TheSiemReaper

Much cheaper without the ads... and they don't work in Thailand anyway. :-) So, it appears I was half-right, half-wrong, mea culpa. :-) I'd still go the ebay route again, I think.

I wouldn't, the Amazon service is great, something was wrong with my Kindle, just sent it back and got a new one in about 2 weeks.

As you don't lose the warranty this is pretty much irrelevant.

No flights out of Battambang. You'd be better off doing your Vietnam visa through a travel agent in Siem Reap - yes, it costs extra but not as much as wasting a day travelling to Battambang and back. Though Battambang is genuinely lovely - worth seeing and won't take more than a day or two to see.

But yes, you'd need to return to Siem Reap or head to Bangkok to fly to Vietnam after visiting Battambang.

Traveling back to Bangkok to head east to Vietnam would be a ridiculous waste of time and money. There are numerous flights out of Siem Reap and also Phnom Penh. However, by the time you wait for the plane to leave you could already be in Ho Chi Minh just by catching a bus. Or a taxi to Phnom Penh then a bus. The bus service from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh now takes around 30 minutes less than it used to since the opening of the Mekong River bridge at Neak Luong. From Battambang to Ho Chi Minh can easily be done in under a day.

It might be a ridiculous waste of time to go to Bangkok to fly but it is much cheaper than flying from Siem Reap thanks to budget airline availability. The bus from SR to PP is about the most miserable experience in Asia and worth avoiding - same for taxis. Better to fly to PP on Basaka (or other budget airline). The bus journey from PP to HCMC is quite nice and the border is one hundred million times better than Poipet but it is, as with all bus journeys in Cambodia and Vietnam, incredibly long for the tiny distance you are travelling.

Oh how could I forget - health care!

It is abysmal (and expensive). For anything serious or at all specialized you need to go to Thailand or Viet Nam. Best to have an expat insurance policy that covers those countries as well. Thailand especially has become expensive, VN is less so but also less user-friendly for foreigners. For simple problems, most medications can be bought over the counter but stick to reliable air conditioned places as there are counterfeit drugs on the market.

And yes, I have had dengue...three times. Dengue is highly unpleasant but not the greatest threat to your health by a long shot. That would be traffic car/motorcycle accidents. Do not underestimate the need for good insurance cover including one that would cover emergency medivac to neighboring country. Doesn't matter how healthy you are. They drive like maniacs and even as a pedestrian, you are not safe from being run over...plus you will inevitably need to take the aptly names moto-dops (pronounced dopes) to get around. People always worry about exotic tropical diseases, it is car/moto accidents that are the real danger.

Cambodians are very friendly people and not in the least xenophobic (except as regards the Vietnamese, a whole other story). If you take the time and trouble to learn their language, have a sincere interest in their culture and them as a people, you will certainly make local friends. The women are more conservative than in Thailand and will not be all over you (any that are, you can be sure they are hookers) but they are not closed to relationships with foreigners like in Japan, it all depends on you as a person and also on how committed you are to settling down in Cambodia -- only hookers are likely to be interested in someone perceived as just passing through. You will have the most luck with women reasonably close to your own age, whatever that is. Be aware that casual dating is not really accepted in Cambodia and while the younger generation do have premarital sex, they do so discretely and in the context of serious relationships that often end in marriage. If you do get a Cambodian gf, she is likely to take it very seriously and expect you to do the same...as will her family. An older woman who has already been married (divorced, widowed etc) will be a little less strict but even they will usually be looking for something lasting. Very different from the situation in Thailand. Much less mercenary, but expecting much more emotionally and in commitment.

I know that dengue fever is a lot more dangerous than infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea, but I was just wondering if the symptoms of dengue are similar in discomfort to an std or much much worse? I'm sorry, I don't mean to imply that you have even had an std in your life, but if you have, how would you compare the symptoms of an std to dengue fever?

I have had chlamydia 3 times in my life and gonorrhea once (infected at the same time as chlamydia once in Thailand) and the symptoms are bearable without medication for a couple days, then I start to feel super nauseous and my stomach is in knots my day 2 or 3 without medication. Then again, I usually go to a hospital or clinic as soon as I can.

You do know that dengue is not an STD, right? It's a mosquito borne infection. It is, most times, just as bad as the worst case of flu. However, it is a hemorrhagic fever and can turn really, really nasty. The likelihood of this increases with each time you catch dengue (there are four strains of dengue).

Stop trying to put words into my mouth Luke. Your behaviour on this thread is disgraceful. You seem to have confused your role in life between "expat" and "police enforcer". Whichever badge you bought in Toys'r'Us - it does not confer any authority upon you. You're like everyone else here. Your arrogance is breathtaking at times but sadly you don't back it up with any substance. Is that clear enough for you? The ability to read between lines seems to be completely lost on you.

Could you confirm whether that is an actual allegation or just another passing random thought unconnected with this thread

I can confirm I have entered a battle of wits with an unarmed man. Does that help?

I think the Kindle that won't ship to Thailand is the one that comes cheaper because of the ads. Pay a bit more and get the ad-free one. I ordered one for my son , a Paperwhite model about a month ago. Yes, comes by UPS in about a week. If you order via Fleabay is the warantee valid?

