joinme2leave

actually I DO NOT really understand WHY you think u HAVE to go PHUKET b4 going PhiPhi. Alternative (especially if having children along) would be KRABI. Reasonable priced flight connections (or do you really wanna take the bus down to south?) and - most important - less crowdy there. Beaches maybe not that good as Phuket (Kata, Karon, wherever) but simply take a longtail-boat (10-30 mins.) to some island opposite AoNangBeach (30 mins. outside Krabi town and airport). I promise you will enjoy! Furthermore I feel somehow sorry for you that you want to go PhiPhi too. The most unwelcome and expensive island I ever saw in Thailand (and I have got some 18 yrs of Los travel experience...). Lucky to have water, lucky to have reasonable priced bungalows or hotel rooms, lucky to miss your (over-prices) trip to "The Beach" ... unless you wish to watch millions of Japanese tourists...nevertheless, beaches at PhiPhi are unbelievable beautful....

have a nice trip anyway...

thx for info.

so u mean, i should send the amount to account no. "xxx" at "Siam Commercial, Sa Kaeo" with restriction that only "Ms. (name)" can collect the money when showing her id? Would be great if that works. Extra bank charges no big problem as my no.1 intention is that she REALLY is there where I want (wish) her to stay....faaaaaaaaaaaar away from farang scene.

HOTELS BKK: if u really wish to be in the centre, Bht 400,00 could be difficult unless u decide to stay KaoSanRoad (Bht 300-600 no problem, even with pool).

KRABI: quite expensive accomodation (have been there 3 weeks ago). Suggest u take a day or so (have amotobike for rent) and search by yourself. DO NOT ACCEPT Taxi driver recommendations!

TRAVEL TO KRABI: maybe I was lucky, but I got a (Thai Airways) flight for Bht 1300,00 (one way), otherwise - no train, only bus or mini-bus. and again: KaoSan travel agents will offer you the best deals...

have fun!!!

there IS Rave scene. Just talk with the RIGHT (local) ppl and they will tel you about it. Samui as well as Bkk (as mentioned earlier: Narcissus Club, Sukhomvit). Going to a (real good) Rave does not necessarily mean drugs (at least: you in person are not at all obliged to consume the drugs). Simply enjoying the music is hip as well. Did so 3 times on Berlin Rave Parade. And I am definitely not on drugs

not to be misunderstood quite from the beginning:

I am NOT a walking ATM farang type.

I do NOT intend to transfer huge amounts of money.

I do NOT believe in true love after a 2 month relationship.

BUT:

there is that special one in my life (again...) and I want to pretend her falling down into Samui bar biz.

so I THINK ABOUT sending her some (reasonable low amount of) money.

IF she stay with her parents (at least, she was there when I left Los a week ago...) and do NOT return to Samui (where some "good" friends obviously await her to earn farang money).

The question (yes, of course I am a bit unsure about her honesty, but mostly about her "friends" influence) is: HOW can I be (almost) sure she REMAIN staying at her parents (and her babys) place (SA KAEO, east of Bkk, close to Cambodia)? The (only) bank account no. I do have is "Siam Commercial Bank, Chaweng Beach, Samui". Is there any alternative way to send some money which can only be withdrawn/used at her parents hometown? Or any other proof that she did not go back Samui?

Any help/experienced story welcome to be posted.

thanks.

sillyfools...

as u can read from recent comments those ppl do not care about your problem (and animals in general). just ignore.

got the same probs too (but extend it by motorcycle and heavy truck noise). unfortunately I do not really know any solutions except moving to more silent spots.

anyway, IF you (ever) discover a good way to get rid of the major noise pollution do not hesitate to let me know...

got an offer for EUR 399,-- incl tax MUC-BKK-MUC.

but decided NOT to fly ... after I heard about the airline.

It´s TADJIKISTAN AIRLINES.

And I rather prefer to arrive safe even though the flight I finally booked is EUR 700,-.

Up2u now whattodo...

