General Reports

[QUOTE=Duniawala]Thanks, guys, for your feedback. Just needed to go to Hong Kong for a few days and they had a better timing than Sri Lankan which I usually take. No connections, so it will be fine.

Very much appreciated. Will be in BKK on 5-7 and 12-17 Dec. If anyone fancies to meet up, let me know. First two rounds on me.

1Ball, just discovered their EL CHEAPO flights to India. And Thais complain about too many Indians in LOS. Go figure.[/QUOTE]

Just remember that their baggage allowance is 15kg iso 20kg of most of the other airlines.

[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7720605.stm[/url]

This organisation was well-known, and dare I say it, respected in the UK. Never visited but would never have guessed from discussions that the girls were trafficked.

And see all the associated commentaries - makes grim reading.

Can anyone get tiger air or asia air to confirm their payments from the US?

I cannot.

[QUOTE=WestFLA]Can anyone get tiger air or asia air to confirm their payments from the US?[/QUOTE]From the US, I booked an Air Asia flight from Singapore to BKK no problem.

[QUOTE=WestFLA]Can anyone get tiger air or asia air to confirm their payments from the US?

I cannot.[/QUOTE]I recently booked a Tiger flight from Singapore to Bangkok and back, and got confirmation no problem. I was originally scheduled to just go to Singapore, but just couldn't pass up the chance to spend another enchanted weekend in LOS

What are the [b]mongering[/b] attractions at Karaoke places?

I am not interested in singing for others nor listening to (vocal) amateurs singing.
When girls are singing, their mouth is prevented from doing "other" things.
I just don't get it and wikipedia is no help either.

Can anyone please enlighten me?

[QUOTE=WestFLA]Can anyone get tiger air or asia air to confirm their payments from the US?

I cannot.[/QUOTE]
Are you paying by CC or something else. CC payments online was confirmed right away. And they emailed me the confirmation with itinerary.

Check your CC statement.

[QUOTE=Daddy San]What are the [b]mongering[/b] attractions at Karaoke places...

Can anyone please enlighten me?[/QUOTE]

As far as I can tell, DS, it is simply the case of a passable cover for operations - in many parts of Thailand it is not allowed to operate anywhere nearly as openly as in Pattaya or some small areas of Bangkok or the islands. Upcountry, particularly in smaller cities and little towns, the kareoke is allowed to operate, and ostensibly the hostesses are just there to sing, serve drinks, and maybe in some cases dance a little. There are officially no barfine, etc. Deniability is preserved for when the police come around (though invariably there is still a sizable monthly bribe demanded - I've heard in the 10-20 grand per month range is normal for upcountry kareokes)

I could not agree more that sitting in such places and being assaulted by that infernal din is a horrible experience, but see my report posted to day (Roi-Et/Maha Sarakham) for a happy result, and some of my older reports from Buriram, Surin, and Si-Saket.

The key in such places it to play it cool, avoid eye contact or other interaction with groups of tipsy Thai men, and try to get to the point fairly quickly, but politely and un-aggressively with whoever is in charge. Ask her if the ladies can be taken out (in some kareokes they cannot, in others, the older ones can but the cuties are not available, or at least not redily), and for how much. Beware of being cheated about billing - find out how much drinks cost before buying.

[QUOTE=Daddy San]What are the [b]mongering[/b] attractions at Karaoke places?

I am not interested in singing for others nor listening to (vocal) amateurs singing.
When girls are singing, their mouth is prevented from doing "other" things.
I just don't get it and wikipedia is no help either.

Can anyone please enlighten me?[/QUOTE]
There are sufficient mongering opportunities throughout Thailand that I'd rate a KTV as the very last thing to do there. Mainly reserved to locals.

I've asked this question before..sorry to repeat but I am once again looking at an asia trip. I'd love to do thailand but I've read numerous reports online regarding on the spot drug testing. I wouldn't think of smoking in thailand but it would still be in my system and show up positive on a test.

I look spanish or italian with a decent amount of tattoos. Should I not consider thailand and take my business to jakarta or cambodia ?

Thank you for reading.

Artisttyp

[QUOTE=Daddy San]What are the [b]mongering[/b] attractions at Karaoke places?

I am not interested in singing for others nor listening to (vocal) amateurs singing.
When girls are singing, their mouth is prevented from doing "other" things.
I just don't get it and wikipedia is no help either.

Can anyone please enlighten me?[/QUOTE]
Some people enjoy singing badly and drinking very expensive Grog so that they don't notice how bad they are.
Its all part of getting in the mood for screwing, as if we needed to get ino the mood.

In BKK its a lot cheaper to go to Massage Parlour even if
not really looking for a massage. Some MPs have KTV as well. Need something to entertain the girls while not screwing them I suppose.

But in the end ask the Thai girls why they like it.
For me its just a big waste of money.

I once tried (15 years ago) to get a Thai girl as GF who claimed she was a singer. A really fun girl but a really bad singer. Out of tune is quite normal in Thailand. Its more about looks and image.

[QUOTE=Artisttyp]I've asked this question before..sorry to repeat but I am once again looking at an asia trip. I'd love to do thailand but I've read numerous reports online regarding on the spot drug testing. I wouldn't think of smoking in thailand but it would still be in my system and show up positive on a test.

I look spanish or italian with a decent amount of tattoos. Should I not consider thailand and take my business to jakarta or cambodia ?

Thank you for reading.

