monk213

I'm so thankful that I am one of the lucky few who manages to produce a natural repellent to mosquitoes. There have been many studies undertaken to find out why, and theories range from CO2 release, diet and a natural production of several hormones and chemicals. I have been in LOS for 6 years now and can count how many times I have been bitten on 1 hand, again luckily. More studies need to head towards this because the mosquito is the single most deadliest thing to our species.

They have to catch birds to eat? Wow, thats some horrific slave labor conditions......

That is horrific but also think about it, they are at sea and the are meant to be catching fish as a living... yet to eat they have to catch birds

The terrorist organiser, radical Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, should have been executed years ago with his apprentices, the Bali bombers.

His terrorist training school should have been dismantled at the same time.

You're living in a dream world my friend, they have been let to run wild because it is the in the interest of the super powers that these people exist. Think outside of the box

Unfortunately, the ready access to drugs on this island could have led this unfortunate to overdose (see FB page for details of his NY bender). About time the junta clamp down hard once and for all.

Being realistic, I guess these mafia run businesses which generate billions of baht are untouchable. Where is a Thai Eliot Ness, when you need him?

I am going to admit I haven't visited his FB page because I don't really wish to see a dead guys page who has passed so recently, but I have heard he had been using mushrooms, you cannot overdose in a deadly way on mushrooms if they are actually non-toxic, and those shakes aren't as they are often P.Cubensis. Was there other usage of drugs on his page?

Indeed psilocybin, the active ingredient in Magic 'shrooms will not kill you per se. However the effects, amongst others, include hallucinations and loss of perception of distance. That, coupled with large amounts of alchohol (which can kill you) and also likely due to being in-acclimatized and dehydrated - which in itself causes brain function abnormalities, would lead to a very high risk of making reckless decisions.

In a holiday situation a possible scenario would be taking an over enthusiastic dive into the shallow end of a swimming pool late at night, knocking oneself unconscious and drowning. Maybe even just walking around the pool on unsteady feet and slipping in with a crack on the head on the way. There but for the grace of God go I!

Nobody knows exactly what has happened here, but from what is known from the young man's own writing, it is highly likely that drugs and alcohol would have been a contributing factor.

Edit: Just seen that whilst composing the above it would appear that diving into the pool was exactly what happened..

Yeah I am fully aware and well acquainted with psilocybin and other molecules alike, but I was simply referring to a direct cause of death due to it. That is basically impossible, but as you illustrated an indirect cause mixed with other substances is a very real and probable cause.

Not to downplay the tragic nature of this event, because it is tragic and harsh, the reality and nature of life is that death is something we should all meet and all have to accept at some point. If we say 10 years old, 20 years old, 30 whatever is too young to die and attach to this idea, then we will never fully accept our own demise and those of others. This is not being cold or cynical, rather being wise and realistic.

Who did he meet? I didnt find anything in the article that says he met someone or are you guessing what happened like so many others.

I think you missed the point... "Death shouldn't be who anyone meets," to make it easier, he met "Death."

I have no idea what you are on about, it has nothing to do with my comment, or the one I was replying to. I guess you just had something to say.

I was dashing out and misread it; I read that you were implying something along the lines that nobody should have to meet death lol. My bad

Unfortunately, the ready access to drugs on this island could have led this unfortunate to overdose (see FB page for details of his NY bender). About time the junta clamp down hard once and for all.

Being realistic, I guess these mafia run businesses which generate billions of baht are untouchable. Where is a Thai Eliot Ness, when you need him?

I am going to admit I haven't visited his FB page because I don't really wish to see a dead guys page who has passed so recently, but I have heard he had been using mushrooms, you cannot overdose in a deadly way on mushrooms if they are actually non-toxic, and those shakes aren't as they are often P.Cubensis. Was there other usage of drugs on his page?

