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[QUOTE=Wanderer9577;1821224]OK, I am finally fulfilling a dream of mine to come to Bangkok for the first time from the USA And have questions about the travel. Especially since this is my first time traveling internationally. Hopefully someone can give me a few tips. I will be coming in March 7-12. My flight goes from New York to Taipei and then to Bangkok. My main question is what do I do once we land in Taipei and I get off the plane. Do I have to go through customs / immigration while I do my 3 HR layover? Or is that only for when I am at my final stop in Bangkok? What about prescribed medications? Is there special paperwork I need or will the information on the bottles be enough? I have already read a lot of the forums concerning prepaid phones and taxis. However, I couldn't find anything talking about the other questions I had. Possibly the answers are already in other forums here and I am not using the correct keywords to search by.
Thanks for any help / tips![/QUOTE]I will just miss you as I will be in Thailand March 18th until March 27th. I have never connected in Taipei, but if its like Tokyo and other cities you will go thru security and then to you departing gate for your flight to Bangkok. Are you flying the same airline all the way to Bangkok? Just follow the sign that says international connecting flights. Its either a green or yellow sign.
I always take prescription meds with me and have never had a problem. Just make sure your name is on the bottle. In all my trips to Asia I have never been searched entering a country.
You can buy a GSM unlocked quad band cell phone on ebay for under $100 that will work great. I have the Blu advance 4. 0 that works great.
When you arrive in Bangkok and once they stamp your passport, baggage claim is right there along with exchange booths if you need some thai baht to get you to your hotel. You will get a better rate in the city center. Exit out of door B and off to your right will be a True sim card booth. Give them your phone and they will set it up for you. It should be 299 baht for 1 week of service including calls to the USA.
I hope you have a great trip. This time I'm connecting thru Singapore and spending my time in Phuket Thailand.
Good Luck!!
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[QUOTE=Wanderer9577;1821224]OK, I am finally fulfilling a dream of mine to come to Bangkok for the first time from the USA And have questions about the travel. Especially since this is my first time traveling internationally. Hopefully someone can give me a few tips. I will be coming in March 7-12. My flight goes from New York to Taipei and then to Bangkok. My main question is what do I do once we land in Taipei and I get off the plane. Do I have to go through customs / immigration while I do my 3 HR layover? Or is that only for when I am at my final stop in Bangkok? What about prescribed medications? Is there special paperwork I need or will the information on the bottles be enough? I have already read a lot of the forums concerning prepaid phones and taxis. However, I couldn't find anything talking about the other questions I had. Possibly the answers are already in other forums here and I am not using the correct keywords to search by.
Thanks for any help / tips![/QUOTE]V.
S.
Sounds like you might be using Eva Air through Taipei to Bangkok? Years ago I stop using any Airline that goes through Japan, the crowds and the security lines to catch connecting flight just got too much for me. So for the last eight years I've use Eva since in goes through Taipei. It lacks the crowds and the security lines for my connection. You are basically label ' Transit " you do not need to fill out a Immigration form for Taipei and go through Immigration. If you get to a point you go to a booth and they ask you for a form you have made a mistake if you can turn back. Basically do not go to ' Baggage claim since the bags have already been check all the way to Bangkok. Your baggage receipts should be place on the back of your Passport if you need them. Follow the signs to " Transfer " when you get there you will see a small counter the area should be rope off leading you through the Transfer area through security area. Like in the US, you will need to put your hand carry and stuff through the x-ray. Here I have found the security is much more lacks. You do not need to take your shoes or belt off, Take your watch, metal items coins etc. Into a hand carry compartment and place the bag on the belt. Pull your jacket on the plastic tray and send everything through. Personally I have never taken my laptop out of my hand carry or backpack, I just put the whole thing through. When you are done follow the path to the escalator and go up to the boarding area and look for your Boarding gate to Bangkok. You should have enough time to use Internet which is free in the area and get a bite to eat. Check out the Airline Vip area upstairs from this area, there are more foods vendors like Burger King etc. Outside of the club area. On the