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I very rarely have this problem with big bus or taxi. I remember only once a big (local bus in Bangkok) bus stopped for petrol, and once a taxi driver stopped for a pee. But those vans Bkk-Pty stop every time.

On 23.4.2017 at 7:42 AM, jeab1980 said:

Look at this another way. If the driver stops for 15 minutesthen that's good. He or she is taking a break stretching there legs having a wee. If the same driver ploughed on and had an accident the thread would be disecting him. So what would you rather have 15 minutes break getting to your destination5 minutes later than you planned

 Or not getting there at all you can't have it both ways. 

I could understand if it was halfway between Bangkok and Pattaya (but even then, I wouldn't need that stop), but a 15 minutes stop, 15 minutes before reaching the destination?

The most plausible reason so far is: rather waste all passengers' time than doing a re-fuelling trip with an empty van.

Why do vans stop at petrol stations during the ride? (Technically not a petrol stop, as they all run on LPG.) Whenever I travel by van between Bangkok and Pattaya, it stops for petrol. Going to Pattaya, the stop takes 15 minutes and is 30 minutes before reaching Pattaya.

Does the LPG in the tank not last longer? Do they need the fare paid by the passengers to pay for the LPG? Is it just poor planning, wasting passengers' time, not to do it before or after the trip? Is there only on LPG petrol station between Bangkok and Pattaya (actually two, one for each direction)?

I find it annoying and a waste of time, 15 passengers x 15 minutes = 3.75 man-hours, half a working day! I certainly need neither a cigarette (I'm a non-smoker anyway) nor a toilet nor a food break between Bangkok and Pattaya.

I have been in similar situations. Out of 100 bus/boat/BTS/MRT rides, there is one exchange of knowing looks with a boy who roughly fits my specifications (but so far I always found an excuse not to chat him up, too old/fat/hair, too far away from home, whatever), and when I or he gets off, I or he looks back. A few cases that I have chatted up gorgeous boys on the bus, but they were not gay.

I rarely take a taxi in Bangkok. I might meet my future boyfriend in a bus, but not in a taxi.

On 26.3.2017 at 7:53 PM, tominbkk said:

Romance is not part of the Thai pysche, they are much more pragmatic.  Money or lust is primary, but when the libido is calmed and the fiddler is paid there ain't much left behind the curtain.

Well said, worth quoting for those who missed it.

On 25.12.2016 at 1:23 AM, wpcoe said:

 

Those maps show routes 4 through 7.  What about routes 1, 2, or 3?  Are there routes  numbered 8 and above?  

 

@TaaSaparot: where did you get those maps?  Are there more of them?

The Thai in the pictures says there are 4 lines. Why they are numbered 4,,5,6,7, I have no idea.

I have a similar question.

I'm looking for advice for purchase of a new camera. Sony RX100mk2 purchased in Jul2014 was great to work with, but now developed some minor problems, and repair would be costly and take long time. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/931730-recommendation-for-sony-camera-repair-shop/#comment-10958630

Now I would spend up to 30 kTHB (the Sony RX100mk2 was 22 kTHB), and since I wore the Sony around my neck much more than putting it in my pocket, fitting in my pocket is not required any more. I can't see myself carring two lenses, if the new camera can exchange lenses, one will have to do.

I do mainly architecture and streetlife photography, sometimes I can't get far away from the building to get it all in picture.

Much low-light photography (around sunset and at night, shadow, in rooms) where I don't want to use flash.

The Sony had problems focussing on close object (or I didn't use the right settings? - better read manual).

Often strong contrasts (sun/shade), partially solved with shooting in HDR. Related to this, pictures often too dark on Sony, so I overexposed them by +1. Reflexions when I photograph objects behind glass (museum, maps/announcements/timetables at bus stations).

I sometimes shoot overhead, screen has to flip down at least 45 degree so I can see. I don't need a view finder, the screen on the rear is fine for me.

