Finlaco

Just make sure u ignore the touts that claim to be a 'taxi' and make sure its at the official taxi rank.

Personally, I go to the Departure Terminal (same terminal, different floor) and take one of the arriving taxis. This is not to save the THB50 airport fee, but cos in times past I had problems when I refused to accept a 10 year old taxi, when 2nd in line was a brand new taxi with functioning aircon. The old taxis tend to congregate at the airport cos most Thai will not flag them down, street side.

1 word.. Compete !!

Even in the non Free market, one with work permits, taxes, restrictions and a FAR higher cost of operating.. Visitors are still using non Thais ?? The concerned Thais should try to analyze why that is.. Take a long look in the mirror and wonder why a Russian can operate at a lower cost for a better service than a Thai is able to, given the huge disadvantage that the non Thai faces in every aspect of business.

Instead the Thai solution is not t think, improve or compete its cartels, blocking competition, lowering quality of service, keeping monopolistic pricing.

As they do this Thailand starts to overtake Euro destinations in costs and prices, for far inferior services, then they wonder why Tourists are spending less freely. Big picture world view is absent from the thinking.

WELL WRITTEN

Super Rich Currency Exchange- Phrom Phong

They offer perhaps the best rate of exchange in Bangkok. I just passed their booth on the sky walk at Phrom Phong and the electronic exchange board wasn’t working. This made me a little curious, so I asked the staff the rate for Euro, and was told 39.35. This is the same as the official bank rates and usually Superrich offer +.5. So this made me more curious. I checked their website and they are quoting 39.65

I suspect the working is skimming and perhaps this particular booth is best avoided.

Superrichthailand.com

Moon + whisky = The Who's drummer, RIP.

There was an English teacher who built a house for an Esarn lad, but he ripped her off and it ended.

http://www.expatangels.com/an-english-girl-in-isaan-b99.html

the book is called The Who's Drummer? I cant locate it on the net

Perhaps this item sent using the already mentioned 3rd party shipper would do?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=375777

Anyways, I find this particular brush to work just fine for me...

Thanks

Suggest you find your nearest barbers shop & ask them (or get a friend to ask them in Thai) where they get their supplies. I've seen many barbers use the old fashioned method to shave customers. A good place to start is Soi Polo - off Wireless, between Soi Ruam Rudee & Lunphini police station. I've used a shop off Ruam Rudee at the corner of the 'L' which leads on to Soi Polo.

Ken

good idea Ken but most unfortunately use a poor quality brush -- But thanks for ur idea

Hi

A few years ago I heard on a podcast a good review on a book written by an English lass who had married an iSan guy and lived +10 years in a rural village. I kinda recall 'moon' and 'whiskey' being in the title. Can any one help?

Good One 2P -- I just buy the brush and soap at WalMart

THANKS great to know but Walmart isn't in BKK -- So I seem to be missing the reason why u posted?

Classic

Have used them before. They ship to Thailand.

THANKS but wasnt planning on spending +USD$70 for a brush

Kuhn F. -- anyone who says to just use a can has never used a good brush and soap...

http://vdhent.com -- they make the soap for The BodyShop

I do not know where in LOS to go however these people sell through their store at amazon.com so shipments to Thailand are most likely doable ... I just bring the supplies with me on trips to USA ... the soap lasts almost forever.

GREAT idea except amazon wont ship it to Thailand

buy it online

http://www.bestclippers.com/stbretc.html

GREAT idea except they don't deliver to Thailand

I use soap and my hands, am I missing something here?

shampoo does the trick for me

PLEASE try to keep with the OP

I bought my brush at Emporium but quality I would say - is second rate.

Emporium is a big shopping centre - Any more precise info, how much was the brush, purchased recently? - Thanks

Try the body shop. They have good shaving cream and I am sure I have seen brushes.

I've checked. Don't have in Thailand. Have in Europe but not in Thailand

Shaving Brush (old fashioned wet shave)

My old one just died and I've only been able to find a cheap (and

useless) one at Tokyu (MBK).

Any one seen a good quality shaving brush for sale in BKK.

fyi unless u have actually used a quality shaving brush, u'll not be

aware of the vast difference between a cheap ฿40 brush and a good

quality €15 one.

I've done the trip twice

Agree with the poster that suggested going both ways is over kill and the noise of the engine going against the current

The first hour from CR is pretty spoilt.

Agree that best to travel to Tha Ton by bus and then return by boat

I believe that you will need to take a bus from Ubon to Udon Thani and then change to Nong Khai.

There are two bus stations in Udon, so make sure you know if u are arriving/departing from the old or new bus stations

If you google TAT Thailand and then drill down to Ubon and Udon, there will be a listing for the relevant TAT office. I regularly call the various TAT regional offices and get reasonable information. Just be patient cos usually u need to explain to the TAT staff, that 'I don't know' isn't an answer and perhaps someone else might know ..... be patient and u'll eventually get the answer

When it comes to Singapore's long-standing rivalry with Malaysia people in galss houses shouldn't throw stones.

i think the rivalry and jealously is from Malaysia to Singapore

Is It Standard Practice To Charge For Broken Glass At Restaurants? No it is not. But it would be polite to offer to pay for it. In the old days, it was called "manners".

best reply so far

In Thailand if u walk with a foreigner, because of Thai culture, it will be assumed that u are benefiting financially. For most Thai people its incomprehensible why you would wish to be with a foreigner, other than for financial reasons.

If your wife is well educated and financially independent, then this will lessen the reaction of the Thai people you come in contact with. My Thai partner is ten years younger than I, educated overseas and is Thai Chinese. We just accept that Thai people will stare and often staff will assume its ok to be 'rude' on initial contact, or you will get the fake Thai smile which implies that you are a gullible foreigner being taken advantage of. After the initial 5 minutes, my partner's education becomes apparent and the staffs' attitude lessens.

Unfortunately too many foreigners walk around with their uneducated Thai and bring them to inappropriate restaurants, hotels etc.. This pollutes the water for the rest of us, especially when 90% of the mixed relationships in Thailand is financed based.

So the quick answer is - Yes Thai will initially assume your wife is paid for, but if she is a well educated lady, then this initial assumption will lessen.

The charge for towel gambit isn't that rare and they don't usually ask. It's OK for tourists who are one offs but I usually don't want the towel and it's a cause of stress to stop them before they pop the seal without asking, so I am less likely to repeat visit a place like that. Sometimes there is even a charge if you managed to stop them, they just assume you took it.

Even if the staff purposely opens the towel, I would say 'No Thanks' (in Thai or English, depending on which language the staff spoke with me), and enjoy my meal. When the bill comes I pay minus the towels, exact change and keep my Thai smile on my face, repeating nicely that I declined the tissues.

Been here 3 years

My experience is that a small THB30 restaurant wont charge for a small breakage but the bigger restaurants will.

I doubt if the staff have to pay for breakages for a single breakage (how to police this?, night counts of all utensils, bowls, etc)

Its the mai ben lei philosophy working in only one direction (Thai2Farang) and never Farang2Thai.

I would politely pay the bill minus the extra charge (exact change). I don't believe that the staff have to pay for such a small breakage.

Perhaps Thailand can now become a police "hub" for south east asia

frenchfarangjomtien -- thanks for the reply

when did u last travel with ur Thai and which province is noted on her/his ID card

Hi

Anyone have first hand knowledge wrt Thai people (aged 15) (from Ubon Ratchathani) who wishes to visit Laos crossing at Nong Khai.

Is a passport required?

Am i correct in believing that only Thai people who live in a province bordering Laos can cross at the border crossing in their province

Thanks