flight you will be given a white from TM-6, that form is to go through Immigration. On the form in the area where you are staying just put down one of the Hotel your are staying at. Once you are in Bangkok, follow the sign for "Baggage claim" that will take you to Immigration, go to foreign visitors. Thereafter you are out, go the the baggage area for your flight number. Once you get your bags you look for the exit "Custom nothing to declare" You might get stop pull over to have your bags scan again. What I do is get my bag I slowly walk to the Custom area, passport in hand, but I visually look and slow down before I get there and let people go ahead so they might get pull over first and then I just walk through. If you do get pull over, you do not need to remove your shoes etc.. like before they just want to scan you bags for drugs and excess items you might try to slip in to sell? Once outside there are places to exchange some money for taxi transportation? If you are bring cash bring the best 100 dollar bills where Benjamin face is not mess up and the bill look like new. You get a higher rate for 100 bills.The rate is much lower so change only what you need, the rate should be better when you look around. Do not change money at your hotel it is much lower. If you are taking a taxi go to the next level down and follow the signs to Taxi, tell the person where you need to go, they will give you a slip, to what line. Make sure the guy use the meter do not pay a flat rate! Say meter! Should be something like 400 baht to your hotel in Bangkok, if you are going directly to Pattaya, it should be 1500 Baht including all the tolls. I usually just give the guy a tip of 100 baht if he takes me to Pattaya. P-drugs keep them in original bottles and keep them with you in hang carry.
Good luck rookie enjoy. Now read the rest of the board as to where to go and how much in general you should pay!
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[QUOTE=AkashMal;1821152]I will be soon traveling to Bangkok and would like to know if there is any limit of cash in dollars we can carry at immigration?
Thanks.[/QUOTE]The IATA website ([URL]http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/TH-Thailand-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm[/URL]) has the following:
[QUOTE]Currency rules - Currency Import regulations:
Local currency: up to THB 50,000.- per person or THB 100,000.- per family holding one passport.
Foreign currencies: unlimited. [b]However, amounts of foreign currency exceeding USD 20,000.- (or equivalent) must be declared to a Customs Officer upon arrival by all travellers[/b].
Currency Export regulations:
Local currency: up to THB 50,000.- per person or THB 100,000.- per family holding one passport.
Foreign currencies: unlimited. However, amounts of foreign currency exceeding USD 20,000.- (or equivalent) must be declared to a Customs Officer upon departure by all travellers.
[/QUOTE]
The Thai Customs website ([url]http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/travellers/arriving+in+thailand/arrivinginthailand[/url]) confirms this:
[QUOTE]
Foreign Currency
Travelers bringing foreign currency more than USD 20,000 or its equivalent into or out of Thailand are required to make a report to Customs. This report is required by the Ministerial Regulation (No. 25) B.E. 2530 issued under the Authority of the Currency Exchange Control Act B.E. 2485 and relevant regulations.
The Regulation and Notification require that travelers bringing foreign currency, both a bank note and a coin, with the total aggregate value exceeding USD 20,000 or its equivalent, must report it to a Customs officer at a port/airport of entry or exit, using the given Foreign Currency Declaration Form. The travelers must complete, sign, and submit the Form to report their foreign currency where such currency are physically carried by a person arriving in or departing from Thailand, or where they form part of the persons baggage and that person and his or her baggage are being carried on board the same conveyance across the border.
A person who reports currency has to answer truthfully any questions that a border services officer asks about the information required for the report.
[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE=Wanderer9577;1821229]Since I'll be a newbie coming into Bangkok in March, question about about different bars. I don't drink alcohol. I have tried on different occasions from beer to champagne but never acquired the taste of it. Do these bars offer non-alcoholic drinks or will I just have to buy one or two that I nurse until I spot someone I might want to take back to my room for a bit?[/QUOTE]I never drink alcohol and nobody will look strange at you if you ask for a "naam soda" (sparkling water) or some other soft drink. Many times even the bargirls congratulated me for not drinking alcohol and then were happy to order a softdrink for themselves as well.
Mind you, the price of a beer or water will be the same and at "happy hour" I have noticed that beer was cheaper than water!
