Kaoboi Bebobp

http://aqicn.org/city/bangkok/

Propaganda BS. Nice one. 

Got to love this paragraph:

Quote

"To prevent the air quality from getting worse, the department has sought cooperation from all stakeholders to refrain from burning garbage, to reduce emissions and to contain dust particles at construction sites."

I'm sure all the stakeholders who have been anxiously awaiting this report give a rat's *ss. Right now, the Air Quality Index for Bangkok is an "unhealthy" 163. 

Right beside Retox on Soi Lengkee. Brand new setup. 

That photo is most definitely Soi Buakhao, looking north to Klang. Sorry. 

A breath of fresh air. The problem is he has to deal with the heavily entrenched apparatchiks in his and other ministries. But it's a good sign the junta decision makers are going with someone who can stir the pot, after dismissing the previous boss.

Having lived in Bangkok and Pattaya, there's no point in going out shopping at 10 am. In fact, many shops, for example, at Fortune Town and Pantip Plaza, don't raise the shutters till 11 am. Same at Tukcom. I think, overall, you can blame the employees who show up when they bloody well feel like it -- if they show up at all. I've seen shop shutters raised around noon when the sign says 10 am opening.

To the OP, the answer is a resounding No!

The way these news stories portray the offenders' activities and police responses just defy belief.

". . . The [police] panel discussed 12 pubs that were found during police raids late last year to be operating illegally."

"Three other venues . . . would be given a chance to provide explanations within 15 days."

Discussions? Provide explanations? What?!?!? No discussions or explanations are needed. The bars were caught dead to rights. Let the police lay charges and courts convict/fine/close the bars. Cases closed.

However, I guess explanation$$$ are forthcoming. 

Can anyone report their experiences after using U-tapao immigration and customs? Speedy? I was just through Swampy on a flight from HCMC and it took me one and a half hours to get through passport control. Which made me late to get my luggage from the belt. Had to chase BFS down to find out what happened. Anyway, they were very helpful but whole process was over 2 hours to get outside.

Reason I'm asking is that in the spring I may visit the UK and then fly to Thailand.

Edit: Just checked from May/September return flights LHR-UTP. Return flights are cheap but 13-hour layovers?!?!? Not a chance. Total flight durations run 27 hours, that's 3-4 hours more than my times from the middle of Canada.

"New business density [in Thailand] is one of the lowest in the region, leaving room for hopeful entrepreneurs."

Translation: The smart ones moved on to Vietnam, the suckers stayed behind.

Last night coming to Pattaya from BKK airport is the first time I've been on Hwy 7 at night in many years. I always arrive in daylight. I could not believe how dark the toll gate areas are and how curvy and non-systematic the entry and exit roads are. It's a good thing the taxi driver knew the roads and toll gates. Lots of potential for accidents.

10 minutes ago, steven100 said:

are you serious ... ?   that's around $3.20 ... to Bangkok.  Wow !   that's a cheap charlies ticket for sure

It is a GREAT deal. It used to be 124, then 119. About 3-4 years ago they dropped it to 108. And just recently both the Ekamai Terminal in Bangkok and the North Road Terminal in Pattaya have spanking new toilet facilities that put BKK airport to shame. Pattaya also has a nice, new park-like setting for us smokers.

The buses are not much to look at and the interiors could use a remake, but mechanically they are well taken care of, IMO and that of a farang insider who retired from the company a couple of years ago. 

11 hours ago, hiigara said:

Does the http://pattayabus.com/ run on saturdays and sundays too?

This bus route runs 7 days a week, all holidays, etc. It never stops. Starts at around 4:30 am till 11 pm or midnight, both ways. Just show up, pay your 108 baht and you're off in minutes.

On 1/5/2018 at 3:46 PM, tutsiwarrior said:

 

as I remember in 2006 there was an organization called Saigontourist in HCMC that organized tours...but all of my local professional associates used HCMC as well as the staff at the accommodation, etc...

Indeed. Here in the deep south of VN, the big city is known as Ho Chi Minh. There are indeed businesses, geographical spots and services with the name Saigon but for all, the city is called HCMC. A further note, Saigon Tourist taxis are to be avoided. They monopolize the Ben Nha Rong ferry terminal, ripping people off, e.g., charging them "by the meter" a million dong for an airport run -- which is 150,000 regularly.

6 hours ago, balo said:

Big C is cheaper on most of the locally produced stuff. Imports can be cheaper at Friendship and Tesco.  

 

Bingo. I buy mostly imported stuff so that would account for my perspective on price benefits at Friendship. This was early last year. I know I'm going to have to do a new price check upon returning to the Pattaya area this month.

It's a 60 baht moto ride from Klang and Soi Yume (a.k.a. Paniad Chang, the road beside Big C Extra) to the bus station. Not sure about a moto ride north on 3rd Road to North Road, where the bus station is. Maybe 70-80 baht.

Nothing wrong with the Pattaya-Bangkok bus. I've done the return route well over 150 times in 7 years. I always get off at Udom Suk BTS station because it sometimes can take another half hour from the Bang Na Trad road (exit to Sukhumvit) to Ekamai Station. 

I've never known Friendship to be more expensive than Big C. It's just the opposite. In fact, just about everything I bought at Foodland (and Big C Extra) was cheaper at Friendship, which is why I switched. Although may be we have completely different shopping lists. 

Been in Harbor Mall 8-10 times, but always late morning to mid-afternoon. It's never been anything but dead. What a wasteland. I just don't want Aeon MaxValu to die. 

6 minutes ago, Bob1million said:

I wonder could i please ask you can i get a single re entry visa at Pattaya immargration as i am going to report there in the next few weeks. Im will leaving the country for about 5 days.

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

You can get a single re-entry stamp no problem there. 1,000 baht. 

First, you need a foundation of excellence in education and industry across many sectors. Since this is the missing element, look for an announcement in 2-3 years of the cancellation of this visa program. 

I've had very satisfactory breakfasts at Retox, maybe 30 odd times. I agree the service is less than exemplary and even less so now that they have probably doubled the number of tables at Lengkee. It's a madhouse these days and I'm far less inclined to eat there when I visit Pattaya. Soon though I will be installed in my new apartment near Big C X  and will mostly eat brekky at home.

The only answer, as I found out a couple of years ago, was to cook my own. But you need a good kitchen, with at least a two-burner gas stove or, as a second-tier choice, two-large-element flattop electric cook stove. Not to mention quality ingredients, which were almost entirely imported varieties, although there's good local bacon and superior eggs (S-pure brand) about. Also, I don't allow myself to be corralled into a particular nationality's acceptable breakfast. I cooked  what I want in any combination.

RTP cops just can't help themselves -- as they help themselves.