You are correct. I didn't pay attention to that in my post above. When I bought mine a few years ago and shipped here, it was without ads.

Kindle Paperwhite 3G, 6" High-Resolution Display (300 ppi) with Built-in Light, Free 3G + Wi-Fi

by Amazon

Price: $209.99 Free Shipping for Prime Members

Select connectivity and other options after adding to cart

In Stock.

This item ships to Mai Rim, Thailand. Learn more

Ships from and sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC. Gift-wrap available.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi + Free 3G

Much cheaper without the ads... and they don't work in Thailand anyway. :-) So, it appears I was half-right, half-wrong, mea culpa. :-) I'd still go the ebay route again, I think.

Stop trying to put words into my mouth Luke. Your behaviour on this thread is disgraceful. You seem to have confused your role in life between "expat" and "police enforcer". Whichever badge you bought in Toys'r'Us - it does not confer any authority upon you. You're like everyone else here. Your arrogance is breathtaking at times but sadly you don't back it up with any substance. Is that clear enough for you? The ability to read between lines seems to be completely lost on you.

In China they have a phrase for people who go online to blindly support the actions of those in power; it's "wu mao" (essentially "5 cents" which is what they get paid for each post). I'm wondering if this is a case of "ha satang"?

Who are the people whom you are claiming " blindly support the actions of those in power"?

Or are you just making a baseless accusation ?

It's funny - there's no accusation there at all, just a question. But if the cap fits...

In China they have a phrase for people who go online to blindly support the actions of those in power; it's "wu mao" (essentially "5 cents" which is what they get paid for each post). I'm wondering if this is a case of "ha satang"?

I think the Kindle that won't ship to Thailand is the one that comes cheaper because of the ads. Pay a bit more and get the ad-free one. I ordered one for my son , a Paperwhite model about a month ago. Yes, comes by UPS in about a week. If you order via Fleabay is the warantee valid?

Yes, the seller provides a complete warranty. With more than 7,000 sales and 100% positive feedback - I'll assume they actually deliver on that.

Been here a couple of times since they've opened. I'd rate the burger as the second best I've had in Thailand (best was from a little hole in the wall on Koh Chang), but the fries are without a doubt the best I have here. I'm on a food budget too, but I can afford to come here once a week for a great meal. Look at what a burger/fries/coke costs in Burger King and you won't complain and the quality doesn't come close to Classic Burger.

I'm curious; I enjoy a burger too but how does it ever get rated as a "great meal"? I've eaten zillions of the darn things around the planet but not one, ever, has been a "great meal".

Why not.. Sure its not 'fine dining' but some burgers are far beyond the junk food fast food maccas nastyness..

I dont see why this cant be a 'great meal'

And yeah.. I tend to think Rock me is still the standard which others must beat.. But I dont eat burgers that often so theres a few mentioned here I havent yet tried.

I thought Rock Me Burger was pretty good but not within 400 miles of a "great meal".

Check out the prices of Kindles and other hardware. Then go buy a used notepad computer, configure it to use whatever epub reader you wish, and use the extra money you saved on something else, like buying ebooks!

Problem with tablets is the it drains the battery to quickly.

The problems with tablets are myriad including a.) back-lit screens b.) weight and c.) battery life.

Amazon won't sell Kindle direct to Thailand. Best to go via Ebay with a seller who has sold several thousand brand new ones to Thailand.

Not true

100% true. Amazon do not sell Kindle direct to Thailand any more. They did for a bit, then they stopped. Which is why there's a thriving market for new ones from Ebay.

Also for those who travel in the region - there is a shop in Phnom Penh that sells them plus what may be the ugliest cases in history. They are brand new and boxed with original factory seals.

Well, I just received a new Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon, it took 6 days to arrive by UPS. It was a ( totally free ) replacement for a similar Kindle that went bad. They even waived the shipping cost, the online support was very good.

Phil

Replacement items aren't new orders. If you go to Amazon.com (or indeed any Amazon) and request shipping of a new one to Thailand you will find; "We do not ship this item to your country."

Amazon won't sell Kindle direct to Thailand. Best to go via Ebay with a seller who has sold several thousand brand new ones to Thailand.

Not true

100% true. Amazon do not sell Kindle direct to Thailand any more. They did for a bit, then they stopped. Which is why there's a thriving market for new ones from Ebay.

Also for those who travel in the region - there is a shop in Phnom Penh that sells them plus what may be the ugliest cases in history. They are brand new and boxed with original factory seals.

It's always a good idea to do exactly the opposite of what your biggest investors want you to do.... http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/907056/japanese-fret-over-thai-labour-force

Can we get a NON O visa for thai kid or thai wife at Sianoukville ?

You might be able to get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage to a Thai or being the parent of a Thai from the embassy in PP. Not sure they will allow agents to submit the application.

This is correct. Agents will only handle tourist visas.