Of course the price for a ladydrink remains the same whether or not it has any alcohol in it. You are not paying for the drink but for the girl's time.
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[QUOTE=Wanderer9577;1821224]What about prescribed medications? Is there special paperwork I need or will the information on the bottles be enough?[/QUOTE]It is always a good idea to keep a copy of the original prescription with you when traveling internationally.
Thailand is a signatory or accessory of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 and this imposes specific rules on the import of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances even when properly prescribed by a doctor in your home country.
For Thailand a summary of the rules on legal import of these substances is found at [URL]https://www.incb.org/documents/Psychotropics/guidelines/travel-regulations/2013-travellers-update/THA_23_September_2013_table_ENG_03099.pdf[/URL].
Note that next to the "usual" narcotic drugs, the 1988 convention added such simple things as "ephedrine" to the list of controlled substances. Ephedrine, norephedrine and pseudoephedrine are commonly found in nasal decongestant sprays (in many countries available on prescription only) but are actually amphetamine analogues. Thailand has a long history of amphetamine (ab)use. "Ice" or "yaba" as it is called in Thailand is still very much around in the sex industry, with regular raids and tests in the bars and clubs. So watch out with that nasal spray for your cold!.
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[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1821360]I never drink alcohol and nobody will look strange at you if you ask for a "naam soda" (sparkling water) or some other soft drink. [/QUOTE]I have and they do look at me strange. Eventually I learned that Thai for Soda Water is not "naam soda" but rather just "soda". Otherwise they might think you want a mixture of water and Soda, or are just confused. Strange but true. "naam som" is orange juice because "som" by itself is an orange not a liquid. However Soda has no solid form its already a liquid.
I used "naam soda" incorrectly for years I guess and wondered why I got puzzled looks sometimes, although I often drink Pineapple juice, tomato juice, "naam manao" Lime drink, and Coke Light. "naam lae" means mineral water (probably they don't have it). "naam ut lom" means any sparkling fizzy drink. I am not sure now if Tonic Water is officially "naam Tonic" or just "tonic", even though I drink it occasionally.
I am not a tee-totaler, however as I am a not easy to cum person, alcohol just dulls the senses and makes it even more difficult. I drink after sex but not more than one before sex. I drink with girls if no intention of fucking anyone. I drink almost anything except not beer. Beer really stinks on some guys over doing it. Some girls dislike beer smell. Others drink beer themselves.
A can of Coke light costs me 160 Baht in Crazy House but it lasts me for a while. Girl drinks usually costs me more than my own drinks.
Its useful to buy girls at least two tequilas if they have not already been drinking "yaa dong" from out the front, and if the girl is a shy type. The girl drinks can be used as "leg openers". Some girls can be almost star fish with no alcohol but become quite passionate with just a few drinks in them. Hard to believe but I have seen the transformation myself. May-Lee was a fabulous looker. Rather poor performance the first time, just let me fuck her and that was it, but 2nd time she was quite enthusiastic and enjoyable. I put it down to the drinks loosening up her sexual desires, the 2nd time. Could not think of something else. Very young Go go girls are not naturally really wild in general. Just a few exceptions. Alcohol makes her forget I am not old and average looking. LOL.
On the other hand, never take a really drunk girl. I have had too many bad experiences with dunk girls. So never buy her too many tequilas if you want good sex. Also try to find out how much alcohol she got from other sources.
I am hopelessly addicted to sleek beautiful bare pussy, cute ass, and beautiful natural tits. So I don't mind to buy a few drinks to pay for the entertainment and running the bar. If anyone thinks the bar makes its money from barfines, think again. Selling drinks is the main business. I am very well treated at my regular bars, because I am willing to spend money. Very stingy customers who sit on a drink all night are not desired customers. This is a major cause of racial stereotyping discrimination, I assume. The bars want customers expected to most likely spend some money and behave generally well, treat the girls well, and not cause problems.
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[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1821367]It is always a good idea to keep a copy of the original prescription with you when traveling internationally.
