FunkyGuru

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I was in Chaweng yesterday with a friend and yes it is dead quiet. I have lived in Samui for 4 years now and never saw Chaweng so dead quiet.

In my humbel opinion the following reasons comprise to overall low business in usually what is called as High Season:

1. 19 September coupe de tat
   
2. Heavy Rain & Flooding Norther Thailand
   
3. Unrest in South
   
4. Dollar getting very weak against Baht & Baht getting stronger in general
   
5. Very confusing message projected on media and also by respective governments from where the tourists originate
   

That's in my humble opinion. I could be wrong.

Cheers all and look forward to a better year in next year.

Maybe a handbook for Thais: 'How to treat visitors to your country' would be more appropiate.

Totally agree with that. From the millions who visit this country, it's just a fraction of a percent that misbehaves. Where as my experience, even after having stayed in this country for 5 years, is not anywhere close the image of LOS as projected outside the country. LOS is more of a myth. Educating tourist is one of most insane thing I have heard so far. How about educating Thais to speak better English?

Well sorry to my Thai friends if I sounded harsh, but this is 2006. Soon it will be 2007. Get real and get a grip on the facts.

Samui 13:06 hrs.

Bright and sunny. Sea is more calm then it was yesterday. Occasional cloud, warm and definitely not windy. Some cool breeze. As I had mentioned in earlier post, since it rained almost for the entire day, it has drained the strength of the depression. It's should be over before the end of the day.

It has been raining since last night here in Koh Samui. Windy but not stormy and sea is a bit rough. Around now, 18.50 hrs. it has started thundering. Looks like it should be over by tomorrow.

camerata,

Brilliant piece of information. I have been struggling to get this information for some time now. Thanks a million.

Yes we need some more of such evidence to keep him at bay.

It's used in Australia. If you caught by a coppers in car, yes they have a reader. If patrol on foot catches you, they simply note your number and name and make sure that the information is entered on their computer system before the end of the day.

I am sure there are other countries using the same.

In reply to otherstuff1957

That's a very interesting question. If you go through last 45 days of Baht movement against other currencies, particularly US$/EU$/GBP you will be surprised that baht has indeed been showing stronger trend. In my understanding, this is unusual but then again, in absence of any proper economic survey and review, it's hard to stay.

Noticeable is that the US$ has shown the highest slide against baht. EU$/GBP has shown lesser dramatic impact.

My guess is, after November 7 mid term election in US, the US$ will show a sharp rise, to enable the nation to have a greater buying power over Christmas. We will see $/Bat settling at anything between TB 37.5 / 38.5 to a dollar.

Then again, it's just my guess.

So now is a good time to Deposit my into my thai account? Is it possible to deposit a check from the USA into my thai account, what exchange rate will I get and how long will it take to clear?

That would be a bad idea. It takes minimum 30 working days for foreign currency check to clear in to your account. In addition there is a US$ 50 fee applied. Don't bother bringing in checks if the amounts are not that large.

Better suggestions are to get paid in Euro / GBP. Thai baht will not get as strong against them as it does with US$.

I feel something is missin here. Can't agree with highest fine of Thai Customs. If one were to say TB 3,000 I would agree, but GBP 3,000 that is un believable. Do the persons in questions have an official reciept for the fine?

Please Do Not taint Thailand so bad. There are rules and they do follow. Problem is we farangs don't get it.

News From BBC

I am impressed by the fact that there is someone punished. Then again, what about the cases where the foreigner is never found?

It's an open fact that so many go missing here in Thailand / Cmodia. Either accidentally or on purpose, for whatever reason, there are people not found in this country.

Yes it is a bit harsh to generalise the moral of the story by saying do not marry a bar girl. Well on the other hand, I haven't seen a single pleasant story about any bar girl marriages. Maybe I just don't know any. Maybe no one would admit to such a thing. Maybe I am too naive.

But of the people that I have known over past few years, the story that begins in some bar in some part of this country, usually does not have any happy ending.

Well I will drink to that tonight and NO I will not be in any bar. I will be at my usual restaurant by the beach watching beautiful sunset. Life is good.

Hi Soic!

I know what you mean about "pleasant". I just did a "detoxing" at Yanhee yesterday for the first time. It's a colonic and cost 800 baht each time, and they recommend 3 times a week apart. It was very safe, and the nurse was great.

I am now on this total detox/fast kick. I want to totally cleanse my body over the next month before I go home. I'm looking for a fasting/spa-type of thing in BKK. I looked at St. Carlos Medical Spa, but they are pricey. I may just go back to Yanhee, as they were great and very cheap.

Anyone else have other suggestions?

Yes, but it's not in BKK -- but even with r/t airfare probably less than St Carlos. Health Oasis in Samui. The most experienced of the various fast/detox places on the island and located away from the crowded touristy places (and, equally importantly, away from tempting restaurants). Herbal steam sauna & 1 massage daily are part of the package. They actually manage to make the whole experience more pleasant than not. I actually enjoyed my stay there except for the colonic part & look forward to going again.

Boy sure it feels good, to see people talk nicely about Health Oasis Resort. Just wanted to mention that the web site and email id has changed for the resort. The old one is no longer valid. For access change the url from '.com' to '.org' and you will be on the new web site.

Thanks Sheryl for putting in a good word for us.