keestha

Trouble with the Mission is that it is small and cramped. Couple of years back I called for a medical check up. Reception was packed and bedlam. All seats taken, many many standing. Took me 30 minutes to even talk to reception. I decided to go to the International, much better.

Reminds me of my sole visit to the Vachira a number of years back, just too many people, would it still be so bad?

The large mini mart where I get the BP has arrangements with many steady customers, like myself, to keep a BP copy for them. Sure, I could just as well read the news online, but I am too much attached to the soothing ritual of sitting down there with the newspaper every evening at the same time. Old habits sometimes die hard.

When will we finally get a plastic newspaper you can connect to the computer to download the newspaper, stays readable when disconnected, and the next day you delete it before downloading the new newspaper? Technically doable, and would save lots of trees.

I noticed that about 5 years ago, suddenly it had become more difficult to get the Bangkok Post. Places that used to stock a few copies stopped selling it. Suspect they stopped charging the outlets for just the sold copies. Was a bit pissed off when seeing that at Suvarnabhumi it is no problem to get a Finnish newspaper, but no shops at all selling the Bangkok Post or the Nation. Oh well, they have a high rent to pay, selling Thai newspapers won't bring in much profit.

Quite limited shops and restuarants along the Khao Lak strip at the best of times. Many close in the rainy season April - November.

agreed,last count ,there was only 166 restaurants in khao lak.how limited is that

I take your word for the 166 restaurants. All I can say is that I have not found that much choice when visiting Khao Lak even in the so called high season, much less in the low season. And believe me I always search about each tme we visit. I am talking about local restuarants/eateries and not hotel places.

Spent a couple of nights in Khao Lak a few months ago. Was late in the low season and many eateries were closed. Must admit we found a nice new place just about opposite McDs that was pleasant and professional. Impressive menu, food was delicious.

Also depends on in what part of Khao Lak you are. Khao Lak is spread out, there is no real city center, it is a number of separate villages with a lot of space in between. LivinginKata was looking for dining opportunities at Nang Tong Beach where McDs is, at Bang Niang Beach 3 km down the road away from Phuket there are more restaurants and bars which are also open in the low season.

I live in Khao Lak. Usually it is not so bad in May, sunny in the morning and possibly a shower somewhat later in the afternoon. Pleasant time to go there, the big masses of tourists have left.

Walking at Koh Lanta Noi, I got thirsty, saw a cat so expected soon a village would come, but nothing materialized. Then came a turnoff for a resort, so with a cool soft drink in mind I followed the sign. Car tracks all seemed old, so I already got a bit suspicious. Proved true when arriving at the resort. Beautifully laid out western themed type of place, called the Big Corral Resort or something along that line. Abandoned, but I couldn't have ordered a drink anyway, there was a sign saying: "restaurant only for resort guests".

So many dreams go bust.

Driving southwards towards Phuket Town, turn right into the bypass, the deserted hotel at the right hand side, sign saying I believe Country lodge.

Sorry don't want to play mister know it all, but the place to file complaints about things like this is not the Tessaban, but the local OrBorTor (อ.บ.ต), they will accept complaints about neighbors, noisy entertainment places and so on.

Drive it 2 or 3 times a month no problem only the state of the main highway from Surat Thani to Hua Hin , watch out for massive pot holes in either lane.

Agree. Have been driving it at least twice a year since 1999, condition of the highway keeps deteriorating, worst is the Prachuabkhirikan - Chumporn provincial border part. In comparision, the Mitraphap highway between Bangkok and Nakhorn Ratchasima (Korat) is in a much better state, since it was built more recently.

Plenty of upmarket resorts in Khao Lak located at quiet a bit away from town beaches. You could also check out Mai Khao Lak, Orchid Resort, and the Meridien, just to name a few. Merlin Hotel might be a very good choice, it is in a quiet part of Khao Lak before the hill coming from Phuket, nice quiet beach, and a few but not too many restaurants and bars near by. Since the king of Sweden has stayed there, I figure it should be up to your standards.

Ned....the compressor cools down air, which is then blown into the fridge by a fan. Maybe not all fridges use this principle, but for instance the display fridge I use for cold drinks in the restaurant does.

