PaPiPuPePo

I had a minor but I thought telling annoyance last time I left BKK: the taxi driver dropped me off across the street from what I was sure was the right spot, but "mai ben rai" he said, just go up those stairs on this side and cross over. Okay, so I haul my big bag up the stairs, and....can't cross over. I either have to go back down the stairs, find my way across the divided road, and back up, or I have to buy a regular BTS ticket for minimum fare, i.e. get 20 baht in change, buy a 15 baht fare card from the machine, then go in one gate and out the other, which is what I opted to do. What mickey-mouse nonsense!

I've had this problem exiting Japan numerous times, when I've had a one-way ticket due to having flexibility in my schedule thus desiring to buy my return or onward ticket after arriving in Thailand. The last time flying out of KIX, I was staying over for three days in Shanghai on a Osaka-Shanghai-Hong Kong flight. As they've done before, they handed me a form in Japanese (no English) and demanded I sign it in order to be checked in. My argument against this is three-fold in general, four in this case:

First, in this case, this was not a concern of the agent in Osaka, since I was flying to Shanghai and had an onward flight; it was a concern of the agent in Shanghai. The staff person agreed, but still demanded I sign the form.

Second, the form is in Japanese, and it's ridiculous to expect anyone to sign something in a language they can't understand. 

Third, once they produced, magically, a bilingual version, the form says "all costs and expenses." So I'm expected to sign a form with no limit on my liability. SImply ridiculous.

Fourth, any airline company that can build and manage a complex booking website (never mind maintain and fly complex airliners) should be able to either warn the ticket purchaser when they book that they will need to have an onward or return ticket out of the booked destination in order to check in, not spring this on the passenger at check-in, or refuse to sell the ticket; of course the latter would hurt their bottom line so that won't happen. And the warning would considerably lessen their leverage, so no real surprise it doesn't happen either.

All of these are valid arguments, but none of the last three evinced the slightest agreement from the staff or the supervisor who I had called over. In fact, the first time this happened, at Narita, the supervisor, a man, got snarly and threatening with me (that veneer of Japanese politeness is wafer thin, believe me). 

In this case, I managed to get checked in by insisting that this was not an issue at KIX, and that the staff at PVG were welcome to try to get me to sign an unlimited-liability form (in Chinese) if they wanted to. As it happened (and I knew it would), they didn't bring it up at PVG. 

At KIX they also asked where my visa for Hong Kong was. What a joke--better in fact was an earlier instance where I had a visa for mainland China, was flying to Hong Kong then going by train to China. That time the agent asked me "but how will you get from Hong Kong to China?" as if it were separated by an ocean.

So, to the moral of this story, and another solution (which I reserve until I need it): this is not a legal issue, as they will claim, it's about them covering themselves against loss, should the passenger be refused entry. Fair enough; but to spring it on the passenger at check-in is an obvious ploy to use that leverage, and beyond that, to present a form with no limit on the liability, when it would be reasonable to cap it at a very generous USD $3000, is equally unprofessional, to be charitable about it. This is why I only use the following if necessary, because this kind of behavior by the airlines (the last-minute no-limit and foreign-language strong-arming) needs to be resisted, not meekly gone along with.

So, that ace is this: cheaptickets.com will allow you to cancel your booking within 24 hours for about USD $11. So either right before you go to the airport, if you want to avoid a possible argument, or if it's demanded that you have an onward flight, go onine, buy one from them, then cancel it later; probably best to wait until after arrival. 

Considering some of the questionable characters I see let into Thailand, being a law-abiding and upstanding citizen, I have almost zero concerns about being refused entry into Thailand (not zero because these days who knows about anything for sure?). 

Gag reflexes vary,mine gets less the longer iv'e been here

 

 

Please try to refrain from explaining further why that is. 

I thought i had it a couple of days ago,high fever, puking non stop,hot water coming from my anus,that's it i thought, my claim to fame,the first person to get Ebola in Thailand, turned out it was your normal run of the mill food poisoning you get from eating out at an obscure Thai restaurant

So your avatar photo is actually a recent pic. I was wondering, thanks for clearing that up!

I use orange and green cable ties, run them through the lock holes in the zipper pulls and then around the handle. The zip pulls won't move very far at all. So, if a bad guy wants to open the zip, he won't be able to close it. Some customs/freight handlers carry black and white cable ties because that's what's usually on offer in the stores, and I've seen other bags using those. Electrical supply houses carry the coloured ones. With that inexpensive setup, if someone has opened your zip, you can report it to airport management right away (after taking photos).

