Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;2775917]I'm like Lefeu, I use strictly ATM debit cards. Fidelity is just as good as Charles Schwab. I separately carry a regular bank debit card as backup (e.g., Wells Fargo or PNC or whatever you have). I recently read on a Facebook travel group that a woman lost her credit card in Thailand and didn't have proper emergency contact information to get her card replaced. Be sure to bring a paper copy of your card numbers, passwords, and emergency phone numbers. Never get too low on cash because it can take 4 to 6 days to get an emergency replacement card delivered to you in Thailand. The "overnight" delivery of replacement cards is just one step of the process, there are multiple other steps and the time adds up.[/QUOTE]I would highly recommend a Schwab or Fidelity card that reimburses you for all bank fees. I would not carry a paper copy of emergency phone numbers, etc. Better to email them to yourself to avoid losing the paper. On the day I landed in Thailand last trip some dirtball in Pennsylvania cloned by Chase Bank credit card and the account was shut down by Chase. It took two weeks to get the replacement card delivered to my hotel in Pattaya. Fortunately I had a second credit card with me.

[QUOTE=Steve9696;2775734]I am in my fifties (look younger)[/QUOTE]We all do. ISG average is about 10 years. Mongers have good genes, well worth spreading like Djinghis Khan.

[QUOTE=CaliGuy33;2775709]My T levels are low eventhough I eat healthy and exercise. I've thought about jumping on TRT but once you're on it you're on it so I'the prefer to hold off on that until maybe late 40's.[/QUOTE]I tried TRT with patches and didn't notice any real change but that was just through my GP who didn't really care that much.

New doc sent me to Endocrinologist. Put me on drug that stimulates testosterone production in body naturally. Its called clomiphene citrate.

Over about 6 months my T count went from 5 (very low) to 17 which is average. Doc says raving 18 yo is 31).

For me no side effects, helped with my moods too, more energy and stronger at gym (but not steroid type improvement).

I am a healthy 60 yo, very very fit, non drinker, non smoker and have a good diet. My downfall was stress and issues in childhood.

It worked for me.

NI.

[QUOTE=Nyezhov;2775884]Can't really say when ever I have seen a Money Exchange anywhere in Thailand take anything other than perfect clean brand new current issue crispies, but bringing thousands in cash is so 70's Patpong anyway. Get Wise if you don't have a Thai account.[/QUOTE]I'd be careful of Wise. I do use it frequently to transfer money between bank accounts in various countries, but I think there are some severe limitations on how much per day you can take out on the card itself. Fine if you have a bank account in Thailand (or elsewhere), but money "on the card" doesn't seem so readily accessible. All I can say is, research BEFORE you depend on.

From early November 2022 to early December 2022, various times of day and early evening, I'd be at Asoke BTS station. The SuperRich exchange counter in the BTS station was ALWAYS crowded, and by crowded, the line always stretched back on the ramp to Terminal 21's doors, almost to the doors themselves. Sometime back, there was a discussion of better places to exchange cash. Searching Exchange might help find it. But if you enjoy queues, Asoke's SuperRich might be the place.

[QUOTE=Lefeu;2775898]It has been a long time since I stopped using currency bills, due to the many potential problems, as you mentioned above.

I now use mostly ATM debit cards, and the best one seems to be the Charles Schwab debit card. They even reimburse you the fees. I still carry a small amount of currencies for emergency.[/QUOTE]Agreed. My bank charges $3 for an external transfer, e. G. , from bank to Schwab account, takes 3 days. Schwab transfer in, from my bank to Schwab, is FREE, and takes 4 days to clear. No brainer. Schwab usually catches the ATM fees for reimbursement at the end of the month. Still, best to keep those receipts, and as suggested earlier here by someone, take a picture of each on your phone in case those small slips get misplaced. If Schwab hasn't caught the fees, submit, and be reimbursed. Best deal going, but believe it is restricted to US.

As stated, carry one or two backup ATM bank cards just in case anything goes south (see below).

I'm so old I remember AMEX traveler's checks fondly. But cash? I do carry some but, as you say, spending some time in my wallet, they end up creased and that can cause problems. I've used the Charles Schwab card for a number of years, in a number of countries, without a problem.

