taxin

Does anyone know any good places in Patong for translations ?

Hello !

I will stay in Phuket for few months soon and would like to swim at least 3 times a week.

Can anybody recommend a hotel pool or Spa pool or whatever which I can use for a monthly/ weekly fee?

Should be a "bigger" one where I can really exercise/swim a little...

And prefered in the Patong area

Thanks

Flip

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Patong Resort charge 5,000 baht per year for non guests to use its facilities, they have 2 big size pools. In that price you can also use the Gym & Tennis courts.

Could be worth asking if they could do a monthly rate.

If you do at airport be sure you have photo and arrive early for check in as it must be done after you have boarding pass but before you enter immigration.  There is a desk in Terminal 1.

I would do at immigration office if you have time and not have to worry about it.  All you want is a single entry and cost is 1,000 baht.

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No probs, I have a 3 hour wait at Don M airport so should be enough time to do, no time to go the immigration office. Thanks for giving me a reminder about the photo Lop, I wouldnt have thought of that !

Is it a pasport photo or the one the immigration always ask for ? The one that is a little bit bigger than a passport size but smaller than a WP photo.

Im being very specific here as I want to get it right !

Can I get it in Phuket on my way to Bkk or do I need to show an outward boarding card showing im leaving on an international flight ?

Absolutely correct, you do need a re-entry permit that will be valid till the date shown in your 'under consideration'-stamp.

Theoretically, you can get a multiple-re-entry, which economically does not make sense, unless you plan to re-enter at least 4 times during the 30-days-period.

Next time you get another 'under consideration'-stamp or the extension, previous re-entry permit(s) become void.

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Thanks guys, so where do I get one ? Local immigration office or when im leaving Don Muang ? (im sure I recall hearing that I can).

Cheers

OK, im currently under a 30 day "under consideration" stamp for my 1 year extension and need to leave Thailand for a few days, do I need a re entry permit ?

My 12 month B visa does not expire until Dec however, since I got my "under consideration" stamp im led to believe that my B visa is no longer valid, nor is the last stamp I got when I re-entered (even though it runs out after my "under consideration" stamp).

Can anyone help me on this ?

Cheers

OK, I have some friends in Phuket looking for teaching jobs. Both are experienced and have TEFL's, degrees etc.

Anybody out there who can help ?

Marry a Thai is one way out.  Meanwhile, talk to the Thai Consulate-General in Amsterdam about getting a multiple entry Non-Immigrant O class visa.

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But how will marrying a Thai make things easier ?

I think you could contact the tourist police, it is not that because you are  in a place where unlawful activities happen/are condoned, that one has to surrender all protection of the law. BTW curious to know the name of the hotel

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Orchis, timeshare operations in Thailand are in actual fact LEGAL, going to the tourist police telling them that you turned down an offer from them will not exactly put you on top of the priority list !

Love them or hate them, they are legal !

Has anybody been approached by Thai Guys in suits handing out instant scratch prize tickets in Patong?

Last month a Thai guy in a suit approached me on Beach RD Patong and handed me a instant prize ticket and told me that "the local hotels in Phuket in conjuction with VISA/AMEX where giving away cash and prizes to lure tourists back to Phuket post Tsunami". Anyhow when I scratched the ticket to my surprise I had revealed 3 super prize icons which meant I had won either of the following:

1) A holiday to the value of 20,000 BHT

2) 20,000 BHT in cash

3) Sony digital camera

Anyhow the guy advised me that he would escort me to the promotion office to pick up my prize and that the promoters would pay him a fee for taking a major prize winner back to the office and on collection he would get 200BHT. Anyhow I must admit I was a little sceptical so I asked the guy "Where is the catch here?" He told me QUOTE " Sir it is 100% legimate there are no catches it is your lucky day""havent we heard that phrase before?" Anyhow after arriving at the Hotel where the promotion was being held I was ushered into a room alone with the so called Prize C-ordinator thinking I was getting a prize.

