CJK1

Hello all,

I'm looking for somewhere to stay on Samui other than Chaweang/Lamai.

I'm not a big beach person, my only real requirements are that there is a Muay Thai gym, some nightlife (5-10 beer bars at least) and a half decent hotel for around the 2000 a night mark.

Can anybody recommend anywhere?

Thanks in advance.

Looking for a villa/house or apartment to rent on Koh Samui in the Lamai area.

Requirements:

December 6th - January 2nd

Minimum two bedroom

Pool, private or shared

Budget around 115,000 THB

Preferably with some sort of security

Please contact me if you have/know of any rentals available during these dates.

Thanks in advance

Im looking for a property to rent in San Kamphaeng between October 7th and December 6th.

I will be training daily at Santai Muay Thai camp near Rattanachok village and would like to stay within a few Km.

It can be a house or an apartment and my budget is around 25,000 baht a month.

I have tried searching the internet but have not had much luck.

Does anybody know of any property's to rent in the area?

Thanks in advance

Why don't you have access to your passports. It's illegal for the ships captain to keep your passport

It is illegal for them to hold our passports against our will, yes. However the ship cannot leave or enter territorial waters of the US (or other countries) without clearing an immigration process. For this process the ship needs to 'present' all passports to the authorities. And as we have 900 crew, and enter and leave US waters every other day... it is FAR easier for everyone for our passports to be held securly in a safe in the HR office.

Besides, even if I did have my passport in my hand... what could I do with it? I can't visit an embassy. And I can't post it as I wouldn't then be able to be on the ship...

Tom.

Doesn't England offer a second passport for exactly these kind of situations. I know Holland does. I used to have an extra one when I traveled a lot for work. One or the other passport was always at a certain consulate getting a visa processed for the next trip.

Yes you can obtain a second British passport. I have one myself.

OP you will need a letter from your company stating that due to your employment situation you require a second passport. It is a very simple process and can all be done via post.

I received mine around a year ago and if I recall correctly, all that was required was a copy of your original passport, two passport photos and the letter from your employer. You can also request the second passport to have more visa pages for frequent use. Mine has 50 visa pages I believe.

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I will be staying in Sankamphaeng for two months around the end of the year.

Can anybody recommend a Thai language tutor in the area? My native language is English. I have tried using search engines but have had no luck.

I will be looking for three or four, one hour lessons a week.

Thanks in advance for any advice

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I had a similar experience in Bangkok (sukhumvit near Nana). I went to walk in to a cafe for breakfast and there were no ashtrays out side so I put my cigarette butt in some soil that was in a pot. The manager said the cafe was closed when I entered so I left and continued to walk along the road, long story short I was followed by a guy who said he was a police officer and I was taken to a tourist information stand. He demanded 10,000 baht but I haggled him down to 2,000. He was also very interested in wether or not I had a Thai wife and lived in Bangkok, however I got the impression through his limited English and my complete lack of Thai that the fine would be lower if I had a Thai wife. That may of been lost in translation though.

I paid the fine as it was only my second day in Thailand. By the time this had all finished, the cafe manager waved me in and said they were now open. I explained what had happened and he said I was scammed, he even gave me his number and said if it ever happened again to call him and he will speak to the "officer" and not to pay.

I've never dropped a cigarette butt since that day, but have seen plenty of others doing so under the eyes of the police with not a word uttered.

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Thanks guys. I'm going to start off at Santai, but will be checking out a couple of other gyms closer to the city itself. I will post reviews after.

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never been, but only ever heard good things about it, tends to get good reviews from what ive seen

Great, I'll give it a go I think.

I'll post a review up on here afterwards.

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I didn't get any replies over in the Muay Thai thread so thought I'd give it a go here.

Has anybody on here trained at Santai Muay Thai near Chiang Mai recently and can provide a review of the training, accommodation, food and general camp atmosphere?

I ask as I am looking to spend a couple of months training there in the near future and I can't find any recent reviews online.

I spent a year training in the UK and also a few months training in Thailand but that was a few years ago now so I am looking for a beginner friendly gym.

Failing that can anybody recommend any other gyms in and around Chiang Mai?

Thanks in advance.

