General Reports

[HorseTrader]

My itinerary was:
Bangkok Two nights at Nana Hotel.
Pattaya Seven nights at Penthouse Hotel.
....
Would I ever return to Thailand? Nah, it was my second trip within 1-year across the pond my old ass is completely worn out! Overall, I had a great time! Would I recommend it to other mongers? Absolutely!

Such a short trip, I wouldn't repeat that either. It takes my old ass about 3 days to fully recover from the flights. I cannot imagine making the trip for less than about 3 weeks, longer is better. Glad you had a great time.

[SubCmdr]

I thought both cities were quite safe and I never felt threaten in any manner.

One of the reasons I prefer Thailand over LATAM. I can walk around anytime of the day or night without fear. Of course I don't wear a 2 Baht gold chain nor do I go looking for fuckery at 0400. If you are doing that, bad things may happen to you.

[TomJackin]

Welcome to Thailand!

Why Thailand again?

I returned to Thailand after a 10-year hiatus because I really missed the country, as well as playing Connect Four! Plus, I love the phrase, "Up to you."

History:

The US Navy introduced me to Thailand in 1978. That was when I started my long mongering career. Being on ships, it seemed we stopped in Thailand numerous times during my 10 deployments and I went there a few times while I was stationed in Japan. After I retired from the military, I returned to Thailand on a semi-regular basis.

I am not sure why it took me so much time to return, maybe it was because I was exploring Latin America and did not like the long flights to SEA. My last trip in SEA was in 2024 in the Philippines and that was after a 30-year hiatus. But for whatever reason this year, I felt nostalgic and had to return to Thailand.

My itinerary was:

Bangkok Two nights at Nana Hotel.

Pattaya Seven nights at Penthouse Hotel.

Logistics & Other Stuff:

References:

I used two references: ISG members and Google search. Thank you ISG members!

Travel Insurance:

The SquareMouth web-site gave me over 50 quotes from over 50 different companies. I chose International Medical Group (IMG). It was for 10-days and cost $260.00.

Money:

All the money I quote is in Thai Baht. During my stay, the exchange rate was around 32.00 to 1. I exchanged some US dollars in the airport and exchanged cash as needed thereafter.

Flight:

I flew round-trip with EVA Airlines. The service was excellent. The flight went from LAX to Taipei to Bangkok.

Immigration and Customs:

According to the Thailand immigration requirements: "Starting May 1, 2025, a new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) must also be completed online before arrival. Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): Mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Thailand completed online within 72 hours of arrival. ".

Web-site: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/ home.

The card was for arrival purposes only; nothing was needed to exit. I filled out the information on-line and received the document shortly thereafter via my e-mail.

When I went through immigration, I was never asked to show the TDAC document.

Communication:

I have the T-Mobile Go5 GPlus55 plan; no worries whatsoever.

Electrical voltage: 220.

Transportation:

While in Bangkok, everywhere I went was within walking distance. In Pattaya, I used the motorbike taxis and Grab. It turned out, Grab was cheaper than the motorbikes. Maybe it was because I was paying the motorbikes 100 baht.

From Bangkok to Pattaya I used Mr. T. taxi service, the cost was 1400. Returning, I used Mr. T. from Pattaya to the airport and the cost was 1200.

Trip reports:

I plan to write a separate trip report for both cities. I had my trusty note pad and I am still trying to figure out my shorthand writing so I can post the correct information.

Overall thoughts on Thailand:

I was not sure what to expect after a 10-year hiatus. Yes, like all the other countries I visited, pinche covid did its toll; especially with pricing. The only thing that was similar were the girls; still playful as ever. I thought both cities were quite safe and I never felt threaten in any manner.

Would I ever return to Thailand? Nah, it was my second trip within 1-year across the pond my old ass is completely worn out! Overall, I had a great time! Would I recommend it to other mongers? Absolutely!

Como siempre, Solo mis dos pinche pesos, por supuesto!

[Explorer8939]

A moment of silence to all who lost their lives in Thailand during the brutal fighting and occupation that occurred during World War II.

The cost of freedom to preserve Paradice was and still is expensive!

Remember that Thailand was on the wrong side during WWII.

[SubCmdr]

A moment of silence to all who lost their lives in Thailand during the brutal fighting and occupation that occurred during World War II.

The cost of freedom to preserve Paradice was and still is expensive!

[Mr Enternational]

We already knew that it was no longer possible to open an account at Bangkok Bank without a long-term visa.