Charging by USB, I don't want a separate charger or a  spare battery.

Buy in Thailand or in Germany? I am currently in Thailand for holiday (and will mostly use the camera in Thailand), where I can get VAT refunded. In Germany I would have to pay 19% VAT, no refund (but due to different pricing in different countries, might be cheaper in Germany even after VAT?).

A friend said for the Sony, I paid for the name and for the good performance for taking videos, neither of which is important to me.

I consider myself a layman, usually shoot in automatic mode, and don't care about the various brands and models, just want one that suits me and hope it lasts for the rest of my life.

On 8.9.2016 at 8:18 PM, Dhaux said:

amyl nitrates

Nitrites, and not just amyl (=pentyl) but butyl nitrites can be used to similar effect.

Offers of poppers are widespread on the internet and on gay dating websites/apps.

Ridiculous! Dozens of boat to/from Koh Larn land there every day without problems.

But at Mae Nam Railway station (near MRT Klong Toey, there is only freight passing), you can buy train tickets for trains departing from Hua Lampong, that destroys my theory that any train station only sells tickets to/from that station. And how about booking offices, where to they buy the tickets?

Quote

How can one bother about a few Euro/Baht playing around with train tickets

It's a matter of principle.

Walked several times, about 30 min for a fast walker like me.

Alternative is bus 52 from BTS Mor Chit which gets you closer to Government Center than Lak Si Railway station.

Even better bus 166 from Victory Monument, which goes to the bus station next to Government Center.

Among the documents when I got when I bought the camera was a list with shops. I went to Sony Center in The Mall Bangkapi and inquired: repair would cost 4900 Baht (replacing LCD screen, actually just the flexible connector has a contact problem, when I flip the screen it turns black - additional problem to those reported in op) and take one week. They would send it to the main branch in New Phetchaburi road, and from there it would be sent to Singapore for repair. As I use my camera almost every day, one week is unacceptable (unless they lend me the same model for free while mine is in repair). I was looking for a place where I can leave my camera, then go for lunch and a stroll around the neighborhood, and pick it up 2 hours later.

Will check the recommendation AV-Camera next.

Any further suggestions?

I asked at Hua Lampong foreigner booking office: they sell only tickets to/from Hua Lampong. The two cases I inquired (Nong Khai to Thanalaeng and Surat Thani to Khirirat Nikom) can only be bought at these stations.

Minimum number of free pages in passport?

My passport is almost full. Minimum of 6 months validity for passport is well known, and I vaguely remember having read that there must be at least 2 empty pages in the passport. Does anyone have experience in this matter in south-east Asia in general (Thailand and visa runs around Thailand in particular)?

I have left 2x1 page, 2x2/3 page, 1x1/3 page. That means I can get maximum of 2 visa stickers, and 2/3 page is enough area for Thailand entry/exit stamp and extension of stay stamp. (One visa sticker from Cambodia Feb 2016 is loose, whereas Jul 2014 still sticks well. I could easily pull off the Feb 2016 sticker, but part of the stamp on the sticker is on the rim of the page. I don't think this is a good idea.)

My plan is to take a long holiday over winter (current plan is 4 months: 2 visa free entries to Thailand and 2 extensions of stay and one trip to another country in south-east Asia, most probably Taiwan, Malaysia, Cambodia or Vietnam) and there is enough space for all stamps (for Cambodia I might get e-visa to save one page in passport).

I have never been asked for proof of onward travel by airline or immigration, but I want to be prepared for that case. When I applied for tourist visa it was compulsory.

On 29.9.2016 at 3:49 AM, LukKrueng said:

The idea of a departure ticket from your destination is just in case a passenger is refused entry. Aviation regulation...

But the departure ticket will be days or weeks from arrival, might even be a different airport in the country (I arrive from Europe at Suwannaphumi, but my visa runs are mostly from Don Mueang), and therefore of no use to the airline that took you to Thailand as a means to get you out of Thailand.

