Ling Kae

Actually, on my very first trip to Thailand in '93, I had no idea that there was a "departure tax" and by the time I got to check-in I was down to my last 25 baht (I had arrived at the airport early and spent most of what I had left on something to eat).

In those days you and your bags went through security screening before getting to the check-in counter and your bags had a security band placed around them. There was no notice about the departure tax anywhere except at the check-in counter itself (yes, I looked afterwards while wandering around trying to figure out how I was going to come up with the cash). No ATMS in those days, and all I had for other currency at the time was Hungarian Forints and Croatian Dinar and the exchange counters wouldn't take either !

A group of German Peace Keepers that were returning home from a tour in Cambodia were having the same problem. Didn't know about the tax, No way to access their pay in Germany, not enough cash. They got lucky, as we were all on Lufthansa, the co-pilot (German of course) paid for their tax, but even though I showed him my UN I.D. (I was on holidays from a peace-keeping tour in Croatia) he wouldn't cover my tax as I wasn't German.

My only option was to try and talk to someone else from the airline. I went back through security (again), waited in line for 10 minutes behind some drunk that had missed his flight and just decided they should put him on this one instead and when I had the chance, I told the clerk I needed to speak to the "manager" as well as I had a problem.

The guy behind me, a little frustrated by this point, asked what the problem was. I explained about not knowing about the tax and being broke. He asked the clerk how much the tax was, and paid for both of us. Of course I thanked him and told him I'd repay him when we landed in Frankfurt (where the Exchange booths would take Hungarian currency) but he told me to forget it.

I did try any ways though. Got to Frankfurt, scurried to the first exchange booth, got some Deutsche Marks and rushed back but he was apparently long gone (one of the advantages of flying Business Class, as I found out in later years, is being able to get off the plane and being long gone before the herd of cattle starts moving).

Lessons learned though. Even in this day and age of Internet and ATMs, I always make sure I have enough cash to get me where I'm going (and back again).

The guy in the OP though ? Yeah, a scammer. Using a lie to con people out of money with the promise of paying it back (and no intention of actually ever doing so) is scamming, not begging.

No doubt the guy is probably broke, doesn't want to (or can't) go home for some reason and can't (legally) work. At 100 baht a person, over the course of a day he is probably raking in a couple thousand on average while getting some exercise and checking out which cuties are working at which bars.

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If in doubt, next time you see the guy, tell him you speak Thai (or know someone who does) and can help him get his transfer done quickly. Or, offer to contact his Embassy so they know where he is and that he needs help. Or, tell him that because it has taken so long for his transfer to go through, perhaps he should contact the Thai police (and offer to assist him with that).

Take bets with your friends whether or not all offers of help will be turned down, and see how fast he scurries off when you mention the police.

My plan is, if I get to that age and end up down and out, too broke to afford public toilets and scavenging with the temple dogs for left-over scraps, I'll simply find an old plastic cup (thrown away by some successful beggar no doubt) and sit on Walking Street with a sign that reads "so broke and ugly that even Beach Road "girls" won't go with me !"

After a week I'll have probably "earned" enough to afford a slightly better begging cup, after I've paid for my 4 star hotel, new clothes, daily massages and trips to Ban Chang.

Kerryd, thanks for that well balanced story. That is why I gave the guy a 100 baht in the first place, I am actually quite a compassionate person and then I caught him out. To those that haven't read the whole thread he did make a promise to repay me "if I ever see you again" he said. Well he did see me again, same old story, same old lies and no repayment, just wanted another 100 baht.

Kerry, your airport story is about as honest it gets, you were just caught out without knowing. It's a good thing that guy behind you helped you out, well done on trying to pay him back, good man.

Embassy does not help with money. I have read many examples when the Swedes come home from overseas trip and complain that they do not receive any help at the embassy after they have been robbed of everything they have. The embassies do not have the task to lend or give money to someone regardless of citizenship.

Surely they would at the very least issue you a new passport, that is what they are there for? Are you saying they would leave a Swede to be permanently without a passport and wander around Thailand with no means? No help contacting family or other? I don't believe that either. I bet the Consulate Staff would have different opinion on that.

This man is a South African approximately 6 feet tall or about 185 cm. Mostly on soi Buakhow but I have seen him on soi Chaiyapoon as well. Be warned he is still waiting for that funds transfer 6 weeks later, he is a scammer.

