mike2011

Tomtom: Thanks for your stereotyping and valuable insights into your mindset. Many people arrive at Poipet and do not come from BKK. Others prefer the leisurely train, I am one of them. There are many on the forum who like to save a dollar or two. Just check the posts. These are not backpackers but people living in SEA. Usually it takes less than 5 minutes to purchase a ticket unless the person is totally unaware of what is needed or simply retarded.

Siemreaper thanks for the info. I never knew that the big companies run a service from Poipet to SR. Usually I cross in the evening on my way to PP and use the overnite bus company which is a different enterprise. So this is welcome news.

I got mine at a good public hospital for way less. It is really not much more or different than the annual prostate checkup. It is a standard mass procedure and not rocket science. I even got my very dvd. I m sure I could recoup some expenses by selling copies at the entrance of boyz-town

So no reason WHATSOEVER not to do it. That and prostate cancer are 2 major killers of men and are perfectly avoidable. if you do not want to spend a lot, pick a good provincial hospital and save nice money.

I have not read 21 pages but the first and long post.

Yesterday I came to the country of my birth for the first time in 8 years. F..........ing cold!!! I am miserable. But then it was time for good bread, cold cuts etc. So I braved the cold and as it is a weekend only made it to a cheap supermarket. I paid 300 baht for some smoked trout filet, 2 large sour dough breads, 400 grams of Gouda cheese, 100 grams of fine lyonnaise (coarse), apple desert, smoke ham, and some fruit. In Thailand the cheese alone would have cost me the 300 baht.

I know that the comparison is unfair as these are all farang items mass produced here but mostly only imported to Thailand or produced by and for farangs within Thailand.

Still, I was surprised at the low bill since I had expected to pay much more. I am carrying my "own" coffee from a local producer with me. If I had bought good Arabica coffee here, I could have saved but then I like "my" coffee and "my" producer.

What is perhaps more important and motivated to post here was that the original "long" poster wrote how friendly the people are. I avoid most of my compatriots (expats) in Thailand and around the region as they are unbearable. They seem to hate locals and their daily talk is how bad things are, admittedly with some justification now and then.

Yesterday in the supermarket the staff was very friendly and this in a discounter place. I could not find a few items and they pointed me to the right spots with a smile. At the cashier again very polite and friendly. Hotel staff as well and so on. Bus drivers were helpful - now that is something I had not seen in 14 years in Thailand (very few exceptions on 3rd class buses in Isaan).

Something else I appreciate, I can walk on the sidewalks without watching every step for whole, a piece of metal sticking out, parked cars, sales stalls,motorbike driving along, etc. Very relaxing, air is also much cleaner.

Bottom line for me: I am surprised how I had adapted to ever increasing consumer prices in Thailand as I lacked the measure of European consumer prices. More importantly, the friendliness of people took me by surprise.

I will be back in a month and enjoy the warm climate, my favorite Thai food, and seeing some friends. This is all important to me. However, I noticed that the margins separating Thailand from say Europe or the US have shrunk tremendously. By now I favor the attitudes of Cambodians or Filipinos anytime over those in Thailand. This is sobering.

Thanks for the warning. I am also quite surprised that the attack could occur despite the surveillance cameras. The story supports my sense that P. is ever more tense and I feel increasingly uncomfy.

Thanks, that's good news.

Good to hear. I take it that you imply having paid the same sum. Is this correct?

I doubt that there are many tourists in the evening. Never saw many and the few were headed to the border or to the overnite bus. For a guesthouse there is little need. Aran has many places for those heading into Thailand. The SR crowd wont stay and with a big 'maybe' some people bound for PP might stay but this is also unlikely.

Not promising for a guesthouse.

I also doubt that the artificial world of the casinos reflects the reality of Poipet.

Scouse,

thanks.

He would you rate Vision Fund (I personally feel comfy with them), Hathatkasekar (sorry for spelling), Sathapana, Kredit, and Prasac?

I looked Hathatkasekar up and saw that the Norwegian Sovereign Fund is involved which seems to be reassuring.

For those unbelievers: The Arab community on Warren offers top class middle eastern food. Very hard to beat.

