johnnycthedog

Postal service: SAL (non priority airmail - max 30kg). 20kg: 3310 bahts x 2 = 6620 bahts. This, to my knowledge is the cheapest way. Also you have a chance not to pay duty on arrival, if not too bulky (eye-catching to the custom officer). Not the case with DHL/FedEx. Transit time: approx. 20 days.

Good luck.

I recently sent 2 x 20kg boxes SAL from BKK to Aust using the PO in the MBK shopping complex. The charge was 6,400 baht per box, although the actual postage cost per box was only 3,310 Baht. [stamps on the box]. I found out later that there are many privately run PO's in BKK and a few government run ones. I guess I used a privately run PO & this explains the mark up on the postage costs. However it was very convenient & the staff were very helpful. No duty on arrival as it was everyday non perishable goods valued at less than $1,000. I also sent 1 x 20kg box by sea and this cost 4,400 Baht, although the actual postage cost was only 2,740 Baht.

The prices were listed in an official booklet according to type of postage and weight. I really didn't give it much thought at the time but obviously I paid too much.

Any advice as to where I should take future packages for posting whilst paying the correct postage costs would be appreciated.

OK - Outside the quote box this time round to avoid the wrath of the Moderator..

To repeat - I recently sent 2 x 20kg boxes SAL from BKK to Aust. using the PO in the MBK shopping complex.. The charge was 6,400 Baht per box, although the actual postage cost per box was only 3,310 Baht [stamps on the box] I found out later that there are many privately run PO's in BKK and a few government run ones. I guess I used a privately run PO & this explains the mark up on the postage costs. However it was very convenient & the staff were very helpful. I also sent 1 x 20kg box by sea and this cost 4,400 Baht, although the actual postage cost was only 2,740 Baht [stamps on the box].

The prices were listed in an official booklet according to type of postage and weight. I really didn't give it much thought at the time but obviously I paid too much. And I can remember thinking at the time that this was more than I thought it should cost.

Any advice as to where I should take future packages for posting in BKK whilst paying the correct postage costs would be appreciated. Or have I missed something in the whole process?

Postal service: SAL (non priority airmail - max 30kg). 20kg: 3310 bahts x 2 = 6620 bahts. This, to my knowledge is the cheapest way. Also you have a chance not to pay duty on arrival, if not too bulky (eye-catching to the custom officer). Not the case with DHL/FedEx. Transit time: approx. 20 days.

Good luck.

I recently sent 2 x 20kg boxes SAL from BKK to Aust using the PO in the MBK shopping complex. The charge was 6,400 baht per box, although the actual postage cost per box was only 3,310 Baht. [stamps on the box]. I found out later that there are many privately run PO's in BKK and a few government run ones. I guess I used a privately run PO & this explains the mark up on the postage costs. However it was very convenient & the staff were very helpful. No duty on arrival as it was everyday non perishable goods valued at less than $1,000. I also sent 1 x 20kg box by sea and this cost 4,400 Baht, although the actual postage cost was only 2,740 Baht.

The prices were listed in an official booklet according to type of postage and weight. I really didn't give it much thought at the time but obviously I paid too much.

Any advice as to where I should take future packages for posting whilst paying the correct postage costs would be appreciated.

To ryro88 - you certainly are an active little b_ugger.

On 13/09 you ask TV members for information on the best areas to stay in Bkk for bars & gogos. I'm assuming you won't be reading books in these places.

On 14/09 you ask TV members for information about the do's and don'ts of meeting a Thai girls parents (up country) for the first time.

Make up your mind. You're either in it for fun with no commitments or you're in it on a more serious note - as that's how the girl's parents will see it.

If it's for fun stay at a hotel, don't sleep with the girl at her village.

What a stunning coincidence. EACH man had THB 34,000 in his trousers, what are the chances of that ?

Having worked with Indians for many years I know them not to be inveterate liars, always to carry large amounts of cash with them ( that's why they travel on baht buses and don't take taxis ) and to always ensure they promptly pay for their round of drinks, which could explain why they all had the same amount on them. And none of them would ever engage in dubious behavior like going to a lady's room, even when invited.

