joinme2leave

BEST airline ever I have tried. Well, frm MUC or VIE to BKK and back. And think about having the 777 flight. Yes it's right that OS (austrian airlines) has taken over Lauda but comfort did not change. Very good airline to choose I can assure.

yes, s o m e t i m e s "we" austrians (not australians: sorry -- no cangaroos in this country) do the right thing in the right moment (i wish i would have been that clever too).

Mr. Mateschitz, Salzburg origin was in LOS early 80's and realised that this "RedBull" thing could be something real interesting. Wow, and it is.

He bought out his thai partner recently and nowadays this product is an exclusive AUSTRIAN product. Mr.Mateschitz and his company is registered in Fortune 500 and I have to admit....###### why did not I have that idea when having been in LOS early 80s....

just have a look on airline ticket rates nowadays...

my last LOS trip (june 2003) was EUR 350,00++ on LaudaAir (Austrian Airlines). Tried to book again for either nov this or mar next year. IMPOSSIBLE under EUR 700,00 now!!!! Reason is that airliners did reduce their continental european destination) ticket prices due to cheap carriers such as RyanAir and others. As there is far less competition on long distance travel rates increased to dble price. And - as far as I have heard from several travel agents - prices will increase EVEN MORE the coming year. Maybe we should consider swimming to asia soon?

I wonder IF any of your (U.S.) presidents ever had that good knowledge in ANY kind of 2nd language (never ever heard Bush or Clinton or whoever talking french, german, italian...).

Instead of joking about A.S. you should respect him as some kind of model by means of emigrating to another country and reaching that far as he obviously did. Will you ever have that possibilities in Los? I doubt. Leaving austria with almost nothing, but eager and consequent enough to learn a different language is something I do respect very well. But ok, you expats seem to have different points of view, living soooo close to Cal. right now...

should be fine that time...but u never know.

in case it's not your style simply head towards Phuket or Krabi.

regarding cost to arrive Samui: NOT at all Bht 6,000 unless u decide to fly with Bangkok Airways... there is e.g. possibilty to take the "24" bus frm Bkk Train Station South. Its approx 800 Bht one way and u will save a night to pay in Samui coz (if u book the night trip) your trip to Samui will be 10 hours.

Both Chaweng and Lamai do offer EVERYTHING you expect. My Coral Cove proposal is for those who do prefer privacy but still have good *easy reachable) distance to both main touristic beaches...

check out CORAL COVE. That's exactly BETWEEN Lamai and Chaweng.

Private beach access. Quiet but you might rent a motobike (Bht 120-150/day) anyway.

Name of the place i forgot but it is a little bungalow group in the middle of "Coral Cove Resort" and "Coral Cove Chalet".

Price should vary between Bht. 400-700 a day depending if first (beach) or second row.

Restaurant on premises.

If you want you may try to pay surcharge even to use the pool at "Coral Cove Chalet". Ask Ben at the reception desk.

Chaweng will be very busy during Xmas times. Same might refer to Lamai.

enjoy your stay....

dear viet,

got the point. and got the money to do whatever fits. Thailand has been no. 1 in my plans ever since but reading all the discussions here makes me feel like "reconsider plans". As you maybe know it is not easy to go that final step. "Should I stay or should I go" (nice song)? We ALL know, one of the MAIN reasons to leave our home country is b-coz of easy living and easy women. Easy women still might be a point for Thailand (got no woman now, not married, no kids, 37 yrs of age and real good looking...). BUT - on the other hand - I do not want to emigrate if (new) regulations of that special country somehow DO NOT WANT ME to stay unless paying money all the time. Sure I know there is no difference to our origin countries as it refers f.ex. to Thailand: as long as you pay it is okay. BUT still there is an (emigrants) wish to establish better life. So Viet, I am not stupid or straight emigrate thinking that much as if it would not be a major concern. IF I leave I do it for-ever. POINT. And again, I am not leaving just b-coz of any (easy) woman. I am leaving due to system rules. Want to have tranquility. Patience. Silence. And I do not know if this refers to Thailand any longer. Predicted 2004 new visa regulations just might be the BEGINNING of a "you are not welcome"  way. Whatabout Vietnam? They maybe copy some time too. HOW can I be almost sure to organise "normal" life? I DO know there has to be paid some black money WHERE-EVER I go. And (somehow) I agree. But new LOS regulations are too much official. I am not willing to present my financial situation to ANYBODY. Got your point about U.S. comparison (have been to both states, just as a tourist) but I think Asia is different. Not at all predictable. What will happen next year? What will be in 2010? Most of you will tell me now ... ok, so if you are chicken, stay home where you are right now..." but this is NOT what I am thinking of. Do we have a chance to succeed?

joinme2leave

(forget about the"Mr". I am just 36 yrs in age...)

after having read the last pages (30-37 or something) I finally realised that MOST OF YOU are not at all interested  (or - at least - bored) about this very important topic. Looks like as if (those of) you switch back into position: ..."who the ###### the cares? I am feeling well and thats ok"...

For me in person I still feel very uncomfortable about the initiate topic (new visa regulations) and it would be very much appreciated if there is comments posted that will head into possible solutions WHAT TO DO against discriminizing farangs in LOS.

