bangkok19

Was the door locked? If that's the worst thing that can happen to you on a stay in Pattaya then you've gotten off lightly.

My wife and I have a couple of large (Samsonite) suitcases and wish to catch the speedboat from the mainland (pier in Rayong district) to the shoreline outside our hotel on Koh Samet. I understand that obviously we have to walk from the boat (on the shoreline) in knee deep water so I'll obviously be wearing sandals, flip flop thongs or similar footwear however...,. with the large suitcases (20kg each).. do the boat crew say "you're on your own" or do they help you carry them to shore. I guess a healthy tip would be in order. Has anybody caught these speedboats from the pier to Koh Samet (as opposed to the ferry)? I've watched YouTube vids but travellers seem to be with just hand luggage or backpack. My other option would be to leave 1 suitcase at LOCKBOX in BKK... are THEY user friendly to organise?

I've never been asked. Been coming and going for 39 years on a regular basis. I usually carry around 20K Bt cash leftover from previous trip PLUS my OZ $100 notes to change and stick in the Bank. I'm sure if they randomly (or if you looked suspicious) pulled you aside, they'd ask the question.

Ask at a hotel reception to do it.. or any shops that do passport photo's or even a business name -card shop. I've been stopped and asked to show Passport twice (by Police) at the Silom Rd night checkpoint... both times I showed a copy, all good. I was saluted and asked to move on. It also is accepted at VASU to change $$$$. Anything bank-related I use the actual passport... and I never stop for a beer on my way home with Passport in my pocket.

Just before covid I was going there just for a Madrid pizza, then the Beatles in PP2 then back to Safari for a nightcap. Last month it was a quiet Sunday afternoon at Vinai's Bar Beer in PP2 watching the passing parade.

He's upset because the watch was a gift from his cousin in Soi Cowboy... a genuine Lolex straight out of his bum bag. Another tale from the Naked City!

I've been on three of these Cruises. The second two were with Bangkok 'first-timers'. We BYO Red Wine so I can't complain about drink prices, food was okay... we didn't really go on it for a "Michellin Star" food experience... we went for the ambience on the River at night.. the River breeze (??), all the lights of the passing boats, the lit-up Wats, the 'goings on' at the high-end riverside hotels and the cheering of the passengers as we passed under every bridge. Of course being seated on the top deck is mandatory. I'd recommend it at least once!

BIG BROTHER will have even more eyes! If CCTV, GPS to SIM isn't enough, they'll now know your EVERY move and where every Baht you own has gone to. Gratuities you may get could be taxed. It stinks.

My regular dentist for many years in Sukhumvit Soi 19 closed down forever during Covid... I now go to the Soi 19 Dental Clinic near the Beer garden... Very professional but a bit more expensive than my old dentist.. But they're very thorough. Getting another Crown next month. The Crown I got from my previous dentist (15 years ago) is still intact. I've never had a problem with the Thailand dentist's I've visited HOWEVER, I've heard some horror stories from others!

Last time I stayed at Lonely Beach, the 2 level/4 hotel room building next to ours collapsed into the sand. The footings were sunk in sand and gave way.... A young person died in the debris. It scared the cr*p outta me and turned me off the island. I'm slowly returning to the beaches again.. Rawai recently, and Koh Samet shortly. Bang Bao on KC is enjoyable but is getting too crowded with day trippers.. after sunset, very nice.

It always amuses me at the Rimping Supermarket (CNX) at 4.55pm.... seeing customers with their shopping trolley's stacked with beer and wine parked in the alternate queue at the check-out, waiting for the cash register's clocks to hit 5pm. It kinda reminds me of the old "early opener" pubs back in Sydney that used to open at 6am. There'd be half a dozen customers waiting on the doorstep half an hour before opening time....

It would be perfect... plenty of off-street parking!

I get the odd unknown contact occasionally, just add them to the Blocked Senders list.

LOWER SUKHUMVIT didn't get its name from its lower Soi numbers... It's from the 'lowlifes' who frequent that part of town.

Yes... I don't mind the meals (in Business) however, as you said... breakfast is cr@p. That solid (tasteless) matter made from powdered eggs that they used to call a "Spanish Omelette" usually turns me right off eating for the rest of the morning. They've changed its name but it's still the same ????????... and don't mention 'coffee'.

