Phillip9

On 1/4/2025 at 4:41 PM, captpkapoor said:

If Thailand wants elite tourists, they have to stop with the "singlet wearing, beer belly, flip flop on a scooter living in a miserable 32 sq m studio in Pattaya" Westerner who keeps dishing out racist rants on here about all the other tourists who come and spend real money at good hotels.

I don't think any of these "elite" tourists are going to Pattaya. 

2 hours ago, Donald Bright said:

Any places in Cambodia worth visiting for a couple of days.

Siem reap / angkor wat if you like temples and historic buildings

2 hours ago, GypsyT said:

1. Do they speak English in Taiwan? I red they wanted to make English official 2nd language while back.

2. How is traffic? I know it's RHD but how's driving in countryside? Friendly? A mess?

- Taiwan is still on my bucket list.

There isn't much English in Taiwan.  Less than Thailand I would say.

I found driving a little stressful, but not terrible.  I've circled the whole island.  In the countryside it is easy most of the time, but a few times I ended up on crazy narrow roads in the mountains.  The east coast is quite scenic and mountainous with mostly small towns.  Cities can be difficult driving, especially trying to figuring out parking without being able to read the language.  Avoid driving to famous places (eg sun moon lake) on weekends and holidays--the traffic will be terrible.

It's quite a nice country and definitely an underrated destination.

1 hour ago, Harsh Jones said:

He doesn't say that at all. What are you talking about ? He says that the primary feed for the landing gear happens to be on the same side as the engine that went out. He does not say that this means they couldn't get the gear down

"You need hydraulic pressure to bring that gear down or up.  So obviously the engine the left engine was running when they brought the gear and flaps up but then when they came in to land it was not running."

18 minutes ago, Harsh Jones said:

A former air-force pilot and current commercial pilots take. At 11:50 he says "have you run the numbers?". He meant that literally. You have to run the numbers. 

The really funny thing is that he repeatedly says that he thinks they didn't lower the gear and flaps because he thinks hydraulics failed.  

And in your previous post you just said "There's no way that this happened. It just isn't possible."  in response to our comments stating we thought hydraulics failed.

1 minute ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

6 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

Not everyone.  Not me.

Everyone that has been paying close attention 

I assure you that I pay very close attention to that felon and his crimes.

6 hours ago, jas007 said:

And everyone knows it's just a nonsense political move that doesn't mean much. 

Not everyone.  Not me.

Seems like just another troll making stuff up.

5 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

Interesting - yet my experience is the vast majority of airlines don't check for an onward ticket.

 

Yes some do check - but most don't (based on my experience and on my talking to other expats and to friends who have visited Thailand).

 

I guess some airlines just 'gamble' or they don't implement a 'safe' policy with their airline staff.

Most people are traveling on return tickets anyway, so the check in staff likely forgets to notice you are on a one way ticket sometimes.  My experience is that even when flying the same airline from the same departure point, on a one way ticket, the check in staff only checks my onward ticket about 50% of the time.  

2 hours ago, oldcpu said:

I have often puzzled over this explanation.  I am not saying it wrong - I simply puzzle a bit about it.

 

While I know of (and have on rare occasion encountered myself) case where (when at the airport on my way to Thailand, with me planning on visa exempt) I have been asked for an onward bound ticket (and I had such a ticket) ..  I struggle a bit to see how producing an onward bound ticket protects the airline. 

The airline is required to check that you have an onward ticket.  If they fail to do that, they can be fined and responsible for returning you home.  If they check you have an onward ticket and you meet other entry requirements, they cannot be fined or responsible for returning you home even if immigration denies you entry for some random reason.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Is it possible to start with that already living in Thailand with no current U.S. mobile plan?

I think you have to active the sim while in the US.

I keep a google fi sim.  About $20 a month.   With any android phone you can get unlimited calls and texts over wifi.  Very handy for keeping in touch with relatives and friends as well as bank OTPs.  

You can also connect to the local cellular network and use the data almost anywhere in the world.  This costs extra but the data rates are the same as you would pay in the US.  You also get a US IP address when you do this.  I always use this when I do any online banking, so my bank never knows I'm abroad.

4 hours ago, Walker88 said:

It's also safer than most major Western cities, almost on par with Tokyo.

Thailand has a murder rate 20x higher than Japan.

Why bother eating vegetables if you are going to make them unhealthy by frying them? 

6 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

That's how a small place like SIN can maintain order.  Ultra strict enforcement of all laws.  SIN is one of the places where certain narcotics violations can result in the death penalty.  It is not for everyone. "A free spirit who lets's the wind take him anywhere or everywhere is more likely a better fit in the Land of Smiles".  

The OP is asking about a 2 day trip.  Even free spirits enjoy 2 days in Singapore.  As long as he can avoid taking any drugs with him and follow normal rules of civility, he won't have any problem in Singapore.

Singapore has the added benefit that immigration entry and exit, and airport security is super easy.  Autogates at immigration and never any lines.

28 minutes ago, Katatonica said:

4th one big problem, had flight 7 days later, plus marriage certificate, told I would be sent back if no visa next time.

Really bad idea to show a marriage certificate or even mention you are married on visa exempt entries.  Better to tell them you come to Thailand for the beaches or food or some tourist activity.

15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The back-up electric-motor hydraulic pumps work off the battery the response is instant. 
This bridges the gap / time it takes to engage the APU (which as you mentioned takes a bit of time - its 60-90 seconds)

I read the opposite, but I'm not 100% sure.  The aircraft external lights were off when landing, so we know they still had electric failure during landing, so I think it is likely that any backup electric hydraulic pump was also not working.

3 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

That's a little difficult for a short trip.  Kunming is one of the visa-free tourist zones, but not sure how much of Yunnan province is included.  And i believe you also have to fly out of Kunming per visa-free rules.

 

Even if train were possible, visa for Laos must be obtained at the embassy in Kunming, not available at the border by train.

 

How 'bout the Hainan Island visa-free zone?

There are many countries now visa free to China.  Not sure of OP's nationality though. You can obtain an evisa for laos to use at that border.   

It's a good trip.  I've done it, but for a 2 day trip the OP asked about, definitely needs to fly both ways.  Bangkok to kunming took two fulls days by train.

On 3/8/2024 at 1:21 PM, Terek said:

  I like  to see developed contemporary and safe city where I can go alone and not get bored

Macau and Singapore are both great modern cities with lots to do.  Also consider Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, or even China.  I wouldn't call anywhere else in the region "developed".