On 29.9.2016 at 4:42 AM, Ulic said:

Just a heads up, if you do buy a fully refundable ticket with plans to cancel it

just make sure the ticket agent does not attach it to your arrival ticket.

Once the travel has started the remaining portion of the ticket is usually

no longer refundable.

I do all my booking on the internet, no agent. I would do the bookings with different airlines so my real flight Germany-Thailand will have no connection to the flight I just want to use to satisfy airline/immigration requirements and want to get fully refunded once I am in Thailand (and choose a place and time for visa run closer to the actual visa run and not months before).

On 29.9.2016 at 5:21 AM, Bullie said:

If the possible loss of 9,99 US dollars over a reservation is keeping you from getting the visa I really think you should reconsider coming to Thailand in the first place. It's not the cheapest place in the world anymore, you know.

I knew someone is going to say that. I try to avoid all unnecessary expenses. 9.99 USD is for 24 hour, which is too little in my case (I travel about 20 hours door-to-door). 48 h costs more, and then I can already get a ticket for a flight in the area (e.g. Bangkok-Saigon for around 1000 THB). The money for the reservation would be gone AND I would have to buy a flight ticket for visa run.

I can live comfortable on very little money in Thailand, for 9.99 USD I could eat three days or stay in a hotel one night or travel an entire day.

Are train tickets accepted as proof of leaving Thailand?

Even though Nong Khai and Aranyaprathet are border towns, you are still in Thailand. A ticket from Nong Khai to Thanalaeng (Lao) would constitute a real departure from Thailand, but as far as I researched, these cannot be bought online and not even at Hua Lampong railway station, a friend thinks only at Nong Khai railway station and not in advance.

The Thai embassy in Berlin says they accept train, bus or plane tickets as proof of leaving Thailand (but train tickets are sold only up to 60 days in advance, and how do you get that ticket to Germany when applying - unless you buy via an agent who sends ticket as email attachment); what does Thai immigration accept? And if I get a Thai friend to buy a ticket on my name with my passport number, will a printout of a picture of that ticket be accepted?

My dilemma is the following: when entering Thailand on tourist visa or without visa, I like to be prepared and have some proof of leaving Thailand (actually I wouldn't even get a tourist visa without this, but when entering without visa I have never been asked); but I don't want to commit on place and time where and when to go on visa run.

I would happily spend 48 Baht for a ticket Bangkok to Aranyaprathet or 20 Baht (?) for a ticket Nong Khai to Thanalaeng and then do not take that train. Whereas for buying a train ticket Bangkok to Malaysia, I can as well buy a flight to Phnom Penh or Saigon (that's where my last visa runs lead me).

There are companies that offer a plane ticket that is valid 24 or 48 hours, but at 9.99 USD for a 24 hour ticket on https://flyonward.com/en/ I rather buy a flight that I am going to use. Alternatively buy a fully refundable ticket, but these come at high cost and if something in the refunding process goes wrong, I lose money instead of saving money.

If someone knows of cheap bus tickets across the border, on sale up to 2 months in advance, and if possible with my name and passport number, let me know.

Thanks for identifying the airplane.

At Samut Songkhram stall at a travel fair ( ไทยเที่ยวไทย ครั้งที่ 40 on 1-4 Sep 2016 in QSNCC) I showed the picture to staff and they told me it's across main road from Wat Bang Kung วัดบางกุ้ง. Armed with this information, I had a closer look at satellite picture and could indeed spot some airplanes there (I checked satellite image before when someone wrote they are in or near Bang Kung Camp, but missed it then). On 4sep2016 I even went there, but the plane with the swastika was gone, and the one behind changed or new paint. Still 5 planes left in that area.

Summary: visa run Phnom Penh - Cham Yeam - Baan Hat Lek - Trat all fine.

My plan changed back to original (because friend in Battambang not available, stay one day longer in Phnom Penh to wait for friend who lives there).

