General Reports

[QUOTE=ReggieBush;1747545]Lastly, when doing these excursions (remember, I'm interested in beach / scuba diving / fun times) is an air bnb accommodation better or should one just pick a resort and either hope guests are allowed or sneak one in with a tip to the security guard?

Thank for all the help.[/QUOTE]Having a guest (joiners) is a pretty common occurrence in Thailand and [I]most[/I] hotels will be ok with it. Some properties have qualifiers for [I]gratis[/I] joiners like only one at a time, or only Thai nationals. If you have any questions just email the hotel and ask about their policy.

SunLover.

[QUOTE=ReggieBush;1747545]I've read the Thailand threads and have done a search but my specific questions don't seem to be answered. So here goes. I'm a scuba diver and a fan of the laid back, easy going attitude where things shouldn't have to be rushed in hour increments. I much prefer the LT rendezvous. Where in Thailand can one spend some time by the shore and scuba dive while enjoying some fun time in the evening or off days? I've checked out the kao tai thread and it wasn't very helpful in satisfying my curiosity on the evening end. Please keep in mind that I'm targeting good diving, not just some dunk in the water to say I did it.

I've heard that Thailand is the sort of place where one can find a partner to hangout and spend the day / evening or evening / day with for a relatively inexpensive sum? Is this true and is it possible to find in the beach areas?

Lastly, when doing these excursions (remember, I'm interested in beach / scuba diving / fun times) is an air bnb accommodation better or should one just pick a resort and either hope guests are allowed or sneak one in with a tip to the security guard?

Thank for all the help.[/QUOTE]Well being a fan of a football team that resides in rural Indiana I am not sure I should help someone with the poster name of Reggie Bush.

I don't know much about diving per se, but just outside of Phuket there are homes on the shore you can rent that might have access to good diving. The great thing about Thailand, is that anything and everything is possible if you are creative and resourceful. I personally don't like Phuket much, but the surrounding areas are great. As far as finding a lady, you could a) get on the dating websites (E. G, [URL]www.thaicupid.com[/URL]) and get to know in some in Phuket who would be happy to spend time with you if you are polite, etc. Finding ladies in Thailand to spend time with you when you arrive is very easy. B) you could just wander around Phuket and meet ladies, such as bargirls or MP girls, who would be happy to take time off and spend time with you if you are polite and treat them well; of c) Just hire women for the day out of escort agencies in Phuket (google). I would recommend a) then b) then c) if all else fails.

[QUOTE=TimTimGuy;1747600]Hi Reggie. If you are truly targeting good diving, you need to use Thai live-aboards, and that experience precludes nightlife at Phuket or wherever. I have a serious amount of diving history in a lot of different oceans, and I won't do the day trips in Thailand anymore. (Well, unless I'm really in need of a dive.) You can have one or the other, not both. TTG.[/QUOTE]I second that. I am a master scuba diver and have been living in Pattaya 5 years. I have been diving in Pattaya, Phuket, and Krabi. I wouldn't waste time on them. I'm am going to check out Koh Tao in September. I hear that may be better. But your best bet as Tim said is a live aboard. Frankly, I was in the Navy and do not want to be out for days on end just for diving. I like my diving in the day and my shore time at night. Like Tim also said, you have to chose between one or the other. I have regular chicks that I usually take with me when I go on diving trips. Unfortunately at the end of last year I broke up with my Thai girlfriend who was also a diver; and those are hard to come by.

I agree with what has been posted so far. I did a bunch of research a few years ago and looked recently again and the day diving options in thailand that also have nightlife are not very good. The day diving out of phuket is really out by the phi phi islands and is ok, but not great.

Liveaboard is definitely the way to go. I dove on the Andaman Queen a few years ago and really enjoyed it if you decide to go that route. I don't know about taking a girl with you as you are out of cell range most of the time so if she doesn't dive it's going to be pretty boring for her. I have a thai girl I have been seeing on each visit for a few years and it would be great to take her out on the boat, but I really think she would be stir crazy and not in the good way!

If you do decide to stay on shore then my research, and a friend's recommendation, came up with sea bees as the best option out of phuket for comfort and diving during the day.

Also I can confirm that most places around patong are GF, but many do charge a joiner fee so be sure to ask about that ahead of time.

As a avid diver myself I am always looking for options with "nightlife" and diving. Did puerto galera last year in the Philippines and had a great time. Good diving and nice set of bars and girls as well.