The cordinator congratulated me and asked me if I would kindly take a tour of the hotel while they where processing the paperwork to release my prize "20,000bht". Anyhow a so called Tour guide "English Fellow" tried to befriend me as we where walking upstairs to a room of discussion tables. At first I didnt get wind of what was about to evolve It simply looked like a bunch of people chatting over coffee!

Anyhow after 15 minutes or so with this fellow he started to demand I give him 450K for a TIME SHARE APARTMENT as it was QUOTE" The opportunity of a lifetime".

Now I had exposed the motive I looked around and to my delight (NOT) I discovered about 15 other tourists getting hammered by Farangs on the same deal. Never the less I held my ground and said I am not interested which was not good enough for the persistant salesman.

When he realised I was hard work he then brought over the manager another "farang" and he had a crack at me as well. So now I have 2 guys hammering me to depart with 450k this went on for a whole hour or so going back and forth and round in circles. Finally they gave up and told me that they would escort me downstairs to pick up my prize and thanked me for my time.

At this stage I am just about at boiling point becasue I have been worked to the max to buy into this "Once in a lifetime opportunity!"but I kept my cool because I was about to recive my 20,000bht prize.

When I went to collect my prize I was told by the co-ordinator that becasue I didnt officially complete the tour with the guide after I had greed to it I was not eligible to collect my prize and the B..tch handed me a promotional T-Shirt and said I hope there are no had feelings. I refused to accept the Tshirt and gave her a piece of my mind and said "this would not be the last of this!". It gets better it cost me 120bht to get back to where I started from on Beach Rd and by this time I had wasted nearly 2 hours.

I was wondering if there are any Thai consumer protection laws against misleading conduct by legitimate business operating misleading marketing SCAMS?

This would be detrimental to the image Phuket has post Tsunami no doubt! when I was in the CLOSING ROOM so to speak I witnessed some people sweating immensley by these Farangs that where hammering them un relentingly to make a decision on the spot to pay 450K. I swear it was a room of nervous holiday makers and no different to some "USED CAR SALES LOTS come in sucker!"

Some of these people especially the ones that survived the tactical on slaught of cunning high pressure sales tactics will never return back to Patong. I think what these companies are doing is criminal the last thing I want to do when I am on holiday or visiting friends is to get verbally hammered by cunning non relenting sales people its a real shame that people can take advantage of others in this way! and I believe it needs to be stamped out all together there needs to be a line drawn in the san so to speak!

I have no doubt some tourists where forced into buying something they wouldnt either use or didnt even want but hey I bet the salesperson can sleep at night while he is counting his commission. Its a ###### shame you cant be left alone to enjoy yourself without some cunning sales person be-friending with you with a hidden agenda!

Where is the line here? When does it get to the point when you have to be either rude, threatening or blunt to be left alone. I would like to know what others think about sales ethic and what you would do in this situation? i know one thing if this went on in Australia and other countries the materminds behind this scheme would get fined and even possibly arrested for misreprentation there business would be closed down.

Dont take me wrong alot of my mates and friends are sales people but the difference is they have a conscience not like these ass h..les selling Time-Share.

Thoughts Please!

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Is it just me or was everyone else waiting for the bit for where the poster was "actually" scammed out of money ? Apart from a 120 baht taxi ride !

Thai in a suit.... asked for 450,000 baht in just "15" minutes.... ha ha, me thinks its a case of someone being a little bit pis*ed off because he thought he was getting 20,000 baht, cheap charlie SUCKER !!! ha ha !

(However I would seriously consider reporting the Tuk Tuk driver for ripping you off out of 120 baht, now that is scandalous).

Wow, just a little Samui bashing going on here. Just makes me wonder if anyone has been out of Chaweng and Lamai! I live in Thong Krut and can't be happier, no traffic, no muay thai promoters so it's still pretty nice. There are still a lot of really pleasant places to live here so it sucks to hear the entire island dissed like this.

