bender92

I live here and while I was out this afternoon trying to walk on Soi Bhuakow I had just the opposite impression as the OP. The foot & vehicular traffic was considerably greater than just a week ago.

High season seems to be getting shorter and shorter each year IMO, but all this doom and gloom about crime is not apparent to me (no need to be posting multiple news articles please; I read the local and national news). The tourists will be here as usual, but the bad political press will likely scare off a considerable number of East Asian tourists who seem sensitive to news of unrest in the nation. That has been the case based on arrivals at Swampy in the recent past (2008, 2010 come to mind).

Friday is market day, Soi Buakhow is always crowded then.

How old are you? Sixty or so? Maybe she don't want to kiss grandpa.

Rapists don't usually strip do they? Wouldn't make sense. Maybe they were fooling around and the girl got embarrassed when visitors showed up.

You won't have any problems at all. In Asia, it's generally respectful to wear long pants. But as a tourist, you're pretty much allowed to do what you want.

If attending an important ceremony, then long pants would be recommended. But for just cruising around, shorts are just fine.

Let's move this over to our brand new Cambodia sub forum.

Topic Moved.

Ah sorry, didn't know there was a Cambodia sub forum.

Think I'm going to buy some jeans anyway just to try and 'fit in' a bit more. I guess I'll be needing them for the temples anyway.

What's the deal with buying clothes from the local stalls? Am I right in thinking I can try a pair of jeans on just like I would back at home? I'm guessing there are no changing rooms though.

Get a pair of light weight cargo pants that have zip-off legs. Jeans are too hot.

Done it this way recently:

Hopped on a minibus on Sukhumvit towards Rayong (they come by every few minutes) In Rayong bus station there was the next minibus to Trad (waited only twen minutes, maybe lucky). In Trad the next minibus to the border. All pretty straight forward, about 400 Baht.

Indeed that is what I was thinking, but I will get one bus from Pattaya to Trat (Bangkok Trat bus), then the minibus to the border

On Sukumvit the motor taxi guys can tell you when and where to catch that bus. At one overpass they had a written schedule posted.

I got my deposit back (much less than yours) after selling the condo. I doubt you can get it back while you still own the condo.

Nelson who?

I think Swiss 1960 may be referring to Bookazine on Second Road, not Asia Books, unless there is an Asia books store near there as well.

In any case, the largest books-store I have come across in Pattaya is Bookazine at the right hand end of The Avenue, facing out onto second road.

In the past I have been surprised by the variety of books stocked there, but that was some time back.

Personally I have found that Asia Books has a very limited collection of books and rarely stocks anything I want. Many years back, their stores in Sukhumvit and Central Chidlom were an absolute treasure trove of books - old and new - but those days have long gone.

These days, I use Amazon-Kindle - cheaper and more convenient.

For more obscure books, Kinokuniya book store in Siam Paragon is as good a store as you will find anywhere in the world. It's enormous.You can even go on line and see if the book you want is in stock and then order it for pick-up, at no (extra) cost.

You are right Moby, it's Bookazine on Second Road, did not remember the name. However, there IS and Asia Book store on 3rd floor of Central Festival also and I have bought books in both these stores.

And you are right again... if you read a lot, Kindle (i just bought the Paperwhite) is the cheaper option in the long term, as e-books are just cheaper than paper books.

Many, many ebooks are free if you know how to TORRENT.

Since when do muslims wear turbans ?

Actually they are Indian Sikhs. They wrap their long hair under there. It is better padding than a cheap helmet.

Some things haven't changed.

Charity is its own reward. No need to go on (and on...) about it.

Can someone please take some new pics and post them, so we can see how it looks like now.

(and stay ON topic)

Here u go.

WS is as much an attraction as Buddha Mountain or the floating market. I wouldnt as I cant stand the place but whats the big deal if somebody does.

No big deal - I just wouldnt take a kid there any more than I would take a kid to the Vegas Strip or Sydney's Kings Cross - I guess its just me. I enjoy central Patts, unlike many on TV, but for me some parts of it simply aren't child friendly. A friend here in Dullsville told me she had to caution a parent re letting her kids wander through the gaming room at the local RSL - to me, its sad that someone has to tell parents kids aren't allowed in there.

I know Russia is a very different country to Australia - perhaps they simply dont believe in wrapping their kids in cotton wool ?

Correction - the Vegas Strip is very kid friendly. They have pirate ship battles, fountain/light shows, Mardi Gras parades, all for free, for all ages. There aren't a lot of drunks and hookers and thugs hanging around. No go-go bars. It's very safe.

You should be Buddhist because you want to, not because it is a convenient way to travel. Get a job and save your money.

Did you say something rude in broken Thai? Or pay in 50 satang coins???

Three months in Thailand and you already have a Thai wife? Good luck.

If you stay away from the war zone while here, I would say there is a bigger chance of getting beat up by a mad ladyboy on drugs, than the demonstrations affecting you.

Didn't the "war zone" include the airport and some shopping malls last time?

Made the effort to visit a Thai Watsadu in Rayong about a month ago, because everyone was bragging that it was so good, but I guess that was the first and the last time.

Most expensive store I have visited since long.

What I bought that particular day.

A Sanki 7' ladder for 1880 Baht at Hardware-house - Watsadu same ladder 2730 Baht

A Mitsubishi 85 Watt automatic pump for 3780 Baht at Global House _ Watsadu same pump 4350 Baht

A Luckystar 130 Watt automatic pump for 1750 Baht at Global House - Watsadu same pump 3300 Baht

You're paying the American guy's salary.

Mike Shoppig Mall, about 3rd or 4th floor, nice old guy with lots to see.

She don't look Irish.

Do they still have the Saturday (?) train from Bangkok main station to the river and bridge?