[QUOTE=ReggieBush;1747545]Hi all,

First off I want to thank everyone for their posts that I have helped me in my trips. I don't post a lot here but have in the past, and while I haven't posted my report, it's mainly cause time passed to the extent that I wasn't sure if it would be helpful or up to date. But, that said, for those going to Eastern Europe, a few words of advice. If you haven't found what you're looking for, you're not looking hard enough. Keep your wits about you and you'll be safe and just be smart enough to avoid trouble. Lastly, when it comes to Eastern Europe, you're most likely getting a better deal than you can in the states, and if you aren't, you're thinking with the wrong head.

Now on to my question.

I've read the Thailand threads and have done a search but my specific questions don't seem to be answered. So here goes. I'm a scuba diver and a fan of the laid back, easy going attitude where things shouldn't have to be rushed in hour increments. I much prefer the LT rendezvous. Where in Thailand can one spend some time by the shore and scuba dive while enjoying some fun time in the evening or off days? I've checked out the kao tai thread and it wasn't very helpful in satisfying my curiosity on the evening end. Please keep in mind that I'm targeting good diving, not just some dunk in the water to say I did it.

I've heard that Thailand is the sort of place where one can find a partner to hangout and spend the day / evening or evening / day with for a relatively inexpensive sum? Is this true and is it possible to find in the beach areas?

Lastly, when doing these excursions (remember, I'm interested in beach / scuba diving / fun times) is an air bnb accommodation better or should one just pick a resort and either hope guests are allowed or sneak one in with a tip to the security guard?

Thank for all the help.[/QUOTE]

Thank you TTG, Mr. E, MSam, and J101, I appreciate the input each of provided.

That said, I've never done a live aboard, and I plan to do one at some point. I completely get the allure of spending a week on a boat with nothing but sailing and diving. But, the night fun activities, and the opportunity to spend a night / day or day / night with some companion on the off days (assuming it's affordable? Suggests that I'd have to do all my diving from an outfit on shore.

Leaving out good / safe / knowledgeable / and safe again dive operators from shore, what part (s) of Thailand would you recommend I plan for? If having good non-live aboard diving means staying on an island, is there an island where it's not too difficult to find some fun companionship. Preferably with a selection depending on my mood in the evening. I don't want to get stuck with someone just cause she's the only one around.

And since we're still talking about shore destination options, I'll ask again, airbnb? Any reason not to go with that? It seems there's plenty of airbnb options safe and near the water at less than 30 that seem nice and clean.

Thanks again.

The liveaboards out of phuket do shorter trips than a full week,4-5 nights, some maybe 3. Just FYI.

For thailand shore definitely Phuket. Has the 3rd largest scene for finding companionship after Bangkok and Pattaya.

Can't say about airBNB. But if you are going to be in Phuket you want to be close to Patong for the entertainment and since you would be bringing back different friends probably easier to have the hotel. An inexpensive but decent place is livingstons lodge. Not fancy but close to the action and cheep. Get a room with a window though. The windowless ones feel a bit too much like a cave for my taste.

[QUOTE=ReggieBush;1748884]Thank you TTG, Mr. E, MSam, and J101, I appreciate the input each of provided.

That said, I've never done a live aboard, and I plan to do one at some point. I completely get the allure of spending a week on a boat with nothing but sailing and diving. But, the night fun activities, and the opportunity to spend a night / day or day / night with some companion on the off days (assuming it's affordable? Suggests that I'd have to do all my diving from an outfit on shore.

Leaving out good / safe / knowledgeable / and safe again dive operators from shore, what part (s) of Thailand would you recommend I plan for? If having good non-live aboard diving means staying on an island, is there an island where it's not too difficult to find some fun companionship. Preferably with a selection depending on my mood in the evening. I don't want to get stuck with someone just cause she's the only one around.

And since we're still talking about shore destination options, I'll ask again, airbnb? Any reason not to go with that? It seems there's plenty of airbnb options safe and near the water at less than 30 that seem nice and clean.

Thanks again.[/QUOTE]

The USD hit 34.43 against the THB this morning and appears to have the momentum to continue the gains. It's the highest level since 2009! Lining up nicely as I am planning an October trip. Cross fingers that it continues.

While I don't follow the other currency crosses as closely is appears the THB have been weaker recently against other major currencies (GBP, EUR, AUD) but still stronger against multi-year historic levels.

Any comments or insights appreciated.

SunLover.