Well one. In China, I didn't realize that the decreasing number on the ATM, counting down, was a timeout timer, and since I was trying to figure out why the ATM was not taking my PIN, it reached zero. ATM ate my card. Saturday, 17:00, September 30, with the [B]MAJOR[/B] holiday starting the next day. Had train tickets and hotel reservations in another city, leaving that night on an overnight train. At that time of year, train tickets and hotel reservations, if you don't have, you won't get. Went into the bank, ready to close, my PRC companion explained the problem. Manager called. Explained that policy was not to open the ATM until it was scheduled to be restocked with cash. But [S]...[/S] she made an exception, excused herself, came back 10 minutes later with my card. Showed her my passport, card returned. Never used that banks' ATM's again, but I do owe that manager a debt of gratitude. Carry a backup (I always did, even if it has non-reimbursable fees), and if you ever see a counter counting down on an ATM, hit the return card before it reaches zero.

[QUOTE=Vendelo;2775913]I am currently seeing a girl who is 36 years my junior. When we first met and once a month, I ask her is she is comfortable with our age gap. Age means nothing to her nor her parents. She likes my maturity, that I deliver on all my promises, and trusts that I can take care of her. BTW, I am in very good physical shape so don't think any ole geezer can pull a SYT.[/QUOTE]There ya go.

You can be 159 as long as the you take care of her is there. Win win win.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]Hi,
I am in my mid 30's and I plan to head to Bangkok in April-May 2023 & will be staying for about 4-5 nights max and return back to my home country. This is my very first time in Thailand and I'm fresh of the boat. [s]...[/s]
Let me know if I missed out on anything. Since its my very first time in Thailand, I just don't want to get ripped off and get into any sort of trouble being far away from my home country with absolutely no family or friends to help me out should things go south.

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year 2023 to everyone reading this.[/QUOTE]Oh, if ONLY there was a place where people like [B]Blue Nose, Newton York, ChillWinston88, PublicInterest, ThorJohnson [/B] and so many more, posted FR's of their experiences in BKK, good and bad, prices paid, lessons learned [S]...[/S] And those posts didn't disappear [S]...[/S] And what if there was a thread where the best reports are referenced, something like a ROD (Reports of Distinction)[S]...[/S] Wouldn't that be a WONDERFUL world.

There is more here than the CURRENT page, and while it might take a bit of work to separate the wheat from the chaff, many do so successfully. Takes time, but certainly you have that.

Full disclosure: I'm known for my RTFF, because the info IS here. And you are known by your posts, and unlike you, many members here actually post actionable intel, rather than asking for contacts, asking questions, complaining about medical problems, pranking WG's, etc. , etc. And I wouldn't even think about taking a service here and not paying, that's a direct road to trouble (granted you did pay), but there are reasons why certain nationalities are looked on suspiciously in BKK, Yea, I'm also very good at UTFSE.

EVERYONE here had a "first time" in BKK, and any number come without the benefit of the knowledge here and, GASP, survive. You will get ripped off, overpay, etc. , but if you're worried about 500,1000 baht, maybe you should change your plans. Everyone has disasters (my first pull, broken condom), they just make great war stories (as I've posted before: Difference between a fairy tale and a war story: a fairy tale starts out "Once upon a time [S]...[/S], a war story "Shit, I was there"[S]...[/S]) No offense, behave yourself, remember you're a guest in their country, and you'll have no problems. IMHO, if you're 30 years old, you should be able to take care of yourself on your own in a foreign country; otherwise, join a tour group.

So, I'd read some ROD's, and even how to search there. If parsing vast amounts of data, I've found that the "Searching at Your Leisure" method is very effective. And yes, I'm an acolyte of Professor Kingsfield; do the required reading before coming to class.

And enjoy, Thailand is a great place, and your first time will always be memorable.

[QUOTE=TomThumbbs;2775738]You need to go into detail. Greatly appreciated when outlier situation is revealed. No offense but 40 years age difference. ?[/QUOTE]Thanks TomThumb.

Detail would be lost here on the naysayers, and they'd likely pipe up "with wait a bit, it will still happen to you".

And honestly, they could be right, and it might eventually happen.

But if it does, it will be because we drifted apart, which can happen with any relationship, and nationality, cultural, or age differences.

After 5 years together, you learn a lot about each other, and grow together.

As to 40 years age difference, yeah, it was a huge impediment to me too, early on.

But not too her.

When asked how old we were, we added 5 years to her and took of 5-10 from me, mainly to limit peoples shock response.

And this was done for the farangs, not the Thais, as the Thais never had any issue or concerns with it.

Also, I am still vert active, easily pass for early 50's, and am not a heavy drinker, party animal, or medically challenged retiree.

Instead I still actively run and work in a somewhat demanding business, scuba diving, as an instructor.

One she now works in, professionally too, and is very good at.

A sketchy detail for you.

She saw me the first day she came from Isaan, and ever worked in her "extended families' bar.

She liked, she will say, loved me from that day.

