2006 Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=Thor93]What did you tell them the purpose of the trip was? I have never been hassled by customs. I usually am on business though and when asked always tell them the name of the corporation I work for. Since it is a large, very recognizable name, they usually just wave me through.

I have a feeling that if you tell them holiday, it sets off the alarms with them.[/QUOTE]Thor,

You might be right about telling them I am on a holiday. I normally went through US custom as business traveller. I normally tag on a few extra vacation days at the tail end of my business trip to visit my LOS. This time, it is strictly a vacation. He also asked me if I have been to Cambodia-my answer was no.

Not everyone that works for custom is uneducated but for myself I do believe ingeneral that those that work for Local, State, Federal government have no idea what customer service really means and accountibility is non-existence. I tell my nephew with degrees coming out of major colleges to work for the government because they have job security!

I have a very good friend that has a PHD, that works for custom in SFO, but that doesn't mean he has a PHD, in common sense. He tells me always that it is easy money like stealing and it's just a job and he follows the rules outlined. Not all US Customs check points are the same but in SFO, the favor right now are those traveling to LOS, LOS, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, the Jon Benet things has gotten these destination a black eye! so like many that have spoken, if you travel for business or you have family you most likely will not have a problem. If you are on a holiday you better follow some of the others advice and start deleteing items off your laptop on camera!

I have a family in LOS, and even with a past record I have never been searched! but I never carry a laptop and I don't have luggage to check so that counts me out!

Good Luck in SFO, LBM

[QUOTE=Wendella]OK I haven't been in Bangkok for a year. On my last night in the city before flying out last time, this happened. I've been curious ever since if this was cool or not on the part of the guy who did it, according to the rules of the game in Bangkok I mean.

Last night in BKK, fly out in the morning. I was wandering from one Nana Plaza bar to another, 9ish, thinking I'm only going to move on something if it's really special (my next stop was going to be Phnom Penh, so no sense of urgency). After hitting a few places, wasn't seeing anything amazing and I thought it might be time to go check out Soi Cowboy instead. On my way out I noticed a girl walking around talking with some friends in front of Playschool bar -- I thought that's the bar she belonged to, hard to tell because she was sort of between two. I kept walking but turned around to see which she went into. Eventually it seemed like it must be Playschool. Made a mental note. Got outside. Then it hit me. Go back in there. I did. She wasn't outside anymore. I went into the bar and sat down in the middle on the left side. After getting my beer I looked up and didn't see her anywhere. Lots of girls up there. No her. Anyway, sipped a bit, perused the talent. Nothing hitting me. Oh well, I think, finish up and go. Then there's a switch, new girls come out. Maybe? No. Ask for the check. Sure enough, soon as I do that I look up and there she is directly in front of me. She's tall and quite thin, model face. Hottest girl I saw the whole trip. Her gaze is fixed in the mirror, but also wanders around the room with that blank expression... can not catch her eye, even though I'm right below her. Anyway, finally I decide I'm going to just ask to talk to her, that seems to be happening left and right with other girls. Trying to find someone to ask. And then... she gets called down... by some other guy. Damn.

Ah well. Paid the check. Time to go. Damn. They're over there chatting now.

Later that night, maybe hour and a half later, I'm still in the vicinity, and think, well, why not just poke my head back in and see if she's somehow still there. Coming in I check out the stage. She's there. Left side, middle. So I go grab a table on the left side, not too far away. No hesitation this time. I think I set the record for fastest customer request of a girl after entering a bar. Oh and yes, I guess I'll have a beer too. So she comes down and sits with me. Chit chat for a couple of minutes, she seems ok -- a bit better than expected (I almost expect a girl that hot to be cold and aloof -- she wasn't exactly warm and cuddly but human and talkative at least). Anyway, what happened next was the part I'm wondering about ever since. Some 45-ish expat and a 35-ish Thai woman come in and try to make their way to a table together, coming in our direction. Then the guy and the woman were saying something to this girl with me, it just looked like some bustle of the place being overcrowded... but then the woman made sure to get her attention, touching her shoulder, and then what seemed like hellos and howareyous between the 3 of them. They then went back to a table (back again in the direction they came from) behind us. After that my girl quickly cut to the chase with her offer -- if I wanted to go out with her. I explored a bit to find out what the options were. ST for 2000, (1500? No, 2000) (my hotel? no, only here, upstairs). (mind calculating... letsee, plus barfine, plus room upstairs... is this worth it? Answer was yes, duh, but this new stressed feeling I now had made it feel like No... what seemed exciting before now seemed kind of shitty) And where she seemed OK a few seconds ago, now a cool veneer came over her. Business. It was obvious that for me it was let's go or let me go. Now. Feeling too much pressure, and not a great vibe, I decided against. Afterwards was when it hit me that what that guy did, or that couple -- it seemed like this couldn't be normal. I had bought her a drink, which had only just come by the time those 2 came over. They were busting in on me. That was why they came over, not to find a table. After I told the girl no on upstairs at Nana, that instant she said ok bye and did a B-line for their table and sat down next to him. I think I had a total of 3 minutes with her.

