tjhorner

Agree here.... I always ask, sometimes its a bit frustrating especially after you get 4 or 5 no's. But I understand for the most part the refusals. I live in Bang Kapi on Ramkhamhaeng and its always a pain getting back home from Suk on a weekend evening; usually just tell them 150thb and they are good with it (normal fare is about 100thb anyway.

Cannot agree with this.

I often go from Suk to Ramkahmhaeng. But there is no way I would ever offer them a fixed fare higher than what the meter should be.

Use the meter or find another cab. Agreeing to an inflated fixed fare and not using the meter is just encouraging bad habits and adding to potential problems for the next customer.

Actually suggesting an inflated fare is just ridiculous.

Sorry that you disagree, and I really don't care whether my actions encourage bad behavior, but just last night at Suk Soi 7 at 1030pm went thru 6 taxis before I offered the set fare. When I used to lived on Sathorn and the GF lived on Lad Prao soi 35, you could hail a dozen taxis that would refuse...

Ask. Why would you want to sit in a car for an hour with a guy who has to return his car, doesn't want to go that way or simply doesn't like you. Not worth it. It's only really around sukhumvit or if you ask a ridiculous cross town or through rush hour destination they won't want to go.

Agree here.... I always ask, sometimes its a bit frustrating especially after you get 4 or 5 no's. But I understand for the most part the refusals. I live in Bang Kapi on Ramkhamhaeng and its always a pain getting back home from Suk on a weekend evening; usually just tell them 150thb and they are good with it (normal fare is about 100thb anyway.

I remember a few months back someone posted that when its raining and the driver refuses the fare, they leave the door open. LOL

Do you need a copy of bank statement and onward flight ticket?

Back in June, I had brought both of these but they didn't want them.

Here is a link to a trip I did this past summer, similar to what you are planning. I chose to do the train on return just in case I got delayed on my arrival and couldn't make it to the consulate in time, so as not to have to waste a return air ticket. Good luck and report back how your trip went.

Neither Chase nor US Bank would transfer money out of the US (for me) without me actually going into a branch.

I bank with Chase and do wire transfers regularly, online. never a problem, and never visit the branch.

They both are about 1500++ per person. Pricey, yes I know but its a special occasion. My gf like most other thai girls I have met can put down some seafood, so I wanna stick with the buffet.

Taking the GF out for her birthday tonight. She is wanting seafood. I have it narrowed down to the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit vs. Westin Grande Sukhumvit Both have seafood buffets with lobster and crab legs...... Any recommendations on which is better??? THANKS

Hope suvarnahumi not closing...

Why would it close, much worst last year and didn't skip a beat.

Don Mueng on the other hand.....

My bill is about 225 thb for 2 months..... So, a little over a 100 thb a month. That is for 2 people. Wash 2-3 loads of laundry a week, and we both shower 2x day.

Edit - Can't believe I forgot! A decent cup of tea!

I never been much a hot tea drinker...... but can you not find a decent tea here???

I being a Southern Yank (is that even possible??? ) really enjoy iced sweet tea, but I haven't found or possible just can't make it like they do in the South I thought Lipton tea bags would do the trick, but just didn't seem the same.

I don't that would come close to any British standard on the scale of decent tea.

The poster probably meant something like this:

I didn't think it was of a high English tea standard.... but was hoping for something decent on the sugary iced tea concoction that I was used to hahahaha

I'm from southern California:

English

In-N-Out

Buffalo hot wings

BJ's Pizza. I like it better than all the pizza I've had in New York, Italy, etc...

405 traffic at 5pm on a Friday (beats this traffic)

Better-paying job... I feel like I'm going backwards with an MBA and 8+ years Telecommunications experience.

2 minute traffic lights

American girls at the beach

Full-nude, no beer strip club just kidding.

BBQ at home/park/games

NFL soon enough...

Family.

BJ's.... I tried them for the first time in Seattle about a year ago on a biz trip.... I ate there 5/7 nights I was there. There menu is the size of a Websters Dictionary Good Food and Good Beer selection. Didn't try there pizza, but isn't a Chicago style pizza? Deep dish?

Waiting for Carl's Jr to open on Sukhumvit 24 so I can get the $6 burger for 600 baht, not including small fries and a drink.