If you consider alcohol a drug yes and he does come across as a party animal - possibly binge drinking although I do not wish to speculate too much. Someone else reported he was found drowned in the pool (no confirmation). You can indeed not overdose on magic mushrooms but you can get very unwell -in particular if consumed in combination with alcohol. Draw your own conclusions....

Yeah alcohol is a drug and one of the most deadly and problematic ones out there. The guy could have had 10 mushie shakes on their own and may have had an accident but otherwise would have at worse had a very tormented few hours with sickness and a reflective next few days. But if he has been on the sauce as much as you suggest from his posts then personally I think that it was a recipe for disaster considering where he was and his lack of knowledge of the country. Sad story and I just urge tourists to stay away from such islands, sure many come away with an amazing experience but imho it is not worth it. Not to mention I would not give a single baht to the entire system that operates down there

Death shouldn't be who anyone meets on The Trip Of A Lifetime...

Who did he meet? I didnt find anything in the article that says he met someone or are you guessing what happened like so many others.

I think you missed the point... "Death shouldn't be who anyone meets," to make it easier, he met "Death."

Not to downplay the tragic nature of this event, because it is tragic and harsh, the reality and nature of life is that death is something we should all meet and all have to accept at some point. If we say 10 years old, 20 years old, 30 whatever is too young to die and attach to this idea, then we will never fully accept our own demise and those of others. This is not being cold or cynical, rather being wise and realistic.

Unfortunately, the ready access to drugs on this island could have led this unfortunate to overdose (see FB page for details of his NY bender). About time the junta clamp down hard once and for all.

Being realistic, I guess these mafia run businesses which generate billions of baht are untouchable. Where is a Thai Eliot Ness, when you need him?

I am going to admit I haven't visited his FB page because I don't really wish to see a dead guys page who has passed so recently, but I have heard he had been using mushrooms, you cannot overdose in a deadly way on mushrooms if they are actually non-toxic, and those shakes aren't as they are often P.Cubensis. Was there other usage of drugs on his page?

it is obviously death by stupidity for coming here

I must agree that anyone who now visits Koh Tao, especially Brits of this age group, really does need their head examined.........That is before they are murdered, not after!

As much as I do agree that staying away from that island and many many other islands in this country is a good idea, it is a bit silly to go on assuming he was murdered at this stage. It could be due to ANYTHING. He is the same age and nationality as me, yet due to reading through his FB posts and the 'report' he does not have the knowledge or caution that I have gained over the years being here. This could be all too innocent, tragic none the less, but still an innocent death. RIP fella

I am just back from a week in Hua Hin, for me it's similar to other places in Thailand same shops, streets, carts selling food etc. It's a smaller version of Pattaya but with a better beach if you can avoid the horse s***.

It's more expensive, chair on the beach is 100 baht, beer is Phuket prices and my Thai lady said the clothes market was expensive. There did appear to be a good choice of restaurants. I went to the Food Court which was good, good selection of fresh cooked food and there was a band on who were decent, drinks were very cheap considering the bars were expensive in town.

Yes go, 5/7 days enough to see the sites etc.

Bells are running VIP Coaches from Pattaya to Hua Hin, leave every day from the North Pattaya Bus Station at 11am returning from Hua Hin the same time, 800 baht return, non stop 5 hours so take some food on the bus, they do supply water, I think the service is only going to run for a short period though during the peak holiday period.

There are at least 5 different markets in HH so you should look around and also learn to haggle a bit The actual main beach is something I avoid like the plague unless it is at night time as like I mentioned Suan Son Pradiphat or even Koh Takiap is a different kettle of fish; and why do you need a chair anyway? I either just take a huge weaved beach matt or nab a free chair as they are everywhere. By any chance did you go to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Hin Lek Fai, Pala u waterfall, Wat Huay Mongkol and many other places that are within one hours journey? Did you get to see the guy with the bottle and fire routine at the food court on soi 88 lol, he is pretty damn good I must admit, and that band is great, the lead signer for the first half being masculine and then after the break being in drag and signing like a lady boy, quite entertaining whilst being surrounded by pretty much every type of food you can imagine.