I like this, and add the shrink-wrapping. Photograph the bag before you check in (if that's not what you meant).

I've been using rolling duffels for years, this has me rethinking that.

2-3 years ago I came out at Swampy, stopped over at a seating section as I often do to change my shoes out for sandals and grab some cooler clothing to change into in a bathroom, and when I opened my check-in bag there was an unopened pack of cigarettes, which I did not put in there (I don't smoke), sitting in my luggage. That kind of freaked me out, though nothing was missing. I figured it had been searched through on the way out and the pack fell out of a shirt pocket, but they're supposed to do that in your presence. Personal rights and privacy are so 20th-century. It did make it clear how useless locks on luggage are.

Suggestion: forbid all jet skis.

Problem solved.

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It took three pages for someone to suggest this obvious solution, not that it will happen. Unless, perhaps, someone is killed by one, since that's just a matter of time.

Jet skis are for losers, over-grown kids who like the feeling of power they give, just a flick of the wrist and you can zoom around like an action star. Never mind they're annoyingly loud, make that part of the beach inaccessible to swimmers, and pollute the water. And, obviously, attract a criminal element.

On another beach, I won't say where, where jet skis had just been introduced, I overheard a couple of falang who live there discussing ways to permanently disable them after hours. Sounds like poetic justice--the owners falsely claim damage, maybe they should see what real damage looks like.

Out off of them all I have to go for Eva, got a free upgrade to business which was not expected last year. Just a really good airline.

Flown with China Southerm, Eastern etc on legs in Asia and to be honest I'm just pleased they landed with all passengers still alive.

I've only flown with EVA once, US to Hong Kong via Taipei (of course). At Taoyuan we had an "exceptional" plane change, not the one listed on the ticket but an old narrow-body Boeing or AirBus. But I gathered they did this every time.

I'll second not using mainland Airlines (China Eastern, Southern, or Air China) unless absolutely necessary. I've had worse experiences with all of them than pretty much any other airline I've flown, and since I usually buy the cheapest ticket I've sampled a number of the low-budget carriers. If you fly into or within China though you're usually stuck with one of the three. A Chinese businessman told me Eastern is best avoided, of the other two Air China is better, that's been my experience too. I do avoid Aeroflot, Air Astana, or any other I've never heard about, though some small carriers--Hainan Airlines comes to mind--get good reviews.

I've only flown AirAsia once, so excuse me for not knowing you have to pay 30 baht for a small bottle of water. That kind of pettiness and the fact that my luggage looked like it was dragged on the ground (I started using a nylon cover after Air China chewed a bag up, AirAsia then burned a big hole through the cover) means I won't ever fly them again if I can avoid it. You have to vote with your dollar IMO.

@ ClutchClark

Of course he couldn't fix the broken train system in one year. But it appears nothing at all was done. He also made public statements to the effect he shouldn't be held responsible, rather than do the honorable thing and accept responsibility (never mind the inappropriate remark about "knowing how the family feels"). That's what honorable executives do, not pass the buck, even if their resignation is refused.

And as was pointed out, he earlier agreed to resign vis a vis derailments but reneged on that promise.

Obviously, the folks above him agreed with me :-P.

Of course it's not a solution, but it's an action that demonstrates remorse, in contrast to his excuse-making, which sent exactly the wrong message.

But AFAIC you're welcome to your opinion, and I'm welcome to mine. We've both expressed our views. Case closed, it's not worth arguing about--at least for me. Feel free to continue if you wish but I'm signing out for the day!

I worked as a translator for a Miss Universe pageant one year. One of the S. American contestants had a PhD in engineering. She was as physically attractive as the rest but got cut early on. We ate with the girls a number of times and the general level of conversation was not exactly intellectual. The winner, when posed the question "if you could meet anyone in the world..." answered with the name of a mediocre but at the time popular comedy actor "because he makes me laugh." "Nuff said.

And yes, the big smiles are completely out of place, not that I'm in the least bit surprised. I'm one who actually doesn't mind the "don't think too much" nature of most Thais, it's an antidote to (mostly pseudo-) intellectualism especially amongst Europeans. But there are limits to mindlessness, and this exceeds any such.

