GiantFan

Unbelievable! Thailand has No unemployment problem? How about below average wages, or all the women who are forced to go to big cities to sell their bodies to support their family? (although I am no complaining about all thise sexy bodies)

How can they claim next year will be so good when tourism is on a downward slide with nothin happening her to make people want to come? They must be in cohoots with TAT to get their crazy figures. I mean! Is it called growth when the average household debt is +150000?

"or all the women forced to go to the big cities to sell their bodies to support their family"

My Lord, are there still suckers buying that story?? (How much do you send her each month to be a "good girl"?)

Being a BG is in 90% of the cases a lifestyle choice. Want the newest i-phone and motorbike, and easiest way to achieve it, is by opening their legs!! And the 1000 baht the fat farang pays, beats the 50 baht Somchai used to pay in the village!!

+1

Flew from HKT to China with a layover in HKG. It was an overnight layover, which is why the fare was cheap. No problems, since I have friends that bunked me up for the night. One checked in bag, which was checked through.

When I arrived in China, my bag was the first one off the line! When I got home and opened it, nothing was taken, but some things that were placed in the zippered compartment were not there. They were in the general area of the bag. I had some med's in the zippered area, so maybe they were looking for drugs. I know that zippers aren't secure and I have seen a vid on how it can be easily opened, but it also has a lock that secures the zipper "bits", so I don't know how they could have re-zipped it.

Strange.

To follow up on my OP, I went with Hertz. It started badly as the piece of paper with my reservation number on it didn't jive with their numbering system. After asking me several times to give me a reservation number that fit into their system, I told them to call Hertz. These guys are a franchisee, so not sure why the reservation didn't get forwarded to them. Well, eventually they found the number and all was well. Had to give them my drivers license, PP copy, and CC.

Honda Jazz with hardly a scratch on it. 50K km's but it seemed like new. Drop off was easier than Avis. Just rang them 10 minutes before getting to HKT and they were waiting at Arrivals. A quick once over, sign, and off. It worked out to a little over THB 1,000 / day w/o the extra insurance.

It's not the first time I've rented in Thailand, but for the uninitiated, it is a bit daunting when they ask for your CC and charge you THB 30K for a deposit. Some hotels do this as a guarantee, but they don't ask you to sign on the dotted line on the CC receipt. When I dropped off the car, the lady said my deposit would be returned in 3 days! I called my CC company and they said that the 30K was run through when I picked up the car, just to see if it was available, but no money was taken out of my account.

yes..... expensive as i just found out quoted 4000baht for 6 pages .... does that sound ridiculous ?

Paid 500 per page several years ago. It was worth it! They stamped it

as well, versus a friend who can do it for less. Not a strict guarantee,

but looks more official.

Middlemen making all the money.

Having walked all the way along Nanai Rd today I didn't notice any music or speakers. Are you up on the extended 'Nanai' Rd up past Montes? If so that is not Nanai Rd and there appears to be an important shrine there, along with a better paved road.

Phisitkoranee Rd.

What a nonsense, instead they should cut it down to less 10 provinces.......

Many provinces were necessary when the fastest most expensive transport was horse and it need days for information to travel across Thailand so every small area need an own government that reaches only as far as you can communicate fast.

Since we have cars, telephone and internet that isn't necessary anymore.

Agree. Malaysia has 10 states and 3 federal districts. But 1/2 the population.

Flying in noonish next week and need a car for 5 days. My car is now sitting in Ubon at a friends house. Over the years have had many friends use the airport rental companies outside the airport and usually they are OK. But even after a lot of rentals, all have been duped for "scratches" by the agencies. They know you are in a hurry to leave and don't want to stick around to complain. A couple of thousand and you are on your way.

When I was in a few months back, I used Avis purely for the convenience. Car was in pretty poor shape, but it ran. Battery died and they came to Patong about 5 hours later and switched it out. Still waiting for a rebate (not holding my breath).

Any suggestions? I see that Budget is in Patong, but I need to pick up at the airport. Besides Avis, any other companies at HKT?

Anybody been to La Boucherie Chalong? The old horrible Chinese Restaurant? I've seen the menu, looks pricey but if its good, might be worth a try.

Been there twice don't waste your time or money.

