geisha

Obviously you don’t know much about travel insurance companies. Yes, some are better than others. A friend of mine had to fight hand and foot to get reimbursed, it took over a year , and the same documents asked for over and over again, although they had the complete dossier from the Hospital concerned. He had this insurance for 15 years , everything was in order, even the small print. This was a huge European insurance company . I honestly believe , for every TOURIST , there should be a choice of viable insurance companies that are required to enter Thailand, included in the ETA that is coming soon. Something must be done, this situation with bikes and the crazy roads here ,plus all the other dangers, tour boats sinking , and general accidents, even falling down a hole in the pavement ( every day in Pattaya and Phuket) , merit some sort of emergency action.

Thailand has failed already. The poor are still poor , even poorer. There are more and more girls and boys on the streets than ever before. Wages for the « normal » workforce are pitiful, no way these Thais can live on what they earn. Education, if you can call it that, is sadly lacking. Decent living conditions are rare , especially in bigger towns and cities, and workers live in squalid surroundings, 4 to a room. Eating out of 7/11 microwave meals is the norm. Pollution is silently killing so many Thais, and though everyone talks about it , nothing is done . So , I think that anyone who believes that casinos will help the Thais lives on cloud 9. It will bring money to the government coffers, yes, taxes yes. I love Thailand , would love to see a government who really looks after its people. Doubt that will happen anytime soon.

The deportations have made world headlines , and a report from the BBC world. It is unbelievable that these innocent people were locked up for 11 years and refused legal protection from prominent lawyers, only then to be secretly deported to a country where they will suffer again in even worse conditions. Forced to work like slaves in China. There will be an international backlash . It is considered a crime against humanity.

I have noticed that since a certain time and the change in ASEAN Now, that I cannot react to many posts, and I cannot post an answer of my own ! Is this screening ? Is it normal my posts are ignored and refused while there are many similar posts on the same subject ?

Disgusting ! But I don’t suppose they care about their International Reputation.

That’s what happens when older men smoke the wacky backy. Beware all you oldies. And he’s a foreigner, he’s got a bikini line .

There is someone behind all this. I doubt a 65 year old lady could do that on her own in Thailand , even if she has a record in California for dug running. She obviously wasn’t very « professional « .

Well, I was mistaken. This 65 yr old from California was flagged as a drug trafficker. There was a tip off. Read it on mothership.sg Doesnt mean I believe in the death sentence though. I believe she should be deported back home .

I’ve a hard time believing that this elderly lady knew what was in her case. If she did know , surely she would have checked in her bag ? Apparently there was a tip off she was traveling with drugs, so what can that mean ? She was set up and had no idea? Anyhow, we might never know as these headlines never get followed up.

Do other Nations have such « houses » ? Are Jewish tourists / expats in need of special centers while traveling?

Hi, will be celebrating a birthday next weekend in Bangkok and am looking for , ideally, a very good hotel buffet with all the trimmings. We like the option of a good choice and nice wine. I was thinking of the intercontinental., or the Grand Hyatt . I used to go to the Pullman near Soi Cowboy for Christmas and New year and the buffet food was amazing.Around 2000 Baht. Apparently the place has closed /been sold., Any suggestions appreciated. Ps, Will be staying near the Erawan Shrine / Paragon. I don’t know I’m in the right forum’??? Thanks.

Hi , tell your friend to get the girls on the FB group Travel for ladies . It’s amazing the amount of advice and tips you can get. You just join the group, say where you’re going and and ask for advice and tips. It’s for females of all ages .On FB there are a few different group for travel for females. yes, they need good advice, not to accept drinks, keep your own drink in your hand. Careful at night. Don’t believe everything you’re told. Get a Thai SIM card and always let the family know where you are. Stick together !!!!!!!

Hi, on Facebook there are groups specifically for ladies traveling. You just join the group, say where you’re going and ask for necessary tips and advice. Me niece is on it and the amount of stuff she’s learnt from the girls is amazing.

We had double entry visas .

There is definitely a huge rise in Indian tourists to Pattaya. I’ve never seen so many. Loads of indien restaurants everywhere , especially along 2nd rd, where there are many buses unloading the customers. Must be the new visa rules that are attracting package tours from all over India. I must say they’re not the most discreet of tourists here. Speaking very loudly, pushing their way in everywhere and a lack of hygiene does not go unnoticed. And from what I hear , not appreciated by the ladies of the night.

Rubbish. We’re talking about tourists , not immigrants !! I’d say a good percentage of the troublemakers here are foreigners. Russian thugs, bitcoiners, Chinese call centers and the usual obnoxious drunks and drugged fools that walk the streets. Many from western countries. I live in a busy tourist area of France, and I can promise you that the few tourists causing trouble are quickly dealt with. The problem is, Thailand seems to attracts the worse of the human race. And of course, it’s mainly of their own making. I agree with many here, deport the trouble makers / thieves/ scammers and dealers.

That’s an old photo from a previous holiday with his deceased wife.

I don’t think “ enigmatic” spoken by a hospital is very enlightening! Phneumonia and severe flu is quite rampant in Thailand at the moment, has been making headlines. Add to that high pollution and yes, they have that in Hua Hin too. Definitely needs a more competent Docteur to have a look. I wonder if the hospital gave a correct diagnosis to the Embassy, otherwise, how did they come up with kidney problems ? Any spare Drs running round Hua Hin ???

I absolutely think it’s none of your business ! You don’t like, scroll on .

From what I’ve seen, I think there are a lot of very brave men in Pattaya.

It seems that all Thailand has been invaded. My UK niece told me her neighbor just came back and said “ never again”. My friends from Phuket says it’s become a hell hole. Expats trying to sell up and leave. Im in Pattaya, and to be honest, have never seen so many tourists. Mostly Chinese , Indian and Russian. La crème de la crème , not ! From Central Festival to Terminal 21, 40 mins drive this weekend . It’s driving the Thais crazy , and angry. Nobody wants tourism at this price. I’m so glad I never retired here, it was my dream through my working years. I’d hate to think I’d sold my home and quality of life for this chaos.

What a trio, Trump, Musc and Vance . How can anyone trust them ?

I stay around 5 months a year through the EU winter period. I believe I know Thailand very well, as I’m a big traveler, I have many Thai friends, I eat Thai food , I’m not married or interested in the bar scene. I’ve been coming since 1984/85. I spent 20 years of winter on Phuket, 2 yrs of winters in Hua Hin, Jomtien and Koh Chang. I’ve visited every island over the years. My point is, I’m not an “expat” as the person who answered your post was very adamant about. But I believe , I ( and probably yourself) know more about Thailand than many bona fide Expats do! My backside is not stuck to a bar stool, Im not complaining about my Thai wife/husband / partner, and the tax subject does not concern me. I get the best of Thailand with how I live . So Im not an Expat , and dont wish to be living here 12 months a year.

Spoke to friends on Phuket just this morning . They’ve had enough, life has become unbearable, traffic jams everywhere, nowhere to park, beach chairs the whole length and width of the beaches, filth , rubbish bags lining the roads as the garbage trucks can’t manage. Rats. The Hoi polloi of the western world and the dregs of Russia , China and India joining in. Plus all the con artists, scammers and bitcoiners, drunks and stoned tourists, it’s hard to believe I once loved it there and planned on retiring. So glad I didn’t. Pattaya is the same , a concrete jungle and non stop jams. Tourism gone crazy. Greed.

How about paying for assistance at the airport ? Just like people who have a handicap or wheelchair. They are there all the way with the person, to the plane doors where the hostess takes the person to their seat.