The bungalows now cost 3000 Baht per night, tent situation unchanged. If you just want to make a day trip, it should cost about 2400 Baht and is the same it has always been.

Plenty of people die in Australia hitting roos. The trick is not to swerve when you are inevitably going to hit one. The some applies to motorcyclists. Unfortunately if you are in a car and going to snash into a motorbike, you are generally better off slamming into them than swerving into oncoming traffic and causing more death.

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Ouch. Quite a few accidents happen in Thailand because of drivers swerving or braking sharply when all of a sudden there is a dog in front of their car. A few times I successfully braked for a dog, once for a monitor lizard, but I am ready to keep going if it is too tight. But a motorcycle? Hope I never have to make that split second decision.

RIP Juli.

Can also be that the fan stopped, then it doesn't cool properly anymore.

Ask a motorcycle taxi driver if he knows anybody who can repair a fridge. Those guys always know loads of people.

I think also look kreung (OP spelled lukkrung) which seem to think of themselves as 100% Thai when very young, will start looking for their roots when reaching puberty.

On several occasions I severely lectured not too well off/not too well organized Farang fathers of look kreung that they didn't claim farang nationality for the half farang child yet. You can drop dead any moment, highly questionable if the Thai mother will be able to do this herself then, or the look kreung himself. Most likely the child will feel then like spitting on its father's grave.

Seeing at least 9 100 Euro (4300 Baht) bills on that table, among other foreign currency bank notes. Suggests he makes pretty good money, especially if being hit with only a 1000 Baht fine providing he carries his passport. I am amazed they let him off so lightly. The guy also does not seem to be ashamed at all, looking straight into the camera. Wonder what other people in his social network are doing for a living, if he is not concerned at all they will find out.

Even if he is deaf, he looks young and able bodied to me, perfectly fit to do any type of work that doesn't require too much communication. My suggestion to him would be to go back to Ukraine, and lay bricks or wash dishes.

Two years back I tried to get an ambulance from Phuket to Khao Lak, knowing the hospitals in Phangnga province are not exactly first rate. Don't remember if I called the Bangkok Phuket or the International. I was told they needed a confirmation by a local doctor first. Inconvenient time of the the day, wasting time no good, ended up sending the customer down to Phuket by taxi.

Sorry,as I haven't been down there since short after the Tsunami in 2004.

Isn't the Takua Pa hospital a better place to contact, if you really need an ambulance?-

They are OK for simple motorcycle accidents, but anything more complicated they can only stabilize you till you can be sent to a better equipped and staffed hospital.

Baan Khut in Prachuap Khiri Khan has a quiet, clean beach. You should be able to get reasonable rooms for around 2000-3000 baht/month + 600 baht or so for wifi but it might be quieter than you were hoping for. Plenty of trees near the beach to hang a hammock from too.

It is Ban Khrut. Similar places along the same coast are Bang Saphan Yai, Bang Saphan Noi, Sam Roi Yot , Thap Sakae and Pranburi.

Two years back I tried to get an ambulance from Phuket to Khao Lak, knowing the hospitals in Phangnga province are not exactly first rate. Don't remember if I called the Bangkok Phuket or the International. I was told they needed a confirmation by a local doctor first. Inconvenient time of the the day, wasting time no good, ended up sending the customer down to Phuket by taxi.

White noise machine?

Consider giving taxi drivers a small tip when they deliver guests to your hotel. In my experience, it pays off, still plenty of people asking the taxi diver if he knows a nice hotel.

Take a Surat Thani bound bus from Phuket Town bus station. Ask to be let off at the lom Praya terminal, and buy a ticket for the speedboat to Koh Phangan, you will be bussed to the pier first. Alternatively (cheaper but slower) go to an agency called Panthip Tours at Surat Thani bus station, and buy a ticket for the car ferry there, you'll be first be brought by bus to the pier likewise. You'll easily make it to Koh Phangan in one day at a fraction of the cost these travel agencies are quoting, but you'll have to leave early in the morning.

Thap Lamu Navy golf course in Phangnga province, across the bridge from Phuket, might very well be the most inexpensive golfing option in the greater Phuket area.