SingAPorn

Prices in places like Bangkok or Hua Hin are often comparable with those in Europe. Mainly in the shopping malls and for house upgrade or repair services. In fact the worst cheating is in Hua Hin with crooked contractors charging prices close to those in the west, using lower grade materials, unqualified workers, jobs not finished or properly supervised. Hint : if you have construction upgrade to do in your house, check everything, starting with the cement they use as they tend to use the cheaper brands that are crap and not properly mixed. Next never pay anything more then 20% at start, a bit more in the middle and the balance only when the job is done. If you can, have a contract made in Thai with a local lawyer. It may cost a bit, but will avoid far more cheating from a majority of the building contractors in Hua Hin and probably elsewhere. And last of all, never mandate for work to be done when you are not around and watch them closely that they do not steal the surplus of material you have provided. And don't get fooled with the old lie of over quoting the cost of the materials. They will add 4000 to 5000 THB more, in comparison to what is the real cost even in places like Home Pro where the materials will be much cheaper.

These 60+ levels all over Thailand and around Bangkok are plainly toxic. People do not seem to want to enjoy their retirement for very long in comming to Thailand mainly in the northen parts. The southers parts or the islands are a bit better maybe.

With all the money involved and the amount of people on the very top of the food chain getting their kickback, small chances that drug trafficking or consumption would ever be wiped out. Just look at the amount of top level deciders or politicians who are junkies themselves, no matter where in the world. That itself will give a scope on how deep the plague has gotten to.

I am not going to give a penny to the local xenophobic greed who never cease to hassle foreigners here in Thailand. Those who can, stay for 179 days only. Move over to other sunny and low cost nations like Portugal or Malta, or elsewhere in Asia. 2 of my neighbours in Hua Hin have already packed since last year and now only stay in Thailand for 4 months. The other lucky countries get their money for the remaining time on the calender year.

If you want to see real restaurant rip offs and overcharging consumers, go for a weekend to Hua Hin.

In the land of the corrupt, does this surprise anybody ? On the other hand, the more you see how things have being doing these past 5 years, the more one can understand that such form of dishonest public money spending is global. Take the US or the European Union for instance. No wonder the usual wokes are pissed off against the Trump and Musk auditing, which I agree, in done in a style that may leave some a bit aghast.

A neglected bald pot belly bitter or sour drunk, will always look the part even if in a Armani or a Boss suit.

What is the daily wage of a more or less qualified worker say for cement jobs ? When one sees how the cheats in the contractor business charge, invent lies, inflate the prices of the materials (mainly in HUA HIN), it may make sense to have a wider scope on the real costs. So thanks for any feedback.

Bangkok Bank has great service in almost every branch in Bangkok. In Hua Hin, depends on who who fall on. Same for Kasikorn, Some of the staff in the Market Village branch at the cash counter, are really rude with foreigners and always try to brush you off with the usual "no can do"..

Update of the topic in 2025. The best advice if looking for a tailor in Hua Hin, will be to go to Bangkok...many with low standards or who are happy with cheaply cut material will say the tailors are great, this and that in Hua Hin. But actually, they charge more then in Bangkok, the cuts are quite bad and the cloth material is very middle class average.

The proper rate must be that any foreigner giving 1 euro at the exchange counter in Thailand, must get at least 40 Thai Bhat. Nothing less. 🙏..if not exports and the economy will badly suffer with a Bhat that is to strong. A strong bhat is only good for the hi-so and those wanting to sneak out their billions from Thailand to some Swiss Bank hidden in a Swiss scenic village.

What was the total amount of her debt of this poor soul ?

yes because on departure when going down the escalator you fall on those people directing which line. They send foreigners to the automated gates, fine it's quick. But no stamp of exit. This is potential problems on next visit.

Any falang paying more then 1000 THB for a massage with happy end and a few lille extras, is a fool.