And she was warned that I was one of the biggest, nicest, naughtiest, butterflies around there.

Which I was.

I didn't get around to noticing her, or at least being with her, for a week or so.

But from that overnight session until we moved in together, about 3 months later, I was her biggest customer.

In fact, she would have spent more overnight sessions with me than all her other customers combined.

Yet, I was still partying then pretty much every night with other local bargirls.

But, eventually I came to realise, accept as fact, that none of them gave me the enjoyment I had with her.

Let me also add that sexually, she was a 9. 5 out of 10 match for me.

In pretty much any activity of a sexual nature we enjoyed together, she would be in my top 10 ever women at it.

And that remains true 5 years down the track, so I haven't had to compromise there.

Add to that that we are 9 out of 10 sympatico on thoughts, feelings, aspirations, desires.

So, we just click.

I hope that is enough detail TomThumbs.

And for you naysayers who don't believe it, well I feel sorry for you.

There are at least half a dozen long term posters on here who have met me, and both of us, who can corroborate my fantasy, my delusion, as you would likely put it.

[QUOTE=Vendelo;2775913]I am currently seeing a girl who is 36 years my junior. When we first met and once a month, I ask her is she is comfortable with our age gap. Age means nothing to her nor her parents. She likes my maturity, that I deliver on all my promises, and trusts that I can take care of her. BTW, I am in very good physical shape so don't think any ole geezer can pull a SYT.[/QUOTE]Thanks Vendelo for joining the conversation.

So others know, we have met, and chatted online since then so so so much on this topic.

You are not some deluded type (liek me LOL) living in a fantasy that will come crashing down around you.

You are on a journey "eyes wide open", hopefully progressing a life long companionship, and more.

What I find so striking is our journeys similarities.

We are similar enough.

Our girls as partners are similar enough.

Our experiences, our approaches to them, and our partners approaches back are similar enough too.

We are not talking about having hooked up with hardened, wisened many year bargirls.

What I would consider a recipe for failure, just waiting for the axe to drop.

We didn't pick up in Bangkok, Pattaya, etc, or on Thai Friendly where games are often played.

We both somehow found, liked, and eventually chose, Phuket based newly arrived women.

Ones seeking a dream life, filled with true love, companionship long time, not just short term aspirations based on money.

For me it evolved slowly, and worked.

For you, well you're still on the hardest part, the first year journey.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]Hi, I want some help / pointers on how much money should I carry for a max stay of 5 nights in Bangkok.[/QUOTE]Sky is the limit, but a rough estimate is about 4 K-5 K Baht a day. You mention a couple shots on goal, so I'd say 6-7 K a day.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]-What is the average rate to pay for ST / LT?[/QUOTE]Since I'm not on the ground, I'll defer to the seniors / regulars on this. But my understanding is that 2-3 K ST and 5 K upwards for LT.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]-Average Bar fine to pay.[/QUOTE]Again, differing reports, but bar fines at Gogos are in the region of 1-1. 5 K.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]-Which bars to visit in the Nana Plaza & Soi Cowboy Area? (A list of few names of the bars would be appreciated).[/QUOTE]Nana: Reports indicate that Spankys, Twister, Rainbow 5, and Billboard are the pick of the litter.

SC: Reports indicate that the girls are generally older and not as good looking. Crazy House gets mention.

Note though that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]-A good money exchange shop to use as I plan on changing USD to THB.[/QUOTE]I guess you would've read the reports below. It's not making much sense carrying currency. So maybe bring $1000 in new crisp notes and use your debit card for drawing on site.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]-A few night markets to visit in Bangkok.[/QUOTE]Sorry. Can't help here.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]-Red flags to watch out for when picking a girl to take back to the room.[/QUOTE]Play it by ear and don't overthink it.

If something feels off, walk away. There are literally hundreds of other girls.

Keep your belongings close to you.

Think twice before choosing LT.

Ladyboys.

[QUOTE=LonelyMonger30;2775751]-Difference between a regular beer bar to sit and enjoy a drink vs a gogo bar.[/QUOTE]Gogos have closed doors and many a time the girls are 'dancing' topless / nude (though this should not be expected).

Beer bars: It's as the name suggests. A bar where you're sipping on beers while being surrounded by pretty women who want your attention. Bar fines are lower and in many of them, you get food too.

Hope this helps. Enjoy and do let us know how your first trip went.

I will be traveling over for Dental work in 3 weeks. Anyone know if in fact the dental work at the Dental Hospital is as good as they say it is?

Also Can I walk in and buy the local Viagra in most pharmacy's? I don't have a prescription I know some have talked about this here just want to know for sure. I think its called SIDEGRA, does it waro as well as the brand name Viagra?

