wellred

edit

Next time you see him, say "if I was that lucky I wouldn't keep running into you so often", and walk off.

Pattaya is the place that has given Thailand the bad reputation as the sex capital of the world. Why don't they start by bulldozing and cleaning that place up. Start arresting and charging the bargirls working in prostitution and thier clients send out a very clear and positive message to the sex tourists that this illegal act will no longer be tolerated. The sex tourists will stop comming after they starting spending time in the BKK Hilton. (Prostitution is after all illegal)

Are you crazy? They need to ramp up with more bars if anything.

Hi all,

I tried searching for more info on this but seemed there wasn't anything available about RCA other than some condos for sale. So i've changed things up on my trip and as it happens I will be spending around a week in Bangkok, not all in 1 go though.

Sure I can spend my evenings in Nana and Soi Cowboy but to be honest I like what i've read about RCA. Seems to be a more local crowd and still plenty of clubs and bars. My question is are these establishments farang friendly or will I get trouble there?

Thanks

I've got no tattoos, but I'd recommend Jay at the tattoo shop next to 7-11 in the middle of Haad Rin. Looks like a nice clean shop, lots of beautiful artwork, and as a bonus the guy has saved the lives of eight local dogs, so he's bound to be a decent human being.

Professional and the only maori-style devoted tattoo parlour (and NZ-Dutch guy too)

Great so they do bamboo too! Cheers

Ok so I have extended my trip by a few days so could well get it in Bangkok before I leave. Or I have also considered getting a bamboo one done and getting it at the start of my trip in Chiang Mai., I will be there and in Chiang Rai for about 7 days and then Bangkok for 3 days before I head to Krabi so if I do get it there then it should be all healed up before I hit the beaches. (a bamboo one that is)

i would suggest that if you want cliche, low-quality ink that your plan is a good one. if not, why not cover up and get it done somewhere in bangkok or at least from an artist with a reputation for quality work?

cant say that i have been impressed by the work or lifestyles of many of the koh phangan tattoo crowd. but hey, its not like a tattoo is forever.

the only consistent koh phangan tattooist i have heard of is the exhaust on a honda wave

Fair comment, and I am spending 4 days in Bangkok prior to that. But after im headed to Krabi and will be doing some snorkeling, not to mention exposing my leg to the sun. Is that not a no no?

I've got no tattoos, but I'd recommend Jay at the tattoo shop next to 7-11 in the middle of Haad Rin. Looks like a nice clean shop, lots of beautiful artwork, and as a bonus the guy has saved the lives of eight local dogs, so he's bound to be a decent human being.

Thank you. Do you know the name of his business? Does he have a website?

Only a tip from me ....

My friend had a leg tattoo the day before flying out to Germany. It got infected and the flight - swollen legs/sitting down etc - was a nightmare for him. Maybe forgo a little of the suntan and have it done earlier?

This is what I am worried about. But are you saying the reason for the infection was exposure to sun? i thought that if I am flying out the next day then up until that point just make sure that I am covered up and indoors till then.

So as the title suggests I'm looking for a good tattooist in koh Phangan. It has to be KPN as the rest of my trip I'll be in shorts a lot of the time so exposed to sun not to mention I'll be swimming ect. KPN is the last leg of my trip so I'm thinking to get that on the last day before I head back to blighty.

I'd like to get a tiger, but not a normal looking one. Ideally a design that is thai influenced. The ones I have heard of so far are koh Phangan Body Art, Tatoo Lotus and tattoo club koh Phangan.

Does anyone here have any experiences or info they could share?

Also I'm certain I will get a normal one and not a bamboo one but in the event I decide to go with a bamboo one are there any risks I need to be aware compared to getting a traditional one?

Thanks

Apologies for hijacking the thread but is a wetsuit/or wet tshirt essential for snorkeling? I will be doing some snorkeling in places like phi phi, koh tao and phangan. Can I not just go in with my shorts?

