Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=Phordphan;1646921]

Oh, and checking for pictures, when entering the USA, is most definitely NOT illegal. There are court rulings upholding this. Don't make ignorant statements such as this before you know the facts. It may, or may not, be legal in Europe, but it is most certainly permitted when entering the USA.[/QUOTE]
I apologise for thinking the rest of the world is as far up the civilisation ladder as the Netherlands. Privacy is a great achievement over here. You can not be stopped and searched here without proper reason. Merely arriving from a country like Thailand or Indonesia is not enough reason for search unless you are a known paedophile, in which case Lady Justice would be chasing you already over there (and good luck to her).

[QUOTE=Traveler1234;1646943]I always wipe / clean my devices and hard drive of any photos before re-entering. If you really want to keep the memories, put it on cloud that's secure from anyone. Immigration / customs have every right to snoop around.[/QUOTE]I would not trust my pictures to the cloud. If your provider has even one server in the US then the US government has the right, using the infamous "Patriot Act", to snoop around on all its' servers, where ever they may be located around the world. Don't think anything in the cloud is safe from Peeping Toms. Way back in the past you could safely move files across the world by mailing them to yourself. No more. Hotmail and Gmail are subject to Uncle Sam.

It's amazing how much you can store on a 32 GB SD card, easily stashed somewhere in a cranny in your luggage.

Border Security shows from countries like Australia, Canada, UK and USA are quite entertaining and educational for frequent or novice travelers. Customs officers in any country can legally stop and search anyone who enters their country and they do it all the time. The courts have ruled that Governments are well within the law to stop and conduct searches because they are protecting their borders. Initially the stops may be just to ask basic questions and make an assessment of the traveler but your reaction to their questions will also determine how far they will go.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVjkLrGl2mM[/URL]

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cl0nAbTWY0[/URL]

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cl0nAbTWY0[/URL]

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKjq467_2H4[/URL]

[QUOTE=KoperenKarel;1646955]I apologise for thinking the rest of the world is as far up the civilisation ladder as the Netherlands. Privacy is a great achievement over here. You can not be stopped and searched here without proper reason. Merely arriving from a country like Thailand or Indonesia is not enough reason for search unless you are a known paedophile, in which case Lady Justice would be chasing you already over there (and good luck to her).[/QUOTE]I agree with your assessment about civilization and the USA's lack thereof. However, to clarify, you can't be stopped and searched while walking down the street minding your own business, for instance, but when entering the country everything you have is subject to search. That includes notebook computers, cell phones, your anal cavity, whatever.

XXX pix, in and of themselves, are certainly not illegal. However, given that many Asian ladies appear to be much younger than they look, at least to Western eyes, it's safer to have them stored elsewhere. In other words, it's just easier to avoid any possibility of being hassled by an overzealous CBP agent.

[QUOTE=EthanHunt123;1646874]Sorry to be rude. But what makes you think you are superior to these guys you are talking about? They come here on their own money. Just because their behavior is different from yours. And probably more customers have driven up prices doesn't let you start ranting about their countries.[/QUOTE]Superior? Never said I was superior. Different? You mean treating others with contempt? Walking around with a superiority complex? Treating the locals poorly? Walking in the middle of the street? Blocking the sidewalks? Making no attempt to observe what the local customs are? Those kind of things? Sorry, one of the big issues we have on this planet is the push for everyone to accept everything. And many of these folks expect the rest of the world to kowtow to them.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1646918]I too have noticed the changes and I do not like hanging around lower Suk at all anymore. There are areas in Pattaya too that have been colonized by angry, uptight, insular Arabs. I really wonder why the Thai Government allows these lowlifes to stay here.

