog
EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.
To Old Harry,
The AE3 bus take too long Suhumvit is hell with traffic jam you better off going to the bus terminal take the bus to the bts skytrain station and take the train to Nana take less than one hr or just take the taxi and use the expressway.
Fast Eddie 48Have to agree with you, I took the bus last time only because I got fed up with the taxi touts and the queue at the taxi desk was very long. Nearly got off at on nut sky train but was not in a hurry that day. On this trip I got a taxi and was at the landmark within 40 mins, arrived on a Sunday so traffic was not an issue.
I had to be in Khoi Samui for half a day, up on arrival I took a taxi for a 10 minute ride to my meeting place and I know quite well where it is (I normally rent a car), when in the taxi I told the driver 3 times " put the meter on " as I know there tricky games there out there. Btw his meter was covered with a little paper. He told me " we do not put meter on in Samui " and the discussion started, I asked him how much to that place as I explained him and showed it also on the map, he told 500Thb, what no way, I told him that I was living in BK and could drive half a day on the meter for 500Tb (see km / rate display in most taxi’s) but no way. He get angry, me to, I showed him that I have noted his licence and car number and I would inform the police but it did not help at all. He throw me out of the car and ran off as quick as possible.
I took another taxi a bit farther and the same game started, he asked me 400 and no way to discuss it, since I had only a few hours no much spare time to loose I took him. The same price with another one the ride back for max 10min. I spoke to an American guy in the meeting later on, he took the same taxi ride and he paid 700thb.
There as been recently a police crack down on taxi drivers on Khoi Samui, police as send some 130 drivers to jail and they get presented a high fine, taxi drivers have attacked some European tourists with a machete in a discussion about the high "ripp off " taxi fare they have to pay up on arrival at there hotel, they have to be taken, heavy wounded, to the hospital but all this does not change these taxi drivers there bad attitude they keep on going.
When will this farang ripp off stop, it just keeps tourists and business away there but there are always people on holiday with a holiday budget that are paying this rate to these bastards.
John Euro
EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.
Yes there are 2 companies - they both leave from the public transportation terminal (lower level "ordinary route" bus - takes a few minutes longer - gets there the just same as the "express route" on the second (I think) level but "detours" thru the duty / tax free zone. - FREE ride to the terminal)
Anyway - the 2 bus companies serve slightly different routes - one is the "blue/white" (same as the bus from Ekkamai or Morchhit and delivers you to the North road bus station. The other is a "better" bus (actually) that runs down Suk (stops at North, Central, South, Jomtien Lotus and then on down to almost to BEACH ROAD JOMTIEN (about 50m to the road from "the end of the line") Ticket office - stand at the "Pattaya" bus sign and face toward the seats - it's just to the right of where the security guys sit. 106B I've done both companies - the Jomtien buses seem cleaner route almost identical but better IF you are going to South Pattaya because of the extra distance covered down Suk. Jomtien bus is the first out at 645AM - right at a 2 hour run.
IF you are going to Jomtien, take the Jomtien bus (easier ride, then get a songtaew on Jomtien beach road - right about Soi 30 IIRC - lower soi numbers as you go back toward Pattaya - to the "right" as you approach the road from the bus station) otherwise, you will need to cross Suk to get to Pattaya N, S, or Central and get a songtaew into town from there (still 10B right now, Thai price always has been 5B but they are expecting for that to go up for Thai as well BTW)
Dinghy.
Thanks for the info on the AC bus to Pattaya.
If they both cost the same and do the same route, I will most likely take the 'blue/white' one so to get off at the North Road Bus Station, as I will be staying around Central Pattaya Rd.
Can anyone confirm the latest daily departure times for the "blue/white" AC bus going to Pattaya from Suvarn Airport bus terminal? Just so I can plan my schedule accordingly once I arrive at the airport.
Thanks
Hi Gents. I need to buy a couple of pieces of silver jewelry on my next trip. I know where to go for gold, of course, but is there an area that sells good quality made silver jewelry at a good price?
thanks in advance.
Old Thai Hand
11-09-07, 01:27
Hi Gents. I need to buy a couple of pieces of silver jewelry on my next trip. I know where to go for gold, of course, but is there an area that sells good quality made silver jewelry at a good price?
thanks in advance.
I don't know an area, as such, but Chatuchak has several vendors selling silver, as does MBK and their are actually a few silver jewelry wholesalers on Khao San Road that aim a Farang vendors buying for resail. It depends on whether you're just looking for silver or higher-end designer jewelry.
Leaving the airport, there is an extra 50 Baht charge. But use a metered public taxi, pay the tollways (if you choose to use them), and the extra 50 Baht, and a small tip if you choose.If you go up two levels to the arriving flights, you can catch a taxi very quickly when they are dropping people off... and they do not charge you the 50 baht airport fee. Just tell them where you want to go and say meter? If ok, then jump in. Best to have them take the expressway, but you pay the two tolls.
Retired Army
11-09-07, 21:23
If you go up two levels to the arriving flights, you can catch a taxi very quickly when they are dropping people off... and they do not charge you the 50 baht airport fee. Just tell them where you want to go and say meter? If ok, then jump in. Best to have them take the expressway, but you pay the two tolls.
You used to be able to do this at Don Muang, but I don't think they will let taxis pick up departing passengers on the arrival level at the new airport. At least they weren't the last time I was there.
You walk out of departures, top floor, walk accross the street where departing passengers are being dropped off. Empty taxis are happy to take you into town.
It is not the savings of 50 bt, as much as no waiting whatosever, which I like.
I did it twice last week, and will do it again next week.
Never a problem.
I will most likely be taking Air Asia (for the first time), flying out of Macau and into BKK in December. Has anyone flown with them?
My concern is not so much the flight itself or the service. I can endure a 2. 5 hr flight, regardless how cramped the seats are. My question is. How is Air Asia online ticketing service/procedure? Has anyone ever experienced any snags, problems or unexpected surcharges?
Thanks.
Tonedog
Old Thai Hand
11-10-07, 03:06
You used to be able to do this at Don Muang, but I don't think they will let taxis pick up departing passengers on the arrival level at the new airport. At least they weren't the last time I was there.
I do it all the time. My GF flies home a lot and when I'm heading back to town, I simply go up to departures and catch a cab dropping someone off. There are always loads, some even parked and waiting. The security cops don't seem to rush them out of there all that quickly. So, it's quite easy to do.
M P Lurker
11-10-07, 05:41
I do it all the time. My GF flies home a lot and when I'm heading back to town, I simply go up to departures and catch a cab dropping someone off. There are always loads, some even parked and waiting. The security cops don't seem to rush them out of there all that quickly. So, it's quite easy to do.
Just to be absolutely clear, are you refering to Suwanaphuum or Don Meuang?
Just to be absolutely clear, are you refering to Suwanaphuum or Don Meuang? I am referring to the new airport. It works just like it did at the new airport. Sometimes the police are active trying to move the cabs out, so you have to be quick. One time, the police gave my driver a hard time, after I got in, but the driver just slipped the policeman a few baht, and exchanged words and he let him go.
Retired Army
11-10-07, 11:43
I am referring to the new airport. It works just like it did at the new airport. Sometimes the police are active trying to move the cabs out, so you have to be quick. One time, the police gave my driver a hard time, after I got in, but the driver just slipped the policeman a few baht, and exchanged words and he let him go.
Why go to this much trouble to save 50 Baht and a few minutes in the taxi que? I've never waited more than five minutes for a taxi. All the tourists and those who don't know any better are siphoned off by the limo touts in the arrival hall.
Old Thai Hand
11-10-07, 16:11
Just to be absolutely clear, are you refering to Suwanaphuum or Don Meuang?
Suwanaphuum.
RA
I've seen quite long queues at the taxi stand. Running upstairs to departures, I'm out of there in a couple fo minutes.
I will most likely be taking Air Asia (for the first time), flying out of Macau and into BKK in December. Has anyone flown with them?
My concern is not so much the flight itself or the service. I can endure a 2. 5 hr flight, regardless how cramped the seats are. My question is. How is Air Asia online ticketing service/procedure? Has anyone ever experienced any snags, problems or unexpected surcharges?
Thanks.
TonedogI used Air Asia for a VISA run to Penom Penh recently. Since the online booking price {about 1600 Baht} initially quoted an amount much lower than that {3300 Baht} after I had gone through several steps to reserve a flight, I opted to use a travel agent instead for about the same price. Bangkok Airlines online, BTW, charged me less than half of what the agent would have, and was much easier to use, besides not changing the price midstream.
I took Bangkok air for the return flight in order to return the same day, since otherwise I would have had to stay in Cambodia overnight. To my surprise the 45 minute flight offered a full meal. Air Asia did not.
I am wondering if now is a good time to buy some, or maybe a lot, of Thai Baht, in particular with the Canadian dollar. Today you could get roughly 36 Baht for one loonie, or 36, 000 for $1000 CDN.compared to earlier this year when one would recieve only about 28, 000 Baht for the same, that is 8000 Baht more. Or eight more short time sessions in BKK for 1000 Baht each.
Do you expect Canadian dough will get more valuable soon, or drop in value vs the Baht? I am guessing it will drop, and the USD will also continue to slide.
According to Yahoo currency info in the last 5 years the USD has been at a high of 44 Baht and a low of 30 Baht to the dollar. And has, more or less, steadily continued to decline.
The CDN buck over the same period has ranged from about 28 to 36 Baht. And is presently in a general upswing.
http: //finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=CAD&to=THB&submit=Convert
As one who is planning to spend a lot of time in Thailand in the near future, I'd suggest an investment in Thai Baht now via the loonie.
Not feeling comfortable about keeping this large of an amount of cash in my hotel room or security box, I guess the only alternate is to open one or more bank accounts in Thailand.
From there I suppose it could be put in a savings account, GICs, or stocks, etc, as one prefers.
One bank I inquired at said a letter from my embassy in LOS would be required to open an account. Is this standard procedure for Farang?
Alternately, I don't know if my homeland bank allows accounts in Baht, or if I will be able to obtain as good an exchange rate in Canada as here.
Yankee 617
11-11-07, 20:53
i've never been to thailand myself, but this article that i just stumbled across could serve as a word of warning to any us resident on isg regardless of his travel destination. what i don't get is how they could determine that the photos were of "**** and teenage girls in bangkok". anyway, photos may be fun -- but they can also be dangerous.
yankee
constable faces new child porn charges
by hilary russ
staff writer
october 24, 2007
nantucket — a former volunteer high school sailing instructor charged in barnstable with possessing sexually explicit videos of himself with adolescent girls was arraigned on similar charges on the island yesterday.
william h. "howe" constable, 53, pleaded not guilty to five counts of possession of child pornography in nantucket district court yesterday, according to court clerk roxana viera.
the new charges were filed after a search of constable's madaket cottage, where police seized nearly 67 dvd-r discs, 71 mini video cassettes, two computer memory sticks, paperwork, two video cameras, a folder of photographs, and two apple computers in his bedroom, the nantucket inquirer and mirror newspaper reported.
about 30 grams of marijuana were also allegedly seized from the home, the inquirer reported. constable pleaded not guilty to possession of marijuana yesterday, viera said.
constable was arrested friday in hyannis after leaving behind a digital camera at a hotel. the camera was reportedly laden with sexually explicit pictures and videos of constable engaged in sex acts with **** and teenage girls in bangkok, thailand. he has no prior criminal record, according to the inquirer.
constable was released after posting $25,000 cash bail monday in barnstable district court. yesterday, he was put on an electronic monitoring bracelet and released on his own recognizance. he'll be fitted with a global positioning system that can monitor his movements once it becomes available, viera said.
constable will have to check in with a probation officer twice a day, will be allowed to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., may not leave the state, and may not go near schools or come into contact with minors. his passport has already been surrendered to the barnstable police.
he is scheduled to appear again in nantucket district court on oct. 29 for a pre-trial hearing and appearance of counsel.