Me too!!!! I saw they got one open in Central Pattaya......

Edit - Can't believe I forgot! A decent cup of tea!

I never been much a hot tea drinker...... but can you not find a decent tea here???

I being a Southern Yank (is that even possible??? ) really enjoy iced sweet tea, but I haven't found or possible just can't make it like they do in the South I thought Lipton tea bags would do the trick, but just didn't seem the same.

Mexican food, a reuben sandwich, a decent beer.

All the above are impossible to find here.

I miss Wendy's, Taco Bell, and the Honey BBQ Chicken sandwich and strawberry "Lil' bucket parfait" at KFC.

Not that I really consider Taco Bell to be mexican..... I sure could go for a 6 pack of taco supremes with hot sauce!!!!!

Mexican food, a reuben sandwich, a decent beer.

All the above are impossible to find here.

Mexican food is fairly easy to make..... My gf didn't Coyote or Sunrise mexican food, I don't really care too much for either.... I just make it home, Villas got bout the ingredients. For me beer is beer.... all taste the same after 3

Alright, haven't been back to the states for almost 6 months now, headed back tomorrow for a few weeks.

My first stop is Chick-Fil-A for a chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and a large sweet tea..... What you guys in the mood for, or what do you miss most from home???

I live in BKK, in Bang Kapi, while its not near the BTS or MRT, it is near the Airport Link and the Saen Saab canal and the riverboats are cheap and fast if need to get to the more central part of the city. There are numerous language schools about. I have a one bedroom condo, 17th floor, 40 sqm, proper kitchen (minus an oven), washing machine; the condo has a pool, fitness, 24hr minimart, several dryclean and laundry facilities, coffee shop, couple small restaurants, barber shop in the complex. My rent with cable, wifi, electric and water is under 16k month. Rent is 12k, cable and wifi is 1800, water about 100, and in the past 6 months electric has never been over 1100.... Don't run the a/c much as we get a great breeze thru the place but run fans pretty all day when we are here. If you wanted to be near the BTS you might want to look at On Nut or Bang Na areas, cheap rents and nice places to be had. Couple years ago, I lived in Sathorn and paid 35K month for a condo that was smaller and not as nice but location, location, location.

With your budget of 40K, I think you will have no problems. My GF and I spend 2000thb every weeks at the grocery, and probably another 2000-3000 thb per month eating out. I find that generally most things here are cheaper...... as others had said, if you want to eat swiss cheese, USDA beef, and Fruity Pebbles everyday then you will blow your budget, but if you or the GF can cook and don't mind eating street food and limiting your dining experiences at western restaurants then you will be fine. (I finally found Fruity Pebbles at Villa on Ramkhamhaeng.... Family Size box = 299thb, told the GF "hands off")

I say give it a go!!!! Continue to do your research. And talk with your GF and let her know of your budget so you don't have any surprises later on......GOOD LUCK!!!!

I have had the True Gold Package now for a little over six months and I enjoy it. Have had free Platinum for the past month for the Euro soccer screw up.... I am thinking about upgrading My True magazine TV guide always arrives on the last day of the month.... Don't know how they plan that

Great Job. Very enjoyable....keep them coming

Great top 10 list of how to become a BKK local.....

http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/life/how-be-bangkok-local-10-tips-faking-it-880230

Totally agree with #8 and #1!!!!

I'd try to change them if you can. Most money traders / exchangers prefer the bills to be as pristine as possible.

I would have refused them and gone else where, it's funny how in Thailand they sometimes refuse bank notes for having something wrote on it or the slightest tear/nick and you have no chance with some of them. And don't get me going on about how many times they count and check them....

Or if they are a certain year; tried to change a 1000usd, but gave me 6 back, wouldn't take 2006??? So, I just went next door to the next bank....no problemo

Cheapest hotels are here, in Bangkok

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok offers the least expensive four-star accommodation of world cities rated by the TripAdvisor Tripindex, at less than one-quarter the cost of those in London on average.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/562396-bangkok-offers-the-least-expensive-four-star-accommodation-of-world-cities-survey/

So your saying Thais have their address tattoo on their forehead to let shop staff know who to over charge ?

I could see this happening, charging higher, not the forehead tattoo..... different accent/dialect maybe???