JimTripper

I don't recommend them at all. I had an issue with billing where things the dentist said were free of charge were billed and they said I had to pay before leaving. They also wanted full payment for a procedure in the middle of treatment before the procedure was completed.

What if the bill is wrong? Is it stupid to pay it, or not want to pay it? Let me get back to you.

Say hi to Cambodia for me (just kidding).

I tried fudging with the pages and stickers one time and caught out on it. What I did was double up old expired visa stickers to make room. The old stickers were still there, just hidden under each other. The officer peeled off each one, reattached it and had to line up the stamps (they like to stamp on the edge of the sticker so it catches both the sticker and the page). They could not legally do a penalty since the passport is your home countries property, but they can give you a hard time and tweak your current visa there for their location.

What's your question?

You hit on a strange point most people don't see. Thai's are rushed in almost everything they do. They like rushing. In some other countries quick banter and going directly to the deed or room is a major turn off, here it is a turn on. As is getting off quickly and exiting quickly. For non-believers, I challenge you to look closely at the next interaction you have. What you may look for is rushed nervousness at the core of the interaction and the need to conclude or get away as soon as possible.

Someone else said there was definately a free water machine there and that you could fill up your bottle for free. Take a better look next time and let me know if you find it. They said guys were filling up for free and did not have to buy anything because it looked like they bought a water sitting there enjoying the a/c. Please let me know where the machine is. I'm tired of having to buy bottled water every time I need to sit down and escape the heat.

Great idea. Can take her to the big c food court pattaya klang. can get cheap eats. let me know if you found the free water machine and where it's located exactly.

Many guys don't like going to where they work.

You are going to catch all kinds of diseases there. All it takes is one condom breakage. Even if it's not an outright breakage they don't cover the entire area unless you are surgically precise.

No, I don't play an instrument. That's a good way of meeting people, however. Learn an instrument and join a band.

Not everybody can pull in a gym or a mall. Some of us are getting a bit older and our bodies are not what they once were.

A lot of women will talk and give a number if you ask as a face saving gesture, then not follow up. It's not really the same as getting a number in other countries.

I wonder what they don't want to find; In the silent darkness; With not a soul around; Do they fear their own thoughts; Or life's failures; Will the loud noises, crushing crowds, beer & whiskey, and laughter shield them; From the dark; Will sprays of water and barking dogs wash away what's in their head; Or will it make the dark serpent twist stronger in strange and unusual ways; Until the next holiday & celebration; And delay; Until you meet the darkness in your head.

I hear it's fairly common, but I don't think it's all bars and business failures. I think it has more to do with people getting older and medical issues. Another question, how do you hear about it after someone has left, second hand stories? I had a neighbor in Bangkok who had to go back to his home country due to getting older. He was in the same condo over 20 years or thereabouts. He had a much younger thai helper who helped him with carrying groceries up the stairs and such (no lift in that building). Pleasant guy, but getting around town in that heat was somewhat of a challenge. I took a look at his unit after he moved out to see what was up when it was being re-rented. It felt kind of depressing.

I want to find live music clubs that cater to upcoming metal and punk bands. Bands that are just starting out or are small. Anybody know of any in Bangkok/Pattaya/Anywhere, or any websites that list upcoming shows? Not cover bands, but original stuff. Maybe it's just not a thing in Thailand, or more underground?? Looking for a scene like in Germany or California where alternative bands play small shows all over to sell Cd's, shirts & make a name for themselves.

I just stay home most of the time and on the main days. No problem avoiding it altogether.

Are there any clubs around pattaya that have real live metal or punk bands, or hard rock even? I'm tired of this cover band stuff. I want to hear some real shredding bands playing original stuff. Not famous bands on tour, but small up and coming bands that would play in small clubs.

I don't think many people genuinely "want" to buy a bar as a life project. It's a front for drinking and prostitution. So you have your answer to why it fails. Vices! They get you every time!

Don't get involved. It's not your problem. Learn it well.

That's why I only go to the live rock music places down there. There are only two good ones I have seen. Another reason is that if you are going stag (solo) it helps to have something to look at or talk about while you are meeting people, rather then just sitting at a table drinking and eyeballing people.

That's old school. The new "in" is showing up quickly, rushing, then onto the next delivery waiting next door.

The Op is correct. I was just down there again tonight. There's something strange about the area. The dancers in the go-go's are fully clothed and I don't think people are really hooking up in that area. It's more of just a tourist attraction and has a fake energy to it. It's similar to a Disneyland area where people are walking around staring like in a theme park. Not the same as like Nana in Bangkok, for example. I think that's what the Op means when he says it's empty, the strange vibe, or people just kind of passing through, or if they do go in the clubs they look around then leave and don't really sit there for long. It sounds like the indian and arab places are different but I don't go in there. It reminds me of the Las Vegas Strip where people are just walking up and down and taking the 'Deuce' tram, but not many people are gambling, meeting people or even having a Whiskey. Just a Disneyland type setup. It even seems family friendly like somewhere you could take the kids.

Many guys need to be in groups to break the ice. He talks about it in the video. 'Lone wolfs' are viewed with extreme suspicion in many countries and your chances are slim to none cold approaching in a club or bar environment, in say, the Usa for example. Especially, if you are an older guy, in say, your 50's and you want to meet women in their 20's. Obviously, it does not apply to freelancers at all and not in Thailand as much.

I pretty much lost interest in traveling around after the first few years. Oddly enough, I did almost non-stop traveling the first couple years, then lost interest after that. It does not feel like I am experiencing anywhere new now when I travel, at least not in South East Asia, though there are places I have not been to. Therefore, it's not worth the energy expenditure making plans and arrangements. I also have less energy to travel then I had before.