=========================
okay. i found this additional article and i guess its pretty easy to identify someone as young as 8 as being ****. now what surprises me is the implication that the us has a law against sex tourism. am i being naive? does this law only apply to sex with **** girls (which i never engage in) or does this apply to any commercial sex arrangement (as the article seems to imply)?
yankee
fbi nabs island child porn suspect
by hilary russ
staff writer
october 26, 2007
nantucket — the local man already arraigned in barnstable and nantucket on child pornography charges was arrested by federal agents yesterday and taken to boston.
federal bureau of investigation agents arrested william h. "howe" constable, 53, at 7:30 a.m. without incident at his c street home in madaket, according to an fbi spokeswoman.
the former volunteer high school sailing coach was then taken to boston, where he made an initial appearance before a federal judge in u.s. district court. he likely will be held in federal custody until a nov. 1 detention hearing on a charge of producing child pornography outside the united states.
barnstable police arrested constable oct. 19 after he returned to a hyannis hotel to retrieve a digital camera he left behind. it contained graphic photos and video of him and other men engaged in sex acts with dozens of adolescent girls in bangkok, thailand, and possibly other asian countries, police said.
police also seized computers, more than 100 computer discs and mini video cassettes, photographs, hand-held video recorders, travel documents and other items from constable's nantucket home after he allegedly told police he had more graphic images stored on computers there.
in an affidavit for a search warrant of constable's computers and discs, fbi special agent sarah de lair described in detail one of an estimated 40 videos on the sony camera found in the hyannis hotel. in one clip, a naked girl no older than 8 is raped by a man on a bed as she cries and screams. the man in the video is constable, according to de lair's affidavit.
also on the camera were 10 other videos "which clearly depict constable having sexual intercourse with children under the age of 18" and "numerous" still images of constable performing sex acts with children, de lair wrote.
constable allegedly told police he made many of the recordings on trips to bangkok, and de lair's affidavit also mentioned travel to hong kong. bangkok is widely considered a center for so-called "sex tourism."
sex tourism involves travel from a person's own country to a foreign land for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts, according to a u.s. department of state web site.
prison sentences for sex tourism and producing child pornography oversees for import to the united states were increased with the passage of federal legislation in 2003. such crimes now carry a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. since the new law passed, prosecutors have secured more than 20 indictments and more than a dozen convictions of child sex tourists, according to the state department web site.
since oct. 19, the investigation into constable's alleged "sex tourism" and child pornography production and possession has expanded to include more than a half dozen agencies: barnstable and nantucket police departments, state police detectives assigned to the cape and islands district attorney's office, the fbi, the attorney general's office, the u.s. attorney's office, and immigration and customs enforcement.
============================
okay. still further investigation seems to indicate that the law only applies to sex with anyone under 18 years old. specifically, this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sex_tourism
says
legal issues in the united states
federal law (see protect act of 2003) prohibits united states citizens or permanent residents to engage in international travel with the purpose or effect of having commercial sex with a person under the age of 18, or any sex with a person under the age of 16; facilitating such travel is also illegal. arrests by immigration and customs enforcement are becoming common, however prosecutions under this law are still very rare.
see also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/protect_act_of_2003
Hi everyone,
I'm planning on travelling to Bangkok, Thailand early next year and I have a bit of an odd question.
I'm quite young, 19, and was wondering how I would be treated at all the bars. Just to clarify what I mean, it's my understanding that most of the girls target mature men as perhaps they would be more wealthy.
I don't mean any disrespect by this question, just something I hoped somebody could shed some light on. Thanks guys.
Thanks for your feedback regarding Air Asia.
I do find the online prices on Air Asia flights tend to be very reasonable. My only concern is that I have seldom used online booking for flights. So I'm being a little more careful.
Certainly, if I could find a ticket from an agent at a similar price, I will opt for that. It just feels much more secure when you have a tix in your hand with a confirmation
Lama Di Bali
11-12-07, 08:37
i've never been to thailand myself, but this article that i just stumbled across could serve as a word of warning to any us resident on isg regardless of his travel destination. what i don't get is how they could determine that the photos were of "**** and teenage girls in bangkok". anyway, photos may be fun -- but they can also be dangerous.what's your point yankee?
if you're a kid fucker, be more careful where you leave your video camera? or just fuck them but don't take pix?
sex with children is just not acceptable. not. ever.
Old Thai Hand
11-12-07, 10:34
Hi everyone,
I'm planning on travelling to Bangkok, Thailand early next year and I have a bit of an odd question.
I'm quite young, 19, and was wondering how I would be treated at all the bars. Just to clarify what I mean, it's my understanding that most of the girls target mature men as perhaps they would be more wealthy.
I don't mean any disrespect by this question, just something I hoped somebody could shed some light on. Thanks guys.
Make the rounds and spend a bit of cash and you'll probably be mobbed by the girls, if for no other reason than your youth (they are young women afterall) because I'm sure they'd like a change of pace from all the old farts they have to shag.
on the other hand, Old Thai Hand, (hehehe), I have heard the girls prefer the old farts. They go to bed early, don't boom2 all night, (except for me, of course), and the girls don't have to work so hard.
A young stud might drag the girl out drinking all night, then take her back to his cave and "slam" her for hours, when all she wants to do is sleep.
Thanks for your feedback regarding Air Asia.
I do find the online prices on Air Asia flights tend to be very reasonable. My only concern is that I have seldom used online booking for flights. So I'm being a little more careful.
Certainly, if I could find a ticket from an agent at a similar price, I will opt for that. It just feels much more secure when you have a tix in your hand with a confirmation
Speaking from someone who has booked online numerous times with Air Asia (and other carriers), I'd dare say its mostly psychological. By the way, you do get a confirmation number when you book online with them.
I am wondering if now is a good time to buy some, or maybe a lot, of Thai Baht...
I know nothing of such things, but my middle class Thai friends say the baht has reached its peak and should decline over the next year or so. Factors to which they refer include the election/political change, and the bad economy in Thailand.
ThaiLearner
11-12-07, 13:10
Thanks for your feedback regarding Air Asia.
I do find the online prices on Air Asia flights tend to be very reasonable. My only concern is that I have seldom used online booking for flights. So I'm being a little more careful.
Certainly, if I could find a ticket from an agent at a similar price, I will opt for that. It just feels much more secure when you have a tix in your hand with a confirmation
i find it easier to book on line you do not get any hassle of the agent trying to sell you something else
what i don't get is how they could determine that the photos were of "**** and teenage girls in bangkok". anyway, photos may be fun.- but they can also be dangerous.it’s a good point to consider
if you get caught with sex explicit pictures with " **** looking girls " include possession of drugs at the same time your in big trouble of course, at least for the drugs and mainly in the us, it is not with disrespect for us guy’s but my question is how can these hypocrite us cops judge from the pictures only if the girls are **** or whatever if they have no knowledge of asian culture or never been there, having your laptop full with sexy or porn pictures is no problem in europe or at customs as long if they don’t catch you for something else that is not allowed and then use these picture as additional evidence that you are a criminal or bad guy. a question also is what is the difference between a sexy picture or porn? i have hear and widely read enough story’s from guys having a search trough there laptop when entering the us after being in asia, never hear about that in europe and never experienced myself.
asian girls look a lot younger then they really are we all know that. i have had during my years in asian country’s many surprises in this field, thinking the kid looks like 18 or so, asking there id and they turn out to be 23 or 25.
age prove example, chinese girls can look very young and they always lie about there age (even thai) they telling you they are older than they actually are to get access to clubs and job’s and they can play with two years differ at it, i keep a little horoscope calculation list with me and ask them under which chinese horoscope she is born to make sure, and they don’t lie about that one: if she say’s she is 20 y and is born under the snake, that’s 1989 so she is only 18 and so on. i don’t know if that kind of calculation exist for thai also, not easy to prove there age as not all girls are carry a id with them all the time or difficult to read, embarrassing to ask it the first moment you meet. last week, i have seen several girls in spice girls at soi cowboy, looking so petit and skinny, they could have been by looks easily 12 or 14 years old.
the big problem is that if you are on the picture together with the young kids how can you prove to the cops at home she is 23 and its mainly hard when the shot is taken under sexy circumstances.
my point of view is, i never take pictures with to young looking kids, even with our without your own face on it.
john euro
editor's note: i certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the reports of distinction thread. please click here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.
Lama Di Bali
11-13-07, 01:46
I've used Air Asia several times and have never had any problems with the booking or ticketing process.
One thing to bear in mind is that it is essentially a point-to-point airline, and it has several separate companies under the name, ie, it has Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian components and you have to book each sector separately.
I would use them again for a point-to-point flight, but never again between Bali and Bangkok return. It was a giant hassle trying to figure out connections.
I had to fly Bali. KL, clear customs and immigration in KL, check in again with all that hassle for the KL. Bangkok leg. The same coming back.
What's more the connections are not that great. A four hour layover in KL on the outward trip and a seven hour stop coming back. It just wasn't worth the hundred bucks or so I saved rather than fly direct with either Thai or Garuda.
Also, be warned, that they are really fierce with the 15kg baggage allowance and you WILL get charged if you're over, even by a kilo or two. Or anyway, that was the experience of all the people I was queuing with.
Yankee 617
11-13-07, 05:40
what's your point yankee?
i'm neither condoning nor condeming the accused in this article.
my point is that one should be cautious. it seems that one can be prosecuted in the us under us law for actions in a foreign country even if those actions are legal in that foreign country. moreover, i was amazed to see that they are trying to make the creation or possession of certain fake images illegal. at that rate, doodling on a napkin could be a crime. talk about the long arm of the law! anyway, i know that lots of guys on isg enjoy taking photos and posting them... i'm just suggesting that they be very careful. if someone finds your photos and takes offense, you could find yourself before a judge who says "yup, sure looks **** to me. lock him up!" and all your protests that she's really 19, you saw her id, will be worthless. is the photo really worth it?
personally, i do not own a camera and articles like this help reduce my desire to buy one. if i can't simply remember my experiences, i guess i'll be forced to repeat them :-).
asian girls look a lot younger then they really are we all know that. i have had during my years in asian country’s many surprises in this field, thinking the kid looks like 18 or so, asking there id and they turn out to be 23 or 25.
the big problem is that if you are on the picture together with the young kids how can you prove to the cops at home she is 23 and its mainly hard when the shot is taken under sexy circumstances.
my point of view is, i never take pictures with to young looking kids, even with our without your own face on it.
john euro
editor's note: i certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the reports of distinction thread. please click here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.
what we need is a mongers model release form.
you could also take a picture of her id and have it available if ice wants to hastle you.
i would love to see that play out.
ice: these girls look ****, i think we have a problem here.
me: sorry to bust your bubble, yes im a perve who like to take pictures, however the id of the girl you see naked says she is 23 years. step off!
Yankee 617
11-13-07, 06:29
Sex with children is just not acceptable. Not. Ever.
I guess I would take a more nuanced view.
When I was 15-16, I was enjoying sex with girls my age (14-16 mostly, but one was 18) and I don't feel that I was being exploited, nor do I feel that I was exploiting anyone. In fact, I don't feel that what I was doing is wrong.
How did it come to be that 18 is the magical age at which sex would be okay?
A few centuries ago, people were marrying at 13 (and typically dying at 30). This had some basis in the biological fact of puberty. Somehow, as our health care improved (control of sewage & drinking water, antibiotics) our life span grew as did the time we spent in school. Along with this came the idea that teenagers (since they were no longer middle-aged) were too irresponsible for many things: like drinking, driving, voting, soldiering, and sex.
Yeah, I don't think is cool for some 50-year-old fart to be screwing around with some 6-year-old tot... I think its downright wierd for the 50-year-old to have such desires and the 6-year-old probably needs protection. But in 10 years time its not surprising or wierd to me that the now-60-year-old would be attracted to the now-16-year-old... and while some 16-year-old kids may need protection, others do not as they are quite capable of making adult desisions. I know I felt capable of making adult decisions when I was 15... even now as an over-50-year-old guy I think I was capable of adult decisions when I was 15.
I don't think its possible to name a single age that applies well for everyone, in every culture, throughout the world. But if I were to name a single age that I think is appropriate in the majority of cases, I would say that 15 seems about right and 18 seems too high. I just don't know how 18 came to be the magical age.
That said, I personally have no interest in girls younger than about 19... and 21-25 would probably be my most preferred age range for a short-term relationship. For a longer-term relationship, I'd want a somewhat older young woman -- perhaps about 30. But I can see how others could be attracted to at least some 15-year-old girls... its the same simple biology that makes post-menopausal women less appealing: guys are attracted to girls/women that can bear children.
my point is that one should be cautious. it seems that one can be prosecuted in the us under us law for actions in a foreign country even if those actions are legal in that foreign country.
the us has a bit of a reputation for that sort of thing... in a thread recently in the philippines section, someone was asking 'why do all korean's hate all us citizens - they owe us etc' * that is as may be, but, the americans will be rarely thanked for going somewhere and imposing their will by either economic or military might, whether what they are doing it for what they judge to be moral reasons or not. (even as a child we were all taught that might does not make right). this arrogance (and i think we can safely call it arrogance - defiance of the un, extraordinary rendition... not to mention further back, the cia being instrumental in overthrowing certain governments) has now spread to its own citizens (i mean the government is arrogant, not all the citizens). as far as i know, there is only one western country in the world that restricts where its own people can travel - and that is the us (cuba). that the electorate puts up with it is a constant source of amazement to me. howard marks had a bit of a rant about it in his book - something to do with passports, and something about (paraphrasing) 'the us government prosecuting a non us citizen for doing naughty things with non us passports on non us territory, and not planning to use said passports for traveling to the us" - the subtext was, anything connected to the drug trade anywhere was ultimately for our big us brothers to sort out.
all that being said, ****philia is a bit of a different fish to all that, and, without googling at all, i recall an agreement from a while back between the cambodian and various western governments (including but not limited to germany, uk, us, australia). the logic behind it was that the cambo police might have the ability to sniff out some ****philia, but lack the funding to properly prosecute it. they would stamp the offender's passport with "deported for sexual deviancy" and leave the foreign government to deal with it. i assume the programme is still running, but i've no idea how the details work - ie, collection of evidence etc. i don't think of this as an altogether bad idea.
i'd also be fascinated to know how this whole photo thing at us customs works. photos of someone who might be under 18 in a possibly compromising position that just happen to be in someone's possession can hardly constitute anything beyond reasonable doubt - so what happens? are you then bound over while further investigations take place? how long can you be held for?
with regard to being prosecuted for actions in a foreign nation that weren't illegal there, but would be in the us, i've never heard of american's doing that (as policy anyway). if an american goes to amsterdam and smokes it up, then comes back with lots of photos of themselves smoking, can they be prosecuted for it? is it only select laws that the us gov't tries to enforce amongst its citizens outside its own borders? if i am a foreign citizen and got to a country where the age of consent it 16, do the business then fly to the us can i be prosecuted for statutory [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123)? if a us citizen does the same
can they? what if it is a 16 yo prostitute where 16 yo's are allowed to be prostitutes?