[QUOTE=Sunlover2;1749136]The USD hit 34.43 against the THB this morning and appears to have the momentum to continue the gains. It's the highest level since 2009! Lining up nicely as I am planning an October trip. Cross fingers that it continues.

While I don't follow the other currency crosses as closely is appears the THB have been weaker recently against other major currencies (GBP, EUR, AUD) but still stronger against multi-year historic levels.

Any comments or insights appreciated.

SunLover.[/QUOTE]To SunLover.

You should be here back in 2000 when Bht drop all the way to 48 Bht to a dollar, I was buying gold from Chinatown back in the days when gold is cheap also just wish I have buy more, the usd have been strong the last few yr again most currency not just the BHT.

Fast eddie 48.

Thanks Eddie. Back at the turn of the century I was punting in the Netherlands and enjoying the last of the strong USD / Dutch guilder cross which slowly went to shite with the introduction of the euro. I remember in 2002 when a 100 guilder session became 50 euros; and while it became 10% more expensive for the customers, the ladies openly resented the fact that they were only getting '50' instead of '100' regardless of the intrinsic value.

Those must have been great times with exchange rates 50% stronger and prices (possibly) 50% cheaper. Not really expecting anything close to that these days just hoping to identify and understand some of the basic macro economic trends.

SL.

[QUOTE=Crocodilexp;1730481]I'm not in a position to do a survey on how common it is, but I have a close friend who had this happen to him. Non-drinker, speaks some Thai, expat of few years, in other words, unlikely victim. I know the story as I lent him a bit of cash until he could get his cards sorted (she took away both cash and cards, but fortunately left his passport). This was a pick-up from Khao San Road, not the usual haunts. It's foolish to assume a drugging can't happen to you.[/QUOTE]It happened to me several years ago a few days before I was supposed to leave Thailand for my next job. It wasn't a spiked drink it was in food and it wasn't a working girl it was a pair of women that befriended me at Chatuchak market on a Sunday afternoon.

These two scammers had been walking around beside me and just started up a conversation. I didn't think anything of it. One was mildly attractive, the other big and fat like a typical Thai aunty. I had no desire for anything sexual I was just being friendly considering I was leaving. They were about to have a late lunch at a restaurant beside the market and invited me along. After we ordered, one disappeared into the bathroom for a while. When the rice came back I noticed she mixed it up very well. I didn't think anything of it. She gave me a spoonful which I ate. Having lived in Asia sharing food is common so I didn't refuse. It was a fateful error!

Next thing I remember, I woke up in my apartment with my laptop, hard drive, watch, and money gone. They left my ATM card and my passport was at the embassy. Security footage from my apartment showed them leading me up the stairs. I looked really out of it. Drunk - with my eyes open. They told security I was drunk and they were helping me. Really helping themselves to my stuff.

So lads, it ain't just in drinks and it ain't just working girls.

Be vigilant regarding the kindness of Thai women.

I just caught wind of the draconian law the military government is passing on the sale & consumption of alcohol in Bangkok. Under the law no person shall sell alcohol beverages within 300 meters from the boundary line of tertiary education institution and vocational institution.

I think this is a ridiculous move. Imagine going to Hard Rock Cafe or to any bar in Cowboy and not be able to order a drink! Preposterous. I wonder where people get these shitty ideas from. Do they spare a thought to what might happen to the already fragile Thai economy? What do you call a bar that does not sell alcohol anyway?

Will this get extended to other destinations like Pattaya? Is this the beginning of the end for our beloved LOS.

[QUOTE=Blanquiceleste;1750838]I just caught wind of the draconian law the military government is passing on the sale & consumption of alcohol in Bangkok. Under the law no person shall sell alcohol beverages within 300 meters from the boundary line of tertiary education institution and vocational institution.[/QUOTE]If true, it gives a whole new meaning to the word "bar-fine".

Or perhaps they will, in typical Thainess, forbid schools to open within 300m of a pub.

[QUOTE=Blanquiceleste;1750838]Under the law no person shall sell alcohol beverages within 300 meters from the boundary line of tertiary education institution and vocational institution.[/QUOTE]Tertiary and vocational education? So universities and the like? That narrows it down quite a bit.

Seems to resemble a law in Holland that forbids coffeeshops (that sell soft drugs) within 350 meters of a school.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1750978]
Or perhaps they will, in typical Thainess, forbid schools to open within 300m of a pub.[/QUOTE]Or they close existing schools that are within 300 mtr of a pub!

Are there many bars discussed on this forum that will be affected by this rule?