Kiwisailor

Can anyone give me an updated guide to withdrawal limits and fees now being charged in BKK using a non-Thai bankcard. In the past some banks were better than others but seem to recall that they standardised across all Thai banks about the time Covid hit.

3 hours ago, sirineou said:

  Greece . a country of 10 million, opened up this summer  to vaccinated tourism, and required only a negative test, In the there month summer season they had 7 million tourists. and very little imported covid by tourists. 

Probably not a great example to pick

3 hours ago, sirineou said:

  Greece . a country of 10 million, opened up this summer  to vaccinated tourism, and required only a negative test, In the there month summer season they had 7 million tourists. and very little imported covid by tourists. 

Probably not a great example to pick

19 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

So I've heard, but was wondering what they have by way of long term accommodation, restaurants, and bars down there, for expats.  None of them are posting on TV. 

Not sure about long term accom but we stay at Kampot Hostel for 10-12 USD/night. A/C, TV and large swimming pool 5 mins walk from town (off season).

Plenty of longterm expats in Rusty 2 and Kampot Hilton Bars - they seem to be happy with there lot there.

Some links

Kampot Survival Guide

https://sites.google.com/view/ksgonline/

https://www.facebook.com/CambodiaExpatsOnline/

http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/index.php

https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/?sid=1334d3961dd06817bf22908085f0ad6e

Some amateur analysis of deaths in Cambodia

http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=62113&sid=e6458d4ea91de44feae8a87a206bac27

Certainly a few there when we were there in August. Most of the Chinese investment in Kampot seems to be over towards Kep although we did see a couple of Kampot building sites along the river with the distinctive gates and hoardings that typified the Chinese construction sites in Snooky.

We also noticed at Koh Rong (off shore island near Snooky) a brand new concrete wharf under construction. Presently all supplies are landed on the wooden passenger/fishing boat wharves or the beach. They are then moved around the island by bike, trike, sidecar or hand trolley. The new wharf will allow construction equipment to be landed and roads built. Most hotels/guest houses at present are max 2 storey wooden buildings, which will change once roads are built.

This year we will skip Cambodia and go to India instead.

Be very prepared for a shock, in fact many shocks!!!! Was there 2 months ago and couldn't believe the changes made since ewe were there 10 months previously. Only Chinese oriented beach bars now open at the far end of the beach. The first 2-300 metres of beach from the wharf is a a wasteland. All bars and guesthouses gone.

Still some good bars on the beach on the RHS of the wharf but not sure for how much longer. Mick and Craigs, Monkey Republic and Big Easy the only big name guesthouses/bars still standing. Most places closed through lack of staff - most rentals for Cambodians now 4 to 5 times what they were a year ago.

Otres probably about a year away from the same process and yes roads are bad, tuk tuks will go there but want a lot more money now.

Koh Rong still the same but as you land you can see out to the left a new concrete wharf being built which means that vehicles and building products will be now be able to be landed so don't expect to see it remain as unaffected as it is now.

Kep seeing similar changes (but smaller and slower) and in Kampot there is a lot of talk of Chinese investment but little activity apart from up on Bokor Hill where the old abandoned casino has been fully restored and is back in business (Chinese visitors ONLY enforced by security staff) in less than 12 months.

Saw this video before going there and half of the buildings shown on Beach Rd are now gone.

Our spot of choice was the Beach Rd Hotel - still open but half has been demolished and prices tripled. They still have (or had, who knows now!) the pool open so you may be able to sort a price to use it.

Sadly this place is now off our must visit list.

One week back in BKK, no refusals from taxis so far - KSR, Hualaphong, Pra Arhit and MBK. Airport a breeze with separate queues for small luggage, large luggage and short trips. BUT!!!! I always hail a moving cab, never one parked outside a usual tourist spot.