* my first thought after reading that was, it probably isn't all americans that they hate, just the ones who go around with the attitude that they are owed something. americans, like any other group, are a mix of absolute fuckstains and the best people you could ever hope to meet. koreans, like any other group, are a mix of absolute fuckstains and the best people you could ever hope to meet.
i realize these are touchy subjects, so no offense is intended for anyone unless they happen to be a fan of current us policy, but i've not met anyone who's been outside the us who is a fan, so, my guess is i am pretty safe in that respect :)
Professor 1
11-13-07, 18:50
How did it come to be that 18 is the magical age at which sex would be okay?U.S. law is very clear on this topic. A U.S. citizen cannot engage in relations with anyone younger than 18 while outside the U.S. As a practical matter, one would be advised not to take pictures if age may be at issue. Even if you win at trial, you will lose thousands of dollars in your defense.
I know nothing of such things, but my middle class Thai friends say the baht has reached its peak and should decline over the next year or so. Factors to which they refer include the election/political change, and the bad economy in Thailand.I was wondering with the election upcuming it might coincide with a decline in the Baht and a good time to exchange Canadian dollars. A couple days ago I got about 35 to the loonie, yet did not buy much since I could not open a bank account to stash it, not having the required work permit or letter from a consulate.
Lama Di Bali
11-14-07, 01:42
once again the mongers with a predilection to ****philia cry foul!
it is they, the deviates, who are the victims of laws designed to protect children from men like them.
i have no problems with sex with girls who are old enough to make the decision whether they sell themselves or not.
you can debate the age of consent until you are blue in the face (my country for example it's 16) but don't go trying to tell me an 8 year old is fair game.
Good to know that a few of you had flown with Air Asia, and found the ticketing process satisfactory. I will make sure my carry-on does not exceed the 15 kg limit.
I will be flying directly (from what I understand on the website) from Macau to BKK, so there's no transfer/transit, so it should be an easy and relatively quick 2. 5 hr plane ride to Suvarn Airport, then directly to Pattaya on the AC bus. Can't wait. He he he
The only thing is, I will be there in Dec, which means shit-load of other tourists and fellow "hunters", so the picking must be thin and prices at the upper end, hence no chance for bargains. Oh well
Tonedog
Tone,
"....so the picking must be thin and prices at the upper end, hence no chance for bargains."
No way! There are still 5 girls for every guy, even in high season.
The only thing is, I will be there in Dec, which means shit-load of other tourists and fellow "hunters", so the picking must be thin and prices at the upper end, hence no chance for bargains. Oh well
TonedogI have read that more P4P ladies are in P4P cities this time of year also.
If that is due to the increased tourism or an end to rice season or better
weather, I cannot say with 100% certainty.
Lama Di Bali
11-14-07, 13:53
Tone,
You don't have to fear that you will miss out, there will be more than enough to go round.
Reinforcements will be rushed in from every village in the country.
once again the mongers with a predilection to ****philia cry foul!
it is they, the deviates, who are the victims of laws designed to protect children from men like them.
i have no problems with sex with girls who are old enough to make the decision whether they sell themselves or not.
you can debate the age of consent until you are blue in the face (my country for example it's 16) but don't go trying to tell me an 8 year old is fair game.
i normally try not to be critical of other posts, but i really felt the above wasn't helpful at all. i don't recall anyone in this discussion being pro-****philia. what was being discussed was more along the lines of how to avoid **** girls, and, how to avoid customs etc thinking you'd been with **** girls.
asserting that a discussion that touches on ****philia implies that it participants are ****s is not only insulting, but, leaves the impression that there are certain topics that should not be discussed.... the more things are boxed up, not discussed and dissected and hidden from public view, the more scary they become. suppressing discussion of a subject is something we tend to condemn governments for these days - yet, you'd seek to do it voluntarily!
****philia is a real problem. avoiding accidentally becoming a **** (because the girl lies, or through some scam) is a worthy aim. avoiding the appearance of a **** is also a pretty damned handy thing to do if you don't want to get locked up.
i didn't see any claims that an 8 year old is fair game, in fact the tone is one of vehement opposition to that sort of thing. grow up.
Lama Di Bali
11-15-07, 01:56
i normally try not to be critical of other posts, but i really felt the above wasn't helpful at all. i don't recall anyone in this discussion being pro-****philia. what was being discussed was more along the lines of how to avoid **** girls, and, how to avoid customs etc thinking you'd been with **** girls.
asserting that a discussion that touches on ****philia implies that it participants are ****s is not only insulting, but, leaves the impression that there are certain topics that should not be discussed.... the more things are boxed up, not discussed and dissected and hidden from public view, the more scary they become. suppressing discussion of a subject is something we tend to condemn governments for these days - yet, you'd seek to do it voluntarily!
****philia is a real problem. avoiding accidentally becoming a **** (because the girl lies, or through some scam) is a worthy aim. avoiding the appearance of a **** is also a pretty damned handy thing to do if you don't want to get locked up.
i didn't see any claims that an 8 year old is fair game, in fact the tone is one of vehement opposition to that sort of thing. grow up.looking back on what i wrote i can see why someone might think that i tarred all of the contributors with the **** brush. my apologies.
i was pissed that it quickly devolved into a discussion on age of consent, and how to avoid being embarrassed by over zealous customs officers, who, i agree, are not qualified to determine if a girl is under 18 or not.
but i do think that they have enough smarts to know that an 8-year-old is ****.
by the way, unknowingly fucking a girl under the age of consent does not make a man a ****. it may make him a criminal in the eyes of whatever jurisdiction he should find himself in, but not a ****.
a **** is someone who gets his sexual jollies with children.- because they are children, so i repeat my original assertion.
fucking kids is not acceptable. ever.
Old Thai Hand
11-16-07, 01:18
Picking is thin in Canada. I am glad that there are 5 girls to 1 man in Thailand. How about a vast immigration of just nice beautiful women into Canada would get the girls back home to smarten up a little with their prudish attitudes.
Stephen, why don't you just go away?
looking back on what i wrote i can see why someone might think that i tarred all of the contributors with the **** brush. my apologies.
rarely do people seem to admit to their wrongs these days. apology accepted and kudos to you sir for offering it. i'd tip my hat to you if i was a hat wearing sort of fellow.
Retired Army
11-16-07, 04:37
Picking is thin in Canada. I am glad that there are 5 girls to 1 man in Thailand. How about a vast immigration of just nice beautiful women into Canada would get the girls back home to smarten up a little with their prudish attitudes.
I doubt you could get laid in the Bier Garten at closing time with a $100 bill stuck on your forehead.
Yankee 617
11-16-07, 16:40
Not if the American travelled to Canada. In Canada, the legal age of consent is 14. But greek is forbidden until 18.
I do not think this is true. It appears that the Canadian law is irrelevant for the American travelling in Canada. Specifically, this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_tourism
says
Legal issues in the United States
Federal law (see PROTECT Act of 2003) prohibits United States citizens or permanent residents to engage in international travel with the purpose or effect of having commercial sex with a person under the age of 18, or any sex with a person under the age of 16; facilitating such travel is also illegal. Arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are becoming common, however prosecutions under this law are still very rare.
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_Act_of_2003
DeepInTexas
11-18-07, 21:24
could someone please post one or two links to a full coverage report on [CodeWord901] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901)'s in bkk. (or any average blowjob bar for that matter) i'm curious how these blowjob bars work. i always wonder things that i have never heard covered. stuff like do you sit in a chair at a table and the women blows you out in the open, or do you go into a closed booth? how much are they? do all the women blow? what do guys think about having a women who just sucked off a stranger now sucking off them? do they use mouthwash in between? things like that. :) thanks.
Deep,
Let me just say this: Forget about 'specialized' bj bars.
If you want a bj in a bar - ie not in a room - head for Soi 6, Pattaya and gently move the the head of the lady that follows you inside to your crotch. She may be from Isaan and, according to OTH's friends, a bit thick in the head, but believe me, she understands. And soon enough her head is boppin' and your jaw is droppin'.
Has anyone done this? any ideas how possible and how long it would take? Also what taxes would be payable etc
Terry Terrier
11-19-07, 03:25
DeepInTexas,
Run a search on a member named NicFrenchy and make sure you change the 'show results as' tab to 'reports'. He has some very detailed recent reports on blow job bars.
could someone please post one or two links to a full coverage report on [CodeWord901] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901)'s in bkk. (or any average blowjob bar for that matter) i'm curious how these blowjob bars work. i always wonder things that i have never heard covered. stuff like do you sit in a chair at a table and the women blows you out in the open, or do you go into a closed booth? how much are they? do all the women blow? what do guys think about having a women who just sucked off a stranger now sucking off them? do they use mouthwash in between? things like that. :) thanks.you need to do a search and you can find detailed information.
at [CodeWord901] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901)'s, when you approach, there are alot of girsl sitting outside. if yu do not pick one, one will follow you in. order a beer, she asks you if you want to go up stairs. not sure of the going rate, have not been there only once a while ago. if you do not like the girl, she will offer another to you.
upstairs, curtained off little are, towel down, drop your drawers and she goes to work.
star of light in patpong, similar, but has one or two rooms. slide the door closed.
in pattaya, there are bars where you can sit at the bar and drink a beer, and the girl give you head thru a cu out under the bar.
not sure you question about a girl giving bj to a perfect stranger after she just sucked off another guy. same could be true for any girl you pick up. but from what i remember, yes they do use mouthwash after. most do not swallow, but spit.
could someone please post one or two links to a full coverage report on [CodeWord901] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901)'s in bkk. (or any average blowjob bar for that matter) i'm curious how these blowjob bars work. i always wonder things that i have never heard covered. stuff like do you sit in a chair at a table and the women blows you out in the open, or do you go into a closed booth? how much are they? do all the women blow? what do guys think about having a women who just sucked off a stranger now sucking off them? do they use mouthwash in between? things like that. :) thanks.or go to pomp station on soi 13/2 you can get bbbj for 630bt.
or go to pomp station on soi 13/2 you can get bbbj for 630bt.[CodeWord901] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901)'s is good, from what i remember it's about 700 baht, i went in and a girl followed me, went upstairs, washed her mouth out, then sucked me off. ended up paying a extra 200 baht and fucked her doggy over the chair while other people were getting bj's behind the curtains etc, kinda weird to be honest, lol
Has anyone done this? any ideas how possible and how long it would take? Also what taxes would be payable etcI don’t suggest it, if you look on the world map you will see that you have to drive trough to many " trouble making " country’s. Some of my friends have been driving with 4WD’s till China ‘s coast, took a few weeks and have then shipping the car’s back to a Europe port. Told me having to many troubles at the borders with the " carnet ", missing stamps, visa’s and other border corruption.
For the same amount of money that your trip will cost, you can drive in the BKK taxis for years.
The only reason you would do this is because your UK car as also the steering Wheel on the " wrong " side? LOL,
John Euro
DeepInTexas
11-19-07, 21:49
Thanks for all the great info guys. Doesn't sound like I'd be suited for getting blown in a bar. Sounds to business like for me. It probable doesn't help that I don't drink much and I imagine it loses a bit of it's charm when your fully sober. :)
I understand that if I spend the year outside of Canada I do not have to pay any taxes there.
If I spent that year split between Thailand and Cambodia and then returned to Canada, how would those former two cuntries make me pay taxes if I never returned there?
Would Canada want to know and make me pay the other two?
Old Thai Hand
11-22-07, 01:52
I understand that if I spend the year outside of Canada I do not have to pay any taxes there.
If I spent that year split between Thailand and Cambodia and then returned to Canada, how would those former two cuntries make me pay taxes if I never returned there?
Would Canada want to know and make me pay the other two?
If you still have a residence in Canada, even if you are away for more than a year, you have to pay taxes. In fact, if you have furniture in Canada, even in storage you have to pay taxes. Basically, to avoid taxes in Canada as a Canadian citizen, you have to sever all ties to the country, not even have a bank account. I have nothing in Canada and only pay taxes here.
