Thailand Lounge and Chat area

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2412771]That sounds crazy, but what other explanation could there be?[/QUOTE]The server is in Malaysia, we were having a DDoS issue for awhile. I haven't been in the US for ages and I was having the same issue. Sometimes VPN's just work better, I dunno why, sometimes they make it slow as shit too.

I have seen it for awhile so I think whatever anti prostitution group that was hitting us stopped.

On a separate issue I have an old style little head 100 dollar bill that I can't change anywhere (haven't been in the US in ages) which anybody could use or deposit anywhere in the land of the big PX. If you're headed back that way and want to do me a solid I'll come to you and take baht (or a new 100 bill). There's nothing wrong with the bill, it's not even marked up, it's just old style and nobody wants it anywhere.

You can PM me at Admin2 if you can hook a brother up. I (actually secretary) will come to you, all you need do is have 3000 baht.

A2.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2412429]I don't know whether I should post this report here or in the Stupid Things on the Internet thread. 555.

For the last 2 days I have been unable to open the ISG. I assumed it was a small connectivity problem on the other end and ISG would be back in business soon. I was experiencing no problems opening any of the other girly sites I like visit so I just went about my business.

Then 5 minutes ago after not getting through to the ISG once AGAIN, I logged onto NordVPN, my VPN app and chose the USA as my location and bingo: here I am. So what the fuck is going on? IS my internet provider suddenly censoring the ISG. That would be very peculiar since only the ISG is singled out. Additionally this lock out occurred on Chrome, Edge, and FireFox. Anybody got any ideas or experiencing the same issue?

Normally I only use NordVPN when I am traveling or when I am planning to download some porn and I want to sort of hide my location and identity. But if this ISG fail to connect BS is the new normal on my machine in my home, I guess I will use NordVPM all the time until I figure out what is going on. It is good to be back![/QUOTE]Not sure where you tried ISG from but it is indeed censored in many countries. My country, Bangladesh has it censored, I faced similar issue last time I visited Singapore and also Indonesia. Fortunately I have 2 good VPNs (Proton and Pure), both work fine if I select USA or Ozzie server.

Hey all,

I figure this might be the best sub forum to post this discussion in. I've seen similar discussions in the report sections, but thought the lounge might be a better place given it's not a report.

Currently, August round trip flights out of O'Hate are less than $600 during the month of August & September.

What are your all's thoughts? Think things will be open for travel by then? Things starting to get back to normal?

I figure if anything, flight can be refunded, voucher given, or credit for the future.

Hope you all are well and staying safe during this trying time.

Warm regards.

Almond.

[QUOTE=Almond812;2443816]..
Currently, August round trip flights out of O'Hate are less than $600 during the month of August & September.

What are your all's thoughts? Think things will be open for travel by then? Things starting to get back to normal?

I figure if anything, flight can be refunded, voucher given, or credit for the future.

[/QUOTE]I noticed something similar for my location to Bangkok in October. Price was low, so I was tempted to buy now. Unlimited schedule changes were allowed, but, there was a time limit when all your flights had to be completed (I think maybe January). If things aren't better by then, you could get stuck with unusable airline tickets. Be sure to check the details for refunds. I didn't buy.

I also worry that some of the airlines may not survive.

[QUOTE=ArifBD;2424572]Not sure where you tried ISG from but it is indeed censored in many countries. My country, Bangladesh has it censored, I faced similar issue last time I visited Singapore and also Indonesia. Fortunately I have 2 good VPNs (Proton and Pure), both work fine if I select USA or Ozzie server.[/QUOTE]Indeed, I'm in the LOS and left an ISG tab open on my tablet. The next morning I had one of those messages asking me to complete a captcha as a result of "suspicious activity detected on your network".

Thai authorities disapprove of certain content and actively monitor traffic to detect such. Use those VPNs!

[QUOTE=Almond812;2443816]Hey all,
Currently, August round trip flights out of O'Hate are less than $600 during the month of August & September. What are your all's thoughts? Think things will be open for travel by then? Things starting to get back to normal?

I figure if anything, flight can be refunded, voucher given, or credit for the future.

Hope you all are well and staying safe during this trying time.

Warm regards.

Almond.[/QUOTE]Out of Chicago, so I assume you are talking about a United ticket. I rescheduled my original April flight with United for mid August a month ago. Mid August was the farthest out departure date United was willing to reschedule me for at that time.

Know one knows what the situation will be like in Mid August. If flights are still grounded I am sure I will be able to reschedule once again. But if the flight is not cancelled and Thailand has a 14 day quarantine period for new foreign arrivals I will most likely be screwed ie no refund or reschedule.

I don't expect Thailand will be back to it's good old ways by mid August. That is too soon to expect a full return back to normal. I expect many bars will never re-open although some will hopefully be open again by mid August. Same Same for massage parlors. I expect many restaurants may not make it either. Social distancing & temperature checks will be enforced at all mall entrances, hotels, brick and mortar restaurants, and nightclubs. I do expect that there will be lots of available girls and not many tourists in mid August. It will be interesting. Adventurous Punters will have to be flexible and adapt under these unusual circumstances.

So bottom line I will go in mid August because I miss the girls and I am getting tired of living in the USA, but I will only go if:
#1. My flight is not cancelled
#2. The Thai government allows American Citizens in for 30 days with no quarantine,
#3. Both BKK & Pattaya have free mobility intra city and inter city, and
#4. The USA will allow my unfettered return.

Unfortunately all 4 of my criteria are big ifs at this moment, but I am somewhat hopeful things will work out and I will be able to go. I think that although Thailand will be a very different place in Mid August / September and definitely not fully recovered, I think it might be really great and uniquely memorable in many unforeseen ways in the immediate post Pandemic period.