Before buying, go to any pool villa developpment in Hua Hin..often full of falangs running the show and walk around. See how the walls and common areas are (poorly) maintained. Despite the home owners paying hefty monthly community fees. Watch the soi dogs that seem to find they way in on a daily basis. Talk to the owners, not to the rowdy party maker or drunks who are just renting for a few weeks or months. Talk to the real owners in such pool villa developpments in Hua Hin (mainly all over Hin Lek Fai). And you see the real pictur. How the defects show up after few years, all the bad experiences they had with contractors taken either within the developpment of from outside. How foreigners get openly lied, cheated from most of the contractor/workers hired etc...... But look and ask for yourself. No need of me warning people. Do your own research and after you'll decide where to put in your money. The best advice comes from the owners of such houses. Definately lot from the developpers or any real estate agents trolling.

On the other hand a Casino is a money launderer's dream fantasy.

The taxis and tuktuks are regular authorised scammer and cheat all year around. They cheat any guilable tourist/foreigner. So one time it has gone the other way round. To bad for the driver but proportionately, far more taxis and car hire people cheat.

Some areas of Hua Hin (Hin Lek fai area) are worse with the stray dogs. You have those guilable people paying fortunes for luxury pool villas, only to be greeted with hoards of soi dogs all outside the area. Sometimes the dogs even come inside the developpments.

Not surprising. With all those immigration officers fixing long stay marriage visas for 30'000 THB for people who do not even have the 400k in the bank. It's openly done and totally hassle free and one even gets the "fast track" lane once at the immigration office to get stamped.

Sure there are benefits to close your bank account especially if you have it in Hua Hin in a specific bank that I cannot mention of course. In this Hua Hin branch of a major bank I will not of course mention...it does have quite a few unhelpful to rude staff. Mainly the guy at the cash counter who seems to have a chip on the shoulder when dealing with a foreigner. They make it a point to be rude in this branch, and say the usual "no can do". Especially when you draw say a huge amount from one of their many ATM's lined outside in the 2nd floor of Market Village and then ask for smaller bills .The chap always rudely sends you away with the usual mantra "No-have"... But few steps away, another bank, they are all lovely, welcomming, similing and very willingly make change for you and remind you how wonderful people can be in lovely Thailand. (despite a few grouches around like anywhere else in the world).

so you want to be gay like TS to succeed ? why not.

Let them move it anyplace it will still remain cheaper and better then Hua Hin where foreigners get cheated on a 24 hour basis either by workers, contractors, restaurants...you name it. Most bank staff are very rude with foreigners lately and this feeling was never there before. Foreigners are really not considered in Hua Hin compared to other cities in Thailand with amazing and wonderful services, prices and people. The general feeling in Hua Hin is that a foreigner is mainly wanted for their money. Of course never can generalise but if you have a house, and you have to deal with those contractors, workers, sub contractors...... you'll get lied, cheated like no other place on earth or even in Thailand. Prices are getting close to those in the west and that too for work so poorly done that even a 15 year old would do better in Bangkok or Pattaya area. So move the capital if you must, but definately not to Hua Hin.

Put a Samsung Smart Tag well hidden in the car next time and you can trace and locate. Don't use the Apple Air Tag as they drain out the battrey fast, by personnal experience and having both. Good luck in locating the car but do send a registered letter to Police Headquarters with assistance of a lawyer and mention that you file complaint for theft. Because if the car is used for any illegal deeds, your friend can be harassed by the highly corrupt Thai Police. Also by registered mail, remember to cancel insurance and inform the DLT or similar to void the registration if possible.

He ruined all chance for himself and his party on the day he pulled out the file of sanctions against Russia that plunged entire Europe and ultimately the USA in economic chaos and pauperization. Worse, he turned a blind eye to the war crimes in Gaza and continued the US supply of arms and weapons. Many European nations are calling for an arms embargo and sanctions against Israel and are calling for an independant Palestinitian territory. How can any civilized world tolerate all the land grabbing and violence against palestinians in the West Bank with people just being expelled from their own homes that are bulldozed down for the jewish settlers ? There are a majority of people in Israel who are equally outraged on what their country is doing in Gaza and the West Bank. And no need to rush and claim these words are anti-semitic as they are not.

If I could I would vote for Mr Trumpet, absolutely no hesitation...... but the lefties are nevertheless the only ones brave enough to protest against the war crimes in the West Bank, Gaza or Lebanon or the attack triggered on the walkie talkies and beepers which some killed innocent bystanders. So I guess both the right wing and the lefties have things that can appeal to each and everyone as per one's own convictions.