BTW, Thailand has a tax treaty with Canada, although I think the Thais would be very reluctant to relinquish tax paid here by a Canadian, to Canada.
Fivebahtwiz
11-22-07, 03:27
PP:
Store all your goodies across the line in Point Roberts and fly in and out of SeaTac. Pin a note to your underwear with your Canadian address so that if you get real sick (not Opebo sick, real sick) someone can ship you back to Canada to be looked after.
Just a quick question.
Will most likely be flying with Air Asia into BKK. And as far as I know with this budget airline, as well as others like it, they give you an "e-ticket", meaning just a confirmation number, not an actual paper ticket.
Has anyone experienced any problems at the airport customs when the officer ask "where is your ticket? ", and all you have is just a confirmation number in your head?
In the past I've always purchased an airfare with an actual paper ticket, hence, the enquiry.
Furthermore, if there is no problem with "e-ticket" with the Customs, then in theory, one do not necessarily need an already purchased "return ticket". Meaning. I could buy just a "one-way" ticket into Thailand, then tell the Custom Officer that my "return ticket" is an "e-version", which he/she would have to believe you (I could just spew out some random number/code). Then once in Thailand, I can go and purchase a "one-way" ticket out of Thailand.
Can this be done? Has anyone done it?
Thanks for your feedback.
Tonedog
I use Air Asia for most of my domestic flights in Thailand.
You book online and print your "ticket" or voucher yourself. So you have the paper to show to anyone who ask for it. No problem at all.
Ken
Just a quick question.
Will most likely be flying with Air Asia into BKK. And as far as I know with this budget airline, as well as others like it, they give you an "e-ticket", meaning just a confirmation number, not an actual paper ticket.
Has anyone experienced any problems at the airport customs when the officer ask "where is your ticket? ", and all you have is just a confirmation number in your head?
In the past I've always purchased an airfare with an actual paper ticket, hence, the enquiry.
Furthermore, if there is no problem with "e-ticket" with the Customs, then in theory, one do not necessarily need an already purchased "return ticket". Meaning. I could buy just a "one-way" ticket into Thailand, then tell the Custom Officer that my "return ticket" is an "e-version", which he/she would have to believe you (I could just spew out some random number/code). Then once in Thailand, I can go and purchase a "one-way" ticket out of Thailand.
Can this be done? Has anyone done it?
Thanks for your feedback.
Tonedog
Tone,
Customs won't ask for your ticket. Immigration might. But... Only if you don't have one! Your airline has to report to Thai immigration what kind of ticket you have - that's how immigration know who to ask for a ticket.
If you don't have a round trip ticket you must have a visa from a Thai embassy or consulate (outside Thailand).
E-tickets have a great advantage over paper tickets: You can't lose them. All you have to do is keep the information in your e-mail. You can print out the details if and when you need them.
Fast Eddie 48
11-25-07, 09:05
Just a quick question.
Will most likely be flying with Air Asia into BKK. And as far as I know with this budget airline, as well as others like it, they give you an "e-ticket", meaning just a confirmation number, not an actual paper ticket.
Has anyone experienced any problems at the airport customs when the officer ask "where is your ticket? ", and all you have is just a confirmation number in your head?
In the past I've always purchased an airfare with an actual paper ticket, hence, the enquiry.
Furthermore, if there is no problem with "e-ticket" with the Customs, then in theory, one do not necessarily need an already purchased "return ticket". Meaning. I could buy just a "one-way" ticket into Thailand, then tell the Custom Officer that my "return ticket" is an "e-version", which he/she would have to believe you (I could just spew out some random number/code). Then once in Thailand, I can go and purchase a "one-way" ticket out of Thailand.
Can this be done? Has anyone done it?
Thanks for your feedback.
TonedogTonedog,
The only country in asia check for a oneward ticket is indoneasia when I was getting my visa at jakarta airport they ask to see my onward ticket i just show them my copy itenary print out and I travel through out asia only been check once .
I know that airasia warn you about purchase round trip ticket if you purchase on line and might be safe to do that .
Fast eddie 48
Thanks Freeler.
I was thinking maybe just getting a one way tix into Thailand. Reason being, not sure if I want to go and visit Cambo overland, in which case, I will want to fly "out" of Cambo. Hence, not needing a return ticket in my name as I enter LOS.
That's all.
I'm a Canadian, so I get a free stay of 30 days (I believe) in LOS, so I really don't want to spend unnecessary $$$ on a visa, when I'm not even sure of my travel.
Thanks
Just a quick question.
Has anyone experienced any problems at the airport customs when the officer ask "where is your ticket? ", and all you have is just a confirmation number in your head?
Can this be done? Has anyone done it? I have been flying a lot in to BKK without a return ticket not knowing exactly where business would take me from there or when exactly, back to Europe or another destination, I have just returned from BKK to Europe with a one way E ticket I bought in BK, so I came in without. I have been buying over the years many ticket at the famous travel shop in Patong, mainly a round trip ticket from BKK-Europe-and back to BKK, why, great deals, they selling a business class ticket for almost the same price as some flexible economy tickets will cost in Europe, so when I arrive in BKK I have no return ticket. Customs or immigration have never asked me before where my paper ticket was but I agree with the new E tickets and the quick data exchange before arrival from the Airlines they will know (maybe) if you have one or not. You can also fly back out BK with another airline than the one you flew in with and they don’t know that. On the departure card I fill out a day that I think I will leave and I mainly ask for a 2 month stay minimum (standard is 30 day’s), so far no problem.
What could they do up on arrival without a return ticket? Send you back home, don’t think so.
John Euro
Thanks Freeler.
I was thinking maybe just getting a one way tix into Thailand. Reason being, not sure if I want to go and visit Cambo overland, in which case, I will want to fly "out" of Cambo. Hence, not needing a return ticket in my name as I enter LOS.
That's all.
I'm a Canadian, so I get a free stay of 30 days (I believe) in LOS, so I really don't want to spend unnecessary $$$ on a visa, when I'm not even sure of my travel.
ThanksOnly problem I have had getting into Thailand was saying I was staying in BKK and not writing the name of my hotel on the entry form. Did get asked by Tiger airways in Singapore if I had an onward ticket out of BKK, I said I did but they did not check.
This question is for Freeler or anyone else who may know:
When I take the third class ('tamada') trains in Isaan they consist of the older carriages, which have comfortable padded seats. However when I have attempted to travel third class out of Bangkok it has been in the third class cars of a train which includes other classes, and this form of third class is truly awful - hard plastic seats close together, like a subway car.
So how about getting the better third class car out of Bangkok? Is it possible? What about if one takes a third-class-only train, if there are such out of Bangkok?
Thanks in advance, I'm trying to plan some trips.
Im setting up a trip to Thailand in 2008 and I was thinking which is the best months to go right now Im looking at between October-November or maybe even earlier like June-August any advice and opinions I would like to hear. Im a DR vet and also have been to Brasil and have been all over Europe when I was in the service. Im looking to make my 1st visit out to Asia and Thailand is the mongering mecca of the East and its time for me to make a pilgramage out there.
Opebo,
BKK-Pilok, dep from BKK at 09.25 (201) and 20.45 (203) have padded seats in some carriages.
The good old Tammadaa trains in the 4** number range don't travel out of BKK anymore.
The commuter trains in the 3**s all have plastic seats, as does the tammadaa to Hua Hin.
Time tables:
http://www.railway.co.th/English/
http://www.railway.co.th/English/Time_HTML.asp
Many trains not included!
Bob,
I can't fly out of AMS without the check-in staff checking my visa. Apparently the airline has to pay a hefty fine for passengers without proper visa/tickets. One way ticket requires visa, so does a round trip ticket with return trip outside 30 days. I can't immagine that this would be different for travellers from the US.
Thanks for the information, Freeler. So those schedules on the website (and the paper ones I have) only show trains which connect to Bangkok. There are also various 'ordinary' trains travelling in the hinterlands which do not go there, and those are the good ones, if I understand correctly. And those shedules are not so easy to find out.
Opebo,
The railway folks gladly give out the paper ones with the express and special trains on 'em. Apparently they think that farangs don't want to travel 3rd class. In certain cases that may be so (- think OTH:D. Imagine him gettin' an eyeful of the country side... Oh my Buddha!). You otoh should ask for the ones with trains numbered 300 and 400 on them as well. Trevlig resa!
Old Thai Hand
11-28-07, 01:09
Opebo,
think OTH:D. Imagine him gettin' an eyeful of the country side... Oh my Buddha
LOL
Trust me. I've seen more than enough of the countryside. I've even spent time getting down with the unwashed in an Isaan hovel in some bumfuck village in the middle of nowhere.
What's the attraction?
Trust me. I've seen more than enough of the countryside. I've even spent time getting down with the unwashed in an Isaan hovel in some bumfuck village in the middle of nowhere.
What's the attraction?
I wouldn't know. There are many large towns and a few small cities in Isaan, at least by my demographic schema.
That said, I have been to a few small villages, morlam concerts, and that sort of thing. Not that interesting. Very like small town or rural life in america, though Thailand's rural areas are depopuating rather than already depopulated.
For me the attraction of upcountry are cities like Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Korat, and Ubon Ratchathani; also big towns like Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Sakhon Nakhon, and Roiet. In those four cities listed one can have pretty much anything that one has in Bangkok, but at a cooler temperature, and staying in hotels that cost about one quarter as much. Even those smaller towns above can be fun for two or three days.
Old Thai Hand
11-28-07, 14:29
I wouldn't know. There are many large towns and a few small cities in Isaan, at least by my demographic schema.
That said, I have been to a few small villages, morlam concerts, and that sort of thing. Not that interesting. Very like small town or rural life in america, though Thailand's rural areas are depopuating rather than already depopulated.
For me the attraction of upcountry are cities like Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Korat, and Ubon Ratchathani; also big towns like Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Sakhon Nakhon, and Roiet. In those four cities listed one can have pretty much anything that one has in Bangkok, but at a cooler temperature, and staying in hotels that cost about one quarter as much. Even those smaller towns above can be fun for two or three days.
Yes. But, by your own admission, one can't make a decent wage there. So, what's the point of living hand to mouth, traveling 3rd class and watching your satang?
The advantage of living in BKK is good accomodation, a variety of things to do, a good infrastructure and good money that allows me to escape anytime and anywhere I want to.
BTW, while I certainly traveled around the country a lot by train and bus in my early years here, I never traveled 3rd class. The tickets were so cheap, I always traveled 1st class. Now I fly everywhere. Although I hate Air Asia. Their motto, "Now Everyone Can Fly" is literally true. So, one is often saddled with sitting next to some granny from Nakhon Nowhere, smelling of pra-ra on her first ever airplane trip. Thankfully, the in-country trips are short.
Of course I would not make any more in Bangkok, OTH, relative to the cost of living. The 'good money' you recieve is not available to most expats.
As for traveling third class, it is far more interesting than any other way. The key is that it is an open carriage - no windows between you and the bucolic vistas or the smells of nature. One may even lean out the windows in stations to buy delicious foods! Some second class sleepers are also open cars, and I often take those.
I certainly would never consider flying anywhere within Thailand - I've been in the boring aluminium tube all too often before, and it holds no charms for me. And first class train tickets are very expensive - usually well over 1,000 baht.
Now I fly everywhere. Although I hate Air Asia. Their motto, "Now Everyone Can Fly" is literally true. So, one is often saddled with sitting next to some granny from Nakhon Nowhere, smelling of pra-ra on her first ever airplane trip. Thankfully, the in-country trips are short.
If you hate this socially inferior granny so much, and really desire exclusivity, Mr. Moneybags, don't fly AirAsia - fly Thai or whatever. I've never actually flown AirAsia as one must have a credit card to book the tickets.
Opebo,
OTH hates the country he lives in, he hates the people and he despises the way the vast majority of them live - as do many expats.
Thankfully he makes heaps of money (looking up schoolgirls' skirts...), his friends are all upper class - much like himself - so he has no reason to deal with all that. Which is good for him; he wouldn't know how to deal with that anyway.
Old Thai Hand
11-29-07, 01:52
Opebo,
OTH hates the country he lives in, he hates the people and he despises the way the vast majority of them live - as do many expats.
Thankfully he makes heaps of money (looking up schoolgirls' skirts...), his friends are all upper class - much like himself - so he has no reason to deal with all that. Which is good for him; he wouldn't know how to deal with that anyway.
LOL. Funny. I love you socialists getting down with the common man. Good on ya!
However, don't make assumptions about someone (meaning me) you don't know anything about.
Old Thai Hand
11-29-07, 01:59
As for traveling third class, it is far more interesting than any other way. The key is that it is an open carriage - no windows between you and the bucolic vistas or the smells of nature.
Well, you're a veritalbe 'Thoreau', aren't you? I grew up in farm country in Canada. I don't need any more "smells of nature", thank you very much. Although, I do like living near the sea which I did here for 4 years. That's where I'll ultimately end up when I retire.