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Has anybody on here trained at Santai Muay Thai near Chiang Mai recently and can provide a review of the training, accommodation, food and general camp atmosphere?

I ask as I am looking to spend a couple of months training there in the near future and I can't find any recent reviews online.

I spent a year training in the UK and also a few months training in Thailand but that was a few years ago now so I am looking for a beginner friendly gym.

Failing that can anybody recommend any other gyms in and around Chiang Mai?

Thanks in advance.

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Fairtex have a pro shop at the Bangplee gym called Fairtex Muay Thai and fitness Bangplee. The factory is next door aswell. It's about 25 miles by car from Central Bangkok. If that's to far you can pick a bag from the online brochure and have it delivered I think. PM if you want the contact details.

There is also a Twins (I think) shop next to Lumpini stadium in BKK.

I've not been to Lumpini for a couple of years but they sold bags last time I was in.

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Hi Guys

Maybe not the questions your expecting from a young single guy moving to Phuket this summer.

I work in the oil industry for half the year and will be spending 5 months in Phuket.

My reason for moving is so I can save most my income to fund a business. So my budget will be around 100,000 Bht a month. What kind of lifestyle can I lead with this? I've read something about prices but it would be nice to hear anyone who lives on similar.

I'm single but not really into go go bars. Is Patong the only place where you can find western holiday maker girls? Reading through these forums Karon and Kata sound quiet. Or is that just in comparison? I don't have total control but will be trying to spend as much as the quiet season away at work.

I actually spent some time in Karon with a gf 5 years ago but it was during the rainy season and was pretty dead to be fair. We had a night in Patong which was pretty mad as far as I remember. But like I said was with my gf of the time so wasn't really looking for what would interest me now.

I'll be training martial arts twice a day 6 days a week at a gym in Chalong but do not want to live there as it seems boring. From this gym I google maps says Patong is 30 mins away and Kata 20 mins. Not too bad if I hire a bike I guess to live somewhere fun.

Also I'll be looking for some bar work on the night times, don't really care about being payed, maybe a few free beers. I just enjoy it for the craic, meeting people and working in hospitality as my future business is included in this industry. Anybody know anybody wanting a good cheap barman in a busy bar let me know.

Plus this with the training at the gym will stop me partying most nights of the week. Don't get me wrong I can party with the best of the oil n gas guys and miners but it gets boring after a while.

Another thing I was thinking is I'll take an apartment on my own if i have to but I'd much rather share a place with some other young people if I could. I guess the fact I'll be renting on a one month basis at a time makes this extremely difficult but maybe there's people advertising in newspapers for spare rooms for rent? Any ideas on that would be great.

Please note I'm aware I could live in the North, Pattaya or a hundred other places that are cheaper that will allow me to save more but I like to have a life too and the beach life, martial arts and some partying is why I have chosen Phuket so any suggestions to move to Chiang Mai will be respectfully laughed at. I like shops, bars, beaches, sports and restaurants.

Also I love sailing, hiking, rock climbing, playing football, bit of golf and snorkelling. And of course eating out and partying. Any young guys/girls out there wanna meet up when I arrive give me a shout.

Thanks very much for any advice, I've gotten a lot of good info from this

forum already so cheers

Dan

Sorry not sure what happened with my last post!

I'm pretty much in the same situation as you. 23, working offshore and looking to stay in Thailand 6 months a year to train in Muay Thai. I am still also not 100% decided on where I want to live.

Reading your location criteria I might know a place that would suit you.

I have stayed/trained there before.

KYN gym on Koh Yao Noi. It's a small island in between Phuket and Krabi. The gym is brilliant and prices are very good. The island itself is very quiet but there is a pool in the gym, lovely beaches and good restaurants.

Also there is quite a few westerners passing through the island on holiday.

I used to stay there Monday to Friday and then get the water taxi (1hour) and then a taxi (40 mins) into Patong on the weekends.

Might be worth a look. The head trainer is called Hlukin. Look him up he used to be a top class fighter.

Hope this helps and good luck!

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You can open a bank account but you may need to try different banks and branches of the same bank.