Of course the list was incomplete. Since we pay lots of attention to food here we go:

Greek food Detroit (by a mile)

Italian food Detroit (by a mile)

Polish food Detroit

bouncers Detroit (read the news about those walking street thugs)

wales (obese women) equal (only difference in Detroit they speak English, in Pattaya the white ones Russian)

theaters, museums, schools Detroit

health care Detroit

Sports Detroit

attractive police officers Detroit (especially on Michigan weekends ave after dark)

gambling Detroit

music Detroit

cars Detroit (that was easy)

proximity to civilization Detroit (just cross the river)

I am totally sober. I just had it today. The full package. Songtaew drivers, Van drivers, the traffic, half a dozen attempted scams, a few things I leave out as they lend themselves to racist remarks......

My goodness..... This place is total stress.

However, I have to admit Shanghai restaurant on 3rd was decent. Thanks to the Jingthing postings I stopped by.

The posting is a bit ironic but I think it has some serious points with a smile.

@manarak: since you brought it up - I guess the combination you described would be cheaper in Detroit. Valuable input.

I just got back into town and after 2 days I started wondering. My point is why do people fly all the way to Thailand and end up in Pattaya when Detroit is so near. Admittedly the winter months are self-evident but for the summer?

Some items that crossed my mint:

Beach Detroit

Traffic Detroit

Potholes, road conditions equal

Middle Eastern food Detroit

crime rate Detroit or equal

corruption Detroit

Michigan Ave over Beach road probably equal

less ongoing construction Detroit

cheaper beer Detroit

friendly cab drivers Detroit

public transport equal

Russians equal

Indians Detroit

airport scams Detroit

TV program Detroit

absence of thieving katoeys Detroit

Looking at this impressive list people might wonder what on earth the tourism managers in Detroit are doing..... Detroit has so much going for itself as compared to Pattaya and yet the message does not get over.

You could do a Thai tourist visa in PP and thereby avoid the dreaded in/out stamp and the counting of your exemption stamps. Just an idea, I dont know how many stamps you already got. It might be worth a thought.

yes the new bus station is a bit out of town but not too much (e.g. Ubon, Chiang Rai). Last time I arrived there I got mobbed by the providers on arrival. Ridiculous prices asked. I went through the 'back door' the street to the back and not on the main road and prices dropped significantly. You do not seem to be a backpacker, thus you will have to put up with them.

A songtaew should be ok as the distance is not that far. It is walkable without much stuff in the morning or late afternoon. Having said that, you will be tired on arrival. So swallow the extra 100 baht and dont worry.

When I am traveling and working, I often just go for a quick bite. Regularly the staff points me to the worst possible table, near the entrance, the toilet, kitchen door, you name it. I politely point to the table I want and then they make their decision of selling a meal or not.

In your case, it was a plain insult and even directly into your face. of course you do not return and you gave them the publicity they deserve. Well-done. I can understand that you do not want a fight when going for a dinner with the gf. They factored that in when behaving in their very own way.

If you're really mad. Next time you go to a pizza place and have a large bill. Walk by them the next day. Ask for the manager, hand him the receipt and thank him for his behavior. Report back on his smug face.

As JulieM pointed out, rightly I think, minimalist is not necessarily cheap. Cheap food that does not provide the right nutrients and contains high levels of sodium, saturated fats etc. only makes you sick or obese. Now we have some examples of such people in Pattaya among the longterm expat community.

Minimalist might be understood as going to the market, compare prices, buy fresh produce and cook your own meals from scratch or maybe as close to it as you can do it. I cook myself and I know what is in my food which is good for my body and also my mind.

I also do not see how taking advantage of other people can be called minimalist. There are many more fitting descriptions for this kind of attitude. I personally encountered it more with affluent business people and the like. People with more limited means come often across as being more decent and reasonable. The expressions of contempt of less well-to-do people expressed here on the thread confirm this.

Minimalist can also be responsible. I do not need the daily hot shower and aircon as I am more adapted to the climate. By now, aircon has a negative impact on me if I am exposed to it for too long. Not using energy guzzling appliances is a good thing like using more efficient appliances. It protects our environment, we have no other to switch to, and global warming is an issue. I wont see the full impact but the kids I know might. In other words, minimalist in terms of energy is the opposite of being selfish and is very responsible. Maybe this is something the think about more often.

I also use the backpack at the supermarket. It insulates the purchases against the heat. I wont save one baht but I save the company (and environment) several plastic bags a week. Not even a drop in the ocean, I know, but the attitude is noted at the cashier and hopefully other people will get the point. It took decades in the west to end the plastic bag culture or at least reduce it.