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Keev, in some respect you are right, Samui does have some very nice scenery for anyone who bothers to look beyond Chaweng and Lamai.

Last time I went I took a friend with me who had never been before, as it was all new for him I took the time so go for a nice drive around the island. It was a great day out, stopping off at the viewpoints, having a look at the Grandma/Grandpa rock however, the truth is this is all Samui has to offer outside of Chaweng/Lamai, all of which can be seen in half of a day.

My advice to anyone considering going to Samui is to explore other places outside of Samui, such as Ko Phangan & Ko Tao which are all easily accessible from Samui, a couple of days in each is ample.

If your not into trekking around the islands and just want to laze around the beach and do nothing then its a great place, if you like a holiday with lots to do on your own doorstep then Samui is not the place for you !

Mini-video on http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=145551

for Andaman News TV11 PHUKET FOR 3 ANDAMAN PROVINCES & FM90.5 Phuket 8.30am Monday 3rd October 2005

A new air conditioned Airport bus, providing services between the city and Phuket International Airport, is now in service for passengers to and from the airport for the first time. Launched to provide more options for consumers, the bus service was inaugurated on October 1st by Phuket Vice Governor Nirund Kalayanamitra and Phuket Maha Nakorn company executives. The new service, expected to be popular among passengers and tourists, will be leaving from and to the Phuket bus terminal, going past the Provincial Hall, Surakul Stadium, Big C, Boat Lagoon entrance on Thepkasattri Road, Thalang District Office, Pearl Village Hotel entrance and end at the airport. The maximum fare is 52 baht. It is scheduled to run about 26 times per day.

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Great idea, if you live or holiday in Phuket Town ! What about Patong, Karon, Kata, Bangtao, Rawai......

Oh I forgot, cant upset the limousine drivers !

I know of at least 1 place where the 'keymoney' went from 500.000 for a 3 year contract to 2.000.000. Monthly rent from 30.000 baht to 80.000 baht a month. Naturally the one who leased the 'resort' (with an option to extend another 3 years) and fixed it up went mad and finally accepted that it was out of his reach and left back to his west European country. Prices before 600 baht a night after 1500 baht. The only one who is making decent money with this resort is the landowner.

Anyone still want a small resort for rent?

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Jean, how "small" is it ? Give me some info as I know someone who is looking ......

I was there a couple of weeks back and stayed at Evergreen Resort for 900 per night - it was ok.  You can get it for about 600 I think if you don't want air con.  Good location too.

If you just turn up without pre-booking you can get many guesthouse rooms for anything as low as 350.

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Last time I went there in August I stayed at the P&P Resort, right on the beach with Parking for residents, security gaurd tends to keep a good eye out for your car too. I paid 900 baht last time round, I got a good deal though as I have been there a few times and know the staff. Walk in is normally best.

Downside is check out, they kick you out at 10 am, sometimes they will knock on your door at 8.30 am asking if your checking out ! Very annoying

Certainly the best one around for parking.

Pattaya is pretty sickening, i've never seen so many fat, balding, overweight individuals in one town.  Old men in wheel chairs being pushed around by 20 something dolly brids, that's f#cked up!

Parts of Phuket are nice, but I disagree that Samui is a poor mans Phuket.  I think you'll find that in some areas land is reaching a par price wise as that on Phuket.  There are now numerous 1m $ + houses on the island.

Due to it's size, and the demand for land eventually out growing supply (for the good stuff, ie.  Beach and prime sea view), it will be inevitable that prices will be higher than Phuket probobally within the next 5 years.

Also Samui day to day is more expensive than Phuket, so I don't really know where you get this poor mans Phuket idea from.

Anyone can afford to live anywhere in Thailand, as everywhere is cheap compared to back him.  Phuket is bigger and better developed, so more to spend your money on, but i'm sure you could spend just as much on Samui if you tried.

Pattaya isn't bangkok by the sea, the whole town is a seedy ###### whole, frequented predominantly by sex tourists.  I would be ashamed to take my family there.

