Wordworx

I don't think I really need to mention this, as you did India and are no doubt savvy, but will anyway. I've noted a few posts here looking like they are seeking "business". My respectful suggestion is: Don't. Pretty sure you knew that; only deal with agents who come recommended by a trusted source. Deal only with those with a proven track record and a long-established business -- preferably brick and mortar. Also, respectfully agree with other suggestions that you rent. Buying is complicated and loaded with risks and binding obligation. Renting is cheap with nearly zero risks. And you can leave clean and clear, if needed, maybe lose a negligible deposit sum. Things can change. Fast. (A perfect example is, in fact, India some years ago.) Also, you can change. Decide you would rather go elsewhere. Really makes no sense to buy.

Right, what I thought. Places cut off the agencies and booking sites and the small places don't much bother. You need an actual phone number to call the latter (usually). If a decent place 6000 is a good deal. If you dive with Ocean Pro (and I recommend it) tell them I sent you. American guy about Dave's age (the owner), name of Lowell. Might be dropping by in a month or two. Enjoy.

I wonder if there's another point here.

Many farang don't realize how strongly most Thais will avoid anything which looks even remotely like confrontation (in a broad sense).

Maybe. But being kind of a jerk, I think a little more confrontation around here might do some good. As a quick for instance, the caged and chained constantly barking dogs, the terrible pop music blasting through the hood, the impromptu karaoke "bars" ruining people's day-to-day existence, the stopping and parking in the street, the stupid false friendliness until your back is turned... Oh, and the scams. Let's not forget milking the expat dudes and the scams. The benefits outweigh the downside, for sure. Just sayin'...

I'm no help, I'm afraid, but have forwarded your post to some nice people who run a wine distribution business, among their other enterprises. You may hear from them. They occasionally do tasting and dining events with other well traveled, seasoned expat types. And you might consider similar culinary routes. Maybe the better and better-attended Thai cooking classes, other tasting events catering to expats, that sort of thing. >>> btw - Nice to see the OP's post was returned with all gracious and helpful replies.

-snip-

The products he sells as a sideline makes a permanent barrier between him and her.

He sells condoms?

Hah! Good one.

Dump 'em all. Let The Great Spirit sort it out.

Right. The US is listed as the 8th best country in the world for internet. And only a bit below the next 3-4. Hardly a joke.

Two sites show it at 8 based on penetration and speed:

http://mashable.com/2013/10/22/high-speed-internet-access/

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eglg45fmkjh/no-8-usa-6/

One lists it at 14 for speed

http://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2013-01-23/top-10-countries-with-the-fastest-internet.html

And one lists it at 11 for speed

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/top-10-countries-with-the-fastest-internet/

2013_10_22_Internet.jpg

For what it's worth, following is a tech writeup from a day or so ago with a bunch of other guys arguing in the comments section. I guess it depends on how you rate "speed" and when you rate it. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20131127/15072925396/us-works-its-way-up-to-middle-pack-broadband-speed.shtml

I reside at a good hotel in Chiang Mai. Speed is excellent (relative to SE Asia) and very reliable service, overall. (Right now download speed of 3.95 Mbps.) If you want to experience some really crappy service, try Laos or Indonesia. (My experience: Bali and Sumatra were often useless, but did get some surprisingly good speed in the sticks of Java, guessing because I was maybe one of three people using it for miles.)

Also had great service is Chiang Rai, Bangkok and to a less extent down south. Could be whatever service you have is substandard and some operators and establishments, like hotels and apartment buildings, will throttle back the bandwidth, especially on downloads.

And, yes, compared to other industrialized nations, US is a joke. Monopolization and failure to invest in / upgrade infrastructure. Another big F-U from the same corps that provide lousy mobile service at absurd locked-in contract rates and charge $150 a month for TV "packages", 95% of which are garbage. But you have to buy it all to watch the programming you actually want. (Monopolization and corrupt control by vampire corps: What's not to like?)

Right. The US is listed as the 8th best country in the world for internet. And only a bit below the next 3-4. Hardly a joke.

As for mobile service, you are only locked in if you want a free phone. As for TV packages, I had one last year for $75 that was fantastic. Most stations in HD. If you didn't like it, you have several other choices. Hardly a monopoly.

Never heard US as being ranked that high. In any case, we're going to have to agree to disagree. But for possible reference see Ookla speedtest. Based on essentially real-time monitoring US is currently ranked 32, just above Russia and just below Ukraine. [http://www.netindex.com/download/allcountries] Anyway, not looking it get into a beef over this -- off topic. Maybe some other time.