I recently attended a lecture on Hezbollah given by a former CIA agent who has just written a book on the subject. I learned that the CIA tries to monitor this organization very carefully. It is personal with them. They hate these assholes. There is blood on their middle eastern hands. At the lecture I was told that Hezbollah have their people planted all over the world including Thailand in places like lower Suk where they blend in. The Hezbollah agents get involved in all kinds of underground illegal activities like money laundering, prostitution, and arms acquisition while waiting around for possible orders of a more serious nature like kidnapping and terrorism. Sorry, but I give ALL Arabs in Thailand, the PI, and Indonesia a wide berth. They are lowlifes and up to no good.

Soi 11 is still wild and crazy and about as far down as I care to go unless I am making a rare visit to Nana. For starters I prefer Cowboy over Nana most anytime and same same for the oilies on Soi 24 over the places off lower Suk. Thank God there is more to BKK than lower Suk. Lower Suk really needs to be cleaned up.

Yep, Thonglor and Ekkamai is where I would choose to live if I were so fortunate as to be able to settle down in Thailand. There are a lot of very nice condos in this area for rent at relatively reasonably rates. I stayed for a week at the Marriott Thonglor Exec Apartment Hotel. A couple of months ago Marriott sent me an email offering $93/ night for a 1 bedroom suite and I nailed it down for 8 nights as part of my upcoming trip. One could save a small fortune by renting an upscale condo in this neighborhood. Ekkamai has a lot of interesting clubs, discos, good quality restaurants and street food. It is a pleasure to hang out here.

Sometimes BM's ask me where a good place to eat is on lower Suk and I am stumped to give them any good recommendations. I usually advise them to try one of the rollaway street carts on Soi 11 (Ju Ju's) after 10 pm or Monsoon (although touristy as all hell) for earlier dining. The best advice is get out of the neighborhood if you want good Thai eats.

Sadly I agree. Only by living in BKK full time can one get out of the traveler ST state of mind and simultaneously on the other side of the coin, certain opportunities open up for LT ex-pat residents that are just not there for someone in my present situation. On my next trip I will be spending a month here and it will be great, I can't wait, but I will still be only a ST temporary visitor. I would really like to live here for a year or more and then see what happens. One thing for sure after I sign a long term lease; I would hire a tutor and really make an effort to learn the lingo. That would open up a whole new arena of girls for me. Something to look forward to.[/QUOTE]My bet is if you stayed here long term you would like it. Having realistic expectations is what it is about and you are spot on with your assessments.

I remember when you got that deal at the Marriot. Probably a bit more during the high season. And it seems this one is going to be a bit more of a high season than the last. Already quite a few folks in town.

BTW, one of my favorite restaurants is about 50 meters from that hotel. Between the hotel and Thonglor. Joke 55 Pojana. Looks shitty from the outside, but amazing food. You probably saw it. Some outdoor tables and some of the veges and seafood on display. About half way between the soi the Marriot is on and Soi 55.

[QUOTE=Goatscrot;1647015]Superior? Never said I was superior. Different? You mean treating others with contempt? Walking around with a superiority complex? Treating the locals poorly? Walking in the middle of the street? Blocking the sidewalks? Making no attempt to observe what the local customs are? Those kind of things? Sorry, one of the big issues we have on this planet is the push for everyone to accept everything. And many of these folks expect the rest of the world to kowtow to them.[/QUOTE]Here here, and I'm not a racist by any definition. But the older I get and the longer I live, I see evidence everywhere that some cultures are simply too retarded by modern standards and will be forever incapable of assimilating into a modern, tolerant, peaceful society. I will leave it to the reader to decide which cultures.

Styk.

[QUOTE=PointyStick;1646771]Cheers. Thanks for the post. I do note that there are a number of other girls I have not tried so I will obviously be kept busy.[/QUOTE]Sounds like a good plan to me. Knock up a list and tick them off as you go.