I have been to Hua Hin before and visited all the aforementioned places, got to agree the band are very good. At 64 the last thing I want to do is lie on the beach on a mat, I would rather pay the 100 baht which I did. Chairs are free if you buy a meal at 'Beach Prices.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is probably one of the most beautiful places I have been to, just an opinion, and you need more than one day to see it all actually and need wheels for sure.

Chairs are free anyway but anyway like I said I don't like the main Hua Hin beach, typical holiday farang with meh style sand, high prices and sharp hidden rocks in the sea. And as far as using a mat, I don't know I guess I have just become too Thai and don't give a damn about a chair .. again personal opinion

I am just back from a week in Hua Hin, for me it's similar to other places in Thailand same shops, streets, carts selling food etc. It's a smaller version of Pattaya but with a better beach if you can avoid the horse s***.

It's more expensive, chair on the beach is 100 baht, beer is Phuket prices and my Thai lady said the clothes market was expensive. There did appear to be a good choice of restaurants. I went to the Food Court which was good, good selection of fresh cooked food and there was a band on who were decent, drinks were very cheap considering the bars were expensive in town.

Yes go, 5/7 days enough to see the sites etc.

Bells are running VIP Coaches from Pattaya to Hua Hin, leave every day from the North Pattaya Bus Station at 11am returning from Hua Hin the same time, 800 baht return, non stop 5 hours so take some food on the bus, they do supply water, I think the service is only going to run for a short period though during the peak holiday period.

There are at least 5 different markets in HH so you should look around and also learn to haggle a bit The actual main beach is something I avoid like the plague unless it is at night time as like I mentioned Suan Son Pradiphat or even Koh Takiap is a different kettle of fish; and why do you need a chair anyway? I either just take a huge weaved beach matt or nab a free chair as they are everywhere. By any chance did you go to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Hin Lek Fai, Pala u waterfall, Wat Huay Mongkol and many other places that are within one hours journey? Did you get to see the guy with the bottle and fire routine at the food court on soi 88 lol, he is pretty damn good I must admit, and that band is great, the lead signer for the first half being masculine and then after the break being in drag and signing like a lady boy, quite entertaining whilst being surrounded by pretty much every type of food you can imagine.

I have lived in Thailand for nearly 6 years and I would say at least 99% of that time has been spent in HH, it is a great mid way point in the country, close to Bangkok, not too quiet and not too busy, there are great beaches if you know where to look and there are mountains close by, well hilltops around Hin Lek Fai. There is a lot to offer here and addressing the person who spoke of bar violence, the only violence I have seen has been between drunken Thai teenagers and that was only on 2 occasions.

The problems I do have with Hua Hin at the very moment in time though are the obvious such as the main beach being so trashy, the traffic (I have no idea how to combat the traffic along Phetkasem Road but it is getting worse and worse.)

Another good point about this place is that there does seem to be quite a low crime rate, I am not sure if that is because it is His Majesties favourite place in the Kingdom so most Thais respect that fact, or something else. The police seem to be less corrupt now than they used to be, but that could just be my skewed view on things.

I can't see myself moving out of HH any time soon, it truly feels like home here to me more so than my home country. If I were to move it would either be to Prachuap where it is quieter and less foreigners (I only have Thai or Asian friends these days IRL) or maybe to Laos, but I am as happy as ever here. Every place in this world has it's pros and cons and HH for me has a lot more pros than cons. I could not live in BKK for more than 2 days for example unless I was paid to do so, I would go insane.

Less corrupt? When is the last time you have been down to the beach? The sun beds are back and they go right up to the water line. The restaurants are back and doing their illegal business. The jet skis have increased and are fueled on the beach or in the water. There are parts of the beach so crowded with these people and the obnoxious/aggressive kite businesses that it is impossible to safely walk. The General PM made a very big show of cleaning the beach up.That lasted for a few months. The local mayor seems to have made sure that the alcohol vendors and folks misappropriating crown land and public access are left alone.