P.S.: flight tariff also depending on the max lengh of stay in Los. You can easlily find flights for around Eur 500,- (germany-bkk-germany) if you do not want to travel longer than 4 weeks. Everything else - unfortunately - starts from Eur 650,- (e.g Turkish Airways Muc-Bkk-Muc).

!!! YOHAN !!!

D E F I N I T E L Y A G R E E .

And very good point, especially regarding ...try to find "friends" who are approx same rich or poor than you are. That is what I primary try to do. And - agree once more - it takes time but it is worth the effort.

About the jealousy prob between thai woman I believe this could be true too. I try to start a friendship between my thai g/f (Nakhon Si Tammarat, 30 yrs, beautiful body, medium rich but poor education and very poor english) and a thai woman who communicates with me frequently (Bkk, 35 yrs, not so pretty, rather poor but satisfied with her government jobs income, very good education and sensational english) ..... but it looks like to be real difficult to succeed. The Bkk one does not want to be 3rd person in between relationship and the N.S.T. one is jealous about the Bkk one bcoz she thinks I could stop being in love. IT seems to be true: european/american relations between women are different... or what ????

well it is a question of trust. (as for me) it takes real long time to build up friendship. if confident about seriousity I shall never say something bad about this person and our relation....but s t i l l there is that little door open that we both do not speak the same language and e.g. (bad) influence from other (so called neutral) person(s) can destroy alot...

i guess, REAL GOOD (deep, reliable and honest) friendship always need quite long time, no matter if farang-farang or farang-asian. As for me I can say there is a handful thai ppl I do respect and vice-versa but I am still working on to build up that real friendship. Of course one important point to find out what is "real" should be more than average knowledge of (thai) language. So called friends might be soooo nice to you in personal discussion but what do they talk about you when you show your back?

Trevor,

be nice to the head receptionist (even give her/him a lil´present) and he will put your laptop in staff locker room or similar safe place. As for me this has always worked and I certainly bring my computer not for work (or maybe little work) but mainly to use photoshop with all those pics I´m taking while in Los...

David,

enjoyed perfect assistance of a friend who lives on Ko Chang already long time.

His name is DANIEL, he is swiss citizen and he is running an internet cafe and travel agency. I am almost sure he can help you out (even though I agree Songkran is difficult time to get a room for just 1-2 nights).

homepage link: www.koh-chang.ch

e-mail of DANIEL: [email protected]

Tell him about my recommendation (my name is Wolfgang, from austria) and good luck!!!!

PS: you will certainly like Ko Chang. Another fact that there is no room available thru "normal" travel agent and "thai hotel" sites is bcoz Ko Chang is not totally filled with hotels (and I hope this will continue)...

Wolfie

welll I do not know NOBODY...right now....but it could be interesting to meet at least s o m e of the ppl in here s o m e d a y ... when I finally decided to settle down. I guess it is anyhow a big difference between communicating via (very well done) thaivisa - way or in "real life" (face-to-face). Let's see what happens...

wolfie

(currently) austria

aaaaaaaah (must be drunk), correction:

1) SeaVISION not Seaview. Sorry for that!

2) link to Phuket diver's NOW seen too. So no need to give more details in that respect.

Only the accomodation question maybe unclear...

Lump, austria

seawiew,

thx alot for your info. (we) shall therefore change plans slightly and fly south first (anyhow, Phuket seems to be affordable IF there is asiaair-flights available..). Do you think all of Phuket's dive centers do have Burma recommendations/trips like you suggested or is there even a SPECIAL one you remember (address)? Ic Burma (and not only its diving spots) are worth a visit. AS I am not the "diving part" in this Los2004-2 month-tour your comments about other than diving activities were interesting too. Thanks again. Just one more xtra question: my companion might book that sailing/diving trip (or whatever those Phuket agents may call it) BUT will I -as not diver- have a chance to find accomodation too?