[QUOTE=NewImage;2775959]I tried TRT with patches and didn't notice any real change but that was just through my GP who didn't really care that much.

New doc sent me to Endocrinologist. Put me on drug that stimulates testosterone production in body naturally. Its called clomiphene citrate.

Over about 6 months my T count went from 5 (very low) to 17 which is average. Doc says raving 18 yo is 31).

For me no side effects, helped with my moods too, more energy and stronger at gym (but not steroid type improvement).

I am a healthy 60 yo, very very fit, non drinker, non smoker and have a good diet. My downfall was stress and issues in childhood..[/QUOTE]Clomiphene citrate. I've heard good things about this drug and I like the concept of stimulating your natural T as opposed to synthetically injecting it.

I may give it a try.

[QUOTE=11Bravo;2775966]I'd be careful of Wise. I do use it frequently to transfer money between bank accounts in various countries, but I think there are some severe limitations on how much per day you can take out on the card itself. Fine if you have a bank account in Thailand (or elsewhere), but money "on the card" doesn't seem so readily accessible. All I can say is, research BEFORE you depend on.........[/QUOTE]Research is done, I for one have a severe limit of $4000 USD per month on my Wise card. That's the max. I can stand in front of the ATM and if my Wise account is empty, it gets filled in 30 seconds. Its the easiest way to get cash for those who have gnarly fee cards. If you are running a Schwab, use that. I don't use mine since I have a Thai bank.

But I always have a USA card backup and my Thai account which is usually what I use.

Now that that's settled, any real reports recently on clubs etc from guys on the ground? I arrive 1/16.

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;2775917]I'm like Lefeu, I use strictly ATM debit cards. Fidelity is just as good as Charles Schwab. I separately carry a regular bank debit card as backup (e.g., Wells Fargo or PNC or whatever you have). As a second backup, I bring a stack of $100 bills.

The comment about the "newest" version of $100 bills is interesting. Do the money exchange places also check the pink vertical UV-visible security thread that appears just to the left of Ben Franklin's head? I've noticed that those UV security threads degrade with age. But, if the money exchange places only check for the big-bold purple stripe to the right of Ben's head, we might not need to worry about the UV visible security threads.

I recently read on a Facebook travel group that a woman lost her credit card in Thailand and didn't have proper emergency contact information to get her card replaced. Be sure to bring a paper copy of your card numbers, passwords, and emergency phone numbers. Never get too low on cash because it can take 4 to 6 days to get an emergency replacement card delivered to you in Thailand. The "overnight" delivery of replacement cards is just one step of the process, there are multiple other steps and the time adds up.[/QUOTE]I have a Chas Schwab account as well and use it for intl travel only and is my primary source of baht. However, I also carry a "cash" backup. For whatever reason, I seem to spend more than I budget.

If I may make a suggestion. I use Google Keep as a virtual "wallet" that contains pics of my driver's license, Passport, credit cards, etc. It's designed for note-taking; however, it has the capability to upload / attach pics which is perfect for such.

[QUOTE=Nite_Runner;2776156]If I may make a suggestion. I use Google Keep as a virtual "wallet" that contains pics of my driver's license, Passport, credit cards, etc. It's designed for note-taking; however, it has the capability to upload / attach pics which is perfect for such.[/QUOTE]Sounds like a good one to consider. If everything we have is lost or stolen, we need access to our data.

I've been using iCloud for that, but it's far from perfect because it requires dual authentication. If my iPhone is gone, I sometimes cannot access iCloud. Does Google Keep require dual authentication when you are on a new device?

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;2776160]Sounds like a good one to consider. If everything we have is lost or stolen, we need access to our data.

I've been using iCloud for that, but it's far from perfect because it requires dual authentication. If my iPhone is gone, I sometimes cannot access iCloud. Does Google Keep require dual authentication when you are on a new device?[/QUOTE]Google Keep does not require Two Factor Authorization (2 FA) to access / operate. It is available on ALL platforms, very easy to use, and lastly, it's free. I use it as an "extra brain" as I have pics of my vehicle insurance, vehicle registration, health insurance cards, passports, and other notes that I want to keep at the ready. Too often, I'm on the phone or in line with a Customer Rep and need a "number" or a piece of info and do not have the card / info with me. Google Keep has saved my ass numerous times. Hell, I even have pics of the make / model of my kitchen appliances loaded. I was at HD a few weeks ago and needed the model # of my dishwasher for a part I was buying and luckily, I was able to access it via Google Keep.

N_R.