I was referring to the police being less corrupt

If you know where to go beach wise you will probably prefer to head further South a little to Suan Son Pradiphat which is only about 10km South of the town centre. It is cleaner, quieter and doesn't have hidden rocks in the water like the main beach does.

There is a red light district so to speak but it is easily avoidable. The amount of restaurants to choose from that are decent is growing in number by the week it seems, they're is a lot dotted all around if you take the time to look and survey. I have found that Upper East side has many great little restaurants located along the main road which heads out of Hua Hin, but they are literally everywhere. There is a great evening / night foodcourt on Soi 88 - Bon Gai, you should check that out.

​There are quite a lot of tourists but it is nowhere near as dirty or seedy as Pattaya, there is little to no comparison.

I found Cha Am to be pretty lame as far as the beach goes, but it is quieter, Prachuap on the other hand has nicer beaches and is also quieter, may be worthy of a trip down there as it is not far at all really.

There are many decent hotels on the beach and within 5 minutes walking distance of the beach, around soi 55. But if you do not like the gogo bar scene then I would suggest not to stay in and around where the Hilton is located as it sits right on the edge of the red light district.

If you know where to go beach wise you will probably prefer to head further South a little to Suan Son Pradiphat which is only about 10km South of the town centre. It is cleaner, quieter and doesn't have hidden rocks in the water like the main beach does.

There is a red light district so to speak but it is easily avoidable. The amount of restaurants to choose from that are decent is growing in number by the week it seems, there are a lot dotted all around. I have found that Upper East side has many great little restaurants located along the main road which heads out of Hua Hin, but they are literally everywhere. There is a great evening / night foodcourt on Soi 88 - Bon Gai, you should check that out.

​There are quite a lot of tourists but it is nowhere near as dirty or seedy as Pattaya, there is little to no comparison.

I found Cha Am to be pretty lame as far as the beach goes, but it is quieter, Prachuap on the other hand has nicer beaches and is also quieter, may be worthy of a trip down there as it is not far at all really.

There are many decent hotels on the beach and within 5 minutes walking distance of the beach, around soi 55. But if you do not like the gogo bat scene then I would suggest not to stay in and around where the Hilton is located as it sits right on the edge of the red light district.

I have lived in Thailand for nearly 6 years and I would say at least 99% of that time has been spent in HH, it is a great mid way point in the country, close to Bangkok, not too quiet and not too busy, there are great beaches if you know where to look and there are mountains close by, well hilltops around Hin Lek Fai. There is a lot to offer here and addressing the person who spoke of bar violence, the only violence I have seen has been between drunken Thai teenagers and that was only on 2 occasions.

The problems I do have with Hua Hin at the very moment in time though are the obvious such as the main beach being so trashy, the traffic (I have no idea how to combat the traffic along Phetkasem Road but it is getting worse and worse.)

Another good point about this place is that there does seem to be quite a low crime rate, I am not sure if that is because it is His Majesties favourite place in the Kingdom so most Thais respect that fact, or something else. The police seem to be less corrupt now than they used to be, but that could just be my skewed view on things.

I can't see myself moving out of HH any time soon, it truly feels like home here to me more so than my home country. If I were to move it would either be to Prachuap where it is quieter and less foreigners (I only have Thai or Asian friends these days IRL) or maybe to Laos, but I am as happy as ever here. Every place in this world has it's pros and cons and HH for me has a lot more pros than cons. I could not live in BKK for more than 2 days for example unless I was paid to do so, I would go insane.

OP you will have no problem using that crossing if you have a valid Tourist Visa, I went myself in October and had no issues, it's only if you don't have a visa they will not let you cross

Ok thanks, that road and entire place seems so desolate, is there much on the other side? I love Laos though and I am familiar with it so I probably will end up just going there anyway, thanks for the help everyone

I was going to post this into the law section but it is not accepting any posts at the present.