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So if you anyhow is giving a description of this guy, why not describe the most obvious????? Is he black or a white guy

from South-Africa???? is it so unpolite nowadays that you cannot use the colour of your skin to identify a human being, is that wrong???

People are really strange...

Glegolo

No problem, he is a white guy with tanned skin.

For all you know he could be mentally unfit

He is definitely not mentally unfit. He approaches you very calmly, speaks nicely and has an answer for every question you ask him.

This guy is approximately 60 to 65 Y/O (could be older), During his speech he mentions that he doesn't drink alcohol. You will know who he is when he speaks to you with a clear South African accent.

Call him what you like, but a fellow who repeats the same "waiting for an overseas transfer that won't come through for 5 hours" line day after day week after week sounds like a scammer/beggar to me.

The garbage truck rolled up about 10 PM last night on soi new Plaza just as usual and on this mornings walk soi 13/3 was being serviced as well. But Pattaya Klang soi 11 it appears as though no pick up has been made for a while... Hit and miss I think.

Is it totally inconceivable that something unexpected has happened rendering these people penniless/homeless? It happens all over the world. When I worked in both NYC and London I'd often give some loose change. Why does it have to be a scam? I've only been living here 7 months so maybe I am missing something? Also, genuine question, Does it follow that the 'your' embassy has to help if you are destitute?

It is a scam when he repeats the BS story and picks up a 100 baht from each farang. I gave him a 100 baht the first time, he could just as easily have picked up 900 baht more from 9 other farangs on the same day. Not bad for a days scamming is it? He said his funds transfer was delayed by 5 hours, then 6 weeks later he tried the same story on again. He is a clear liar and serial pest but then again you probably think it's ok to do this time and time again, I don't and I told him so. Please try to understand, the first time I did help but obviously I was conned. For all we know he is probably living in a nice room at our expense.

Most Embassy's will help their citizens in one way or the other. If it were me I would front up to my Consulate and ask for help. Are you seriously suggesting that the South African Embassy will not help one of their citizens under these circumstances? It happens all the time when people get robbed of all their money and passport and credit cards. I don't believe a thing this idiot says anymore and that is why I brought it to this forums attention.

Next Month I am taking my Thai partner (travelling on Thai passport) to Singapore for 4 days holiday.

Older posts dating back 2 years say Thais will get a 30 day entry visa on arrival, is this still the case? Just would like to be 100% sure that there will be no problems.

Thank you.

Yes the two money exchanges in Soi Diana - always higher than TT by a fraction

Location:

Opposite Areca Lodge and next to LK Renaissance and the other one is directly opposite same side as Areca

Others talk about the money exchange in Tops Supermarket - corner of Pattaya Klang and 2nd Road BR side - depends on your location

Hello thanks for that. I walked from Pattaya Klang and checked out Tops before heading off and can confirm the best rate was the money changer up soi Diana. The Areca Lodge side one near the Family Mart beat the lot. It also beat the Chinese looking money changer next door to Meeting Point bar on 2nd road, good advice thank you.

Hello, I've noticed a lot of new money changers about in Pattaya now.

Who has the best rate in town these days?

So far TT exchange (the private yellow ones) is the best I can find. Any others better?

Not many seem to get it... Objecting to two tiered pricing such as this is not about the amount its simply about principle and objecting to disrespectful and unequal treatment.

That is exactly the point I was making in the first post, you get that it is about the principle as well. We can afford to eat anywhere in Pattaya, it isn't about the money.

And just imagine this. If we were in the USA, Australia or the UK for example and you walked into a restaurant and the menu said Local People $20 for a New York Steak and next it it read For Asians $28 for the same steak there would be an outcry of racism, but yeah I guess we are in Thailand and it's ok. Just ask your Thai partners how they would feel having to pay twice as much in farangland for the same meal. Double pricing is just crazy and we should do anything we can to stop it.

Just guess and may be wrong, 21 baht is for a bucket of ice. I don't think the restaurant is insane enough to charge 21 baht as Farang fee, especially you came with someone who can read Thai.

The longhaired translator asked why the difference, she said farang price...no second guessing there

It is wrong and it doesn't happen in most of the other buffet BBQ places. I wouldn't even bother going there as there are many other places that don't do that.

Pretty sad case, feel very sorry for the woman, hope they get the guy.

I like the Sailor Bar in soi 8. Really good cold cheap beer and spirits, good owner, very good restaurant with low prices, top cocktails at 60 baht each and has really good staff. As for girls not asking me for drinks, I just say, sorry I come for just drink with friend and then they leave me alone, no real problems there.