Ephedrine, norephedrine and pseudoephedrine are commonly found in nasal decongestant sprays (in many countries available on prescription only) but are actually amphetamine analogues. Thailand has a long history of amphetamine (ab)use. "Ice" or "yaba" as it is called in Thailand is still very much around in the sex industry, with regular raids and tests in the bars and clubs. So watch out with that nasal spray for your cold!.[/QUOTE]Japan can be very strict in some products as nasal decongestant, even if freely sold in any pharmacy's counter and of innocents brands as Vicks. It all depends on the active product in it.
I noticed lot of bar girls buys, at 7-11 or Family Marts, small bottles of these decongestant to inhalate.
I doubt they all had a flu or breathing problems, so they might find some "relief" by inhalating it.
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[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1821360]I never drink alcohol and nobody will look strange at you if you ask for a "naam soda" (sparkling water) or some other soft drink. Many times even the bargirls congratulated me for not drinking alcohol and then were happy to order a softdrink for themselves as well.
Mind you, the price of a beer or water will be the same and at "happy hour" I have noticed that beer was cheaper than water!
Of course the price for a ladydrink remains the same whether or not it has any alcohol in it. You are not paying for the drink but for the girl's time.[/QUOTE]I too tend to drink water, soda or OJ as I can't drink (and not venue much keen to) too much alcohol.
Never had a problem as long as you keep the drinks flowing for you and the girls. At the end, all what they want is you spending and be it water or soda or juice their revenues are assured. Probably with more margin as nobody compares much the price of a water bottle as people does on a beer or a cocktail.
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[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1821358]The IATA website ([URL]http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/TH-Thailand-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm[/URL]) has the following:
The Thai Customs website ([url]http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/travellers/arriving+in+thailand/arrivinginthailand[/url]) confirms this:[/QUOTE]One has also to check how much he can take out of his own country.
Vietnam has quite a low foreign currency limit when entering.
Better check as they do have a specific customs X-ray machine before passport control when exiting and they can catch you up.
If it exceeds the limit and wasn't declared when entering you are bound for possible trouble.
Play cool, a bit dumb and go by the wind when the officer will ask you how to sort to sort this out.
As you know their salaries are not high and they like tea as in Thailand.
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Thanks for all of the information! Everything you mentioned have really helped to relieve the majority of the anxiety I was feeling. Yes, I am using EVA and I have been reading up on everything in the forums that I possibly can. I know I will definitely do it all again in the days right before my flight! Now to make it through these two months!
[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;1821322]V.
S.
Sounds like you might be using Eva Air through Taipei to Bangkok? Years ago I stop using any Airline that goes through Japan, the crowds and the security lines to catch connecting flight just got too much for me. So for the last eight years I've use Eva since in goes through Taipei. It lacks the crowds and the security lines for my connection. You are basically label ' Transit " you do not need to fill out a Immigration form for Taipei and go through Immigration. If you get to a point you go to a booth and they ask you for a form you have made a mistake if you can turn back. Basically do not go to ' Baggage claim since the bags have already been check all the way to Bangkok. Your baggage receipts should be place on the back of your Passport if you need them. Follow the signs to " Transfer " when you get there you will see a small counter the area should be rope off leading you through the Transfer area through security area. Like in the US, you will need to put your hand carry and stuff through the x-ray. Here I have found the security is much more lacks. You do not need to take your shoes or belt off, Take your watch, metal items coins etc. Into a hand carry compartment and place the bag on the belt. Pull your jacket on the plastic tray and send everything through. Personally I have never taken my laptop out of my hand carry or backpack, I just put the whole thing through. When you are done follow the path to the escalator and go up to the boarding area and look for your Boarding gate to Bangkok...[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE=BionicMan;1821542]I too tend to drink water, soda or OJ as I can't drink (and not venue much keen to) too much alcohol.
Never had a problem as long as you keep the drinks flowing for you and the girls. At the end, all what they want is you spending and be it water or soda or juice their revenues are assured. Probably with more margin as nobody compares much the price of a water bottle as people does on a beer or a cocktail.[/QUOTE]Thanks! I knew they had to have something other than alcohol for people to drink but wanted to confirm.