Be prepared for surprise bills in Vn, especially in the north. Prices often bear little relationship to those on the menu, when you point it out they shrug their shoulders and recalculate and will then often try to short change you. Not always, but often enough to get up your nose. Many taxi drivers seem to have been trained in Phuket with meters attached to what appears to be a power drill. Check online before arrival for the names of several reputable taxi companies.

We've enjoyed our times in Vn over the years but this year we found it less enjoyable. Russian tour groups were well down on previous years but their numbers are more than compensated by the surge in Chinese tour groups and, to a lesser extent, Chinese independent travellers.

Having said all that, a couple of weeks (visa free entry) in a country where an A/C room on the beach is ~20 USD/day and beer is under 50c US for a 420 ml bottle makes for a nice change.

The presence of money on a body seems to normally trigger a suicide decision by the BiB. Didn't one of the mall bombers have a dragon tattoo? Case solved, do I get the reward?

Should just about pay the hospital bill I would think.

They obviously need the money to expand the provision of exercise equipment in parks!

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799326-thai-probe-into-overpriced-equipment-purchase/

Good idea Mr. Governor.

No chairs No food No smoking ...... and No breathing

We all know they don't want us here. So when you arrive leave your wallet,credit/debit cards at the airport and get a return flight home. So much for saying to the tourist welcome to Thailand/Puhket/Pattaya etc

No need to leave your cards at the airport, everytime I've used mine in the Dutyfree shops there they have been skimmed. After the third time I now only use cash at the airport.

Police: Who did you transport in your car?

Taxidriver: Two men, a handsome one an one with a limp ....

Police: A limp ....?

Taxidriver: Yes, we stopped at the Chemist for some blue pills

Police:Aaaah! Handsome and limp ...

Police statement

After receiving information from the Taxidriver and several bargirls we are now looking for 2 foreigners, possibly from Phuket protesting about the loss of their deckchairs

Problem: bus drivers cannot be trusted to remain sober.

Solution: ban the sale of a cold beer to passengers.

It worked with trains .......... Didn't it? ...... oops

What is the legal alcohol limit in LOS? 0.5% in Aust. I do hear of a crackdown, which is great and getting the drunks off the road may cut their road carnage. Do BIB do sobriety test, walk a line, stand on one foot etc, or take a true breath test?

Probably using re-programmed GT200's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GT200

In the paper that cannot be mentioned, all is well at the Tiger temple - the 143 tigers can stay and tourists must visit as they now need 100,000 Bht per day just to feed the envelopes tigers.

Don't think they'll see me there again

Never had a problem with Thai Air going back 12 yrs (AKL-BKK-AKL)- direct flights and usually the best airfare. Last 2 yrs though it has all changed - less service on the aircraft and rarely if ever discounted below the $1800 NZ standard discount price (even at that price, no airpoints). Our new preferred carrier is Qantas, has been at $1200 NZ (with airpoints) for that period albeit with an Aus stopover

I think we're all missing the point here. A taxi picked them up and not only used the meter but seems to have charged the correct fare. He probably remembers them because "you always remember your first time".

Interesting also that the stills released of the bombers leaving the packages seems fairly indistinct but the second still clearly shows the faces but they are wearing different clothes. Did they really change clothes or is this another case of RTP adjusting the story to produce the desired outcome.

"include having security staff go through all bags handled by passengers"

The option of taking the Airport train rather than a taxi is not looking so good now

Still rather travel by train to the south in preference to the bus system. Much safer than the roads, plenty of room to move about and your luggage (and most of it's contents!) is still there in the morning. Just need to remember to buy beer well away from the station, store in cool bag and consume in comfort once your bed is made up and the curtains pulled.

Agree with the earlier posting that if the flagfall was set at 75 Bt then the meter has been adjusted, can't see too many drivers bothering to do this for a measly 40 Bt on each journey. If he did indeed refund the 40 Bt then it was probably because the passenger never noticed how fast the meter was running.

Reminds me of Hualaphong where left luggage charges were clearly indicated but Westerners were always 12.5 to 2 times the posted rate. Why - because farangs bags verrry big!