Wed 10.08.2016

Check at Sorya: no buses to Koh Kong any more (and new table with destinations without Koh Kong, while the picture I took in January still had Koh Kong). Lady at counter recommends I take taxi, but then I can find someone else who points me to G.S.T. (about 50 m south-east of Sorya) where I get a ticket to Koh Kong for 9 USD (staff tells me to be at G.S.T. bus station 7:00, departure will be 7:30 from in front of bus station). Furthermore check Mekhong Express and Capitol Tours: no buses to Koh Kong! (I didn’t check with Giant Ibis Transport, Tep Sokha Express and Virak Bothan Bus.)

Thu 11.08.2016

Arrive at G.S.T. bus station 6:45 and show staff my ticket to Koh Kong, then have breakfast around the corner. Then back at 7:25, they put me on a tuk-tuk with two local passengers to drive us to Olympic transport (Olongpich transport, street 217 between street 328 and 338, 11.554733,104.9056134), where we board the bus and depart 7:42. It takes a while to get out of Phom Penh (slow traffic). Stop at Phnom Penh Bakery 8:23-30, stop for toilet and lunch 11:01-28, arrive at Koh Kong bus station (just a field and a roofed waiting area at 11.6195648,102.9857148 about 1km by road to the bridge) 13:31. Apart from aircon too cold, a quick and pleasant ride that was not delayed by medium rain.

At the bus station get a motorbike for 3 USD to take me to the border crossing (11 km, 13:34-51), after original asking price of 5 USD. Toll for bridge (1400 Riel) included, don’t know if there is any parking fee as he said, well then that’s included as well. After about 1 km and some small talk in good English, change to another mocy and driver who takes me the rest of the way to the border. Maybe they have only one who speaks good English and approaches foreigners?

Immigration departure Cambodia 13:54-56, immigration arrival Thailand 14:04-07. The fastest and most pleasant land border crossing I have experiences in South-East Asia (comparison with Nong Khai to Vientiane twice, Vientiane to Nong Khai, Sadao in both directions, Poipet to Aranyaprathet, Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai, Phnom Penh to Saigon).

On the Thai side, there are vans at the border, they will leave when full (which might take an hours judging by low traffic). Approach mocy taxi drivers and get to narrowest point of Thailand for 60 Baht (about 7 km ride, 14:22-33). After walking around there, hitchhike to Khlong Yai (lady who stops for me even calls songtheo in Khlong Yai and delivers me to their stop – such acts of kindness happen to me all the time when I travel in non-touristy areas in Thailand, having a good command of Thai probably helps), 60 Baht to Trat (15:09-16:40).

Side note about google maps: Cambodia is not available for download for offline use. But when I zoom in and move around the areas I need on my phone, it saves these areas in cache and I can navigate without internet connection. (I don’t want to buy a SIM card for 3 days in Cambodia, but I want to use google maps.)

On 4.8.2016 at 3:35 PM, kurtcap said:

500km ride combined with only 30 mins at the border (did not even cross it physically) Iam now in possession of a 30 day visa exempt stamp.

(my underline) Can you elaborate on this? I have been wondering for a long time if it is possible to exit Thailand and turn around in the neutral zone and enter Thailand, thus avoiding all visa fees and stickers and stamps of the neighboring country.

I can highly recommend canby publications for such questions (their printed editions distributed for free as well as website and pdf for download), the best free tourism publication I have ever seen.

This link answers most of my questions (bus times, location of bus station).

http://www.canbypublications.com/cambodia/overland.htm

But I just learned from my friend in Phnom Penh that he will not be in town the night I stay there, however another friend will be in Battambang so I will go to see him. From Battambang to Thailand (will probably stay in Chanthaburi) will be via Phsar Prom (Pailin) /Ban Pakard ( Chantaburi).

Any recent experience with that border crossing (as in my op: visa waiver and 28 or 29 days stay in Thailand with flight back to Germany at the end)?