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[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1821360]I never drink alcohol and nobody will look strange at you if you ask for a "naam soda" (sparkling water) or some other soft drink. Many times even the bargirls congratulated me for not drinking alcohol and then were happy to order a softdrink for themselves as well.
Mind you, the price of a beer or water will be the same and at "happy hour" I have noticed that beer was cheaper than water!
Of course the price for a ladydrink remains the same whether or not it has any alcohol in it. You are not paying for the drink but for the girl's time.[/QUOTE]I rarely drink alcohol and sometimes get a goofy reaction to my ordering "nam pow" (some say "nam plow"), bottled water, in the bars. Eye rolling, shaking head, even got a comment about whether I was a man or a lady from the server who took my order. In that case as well as a couple of others, I immediately stood up, told the server to cancel that order and walked out with the server seeming dumbfounded and clamoring after me to please come back. I kept walking. That was Shark go-go bar in Soi Cowboy. On a night when it looked to me they needed as many paying customers as possible.
I have also cancelled and walked out of Crazy House when the server made a show of disapproval over my order of bottled water.
It happened twice in Crazy House. Once was upstairs where the fat waitress actually stood there and refused to move on my order because, "We don't serve nam pow. Men come here to drink alcohol. " No joke. And I am quite a regular customer there, buy plenty of Lady Drinks, have barfined several girls, often repeats, get calls from the girls, begging me to come see them again ASAP.
On that upstairs occasion I told the fat waiteess, "No problem, I know other bars that serve nam pow, bye-bye." I had come there to barfine a girl for the third or fourth time at her urgent request. But that waitress got to me first, I walked out, had a cute girl from a different bar on my arm within the hour. When I Lined my Crazy House lady what happened she was none too pleased and suspect had a few words about it with fatty.
Unlike what has been said here, I probably get as much pressure to buy alcohol rather than water, pineapple juice or Coke Light / Zero from the girls as I get positive comments from them about it. Maybe more. Many girls are adament about getting some beers into me. Perhaps they see it as a wallet opener as much as some customers see it as a leg opener. 555.
None of the pressure or bad reaction stops me from ordering what I damn well please or walking out the door if they don't like it.
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[QUOTE=EihTooms;1821675]I rarely drink alcohol and sometimes get a goofy reaction to my ordering "nam pow" (some say "nam plow"), bottled water, in the bars. Eye rolling, shaking head, even got a comment about whether I was a man or a lady from the server who took my order. In that case as well as a couple of others, I immediately stood up, told the server to cancel that order and walked out with the server seeming dumbfounded and clamoring after me to please come back. I kept walking. That was Shark go-go bar in Soi Cowboy. On a night when it looked to me they needed as many paying customers as possible.
I have also cancelled and walked out of Crazy House when the server made a show of disapproval over my order of bottled water.
Unlike what has been said here, I probably get as much pressure to buy alcohol rather than water, pineapple juice or Coke Light / Zero from the girls as I get positive comments from them about it. Maybe more. Many girls are adament about getting some beers into me. Perhaps they see it as a wallet opener as much as some customers see it as a leg opener. 555.
None of the pressure or bad reaction stops me from ordering what I damn well please or walking out the door if they don't like it.[/QUOTE]You are too sensitive. Staff Jibes or jokes are like water off a duck's back to me. I just totally ignore staff that irritate me. If they block my view I will ask them to move away. I hardly ever encountered a comment about drinking ladies drinks, maybe because girls don't like Soda, Tonic or Coke Light. Staff are more likely disapproving if they think you will sit on a bottle of water all night. I don't allow others to spoil my evening too easily. Buddhism would teach to not to be influenced by the idiots in the world. Just ignore them. I ignore the papasan, and certain waiting staff that are annoying in CH. Every bar will have some dickhead staff. Accept it.
I never get pushed about beers. Girls do try to get me to drink Tequilas, since they disappear far faster than any other drink, so more lucrative. Yes I agree with wallet opener part too. Does a tipsy guy remember to count his drinks? LOL.