Thanks,

I'll be doing my 1st trip to Thailand in a few months and am wondering whether I should get rabies. Not sure how much it costs here in the UK but sounds like I should get it. Are they all in the arm? I heard they used to inject it in your stomache?

Anyone know where the girly bars are in Kan? Im staying on Mae Nam Kwai Road. Is that close to any of them?

Cheers

Forgive my ignorance but why would a taxi driver flat out refuse a fare? I thought they are all about making money of the farang.

Ok thanks Xen, will let you know if I don't hear back from her within a week.

Thanks for the replies. I will drop that lady an email.

Hi all,

As mentioned I will need to go from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. I know there are coaches and trains I can take but id rather get a cab. How much am I looking at? 2500? Also can I just get one as I exit the airport or should I book something like this in advance?

If anyone here has any reliable contacts who won't rip me off id be most appreciated if they can share their contact details. I found this place but some of their pages don't even work.

http://www.bangkoktaxiairport.com/contact.html

Thanks,

Chiang Mai is a CAPITAL of vegetarianism here It has about 60 restaurants - from Western for farangs, with foods full of onions and garlic, to Thai Jay (not so healthy too - full of meat supplements).

BKK too, but it too big, so - they aren't so close, as in Chiang Mai.

For Chiang Mai I recommend to buy Nancy Chandler map - all veg places is marked on the map, don't know, how's good her map of BKK.

About other cities: it's completely not a problem. We can come to almost any place and order jay food there. Of course, misunderstanding happens, but very rarely, if you have experience to talk with them.

About 2 levels: the 1st one is mangsawirat. It's not a pure vegetarianism, they use eggs, so be ready, if you don't eat them.

But pls, keep in mind: restaurant food not so healthy, if you are vegetarian because of health reasons. As I said - Western and Thai kitchen here concentrated more on spices, meat substitutes, cakes, ice cream, than on vegetables and fruits.

P. S. About me: active vegetarian during the last 8 years.

Thanks for the tips! I think id fall into the mangsawirat bracket. I eat eggs.

I will check the blog. Look like I was worrying top much over nothing.

Thanks

I'm booked for a week on Koh Phangan from 2nd Jan. I only just read up on the weather and it seems January is just the start of the hot season but with some left over rain from the monsoon season. Is my week going to be ruined or by that time will it be mostly good weather? I was really looking forward to swimming on the beach and hitting koh nang yuan.

So here are some pictures from yesterday with my new GF2. I really like it, except I think I will deffo be needing a zoom lens.

I got some good vids too but haven't uploaded them yet.

Sorry to be off-topic for a minute but aren't onions vegetables?

Yeah I think so, but what I meant by that is some chinese vegetarians don't even eat onions. Apparantley in Thailand they are catered for too, so was just saying.

So what am I in for in regards to food in Thailand? Over here there is usually a decent selection of vegetarian food whenever I go out for a Thai. I thought it might be a good idea to memorise a few phrases to help me out in regards to ordering food. Pom gin jai, pom mai gin neau sat ect.... read somewhere in thailand there are 2 levels or types of veges, normal veges and chinese veges or vegans. I can eat dairy and onions ect, just no meat.

Are some places better than others for selection of vegetarians? I am going Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Kanchaburi and then Koh Phangan. I managed to find a few vege only restaurants in Chiang Mai but tbh id prefer id I could walk into any restaurant and try and talk the chef into making a curry with no meat, or tofu substitute if possible. Is that at all feasible? I love my thai food normally and am gonna take some cooking lessons whilst im there.

It arrived today, loving it so far. Still trying to get to grips with all the manual controls. Some bits are a bit confusing. Like for instance if I want to capture something close up with some background blur, my natural inclination would be to use a low F number but there is a scene mode specifically for this. I guess Panny are trying to blur the lines between consumer and enthusiast. Anyway im enjoying it so far. I will post some pictures from Wimbledon tomorrow.

Gutted. I have links to download all matches so far in HD. Not sure what the forum rules are on posting them but if they are cool then I can put them up here.