The one thing which is a bit disappointing to me is that personal consumption is taking is taken as a measure for assessing a person. I know that this is very American where the first, maybe the second, question is about income. Sadly many cannot leave this attitude behind and focus on more substantive matters.

Trust me, living in a tropical climate you do need a daily shower, so do your fellow man a favor and have one. You do not necessarily have to use hot water but puh-lease use soap.

Not just one, i think 3 are good a number. Depending on your level of activity more and use the right soap. Now read the highlighted part again and you will see that it refers to a 'hot' shower. I do not use hot showers anymore, just too warm plus it is not good for your skin (aging) - ask the ladies. Better be handsum.

As JulieM pointed out, rightly I think, minimalist is not necessarily cheap. Cheap food that does not provide the right nutrients and contains high levels of sodium, saturated fats etc. only makes you sick or obese. Now we have some examples of such people in Pattaya among the longterm expat community.

Minimalist might be understood as going to the market, compare prices, buy fresh produce and cook your own meals from scratch or maybe as close to it as you can do it. I cook myself and I know what is in my food which is good for my body and also my mind.

I also do not see how taking advantage of other people can be called minimalist. There are many more fitting descriptions for this kind of attitude. I personally encountered it more with affluent business people and the like. People with more limited means come often across as being more decent and reasonable. The expressions of contempt of less well-to-do people expressed here on the thread confirm this.

Minimalist can also be responsible. I do not need the daily hot shower and aircon as I am more adapted to the climate. By now, aircon has a negative impact on me if I am exposed to it for too long. Not using energy guzzling appliances is a good thing like using more efficient appliances. It protects our environment, we have no other to switch to, and global warming is an issue. I wont see the full impact but the kids I know might. In other words, minimalist in terms of energy is the opposite of being selfish and is very responsible. Maybe this is something the think about more often.

I also use the backpack at the supermarket. It insulates the purchases against the heat. I wont save one baht but I save the company (and environment) several plastic bags a week. Not even a drop in the ocean, I know, but the attitude is noted at the cashier and hopefully other people will get the point. It took decades in the west to end the plastic bag culture or at least reduce it.

The one thing which is a bit disappointing to me is that personal consumption is taking is taken as a measure for assessing a person. I know that this is very American where the first, maybe the second, question is about income. Sadly many cannot leave this attitude behind and focus on more substantive matters.

Can you quote one single poster who has said they measure a person by his level of consumption?

I find it very annoying that Paddy still expects people to engage with his views. He had nothing better to do than to construct (= fake) a story in order to participate. The fake simply reflects his stereotyping, worldview but nothing else. If it had been a somewhat exaggerated post based on a real person, we all would have accepted it.

He cannot expect to be taken seriously or as a person worthy a response. He is a troll and doing a disservice to this forum and discussion.

In a way he is a character worthy of certain scenes in Pattaya. I do not mix with those person in real life and refuse to do so here.

I apologize to the community for this negative post. I had held back my reaction but that impudent shamelessness was too much.

I trust that this is still ok with moderators as the troll was allowed to continue - so a reaction to the troll is well in place, me thinks.

As for my posting on the substance of the discussion here, I stand by it.

Good that all went well and that you managed to get through this difficult trip to Bangkok.

In a way, your emergency was one of the rare occasions where the forum really mattered and could make a difference. If was an opportunity for the community to show its best and also its worst. It is up to the moderators to make improvements as to the worst side.

Many share your views.

As JulieM pointed out, rightly I think, minimalist is not necessarily cheap. Cheap food that does not provide the right nutrients and contains high levels of sodium, saturated fats etc. only makes you sick or obese. Now we have some examples of such people in Pattaya among the longterm expat community.

Minimalist might be understood as going to the market, compare prices, buy fresh produce and cook your own meals from scratch or maybe as close to it as you can do it. I cook myself and I know what is in my food which is good for my body and also my mind.

I also do not see how taking advantage of other people can be called minimalist. There are many more fitting descriptions for this kind of attitude. I personally encountered it more with affluent business people and the like. People with more limited means come often across as being more decent and reasonable. The expressions of contempt of less well-to-do people expressed here on the thread confirm this.

Minimalist can also be responsible. I do not need the daily hot shower and aircon as I am more adapted to the climate. By now, aircon has a negative impact on me if I am exposed to it for too long. Not using energy guzzling appliances is a good thing like using more efficient appliances. It protects our environment, we have no other to switch to, and global warming is an issue. I wont see the full impact but the kids I know might. In other words, minimalist in terms of energy is the opposite of being selfish and is very responsible. Maybe this is something the think about more often.

