cobra

I've never been to the States but what seems really incredible to me is the price of cars over there. According to Chevrolet's website, a Camaro sports car retails for $24,000 - what's the catch? Is there huge sales tax or expensive servicing? That buys you a Honda City in Thailand lol.

It's the business model, you must buy thru a "Dealership',

They'll mark-up ~10 - 30%, and charge whatever the market will bare if the particular model is in demand and limited availability.

If you could order directly from the factory without middlemen prices would be very reasonable.

... by the fact that their economy has to rely on tourist and expat money so much, ...

The Ops above assertion is patently incorrect,

Those of you harping on about the quality (lack thereof) of Starbucks coffee in Bangkok don't seem to get their business concept in Thailand.

First, just take a look around. Very, very few Thais drink coffee. The vast majority of customers in Thailand (or Singapore, for example) are drinking Frappuccino or other sugary, cold drinks. 99% of the students drink these, and they are more expensive even than the coffee.

Second, no one goes to Starbucks for their amazing coffee (or really even the sugary cold drinks). Unlike in the US or Japan, for example, you almost never see takeaway orders in Thailand. People are renting a comfortable place to sit and study, rest, work, or have a chat with friends. Why else would they provide huge numbers of power outlets? You don't need to plug in your laptop for a 10 minute stay, and this is not what Starbucks is marketing.

I am at Starbucks (one of the various Siam outlets) at least three times a week simple because it provides the most comfortable place to hang out while doing a bit of work...really no other reason. Many, many others are like me, and virtually every one of the numerous Starbucks in the vicinity is packed much of the time. Even with low turnover of seating, they make plenty of money and create tremendous brand loyalty. And not being fully of smelly backpackers complaining about the cost is an added bonus.

Bottom line, the company is not run by idiots. They know what they are selling (rented space), and the quality of their coffee is way down on the priority list...plus, they will happily make a new one if they get it wrong, which they very often do (I frequently make them fix their watery, overly wet cappuccinos -- but the same happens outside Thailand as well).

Agree,

SB isn't about selling coffee, it's selling a coffee drinking environment.

Clean, inviting, with air con and wi-fi that is not free, this along with a higher price point keeps the riff raff out.

And with uniformity across platforms (stand-alones, airports, etc) similarity in product isn't going to vary much between them.

I'm coming to the party late, you know how I love a Cheap Charlie thread,

But more importantly, wasn't aware of the popularity of 7/11s,
Essentially I thought they were just a quick drop-in for condoms and gum,

You mean people go there to actually shop ??

I wish they dropped the "Elite" thing out of it and just sold it for what it is, a long-term visa. It just sounds too snobby.

Agree,

It does have an unnecessary negative connotation, so would the tentative rename Privileged IMHO.

Something such as Express Access or to that effect would be more appropriate.

As previous poster noted, it's about controlling content.

iTunes assumes it will be the default media player, it wants to track and sell content.

There are of course simply work-arounds, install VLC or other to play media content and have file preferences default to that program, etc.

You'll still need iTunes to back-up and sync your other Apple devices (iPhone, iPod, Pads, ...),  unless you elect to back-up and sync to the cloud which could be very slow depending on your bandwidth.

... As for identifying the difference: apart from the fact that I, for one, would be looking to open the distance, not close it ... tarantulas are around four to five times bigger than black widows.

Agree,

When I encounter any spider my first instinct is not to attempt to identify it,

I prefer to let it go on it's way,

I assume the spider would prefer this also,

Most Westerners live a life that is far too sterile for their own good.

To build up resistance, one must have exposure.

And always remember. The date on packaging says " Best before " it does not say " Bad after "

Exactly,

There's some truth to the old adage,

what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger,

lets cut of his leg, just to be sure... both bites would normally not be deadly in the first place

Agree,

Untreated infection acerbated his condition due to delaying proper medical treatment,

very unfortunate.

... if it's worth 100,000 baht to not have to do the 90-day reports and a potential renewal trip to CW then it would be the way to go.

You still have 90 day reporting as per any visa, but at least in Bkk, an Elite program agent can do it for you.

