Bulldozer Dawn
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Posts posted by Bulldozer Dawn
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I took my girlfriend at the time to Savannakhet with me for a double entry tourist visa 18 months ago. We went over the friendship bridge and she just had her Thai ID. There was a holiday in Laos and we had to spend an extra night which meant she would be overstaying her allotted time. We just went to the local police station and gave 200THB and she got 3 more days (or whatever it was).
Hoong Thip is a good inexpensive hotel: 600/800THB + Breakfast (WIFI downstairs though).
Thanks for the tip. But I plan on doing this run to Vientiane, not Savannakhet.
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Phuket is the closest for us. Nope won't be going back there unless wild elephants are dragging me.
Thanks for your post TMac. It looks like you squeezed 3 nights (not 2) out of your border passes?
In any event if the pass is good for 2 nights that will suffice.
UJ. Thanks for your input. But I have seen the Thais getting a border pass at Nong Khai in the past. Seems to me a quick and painless process. In fact they receive their pass quicker than what I receive my Laos visa sticker. A good deal cheaper too.
So border pass it is then.
Back to my OP. Can anyone recommend a clean and cheap hotel?
Also any info on a trustworthy place to rent a motorbike in Udon Thani or Nong Khai. In the past I used to rent from the hair salon in (sampan spelling?) road in UT. But I called her salon recently and apparently the bike rental operations have ceased.
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There are several passport offices she can use, not just Phuket or Bangkok. In BKK they might offer same day service.
She just have to go once, for 65 baht they send the passport home by EMS within 1 week.
Thanks M
Good to know. But still think we will go the border pass route. Her current passport expires at the end of June. Anyone know if you can get a new one even though the other still has a month or so validity on it?
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get a new passport, takes 1 week,an most big cities have passport offices.
why take the risk an ruin a vacation?
Thanks richard. To renew her passport we would have to go back to Phuket...twice. After five years there I have just escaped with my life (Three road accidents in 15 months, none my fault, and the Thai driver fleeing the scene on every occassion). I now live in a lovely new house in the middle of the Jungle. Wild elephants will be required to get me to go back to Phuket unless it is absolutely necessary.
The border pass solution will be fine. Provided it is good for 3 days and 2 nights.
Thanks for your input TM.
Can any other members confirm that the Laos border pass is good for 3 days and 2 nights?
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Thanks KB for the link. But still not a definitive answer.
Is there any member out there who can confirm that a Loas border pass issued for a Thai is good for 3 days and two nights?
If that is true then we might be good to go.
Just want to get a new double entry tourist visa in Vientiane and spend an extra day having a look around the city. Three days should suffice.
Also has anyone got any recent reports on a clean cheap hotel with wifi.
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Now living up in the jungle, so no plan to renew her passport. Too busy to head in to the big smoke.
If anyone has taken their girl to Laos, for more than a day trip, just on her ID card, I would be grateful to know the details.
Ubon Joe?
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I am planning to trip up to Nongkhai in late June/early July. I will head across to Vientiane for a double entry tourist visa.
I want to take my Thai girl with me. She has a passport but it will have expired by then. I know that Thai nationals can go accross the border for a day using just their ID card. Is it possible for them to also stay for more than one day in Loas using just their ID card.
Also:
1. Is there still no requirement to have air tickets when apply for a double at Vientiane
2. Anyone know a good cheap hotel to stay in while waiting for the visa to be processed.
And:
Does anyone know a good place to rent a motorbike in Nong khai for a couple of weeks and the price.
Thanks in advance for any help of info.
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In late June/ early July I plan on parking a bike at the Phuket Airport for a period a two weeks. If anyone knows why such a plan would fail. I would be grateful for you input on this thread.
Cheers.
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Gold star and jellybean to Sarathi.
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Thanks Steven, I no longer live in Phuket so haven't been to the airport for a good while. I heard there is a lot of construction going on in the old carpark (where you park your bike). Do you think there would be any chance that ongoing construction would cause a problem if parked there for a couple weeks. That is, would they want everyone to move their bikes (impossible if I am in another country?)
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A good deal of litigation in the western world is founded on fair trading common laws and legislations.
Often such actions plead that the goods were not as described.
The Mayweather v. Pacquiao fight was promoted as THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY.
Who is up for a class action against the promoters?
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Is it still possible to park a motorbike at Phuket airport?
Is it still free?
Where is the (new?) designated area? (It used to be just inside the security box/boom gate)
If free parking is still available, any problems leaving the bike there for two weeks?