What is the law on ordering and receiving Syrian Rue and Mimosa Hostilis (the two natural ingredients to make ayahuasca, one being a bark and the other being a seed?) Totally harmless ingredients and I just want to check that there would be no issues with ordering such things into the Kingdom.

If you have not used the 2nd entry of your tourist visa you can do a border hop to use the 2nd entry as long as you do it on or before the enter before date on your visa.

If you have not transferred you stamps yet you would show both passport on departure from the country. Then both again on entry to show the visa in your old passport and they will stamp you into the country in your new passport.

You will only need your passport and a copy of the photo page to get a single entry visa. Plus the application form.

Ok thanks a lot; I have just looked at my tourist visa was a multiple entry visa with 2 possible entries issued on the 19th of October. I had until the 19th of December but made an extension which has given me up until the 18th of January. So I assume then I have one more entry left on this visa meaning I do not need to bother with immigration this time around luckily? I can hop over to wherever is closest and hop back, no need to photocopy any passport pages or anything of that nature forms etc?

Check the enter before date on you visa and make sure you do the border hop on or before that date.

No need for anything other than your passport to use the 2nd entry.

If you are still in Hua Hin the nearest crossing is in Kanchantaburi at Ban Phu Nam Ron.

I went to Kanchantaburi before I had this tourist visa and they insisted that I needed a visa to enter Myanmar! This was back in October.. So I probably won't be trusting that entry point because the Laos borders seem to be a lot more easy going.

If you have not used the 2nd entry of your tourist visa you can do a border hop to use the 2nd entry as long as you do it on or before the enter before date on your visa.

If you have not transferred you stamps yet you would show both passport on departure from the country. Then both again on entry to show the visa in your old passport and they will stamp you into the country in your new passport.

You will only need your passport and a copy of the photo page to get a single entry visa. Plus the application form.

Ok thanks a lot; I have just looked at my tourist visa was a multiple entry visa with 2 possible entries issued on the 19th of October. I had until the 19th of December but made an extension which has given me up until the 18th of January. So I assume then I have one more entry left on this visa meaning I do not need to bother with immigration this time around luckily? I can hop over to wherever is closest and hop back, no need to photocopy any passport pages or anything of that nature forms etc?

I need to head back to Ssavannakhet soon and it has slipped my mind on the exact documents I need for a tourist visa. I am currently on a double entry so I have one entry left on that visa I think, I am pretty confused as I recently obtained a new passport and so I also have to take both with me? I cannot seem to find the form either that I will need to fill out for the visa, if if I even need a visa as I have another 30 days? Joe please help lol, I think you remember me posting up my passport and you had to take it down due to there being private info on there..

I don't need religion or supreme being slash guru slash eastern philosophy to feel compassion. Humanism is my way...

Buddhism at it's core is a guide of being the most human a person can be with wisdom, compassion and awareness, that is if studied and practiced properly imo

For being the most populated country in the world of Buddhists, the Thais really have lost their way. However, much could be said in a similar way concerning the West and Christianity. The Dalai Lama has said that at the core of most major leading religions there is compassion, somehow that has been lost among the journey throughout the years and religion is no longer about spirituality, peace and compassion, but more about politics and control.

Nothing like a golden UFO to lend credibility to a religion.

Buddhism is closer to a philosophy than a religion at heart, but over time and especially here in Thailand it has become a form of greed, superstition and idiocy. I consider myself a Buddhist and when I first came here I was shocked at the sheer ignorance at what the Buddha actually taught.

I have made this journey before and I got the train from HH to Bangkok, then a bus to Mukdahan. However I am now aware of the yellow bus company that so say has a direct route? I checked out their website which is sketchy at best and I cannot find what time the bus leaves Hua Hin and where it leaves. Can anybody offer some help here and also if you have had any experiences with the company, cheers