Have any of you heard about or experienced these new rules ? Do other banks apply these same rules ? Is it possible to open an account without any problems or these restrictions at other banks ?

This is a Bangkok Bank thing. Other banks don't even know what is going on.

[Pimpampoumpipo]

We already knew that it was no longer possible to open an account at Bangkok Bank without a long-term visa. It seems the rules are getting stricter, and the bank is even closing some accounts, particularly those opened by Chinese or Russian nationals, but they could extend to other nationalities.

Have any of you heard about or experienced these new rules ? Do other banks apply these same rules ? Is it possible to open an account without any problems or these restrictions at other banks ?

https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning...gners-accounts

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-ne...ts-up-in-arms/

[SubCmdr]

Again if you think the USA is a shit hole why are you dealing in US $?

USD is the world reserve currency. I am a International Trick! Even pussy is paid for internationally with USD and here in Thailand by converting them to Thai Baht. USA got problems brother! We can get into them over in the American Politics thread if you would like.

You actually live in Thailand and you don't understand Thai Gold.

Not real Jewelry as gold jewelry is bought as "art" and sold back as a commodity".

Sounds like you are talking about gold where ever you are happen to be at. Thai Gold is a very different. The premium on Thai Gold is very low. Throughout the world it on average 5%. Thai Gold has a premium on average of 1%. The price you pay for workmanship for Thai Gold is very low.

You don't know this because you have blinders on because of your investment preferences. Have you even been in a Thai Gold shop to see if you assertions about it is true?

The only reason I don't actually wear extensive gold jewelry any more is because it has appreciated so much that a 2 Baht gold chain is a tempting target and it is my personal philosophy to protect my neck!

I invested in gold stocks that trade covered calls. This strategy allows my gold holdings to not only fluctuate in value alongside the price of gold but also generate a steady income stream.

The problem I have with your personal investment strategy is that Gold Stocks have not kept up in appreciation with the actual metal. Gold Mining is expensive, difficult and capital intensive. Yes, I know. I own gold stocks. I look for capital appreciation. I personally don't need income. My dividend paying stocks are for my heirs. Only so much money is needed to pay for prostitutes and I actually live a rather modest lifestyle other than ballin Like a mother fuckin pro on occasion.

Unlike physical gold, which incurs storage costs and lacks income potential, gold stocks provide multiple financial advantages.

Gold has been used as hedge on inflation and bad government monetary policies for 5000 years. The payback I receive is capital appreciation that is not taxed until I realize the gains.

Didn't you write this:

And you'll loose your shirt trying to trade gold in Thailand. The US primarily 10 and 18 karat gold. Most gold shops in Thailand are selling 23 karat gold 1. This is equivalent to 96.5% pure gold, which is considered very high by international standards. They will fuck you coming and going with exchange rates, karat differences and grams to ounces conversions. Good luck with that plan.

Thai Gold: 52750/baht.

I sold some gold for the first time ever. It is a easy process. I took my gold to my favorite gold store. They examined it. They weighed it. They calculated the amount I should be paid and they paid me in cash.

How did that trade go?

Lets do some trader math.

I bought at 32700/ baht.

I sold at 52650/ baht.

52650 - 32700 = 19,950/ baht increase.

That is a 61.01% increase!

No applause or apologies necessary. I will provide assistance to anyone who needs help finding face. ROTFLMAO.

Holding a million dollars in gold earns nothing it only gains value if the price increases and may even require additional storage expenses. Conversely, gold stocks appreciate with gold prices without custodial fees, while also offering quarterly cash returns through dividends and covered call premiums.

I don't hold millions of dollars of anything except land. Land like Gold does not offer any income. Unless you do what I do and put a business on it that generates cash flow for the time period that hold it for appreciation.

Storage fees for gold are easily covered through capital appreciation. Capital appreciation is not taxed until realized. Dividends and covered call premiums are taxed in the year they are received. The price of Gold stocks have NOT kept up with the price appreciation of the metal.

I have face I picked some up at the market on Soi Buakhao and I'm willing to give it to you because appears that you need it and that is the type of person I am.

ROTFLMAO!

A reclusive Chinese billionaire whose prescient gold trades turned into an eye-catching windfall has now become the countrys biggest copper bull, amassing a bet worth nearly $1 billion in a market jolted by escalating competition between the US and China.
Bian Ximing, who made an early fortune in plastic tubes before seeking a quiet life in Gibraltar, has made waves over the last two years with his investment in Chinese gold futures, betting on what he argued would be a global effort to reduce reliance on the dollar and counter inflation worries. His fund came in just as bullion was beginning a record-breaking ascent and made roughly $1.5 billion in profit in the process, according to*Bloomberg*calculations.

https://www.mining.com/web/chinese-t...bet-on-copper/

Your thoughts?