I reside at a good hotel in Chiang Mai. Speed is excellent (relative to SE Asia) and very reliable service, overall. (Right now download speed of 3.95 Mbps.) If you want to experience some really crappy service, try Laos or Indonesia. (My experience in Bali and Sumatra was that speed was excruciatingly, hair-pullingly slow and often useless -- worse than 1995 AOL dial-up. But did get some surprisingly good speed way out in the sticks of Java; guessing because I was maybe one of three people using it for miles.)

Also had great service is Chiang Rai, Bangkok and to a less extent down south. Could be whatever service you have is substandard and some operators and establishments, like hotels and apartment buildings, will throttle back the bandwidth, especially on downloads.

And, yes, compared to other industrialized nations, US is a joke. Monopolization and failure to invest in / upgrade infrastructure. Another big F-U from the same corps that provide lousy mobile service at absurd locked-in contract rates and charge $150 a month for TV "packages", 95% of which are garbage. But you have to buy it all to watch the programming you actually want. (Monopolization and corrupt control by vampire corps: What's not to like?)

Qué es esto?!

There are rooms still on LIpe. Just, at this point, not going to be listed on the web. Why don't you email Ocean Pro divers, say:

*Hello Dave and Noi, Lowell Bennett told me if I dive Lipe, you are the people to see...*

Some BS like that. Tell them how many days and ask them to get you a room. Likely no prob. Probably will be place next to their shop. If you are serious about diving, worth the effort.

In any case, Lipe or Krabi, have a good one.

Lipe is fully booked.

Back to searching at Ao Nang, or possibly Phi-Phi?

Really? After all that dissertation? That blows. Yeah, Krabi is probably the way to go. Looks like plenty of rooms still available in Ao Nang, with rates elevated some. You can island hop by boat, if that's your bag. Maybe best just to hit Krabi, sort out your plans then based on conditions.

You can get pretty much all the info you need here: kohlipethailand.com. But don't rely on a prompt reply if you email. They get a load of mails and many are of the *dumb question* variety. Looks like you can now book online with them or you can use an agent. Probably you can just head to the pier, but maybe better to reserve ticket in advance and pay a little more. Place called "The Travel Shop" runs above-noted site. Swiss guy and his Thai wife. They are happy to answer questions and book stuff for you once you are there. You'll take the boat from Pak Bara Pier. I understand there is serviced parking there. I don't know it, but suspect it is secure. That's a busy little pier.

The Travel Shop is just around the corner from the dive shop I use. Ocean Pro: oceanprodivers.net. Run by a Canadian guy named Dave and his (of course) Thai wife, Noi (sp?). Their boat is killer. Big with a second-level deck. Never crowded, great for lounging en route. Lunch is pretty good. Best part is: It's a short run to the sites. I think the furthest out is about 1.5 hours. Most are within about 30-40 minutes.

You can do Agoda for hotel maybe 2 nights, snoop around for other places if you stay longer. For about $35-45 you can get a decent clean room with good bed, fan, A/C and hot shower. Maybe best off the beach as newer and cheaper. For maybe around $60-75 you can get a large x-tra comfortable freestanding bungalow with deck and not share walls. KL is less backpacker than most beach locations, so a little more expensive. You will see backpackers but more upper-level EU types. And the diving generally prices out the former. Accommodations run from real cheap to real expensive. And you can walk the entire island easy.

Visibility is generally good to great. Some dramatic coral formations. Sadly, most of the big fish are gone, but you'll still see some interesting stuff. And they know where to get you for photos. One of the things they do. You can also snorkel and (further out) freedive off the beach, though I think the reefs have been taking a beating.

Not sure what TV Forum policies are on URLs, but I have a KL gallery at LBAV.net. Just the island and waters. You can find the undersea stuff around. Or just see Google images. Still a nice little island (I think).

On the driving thing: Were it me I would probably pay Air Asia the sport luggage fee, taxi from Hat Yai airport to Pak Bara Pier, get the transit over with. All that driving and hassle seems like it might add some wear and tear to the *traveling couple scenario*. But that's just me.

The number of US residents who list themselves as Thai is more than 300,000 (Census 2009). What about them, the hundreds of thousands of Thai living in other Western nations and the thousands of young Thai studying abroad (and learning to speak actual functional English, btw)? According to the referenced dingbat, I guess they all should get back here pronto so they can drink their own (bottled) water. That said, I suspect were it not for the tourist and expat income infusion most Southeast Asians (the men, anyway) would be happy to see the foreigners pack their bags and get out of town.

I said no islands as my fiancee is more than a little worried leaving a car somewhere and going to an island, if I offer an island trip, she'd want to take a bus and I don't want that. If traveling by car and going to an island, we would need to store a car somewhere and I have no idea where, but sure, post the info, I'm open to suggestions.

Will check Ao Nang, thanks for the replies, at least something to start the research with.