I also use the backpack at the supermarket. It insulates the purchases against the heat. I wont save one baht but I save the company (and environment) several plastic bags a week. Not even a drop in the ocean, I know, but the attitude is noted at the cashier and hopefully other people will get the point. It took decades in the west to end the plastic bag culture or at least reduce it.

The one thing which is a bit disappointing to me is that personal consumption is taking is taken as a measure for assessing a person. I know that this is very American where the first, maybe the second, question is about income. Sadly many cannot leave this attitude behind and focus on more substantive matters.

Scouse thanks for the info. Which accountancy report did you read? Siem Reaper also had some input but has not found his reference yet. I am interested in this info as I have some term deposits in Cambodia.

I check the online annual reports and the auditing reports. Plus I checked who are the shareholders. A of the Microfinance institutions are scary while others appear to be sound as Thaidrew had mentioned above.

If you could share a link, I am sure many would profit.

I have read the rich Thai argument many times. It does not convince me. It surely holds true for places near the Royal Cliff, a place where the local royals are said to be hanging out.

The idea that a 'rich' Thai family would stay in one of those 28-45 sqm condos is somewhat ridiculous. Rich Thai would not rub shoulders with Ian from Liverpool, Hans from Berlin, etc. They also do not want to be seen anywhere close to a place where a working girl walks in.

Thais get a better price for their places forming 51% Thai part of the building. That will help them but even if you have a car most will need a credit like they do need it for, yes, the car. The renting out is probably true but on a much smaller scale than is suggested.

The real capital input into the condo market on part of the 'Thai' side is on the company level with those condos reportedly sold while being on 'resale' by the developer. He booked these as sold since he had to show the bank high sales figures for his credit. In that perspective, the 'Thai' share is not the explanation why nothing bad has happened to the condo market. On the contrary, it is a ticking time bomb. Once the developer is in trouble, the whole bubble will burst.

I knew one family who owned a small condo down in Na Jomtien. They bought it very cheaply following the 97 crash. Yes they keep it empty and sometimes they drop by. They would have never bought one of the badly built and even worse fitted-out condos that are now on offer.

The Thai argument is in my view largely an argument that is put forward as nobody can really check its veracity and the visitors from BKK might seeem to lend some credibility. On closer inspection, it is hot air from an agents mouth. Nothing unusual and to be expected. If the Thai market would be so smoking hot developers would have dropped the Thai 'discount' in a heartbeat and charge higher prices than they do for farangs.

In Greece the saying was either you have a cat or a snake in the house. Add to that the huge rodent population in SEA cities and I think there is a good case for arguing that cats serve a purpose. Anyone with kids, a house, and a garden should have a few cats. The best for house owners is to adopt three male kittens, which is usually the male share of any litter, and raise them. They will stay together and rule their territory. Some ladies will sooner or later be attracted to the boy group which is ok as losses due to snake bites are to be expected.

Qualifier: the rodent population referred to earlier excludes those of the two legged kind some of which are populating this thread. This should be obvious to anyone as rats are actually intelligent, a praise some posters here cannot hope for.

Any public hospital a couple of hundred baht maximum. Private hospitals: the sky is the limit.

Anthony, what you say is very interesting. Could you tell us a little more. I am sure many of us like to learn from your knowledge.

Maybe we should stop the discussion? It is getting absurd and when fiction takes over there is nothing left to debate.

Well done, and the info is very valuable! So it is not 1500 Baht under any circumstance. What they do insist upon is the perceived fee of the electronic visa. This is really interesting. You have stood your ground half way. This is not bad at all given the well-deserved abysmal reputation of that border checkpoint.

The motorbike bastard screwed you badly but it was not major bucks. So also not really bad.

In SHV: If you like pizza go to Olive Olive at the Golden Lion Roundabout. An excellent Magherita is only 5 USD and very nice and large.

Samudera supermarket is a good place to change money. THey also have good Italian bread. 100 meters up the street in the direction of the big covered market is a Vietnamese bakery, same side of the street, with cheap and fresh baguettes. Try the Vietnamese noodle shop on Tola street also very good value and good food.

Enjoy your trip and thanks for posting!

By the way, why dont you post the visa information in the Cambodia section of the forum and in the sub section for visa? This will help a lot of board members.