If you are going to dismiss a place in that way you should give your reasons.

They advertise that their beef and lamb are imported, so it's going to cost more than your average noodle bar. If cost is your main complaint it would say more about you than the restaurant.

If they don't know how to cook or prepare their food or if the service is bad please elaborate, I'm planning a visit there soon.

...................

There are some fair reviews already about this place on here and its below average food and poor cooking no issue with price or compare to noodle stall either.

Been many times to the "original" restaurant at Phawadee Village and enjoyed eating my Chateaubriand for 1. Nice al fresco dining and it was only on special occasions. Meal with wine +/- THB 1000.

Went to the new restaurant on Soi San sabai (original had a fire) and it just wasn't the same. Inside with air-con, but no outdoor seating. Chateaubriand was sold out unfortunately.

Welcome!

One of these days, I'm going to create another ThaiVisa user ID just for reading (not for posting- that would be cowardly).

With that ID, I'm going to put about 3 dozen names on my ignore list, and get all the good info and still cut my reading time by 75-90% (and my blood pressure by a few points).

The message behind that rambling: There's some good and some not so good here. Best of luck wading through.

Don't be impulsive.

It will be a sad day for me if PW closes down. Where will I get my phuket news?

Other outlets poor and slow.

I use Dragonair. Better timing. T1 check in, better than T2.

You also get a check in bag and a meal. But price is higher.

Take the Airport Express train to Kowloon. HK$90. They offer a free shuttle

bus to major hotels, but taxi to Nathan Rd won't be so expensive.

With KA, you can also use City Check In at the station and do your check in

and bag drop off well in advance of your departure. Convenient if you need

to check out of your hotel and want to do something else before your flight.

The new Mercure in Patong has a craft beer bar!

Back in a few weeks. This is opp the Merlin? Will give it a try.

What's the THB 100 + THB 50 in airport additional charges all about? And who actually gets it?

In Singapore, it's only S$3 (THB 80) and those drivers sit around for hours sometimes before they get a fare. They get all the money as well.

A friend called today and said some guys came around her pub last night and wanted 8 grand.

I know a license is required, but didn't know it was this high. Small place, so it hurts her.

Is this amount correct?

Anybody that's been around a while will recall the Bypass project was delayed and then re-jigged

To "just get it done". Was bound to happen eventually.

It's like an onion. Peeling off the layers. Keesin was Mayor, but considered low class by the richer clans.

Let him take the publicity, we'll earn the money. Wait a while.

Slightly off topic, but any pub owners in Patong still being hit up for contributions from

the BIB?

I did it last year and was concerned as well. I think it was about 10 days. Ask them.

Pusco still open? I know Peter was selling a few years back.

My Russian pal's wife absolutely is the best perogi maker on the island.

My Bobcia's were better! 555

Budget has a counter in the Merlin hotel in Patong. Looks like about 1,000 baht per day.

In China, nearly everybody takes the high speed train if they can. From Beijing to Shanghai in 5 hours. You can arrive 10 minutes before your departure. Always leaves on time. Around THB 2,800 one way economy. Seats are roomy. About the same distance as BKK to SIN. Travels at around 300 km/hr.

If you go by plane, it is a bit more expensive, say THB 200 more. We all know that economy seats on a plane are terrible. Flight time is 2 1/2 hrs. But you need to arrive well in advance and hope you are not delayed. The airport is way the hell out in the middle of nowhere vs. the train station is a short (cheap) metro ride away.

I take it all the time for the stress free travel and I can easily do work during the trip. The internet sometimes drops out, but bearable.

The 150 km/hr version will be OK for cargo, but won't replace flying.

old news, been there for 1-2 weeks already...

Even if old news, it's new to me.

A bit daft. Each lease is for approx 100m. So you will have 20 - 30 people in the Association.

It's more to keep "unwanteds" out. La Cosa Nostra (Our Thing).

It isn't (or wasn't cheap) either. A friend who's GF had a patch (financed by a German with blinders)

Said he paid 65k per month with advanced payment.

Follow the money. A couple million per month in who's pocket? This could pay for a gaggle of guards

and cleaners. TIT I'm afraid. Maybe TINT can be the new moniker. You heard it here first boys and girls.