Regards,

BJ

[QUOTE=Goatscrot;1647015]Superior? Never said I was superior. Different? You mean treating others with contempt? Walking around with a superiority complex? Treating the locals poorly? Walking in the middle of the street? Blocking the sidewalks? Making no attempt to observe what the local customs are? Those kind of things? Sorry, one of the big issues we have on this planet is the push for everyone to accept everything. And many of these folks expect the rest of the world to kowtow to them.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Stykler;1647114]Here here, and I'm not a racist by any definition. But the older I get and the longer I live, I see evidence everywhere that some cultures are simply too retarded by modern standards and will be forever incapable of assimilating into a modern, tolerant, peaceful society. I will leave it to the reader to decide which cultures.

Styk.[/QUOTE]


Sadly this is not a true representation of the cultures of the people that you are referring to. Let's assume, that you were talking about the Africans hanging out in Lower Sukhumvit. The ones that like to get into your face, full of the holier than thou attitude, rude, condescending, etc, etc. This is not the case in most real African cultures. They are respectful, tactful, decent and accepting. I should know. I have lived in Africa on and off for over 10 years in 6 different countries. The guys that come here know that in a way they will have it tough. The general complaint is that some races do not know how to behave in a modern standard that is universally accepted, but who sets these standards? The Westerners?

Even if they adhered to these standards they will still be discriminated against. Such is the nature of people. They will find some excuse. So now a bunch of guys from Africa show up in Bangkok, they know inherently, regardless of how they behave the Thais will always look down on them, so they put up a front, a hard shell, an attitude of sorts as a defense mechanism for coping. If you ask me I would say that Asian cultures both South and East Asian are very xenophobic and regardless of how you behave or are "expected" to behave to a certain standard they will always look down on you with a sense of contempt. They do it to their own people. Thais hate other Thais that are a shade darker than them, calling them thieves, slanderers, pimps etc, so what prejudged attitudes will they have towards an African? Or an Indian? Or a Cambodian? He / She could be the highly educated, well to do, well respected. But that won't matter.

If the standard model is western behavior what gives anyone the right to deem this as the zenith to what all cultures should adhere to? This is a colonial mentality. There are universally accepted modes of behavior that transgress culture and race. Things like respect for your fellow human, graciousness, gratitude, generosity. These traits are universal. They are not relegated to western culture only, and the fact that such behavior is regarded as "western" is downright bigoted.

[QUOTE=Moris54;1647170]Things like respect for your fellow human, graciousness, gratitude, generosity. These are traits are universal. They are not relegated to western culture only, and the fact that such behavior is regarded as "western" is downright bigoted.[/QUOTE]FYI, I was not referring to Africans, who I have always found to be polite and nice.

There are many cultures that do not value the traits that you stated above. In fact, extending those traits to all and not just folks of a certain status is really a Western construct and a rather recent one at that. Many cultures still only extend those courtesies to those of their "caste" or to those of their faith. Many believe that showing those courtesies to all demeans them and brings them lower status. You see that played out on lower Suk every day.

Sorry if extending those courtesies to everyone shows my "colonial" mentality, then I will gladly show it. And yes, you are correct. Many Thais are xenophobic and racist. They seem to base it on skin color as opposed to behavior, which I find quite abhorrent.

A quick note: I consider myself very far to the left politically. That being said I am appalled at those who are attacking Maher and Harris for their spot on assessment of Islam. Seeing some of my fellow progressives defend a culture that treats women as property makes me ill.

[QUOTE=Stykler;1647114]Here here, and I'm not a racist by any definition. But the older I get and the longer I live, I see evidence everywhere that some cultures are simply too retarded by modern standards and will be forever incapable of assimilating into a modern, tolerant, peaceful society. I will leave it to the reader to decide which cultures.

Styk.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Goatscrot;1647180]FYI, I was not referring to Africans, who I have always found to be polite and nice.

There are many cultures that do not value the traits that you stated above. In fact, extending those traits to all and not just folks of a certain status is really a Western construct and a rather recent one at that. Many cultures still only extend those courtesies to those of their "caste" or to those of their faith. Many believe that showing those courtesies to all demeans them and brings them lower status. You see that played out on lower Suk every day.