Not sure from where you are traveling. You can fly to Hat Yai, taxi or minibus to Pak Bara (or Pakbara) Pier. Boat from there to KL. I've done both taxi and minibus. Of course, the minibus has its share of stops. If you drive there is a parking service at Pak Bara Pier. Search any of those terms, you'll find a lot of info. Food was good in Krabi... I dunno. Scenery around there, the formations and forest are nice, motor biking good... I got bored pretty fast. Maybe just me. And I was traveling solo at the time. Never did diving there but can't imagine visibility being that great. And the fish are no doubt long gone. I think most operators will run you out to Phi Phi sites. But speaking from ignorance here. Best of luck.

Right, what you are describing is Ao Nang. I booked a nice four-star there a couple of times for about US$40. Best bet is to check Agoda, select Ao Nang, check out the reviews, don't book anything less than *Excellent* or *Very Good*. Krabi is okay for 2-3 days (my opinion) unless you get involved in a sport. Rock climbing and kayaking are big. Can't say about the diving, but my experience is you have to get away from the mainland pollution to make it worth the trouble and expense. You said no islands, but Koh Lipe is a short speedboat / ferry ride from mainland. You should probably check it out at some point (before it is ruined like the rest). I know a good operator there, big boat -- more like a small ship. Always photographers hanging around and on the boat. (Post a reply if you want the info.) Most dive sites are a short 30-40 minute hop from Lipe. On Lanta (just off mainland) in contrast, was about 2.5 hours out and back. That was to get beyond the pollution / garbage belt. (Disgusting.) Five hours on the boat and the dive sites were NOT worth the trip. Not even close. Krabi may be better but what I saw of the water when I was there not real inviting. May have been the weather, though.

Holy Christ. Lucky that Thailand lets us stay at all.

No sh-t. Just returned from extension run / Chiang Mai immigration. If I was behind the counter I'd probably tell about 50% of those applicants to hit the road and don't come back, jack. Like, dude, really? Flip-flops, grimy old camo-print cargo shorts, stained knock-off T-shirt, dirty hair and scraggly 4-day beard? That the way you would walk into a federal office back in the US?

You might be able to get some worthwhile info from the short string linked below. Of course, best option is direct flight to VT, but more baht than flying to UT and minibus to border. One note on the Nok Air package deal to downtown VT: My understanding is you may be in for some wait time at border and they drop you central VT -- where Thai visa processing is not. Don't see the advantage. If your timing is right, you can taxi straight from border to visa offices. I forget name, but once stayed at a hotel just across the street. Was okay, not great. And nothing happening in that area. You can check Agoda. I think that is one of the areas they list.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671718-chiang-mai-to-completed-vientiane-visa-app-in-45-hours-ish/#entry6879433

I'm no expert on security procedures for Thai political elites in the midst of a medium-grade civic upheaval, but not having a security detail attached to this kid (her princeling) would be sort of logic-defying. At the very least, photos of the miscreants would be published. More likely, the security detail would have done what usually bored-out-of-their-brains security details do best: overreact. >>> Reads like a dumb propaganda ruse.

Reply to the OP's last post of regret --

If it was a typical diseased and mangy soi dog and it was threatening and moving to attack little girls, killing other animals, etc, I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. It should have been put down. Going to the police? Well, I guess that was the *right* thing to do. And in this world of ours and this country of theirs, doing the *right* thing always works out for the best. [insert sardonic smiley face here.] Best of luck and hope things settle in the hood.

Your Embassy can't and won't do anything apart from maybe tell her to get out of the building.

Right. And if the embassy in question is the US Consulate, the only person they could care less about than one of their basic-level expats is their basic-level expat's ex GF on the hustle. She probably would not get past the gate. ("Where window for American make my baby now not buy me new TV?") Ever think about telling her you might raise the fee if she agrees to DNA test? If your are certain yours, I'm sure another poster has a reasonable sum all figured out. But best if you can find a good used WABAC Machine. That's the way to go.

You guys (above comments) actually think the OP is bogus? You think a person is that dysfunctional; to take the time to conceive that detailed of a post? Is there, really, around these parts, that sort of ultimate loser?

But diseased, aggressive, brain addled and potentially dangerous animals are like vermin

We've only the OP's side of the story. The dead dog could have been well-cared for, well-groomed, inoculated and of sound mind.

The OP might have been in a bad mood and decided to kill the dog for no good reason. For all we know, it might have been a yappy dog, like a Chihuahua, but he's decided that the dog should die. That's dog murder in my book.

One thing is for sure, he's now in extreme personal danger.

Are you telling the OP he is in "extreme danger"? For offing an aggressive diseased soi dog? And, yeah, I can see the guy is being honest. He did not whack a well-cared-for purebred. It was an alley dog. And you should be careful, replying to people that they are in "extreme danger". Obviously not the case. (Signing out of this string.)