Bikeman93

Yes, we have become techno guinea pigs.

Get outside and get some exercise you lazy bastards.

20 hours ago, wow64 said:

I love how all thai girls have a sick buffalo back home.

 

This love of animals and wanting to make them healthy is very attractive.

 

I also love their honesty no matter what a thai girl will always tell you the truth. 

 

Also for some reason many thai ladies have slong this can be an added bonus.

Oh, a sarcasm contest? That's REALLY funny. lol (land of laughs)

Prices may have come up since Agoda, but now going down drastically with Airbnb.  Shop around.

Great question.

If you have been good you find the maker is you.

If you have been bad you find the maker is you or your ex.

If you read it again you will see it did not accuse yourself as being a sucker.

There's one born every minute, they say, only have to wait long enough and one will walk in the door and fall right in your lap.

Or to put it short, how much money have you got? And how much heart have you got?

Just now, Naam said:

Is that dollars or baht?

These questions always sound like money is the only thing to consider. Depends what your current standard of living is. Buddha sat in the rain under a tree and when the sun came out he then had a high standard of living - its not fixed, depends on your state of mind. 

Thailand is geared towards taking advantage of the most common bracket - 2 week tourists who are loaded with emergency funds, come once a year and have no knowledge of the place. So my answer would be minimum 8 weeks twice a year, you will be recognized as a resident by all, despite your objections. Then for a change go visit some poorer countries to lower your annual spending and recalibrate your expectations.

Ps. Don't sue me for spelling mistakes or errors in logic that obviously are not obvious.

Just now, sandyf said:

You should never use the word always.

We regularly stay overnight in Pattaya and a couple of months ago we looked on Agoda for what was available and convenient. Having picked a hotel my wife phoned up and she was told the price was 180 baht more than Agoda and refused to budge so we booked with Agoda. When we got to the hotel the owner told my wife she was not allowed to discount her list prices, cash or otherwise.

Recently we have been using one not listed on Agoda.

Sorry, should read always*.

*when you are not a sucker.

Agoda is an easy site to use, so use them. Find the hotel name, do google search on that name to look for direct website or another booking site with same hotel and go with best deal.

Remember though prices are always lower on the ground with cash in your hand.

23 minutes ago, bangkokairportlink said:

I hardly found agoda cheaper than booking.

 

And yes, some hotels are stupid enough to respect the contract that they have with agoda. Maybe hotels owners do not trust staff and in case of agoda visit they could tell that hotel accept cheaper booking at desk.

 

What is very stupid is when directly talking to a small hotel owner who refuses to rent the room at same prime for walk in customers. But at the same times if he is a hotel owner he could be rich already, and not care your 1000 or 2000 baht...

Remember that you need him more than he needs you !

 

 

 

BS. His rooms are all vacant, try next door.

If I ever use Agoda its for 1or 2 days then I can connect direct with the owner and twist his arm reminding him/her that direct avoids commissions and his room is not really suitable for you in the longer term.

Forget trying to raise credit points as these sites will eventually operate under a different name or increase prices (which they are now doing) to negate the savings their reward scheme has.

AirBnb is the go, ask owner for email address so next time can go direct.

Be in the machine, not of the machine.

Coz its different from where ever we came from i.e. The "developed" world where "progress" means its everyones duty by law to protect the ignorant and stupid from themselves. Where we are "freed" from outdoor mundane manual labour such as farm work and allowed to achieve our dream of one day owning a farm and live the simple and healthy outdoor lifestyle.

Just now, Bikeman93 said:

-Make Chang beer 6.4% alcohol again, sustained by law. An elephant is much stronger than a tiger.

-All prices should be marked. Including on freelancers shirts.

-Ladyboys should be labelled.

-Moo should be beef, not pork, in line with their language.

-More (some) public toilets with instructions in Indian language.

-Install moving walkways on Pattaya beach road and walking street.

-Make it law to not discriminate people from other cultures.

-Remove the Dutch.

 

 

 

Sorry if my joke sounded racist, not my intention. Just the word "Dutch" lends itself to humour being short and good for timing.

-Make Chang beer 6.4% alcohol again, sustained by law. An elephant is much stronger than a tiger.

-All prices should be marked. Including on freelancers shirts.

-Ladyboys should be labelled.

-Moo should be beef, not pork, in line with their language.

-More (some) public toilets with instructions in Indian language.

-Install moving walkways on Pattaya beach road and walking street.

-Make it law to not discriminate people from other cultures.

-Remove the Dutch.

Learn the power of "No".

On ‎2‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 9:05 PM, ubonjoe said:

There is a law that only a registered hotel and etc can rent rooms for less than 30 days. It had not been enforced before but local administration offices (not immigration) have started enforcing it. Only the person offering the rentals can be punished for it not the person renting the accommodation.

Lots stories in the news about it.

If the room was occupied for only 1-2 weeks a month to the same tenant who would know the difference?

I have done, been back in Oz 2 months. Goin on another loop in 2 more.

Havent included Vietnam yet, but looking into it.

Bali is an OK start, then Thai, Cambo, Thai works ok 4 me.

You want to do at least 1 month in each place to take advantage of monthly rentals. Airbnb do weekly discounts by the way. Get off the beaten track in high season.

If I come for 1 month my visit is free.

If I come for a longer time I have to pay.

Just who is the Elite here?

As far as I know the 30 days is granted for Airport crossing but 14 for Land.

That opens Vietnam as another possible option for home base coz the visa is a little cheaper again, and flying in has benefits. Or you could just circulate.

Of course this type of activity is what the Thais are trying to regulate around by the 14 day rule or trying to get higher flying expats to commit to a long term stay with upfront elite card fees.

Get the 3 month Visa for $85, then 1 month Thailand for free. Repeat.

Total visa $255 per year and the revenue goes to better causes.

Don't forget to bring 20cent cigarettes and $4 Vodka from Cambodia.

2 minutes ago, paul18620 said:

Do us all a favor and go to Cambodia now 

Yes, then come back to Thailand for 1 month at a time - no charge.

Personally I wont pay a premium to avoid totally unnecessary inconveniences imposed solely to restrict those who don't pay.

Try Cambodia, simple process, $300 p/yr, extend indefinitely.

Less of the ones that got caught, yes.

"Especially with ongoing fees" is the qualifying condition.

Not implying they are all stupid or criminal. Just that such a scheme might attract that type of client, along with others.

Sounds really expensive for the sake of mostly convenience, really not much value in the scheme, especially with ongoing fees.

A bid to cash in on those with either loads of cash or not so smart.

It also is good for those with cash to hide or launder who otherwise might not be able to pass the income test.