OK maybe I shouldn't be harsh i.e. my above comment, but first, to the folks saying he's not responsible, as the CEO he should in fact take full responsibility for such egregious things as the derailments and this horrible rape/murder. He seemed to be mostly trying to shirk that responsibility in his public statements, and I found that extremely unprofessional of him.

With great power comes great responsibility. If you want to pass the buck, don't take the top position. Simple.

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.....on second thought, let it.

If they should die during such acts, then they attain martyrdom and immediate access to heaven and the 27 virgins. Some version of AlQ'ran mentions 70 virgins.

Yeh, but all look like Susan Boyle

Good job disrespecting both these poor young women and a talented if homely singer in a few words. You're no doubt handsome, talented, and/or engaged in difficult work that helps others. No doubt.

"He asked for sympathy saying he has been in the position for slightly over a year and may not know all about the SRT.
'This case is the first because I did not know there was a similar case before. I personally understand how the relatives (of the victim) feel, because I also have a daughter,' he said."

Sadly all too typical of people with more power than brains and/or ethical development. HE wants sympathy because his lax management contributed to the vicious rape and murder of a child? And he's only been there a year so isn't up to speed? A truly qualified executive manager wouldn't even think to use this as an excuse.

Then he adds insult to injury by saying he understands how the family feels. No he doesn't, not unless his own daughter was raped and murdered like theirs was.

What a disgusting set of statements. I almost hope he keeps digging a hole for himself, or should I say keep opening the door out of his office at SRT, with more statements like these.

Absolutely sickening, nauseating, I can't, and frankly don't want to, imagine the terror and pain that this poor child went through in her last minutes alive.

I was on the Sura-Bangkok train the next night. I've ridden the trains, mostly Bangkok to Chiangmai, numerous times, and the trips always leave me wondering (but not really) why the standards in almost all respects are so low. That guy in the white shirt looking so sad is partly responsible for the horror this child experienced before being violently murdered in cold blood! He should resign or be sacked.

Not to diminish this tragedy, but the abuse of young girls and women on any level is all connected. I'm not a prude, but I don't exploit young women for sex and now that I've spent more time in Thailand I honestly find it rather disturbing how many expats here consider it okay to do so. When in Rome, I guess. Point is, it's easy to rage on how horribly this guy needs to die, but we all have a share in how the world around us develops, or doesn't, and everyone making some small effort to give a hand up to young people, especially women/girls, or to discourage their exploitation by, if not locals due to the barriers to that, at least with other falang, makes it just a bit less likely that this kind of thing will happen on a given day.

RIP to this poor young girl and condolences to her family, they must be shattered by this.

They should have put them to work not detained them in an attempt to start making up for the ones who left the country

Thailand should be welcoming them with open arms, not locking them up, building need to be built, streets need to be swept, and the cost of maids is going through the roof

Is this sarcastic or are you serious?

Yes, God forbid there not be any Cambodians around to exploit, we (especially those of us with maids!) will have to hire Thais and pay them something close to a living wage. The horror.

she'd better enjoy her blessing. She can still continue as a BODHISATTVA. It's all about jealousy. Hope she keeps her Porsche Cayman.

A BODHISATTVA IS an ordinary person who takes up a course in his or her life that moves in the direction of buddha. You're a bodhisattva, I'm a bodhisattva; actually, anyone who directs their attention, their life, to practicing the way of life of a buddha is a bodhisattva.

This must be the new dumbed-down definition of Bodhisattva. Where did you get this ridiculously distorted definition of Bodhisattva that you're peddling, from a Nichiren/Soka Gakkai website or something?

A little knoweldge is a dangerous thing, bub, especially when you start preaching your misinformation.

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I just have thoughts why people risk much by being on the road in the dark of the night. The Italian at 3 am, let him bring home by a female on a bike (bike does not necessarily mean motorbike). Why he didn't take a taxi? More safe I would say.

Then the Russian woman decides to take a ride on her bike along the beach at 3.30 am.... dark as the night, why risk being attacked? Stay in your hotel or if you really have to be outside, take some safe transportation!

You are probably right. Best to be on the safe side. So the embassies should warn their citizens to stay inside the hotel after dark...

Sort of a curfew, you mean? Sounds like a winning idea...

If you're distorting what he wrote, you're not really replying to it at all, are you?

Not to dismiss the seriousness of the crime, and I hope these punks are all caught and severely punished, but indeed if you're riding around (probably drunk) at 3AM stuff like this just might happen, most places in the world.

Thainess, want always more and bigger .......

