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[QUOTE=Freeler]Opebo,
think OTH:D. Imagine him gettin' an eyeful of the country side... Oh my Buddha[/QUOTE]
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?
[QUOTE=Old Thai Hand]
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?[/QUOTE]
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.
[QUOTE=Opebo]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.[/QUOTE]
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.
[QUOTE=Old Thai Hand]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.[/QUOTE]
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.
[QUOTE=Freeler]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.[/QUOTE]
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.
[QUOTE=Opebo]
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.[/QUOTE]
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
[QUOTE=Freeler]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.[/QUOTE]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?
[QUOTE=Ice Raj]Guys,
Anyone know when the elections are going to be held here? Are mongering places closed during that time?
Appreciate the advise.
Cheers,
Ice[/QUOTE]Ice 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...)
[QUOTE=Giotto]
The massage parlours are open, but many girls go to their hometown for the elections.
[/QUOTE]
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.
[QUOTE=Dinghy]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
[/QUOTE]Same, same for the Europeans (EU member countries).
You get the 30 days visa upon arrival.
[QUOTE=Seydlitz]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.[/QUOTE]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.