Whilst the thread reads like each of the Indians had 34,000 baht in their pockets I think the real amount claiming to be stolen is 34,000 baht in total from the three men's pockets. We all know how the translation can be botched.

Well they're bloody fools. Yep just bloody fools. Never should these temptations be put in front of poor working class Thais.

There's every chance they'd be robbed in the West too when displaying such stupidity.

Bit like those hussies who go out in short skirts I guess - just asking to be sexually molested.

"Well I know of one western couple, visit Pattaya every year, have been scolded by local friends and hotel management, and police, for leaving very large sums of cash out in the open for visitors, maids etc., to see. And it's all left out in full view while they go sightseeing for the day, etc.

They also leave out in full view wallets, passports, jewelry (including bags of jewelry bought from big local gem shops which they take home and sell to fund their trips to Pattaya).

Their response to scolding "you should trust people".

Yes they have been robbed several times, but they continue to leave to leave it all out in full view.

Well they're bloody fools. Yep just bloody fools. Never should these temptations be put in front of poor working class Thais.

There's every chance they'd be robbed in the West too when displaying such stupidity".

Sorry can't see any relevance to your post. Mine was about the people being stupid to leave money & valuables on show in their hotel room. Bound to be robbed. Yours was about prostitutes wearing short skirts????????????

Have I missed something in your post?

Yes. Blaming the victim.

But you did manage to add something - nowhere in my post did I use the word "prostitutes".

I stand corrected Jackspratt - you did not mention the word prostitute and I understand the point you are making.

However the thrust of my comment related to tourists who ask to be "victims". For example those who leave money and jewellery out in the open spaces of their hotel room. Those that go swimming in Phuket during the rainy season and ignore the red flags. Those that sit on a Pattaya beach at 4:30am in a drunken state. Those that drive motorbikes at high speed when drunk wearing shorts, tshirt and tongs etc etc. These people are just asking to become victims. OK bad things shouldn't happen to them but they do. Yes sir I blame the victim.

There are so many victims of crime that in spite of taking all reasonable & sensible precautions are just unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time or have valuables stolen from their room or their credit card skimmed etc etc. I do not blame these victims.

Well they're bloody fools. Yep just bloody fools. Never should these temptations be put in front of poor working class Thais.

There's every chance they'd be robbed in the West too when displaying such stupidity.

Bit like those hussies who go out in short skirts I guess - just asking to be sexually molested.

"Well I know of one western couple, visit Pattaya every year, have been scolded by local friends and hotel management, and police, for leaving very large sums of cash out in the open for visitors, maids etc., to see. And it's all left out in full view while they go sightseeing for the day, etc.

They also leave out in full view wallets, passports, jewelry (including bags of jewelry bought from big local gem shops which they take home and sell to fund their trips to Pattaya).

Their response to scolding "you should trust people".

Yes they have been robbed several times, but they continue to leave to leave it all out in full view.

Well they're bloody fools. Yep just bloody fools. Never should these temptations be put in front of poor working class Thais.

There's every chance they'd be robbed in the West too when displaying such stupidity".

Sorry can't see any relevance to your post. Mine was about the people being stupid to leave money & valuables on show in their hotel room. Bound to be robbed. Yours was about prostitutes wearing short skirts????????????

Have I missed something in your post?

I smell an insurance scam! 1 million baht no way , maybe 10,000 baht.

Ladies bought men drinks !! DING DING!! something wrong .

Hotels have safes , security boxes, no i will leave all my expensive gear for somedody to steal !!BULL...T!!

Well I know of one western couple, visit Pattaya every year, have been scolded by local friends and hotel management, and police, for leaving very large sums of cash out in the open for visitors, maids etc., to see. And it's all left out in full view while they go sightseeing for the day, etc.

They also leave out in full view wallets, passports, jewelry (including bags of jewelry bought from big local gem shops which they take home and sell to fund their trips to Pattaya).

Their response to scolding "you should trust people".

Yes they have been robbed several times, but they continue to leave to leave it all out in full view.

Well they're bloody fools. Yep just bloody fools. Never should these temptations be put in front of poor working class Thais.