I believe in investing in the physical metal. For income, I trade Gold (and other futures contracts).

Your serve Mr. TConor!

[TConor]

TConor, have you ever used Gold as currency when making financial transactions other than to buy and sell Thai Gold like I do?

Not real Jewelry – as gold jewelry is bought as "art" and sold back as a commodity". I invested in gold stocks that trade covered calls. This strategy allows my gold holdings to not only fluctuate in value alongside the price of gold but also generate a steady income stream. Unlike physical gold, which incurs storage costs and lacks income potential, gold stocks provide multiple financial advantages. Holding a million dollars in gold earns nothing—it only gains value if the price increases and may even require additional storage expenses. Conversely, gold stocks appreciate with gold prices without custodial fees, while also offering quarterly cash returns through dividends and covered call premiums.

[UglyAzzMan]

[Deleted by Admin]

EDITOR'S NOTE: This report was deleted because the content of the report was pointless, unproductive drama. Please read the Forum FAQ and the Forum's Posting Guidelines for more information. Thank You!

[SubCmdr]

TConor, have you ever used Gold as currency when making financial transactions other than to buy and sell Thai Gold like I do?

Have you ever had a bill for say 98 baht and gave the teller 100 and 3 one baht coins to get rid of the in exchange for you 5 baht change? The tellers don't know waht the hell you are thinking. They can't make change, can't calculate in their heads. Do you really think the balance their bank accounts when using all these QR codes?

Historically which country has had a better economy? Better respected currency? Thailand or Japan? Try this on:

In Japan, cash remains a significant part of daily transactions, despite the rise of cashless payments. As of 2024, approximately 20% of all transactions were still conducted in cash. While digital payments have gained popularity, many small businesses, traditional markets, and rural areas still prefer cash transactions.

Japan has historically been known for its preference for physical currency.

[Mr Enternational]

I don't know how to do a QR scan from my phone if the QR code is on a photo in my phone. I always have to scan a QR code off the lady's phone.

Or use a photo of her bank account information to enter manually.

When you go to scan something there is a place to click at the bottom right where you can choose pictures from your phone. You click that, then choose the picture you want to scan.

[Explorer8939]

When I order from Lazada or make any other online payment (hotels and other things), the vendor has a provision to save the QR payment code. It is stored in a picture format. When I goto my Bank App. Scan-to-pay offers the Gallery Function. It pulls up the photo of the QR Payment code and reads it for me.

Like Office Depot says:

That was easy!

Yep.

My bank app has a gallery function. Thanks.

[Werqweq]

I am not afraid of any of that. Who can tell the difference of a transaction to a hooker with the lady I bought a dive computer from off facebook marketplace? We are obscure mongers paying obscure hookers. Nobody is combing through bank records to see who gave 1500 baht to an Esan freelancer working out of iBar.

Nobody is combing through Noi from Isaan's account to see who gave her 1500, probably. But the reverse? Someday somebody may be combing through who the future president candidate transferred 1500 to while in Thailand. At that time they may see Noi from Isaan's account receiving 1500. Not only from the future president, but also from Mr. E. (only 1200), Werqweq, and a host of other unsavory characters. Future president may need to cancel his candidature after reading the Post's interview with Noi in the morning paper.

I don't worry, as I'm not a person so interesting anyone will have any reason to expend that effort, and hopefully never will be, but the man has a point. What is difficult today will be easy tomorrow, and as usual, convenience triumphs privacy for most of us.

[SubCmdr]

I don't know how to do a QR scan from my phone if the QR code is on a photo in my phone. I always have to scan a QR code off the lady's phone. Or use a photo of her bank account information to enter manually.

When I order from Lazada or make any other online payment (hotels and other things), the vendor has a provision to save the QR payment code. It is stored in a picture format. When I goto my Bank App. Scan-to-pay offers the Gallery Function. It pulls up the photo of the QR Payment code and reads it for me.

Like Office Depot says:

That was easy!

You weren't there 25 years ago. You just got there and know nothing. Would somebody please post the baht bus route for Beach and Second Road? This dumbfuck doesn't understand it. He had to buy a motorbike to pick up his Beach Road and Soi 6 uglies and get around town. He can't figure out the circular bus routes.

Now can someone explain why I know this and Exporer8939 who has been going to Thailand for a much longer period of time than I have does not?