Was talking to someone the other day on a tourist visa. Adamant that she could not open a back account on a tourist visa. Told her to go walking down the road and visit every bank branch that comes up. 5 branches an she got an account.

I have been researching it and have found most people agree. The general consensus is that even if it is the banks policy not to let people on tourist visas open accounts the bank manager has discretion to allow it.

I have also read that it is not possible to obtain a Thai drivers licence whilst on a tourist visa. Is this the case or are there ways round it?

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Boardwalk empire

Game of thrones

Band of brothers

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I m in Europe and UK since 1.5 months, not been in UK since 2007. It s raining here and cold.

Yesterday I walked in hangars and have seen it s empty. Business are gone. Closed. good bye guys, we moved to China or Ethiopia... Mr boss keep your lousy pay check for himself and drive ferrari, why should He pay you anyway? Ask yourself why?

No wonder why bank make money, they all kicked out the humans in the production chain. Replaced by robots. I think it s going to be worse and worse.

News paper complain about nhs. Bankrupt soon. Living here in UK is expensive and not fun at all. When I m in Thailand, I can go out, no worry about money,... I just hope they don't become like Europe or USA.

Do you want live in this EU system where people struggle And are unhappy? Especially Youngs who watch TV all day or sell cannabis.

You need to find something to do in thailand. Teaching English is the best. I know a guy who do that and he is happy. He travel a lot in Asia.

I totally agree. I want to get out of the UK before I get drawn in to heavily with common consumerism attitude.

I'm not to sure about teaching English.

I will be working offshore for 6 months a year. I plan to spend my time in Thailand practising Muay Thai, fishing and learning the language and culture.

But yes I also think it's important to find something to occupy my time. I don't want to end up sitting in a bar 7 days a week. Not just yet anyway.

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Just moving to Thailand doesn't make you a revolutionary.

Since you're not investing here you're feeding the beast back there aren't you?

And had to slave away like you're talking about to save for that nest egg that allows you to "get out".

Pretty hard to get away, no one can completely.

But yes, withdrawing to the extent you can is certainly doing your part.

Yes, I plan on investing the majority of my money in the UK.

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Thanks for all of the advice guys.

The one year ticket with changeable dates seems like a good I idea to me.

As I will be on a visa waiver will I have problems with any everyday needs?

For example renting an apartment, obtaining car insurance or opening a Thai bank account?

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Thanks for all the comments guys. Some good bits of advice here.

I think like many of you have said I will just see where it takes me and enjoy the ride. Also trying not to make to many big mistakes along the way!

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Just get your home way if you are reduced to gather stupid answers to your stupid question...

What do you mean by get my home way?

And what is stupid about a newcomer asking advice from more experienced people?

I thought the whole point of a forum was to share information

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You would probably get more useful information if you asked much more specific questions. For example, want to rent an apartment in Chiang Mai and want advice about that, post in the Chiang Mai forum. Etc. That's a lot of what this forum is about. Questions and answers at more micro levels.

Your question reminds me of when I used to live in California and visiting the east coast, people asking me, so what's California like?

Understood.

I will move my questions to a more specific are of the forum.

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Just get your home way if you are reduced to gather stupid answers to your stupid question...

What do you mean by get my home way?

And what is stupid about a newcomer asking advice from more experienced people?

I thought the whole point of a forum was to share information

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Learn the language asap!

Yeah that's a good piece of advice.

I can speak a little bit of Thai (general conversation) and I'm working on improving it before the move.

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A tourist visa can only be obtained at an embassy or consulate outside of Thailand.

You could look for a one way ticket to any nearby country to show as a onward ticket. If you were to get ticket in advance you can get them so cheap that you could throw them away an not loose a lot of money.

Ok mate understood.

I think like you said I will book a cheap flight out of the country for within the 30 day limit.

Thanks for your advice

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Nobody can tell you. You'll have to experience it yourself. But one thing is for sure -- you'll notice the WARTS more.

What is the WARTS?

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You really are young, he means Thailand is Majic, Warts and all!!!

Ahhh OK, well I'm looking forward to it, Warts and all!

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Nobody can tell you. You'll have to experience it yourself. But one thing is for sure -- you'll notice the WARTS more.

What is the WARTS?

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