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Womble, if you read my earlier post you will see that im not referring to Samui as a poor mans Phuket because of property and land prices. Its the class of the long term expat that im referring to.

As for the old man with the oxygen bottle in Pattaya I can believe that, I seen some crazy sh*t when I was there !!!

How's the weather like in Phuket, late october/ beginning of november ? How many hours does it rain on average ?

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Typically for the period end of Oct through to Nov Phuket it is generally dry, the odd shower may occur but not enough to spoil a holiday.

The wet season on the Andaman tends not to last that long, unlike the resorts on the South China sea such as Samui where the rain season normally goes well into December.

Simply add the extra companies in your wp, saying you have no salary there.

Cheers, Robert

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So Bobcat says you need 2 work permits, Kronberg says you simply add the company to the existing WP.

Would anyone else like to add there advice so we can confuse the OP a little bit more ?

I've always been fond of Samui, particularly Lamai, and in a way I have found it lawless but it hasn't worked against me - yet.

By that I mean I have not required police help at any time, instead I have had no problems from the police when riding a bike without a lid.

I can't say the same for Phuket.

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Scamp, its called "law" ! Which is what the argument is all about ! Samui doesnt have them !

Maybe you think that driving without a helmet is cool in Samui ? I would like to hear from you when someone close to you (or even you) has his head crushed while driving around Chaweng while "avoiding the law" !

TAT IS LAUNCHING WWW.THAILANDHOTDEAL.COM TO ACCOMODATE TRAVELERS WHO SCOURS THE INTERNET FOR DEALS

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching the website www.thailandhotdeal.com, where special-priced products and services are presented.

Mr. SURAPHON SAWETSERANEE (สุรพล เศวตเศรนี), the TAT Deputy Governor who is responsible for public relations activities, said the TAT will initiate a 6-month online marketing project through the website www.thailandhotdeal.com, starting next month (October). This project will help restore the tourism industry in the six Andaman provinces. Special-priced goods and services will be presented to accommodate the group of tourists who favored finding information through websites. Mr. Suraphon believes this project will help create 180-200 million baht of tourism revenue.

On this occasion, the TAT is also unveiling the Andaman tourism ambassadors, who were Thais and foreigners that represented travel-savvy people in this digital age, led by Mr. John RATTANAWEROJ (รัตนเวโรจน์), one of Thailand's celebrity. The Andaman tourism ambassadors said they were proud to have helped promote tourism in the Andaman region through the website www.andamanfans.com, where an e-card sending competition takes place to spread the beauty of the Andaman.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันศุกร์ที่ 30 กันยายน 2548

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Its a load of rubbish ! The prices are higher than the walk in rates !

There is no charge at Immigration for the sequential "under consideration" extensions - but these are normally for 30 days at a time (not 15).

But - for each 30 day extension, you do need to revlaidate your work permit - 850 baht to the government there - each time.

And - a fresh re-entry permit for every 30 day extension - if you will depart Thailand.

But - you do not personally have to appear at either Immigration or work permit office - except for the re-entry permits.  Just your passport and work permit booklet need to go to the permit offices - that's the type of service that a company such as mine provides - for customers who have better things to do with their time (although we only support customers in greater Bangkok).

Good luck!

Steve Sykes

Managing Director

Indo-Siam Group

Bangkok

[email protected]

www.thaistartup.com

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Bugger ! I knew my lawyer was trying to rip me off ! Says I have to pay 15k for the 1 year extension !

Problem now is this, I have been told that my company wont be able to get the documents ready in time for the 1 year extension application, immigration dont seem to be helpful, I ask for an extension and even offer topay the 1,900 baht but they just keep passing me another application form for the 1 year extension !

So my WP/stamp expires on the 6th and I dont have enough time to lodge the 1 year application, is my only option a border run for a new stamp ? I have been told that I cant extend my WP on a 30 day tourist stamp ? Is this true ?

