patongphil

"Sharing a 70 baht soup between 3 people are some of the instances."

It's quite the opposite of what an expensive restaurant owner told me. Quite often they order pretty much everything on the menu, 2 starters + 2 main course per person on average, plus many cocktails and bottles of vodka.

Its just one instance. I wasn't tarring all with the same brush.

It wasn't meant to be a thread about bad experiences with Russians, it was about understanding them a little better.

I used to run a boat out of Chalong and had nothing but good experiences with the Russians. Just have to learn to say "Joot Joot", or something like that, when they start pouring the drinks.

Funnily enough also found most of them drank Bacardi in preference to vodka.

Looking to do this trip in late January.

Anyone with any hints, tips, roads to avoid, places of interest on the way etc etc.

NB I will have my wife and 22 month old daughter with.

I know a number of guys who work in Thailand in the O&G industry on a rotational basis, I also know a number of guys who do exactly the same work outside Thailand on a rotational basis and spend their remaining time basing themselves in Thailand.

Most work 28 x 28 in the O&G industry in neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia and also further afield in area's such as Mozambique, Oman, Qatar....

Guy who live opposite me does 2 weeks on 4 off on the rigs off Norway - talk about cushy!!!

ah but ask him about his Norwegian tax....one suspects not so cushy...

You may be right there but taxes in Oz are getting up there with medicare surcharge, flood levies etc etc.

I understand that point that it may appear to be more convenient to put KL under Phuket but it it is chicken and egg. I think that unlike pre-Tsunami most people know that KL is not part of Phuket and, therefore, look to forums that acknowledge its existence in Phang Nga and in a separate forum for knowledgeable information. So unless a separate forum is started TV is less likely to be of value to those looking for info on KL. That is a pity in my view as TV is acknowledged as being one of the most comprehensive sources on "all things Thai" on the web.

However, the main question was is "Khao Lak dead?" (which is a rather unfortunate choice of words given its recent past) to which the categoric answer is "Absolutely not!"

Who cares???

I know a number of guys who work in Thailand in the O&G industry on a rotational basis, I also know a number of guys who do exactly the same work outside Thailand on a rotational basis and spend their remaining time basing themselves in Thailand.

Most work 28 x 28 in the O&G industry in neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia and also further afield in area's such as Mozambique, Oman, Qatar....

Guy who live opposite me does 2 weeks on 4 off on the rigs off Norway - talk about cushy!!!

Coming in on a tourist visa I guess, so technically Thailand is not where you live, but where you R&R.

I'm here on a retirement visa, but am not retired.

Figure that one out, GH.

Just means your over 50 thats all........know a few guys like that live in Thailand on a retirement visa and work else were

Thats me too. Been woking rosters out of Thailand for some 15 years now. Varying time scales but last 3 years have been 8 days on 6 off out of Australia.

first of all, nice photos

if internet is important for you, as for me, and fed up with these so called 3G USB stick nets, then CAT has a real 3G net with fingers-like rooftop antennae and it works as a charm....we are really out on the sticks, about 2km away from a dusty village, and probably 10 klicks from the nearest mobile tower.

the catch: intallation with all the things, inclusive the wifi router = 17000thb.

monthly is the normal 590+VAT. they have a limitation to download (4GB/month on the top speed) however surfing is normal all month. The avarage speed i get is about 4-5 Mbps, whereas those USB 3G's sometimes only achived a connect to Yahoo mail in 10 min time.

I don't know what you mean by "fingers-like rooftop antennae" but it was a few years back that I had my antenna installed. Totall cost was 4,500 Bt, but no WiFi router.

WARNING.

My antenna was hit by lightening. Fried my modem and computer and I had to throw away my underwear

Thailife has made some very informative posts about antennas in the mobile internet forum, but would probably take a bit of searching to find them if interested.

what i mean is not a satellite dish. but rather look like an old fashion TV antennae.

luckily the speed also not of those sat. internet speed, like the village have....and as i said, it is remote enough that there is no chance of telephone line in the next decade or so...i know the istalling was pricey, but as i see, it well worth for me.

hey, a round trip with a local car to KK is about 800-1000thb, so, factor that in too.

I went down the CAT usb route then tried a AIS usb, both with no joy. One day it dawned on me that my phone had a good signal and pretty good internet so now I tether my phone to laptop via bluetooth and am pretty impressed with the result. Sure well beats the previous 2 attempts.

Ummm - this is the Phuket forum!!!!!

I know a BG who has been working full time in the bars doing you know what for at least the last 13 or so years and her English is still terrible to say the least.

Others only been in the bars for a few weeks and fairly good English.

Hard to tell

Better rent a gas mask too

The air was fine when I was there a few weeks ago. You'd better troll somewhere else instead.

Sorry I didn't realise that March was a few weeks ago. Ever been in Chiang Mai in March????

Better rent a gas mask too

Off subject--- Thai's are taught from an early age to defer to anyone of higher status. "UP to you" seems to me to be a natural English translation to what they would say to their older brother, parents, boss etc. As for "same same", its just a natural translation of เหมือน ๆ which means similar.

yes agreed,but its not correct use of english.

when in country,i often help the nieces and their friends with english,i try so hard to make sure they say things correctly,they are uni students but hell its like pulling teeth at times.

one of them came up with the "same same",her parents run a bridal shop,so i imagine thats where she picked up that saying,it took an hour to convince her it was not correct english.

i dont mean to insult anyone,it is just a pet hate,that the worst of our language is passed onto others.

when i am corrected on my use of thai or lao,i accept it and try to correct it,and so i do the same for the thais i deal with in english language.

i can imagine my wife using "same same" at her work overseas,instead of correct english,it would be a disaster.