You can have Isaan.
Guys,
Anyone know when the elections are going to be held here? Are mongering places closed during that time?
Appreciate the advise.
Cheers,
Ice
Bob,
I can't fly out of AMS without the check-in staff checking my visa. Apparently the airline has to pay a hefty fine for passengers without proper visa/tickets. One way ticket requires visa, so does a round trip ticket with return trip outside 30 days. I can't immagine that this would be different for travellers from the US.I get a visa on arrival 30 days. I never spend more than 3 weeks at a time in the LOS. Also I am not American. Yes Airlnes do get penalised for flying passengers to countries that require visas, if that passenger does not have correct paperwork to enter the country. I always thought Americans can get a visa on arrival?
Guys,
Anyone know when the elections are going to be held here? Are mongering places closed during that time?
Appreciate the advise.
Cheers,
IceIce Raj,
The general elections are on 23.12.2007 . The bars will be closed the day before already, and most likely the same day until midnight. This is how it was last time.
The massage parlours are open, but many girls go to their hometown for the elections.
Giotto
Americans get visa on arrival - yes, it's been that way for years 30 days, no visa necessary. I thought most Europeans got one on arrival, too
opebo - try one of the AFRICAN airlines where your seatmate might be a GOAT (literally - the people in the window seat brought a goat and put it in the middle seat. Ah yes, the smell of the goat...) or maybe a cage of chickens, Usually my decision to fly is based more on conservation of TIME than anything else (being on a time limited trip...)
The massage parlours are open, but many girls go to their hometown for the elections.
I never realized that MP Ladies were that concerned about democratic ideals. This is very heartening news, and even more reason to patronize ladies who add civic responsibility to their already amazing skills at pleasing their customers.
Markos Greece
11-30-07, 18:22
Americans get visa on arrival - yes, it's been that way for years 30 days, no visa necessary. I thought most Europeans got one on arrival, too
Same, same for the Europeans (EU member countries).
You get the 30 days visa upon arrival.
I never realized that MP Ladies were that concerned about democratic ideals. This is very heartening news, and even more reason to patronize ladies who add civic responsibility to their already amazing skills at pleasing their customers.Seydlitz,
I knew that this would come from somebody :) ... I don't believe that they are in any way concerned about the democracy, they do this for complete different reasons. One reason is - it's a reason to go home. Another one are the kids, some girls seriously believe that it could have a negative impact on the career of their kids if they don't participate in the elections.
I have observed during the past elections, that at Livingstone's at least 1/3 of the girls go upcountry / home.
Giotto
Yes, yes, yes!
Visa on arrival but ONLY for trips of 30 days or less AND when you're in posession of a RETURN ticket.
I read here that many Farang teachers in LOS make 30G Baht/month.
How does that compare with 7-11 & factory workers in BKK?
Yes, yes, yes!
Visa on arrival but ONLY for trips of 30 days or less AND when you're in posession of a RETURN ticket.
I like to have a return ticket when I travel, that's just me. But I have a friend that always buy's his return ticket a couple of days before leaving Thailand. Come to think of it, I flew from Philippines to Kuala Lumpur and on to BKK in May this year on Air Aisa. But don't recall them ever asking me for a return ticket, never been asked by Thai immigration for a return ticket either. Or how long I will be staying in the LOS for that matter.
When I was waiting to get through immigration a couple of weeks ago I got talking to a guy and he takes two to three months at a time starting in Thailand and working his way north so I dare say he didn't have a return ticket on him either. And he has done this for years. I think he is not due home until late January. Maybe it is just the Airlines that you are travelling with?
I flew from Philippines to Kuala Lumpur and on to BKK in May this year on Air Aisa. But don't recall them ever asking me for a return ticket, never been asked by Thai immigration for a return ticket either. Or how long I will be staying in the LOS for that matter. As far as I know, it is the responsibility of the airline to ensure you have a return ticket - if not they get fined or have to bear the cost of flying you out of Thailand if the authorities deem it necessary. The immigration dont seem to check this though. As for Air Asia, when booking a journey to Thailand, you will find that a small pop up appears during the online booking process that basically contains a whole bunch of small print and ensuring you have an onward tocket out of Thailand is in there as a condition of buying the ticket.
IBut don't recall them ever asking me for a return ticket, never been asked by Thai immigration for a return ticket either. Or how long I will be staying in the LOS for that matter.
I dare say he didn't have a return ticket on him either This is actually what I was saying in my report here a few day’s ago, I am a EEC country passport holder and most of the time I enter in to BK from different country’s without a return ticket (or a open), I fill out the date on the departure card I possibly will leave within 30 day’s and I receive a 30 day stay permission, When I want / have to stay longer than 30 day I fill out a date like 6 weeks later than the arrival date and ask immigration a 2 month permission telling them I am not sure because I travel around etc. They never asked for return a ticket or made additional questions, of course when they scanning your passport they see all your records of previous staying time and your actual granted time and I have never overstayed in LOS. (you get a fine per day when overstay). There is a lot of 1 day border crossing with visa runners to create longer staying periods, they will see it on your passport and that’s what Immigration don’t like You can have also up till 90 day at the airport, For EEC countries and few others its actually a "tourist entering permission " you receive and not a real visa. Citizen from most other country’s need a real VISA up on arrival, note: there are new regulations from Oct. 01.
A look at these websites will make things more clear .
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php
http://www.thai-info.net/info/imigvisa.htm
To make it clear: " passport holders from 40 countries are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days on each visit. Foreigners who enter the Kingdom under the Tourist Visa Exemption category may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry. "
Hope this as been helpful
John Euro
Thanks Giotto, on the election dates and info.
Cheers,
Ice
As far as I know, it is the responsibility of the airline to ensure you have a return ticket - if not they get fined or have to bear the cost of flying you out of Thailand if the authorities deem it necessary. The immigration dont seem to check this though. As for Air Asia, when booking a journey to Thailand, you will find that a small pop up appears during the online booking process that basically contains a whole bunch of small print and ensuring you have an onward tocket out of Thailand is in there as a condition of buying the ticket.
Yes you are right about the pop up, I just tend to skip over that and don't think twice about it as I have no plans to overstay in any country. Another thing I forgot was filling out your departure details on the entry permit, something I do as I have a return ticket. If you do not fill out your departure details I believe immigration will ask for lenght of stay.
A look at these websites will make things more clear .
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php
http://www.thai-info.net/info/imigvisa.htm
To make it clear: " passport holders from 40 countries are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days on each visit. Foreigners who enter the Kingdom under the Tourist Visa Exemption category may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry. "
Hope this as been helpful
John Euro
Yes I know about the 3 months with 2 visa runs, Freeler was asking the questions and I was just trying to help.
Will write up a few snippets from my last trip shortly, but in the meantime:
Managed to avoid all the 1000Bht taxi touts at the airport, but I couldn't find usual meter taxi stand (down one level at end of departure hall). Seems to have been replaced by minibus / coach service, or did I just miss it?
Took advice from this forum and went to arrivals, and immediately had 2 taxis fighting over me. Agreed 300Bht + tolls and he took off like a bat out of hell. Tempted to give him a tip for fast driving.
Incidentally, had landed about 6. 30am, and there was no major congestion, so arrived at hotel about 8am, and room available straightaway. Can't complain.
Will write up a few snippets from my last trip shortly, but in the meantime:
Managed to avoid all the 1000Bht taxi touts at the airport, but I couldn't find usual meter taxi stand (down one level at end of departure hall). Seems to have been replaced by minibus / coach service, or did I just miss it?
Took advice from this forum and went to arrivals, and immediately had 2 taxis fighting over me. Agreed 300Bht + tolls and he took off like a bat out of hell. Tempted to give him a tip for fast driving.
Incidentally, had landed about 6. 30am, and there was no major congestion, so arrived at hotel about 8am, and room available straightaway. Can't complain.You still overpaid at least 100 Baht as compared to the meter.
LittleBigMan
12-03-07, 03:54
Please correct me if I'm wrong!
The taxi stand use to be on the last level, but when I was at the airport in late November I noticed that the taxi stands now have been moved to the mid level ( one level below arrival ). The whole setup was different but there was still a stand and a 50 baht charge slip. I got to Nana in 1/2 hours 65 baht tollway meter indicated 187 baht. Since he was good and fast I gave him 300 baht, since I was splitting it with a buddy.
Please confirm that the taxi stand has moved to the mid-level?
Bamboo Pete
12-03-07, 04:45
Mouse1,
I arrived on Dec 1st and I also went upstairs to Arrivals. I just ignored the ones who offered fix prices , went to the next ans asked 'Meter?' and he argeed.
Those taxi guys can't stay there long time , as there are cops arround. If they don't agree to use meter , they have to drive back to Bangkok without passenger.
Fare was 190 B , plus 65 toll .
...Please confirm that the taxi stand has moved to the mid-level?LittleBigMan,
That is correct.
Giotto
You still overpaid at least 100 Baht as compared to the meter.Yes, and I gave the bell boy 50Bht tip. And I gave the free hotel tuctuc guy 40Bht. Yesterday the shoeshine boy 'didn't have change' so I lost 10Bht. The waiter at Vertigo lent gf his jacket so I gave him 100Bht tip. Couldn't be bothered to haggle at Chatuchak over small trinket - another 20Bht.
Add them all up and in the course of 4 days I easily overspent by £10 at the very least.
Traveler1234
12-03-07, 15:59
Not sure why there is confusion re where to get a taxi....i landed around 2 pm on a sunday afternoon couple of weeks ago, walked lesiurely out of customs and 'followed' the taxi signs at the same level, got on line, told dispatcher Soi 33 sukhumvit, told driver take Rama IX route and 20 minutes later checked into G's place?
Redfield10
12-04-07, 03:06
Is the taxi toll price always the same for the two tolls or does it change depending on the time one goes through the tolls? The taxi drivers seem to want to hide the toll charge from you. And maybe add a bit on to it.
Member #2041
12-04-07, 06:17
Not sure why there is confusion re where to get a taxi....i landed around 2 pm on a sunday afternoon couple of weeks ago, walked lesiurely out of customs and 'followed' the taxi signs at the same level, got on line, told dispatcher Soi 33 sukhumvit, told driver take Rama IX route and 20 minutes later checked into G's place?
Then they must have just moved it a couple of weeks ago - because it's now at mid level, and there are no signs, as of Nov. 28
SidTheSexist
12-04-07, 06:59
Then they must have just moved it a couple of weeks ago - because it's now at mid level, and there are no signs, as of Nov. 28Who needs signs? Simple, follow staircase upstairs to departures. Walk outside and jump straight into any of the taxis who have just dropped off and enjoy a metered journey with no need to queue and none of these silly 50bht surcharges. At the most, the driver may haggle a price, but so long as you have an idea, it will still be cheaper than the rank.
Sid
Is the taxi toll price always the same for the two tolls or does it change depending on the time one goes through the tolls? The taxi drivers seem to want to hide the toll charge from you. And maybe add a bit on to it.
Not sure what you are worried about most taxi drivers will ask you to pay for the toll up front, and the girls at the toll booth will give them a receipt. Again most taxi drivers then give that receipt to you with the charge clearly marked on it. All you need to remember is that there are two toll charges. One is 40 baht and the other is 25 baht, and if you are really lucky you'll get a taxi that knows how to get around the tolls without much difference to the meter.
I say if a taxi is willing to use the meter give him a tip, give those other guys nothing more than the agreed price.
I asked a taxi driver once would he lose money once the BTS Skytrain to the airport was up and running. He just laughed and said that there was always farang willing to give him there money.
Who needs signs? Simple, follow staircase upstairs to departures.
You mean 'arrivals', I think?
Departures is correct, think about it.
You mean 'arrivals', I think?
Departures is correct, think about it.You're right of course. Just me being stupid :-(
Traveler1234
12-04-07, 16:20
Then they must have just moved it a couple of weeks ago - because it's now at mid level, and there are no signs, as of Nov. 28
Hmmmmm....I landed Sunday Nov 18th and got taxi on same level. Meter said B175 to Livingstone, B50 surcharge from airport, gave driver total B250 and he was satisfied.
If you are new to mongering a small piece of advice.
Has she had a child?
Is she separated or divorced with abit of paper to prove it.
How old is she? She tells you 25 but her ID card says 32!!!!! ( This year is 2550)
Has she paid someone to post her internet profile.
How good is "speaks English a little"
Check you are speaking to the girl you think you are.
Never send money
10000bht for one month + board and lodging is about right.
The odd gift is OK.and expected.
Anymore is madness. Most with poor jobs get much less than that.
Is she a she or had surgery?
Where does she live? With mother her boyfriend in digs etc..
How many dependants does she have.
When you meet her assume she is pregnant and get her on the pill if you want to ride bareback. The pill a low dose one is ok to start with a nd she should start on the firt day of her period. watch her take the pill each day until you can?trust her.
Tell her all this in advance and hget her to agree or [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) off.
There are thousands looking for Mr Right.