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I reckon the lawyer needs to go !

As for the question "should I stay or should I go", it would be nice to hear the outcome on this, I have a similar situation myself.

Samui is more like Sicily with all the gangsters controlling the real estate, hotels, bars etc...but i still feel safe there.

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I don't see any differnece between Samui and anywhere else in Thailand other than perhaps more naive Farangs getting involved in areas they have no business getting involved in. Person shot over property or land dealing in Thailand?? Ho hum. This guy got off better than my friend, old Kamnan Seng, who resisted some agribusiness up north, and was subsequently beaten, doused with gasoline and set afire. Now that entire region, once filled with small agricultural plots, is one large corporate orchard.

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No difference to the rest of Thailand ? Have you ever spent a considerable ammount of time (considerable being more than a 2 week holiday) in any other part of Thailand ?

The order of preference for me is as follows.....

1. Phuket

2. Bangkok

3. Pattaya

4. Samui

This is only in preference based on what tend to be the top 4 most popular places visited by us farangs, otherwise to rank Samui as a 4th is an insult to the rest of Thailand !

The farang there really have to be the lowest of the lowest when it comes to Expats in Thailand, this im relating to LT expats not holiday makers. As for the owners of 20 million baht homes do they live there ? The answer is no, the majority dont !

Its nothing more than a lawless, lifeless rock in the sea !!! Bangkok (rip off) Airways, who charge 3 times the cost of a flight to Bangkok compared to the same flight from Phuket !..... Rain EVERY day ! ...... Sand all over the road causing more accidents with tourists in one month than the other places get put together..... A beach that has so much sh*t washed upon it nobody even dares to set foot on there anymore….. Fighting in Chaweng almost every night…

The list could go on, im just so glad I don’t have to live there anymore !

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Just a few generalisations there!

Do you all really think the long termers in samui are worse than Pattaya?

It really seems Samui is a place you eigher love or hate. Luckily i'm not jaded.

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Yes, I really think the Samui expat community is a lower class than Pattaya ! To a short spell visitor on the surface it can appear all nice & flash but in actual fact its far from it.

Samui is poor mans Phuket. Whereas Pattaya is simply Bangkok with a beach ! That’s how I see the comparisons.

Samui & Pattaya ? Where would you rather be ? A place full of sex pests who’s only intention is to prey on young girls and not you, or a place where every one wants to fight you or shoot you ?

Samui is more like Sicily with all the gangsters controlling the real estate, hotels, bars etc...but i still feel safe there.

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I don't see any differnece between Samui and anywhere else in Thailand other than perhaps more naive Farangs getting involved in areas they have no business getting involved in. Person shot over property or land dealing in Thailand?? Ho hum. This guy got off better than my friend, old Kamnan Seng, who resisted some agribusiness up north, and was subsequently beaten, doused with gasoline and set afire. Now that entire region, once filled with small agricultural plots, is one large corporate orchard.

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No difference to the rest of Thailand ? Have you ever spent a considerable ammount of time (considerable being more than a 2 week holiday) in any other part of Thailand ?

The order of preference for me is as follows.....

1. Phuket

2. Bangkok

3. Pattaya

4. Samui

This is only in preference based on what tend to be the top 4 most popular places visited by us farangs, otherwise to rank Samui as a 4th is an insult to the rest of Thailand !

The farang there really have to be the lowest of the lowest when it comes to Expats in Thailand, this im relating to LT expats not holiday makers. As for the owners of 20 million baht homes do they live there ? The answer is no, the majority dont !

Its nothing more than a lawless, lifeless rock in the sea !!! Bangkok (rip off) Airways, who charge 3 times the cost of a flight to Bangkok compared to the same flight from Phuket !..... Rain EVERY day ! ...... Sand all over the road causing more accidents with tourists in one month than the other places get put together..... A beach that has so much sh*t washed upon it nobody even dares to set foot on there anymore….. Fighting in Chaweng almost every night…

The list could go on, im just so glad I don’t have to live there anymore !