There's every chance they'd be robbed in the West too when displaying such stupidity.

I dont worry , the TAT will come up with some good reason ..dont frighten the billions tourists expected in the next 4 years ... I havent swim in this area for years (except in hotel pools) 20 years ago I had severe rashes after swimming on jomtien beach ... I gave up swimming in this area as the quality of water always have been bad..

Good idea to use hotel swimming pools - it lessens the chance of being chopped to pieces by those damn speedboat propellers at Jontiem. Two in two years or is it more? But it's still an OK beach for just relaxing under the beach umbrellas - plenty of food & drink available close by and there's more sand than at Pattaya Beach.

If ever there was a topic on TV that made an argument for only renting Thai female company then this is it. So many posters with so much drama, pain and grief in their lives caused by crazy Thai partners.

So to those who rent Thai female company - your decision has been well & truly vindicated. Good luck to you. But at times you may feel lonely for a loving relationship.

To those that chose to live in a long term relationship or marry a Thai girl - just hope like hell you don't get the crazy ones that ruin your life. There's probably 20%-30% that are really happy. Now as for the rest.............

And yes I know there's a massive amount of crazy, jealous, vindictive women in the Western society as well.

How many of you have seen the YOU TUBE video where they open locked zippered bags with a lead pencil. Piece of cake. Easy if you know how to do it. It doesn't matter how many locks you have. They open and lock your suitcase again. Easy access. The only way to stop this would be to plastic wrap your suitcase. But then for the professional thief this would not present a problem either.

TONY JAA. WHAT A LEGEND. WHATEVER HE'S IN I'LL WATCH.

Very sad story. Such a waste of a young life. A non swimmer is a non swimmer. What nonsense to talk about air in your lungs, floating etc etc. A non swimmer sinks like a stone, panicked, gulping water - it only ends in one way.

As a non swimmer he wouldn't have any clue what to do when being swept onto rocks. He was more than likely knocked out when he hit the rocks. Plus his friends may not have really known what to do when trying to revive him. So sad.

For a start it's definitely the wrong time of the year for many of the beach resorts. You should have been aware of that.

I had a wonderful time in Ko Lanta at one of it's southern beaches but it was in February. The water was blue, the music at the resort was great, the food was good. I knew there wasn't much to do but relax and if you have female company that's what you want to do.

I'm not 20 so I would never go to Ko Phangan. But Ko Samui is OK at this time of year as is Chiang Mai. The crowds are down, the weather's OK and it's easy to move around.

Mostly when I'm on the move around Thailand I hire a car and that makes a huge difference. It allows you to stop off along the drive to visit numerous tourist spots and to eat when you're hungry etc etc. You didn't have that advantage and spent a lot of your time moving at the mercy of taxi drivers, ferries, airports.

You'd have almost been better off to hire a car from Bangkok & drive north to Chiang Mai. Lots of places to visit and the trip can be broken up into half day drives. Very good standard hotels should be much cheaper this time of the year.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Fantastic shot. My guess would be you were hoping if it did strike it would be at the camera.

Or do the feint strike they often do first, when not hunting.

It's good to know your snake and its habits.

Snakes I have met in the wild, like Australian Death Adder, a large Tiger snake, a giant King Brown snake, mostly

have left alone except for the King Brown we stupidly tried to catch. Fortunately we failed.

Nice work. Beautiful focus. Very clean. .

Maggusoil - with that type of past time you'd be wasting your money buying Xmas presents for this years end. As I'm sure you know all of those are amongst the most venomous snakes in the world. Try chasing kangaroos or wallabies - much safer.

To Anguid - beautiful photos.

Actually as i was leaving i tried to tell him not to rush into anything and that all is not what it seems here,hopefully after a few days up in Isaan with the relatives all there with their hands out he may just come to his senses ,but about 6 months ago myself and a few friends were talking to a guy who was broke after losing two ,yes two houses to women and this was someone who lives here ,was it P T Barnham that said "never give a sucker an even break"

No, Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute." That, btw, is the correct spelling of Barnum. Don't know who said don't give 'em an even break. Sounds like Vegas to me.