Oh yes Mr Right means the one she can fleece the most.
The uglier the safer but they want chilkdren and a yellow band on her finger.
ME I'm not married, I rent my house, I own my pickup, I keep my cards to my chest when possible. I;m having a great time. I fuck the young thing every day, which she likes and I'm over 60.
What have I missed here?
Any Questions?
Lock up valuables,She could leave in the night with all you have.
Old Thai Hand
12-06-07, 01:57
If you are new to mongering a small piece of advice.
Has she had a child?
Is she separated or divorced with abit of paper to prove it.
How old is she? She tells you 25 but her ID card says 32!!!!! ( This year is 2550)
Has she paid someone to post her internet profile.
How good is "speaks English a little"
Check you are speaking to the girl you think you are.
Never send money
10000bht for one month + board and lodging is about right.
The odd gift is OK.and expected.
Anymore is madness. Most with poor jobs get much less than that.
Is she a she or had surgery?
Where does she live? With mother her boyfriend in digs etc..
How many dependants does she have.
When you meet her assume she is pregnant and get her on the pill if you want to ride bareback. The pill a low dose one is ok to start with a nd she should start on the firt day of her period. watch her take the pill each day until you can?trust her.
Tell her all this in advance and hget her to agree or [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) off.
There are thousands looking for Mr Right.
Oh yes Mr Right means the one she can fleece the most.
The uglier the safer but they want chilkdren and a yellow band on her finger.
ME I'm not married, I rent my house, I own my pickup, I keep my cards to my chest when possible. I;m having a great time. I fuck the young thing every day, which she likes and I'm over 60.
What have I missed here?
Any Questions?
Lock up valuables,She could leave in the night with all you have.
GAWD! I just wonder; to what type of Thai girl are you referring?
If you are new to mongering a small piece of advice. . .
Any Questions?
Lock up valuables,She could leave in the night with all you have.Also, learn to sleep with one eye open, like Tarzan.
Or, maybe just stick to bargirls until you've spent a bit of time here; you can't expect to be able to sort wheat from chaff without a reasonable amount of linguistic and cultural knowledge. Guys who get burnt here generally fall into two categories: honest suckers and would-be con artists feigning affection toward (apparently) decent women so as to get freebies. It takes a fair amount of study and experience to be a proper shitheel in one's treatment of the women here, and newbies should leave such contemptible behavior to the experts.
Hoboken Michael
12-06-07, 05:53
Greetings! I am a new monger to the board and have never been to Asia before. Have read much of the Thailand forums and a good number of Singapore postings. I am leaning toward going on vacation to Bangkok to monger, but I just conducted some crazy calculations tonight comparing Singapore to Bangkok (I probably would like the CITY of Singapore better than Bangkok) and came up with a somewhat surprising conclusion. I threw in some guesstimate numbers for both locations as to the cost of mongering and am now very surprised that Singapore appears to be cost-competitive with Bangkok as far as mongering costs are concerned. Please review the following and let me know where I may have gone wrong so that I can have a sense of how accurate I have been and whether I should strongly consider going to Singapore. I am willing to pay a small premium to go to Singapore but not if it is overly expensive. My guess on Bangkok is for the ladies in the Soi 33 area, good looking, inexperienced negotiation, speaking only English and includes the barfine.
ST = 2000-3000 Baht in BKK 80-120 SGD in Singapore (OT, perhaps)
LT = 4000-5000 Baht in BKK 200-250 SGD in Singapore (OT perhaps)
Is it fair to compare Soi 33 area with Orchard Towers? In any event, here is the translation to USD:
ST= 65-100 USD in Bangkok or approx. 60-85 USD in Singapore
LT= 133-166 USD in Bangkok or approx. 142-175 USD in Singapore
Let the fireworks begin and thanks again for all your suggestions, corrections, and even your loyalties! :-)
Sincerely,
Michael
Member #2041
12-06-07, 10:03
Hoboken, your Bangkok prices are about double the going rates. I have never in my life paid over 1500 for ST there, and generally spend 1000-1200 with the occassional 800 in the mix.
Member #3428
12-06-07, 10:39
Hoboken, your Bangkok prices are about double the going rates. I have never in my life paid over 1500 for ST there, and generally spend 1000-1200 with the occassional 800 in the mix.
Point of clarification. Hoboken said Soi 33. Member#2041 you will be hard pressedto find the prices you quote on 33 and as experienced as you are I expect you would know that and just missed that HOBOKEN specificially said 33 girls.
Bar Fines on 33 are about 1,000 on up. Girls will ask for 4,000 on up on 33 for LT.
HOBOKEN, just cuz girls work on 33 does not mean they speak english, does not mean they are inexperienced (I would bet majority of them have danced the pole someplace sometime) and they sure as heck know how to hussle for drinks and such. And some of the hottest girls I've seen are not on 33. Don't get me wrong there are some great ladies on 33 but you put some make up on a beer garden girl, put her in a dress, teach her some basic words and she's a 33 girl.
Maybe nicer settings on 33, I do think the bars are nicer and more relaxed and laid back but by no means are they upscale bars, maybe higher end clientel, but by no means the high end clientel in BKK, but by no means does 33 girls mean they are better then Beer Garden or such.
And I say this as a person who enjoys 33 and hangs there often.
800 - 1,500 for short time is found all over BKK in my experience, from Nana to Cowboy to just about everywhere EXCEPT 33.
Member #3428
12-06-07, 10:55
My guess on Bangkok is for the ladies in the Soi 33 area, good looking, inexperienced negotiation, speaking only English and includes the barfine.
Why are you limiting this to Soi 33??? And I repeat, if you think Soi 33 girls are inexperienced negotiation then you can get fleeced by them.
And again, I enjoy and frequent 33.
Hoboken... just re-read your post, you've never been to BKK. Singapore is more expensive city to me, my airfare, my hotel, my food and such is much higher then BKK. I'm sure I could find better but work pays things and just the receipts I have from Singapore are huge.
BKK is cheaper for me, even serviced apartments are cheap in BKK and other hotels are very cheap from western standards and much higher class and standards. I find Thai girls friendly and nice and enjoyable, rarely do you not have a GFE in thai.
You can not go wrong in either place but you really should join up here at ISG and read more about BKK. If you join up you can PM folks and ask questions and get advice. BKK is so many options for mongering that Soi 33 is only one tiny small section compared to what is out there.
Member #2041
12-06-07, 11:05
Hoboken Michael stated that he had never been to Asia before. So I simply assumed that he has no knowledge of the local market, and naively selected prices from one venue, Soi 33, as being representative, when they are nothing of the sort.
My Bangkok prices of 1000-1500 with the occassional 800 for ST are representative of the market overall. It is meaningless if not downright misleading to pick one of the few venues where prices are anomalously high in Bangkok and use them as a basis for comparison with anywhere else. Especially when the person doing the picking has acknowledged that they have never even been to Asia before, and thus he has no concept of whether the premium for the specific area he chose has any qualitative basis.
Member #3428
12-06-07, 11:09
Hoboken Michael stated that he had never been to Asia before. So I simply assumed that he has no knowledge of the local market, and naively selected prices from one venue, Soi 33, as being representative, when they are nothing of the sort.
Yup, just corrected the other post as I saw that too. Soi 33 is definitely not a good representation of what is found in BKK.
...
Is it fair to compare Soi 33 area with Orchard Towers? In any event, here is the translation to USD:
...
Hoboken Michael,
Long long time ago I lived in Singapore, for more than 3 years, and I still (have to) go there at least once every 3 month. I also know Soi 33 a bit :).
Soi 33 in Bangkok has NOTHING in common with the Singapore Orchard Tower Bars. Since Top Ten is closed you can basically forget the Orchard Tower Bars. Ipanema is good for a drink, but I rarely see an attractive girl there.
The prices in Singapore are much higher than even in Soi 33, and the Soi 33 prices are higher than elsewhere in Bangkok. You can better compare the Spasso / CM2 / Hard Rock Cafe girls with those running around in Orchard Tower Singapore.
In Soi 33 you can find some nice Thai women. Some. Not too many, but some. And they are worth those Singapore prices, believe me.
Giotto
Greetings! I am a new monger to the board and have never been to Asia before. Have read much of the Thailand forums and a good number of Singapore postings.
MichaelYou received already some good comments from other brothers on this but you can’t compare apples with oranges, SIN is a big difference with BK and not only city wise about the cleanness and the traffic but mainly about your question on P4P and nightlife.
I can tell you that from my experience in the past at SIN, it’s more expensive than BK in every way and your calculation or comparison on girls does not make much sense, the chose and way to monger in BK is easier, I understand its difficult to get a picture of the scene if you have never been in Asia. My last time in SIN is more than a year ago but I have been there often over the years mainly for business with sufficient spare time to monger, flying from SIN in to BKK was for me like arriving in men’s haven beside the fact that I like SIN.
Singapore: few massage parlours or BBS with a HJ, I used to have massage in 5 star hotels with HJ but that’s all over now. I would not go there for a holiday, so what else to do? A stop over and maybe for some shopping but HKG is better and cheaper now. Girls & quality, all kind of nationality’s if that is where you are looking for and real Singaporeans are great looking girls. 90% from the P4P game is picking up a girls at a nightclubs or few at Orchard Rd and take them to your room, it takes time, discussing and bargaining, a hit or miss. 10% is escort, good quality company’s, I had some stunning escorts in my room there for a fair or low price acc. To Intl. Standards. I don’t know the today’s pricing for P4P but it hasn’t been surly not going down.
Bangkok:
Lots of massage parlours at every level and pricing with good quality and great looking girls even at the lower end for a lot less money, you get extra’s everywhere till FS and 4 hands, except at 4 or 5 star Spa’s, many bars to pick up the girls not only Soi 33, hundred of soapys to chose from (see Mick his new list), just fulfil all your dreams here. BK is without any doubt the best place so far, beside a few Russian or Chinese every girl is pure Thai talent and provides a great service, just RTTF a bit and you will be convinced.
John Euro
EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.
It seems that prostitution in LOS is as much an institution as eating food,
and not only for farangs:
"Thai Government Support For Prostitution
"Support of prostitution is pervasive in political circles, as the BBC News reported in 2003 that "MPs from Thailand's ruling Thai Rak Thai Party are getting hot under the collar over plans by the party leadership to ban them from having mistresses or visiting brothels"..."One MP told The Nation newspaper that if the rules were enforced, the party would only be able to field around 30 candidates, compared to its more than 200 sitting MPs."[7]
"Attitudes towards women can be described by MP Thirachai Sirikhan, informing The Nation newspaper, "To have a mia noi (mistress) is an individual's right. There should be no problem as long as the politician causes no trouble to his family or society".[7] Having many wives was a common attribute of Thai culture in the past, but because prostitution is so pervasive a common attitude among women is that they expect their husbands to cheat, and don't believe them if they deny it.
"Both politicians and police has been supporting and indulging in the prostitution industry openly. Tavich, a veteran politician at 76 years was under fire in 2005 for impregnating a 14 year old girl, who worked across the street from the congressional building.[8]
"After a police raid on some Bangkok parlours where policemen had sex with prostitutes, "Acting Suthisan Police chief Colonel Varanvas Karunyathat defended the police action, saying that the (police) officers involved needed to have sex with the masseuses to gain evidence for the arrest."[9] Apparently, this is standard practice as a separate police force did the same in Pattaya in May 2007.[5]
"Even more evidence of politicians supporting prostitution industry and the sexual habits of elderly Thai men in general is how Viagra is being given to elderly voters in exchange for their votes in an election drive.[10] The general attitude of Thai politicians towards the sex industry can be inferred by the incident where an unidentified member of the Cabinet who had a penis enlargement was called upon to support a lawsuit. When asked to inspect one by one the Cabinet members to find out who did it, Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnveerakul implied jokingly to reporters that all of the male Cabinet members have had the operation at one time or another, so it would be impossible to know. [11]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Thailand#Thai_Government_Support_For_Prostitution
EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.
Old Thai Hand
12-09-07, 03:38
Why the fuck should PinkPearl's post on out-of-date news reports from the BBC get an ROD? Will the numbnut administrators turn off the auto-pilot on that stupid blue print at the bottom and in the future reserve it only for truly worthy posts? Better yet. Get rid of it. RODs are meaningless and stupid.
Better yet. Get rid of it. RODs are meaningless and stupid.
Many posters have echoed these same sentiments but like many other threads on this board you have to read through them to find the real informative ones.
Why the fuck should PinkPearl's post on out-of-date news reports from the BBC get an ROD? Will the numbnut administrators turn off the auto-pilot on that stupid blue print at the bottom and in the future reserve it only for truly worthy posts? Better yet. Get rid of it. RODs are meaningless and stupid.
OTH,
Pink's report did not get an "ROD." It was only recommended for one. 99% of Jackson's recommendations are completely ignored, and the fact is that the overwhelming majority of reports that do get ROD's have not been recommended by Jackson, but linked the the ROD thread by discriminating members. The system works.