I believe that drinking non-alcoholic is thoroughly accepted. I have no problems. I do not attend Sharks though. Last time there was very very dull. Definitely a bar that went badly downhill in my view while Baccara still going very strong indeed with massive takings per day. They must be doing something right even though I don't like Baccara in general. To be fair, most bars have gone down hill over the years, including Long Gun, Deva Vu, Doll House, Suzie Wong, most of the bars that I used to like. Even Crazy House line up average standard has dropped at times over its two years or so, as with increased business they need more girls and are forced to take some not so stunning girls. Sheba was good fun bar but it disappeared.
With most bars, the decline comes with decreasing customers, and difficulty to attract young stunners with no baby. The monthly salaries are not as attractive as they once were.
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[QUOTE=Syzygies;1821776]You are too sensitive. Staff Jibes or jokes are like water off a duck's back to me. I just totally ignore staff that irritate me. If they block my view I will ask them to move away. I hardly ever encountered a comment about drinking ladies drinks, maybe because girls don't like Soda, Tonic or Coke Light. Staff are more likely disapproving if they think you will sit on a bottle of water all night. I don't allow others to spoil my evening too easily. Buddhism would teach to not to be influenced by the idiots in the world. Just ignore them. I ignore the papasan, and certain waiting staff that are annoying in CH. Every bar will have some dickhead staff. Accept it.[/QUOTE]Interesting, but I believe my level of sensitivity, acceptance and good humor is exactly right and wouldn't change a thing about it. Why would I? My schedule of attractive and sexy young women who give me much better sex than what I read all too often from others here is so full I cannot accommodate half of them in the course of a month. And I'm betting I spend quite a bit less for it than others as well. What gave you the idea that what I posted about this spoiled the next 5 minutes of my evening, much less my night?
I think I have done pretty well in life, with the ladies in and out of the bars, with the expenditures for it, with my satisfaction and pleasure in it, with the people I do business with and have become friends with without the admonishments about how I ought to feel about it and behave from others just fine. But thanks for your concern all the same. And not that you should stop teaching us how high your standards are and all. It is still usually an entertaining read.
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[QUOTE=Syzygies;1821776]You are too sensitive. Staff Jibes or jokes are like water off a duck's back to me. I just totally ignore staff that irritate me. If they block my view I will ask them to move away. I hardly ever encountered a comment about drinking ladies drinks, maybe because girls don't like Soda, Tonic or Coke Light. Staff are more likely disapproving if they think you will sit on a bottle of water all night. I don't allow others to spoil my evening too easily. Buddhism would teach to not to be influenced by the idiots in the world. Just ignore them. I ignore the papasan, and certain waiting staff that are annoying in CH. Every bar will have some dickhead staff. Accept it.
I never get pushed about beers. Girls do try to get me to drink Tequilas, since they disappear far faster than any other drink, so more lucrative. Yes I agree with wallet opener part too. Does a tipsy guy remember to count his drinks? LOL.
I believe that drinking non-alcoholic is thoroughly accepted. I have no problems. I do not attend Sharks though. Last time there was very very dull. Definitely a bar that went badly downhill in my view while Baccara still going very strong indeed with massive takings per day. They must be doing something right even though I don't like Baccara in general. To be fair, most bars have gone down hill over the years, including Long Gun, Deva Vu, Doll House, Suzie Wong, most of the bars that I used to like. Even Crazy House line up average standard has dropped at times over its two years or so, as with increased business they need more girls and are forced to take some not so stunning girls. Sheba was good fun bar but it disappeared.
With most bars, the decline comes with decreasing customers, and difficulty to attract young stunners with no baby. The monthly salaries are not as attractive as they once were.[/QUOTE]FWIW, I usually order soda water and don't remember any staff at a go-go (or soapy) commenting negatively about it. On the other hand, if staff made a comment I considered joking around, I doubt I would remember that.
Having said this, I am not a regular at the go-go's, and suppose if I were at some point maybe someone would say something negative. But I suspect there are a fair number of us who prefer to not drink alcohol, or at least not much, at the go-go's since it can interfere, at least for some, with good sex.