Wow you are pretty anal aren't you

@phuketrichard

What about insurance costs. I know lots of folks don't think about insurance, but health and comprehensive car insurance are by far our biggest single cost (given that we own our home so don't pay rental costs).

i dont have medical, never have, never will

If you live here full time and don't have medical insurance it's just gambling.

And you are betting that nothing will happen to you, accident or illness.

Excellent friend of GOM's and others on the board here did the same, lost the bet, got a kidney ailment had to be hospitalized, no insurance, almost died.

All the friends got together raised the money and paid for a procedure at Prince of Songkla Hospital, pretty sure he has paid everybody back now.

phuketrichard I hope you have a lot of friends.............otherwise terrible advice telling people not to get some coverage, it's not expensive.

I hate insurance; Yes its gambling.... Your paying, ( gambling) good money out of ur pocket and BETTING ur going to die or get sick. Sorry i just don't buy into that. Many don't agree with you on this. 95% of the people i know here have no insurance.

If you knew me then I would be one of the 5%.

I too know of people here who have had to be bailed out of hospital bills by friends.

_{Am now on my second Thai wife (I know) and both are excellent cooks at their happiest in the kitchen. All sorts of Thai, Laos and a smattering of pseudo western. Definitely no complaints from me.}

Divers in Thailand always know when it's just been Loi Krathong as the Krathong bases can be found all over the dive sites.

Most kratong bases are banana tree these days at least, so they do sink and will biodegrade. Better than styrofoam floating around forever! We never put ours out to sea either though. I'll let Rawai municipality clean mine out of Nai Harn lagoon.

Banana tree bases that will be washing back and fourth over the coral reefs. Plus the nails, staples, wax candles, burned incense and often a plastic bottle with the ends cut off to protect the candle from the wind. Yeah I put mine in the pond in Karon as I am told the municipality cleans it after. At least it's not gong in the ocean.

Better than those damned "lucky ballons" I laying all around the island. I see those diving a lot too, including the kerosene soaked wicks. The remnants of a burned one was outside my house as I got home tonight. Last year I saw 3 of them stuck in the power lines just a few meters from each other at Jungcylon.

Today.

Somebody really has to have a chat to these elephants about disposal of used condoms ~ just not good enough.

Just got back from taking the Missus and the offspring to launch our offerings on the beach - what a lovely evening

For 50 Baht per minute I'll let you use the ocean across the road.

Ha Ha only if you pay me 100 baht to cross my land to get there!!

The king of thailand has been king since 1946, He's the longest reigning monarch in the world.

.......of those currently alive.

I believe Thailand is the only country that has issued a 60 Baht note.

For His Majesty after 60 years as King.

Not sure how many countries have issued Baht notes of any other denomination

Well I don't know I average about a flight into Phuket from Singapore every 2 weeks and have never been stopped by customs - must have an innocent face

Funnily enough I find time flies when we are up on the farm. With the fish, ducks, cows etc and then hopefully a few hours fishing in ths afternoons then back for a beer or two on the balcony overlooking my fish pond never time to be bored.

I suppose a 20 month old daughter requires a bit of ATT too.

We flew Air Asia, to Denpasar, via Kuala Lampur, last month. What a horrible experience, from booking to travel, it wasn't worth saving the few dollars. I much prefer Thai Air, where we always get good service, food, beer, etc. and my flight with Thai Air, has always been pleasant. Then again, I have only been flying Thai Air, in the Region, not back to Canada. For that trip, I use Korean Airlines, which has done a lot, in recent years, to improve it's service, planes and food. Plus, we can fly Korean out of Chiang Mai, without having to stop in Bangkok, which is great. Both my wife and I, avoid Bangkok any way we can.

Thai Air, has been one of the few airlines, we will fly, even so, they are a little bit pricier. Normally, we like to save money, too, but we have been impressed with the level of service, Thai Air provides. We are also tired of the manipulative games, Air Asia plays with it's passengers. Air Asia's online booking system is very misleading and it often took several attempts to get the booking wanted. After this recent trip to Bali, we finally said "No more Air Asia".

On the other hand, Thai Air's booking system is simple and when you do need personal help, they are easy to reach by phone.

You obviously live on a different planet to me!!!

Contact Stefano at the big blues phuket. He does lots of types of fishing tours including for the stingrays. I have nothing to do with his business other than knowing him from having my own fishing business here in Phuket before which I sold last year.

Thanks Phil, but i'm talking abour freshwater rays. I'd imagine you are talking about salt water?

I was in Phuket for about 2 years. Were you located somewhere like Rawai?

Jack - he does all sorts of tours including for the freshwater stingrays.

My boat operated out of Chalong where just about all the fishing charters still do. As a matter of interest the fishing has deteriorated dramatically around Phuket and I would certainly not reccommend a trip offshore here - contrary to what the charter operators will tell you. One of my main reasons for selling up!!!

There are a few boats that do trips over to the Andaman Islands around march and these can be great fun and productive.