Sounds like something W. C. Fields or Mae West may have said.

This story is not unique, but still funny. Of course I have heard over 10 stories along these lines, some much worse and some much weirder. I would not call it a "lamb to slaughter" unless you felt this guy was extremely handsome, rich, smart, athletic, etc.... and she was the exact opposite. I understand guys want happiness and can't find it at home; these things cost money, anywhere. I get thai women want to be treated well, I would too if in their shoes. anyhow, I just hope the guy spent the last year+ learning some thai. it will make the transition easier, I think.

About two years ago I shared a table at Kiss Restaurant on Second Rd with a Swedish guy. He had everything going for him. He was young, handsome, athletic etc etc. I struck up a conversation with him. He had a Thai girlfriend who he'd visited many, many times. In the end she'd taken him to the cleaners and he had lost everything. He was returning to Sweden and never coming back to Thailand. He was so sad and broken hearted that even after a long term relationship he'd been cleaned out.

Yes it's a story we hear hundreds of times. It normally all starts with meeting the wrong type of Thai girl when here on a short holiday, and confusing lust with love. I felt really sorry for this guy. He wasn't some old geezer with too much money and no sex appeal thinking they really are attractive to younger Thai girls.

There must be so many sad stories out there, so many "lambs to the slaughter", so much money lost that never can be recovered in a person's working life. It's not funny at all but it is predictable. As sure as the sun rises every day there are dozens of more lambs arriving by plane. The Isaan girls & others are waiting.

OMG Not another one, rebuildng his life and living a dream he never actually lived out for real life. Just a little bit sick of how many ex special forces and ex cia men I have met here, who have come to reinvent themselves because they could not cope in their homelands and try to impress others, with their so called achievements in homeland. If life was so great back home, then why come here and pass on your Bullshit to others of what you would really like to like to have been like. The same goes for all those who were muliti-millionaires in their home country. If a Thai woman falls for all that, it just shows her lack of knowledge of the western world and what SAS , special forces and CIA really stands for. Their knowledge is limited to local events within thailand and their respective villages and truly have NO knowledge of the aforemntioned agencies. DOH!.

... Well done ... another farang who mets & weds a wealthy HiSo Chinese/Thai... ... your post says it all !!

Also I met her in a bar, but she was different from all the rest.

As is mine. The only reason she even considered dating me in the first place is because I was in the S.A.S....

Whoa boy - to poster "Raindancer" I think poster "Baboon" was just taking the piss, pulling your chain, etc. You know pretending to be SAS for a joke because there are expats that really do this. No need to stomp him into the ground. I'm sure his post was just for a laugh - same as "...but she was different from the rest".

How far out are the red flags? Are you safe if you generally stay in waist deep waters?

Exactly the attitude that causes accidents. When Red flags are out I stay out of the water.

At Karon Beach - waist deep one step and over your head next step. This applies to any beach where there is surf or large waves. Lots of sandbanks and troughs. Especially in Phuket in the wet season when the seas are rough and unpredictable!!!!

Where the rips are found is often the calmest part of the surf coming in because water is being channelled out so it calms the wave action.

Those who are experienced surfers will often ride these outwards currents to get to the back of set of waves. It saves you busting through breaking waves.

I agree that multi-language signs need to be displayed along the roadside to the beaches in addition to the red flags.

I feel sorry for the Thai lifeguards who have to risk their lives to save the silly swimmers who either don't know what a red flag means or don't care. As another poster said they come for a holiday and want to go swimming regardless of the risk to their safety (and that of the lifeguards and others who may try to help).

BudfahRuksa

To be honest , I think you are buying a load of trouble . Having a baby doesn't solve anything , is just a further impediment and source of argument . Moody and manipulative describes most Thai women . You have to learn to say NO and mean NO , they accept it and will sweeten up . Don't take any nonsense from them . I wouldn't send copies of your passport and birth certificate .

I would strongly advise against getting married until you know one another really well . Thais will be looking for a hefty bride price . If she is coming to Australia that is the place to have a simple registry office wedding . She may at a later date try to persuade you to go to live in Thailand , Don't . The Cops aren't going to come after you in Australia . Take Care !!!