(Edit) Oops, I just noticed that Runn Man did give Pink's report an ROD, but, of course that was done just to [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) you off -- not because there is anything distinctive about the report. Why clog up a good thread just for spite I cannot figure out.
OTH,
(Edit) Oops, I just noticed that Runn Man did give Pink's report an ROD, but, of course that was done just to [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) you off -- not because there is anything distinctive about the report. Why clog up a good thread just for spite I cannot figure out.
You should be able to figure this out quite easily but since you cannot, I will help. Jackson's definition of a ROD is certainly different from the general (senior) membership of this board. A (ROD) report only has to be longer that a standard post and have some information that someone will find useful, by that definition Obepo's post about a 300B BB/anal hooker could be given a ROD and Pinkpearl's post also met the requirement per the board rules.
In terms of clogging up a good thread, where have you been? The biggest culprit that clogs up board is the aforementioned OTH. He goes on and on about Hi-so girls, how he does not date P4P, all the contacts he has, he is the most knowledgeable poster about Thailand and how much he hates Issan dark skin girls and how he only likes the light/yellow skin girls/how much better he has it than most. He even recently admitted that he post reports to get a simply to get a rise out of some posters. If that isn't clogging up the board with redundant crap, what is? Hey where is The Traveller? We need his consistent arguing/posting to counter some of this stuff.
You should be able to figure this out quite easily but since you cannot, I will help. Jackson's definition of a ROD is certainly different from the general (senior) membership of this board. A (ROD) report only has to be longer that a standard post and have some information that someone will find useful, by that definition Obepo's post about a 300B BB/anal hooker could be given a ROD and Pinkpearl's post also met the requirement per the board rules.
Oh, I think I've got it figured out all right and therefore I really don't need your help, but if you know so much, why don't you tell us why some of the very best reports by senior members such as Mick Licker, Evil Penevil, Poster Lion, Nic Frenchy, The Traveller, and yes, especially OTH, (probably the most knowledgeable person on this board when talking about Thailand), and many others who contribute great reports loaded with useful information do not get a ROD recommendation from Jackson, but instead are linked to the ROD thread by discriminating members who know what is good and want isn't?
Why, if what you say is true, does Jackson never recommend an ROD for any of Opebo's, or That Asshole's fine informative and entertaining reports? The fact is that Jackson has a habit of recommending lots of mediocre stuff for the ROD thread and then no one bothers to link the crap there until you (much to my surprise) did it today?
Oh, I think I've got it figured out all right and therefore I really don't need your help
Are you really that slow or is it your old age? The posts Jackson recommends are mostly those of Regulars members whose reports he moderates. He also uses an program that recommends most reports that appear to be a few paragraph in length. However I have seen some senior member posts that Jackson has recommended although he does not moderate them. If he did a lot of stuff on this thread would be deleted/edited, perhaps this dialogue would be included.
Obvioulsy you don't have it figure out as you claim since you are still asking elementary questions. Again, because you missed this part too, Jackson's ROD classification is not the same as most posters, so your suprize is not suprizing, keep cheering!
Are you really that slow or is it your old age? The posts Jackson recommends are mostly those of Regulars members whose reports he moderates. He also uses an program that recommends most reports that appear to be a few paragraph in length. However I have seen some senior member posts that Jackson has recommended although he does not moderate them. If he did a lot of stuff on this thread would not be deleted/edited, perhaps this dialogue would be included.
Obvioulsy you don't have it figure out as you claim since you are still asking elementary questions. Again, because you missed this part too, Jackson's ROD classification is not the same as most posters, so your suprize is not suprizing, keep cheering!
Well, If I'm slow then you aren't moving forward at all since you have not told me anything about Jackson or his methods I didn't already know and you've not explained why he almost never recommends the best reports for an ROD.
You can't seem to answer even the elementary questions you are whining about. The last sentence of your first paragraph, for example ... what the fuck are you talking about? You can't even put a sentence together correctly let alone explain the fine points of the ROD thread. Perhaps when you get a little older like me you'll be a bit wiser and hopefully more articulate.
Of course Jackson's classification for an ROD is not the same for most posters. Thats the point, isn't it? And it's also the problem with the ROD thread. Can you get your tiny mind around that thought?
Daddy, Run Mann, you guys are boring. Take it to the fight club.
Nobody gives a shit about Jackson's ROD suggestions. they are more than probably automatically generated anyway.
thanks.
but instead are linked to the ROD thread by discriminating members who know what is good and want isn't?
Does a typo make you inarticulate? If so join the club. Btw, the word "not" should not have been in my last sentence you referenced, it was a typo.
Well, If I'm slow then you aren't moving forward at all since you have not told me anything about Jackson or his methods I didn't already know and you've not explained why he almost never recommends the best reports for an ROD.
If you were aware of the ROD process why did you bother to ask? The only whining is coming from you about puzzlement/objection of the RODs and the one I gave the poster. Obviously senility is in full effect with you old timer so I will not repeat myself. If you don’t get it, I sure it won’t be the last time in your advance years this happens.
You are exactly what Pattaya needs, another old angry expat with a temper drifting around town, you will fit right in handsum man.
You are exactly what Pattaya needs, another old angry expat with a temper drifting around town, you will fit right in handsum man.
1Ball is right. This is boring. And I don't like to fight. So you can have the last word.
Enjoy,
Daddy
Ive been thinking of going to thailand for some time now. What has been keeping me from going is the 17 hour flight from new york city.
Can anyone give me a suggestion on how I can break up my flying time? I thought I could spend one night in amsterdam at an airport hotel. However after looking at expedia.com it seems to be 19 hrs away.
I have sleeping pills and all that but I still dont think I could last 17 hours.
Thank you. Im a latin america person who knows nothing about asia.
Artisttyp
Flight time from London is about 12 hours, so Amsterdam should be the same or less. If it is quoted as longer there must be a stopover.
That's 2 or 3 films, read a few magazines, eat, drink, sleep. Time flies...
Ive been thinking of going to thailand for some time now. What has been keeping me from going is the 17 hour flight from new york city.
Can anyone give me a suggestion on how I can break up my flying time? I thought I could spend one night in amsterdam at an airport hotel. However after looking at expedia.com it seems to be 19 hrs away.
I have sleeping pills and all that but I still dont think I could last 17 hours.
Thank you. Im a latin america person who knows nothing about asia.
Artisttyp
If I were going to Thailand for the first time, I probably wouldn't sleep. I would be too crazy with anticipation.
That said, maybe you are a smoker, which is why you want break up the trip? my advice is to go the most direct route, and chew on some gum. ( i am not a smoker, but I know 17 hours can be a killer if you want a fix).
Or maybe that is not the reason. Regardless, 17 hours non stop, versus 7 hours to AMS then overnight, then 12 hours to BKK. No brainer. Or you could fly Turkish airlines. Istanbul has to be pretty much the half way mark.
Flight time from London is about 12 hours, so Amsterdam should be the same or less. If it is quoted as longer there must be a stopover.
That's 2 or 3 films, read a few magazines, eat, drink, sleep. Time flies...
Ok that helps. Would you recommend a specific airlines from amsterdam ?
Thanks again. I will now rtff.
Artisttyp
Traveler1234
12-10-07, 20:12
Ok that helps. Would you recommend a specific airlines from amsterdam ?
Artisttyp
SQ (#25?) flies to Singapore in 12 hours so any non-stop from there to Bkk should be about the same - check with your local TA or go on-line, no?
Artisttyp,
AMS-BKK
China Airlines:
14.25-07.10 (mext morning) - fly time 10 hrs 45 mins
EVA:
appr 12.00-05.00 (next morning) - fly time appr 11 hrs
BKK-AMS
CAL(=China Airlines): 02.40-09.00 (same day)
EVA: 03.00-09.30 (same day)
For me, EVA arrives in BKK too early in the morning and they carry a 'lower' class of people. Flew them once, will never do so again! But if I were in your situation, I would try to limit stop-over time as much as possible and they might work!
KLM sucks even more. I wouldn't let them fly my dead parrot:(!
SAS and Finnair may fly the shortest routes (Nordic hubs) but don't appear to connect well. SAS requires two stop overs (Copenhagen and Stockholm). Finnair fly New York-Helsinki and Helsinki-Bangkok, but they don't list the combined journey on their website.
Should you need a hotel near AMS, might I suggest (strongly recommend!) Haarlem? PM for details if needed.
Well, I hope this adds to your confusion:).
Ok that helps. Would you recommend a specific airlines from amsterdam?
ArtisttypGood flights and good rates from AMS to BKK are China Airlines and EVA airlines direct to BKK , EVA as a semi buss. Class with big seats for a few 100$ more , KLM will be to expensive and Singapore air as a stop over, look also at a Frankfurt stop over if you really want to travel via Europe.
I have been flying in to USA from BKK and SIN to San Francisco why not flying to BKK with a connection JFK (or stop over) in LAX or SFO ?
John Euro
I appreciate everyones help..thank you. Yes I am familiar with haarlem and amsterdam in general.
I guess china air sounds good. I couldnt understand what the other initials stood for but I could probably figure it out.
Ill get back to the forum when I do my homework.
Thanks again,
Artisttyp
Member #3428
12-10-07, 21:30
Ive been thinking of going to thailand for some time now. What has been keeping me from going is the 17 hour flight from new york city.
I fly trans pacific for work about every month and I can tell you two things:
1) drugs... valium or ambien or such, pop a pill and you can be asleep for 8 hours and that really helps if you are a smoker, almost any doctor will prescribe for long haul trips. And even if you are not a smoker if you have the long haul flights you can have a nice long sleep.
2) Noise Cancelling Headphones... bose are name brand but Able planet are better sound quality however audio technica block out the most noise and are the cheapest, others like panasonic and what you get at sam's club or such stink. Put those on with your MP3 player with something soothing that you can rest to and it blocks out all children, engine, FA's, etc...
I wake up rested and ready to go.... Don't let the flight stop you from going.
Lord Farquard
12-10-07, 22:03
Artisttyp,
For me, EVA arrives in BKK too early in the morning and they carry a 'lower' class of people. Flew them once, will never do so again! .Watch who you are calling "lower".
I appreciate everyones help..thank you. Yes I am familiar with haarlem and amsterdam in general.
I couldnt understand what the other initials stood for but I could probably figure it out.
ArtisttypIn addition to Artisttyp his question on initials he could not figure out. This site can be very helpful for everybody flying around the globe – site with all airport and airline codes + flight time between airports etc .
http://www.airportcitycodes.com/aaa/CCDBFrame.html
With pleasure
John Euro
LittleBigMan
12-11-07, 01:57
Freeler,
Like other things everyone has a opinion on everything. I have traveled on Northwest, Eva, China, Cathay, United, Singapore, Thai, and it really depends on the city that it is departing and connecting from. Two years ago I went to Thailand for San Francisco on Cathay ( voted the number 1 Airline in the world ) as you know that would be SFO/HKG/BKK, going was no problem, but returning I took the last flight out of BKK/HKG/SFO, (11:30am) the flight was late into BKK, which had me worry because the connection to SFO from HKG was real short! When I boarded I noticed that this flight was from India and the back was nearly full! It was already 1/2 pass the departure time and everyone was standing or roaming around the airplane. I got up and went to the back to ask the attendant when do we plan to leave? Passengers were standing outside the back galley having beer and waiting for the bathroom and many didn't have their shoes or socks on! When the flight was departing people was still roaming around I never in my 30 years in the Airline industry saw anything like this and to top that when I went to the bathroom in the back the floor was flooded with [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) but the Indian passengers didn't care they came in and out without shoes or socks. The Fight attendants didn't give a shit or they just gave up. I too and since have never booked another flight on Cathay. I just let my 75,000 miles expire last year!
Since gave up on Northwest, just couldn't stand going thru Narita and another 6.5 hours to BKK way to long. Since then for the last year I have been traveling on Eva, people seem o.k. they don't seem too low to me? Now that I have figure out their system I usually book on a heavy flight in coach and they will upgrade you to Deluxe coach for free to free up the oversold coach, if you carry a Silver card. Most people who travel on Eva out of SFO are usually in large groups and aren't member of their miles club.
So far Eva has been good to me!
LBM,
It's obvious that the team up of KLM and Northwest has done either airline any good:(.
You might have cracked the bad smelling Indians conundrum. O jeez, did I say something that pisses some people off:)?
Lord,
I watched them and decided that they were the lowest class of traveling drunks I ever encountered. I haven't met a lower class of travelers since. The folks at Pattaya's The Dog Bollocks are extremely well behaved compared to the human waste on that EVA flight. Satisfied?
Lord Farquard
12-11-07, 05:00
Freeler,
Since then for the last year I have been traveling on Eva, people seem o.k. they don't seem too low to me? Now that I have figure out their system I usually book on a heavy flight in coach and they will upgrade you to Deluxe coach for free to free up the oversold coach, if you carry a Silver card. Most people who travel on Eva out of SFO are usually in large groups and aren't member of their miles club.