got a friend (excellent Padi diver) who wants to take part of my next Thailand travel (march-may 2004). He seems to be rather bored about Ko Tao and even Similan diving opportunities. Does anybody of you know if there is (1) good diving spots in/around Myanmar area and (2) is it "safe" to go there and (3) what kind of Visa will he (we) need to go?

totally agree Ned...lots of pressure to play your 18holes and (unfortunately) one more reason not to play unless your mind tells you to keep a lil bit of practice while staying in Thailand (talking the tourist way). On the other hand - IF I decide to settle down - WHAT kind of alternative sports should I look after if it wasn't golf? (back "home" there is skiing, mountain biking and golf....not sure about what kind of those sport activities I'd better forget when moving )

that's why there is INCREDIBLE BIG DIFFERENCE between germans and austrians!!!!

(and many other nationalities too I guess).

maybe he will satisfy his desires when in jail

thx a lot. don't know if it helps but i shall try...

thx tutsi!

"unfortunately" having direct flight VIE-BKK.

1 bttle (0,7 ltr) JD is EUR 17,-- if bought here in austria.

Do you know average price, lets say in Bkk 7/11, Tesco or similar?

intending to open a bank account as one step towards emigration.

are there any recommendations to give, especially regarding western (european) standards, loyality, interest rate, loan, security and service?

thx for your comments and experiences.

what ARE u arguing about?

beer STILL is da*n CHEAP in LOS!!! Bht 40-60 for 33cl Heineken is FANTASTIC!

I live in austria's most favourite skiing area and bars do ask approx US$ 5,00 for that Heineken beer (one more reason to leave the country....to be right understood: austria is a very nice country!....but just to have a nice vacation time...)

besides...I do prefer whiskey in general. Jack Daniel's in special. Quite expensive in LOS, unfortunately. Somebody here in Bkk do know about local prices for a (700 ml) bottle? Will arrive in Bkk 25 march. Should I bring some bottles with me or is it not really worth the deal? (I do not talk about price difference higher than US$ 1,- per bottle)

tutsi,

even though I think about settling down in LOS asap there is one (of many) points I will MISS a lot: play my round on suitable temperatures!!!! Having both memberships in Austria and Sweden (and both countries do have excellent courses) I definitely know about european weather advantages (how fantastic even rain can be...). Anyway, IF u decide to "fight" any thai golf course be aware of temperatures and caddies! Both is not what u might get used to european/U.S. standard. (1) Caddies do not know nothing about golf but always smile (waiting for the tip they definitely deserve after 18 holes) and (2) the course itself (anywhere LOS) will help u loose some 2-3 kilograms in weight.

Q to all you golfers: who knows about cheapest fee rates around Bkk? And: is there any (new) place close (almost close) to Ko Chang? Thanks.

hej guys...

whatabout Increase instead of Insure .... ?

anyhow one of those resent postings seems to be correct: mostly americans are the ones who "destroy" usual (local) long-time rules. Tipping is NOT usual but you can feel free to do so REALLY depending on the friendlyness and effeciency the work was done. So I suggest you better never tip in advance on the very first time you use that service (restaurant, bar, taxi whatever) BUT - if service was good - you may tip the NEXT TIME you visit the location...

oooh yeah....really looking forward to my mar/apr Thailand vacation...

will spend LOTS of Baht LESS this time.

not used to start drinking earlier than say 10 p.m. which will give me 2-3 hours happiness.

Anyhow that should be enough time to watch and lough at all those drunken ones who started earlier of course.

And to watch (or ignore) the sex tourists accompanied by their (over 18 yrs old) 'friends' who went into action 2-3 hours earlier than it used to be before mar 1.

Back home in good old europe I will certainly give recommendations to all those families who think about having a Thailand holiday soon: go elsewhere as you cannot want your children watch that scenery!

if it wasn't so expensive drinking everyone should consider spending some relaxing days e.g. in:

...ITALY....or AUSTRIA...here we START having fun when Thailand already prepares to stop...