I live a normal life in Pattaya but with the high crime rate, corrupt BIB, falang always wrong etc... I'm even getting worried going out at night

The "corrupt BIB" won't have anything to do with you anytime if you aren't riding motorbikes, driving cars or getting in fights. They are of no consequence if you just walk about and do your daily routines. My opinion is that if your money is running out then going home and working is the only answer. If you can not work at home then compare living here to your home country on the same money. I think you might find Thailand a bit better for you in that case.

I was in Phuket just a few days ago. Quite honestly I would still choose Pattaya over Phuket any day. Firstly it is cost, my partner quickly points out and compares prices with food. Somtam Pattaya 30 baht, Somtam Phuket 60 baht up. Fish is quoted at 100 gram prices at restaurants where in Pattaya it is quoted as a whole fish price. It is geared highly towards slugging the tourist as much as they can get. I heard a farang female trying to get a tuk tuk "just up the road" and they wanted 100 baht, Pattaya 10 baht.

I have a room with cable TV, Fridge, Air con and hot water in Pattaya for 6,000 baht per Month, not quite that cheap on the beach in Phuket (although you can dig deep and find).

Weather in Pattaya is better, less rain. Beer is cheaper, can buy for 45 to 50 baht a singha in many many bars in Pattaya. In Phuket they make a big whoop whoop about 70 baht beers in Bangla, big deal hey.

Sorry, give me Pattaya anyday. And if you like go go bars then Pattaya wins hands down.

However, I will say for a break away it's ok and a cheap Air Asia flight will make it all possible.

We paid 700 baht for a taxi to get to Lamai, they originally quoted 800 but dropped the price to 700. Is that about right from Nathon pier? Minibus wanted 200 per person and as there was 4 of us we opted for the cab.

I am glad someone started this thread. I am getting off at Nathon Pier going to Lamai, there will be 4 of us. There will be 2 Thais and 2 Farangs, how much should it cost us. It will be around 4.30 PM, thank you.

The one near Tuckom is next door to the Kasikorn Bank.

There is one in Tesco Lotus is in Pattaya Nua road, that's the same road as the bus station.

The biggest problem with True Move and True Move Service centres is the lack of English and as another poster said they are hard to deal with. I've had a few different responses from the 2 service centres as to when my current deal expires and how many megabytes I got left. In the end I just waited until I could get no more internet and revisited them. They had no real clue as to what my promotion was.

They told me yeah top up online, yes but no have credit, "how can I do it otherwise" I asked. Then they sold me another sim with 1gb on it. Really their website is lacking a proper English menu with easy top up facilities. My reccommendation (if you don't speak Thai) is to take your Thai speaking partner with you, good luck.

Just one question, what kind of visa are you on? Can you do it on a tourist visa? I did a renewal this year but I had a Non O visa and I am enquiring on behalf of a friend. Thanks.

To OP: Are you in Maxx Central Apartments ?

Yes, and intend to remain there so far, went to Jomtien in the week end, some bargains there but all in huge buildings with hundreds of condo's, not what I want.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Aren't Maxx Central aprtments between 3rd road and soi Arunothai? Don't you have to walk in from 3rd road via the Thai Kareoki clubs and the soi dogs? Just asking as when I'm pissed I don't like negotiating 3rd. road. By the way I think the price is right, but if it is where I think it is then I don't like the location.

Hathai hotel lamai big beds and rooms quality , nice but small pool, good thai food limited English food but cracking chicken baguette, 800 baht 1 min from beach on bike, look at sawasdee.com for reviews

I ended up booking this one for 2 nights, if it's good I will stay longer. Will report back later, thanks.

Taxi from U Tapao to Pattaya: seems good price. Long way but good road all the way. Do you have Mr T's number please.

Anyone. Thanks.

I have sent you his number via PM, not sure if I'm allowed to make it public here.

They even allow dogs in many condos in Pattaya, then the owners let them out to run free and cr@p everywhere, then nobody wants to clean it up! Totally unacceptable! Take a good look around any estate or condo you are looking at, they say no have dog but it's all bullsh!t sorry dogsh!t, good luck.

I live in Jomtien and know of no condo that permits dogs. Please name these many condos that "allow dogs .. ... in Pattaya, then the owners let them out to run free".

9 Karat Condo and Nirun Condo in soi Arunothai for a fact. And don't worry 9 Karat owners are fed up with the management there. Lived there for many years, moved out now.