Artisttyp[/QUOTE]

Man I've got the same issue. I travel to BKK heaps, and have not had a problem. If the boys in brown start targeting farangs in their on the spot drug tests, it will ruin the Thai tourist industry quicker than any anti-government protest or tin pot coup d’état could ever do!

What you are probably talking about is the on the spot tests they do in nightclubs. Although I have never personally experienced it, I am reliably informed that the brown shirts will raid a nightclub and prevent anyone leaving until they test those that they want to. I have not heard of a farang being tested, but I am open to correction though.

Your philosophy of not smoking pot in Thailand is a good one. Simply not worth the risk. I once had a bar girl I had known for some years offer to get me some hooch. As much as I enjoy a joint, and I had little reason to believe it was a set up, at that moment I ended our association.

You can NEVER trust any Thai!

My 2 cents worth.

[QUOTE=Stykler]Man I've got the same issue. I travel to BKK heaps, and have not had a problem. If the boys in brown start targeting farangs in their on the spot drug tests, it will ruin the Thai tourist industry quicker than any anti-government protest or tin pot coup d’état could ever do!

What you are probably talking about is the on the spot tests they do in nightclubs. Although I have never personally experienced it, I am reliably informed that the brown shirts will raid a nightclub and prevent anyone leaving until they test those that they want to. I have not heard of a farang being tested, but I am open to correction though.

Your philosophy of not smoking pot in Thailand is a good one. Simply not worth the risk. I once had a bar girl I had known for some years offer to get me some hooch. As much as I enjoy a joint, and I had little reason to believe it was a set up, at that moment I ended our association.

You can NEVER trust any Thai!

My 2 cents worth.[/QUOTE]


Yes this is what I am talking about. Even when I just drink my eyes get bloodshot. I am one of those people that when Im buzzed it shows on my face. I would certainly want to test me if I was cop performing drug tests.

Thank you for your response.

[QUOTE=Artisttyp]Yes this is what I am talking about. Even when I just drink my eyes get bloodshot. I am one of those people that when Im buzzed it shows on my face. I would certainly want to test me if I was cop performing drug tests.

Thank you for your response.[/QUOTE]

IMHO You are worrying too much. No need. I am not smoking but have been going to Thailand a lot. Never had or heard of on the spot testing.

[QUOTE=Daddy San]What are the [b]mongering[/b] attractions at Karaoke places?

I am not interested in singing for others nor listening to (vocal) amateurs singing.
When girls are singing, their mouth is prevented from doing "other" things.
I just don't get it and wikipedia is no help either.

Can anyone please enlighten me?[/QUOTE]I am not a fan of karaoke places (and it's an understatement), but it's sometimes your only option in small towns in some parts of the Land of Smiles. The quality of this kind of establishments greatly varies from place to place. Most of the time, you go there with friends and you can choose as many ladies you want to entertain you and they will seat with you at your table (in some places, you can be assigned a private "VIP" room and then, you will have to pay for the room and time spent there with the girls in addition to your drinks and food, but usually, it's just one part of an area visible by the other patrons such as in a discotheque or a nightclub).

Not much too expect at this stage: the girls will serve you drinks, order several dishes and plates of fruits (the girls will almost certainly say that they are hungry but usually don't eat much once the food is added on your bill), speak (more or less, depending on your mutual and respective language skills) with you, and sing syrupy Thai love songs (sometimes, a few Farang songs are also available). You can sing too if you wish and dare (transliteration in English of the lyrics is usually displayed as subtitles). Not my thing (and the rainy seasons is already long enough in this country), but to each his/her own!

The girls will let you grope them a little on premises, but usually not too much. They are (most of the time) very friendly, charming and pretty, not too bad singers (some of them are even really good, but the available tunes almost certainly won't be your cup of tea). They may or may not (the "special period of the month" probably being the most frequently given excuse when not) accept to spend the rest of the night with you at your place / hotel afterward, but it's usually rather expensive (considering the local wages and comparing with other kind of venues in a slightly wider area: a brothel for instance can usually be found within a 50 kilometer radius from everywhere I've been in Thailand so far).

You can very quickly spent more than 1000 baht per person even if you don't drink much (but it's often a lot more, especially in places where you are entertained in "VIP" rooms) in average in karaoke clubs located in little or middle-sized towns and the girls will usually ask a 1000 to 2000 baht extra to go out with you (1500 baht in average), but be aware that some of them won't go out with (Farangs? ) customers and are just there to entertain patrons on premises and nothing more.

Usually, karaoke places are a waste of time and not very good value for the money spent. But some of them are just brothels in disguise. I've tried the following several times: I clearly explain upfront that I don't have too much time and want to know if girls are available for ST / LT sessions and if yes, what are the rates. The best deal I've had then was 300 baht per hour (or 800 baht all night) for the karaoke owner, plus what the girl wants for her time (not much usually and it's more like a tip then: 200 or 300 baht more for instance for an one-hour long ST session). In the same area, the "barfine" was 500 baht per hour and 1300 baht all night in the other karaoke clubs!

In another province, I've been able to get a not too bad deal in a karaoke who has (very basic) rooms for ST sessions: 700 bahts for one hour (everything included, no tip expected) with a real cutie there (it was 1000 baht ST if I've wanted to go with her to another place). But again, local brothels are better value (300 to 500 baht ST for Farangs usually). The girls are in average more beautiful in karaoke clubs though (especially in the ones that have "VIP" rooms), but not always.