So is this normal? Is it considered cool to do that there in BKK? Not so much what the girl did, but the couple. He was obviously expat, a bit well dressed like he'd come from an office before. I know in my neck of the woods, Saigon, that kind of thing doesn't fly -- you'd get yourself into some serious trouble pulling that kind of move.

I still have pangs of regret that I didn't somehow work out going with that girl. Can just picture her and think, damn... if only. So maybe better to regret the things you do than the things you don't. Did have a few days in Phnom Penh after that, but never saw anything close to that one there. Still though, even if I had gone with her, I would have regretted that too. It wouldn't have been nearly as good as it would've had those 2 not shown up. They basically wrecked it. I probably would've paid that same price and done it, if that was the best deal I was gonna get. But the vibe had been ruined. That was the key.

Maybe I just needed to be tougher, and think "Oh yeah, well screw you I'm TAKING this girl... I don't care how much or how short a time, " and wave goodbye to the guy as we head out.

I must admit I did not RTFF to see if this particular question had been asked ;-)[/QUOTE]
Its very common to loose girls in bars to other customers that they know already.
A girl doesn't know if she really likes the new customer yet or whether he is just wasting her time. Suddenly the "good" customers arrive. At least the girl was polite enough to give you a chance but the other couple definitely wanted her for a good price.
Sometimes these girls are desperate to get the rent money, so taking less is just not an option.

I can't count the number of times I have lost a girl because someone else was quicker. The only sure way to get get the girl is to pay the bar fine.
This is very tough if you are still evaluating the mutual chemistry.
Getting the best girl in a bar is extremely difficult.
Even if you get there early, the girl may well be waiting for somone else to arrive.
2000 Baht may be above the going rate but is still not a fortune for one of the superior girls.

I would have paid the bar fine immediately to prevent the couple from stealing the girl away. Then I would have decided if I really wanted her or not, being prepared to waste the bar fine. If I changed my mind or was not prepared to pay the princely sum of 2000 Baht, she could then move on to the couple or other customers.

As to the behaviour of the couple. There is nothing wrong with saying hello to the girl they know well and indicating that they want her if you don't. She then gave you the chance to take her which you declined. Why should the girl waste her time with you if you are not going to buy.
When there are multiple buyers, you can't expect to get the lowest possible price.

So no one really need be criticised. The girl may be mercenary but still gave you the chance. You declined which is certainly your perrogative to change your mind.

I have been treated far worse than this where the girl got ripped off me, and where I never got the opportunity to bar fine her at all.
"Its the quick or the dead!".

[QUOTE=Duniawala]The risk is lower, but not low enough to abandon the glove. Leave it on and enjoy. It's not worth the risk.[/QUOTE]

Agreed!

@Bob1000,
awful practiss, seems that every country has with some topics problems. In the US it seems that faked DVD (Hollywood) and nudity is a problem. In Germany for example it's tax free cigaretts and things bought in tax free countries like Dubai. I had for example problems with my Laptop which I bought in Dubai when I worked some months in that region.
But, also this is off topic.

I am planning a trip later this year to asia. I will be travelling to Bangkok plus one more asian city which I have narrowed down to four (Ho Chi Minh, Phonm Penh, Kaula Lumper and Manila).

Can you guys suggest which city I should choose among the four which has best looking girls, reasonable prices.

Thnak you in advance for your help.

[QUOTE=MikeInSeattle]I am planning a trip later this year to asia. I will be travelling to Bangkok plus one more asian city which I have narrowed down to four (Ho Chi Minh, Phonm Penh, Kaula Lumper and Manila).

Can you guys suggest which city I should choose among the four which has best looking girls, reasonable prices.

Thnak you in advance for your help.[/QUOTE]

Manila, Phnom Penh, HCMC then KL. In that order.

[QUOTE=MikeInSeattle]I am planning a trip later this year to asia. I will be travelling to Bangkok plus one more asian city which I have narrowed down to four (Ho Chi Minh, Phonm Penh, Kaula Lumper and Manila).

Can you guys suggest which city I should choose among the four which has best looking girls, reasonable prices.

Thnak you in advance for your help.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Retired Army]Manila, Phnom Penh, HCMC then KL. In that order.[/QUOTE]

I concur with Retired Army, although I'll kick in the following just to make the decision a little more interesting:

Manila/Jakarta (tie), Phnom Penh, HCMC then KL. In that order.

I have been to LOS many times, usually when I arrive back in NZ I have little if any problems with the customs officers, that was until my last trip at the beginning of 2007.

On the way through customs I was ushered aside, and a search of my belongings took place, (nothing untoward found), then the questions started, enquiring as to why I visited LOS 2 or 3 times a year, the customs officers attitude was very rude, he was around 24 years old, about half my age and I wasnt happy with his line of questioning, so I let him have it.

I told him that the real reason I travel to LOS 2 or 3 times a year, was to F*** thai girls, I told him how good they were and that I pitied guys such as himself who had fat ugly farang women, and that if he was to do the same as me he probably wouldnt be such a frustrated wanker.

