Billfo

Nice one, sounds good, I'll definately take a look at that place.

Thanks for the reply

Does anyone know of any good, reasonably priced musical instruments shops in Chiang Mai. I may look into buying a guitar if I'm able to stay for fair while. I'd only be after a decent acoustic guitar doesn't need to be amazingly good quality. I'd also ask about drums but I don't think I'd make the best of friend with neighbours and the like!!

Thanks

As everyone has discussed and knows, there are loads of reasons why people are moving abroad from the UK. I believe one of the reasons why the UK is slowly going down the pan is the younger generations lack of repsect. I know this sounds old fashioned but I feel really strongly about this.

While I was at secondary school (93-98) studying 'History' I struggle to remember being taught about WWI & WWII. Now I can understand why the government may be concerned about promoting tension toward Germany, even though Today's Germany and Nazi Germany are a million miles apart.

But what I'm trying to say is, I believe one of the main reasons why today's kids don't have respect for their elders and country is partly down to not being taught about the wars. I can't imagine how upset and angry a war veteran is seeing the current state of the country that they laid and gave their lives for. Looking at the current state of the majority if the younger generation with all the ASBOs being handed out that its only going to get worse with each generation until they are taught about valuing their country and being proud of it.

So how on earth is our country going to get better when its left in the hands of people who don't respect it in the first place.

For a two month vacation in Thailand where I plan to spend $3000-$4000, what is the best way to bring in the money? This was discussed a year ago in this forum, but I figure there could be some changes/

I use ATMs also. I take about £200 in cash, £200 in T/C. I pay for everything in cash to lessen the chance of my card being ripped off and the T/C as back up.

As mentioned before, just make sure you get your money out if your going to a more remot place. Earlier this year I was on Koh Phangan at a reletively remote beach and there was only one cash machine which was out of order for the majority of time I was there.

Australia's saving graces for not being British:

1) Its near New Zealand

2) and possibly most importantly: Harold Bishop

I must admit, you guys have some decent beers, but why serve them in Schooners?! (if thats how you spell it!) lol

Although not quite good enough to cure my Speight's withdrawal symptoms when I left NZ for Aus!

Its all a bit of fun

I think its pretty obvious to see that every nation has their bad sides. Below are the stereotypical traits of the bad sides of nations. Please note, this is stereotypical and not a representation of what I believe every person to be!!

English - Generally nice people until they have the dreaded 'one too many'

Irish - Nice, then generally boast about how much they can drink

Scots - Pretty much the same as above

Yanks - Loud

Aussies - Fine until they lay a hand on a can/bottle/pint of beer, then its all over, 'brutish' springs to mind.

So what I'm trying to say is that every country has their idiots and Brit's are no more likely to provide these idiots than most countries are. But when I do see Brits acting like idiots abroad I cringe in a large way, just remember next time you see an idiotic Brit, we're not all like that!!

'People constantly opening those sliding doors till the early hours can be really annoying.Although nowhere near as annoying as some elderly thai bloke snoring!'

Now that is something I can vouch for. Even the opening/closing doors and connecting/disconnecting carraiges AND starting & stopping wouldn't wake that bloke up!!

The other thing the bottom bunk has over the top one is room to sit up in bed if you want to read or something, but other than that theres no comfort difference, Jonson is right about the top bunk letting more light in but if you can get one of those sleep mask things that cover your eyes its no problem at all. Oh and some ear plugs for snorers!!

Thats great, thanks a lot for the replies. I'll have to take a look and think about it.

Cheers guys.

I've stayed at the Classic Place Hotel in Pechburi. Its a 3 star hotel, and works out just under £10 a night (around 700 baht). Classic Place

Precision Reservations is a good site to book through.

Not really much around the immediate are of the hotel but it is literally 2 minutes walk to the underground.

Hope this helps.

Hi all,

I am going/coming (depending on where you are reading this!) to Thailand in Feb. I am enrolled on a TEFL course in Thailand which starts 12th March, I intend to start teaching as soon as possible once the course has finished.

My question is regarding tax. How does it work in Thailand? Once I start paying tax am I entitled to free medical services like here in the UK or doesn't Thailand's medical services work the same way? I am thinking of purchasing a couple of months worth of travel insurance and then once I get a teaching job (touch wood) I will start paying tax and won't need the travel insurance cover. And when I start renting somewhere I guess I will get insurance cover for my belongings.

Is that a decent plan or a stupid one?!

Thanks

I'm going to be in Thailand most, if not all of 2007, I've been looking at going to NZ to visit my brother but all the airlines I check are really expensive, does anyone know if booking a flight in Thailand would be cheaper than doing it here (England) or on the net?

I'd preferably like to fly into Christchurch but it wouldn't be a prob getting a flight from Auckland to Christchurch.

Thanks

Whats the better option for traveling to Ko samui?

Train or Bus ?

Or any thing other?

It depends on your budget really but forget the bus, don't get me wrong, the buses are generally nicer than many western buses I've been on but its nothing compared to a nice comfy bed on a sleeper train! I travelled about 4 or 5 times on the sleepr train and I'd fully reccomend it. You can get 2nd class air con, which is fine, for around 600 baht. Or if you wanted to really treat yourself you can get 1st class sleepr for around 1600 baht, only ever been 1st class once before I returned to sunny England, 1st Class was great, but I would always choose 2nd class unless I was treating myself! If you get the train you will need to go to get the boat from the train station to Ko Samui, you can book all this with a travel agent before you go.

Saying all that, if your only there for a short holiday and you have money to spend, get the plane. I flew from Bangkok to Samui and it cost me about 3,000 baht. You might be able to get it cheaper but as far as I know only Bangkok Air fly from Bangkok to Samui so they have a bit of a monopoly on the route & prices.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Don't do the train through the day, 12 hours sitting on an inferior airplane seat is not an enjoyable experience, done it once, never again!!