Hello,

I was looking for a condo for around 5,000 - 9000 per month in Phuket. Im not too fussy as long as it has air conditioning but the most important thing is that the condo has broadband access. I want to move for around 2-3 months and if i can get broadband access sorted quickly i might be able to prolong my stay because i can do some freelance web design and earn some money. The only thing is id prefer not to have to wait too long to have the internet access installed because the longer i leave it the less i can earn. Would broadband take long to get installed or does anyone know of condos that have them pre installed. I would be willing to put up with unreliable access as long as its not on a regular basis.

Lastly, i dont want to live cheap but i dont mind drinking local beer in Thai bars to save money and dont mind eating from stalls. With that in mind what do you think i should be prepared to spend per month not including the condo on food and living. I will be living with a thai girl maybe going for a few pints every weekend and maybe the odd time during the week, eating from noodles stalls mostly but from reasonably priced retaurants also and doing any travelling by bus. Other than that i wont be spending a whole lot, just planning to stretch my money out as long as possible while having a good time.

So to summarise my questions:

1) Whats the chances of a condo for around the 4,000 - 7,000?

2) Whats the average rates for electricity for an a/c condo?

3) What can i expect to pay for broadband?

4) What can i expect to pay for living costs for a thai girl and myself per month, based on a quiet lifestyle and she's not high maintenance?

Hope people from Phuket can share their views. I plan to go there in January

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1) In January.... slim, with internet your chances will be somewhere nearer to NO CHANCE !

2) 5 baht per unit, if your careful (only use at night on low) 1,000 baht per month.

3) More than your budget for the rental on your condo.

4) Depends how much she wants from you !!

Have you been to Phuket before ?

listen people im not one of these suckers who falls in love on holiday and sends money over to some girl in thailand who doesnt give a toss about you.

this bird kai i found to be very friendly and good for a laugh with good english and she also had other talents you know    would just like to spend another night with her next time im back,

silicone . eh..........................  yes thats out kai

anybody on here know how i could contact her

alan

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So good you forgot to get her phone number/e mail address before you parted !

Take a look at this http://www.lostinthailand.com/thailand-gui...eal-estate.html.  Then take a look at this - http://lannarealty.com/faq.php #4.  They are the same!  I wrote the text for lannarealty.com but I now see it in lostinthailand's website.  They copied it directly from me without giving any credit and when I contacted them I got the standard answer "we are looking into it and will get back to you" which they never did.  Is there anything I can do?

I notice this isn't an isolated incident - http://www.lostinthailand.com/thailand-gui...chiang-rai.html and http://www.thailand-lawyer.com/land_purphase.html - probably lots more!

(Sorry, title should be copyright not copywrite)

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OK, firstly your website is NOT the same ! Yours is a pile of crap compared to the "accused" !

Secondly when I click on the accused site I see no resemblance to yours. OK, you might say "but if you click here and look there" I might see it however, I have already made up my mind ! Yours is so bad I would be embarrassed to come on here and accuse someone of copying it !!

What the accused has done is simply used some other fools time (and maybe expense) for his own gain, who’s the clever one ? Not you !!!

I have just done the exact same thing where I have just created (or not as the case may be) a website myself which I copied from another, not just a bit of text but the whole thing ! Saved me about 10,000 baht !

The only way you can stop them is if ..... 1) You are a Thai registered company, 2) You copyrighted the website as a "brand" of your company, and C) The accused is also a Thai company.

My guess is its going to be neither of these so.... its A) get over it or Moan and groan about it on internet forums hoping that someone feels sorry for you..... and guess what ?....... we dont !!!

OK... you missed a month or two. Feel free to make some suggestions then 

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Khall, you a lady or a guy ? Just wondering.....

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With a dancing red rose for an avatar?..... How confusing

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Thought so but hey, you never know in Thailand !! Always interesting to hear from the ladys living in the area !