So Greta Thunberg is wrong?

Only 2 cars I've owned in my life had a sunroof. I've never ever used them! The old Lexus had an internal sliding screen that completely blocked the sun which (I assumed) how they all should be. My current Merc has a black screen that still allows about 3% of light through (when closed) which is a bit warm on my melon on a 35 degree day on a long trip. I don't like sunroofs. I don't like paying for something I never use. I reckon, if you had the money to order a brand new luxury car.. you would probably have to pay MORE, not to have a sunroof.

Better than being woken up (in a short-time hotel) by the banging on the door (time's up) and finding your wallet, watch (and your girl) GONE!

I was getting Bt18 for the AUD in 1989, then Bt34 for the AUD in 1997. I got 25.5 late July (this year). I think using the word "collapse" is somewhat exaggerated. We were warned months ago that the 2022/23 financial year would be very volatile... Putin's War hasn't helped!

It is IMPOSSIBLE to speak to a human at the THAI Sydney Office. (it's also closed for person to person business). They failed to reply to 2 email queries I had so I emailed the Chiang Mai TG Office and got an immediate response... whether it was the downtown office or the Airport, I don't know. My query was whether THAI are resuming BKK-CNX flights before December as I'm not a fan of Thai Smile. On the actual Thai International Website if you're booking a BKK-CNX flight and click (class) "Business" you get an error message and blank screen. Pretty unprofessional with the high season coming! I returned to Sydney on TG last month and found them okay... they're certainly TRYING. I swore years ago I'd never ever fly QANTAS again. I really hope EMIRATES resume the Christchurch/Sydney/BKK/Dubai route later this year, as quoted on this Forum. Great service on the ground and in the air.

I guess the requirements vary from country to country, consulate to consulate. I did my 60 day tourist visa last June online and they only asked for Covid health insurance policy, bank statement, copy of passport bio page, application form and copy of ticket. I WAS expecting to have to supply proof of residence/accom and a copy of my driver's license but not required. Anyway, with the emailed approval they gave me a Ref. number to write on the "original" application form.. I brought that and my passport with my pic to the Sydney Consulate. Picked up Passport w/visa 3 days later.

You're obviously a "glass half empty" person.

I went with LMG for my wife's OA Visa. I got directed to it from the Thai Consulate's links as one of several (preferred?) Thai Insurers. Even though I took out the Policy back in June, I'd do it again (with them) for a 1 year visa under whatever are the current conditions at the time. It was hassle free, as well as the cheapest, and got us the Visa. I'm specifically talking E-Visa applications online, and not "in person" at Immigration Office. Their specialty seems to be for long stay visa and they're probably doing hundreds every week. Methinks that if the Government (Immigration) is getting their 'cut' from an Insurance Company that they recommend, then when they see the Insurance Policy (submitted by the Visa applicant) with the LMG logo they don't really examine the numbers. I haven't heard (on this Forum) of any applicants getting knocked back by the Thai Consulate for having a WRONG LMG Policy! For myself, I never get 1 year visa's, so I prefer to use the Company (at home) that I have my Private Health Cover with. I get Travel Insurance with them covering JUST health (no cancellations or theft ins.).. that makes it cheaper PLUS I get another 15% off for already being a member. My cancellations, theft etc Ins. is partially covered by the Platinum Mastercard I buy my tickets with. I'm over 65 y.o. and I'm surprised that the Insurance Company (here at home) ask fairly basic questions about my medical history. This probably doesn't help the O.P. however it's my take on Health Insurance, and definitely a pain in the butt when you get quoted different amounts for the requirements!

They have weird media rules here .. TV and newspapers can show a grisly murder scene, but they can't show the handcuffs on the 'perp'. Social media - no rules!

If the sitting for long periods is your main concern.. fly business class for the extra leg room so that you can elevate your leg(s), and preferably on an Emirates A380 so that you can stand up (for longer periods) at the "bar". You don't have to drink alcohol.. just some 'calf raises' and 'conversation'. You'll be amazed how quickly the time will fly.