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;2444115]If things aren't better by then, you could get stuck with unusable airline tickets. Be sure to check the details for refunds..[/QUOTE]Yeah I learned that the hard way years ago. Now I book everything through American Express Travel. If there's an issue they deal with it. I called and asked and it's a guaranteed refund if the airline cancels, or I can do a credit voucher.

Best.

Almond.

I have Proton and others, but for ease of use, I really have grown to like Surf Shark, which has a browser extension for my laptop and tablet. One click, and it's running.

[QUOTE=Chacal60;2444119]Indeed, I'm in the LOS and left an ISG tab open on my tablet. The next morning I had one of those messages asking me to complete a captcha as a result of "suspicious activity detected on your network".

Thai authorities disapprove of certain content and actively monitor traffic to detect such. Use those VPNs![/QUOTE]

Can I visit the Bangkok Thai Immigration Bureau office and pay the 1900 baht fee to extend my visa another 30 days the same day I arrive Thailand resulting in a 60 day total? Or only at the tail end of the first 30 days winding down? Can anyone speak from experience how long the process takes at the Bureau office?

Is there health insurance that can be acquired that would allow you to move from country to country without having to sign up for different policies? For example if you wanted to stay in Thailand for three months and then move to the Philippines for three months and then move back to Thailand for a short time.

[QUOTE=Breadman;2451221]Is there health insurance that can be acquired that would allow you to move from country to country without having to sign up for different policies? For example if you wanted to stay in Thailand for three months and then move to the Philippines for three months and then move back to Thailand for a short time.[/QUOTE]Yes. Look for policies geared towards resident expat workers who travel.

Cheers. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2451239]Yes. Look for policies geared towards resident expat workers who travel.[/QUOTE]I have Cigna expat insurance but it isn't cheap. I have evacuation coverage included in mine which is quite a bit of the premium but you may not need it. World Nomads is a popular one.

Alright, so I came across some videos on PornHub of these guys who made these videos about mongering in BKK and Pattaya in the 90's and they were selling tours and teaching people how to retire there. They were cheesy as hell, but they were probably about as good as it got for a mid-90's indie project in Thailand. Interesting to look back on what things were like 20-30 years ago before everyone had a camera. Anyhow, I'm curious, what happened to these guys? I did some Google searching and I can hardly find any information. It looks like there was a 60 Minutes interview with one of the guys in 1996 about his book, but other than that, it looks like there were some crusaders out for their heads and then nothing. Does anybody know anything about these dudes?

Peter V. Stanton aka Mac Horn aka the Asia Answerman (His Santa Monica company was PVS Publishing. The address is a UPS Store now.) Wrote the book: A Gentleman's Guide to the Exotic Women of Southeast Asia and maybe another one called Thailand 2000.

Eric Dexter is the guy in the videos explaining things.

Not sure if they had anything to do with ExoticThaiVacations (it's watermarked on their PH videos) or TheManTour, but it was the same business idea.

I'm just curious what happened. They seem to have just vanished. Did they just abandon the business? Did the crusaders get them? Were they into nefarious things and get arrested? Something else interesting?

[QUOTE=Paco1013;2470168]Alright, so I came across some videos on PornHub of these guys who made these videos about mongering in BKK and Pattaya in the 90's and they were selling tours and teaching people how to retire there. They were cheesy as hell, but they were probably about as good as it got for a mid-90's indie project in Thailand. Interesting to look back on what things were like 20-30 years ago before everyone had a camera. Anyhow, I'm curious, what happened to these guys? I did some Google searching and I can hardly find any information. It looks like there was a 60 Minutes interview with one of the guys in 1996 about his book, but other than that, it looks like there were some crusaders out for their heads and then nothing. Does anybody know anything about these dudes?

Peter V. Stanton aka Mac Horn aka the Asia Answerman (His Santa Monica company was PVS Publishing. The address is a UPS Store now.) Wrote the book: A Gentleman's Guide to the Exotic Women of Southeast Asia and maybe another one called Thailand 2000.

Eric Dexter is the guy in the videos explaining things.

Not sure if they had anything to do with ExoticThaiVacations (it's watermarked on their PH videos) or TheManTour, but it was the same business idea.

I'm just curious what happened. They seem to have just vanished. Did they just abandon the business? Did the crusaders get them? Were they into nefarious things and get arrested? Something else interesting?[/QUOTE]I've never been to Pornhub and don't know the guys you mentioned. My guess is they just got old, got tired of the p4 p scene every night, maybe made their money, and got out. My Thailand experience started with visiting a now defunct website called Travel and the Single Male (TSM) back in the mid-late 90's. They would occasionally schedule meet ups in Thailand. I attended one of those on my first trip and met some of the guys to hit the gogos together. Best trip ever. Do we have any TSMers on ISG? The website owner made a ton of money (I believe) on that website but got into trouble over some negative reporting that was false and misleading. He was permanently barred from returning to Thailand. He is the only one I know that got into trouble but surely there were others.

[QUOTE=Allover;2470246]I've never been to Pornhub and don't know the guys you mentioned. My guess is they just got old, got tired of the p4 p scene every night, maybe made their money, and got out. [/QUOTE]Unfortunately, most of the really old trailblazers died out. Either litterally from drinking themselves to death or figuratively from making enemies of the wrong people and being forced away. A significant number also found them selves on the wrong side of the law and in jail or banished for good. Drugs, gangbang rings or too much of a good thing feature highly.

This a shame that not many lasted to tell their stories because I'm sure they would have had many to tell. 😁.

G.