So far Eva has been good to me!I have over 500,000 miles with EVA. I have never seen any "drunks" on any of the flights that I have been on. Mostly just people going to TPE to go home, or to SFO to visit folks, little old grannies and the like. In all of the flights that I have been on, there has been only one cancellation, and I cannot recall them ever being over 15 min late, usually they are early. In my experience the airline bends over backwards to take care of their "regular" customers, even if we are low class
SidTheSexist
12-11-07, 06:04
AVOID!
Sid
I once flew China Air from BKK to Newark with a stop in TPE and another in Anchorage. Just about every passenger had a wheeled carry-on, and each of them ran over my feet with it at least once during the trip, and those who didn't had the chance to make up for it while hanging around the luggage carousel in EWK. As far as no-class people on an airline flight goes, that was it for me. The hicks in the hinterlands of Thailand have more class when riding in rickety buses.
On an Eva flight I once had some Filipino guy in a down parka sitting next to me and I was ready to strangle the bastard after three minutes, his jacket rubbing against me whenever he moved, but I managed to find an empty row all to myself in the back of the plane. Nice looking flight crew, too. You get a lot of Filipinos doing the trans-Pacific leg on Eva.
NicFrenchy
12-11-07, 06:49
So you will lose 2 days of Thailand because of the stop-overs roughly right?
My guess is, you will regret it once back home.
If you could fly from the West Coast of the USA like SFO, and plot a direct flight from SFO or LAX to BKK you will see a plane would have to fly over North Korea and much of China which is not allowed. All flights entering asian air space when flying to BKK have to avoid North Korea and skirt China. China is too paranoid about the West snapping spy photos. WHen I did a checked the shortest path from SFO-HKG-BKK vs SFO-NRT-BKK I saw only an 8 mile difference. In reality the SFO to HGK will be longer because the later half of the direct flight would have to fly over China. The requirement of skirting China makes the flight longer than the option of connecting thru Narita. The real issue with these flights is the time the Airline departs from SFO and whether ones likes a 14 hour 3 hour flight vs a 10 hour and 7 hour split. The Asian bases airlines depart just after midnight and land at noon while the US based airlines fly around 1pm and and land at BKK at 11 pm.
The NRT to BKK flights are usually closer to 7 hours.
Freeler,
Since gave up on Northwest, just couldn't stand going thru Narita and another 6.5 hours to BKK way to long.
AVOID!
SidWho is China Air? If you mean China Airlines (Taiwan), then yes avoid. Air China (PRC) is ok.
I fly China airlines avery month.
I think they are great.
SidTheSexist
12-11-07, 16:05
I mentioned them through sheer frustration over the multiple times I have used them to fly PEK>BKK. Hopefully their long haul jumbo's aren't as bad but I wouldn't like to test it on my own expense.
I will also wind my neck out here and say that travelling on a plane full of chinese has got to go down as one of my least memorable travel experiences ever.
Fast Eddie 48
12-11-07, 17:33
Watch who you are calling "lower".Lord,
I have to agree with freeler I fly eva air a few time from US to BKK ,Tawianese are rude and loud and they have short temper I saw 2 guy in front of me got in to a flight about little thing .
I prefer to fly with Singapore air or Cathay Pacific stop in HKG and easy connection with much better service.
Fast eddie 48
LittleBigMan
12-11-07, 20:27
Airlines,
When it comes to airlines getting together in a code share agreement whether we like it or not and whether it seems to benefit each airline the reality it does or they wouldn't continue the agreement. The estimates after the 1st year with USAirways and United code share agreement and this came out of of the corporate office of US Airways was that they made 250 million from this agreement the first year. In SFO, They spend over a million dollars a year contracting a bus company to transport passengers to and from the US Airways terminal to the United.
I think we can all agree that there is a big difference in service between the U.S. base airlines and Asian Airlines. I flew NW, because I had a friend that worked for them and was able to get cheap fares and upgrade to Business class when I traveled but when they went into bankruptcy that all ended. Going thru Narita was always a pain in the ass because the security lines were so long. They seem to be the only country that turn up the screeners to maximum voltage that it picks up everything including your pubic hair! and when you finally depart on NW to BKK on their schedule time you were stuck on the tar mat for 45 minutes prior to take off. Just too much!
Eva, out of SFO, gives me a shorter wait and have 2 flights to BKK, back to back ( 8:30/9:20) gets me into BKK at 11:05am, and there is also a flight on certain days at 4:10pm out of SFO that get you in at 01:40am in the mornin if you don't like leaving after midnight.
Personally I don't like China Airline (CI) either, in TPE the wait seem too long and there was never anyone to help you in the Boarding area while you were waiting.
That is just my experience everyone has their own about their own airline. Next years is the Olypmics in China so I share prices will be going up again so book now. LBM
Fast Eddie 48
12-12-07, 00:06
Airlines,
When it comes to airlines getting together in a code share agreement whether we like it or not and whether it seems to benefit each airline the reality it does or they wouldn't continue the agreement. The estimates after the 1st year with USAirways and United code share agreement and this came out of of the corporate office of US Airways was that they made 250 million from this agreement the first year. In SFO, They spend over a million dollars a year contracting a bus company to transport passengers to and from the US Airways terminal to the United.
I think we can all agree that there is a big difference in service between the U.S. base airlines and Asian Airlines. I flew NW, because I had a friend that worked for them and was able to get cheap fares and upgrade to Business class when I traveled but when they went into bankruptcy that all ended. Going thru Narita was always a pain in the ass because the security lines were so long. They seem to be the only country that turn up the screeners to maximum voltage that it picks up everything including your pubic hair! and when you finally depart on NW to BKK on their schedule time you were stuck on the tar mat for 45 minutes prior to take off. Just too much!
Eva, out of SFO, gives me a shorter wait and have 2 flights to BKK, back to back ( 8:30/9:20) gets me into BKK at 11:05am, and there is also a flight on certain days at 4:10pm out of SFO that get you in at 01:40am in the mornin if you don't like leaving after midnight.
Personally I don't like China Airline (CI) either, in TPE the wait seem too long and there was never anyone to help you in the Boarding area while you were waiting.
That is just my experience everyone has their own about their own airline. Next years is the Olypmics in China so I share prices will be going up again so book now. LBMLBM,
Cathay pacific have 2 flight a day from SFO 12.30 am flight arrive 6.30 am in HKG 14 hr and HKG to BKK at 9.00am arrive around 11.am at BKK , they also have a afternoon flight from SFO now arrive BKK very late at night cost is about 900 usd included tax with stop over in HK .
Fast eddie 48
Artisttyp,
For me, EVA arrives in BKK too early in the morning and they carry a 'lower' class of people.The behaviour from the people on the plain mainly depends on the destination or route and I know exactly what you mean when you say " low class people ", I have been using EVA twice from AMS and that kind of passengers are not he best looking guys, how older the better and dressed in T-shirts and plastic shorts, my wife will never allow me to wash my car in the backyard in that outfit, and yes, they are going all to BK on a low budget with hard earned money for a 2 week sex holiday, low cost flights from FRA are sometimes pretty the same, but you can think " low class " but you don’t say it or write it down. It’s just up to us to avoid this kind of routes and maybe pay a bit more and get a better airline or clean connection.
Flying to BKK from wherever in Europe is normally not a problem when it comes to passengers with bad behaviour or standards behind our western culture.
I know LBM his kind of Indian passenger story, I had same experiences but suggest you to try flights out off some black African country’s or Morocco (lucky me I don’t have to do this anymore), sitting next to locals that haven’t seen a shower for the last 6 Mont’s, with a terrible smell, bringing mosquitoes and flea’s with them, they have different habits and culture and mainly no education but you can’t say " low class " at least TMHO
If you like to avoid that kind of experiences on risky flight, just avoid these destinations or fly business class.
John Euro
LittleBigMan
12-12-07, 03:05
Gentleman, as I indicate I think depending where the origination and destination everyone is going to have a bad experience from time to time. What might happen in Europe might not happen in SFO!
In our world there are the have's and have not! If we can afford it I think everyone would dress better, try to obtain a better education for themselves and their kids, and certainly travel in first or business class if the money was available. I'm sure the guys in First are thinking the guys in Business are low class too and of course some pilots are thinking F--K them all.
When it comes to dress each airline has their policy and it's up to them to enforce or address them if a passenger is dress improperly or smell!
When I pay money whether I travel Business, Deluxe, or coach depending on my budget at the time I'm just happy to get home to Pattaya without a hitch but for example, if a passenger behind me is sticking his bare feet from behind my seat I don't find it rude to turn around and politely point that out to him or her. But when I travel on a Airline discount I have to bit the bullet!
I am well aware of the schedule out of SFO, with Cathy Pacific but right now I haven't gotten over my last experience and which they also screw me over my program miles so right now will not use them again. I don't particularly care about companies that do not respond to a legitimate complaint.
Regardless of my opinion which is just that if you are happy with your airline I say stick with them!
Enjoy,LBM
john,
"but you don’t say it or write it down""
i'm glad to see that you're all for freedom of speech.
you said " low class ". i didn't.
lbm,
i really prefer business now. i flew business only on miles before. but seeing the long rows at sub airport... a no brainer.
Fast Eddie 48
12-12-07, 08:00
Gentleman, as I indicate I think depending where the origination and destination everyone is going to have a bad experience from time to time. What might happen in Europe might not happen in SFO!
In our world there are the have's and have not! If we can afford it I think everyone would dress better, try to obtain a better education for themselves and their kids, and certainly travel in first or business class if the money was available. I'm sure the guys in First are thinking the guys in Business are low class too and of course some pilots are thinking F--K them all.
When it comes to dress each airline has their policy and it's up to them to enforce or address them if a passenger is dress improperly or smell!
When I pay money whether I travel Business, Deluxe, or coach depending on my budget at the time I'm just happy to get home to Pattaya without a hitch but for example, if a passenger behind me is sticking his bare feet from behind my seat I don't find it rude to turn around and politely point that out to him or her. But when I travel on a Airline discount I have to bit the bullet!
I am well aware of the schedule out of SFO, with Cathy Pacific but right now I haven't gotten over my last experience and which they also screw me over my program miles so right now will not use them again. I don't particularly care about companies that do not respond to a legitimate complaint.
Regardless of my opinion which is just that if you are happy with your airline I say stick with them!
Enjoy,LBMLBM,
I flight with cathay about 12 time a yr they alway listen and respond to my complain , last yr on my flight to HKG they fly to incheon to refuel and I miss my connection to Manila for my meeting they send me 100 usd flight coupon for inflight shopping but they do take a long time to respond something like 2 week after .
Fast eddie 48
LittleBigMan
12-12-07, 19:37
Sometimes, Brains and money just don't go hand in hand. If you can afford it I say go for it. I'm not that big so as long as I get a isle seat I'm find. I do a lot standing and stretching in the back. But I know what you mean about Business class even on Northwest Airline when I got those free upgrades, for a American Carrier the food and service was pretty good.
Good for it! LBM
Bamboo Pete
12-13-07, 07:05
I bought a Rado copy some years ago in Pattaya at a taylor who hided the watches under his cloths and just showed them on request. Those copies were much better the the ones you can buy at the street stands. You don't see it's an immitation and it's still well working after 5 years.
Does anybody know such a place in Bangkok? Don't wanna buy the cheap immitations on Sukhumvit stands.
Member #2041
12-13-07, 11:39
I bought a Rado copy some years ago in Pattaya at a taylor who hided the watches under his cloths and just showed them on request. Those copies were much better the the ones you can buy at the street stands. You don't see it's an immitation and it's still well working after 5 years.
Does anybody know such a place in Bangkok? Don't wanna buy the cheap immitations on Sukhumvit stands.
This is something I know alot about. The best quality copies can be found in the stands that set up at Patpong 1 at night. I recently picked up a few very high quality copies of a Vacheron Constantin, a Jaeger LeCoultre, a Breguet, and a Patek Phillippe there. You have to ask to see the really good copies, as most of the stands will not have their best copies out for public viewing. My experience is that they will start out asking between 3500 and 4200 baht for the good copies, and will take between 1600 and 1800. Everyone has Breitling, Omega, & Rolex copies of varying quality, and usually some lousy Patek Phillippes. Lange & Sohne and IWC copies are also easy to find. The good ones of the brands I bought are much tougher to get than these.
FYI, in addition to the stands at Sukhumvit, I have also checked out the night markets at Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, and MBK and Sun Luam Night Bazaar in Bangkok. Several of the Patpong vendors have the best variety of the best quality fakes among the vast quantities of mediocre fake watches that you will find, although a few of the vendors at MBK have some high quality fakes as well, if you ask them to show you them (they are not displayed among their general wares). The Sun Luam vendors, as well as those on Sukhumvit, were almost uniformly selling crap, with the exception of some decent Rolex and Breitling fakes if that's what you want.
But, I would observe, if you have near term plans to go to Beijing, Saigon, or Shanghai, those cities have more better copies, generally available for less.
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