PI or Thailand, which is best. IF you could only make one trip next year, which is soon, which would be the better choice. Not just cheaper, most enjoyable. Can some experiened Monger give me an opionion?
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PI or Thailand, which is best. IF you could only make one trip next year, which is soon, which would be the better choice. Not just cheaper, most enjoyable. Can some experiened Monger give me an opionion?
Hands down, Thailand.
No comparison in my opinion.
[QUOTE=Michael Morris]PI or Thailand, which is best. IF you could only make one trip next year, which is soon, which would be the better choice. Not just cheaper, most enjoyable. Can some experiened Monger give me an opionion?[/QUOTE]
[quote=littlebigman]see when you get stopped! you can't just make the offer or pull out the money from your pocket and say how much? you got to be discrete! you got to have it folded small and slowly you slip it to them like in a hand shake so the world doesn't see it! everyone in the world know why they are there stopping people but funny as it may seem they still have their pride!
my brother and i were stopped in bangkok a few months ago while we were heading back to pattaya and directed into a particular toll booth. on the otherside the police said we made a illegal line change? what was clear was we were flagged for being from another province our license plate clearly made that clear to them. we were told that if we had to come back to bkk, to address the citation it would cost this much.... while he turn for a moment my brother folded a 1,000 baht note and when the police return he lean into the window slightly with one hand holding his ticket book and the other slightly in the car.. like a spider crawling slowly i watch his finger slowly take the note into his palm and withdraw from the vehicle slowly like he wrote a ticket his method was proven and down right funny to us and off we went a 1,000 baht lighter.
lbm[/quote]did you pay too much? 1000 baht is a shitload of street grease for thailand. hmm, yeah maybe, but you definitely did the right thing. getting out of there asap is always the best, but 300 baht is standard for on site damage (it used to be 100, period.)
secret: open your driver's side window, smile. put outstretched arm on the window-well and lean back as if your were just shooting the shit with an old buddy. he will put his pen hand on your arm, the motion says 'gotcha'. then with your left hand, slide the dough between your forearm and his outstretched finger hand. he will peer at his ticket book, look as if he is jotting something, say a few words, look at you for a second to see if you have any serious nerve jangle shit going on, something where he might make a lot more money (or bonus points with the boss,) then he'll simply split. don't hang around, don't even look in your rear view mirror, just get the fuck out of there instantly.
can't even tell you how many times i've done this all over the country. methodology acquired in chiang mai a long long time ago, but it's very similar in places like mexico, anywhere in s. america, morocco, egypt, etc. but, in phuket these days, it's a case of routine stops always involving more than one cop. a quick trip to the closest office relieves you of 500 baht each time, and now true even for stupid parking tickets. the phuket mafia is in total control of the island.
you definitely got it right lbm, but the cop was probably laughing at you more than you were at him.
I also have never been able to give a bribe in Thailand. I have tried many times in Pattaya but they decline. As for here in the upcountry the police rarely stop me, and when they do, they never ask for anything. The worst I can expect is a humiliating hug from the cop in return for letting me off scott free.
As I understand Thai culture, for another adult male to touch you is a sign of his 'social superiority', and a way of publicizing that he is acting as the big brother or benefactor. (Normally only old men give me hugs, walk arm in arm with me, etc - for example, my very aged landlord).
That said I was breathalized in Korat, which was scary.
[QUOTE=Michael Morris]PI or Thailand, which is best. IF you could only make one trip next year, which is soon, which would be the better choice. Not just cheaper, most enjoyable. Can some experiened Monger give me an opionion?[/QUOTE]
Of course it depends on which city you visit in each country but they're both enjoyable so just pick one. You will enjoy both LOS and the PI but if you can try them both once you're in Asia.
I just got pulled over, two days ago, for not having a drivers license on me in Nongbulampoo at a check point. Obviously my own fault for I had left it in the other wallet at the home in Koodoo. A bribe or offering was not at all possible. A long line of folks waiting to pay for various infractions. Cost me 200bt.
Some years ago I was going like a bat out of hell from Udon Thani to Nongbulampoo and got pulled over. This time the 200 bt offering was graciously accepted.
[QUOTE=Opebo]I also have never been able to give a bribe in Thailand. I have tried many times in Pattaya but they decline. As for here in the upcountry the police rarely stop me, and when they do, they never ask for anything. The worst I can expect is a humiliating hug from the cop in return for letting me off scott free.
As I understand Thai culture, for another adult male to touch you is a sign of his 'social superiority', and a way of publicizing that he is acting as the big brother or benefactor. (Normally only old men give me hugs, walk arm in arm with me, etc - for example, my very aged landlord).
That said I was breathalized in Korat, which was scary.[/QUOTE]
Gents;
I have traveled to Bangkok 5 consecutives long trips for the sake of good time mongering. I have Not traveled to P. I. For this purpose and Maybe Not attempted to Do so. The last trip in Nov. 2008 was caused me some unsecure and displeasure because the closure airports by the PAD yellow shirts people.
However, I still come to BKK. This year and Why is the reason?
The main reason that I always feel at ease and enjoyable with BKK scene just an awesome feeling Free to have a great time that to be in BKK.
Of course, Thailand is No longer a cheap place to visit and P. I. Maybe a more cost affective.
The Bangkok city has now a much better improvements with public transportations on top of inexpensive Taxis.
BKK hotels are plenty and reasonnable rates.
These are a few more reasons keeping Me come back Bangkok
Here's another link -golfasian.com.
Let me know when you going to be in BKK, maybe we'll tee it up. I should be there mid-December through mid-january.
[QUOTE=BruceTea]Great suggestions.
Can you give a general pricing on those golf courses? I'll be going soon but have not begun finding their information on websites.
Thanks[/QUOTE]
Is there a cap on how much cash you can bring into Thailand from the US? I looked around online and couldn't find anything. I know it's USD $10,000 coming back into the US, but couldn't find anything on outbound flights.
Log onto US Customs and Border Patrol. Youll find it all there.
[QUOTE=IrishLager]Is there a cap on how much cash you can bring into Thailand from the US? I looked around online and couldn't find anything. I know it's USD $10,000 coming back into the US, but couldn't find anything on outbound flights.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=IrishLager]Is there a cap on how much cash you can bring into Thailand from the US? I looked around online and couldn't find anything. I know it's USD $10,000 coming back into the US, but couldn't find anything on outbound flights.[/QUOTE]
10,000 too!
[QUOTE=LittleBigMan]10,000 too![/QUOTE]
Not sure that is a limit. I think that is just a level at which you must make a declaration.
Here's another good tipping story for your "Tipping" thread, Nic Frenchy ...
[url]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6637437/Couple-arrested-over-theft-for-refusing-to-tip-in-restaurant.html[/url]
So don't forget to tip ... you might end up behind bars.
[QUOTE=Daddy07]So don't forget to tip ... you might end up behind bars.[/QUOTE]
Only in silly America....
[QUOTE=IrishLager]Is there a cap on how much cash you can bring into Thailand from the US? I looked around online and couldn't find anything. I know it's USD $10,000 coming back into the US, but couldn't find anything on outbound flights.[/QUOTE]
Nobody really checks how much cash you bring to other countries. But it is an internationally accepted cap of $10,000 cash.
Sometimes outgoing flights from US you have some guys from homeland security asking questions just before you board the plane. They do not do a thorough check unless they suspect you of doing illegal activities.