(The Cham Yeam / Baan Hat Lek (Trat) crossing will have to wait, I will do the sightseeing smallest point of Thailand 450 m from coast to Cambodian border another time.)

I just checked pictures I took of timetables at bus station in PP (Phnom Penh Sorya Transport near the yellow dome central market): buses to Koh Kong leave 7 am, 9 am, 1 pm. The 7 am bus should allow me to cross to Thailand the same day.

But on Map, Koh Kong is about 10 km from the border crossing. Where exactly is the bus station, and how do I get to the border crossing? On the other hand, the highway goes to the border, and there is no bridge to the island, so the bus probably goes to the border town and people going to the island have to take a boat from there?

Thanks BritTim, helps me a lot.

I pondered about visa extension, but decide for a visa-waiver-run, as I have friend to visit in Phnom Phen.

Googlemaps gives PP to Trat 393 km and 6 h 30 min. Is it realistic to do this by bus from Phom Penh (add time for border crossing and for sightseeing smallest part of Thailand 420 m about 5 km north of the border crossing) in one day or should I spend a night in between?

(My experience PP to Saigon Jan 2016 in about 8 hours by bus, 279 km 6 h 7 min by google maps shows it would be doable, unless there are no early buses to Cham Yeam or that route is slower.)

Does the bus run up to the border or are there even buses that cross the border (longer waiting for all passengers to process immigration), or does the bus stop in a nearby town?

I am planning to return to Thailand from a visa run to Cambodia via the Cham Yeam / Baan Hat Lek (Trat). Actually it's not a visa run, I am currently on visa waiver and have a flight to Germany (my home country) 29 days after entering Thailand. Will take 20 kTHB as proof of funding and a hotel booking as proof of accommodation.

Does anyone have recent experience at this border crossing for 30 days visa waiver? Is it accessible by public transport from Cambodia and is there public transport on Thai side (Thai side not that important, I could go by hitchhiking and want to have a look at the smallest point of Thailand 420 m from the sea to Cambodian border)? On google maps, it doesn't look like there is a town on either side of the border. Will I be able to get something to eat and a hotel if necessary?

Recommendation for Sony camera repair shop?

My Sony RX100mk2 (bought in July 2014 in Bangkok) recently developed the following problems:

Lense cover does not open and close completely when I switch on or off the camera,

I have to press shutter button hard to take a picture (sometimes have to press twice, sometimes delay between pressing and picture),

Mode dial switches when I touch it (e.g. when pressing shutter button),

Cover for charging socket doesn’t close (can live with that)

Where in Bangkok (or Pattaya) can I take it for repair? I’m looking for recommendations of shops others have good experience with, can be out of the tourist areas, don’t have to speak English (I can speak Thai).

(I had very poor experience with passport pictures from one photograpy/printing shop: reflection from flash on my glasses, and printing quality not good. Don’t want to give my camera to someone who doesn’t know what he is doing.)

I try to arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before departure. Rather wait for the airplane after going through check-in, security check and passport control, than standing in a line anxious if I will get my flight.

I have taken about 50 flights in my life (connecting flights counted as one) and never missed one. But in some cases there was not much time left (<30 minutes). If I decreased from being 2 to 3 hours early to being 1 to 2 hours early, I would have saved 50 hours waiting time, but missed two flights.

There is a blog on this subject:

http://soakinginsiam.blogspot.de/

My GF visited hot springs somewhere around Mae Sot on the Burma border, she said, "one pool all you had to do was clap your hands and the bubbles came up".........

Do you have more detailed information? I know of one such place in the south of Thailand (saved it somewhere on my computer, can dig it up if anyone is interested) and plan to go there. Curious if there are other such places, and where exactly.

A friend forwarded me this picture from social media, and a similar one that shows the same place. Searching internet in English and Thai, I couldn't find any information where it is? Does anyone know or can at least identify the airplane?