Sorry if extending those courtesies to everyone shows my "colonial" mentality, then I will gladly show it. And yes, you are correct. Many Thais are xenophobic and racist. They seem to base it on skin color as opposed to behavior, which I find quite abhorrent.

A quick note: I consider myself very far to the left politically. That being said I am appalled at those who are attacking Maher and Harris for their spot on assessment of Islam. Seeing some of my fellow progressives defend a culture that treats women as property makes me ill.[/QUOTE]Extending such "courtesies" to people of all races is by no means a colonial mentality, but expecting reciprocation and judging them for non reciprocation is. That is what I was referring to. I wasn't bought up in the Western construct and there was no influence of the western acceptance mentality in my childhood but it was always embedded in me that we should extend such traits to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, etc. If this is a Western construct then it may have grown from the mass immigration from third world to first world countries. The practice of tolerance, but is tolerance really acceptance? A lot of first world countries face very grueling social and race issues. I guess that's for another day, another time.

BTW, I am with you on the Islam thing. There is no way anyone, even muslim women can convince me that they actually like being covered head to toe with a metal plate to cover their face.

[QUOTE=Goatscrot;1647180]FYI, I was not referring to Africans, who I have always found to be polite and nice.

There are many cultures that do not value the traits that you stated above. In fact, extending those traits to all and not just folks of a certain status is really a Western construct and a rather recent one at that. Many cultures still only extend those courtesies to those of their "caste" or to those of their faith. Many believe that showing those courtesies to all demeans them and brings them lower status. You see that played out on lower Suk every day.

Sorry if extending those courtesies to everyone shows my "colonial" mentality, then I will gladly show it. And yes, you are correct. Many Thais are xenophobic and racist. They seem to base it on skin color as opposed to behavior, which I find quite abhorrent.

A quick note: I consider myself very far to the left politically. That being said I am appalled at those who are attacking Maher and Harris for their spot on assessment of Islam. Seeing some of my fellow progressives defend a culture that treats women as property makes me ill.[/QUOTE]Really. Then I must be mistaken in tuning that Whiteheads and Neo-Nazis are a Islamic phenomenon No one is debating that treating women like property is prevalent in a lot of Middle Eastern countries. But then you have similar stuff playing out in a lot of western countries as well in the garb of trafficking etc It's unfair to paint a whole race / religion in one color.

And BTW I am not from a Middle East country and nor I am Muslim. In case you were wondering.

[QUOTE=Goatscrot;1646871]Dude, the change in demographics in lower Suk over a 10 year period has been shocking. For a visitor, it really does not matter, but some of us live here full time.

No way I would even visit most of the nations those folks come from.

BKK is still the best food city on the planet.

Seattle is way to wet. San Diego, Boulder, drier climes for me.[/QUOTE]How about the change in demographics in the patients at Bumrungrad Hospital over the last decade? That has been significant. In any event Bangkok Hospital is better.

Bangkok does have great food.

But New York City, and many many other USA Cities, have significantly more annual rainfall than Seattle despite Seattle's reputation.

Any suggestions on A-Level Escort? Debating between going to a FL club and trying my luck there or getting a Escort. So far tried Cherry (Very happy), Nataree (OK) and a Go-Go in Nana (Bad).

[QUOTE=KoperenKarel;1646910]Aren't we being a little paranoid here?

Immigration officials are not likely being bossed around by feminists. I suppose you imagine these women all being dressed in overalls and having short hair?

If you're afraid of having your phone checked for pictures (which is illegal under privacy laws) then transfer them to a memory stick or memory card.

Relax.

Ko.[/QUOTE]There can be a hint of paranoia of course, but there is also a large degree of truth. Most people think of feminists as nazi like women with a bad fashion sense and an even worse hair dresser. In reality, most feminists are your boss, your neighbor, you lobbyists, your congresswomen. Don't be fooled by appearances.