I think the problem for many people on this forum is that they just can't stand seeing Thailand advance. Maybe poor expats who like living among even poorer locals. But now that the locals are getting richer, those expats feel poorer. I love that Thailand is developing so quickly. This is great news for Thai people.

As long as you narrowly and perversely define "development" as meaning more luxury (i.e. often by definition useless) stuff on offer for people who, provided their within a mile of affording it, are barraged with ads almost all day urging them to shop, and thus think buying more stuff will make their lives better.Then yes, Thailand has developed. Just like mainland China has developed.

Of course the availability of life-enhancing goods is a great development, but most of these malls are merely catering to the so-called "upper classes," and even the lower-priced stuff that crowds every urban area is mostly useless except as a distraction (until version-next comes out anyway).

I just read a study online that found consumerism depresses people. If that's escaped anyone's attention, a trip to Hong Kong or Tokyo numerous other cities in any "developed" country should make that apparent--if you can keep your eyes off all the goodies and ads and study the faces and bearing of the people around you.

But the folks that make this stuff and then barrage us with propaganda ordering us to buy it also have been able to thus define "progress" and "development." Better education, more culture, less exploitation of the "lower" classes, etc, that's not development--more shopping is!

Sounds to me like development with a capital D.

Sorry officer, I use my AK47 for target practice.

Are you an American?

LOL. We dont use AKs in the USA. They're not so great. We all have ARs

Excuse me sir, but as an American I take exception to your generalization!

I would never own an auto-loading rifle that defecates where it eats.

...thus the dumping of ordinance is becoming a matter of both urgency and survival by those holding such illegal ordinance.

Nothing too personal as it's a common mistake (though, if you want to use jargon, best get it correct), but what you mean is ordnance. An ordinance is a law or restriction, in the US at least a local one.

Ammunition etc, also artillery, are called ordnance.

My experience is that there will be a more calm before the big storm between now and the 18th and 19th.

Here's an issue I've noticed.

Songkran OVER SHOPPING.

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Just how many bananas can you hoard? (They go rotten even in the fridge.)

Did you really need to stock up on 10 bottles of pasta sauce?

20 cans of tuna ... are you starting a sushi bar in a trailer park?

Is there one more square inch of space in the refrigerator for just one more little thing?

Ha ha nice one, or series of ones!

I love the "Munch Alone" pastiche, hilarious.

I'm not at all totally opposed to the water fun, just don't want to get doused with cold water when I've got the chills as I did until this morning (it's feels so good to feel normal again!)

I know this isn't strictly on-topic since I'm not going anywhere near Pattaya, but I'll offer these observations, since I spent 4 hours walking, taxi-ing, and minibussing through all variety of celebrations in and outside Bangkok:

The falang scene at Khao-san was far and away the loudest and most aggressive. No comparison. I avoided getting drenched, which was great because my objection to getting wet today was because I was going to have to then sit in the freaking below-zero BTS for 30 minutes (there must be a thread or two on that somewhere).

Once the minibus got out of lower Sukhumvit, the vibe was fun-loving but not aggressive. Every motorbike dousing I saw was aiming below the belt, not at the head. Not that the stories about Thais "wiping out" Thais with bucketfulls are apocryphal, but over-all I was moved today to once again bless the SE Asians for helping greatly to keep the spirit of gentility alive in our world (at least most of the time!).

I'm staying over in an anonymous town, lots of water fun going on, mellow vibe, it's stopped around 8PM. It's good to be back in plain ole unexciting Thailand again .

I'm in Thailand for Songkran for the first time in about 20 years. Like the world as a whole it's gotten much more aggressive--so one evening in a touristy part of BKK tells me.

..........

Having fun doesn't mean you can completely disrespect others . The corollary is if you're an arschloch to others you deserve the worst back.

On another note I've spent a couple of Khmer New Years in Siem Reap and wanted to this year too. It's just days and days of hypnotic music (xylophone) and chanting broadcast on loudspeakers. The Khmers just hang with their families. It's very low key and very cool, highly recommended.

In actual fact the "fun" seekers are looking for targets like you who want to remain dry. It's far more satisfying for them. Spraying people who are already soaking wet doesn't appeal to them.

Good luck getting out dry!

Yes, they're predators, or giving vent to their predatory instinct. This is the one irritation about it, the some times very mean-spirited behavior.

I shouldn't have said most people have no honor, I was just back from a soaking and a little annoyed--but it's not something easy to find these days.