Thanks in advance for any info.
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Well folks, it is now some 9 months since my opening post and so I thought it proper that I update you on my lot.
My beautiful new girl is sitting next to me as I type...watching a Thai concert on her tablet.
A little about me:
I don't smoke or drink or do drugs and am very fit for my age. I was at a loss as to how to raise my game in bed. I already ate well and so I thought that the only solution lie at the pharmacy. As I posted earlier in this thread, I started taking a Vit B1-6-12 supplement that came in a tub of 1000 pills and was as cheap as chips. That didn't do anything really and so I then turned to testosterone. You can buy this stuff over the counter here. It is quite legal, though a little expensive. Every morning, with my breakfast I take just one 40 MG capsule of Testosterone Undecanoate (as well as the Vit B supp). I eat a lot of fruit and veges, but always have. Anyway, I am happy to report that the problems deep in the second session have now dissappeared entirely. In fact, I am now like a spotty faced teenager who is fearful of an untimely boner while out in public.
Such an easy fix really....and now I can match my girl...all night.
Another added bonus is, it would seem, that the T speeds up ones metabolism and so I actually look a bit more lithe.
I researched, and am well aware, that testosterone can cause some problems if there is already an enlarged prostate, and thus, one is prudent to have such matters checked before starting on T. I however, didn't bother with any such tests. Perhaps the most poisonous amongst you can revel in telling me I told you so in a few years.
Another thing I would mention, kind readers, is that I found that when I first started on the T, I would, on occassion, very quickly, get angry. Not anything like the disasterous roid rages one reads of, but something to be mindful of nonetheless. After a few months, that issue passed, but, to be honest, I enjoyed it a bit. For a while I revisting that "Well f***k you" attitude a young lad brandishes from time to time.
As some members suggested, the sex has cooled. But only a little. And, the intimacy has grown.
A little about her:
After a few months together my girl slowly started to reveal to me her finances. It turns out that she has a good deal of physical gold, several hundred thousand in savings, no debt, owns her bike, and has only one more year of contributions into her life insurance with Bangkok bank after which she will receive back monthly installments. No doubt the naysayers here abouts will suggest that this is due to her duping some guy (or girl) in the past (she was married to a tom for a decade before I met her), but, from my observations it is because she works hard, doesn't drink or gamble and is shrewd with her money.
I also discovered she shares a love of the ocean, and of rivers and lakes, and of the outdoors, as I do. Yes, she is scared of the sun, and black skin, but what young and pretty Thai girl isn't? I am very happy to report she shares my love of being around, in, or on, water. This is a real blessing for me. I have dated many girls back in farang land, and several here in LOS, that have feigned an interest in boating, fishing, surfing, and diving (some of them very convincingly) but, in time, and upon closer observation, one discovered that it was just a ruse.
She keeps a great house. Dishes washed straight after a meal. Floors swept spotless every morning. Clothes washed and folded neatly.
She is clumsy. I have observed during my years here in this country, that one of the many positives of a Thai girl is the feminine grace with which they carry themselves. I remember one member writing that his wife floats around their house. Other members mocked his use of the word "floats" and suggested perhaps she was a ghost, or didn't have legs, however, floating is an apt description for the manner in which many beautiful Thai girls move through ones personal space. It is certaily apt for my girl, she cleans the house without a sound, and I take great pleasure in just watching her move while she sweeps or attends to a chore.
But, on occassion, she breaks stuff. A plate, a glass, a sauce bottle. And when she does, she is sooooo cute. Sometimes I could just eat her.
A little about us:
We have moved into a lovely newly built house, on a little piece of land, in the jungle. She has started to poop pak. Her little farm is doing well and we now have sweet basil, holly basil, tomatoes, paw paw, egg plant, pak boong, pak chee, chillies (all types), pumpkin, watermelon, cucumber, garlic and red onions. All well on their way. We are using elephant poo to fertilise the garden and, so far, it is working a treat.
A typical day off, such as today, starts with fresh cooked pancakes with local honey and slices of "nam dork mai" mangoes. We then go surfing for a few hours and return home for lunch. Today it was baked organic chicken with potatoes, pumpkin, and fried wild mushrooms with garlic. In the afternoon we head off to the river for a spot of fishing. Last week we caught a mess of fish (the barometer was up with an approaching thunder storm). I made our poles from bamboo I cut from the forest nearby. Then back home for an evening meal and off to bed.
I am happy. And happy to report, I made the right decision.
Time for bed now. Up early tomorrow to look for mushrooms and then back home to watch Manny and Floyd.