World population year 1800 was 1 billion, year 1500 approx 500 million, year AD 0 maybe 100 million.

So who's incarnated into what in to days world with 7 billion humans???

Agree,

the math doesn't work out.

At the end of the day, when Immigration is presented with something that implies or says PE, "Privileged Entry Visa", as per the Elite Access card, I can't help but feel that has to carry some cache and added respect towards the holder in regards to any interaction with Immigration officials.

It's not hard to imagine how this could emolliate some unexpected extraneous issue(s) during an entry,

maybe not enough pages left in passport, something on your person that may be prohibited, anything, etc,

this could be a nice ace in the hold, maybe garnering extra latitude by an official.

This program remains a great option and IMHO worth every cent.

They're very superstitious in all things, this would not be surprising.

Power of suggestion probably comes into play also.

...I can also see why someone over 50 might also consider having the card to avoid 5 years of going through the tedium of the retirement visa process.

Agree,

The annual paper chase of a retirement visa is tedious,

If you have the resources why go thru it,

Other than the 90 day reporting which applies to any visa, Eliite Access is as good as it can get IMHO.

What paper chase? If one is retired and can afford 500k baht every 5 years, one presumably could also afford to put 800k baht in a Thai bank account right? Then there is little to no "paper chase" annually; only a stop at the bank on the morning one goes to renew to get the bank letter and update the bank book. I've got a secret for you, most, most people with allot of "resources" didn't get that way by throwing money down the toilet for unnecessary extravagances. The 4000-5000 baht in interest i got last year in my savings account also would pay for a couple airport taxi runs or fast track immigration meet and greets the priviledge card people throw in for "free" as well.

You still have to resubmit all related paper work every year,

that remain tedious.

One man's "unnecessary extravagance" is another man's practical utility,

Wow, 4000-5000 baht interest on your savings account paid for a couple of taxis, Warren Buffett would be impressed.

Yes, it's obvious you are person of great resource, please continue with more tips on how not to throw money down the toilet.

I always go for high impact colors on any vehicle,

for no other reasons than they're easier to spot in a parking lot and possible more visible on the road for safety,

wouldn't apply in Thailand, lol

OP what nationality are you?

American. Italian/Irish with some Jewish blood from mom's side.

That's where the money thing comes in.

Are you related to Jingthing?

Post of the day,

...I can also see why someone over 50 might also consider having the card to avoid 5 years of going through the tedium of the retirement visa process.

Agree,

The annual paper chase of a retirement visa is tedious,

If you have the resources why go thru it,

Other than the 90 day reporting which applies to any visa, Eliite Access is as good as it can get IMHO.

they used ford and g m cars in the mad max films also if look will see in the film a defunked starbucks joint on the desert highway

one and only patron crying in the dust

That just shows you the brand loyalty SB has garnered,

SB knows anybody can sell coffee, it's the coffee drinking environment they're selling.

You can sit by yourself alone in your kitchen and drink a decent cup of coffee for peanuts,

or you can get out and have a cup in an air conditioned, tasteful environment, clean and inviting,

with price-point set just high enough to keep the wastrels and waywards out,

Maybe read some current newspapers, or possibly have a conversation with someone of intelligence,

indulge in a decadent pastry or other quality snack.

and yes, location, location, location.

the most extortionate of coffee outlets ,i never use them as theres cheaper outlets

Cheap is as cheap does,

Not everyone bases everything on price-point.

... claimed the Chinese tourists misunderstood his intention. ...

Well of course, just another Lost In Translation faux pas, your free to go, Next

Great video. You people are getting pretty precise in where the plane can go. I noticed just coming real close to a tree.

Interesting lay out I bet the story behind it would be an interesting one also.

Great Job

Very impressive indeed,

Many are using small RC helicopters with attached GoPros ,

Beach and resort destinations with upgraded airports, able to handle wide-bodies and also being international entry points, has diminished BKK as a gateway.

Many completely by-pass it all together, directly going to Samui, Phuket, etc.

But Bkk still has it charms, hell, they even write songs about ... One Night in Bangkok ...

Other destinations can't boost that accolade,