BudfahRuksa's problem has sort of high jacked the OP's question. But in answer to BudfahRuksa's problem my advice would be to stay a very long way away from this lady. For example her in Thailand and you in Australia. She's sounds big trouble and high maintenance and will probably give you a miserable life and financial caning.

God if she's like this at the beginning of a relationship what chance has it got. YOU WILL BE MISERABLE. REPEAT - YOU WILL BE MISERABLE.

However you have fathered a child and should seek to remit a monthly amount to Thailand for the child's benefit. How this can be achieved I don't know.

I wouldn't send copies of your passport and birth certificate .

* Phuket and Pattaya are places with a relatively small local population, people who's families are from the area, with all the social structures and social control that comes along with it. There are relatively a lot of migrants, fortune seekers, hustlers, poor people, illegal immigrants, Farangs of questionable stature, tourists in general and other riff-raff, who are there by themselves or with peers, without any family or established social structures keeping them in check. And as a tourist destination they attract a more party-oriented crowd, with many who are almost actively trying to get into trouble.

Both developments (press and migrants), are occurring in Chiang Mai too, more and more. However the original native population is much larger than for Pattaya, Phuket (and Samui, etc.), so overall it's probably still a somewhat better society than the places you mention. However, there is also no doubt that it's not a quiet village anymore.

i would agree with this assessment. Basically, Chiang Mai has a lot more "normal" Thais just going about their lives. They were born and raised in the city/region and have firm roots here. They're not particularly interested in trying to fleece a farang. But in Pattaya/Phuket, most of the Thais are not from that area and are there to make money. If that involves fleecing a farang or two, so much the better. That's why I'd say the Thais in Pattaya/Phuket--especially those that deal with farangs day-to-day--have somewhat of a mercenary flair about them. Certainly not all, but more than anywhere else. They are not representative of normal Thais in the rest of Thailand.

Could it be that the undesirable (and menacing) Thai elements from Surat Thani, Nakon Si Thammarat and Hat Yai find Chang Mai just too far away?

on my first visit to pattaya several years ago, (2005)i went to that russian place near the (gone?) peppermint gogo up the stairs

they charged 250 baht for a bottle of san mig light, and a girl wanted 2000 baht for a five minute lap dance !! i exited rather quickly

The Peppermint Gogo is still in Walking Street. It's now on the street level - close to where it used to be (when upstairs). It's a bit tamer now than before. Used to be my favourite gogo because of the superb eye candy on show and the cheaper draft beers.

I hope this is the thin edge of the wedge and "Chooka" is correct.

The Thais have got to realise soon how much they are losing out on from other nationalities due to the masssive Soviet influx. How many Norwegians, Danes, Dutch, Germans, Brits and Americans go to Soviet owned Go Go bars and Discos...

Discos ??? Did they not die out 25 years ago ?

Soviets eat Soviet food in Soviet restaraunts. They travel in Soviet owned coaches with Soviet Tour guides. They fly on Soviet airlines and they dance and drink in Soviet bars and clubs....If any of them actually buy a Condo ??? Its from a Soviet Sales person.....where do you see the ordinary Thai person gaining from this other than Baht Bus drivers dragging their sweaty ( they seem to avoid using de-odorant ) bodies around to these venues.

I saw a Baht Bus sporting an advert looking for Soviet Women to apply for jobs as "Escorts". Where do you get the Visa for that ?

Every Thai I know when they hear mention of the word "Russian" follows it up with Mafia... I am sure lots of them are not but sh*t sticks when you get tarred with the same brush....

True, true and more true. From what I've seen the hottest place in Walking Street is the Russian restaurant & nightclub opposite Rolling Stone 2 Bar. It's pumping every night with Russians having a good time. There's probably some others tucked away around there too that aren't as visible.

Two observations - although there are some very hot young Russian girls getting around Pattaya in the groups of Russian tourists the shear number of Russians in Pattaya probably accounts for the decline in numbers visiting there from Europe and English speaking countries. Secondly some people prefer a white busty size 16 girl - as opposed to a slim size 8 Thai girl. [Personally I prefer the slim girls.]