I hope Manny wins.-
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Until now I have not made a single post regarding the Koh Tao murders. Suffice to say that I am utterly sickened. Both by the crime itself and the manner in which it has been investigated. My thoughts are with the parents and families of the victims.
I have however been reading the relevant threads and note that the administrators of some independent sites, such as LA CSI, have been following up on the investigation.
I had a thought last night, that may be of interest to such people, and perhaps it will assist in catching and convicting those who commited the murders. If any of what I provide is incorrect, please let me know.
- I understand that Koh Tao has the same tides as Koh Samui. The historical tide charts for Koh Samui are located here: http://www.saltwater-dreaming.com/surfing-resources/thailand-tide-charts.htm#axzz3G7AgLjoH
- On the night of the murder high tide on Koh Tao was at 2.19am.
- I understand that the bodies were discovered at first light. Sunrise was at 6.10am. http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/thailand/na-thon-ko-samui?month=9&year=2014
- When David and Hannah were alone together on the beach it was the top of the tide.
- The murders took place in a two or three hour window on the falling tide.
- David was found in the ocean and so the killer(s) must have left clear footprints on the virgin sand left by a falling tide.
- So when the crime was first discovered the only footprints on the virgin sand surrounding the bodies would have been the victims and the killer(s).
I know little of homicide investigations. However, I do know a good deal about simple logic. If the crime scene had been properly roped off when discovered, it would have been possible to make castings of all of the footprints at the scene. They would have been in pristine sand washed clean by the evening's high tide.
The police at some stage were measuring the feet of female burmese workers. This would suggest that they did indeed lift some castings. If so, then why all this debate about the DNA. If the two young Burmese lads are guilty the police would already have casting of their footprints from the crime scene.
And so...we are left to wonder about why the virgin sand at the crime scene was not roped off, and why was every Tom, Dick and Harry allowed to trample over the footprints of the killer(s)?
And yes...the above question is rhetorical...
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If you believe published occupancy rates... then up to you... I have been physically on nearly every street in Ao Nang closely looking at properties for over 3 months ... and 25% is tops for an occupancy rate except for within a few hundred meters of the beach road ... and they are building more as I have seen some boarded up and some looking abandoned...
The economic world including the Harvard Business school and the London School of economics believes the Bank of Thailand occupancy rates. http://www2.bot.or.th/statistics/BOTWEBSTAT.aspx?reportID=624&language=ENG
You know better? Aw come on. It is impossible to have an intelligent conversation unless we agree on certain conventions. If your anecdotal guess of hotel occupancy rates is to be held on the same level of credibility as the Bank of Thailand economic indicators they you will have to find someone else to talk to.
My grandfather thought the moon landing was faked.
The question is......
Is the guest house sector crashing
My suggestion would be based on an average of the hotel occupancy as full as 100%. July occupancy rate 50%. 10 to 20% of that 50 would have been sales meetings and probably not filled guest houses. So one can assume guest houses operated at about 30% occupancy during June. Or down 10% from March 2014.
http://www2.bot.or.th/statistics/BOTWEBSTAT.aspx?reportID=624&language=ENG
Is the guest house sector crashing? Depends on the break even of the individual guest house. If you own the place outright obviously no it is not crashing. The rest is determined by the fixed costs of each guesthouse. Is the fixed cost more than the income 30% occupancy would generate? If yes then that place will go broke.
Thailiketoo, although there is some bulk to your analysis there is little substance other than the chestnut that if your fixed costs are more than your revenue you will go broke. Well done on that ephiphany.
I have held a number of commercial leases in Phuket over the years and it is common place for the owner of the property to want a clause inserted in the lease that passes the tax burden on to the tenant. The rate is 12.5 percent of revenue. It is commonplace however for the Landlord to lie about returns on the property and so the tax payment is often reduced or avoided all together. That was certainly the case with one of my properties. In the last week I have seen the army doing the rounds at several guest houses and apartments in Patong. They are inspecting the owners records chasing tax evasion. 12.5 percent is a considerable margin, and in these quiet times it may well be the straw that has broken the back of the camel with regard to profitability of a leased guesthouse.
This crash will not just be limited to guesthouses. If other businesses, such as massage shops, are pursued for correct taxation on earnings by the army, it may well be the case that they too, can no longer service the onerous rents in Patong.
