terryofcrete

The first thing I tell a friend intending to visit Thailand is to be very careful crossinf a road, ESPECIALLY IF THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE RED !!! 

I can't drink anymore ... yeah, usual story... so I tell them that I only want a coke, buy one drink for whatever lady I sit beside, not the other way round, and then ask the usual and tell her I'm nit hanging around , so , as they themselves say, " Up to You " . Most are quite happy to go after the one. 

I dropped a 1000bht note and a street vendor came after me and handed me the note and gave me a lecture about being more careful. I tried... really tried... to give her 200 bht but she absolutely refused, so all I could do was go into the 7/11 and buy her some upmarket ice cream and sweets. Restored my faith in the traditional Thai way ! If that story is true the doctor will suffered bad luck for that miserable response . 

Best way to be thinking safe in Thailand is think Third World, most people I know at home would be digusted by some things that are taken as " normal" . Sidewalks or footpaths, holes in the path everywhere, dangling wires, nobody obeying traffic lights or pedestrian crossings , food hygiene, toilets, , and on and on, the list is endless.  

The more I read on Thai Visa the more I remember my son's advice the first time... a good few years ago now... I ever decided to visit Thailand. " Remember whatever it appears to be or seems it is really a Transaction at the end of the day Dad ! Never forget that ! You will always , always be payng for whatever you get. "  

At the moment we have a tribunal in Ireland concerning a whistleblower policeman.  False reports of sexual abuse against him, transferred to different station etc. difference is that in Ireland he is gonna win win win. He will get a huge settlement and his whistleblowing has resulted in a wide ranging exposure of police malpractice with one Commissioner already gone and the new  Commissioner under pressure to resign ! 

Booked on Qatar to Da Kok witha tight connection in Doha . Emailed them about potential delays due to this mess.  Answered immediatel saying no change to the route , flight path,  from Dublin to Doha . Should I believe that ?  I know this is selfish, but, hey.. life's too short to be sitting in Middle Eastern Airports longer than necessary. 

7 hours ago, baboon said:

An airport is an airport is an airport to me. I don't look forward to using Suvarnabhumi nor do I dread it, immigration queues aside.

 

I suppose I preferred Don Muang, but only for sentimental reasons.

Don Muang can be bad if the departures areas are busy, also if you are coming from outside Thailand Immigration can be very slow ! 

I'm curious, don't you think that the powerful families who rule over most of the island, owe a large part of their financial power to the revenues of tourism?

We were in Samui last month and planning to visit Koh Tao but were put off by these mysterious deaths and other rumours. In the end we stayed on for an extra week in Samui. Just a simple example of how this affects the island's economy. I of course tell anyone else that might be planning to visit and on it goes. I am sure the powerful person that is controlling all this does not give a damn about tourists but those depending on Tourism for a living should !  

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If you are having problems at the airports you are doing something wrong.
 
Last 40+ journeys not a problem using domestic and international ranks at both Bangkok airports. Quick, efficient and every one without fail has used the meter. One tried it on asking for a flat fare and I told him meter and that was that. 
 
The only time I encountered a rip-off was when a colleague (30+ year veteran and still clueless) took us up to DMK departures instead of using the rank. The driver then said he would use the meter and then when we were loaded up and on the way it was the 'meter broken' scam. We ended up giving him 300thb to Mor Chit.

It's a special problem @ Siam Park - small Taxi mafia gang is waiting outside all day for the customers

My Thai lady usually "gets" me a taxi off the street to go the airport. The last guy waited until we were of of sight of her waving goodbye and then "told" me the price would be whatever. I just "told" him to stop the cab, remove my bag , and at the same time took a photo of his number. Then he went into the " how much you pay " I did a Michael Corleone on him ! " Nothing ! I pay nothing !" Let me out or drive to police. No, I wasn't beaten up , we shook hands, I told him I spend half the year in Thailand, and the meter went on. He did not get the tip Of 100 bht I usually give.


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