I went last week. Don't go to the embassy at all. Go to a travel agent with $49 and give them your passport. 3 days later (including the day you drop the passport off) you will have your visa. No form filling. No queuing. No photographs taken. Nothing. This costs a whacking $9 over doing it all yourself... Welcome to Cambodia, nobody stands in line if they can help it.

sounds right but dont you need a photo? and they might want to see a ticket out of Thailand but they will fake it for you for an extra $10

Nope. No photo. No ticket. At least not via the agent I used (Street 172, next to Dolce Vita Restaurant). No fake ticket for $10 either.

I went last week. Don't go to the embassy at all. Go to a travel agent with $49 and give them your passport. 3 days later (including the day you drop the passport off) you will have your visa. No form filling. No queuing. No photographs taken. Nothing. This costs a whacking $9 over doing it all yourself... Welcome to Cambodia, nobody stands in line if they can help it.

Great advice. Only sensible way to do it.

Yes it is, but is it 100% legal? Even if it wasn't, it would not stop me doing it if it was to my advantage.

100% legal. It's an agent. They just go and do all the things you would do yourself (except for bribing the Thai embassy to accept a mass of applications at once).

They're not keen on multiple SETV's in Phnom Penh at all. They will not do back-to-back multiple SETVs now at all (so if you did one in PP last time, go to Vientiane next time). They will only issue an SETV if you have no more than 3 back-to-back (from anywhere) in total too. (Just phoned a friend to confirm this).

Thanks. Is it possible to pay more to speed things up a day or two?

No. You could shave a single day from the process by going in person... at the cost of a whole day wasted in two halves in the Thai consulate...

Here's a discussion on this from people in Paris back in 2010....

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k3604688-My_debit_cr_card_has_a_6_digit_pin_number-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

No problem. This is an "urban myth". And so on...

Really, it's up to you but it will work fine. It always has for me and everyone else. French ATMs do not come from the ark. They are quite capable of accepting a 6 digit PIN.

Is it possible to pay more to have a quicker turnaround time?

So if i drop pp off early monday morning i can collect from agent wednesday?

Thanks

If you drop off early Monday morning (before 10 a.m.) - you can collect Wednesday evening (after 6 p.m.). No need to pay more.

If you want to be 100% certain of Wednesday - drop off Sunday evening (usually before about 8 p.m.).

Every travel agency in the city, pretty much, does it. Ask in your hotel for the closest one.

You seem very familiar with Cambodia. Little off topic but how would you advise people wanting to obtain setv from say Siem Reap or Sihanoukville for example to use similar agent arrangement. Cambodia is not my go but many people ask me

Yes, it's exactly the same process in SR and SHV though it does take a day or two longer (as the passport has to go to PP and come back) and costs a few dollars more. I did my first SETV in SR that way.

Thanks. Thought as much. Good to have conformation. Perhaps you could also advise people how to obtain longer term visa for Cambodia. Yes I realize another forum

Long term Cambodia visa as follows:

1. On arrival into Cambodia (not via an embassy or online or through a Thai agent - only on arrival) purchase an ordinary visa for $35, 1 photo and possibly a bribe of up to $5. Do not purchase a tourist visa. This is valid for 1 month.

2. To renew for a 1 year multiple entry - take $285 and your passport to a travel agent. Hand them over. Wait 1 week. 1 year multiple entry sorted.

3. To apply for a work permit - take $150 and your passport with a 1 year multiple entry visa to a travel agent. Wait 1 week. Work permit sorted.

Note: This is true for Westerners and ASEAN and Japan/Korea/China/Taiwan/etc. only. Those coming from other parts of the world (such as Africa or the Indian Sub-continent) may (and usually will) find that steps 2 and 3 cost a lot more money. Welcome to Cambodian racism. You may also need to use an agent who specializes in dealing with your nationality to get the result you need in these cases.

Is it possible to pay more to have a quicker turnaround time?

So if i drop pp off early monday morning i can collect from agent wednesday?

Thanks

If you drop off early Monday morning (before 10 a.m.) - you can collect Wednesday evening (after 6 p.m.). No need to pay more.

Sounds good. Where do you find a travel agency that does that ?

Every travel agency in the city, pretty much, does it. Ask in your hotel for the closest one.

You seem very familiar with Cambodia. Little off topic but how would you advise people wanting to obtain setv from say Siem Reap or Sihanoukville for example to use similar agent arrangement. Cambodia is not my go but many people ask me

Yes, it's exactly the same process in SR and SHV though it does take a day or two longer (as the passport has to go to PP and come back) and costs a few dollars more. I did my first SETV in SR that way.

European ATMs accept six digit PIN numbers.

France included? Mutiple websites say No....

Multiple websites are wrong. I've travelled extensively through Europe with a 6 digit PIN number on an Arabic bank's cards. Really, Europe leads the world in banking technology.

It is really is annoying when people treat Europe as a country. The person asked about France. You did manage to weave into the conversation that you've traveled extensively not a few times but extensively through Europe

Welcome back Mr. Troll. Being European I had no idea that Europe wasn't one country. However, ATMs in Europe all work in exactly the same way. Thank you for your input - it is as always indicative of your own inadequacies and no-one else's. Thanks for playing again.