Upon hearing this, the search was stopped, he smiled and said that I was free to go.

The look on his face was priceless!

[QUOTE=MikeInSeattle]I am planning a trip later this year to asia. I will be travelling to Bangkok plus one more asian city which I have narrowed down to four (Ho Chi Minh, Phonm Penh, Kaula Lumper and Manila).

Can you guys suggest which city I should choose among the four which has best looking girls, reasonable prices.

Thnak you in advance for your help.[/QUOTE]

In order of getting laid - based on pricing only
Cambodia
Jkt
Manila
KL
HCMC

I've mongered in three of these cities

KL: does has its advantages in having a more racially diverse selection which is a big plus for me but is more expensive. Can enjoy the forbidden fruit of Muslim women.

HCMC: hot women but hard to find and sometimes expensive. Puritanical communist regime doesn't make the hobby any easier.

PP: all round cheapness factor is a plus but felt slightly dangerous. Worth it to make the prilgimage to Sophie's bar though. Can be a really shit destination to get to with bad infrastructure if travelling cheaply.

I enjoyed KL better than PP or HCMC as I was not driven wholly by cost.

[QUOTE=MikeInSeattle]I am planning a trip later this year to asia. I will be travelling to Bangkok plus one more asian city which I have narrowed down to four (Ho Chi Minh, Phonm Penh, Kaula Lumper and Manila).

Can you guys suggest which city I should choose among the four which has best looking girls, reasonable prices.

Thnak you in advance for your help.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Traveler1234]In order of getting laid - based on pricing only
Cambodia
Jkt
Manila
KL
HCMC[/QUOTE]

Now, in order of personal preference and experience (although never tried PP):

Jkt - (by far my favorite) much better muslim women than KL :D
Manila
KL
HCMC - dead last

I haven't been to Manila or KL.

I can tell you Phnom Penh is a much EASIER scene than HCMC, much more user friendly and caters to foreigners more. There you should have far more selection and well established prices that are reasonable. HCMC has nothing like Martinis, for example, and that is just one part of what's available in PP. It also seems as if you have more choice in PP because in many places you go there will be plenty on offer together in one room. I mean, Martinis is packed with girls, all of them working. Any place you go, they're all working. Eliminates a lot of the difficulty. Contrast with HCMC, where you won't find out until you ask (maybe too late) if this is a girl who can go out with you or not. And HCMC tends to always offer small numbers of girls in each place, usually showing you just a few at a time. Just too much work.

Prices overall are higher these days in PP. A lot of the low end scene is the same, the typical $20 or so, but now there's also a growing scene of high end places that costs $60 and up.

[QUOTE=Raverboy]I concur with Retired Army, although I'll kick in the following just to make the decision a little more interesting:

Manila/Jakarta (tie), Phnom Penh, HCMC then KL. In that order.[/QUOTE]


Jakarta is a great place, but it isn't on the list for his trip,

AND Cambodia has a lot of ethnic Vietnamese so you can cover both bases in one place. HCMC is filled with scams and touts for p4p so you might spend a lot of money without much return. There should be a special thread for comparative studies of regional hobby destinations.


[QUOTE=Wendella]I haven't been to Manila or KL.

I can tell you Phnom Penh is a much EASIER scene than HCMC, much more user friendly and caters to foreigners more. There you should have far more selection and well established prices that are reasonable. HCMC has nothing like Martinis, for example, and that is just one part of what's available in PP. It also seems as if you have more choice in PP because in many places you go there will be plenty on offer together in one room. I mean, Martinis is packed with girls, all of them working. Any place you go, they're all working. Eliminates a lot of the difficulty. Contrast with HCMC, where you won't find out until you ask (maybe too late) if this is a girl who can go out with you or not. And HCMC tends to always offer small numbers of girls in each place, usually showing you just a few at a time. Just too much work.

Prices overall are higher these days in PP. A lot of the low end scene is the same, the typical $20 or so, but now there's also a growing scene of high end places that costs $60 and up.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Wendella]I haven't been to Manila or KL.

I can tell you Phnom Penh is a much EASIER scene than HCMC, much more user friendly and caters to foreigners more. There you should have far more selection and well established prices that are reasonable. HCMC has nothing like Martinis, for example, and that is just one part of what's available in PP. It also seems as if you have more choice in PP because in many places you go there will be plenty on offer together in one room. I mean, Martinis is packed with girls, all of them working. Any place you go, they're all working. Eliminates a lot of the difficulty. Contrast with HCMC, where you won't find out until you ask (maybe too late) if this is a girl who can go out with you or not. And HCMC tends to always offer small numbers of girls in each place, usually showing you just a few at a time. Just too much work.

Prices overall are higher these days in PP. A lot of the low end scene is the same, the typical $20 or so, but now there's also a growing scene of high end places that costs $60 and up.[/QUOTE]Thank you everyone for the info. Although, price is not a big concern for me, its seems from replies that either Phonh Pehn or Manila would be best choices. I am thinking of most likely to go with Cambodia.

Is there lot to do during the day? How does it compare with Bangkok?