Once again, somebody here feeling the same as I do? WHERE to go? WHAT to do? Should it be Thailand or better some other place in asia?

sure missed quite a lot of recent posts rgd. this very disappointing matter (and 34 pages might be just the beginning of a never-ending discussion), so excuse if this is a repeated comment...

asking your local (U.S.) congressmen to assist you in terms of "pro expat lobby"....HOW comes you think those ppl will help you????? NO WAY ! Why should somebody in U.S. or elsewhere be so loyal with "us" and accept that we stop paying taxes to our (former) home country government but instead spending all of our money in a "non-civilised" country faaaaar away from go(o)d?

In my opinion, it would be much better to find assistance in pro-western oriented THAI politicians. WHERE ARE THEY? Why not work out a good concept with them together? And let those ppl speak for us. THE SOONER THE BETTER.

Thought about emigrating to LOS many times and now having reached the point of decision: get another new (not too satisfying) job back "home" (currently austria)   o r   starting new life far away from government pretended rules. Just about 1 week ago our ministry of family concerns recommend our kids and teenagers to work HARDER on family plans and having children instead of having parties every day. What a nice suggestion! And again one of many reasons to leave.

BUT, after all what's beeing said already now (July 10, 2004 still is some time to go), should I reconsider?

Or - at least - should I think about Vietnam/Phillipines/South Africa instead?

Ufff.....lots of brain work coming up for me these days.

Anybody else here who's in the same position right now?

Luma talks about a true SWEDISH product called SNUS. This is definitely not for your nose but very good tobacco replacement as you keep it under your lips (as long as u wish). Anyhow whatever u want to enjoy there must be ways for postal orders. No matter if swedish Snus or Copenhagen/US products. All u might need is a valid credit card and the courage/nerves that Thai customs won't "catch" your delivery.... :cool:

try one of those little pharmacies on KaoSan Road.

thx, MaiChai. Will come back to yr offer when "returning" to Samui in sept. Try to keep yr nick to ask you about all possible secret details when it's my time to do so.

smbdy here having information about any possible restrictions to buy or lease land/house on Ko Tao island ?

Smbdy here already posessing land/house ?

Any statistics about Ko Tao Island tourism ?

thx !

Have tried several stuff to send SMS to my gf. As a matter of fact my european mobile does of course not assist thai so I thought about sending SMS via free (or even liable to charges) web-services. But still no success as far as I have heard from recipient(s). ANY IDEAS ????

agree with that VISITING CARD argument. Got one for myself some time ago frm a former Thai olympic saiong champion and he told me: ".... anytime you might be in trouble just present that card and it will help you...". Fortunately, there has never been an incident for me to do so but I still keep that (valuable) card in my money pocket when traveling thru Thailand...

thanx dex. about the beers and little gifts I got experience already and most of them were good. About my very own - so to say - noise prob I will for sure have to SEE that N.S.T. spot first and - after a while - decide wheter to stay   o r   convince my gf about a moove to some other place... After all, IF I decide to live most of my life far away from europe I should very well also find solution(s) that should make me feel happy and comfortable....

anybody here welcome to give me details about the more SILENT though still prosperious locations around Thailand. thx

Not quite the answer you are after, but I too have a dream of owning an island.  I have seen a couple of islands in south Thailand for sale. but these were crazy prices, like 500 million baht....

So I settled for a much cheaper option!  I bought a small island off the west coast of Greece, near to Zakynthos.  Its about 5 rai in area, and lies about 5 km from the nearest port/village, with shops, restairants etc.  Right now this island is completely undeveloped, but I have a long-term plan to install solar power etc and to build a nice holiday home - and then maybe sell the place for a load of bucks.

How much did this little jewel in a blue sea cost me to buy?  $20,000......

great decision! I think about doing the same. Have been to Zakyntos a cpl of times. BUT still do not know IF I should invest in europe (where european union still will have the chance to charge me far too much for taxes) OR in asia.Anyway, I wish you the very best b-coz YOU did it and I am still thinking. Forward me exact address if you wish to do so......

asking the forum an dall you travelleres:

do you think it is worth the deal to invest on main land, e.g. around Hat Yai, Nakon Si Tammarat / both close to Malaysian border? As a matter of fact I have been working in tourism for years (in europe) and I do have the opinion that most of the tourists heading to Thailand STILL (unfortunately) do compare vacation in Thailand with vacation on an island....Will I have to face just a few backpackers come and see my bungalows on mainland or is there a REALISTIC chance within the next 3-5 yrs that ordinary, no sex-tourism-oriented tourists will give theirselve(s) the "kick" to spend a 1-2 week holiday? Furthermore, anybody here in this forum who seriously thought about investing in tourism in VIETNAM which seems to be MORE AND MORE interesting than Thailand is........?

in reply rgd. noise:

....does this mean I should re-consider my intention to emigrate frm where I live right now? I do appreciate the asian way of living EXCEPT the noise. Got a summerhouse in the swedish woods and love to stay there coz there is no noise at all except some birds in early morning )and this is of course no noise at all). Do you really think Thai ppl (girls) wouldn´t prefer to enjoy the silent site of life? I sure do agree that the girl I am in love with never ever cared about any noise around her bungalow at Koh Samui but I had to tell her that this could not be the place for me to stay longer than one night. So, no my question: what, IF I decide to stay with her together in the future (she´s got another house in Nakhon Si Tammarat). Never been there so far. But expect to have noise there too (motorcycles, nheighbours shouting, construction work etc). Will she UNDERSTAND my western opinion????