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Four new listings today. That is 12 Patong guesthouses listed for sale in three days on a single website:
http://www.bahtsold.com/view/19-rooms-on-new-road-patong-g0024--185595?doqs=1
http://www.bahtsold.com/view/12-rooms-plus-restaurant-on-nanai-rd-patong-g0031--185431?doqs=1
http://www.bahtsold.com/view/brand-new-phuket-hotel-with-swimming-pool-to-lease-185362?doqs=1
http://www.bahtsold.com/view/8-rooms-with-restaurant-patong-beach-g0023--185346?doqs=1
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Usual reaction when a Thai man doesn't get everything his way. If this loser had a new mercedes instead of a home made gun he would have used that to kill the victim.
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Hot springs at Ranong.
Koh Chang (noi)
Wat Koh Sirey
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Back home, single, overworked and stressed, going crazy was renting two videos on a Friday night instead of one...
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Let's look at the figures on the island. Supposedly a total of 1000 jobs were lost out of a total working force of how many tens of thousands on the island? How many jobs in the hospitality industry are now taken by non Thais due to the locals not wanting to actually work? If the locals that supposedly lost their job applied for these positions, why wouldn't a local hotel or hospitality company hire them over Burmese if they had the same work ethic? All hospitality places are due to begin hiring for the next high season and if these local lazy beach sellers wanted to work as hard as the Burmese, they could easily get the job, sending the Burmese back to Burma. Problem lies in these lazy beach vendors don't want to work, but want to use illegal ground that they don't pay rent nor taxes on to make their living.
As always you post your ill informed opinions as if they are fact.
The reality is that even if all of these business folk that have been pushed out of their livelihoods find employment, they will be back on to the 300 THB per day wage. Less if they are forced to complete with the Burmese for jobs. Most of these people will not be able to survive on the 300 THB per day and so Iceman's concerns regarding a spike in crime still hold true. As I have posted elsewhere, I am also expecting a spike in drug related offences as bored and depressed people turn to ya ice.
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Save yourself a lot of money and heart-ache.......dump the nympho and get that smart, independent Thai girl back in your life.
She is very much still in my life. I just have a new partner who is much better in bed. Explain to me, like I was a four year old, or a golden retriever, just why I should dump my new partner?
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I had some mates over last year. Two corporate accountants, one fund manager and a lawyer. All mad tourers. My solution, rather than rent, I went to the (then) Lifan dealer in Phuket Town (now stallions dealer) and bought four Lifan 200 cross bikes. By memory the price of each bike was just over 1300 or 1400 dollars each. We thrashed around for a month and then sold them on for about 1000 dollars each. Could have got more if we didn't fire sale them. On Mae Luan Road in Phuket town, near the big yellow Cockpit tyre place you will find both the Stallions dealer and then across the road the Keeway and Mbike dealer. Stallions have just released the new cafe racer bike which looks...and sounds great. The Mbike is a good enduro looking gadget. All of them retail for well under two grand. You will have a lot more fun if you are all riding the same bike, and if you break one, no harm done just walk away. Anyway that is my suggestion.
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According to who? Conjecture or the non published reports about crime, accidents and drownings in Phuket? No crime has been reported in my neighborhood for many years now and I haven't heard any neighbors talking about any break ins or robberies either
That is because all of your neighbours are presidents and own 20 million baht worth of plastic chairs.
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When Basil Faulty crosses over to the dark side...
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4 day stay in Vientiane, with Thai GF, she has no passport
in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Posted
Thanks Richard. I am here in Thailand to enjoy myself. And what I enjoy is being in, on, or around water. I gave Phuket a good chance, five years in fact, I lived in a quiet jungle setting in the North, then right in the heart of Phuket town, and then right on the beach on the west coast. But, the traffic has now gotten out of hand, and the road infrastructure will NEVER catch up because of the corruption skimming off the new project monies. Add to that the new tourist demographic, Morrocans, Indians and Chinese and it is a done deal. The Morrocans hire the big 300cc scooters and ride like maniacs, the buses for the Chinese are clogging every road. My last accident saw me laid up for 6 months and in a great deal of pain. Fortunately I escaped with my life and now live on the side of a mountain in the jungle. A lovely brand new house on a little land. I am a five minute ride from the beach. The only thing I am missing from Phuket is the big Super Cheap.
I have had my drivers and bike licence since 17 birthday. I have driven every day for some of my previous jobs. I have also driven and ridden all over the world. I have held a gold licence for over 20 years. Up until coming to Thailand I had NEVER had an accident while driving a car or a bike on a road. (I have had a few spills riding bikes offroad). In Phuket I had three in 15 month's, not one of them my fault, and the other driver fleeing the scene on all three occasions.