roego

One thing no one has mentioned.

I believe , well in Australia at least,that if a travel warning has been issued then your travel insurance will not cover you

Yes as a twice a year visitor it is very noticeable that over the past 15 years it has gotten worse.

But this can also be because the people just resent it.

But regardless of the fact that Malaysia is higher up, they will be slowly dropping as less and less English is being taught in Government schools.Older generations many very fluent.

I wanted to get a job teaching English, or even what is better conversation English.No salary only a room. Could not get a reply from many places. And as far as the Education Department is concerned, too old.

Speaking from Australia, I wish we had just one high speed rail service in the country.

Long distance trains quite slow.And expensive.

As for cost, the Chinese system is not cheap but is very well patronised. I travelled from Shenzen to Beijing 2400 k in about 9 and a half hours and first class was around US $25o . It was comfortable, cleanmfood okla.

Sydney has an underground, full of problems.Very slow very crowded.The other states no better.

​Queensland does have a tilt train, not cheap , and really not that fast.

China way out in front.

The Thai underground way in front of anything in Australia as is the Skyrail.

Yes the Thai long distance could do with an overhaul. And some good cleaners, But I still enjow the first class sleeper. Just not the sometimes seen cockroaches.

The Malaysian city KL city network is way in front of Australia, and the long distance is better than Thailand.

Of course the Singapore system just about oprates on time all the time and is good and cheap.

And can anyone tell me what is happening with the Vietnam..Cambodia..Thailand link

The problem is that when you talk about a Thai learning English, many take the view that you aresaying thay a re not a good enough person.

I have written to a few Education departments and never had a reply.

I always explained I did not want to earn big money. Just enough to live on.I wanted to help. But I am over 60 into the bargain, so no interest.

Hi I appreciate the humour but not tyhe sensibility, So China drives the other side so what..Millions of vehicles on Thailand roads now are going to have drivers sitting on the wrong, or dangeroud, due to lack of vision

To the south Malaysia and Singapore left hand side of the road. side.Visitors from British Isles, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and quite a few more.

The main point is that it will be a useless expense in lives.

Nothing wrong with using little chlorine as the water is treated with chlorine(bleach) at the plant..If the water supply is clean no need, but of course that can be a problem.Easiest is run ut though a sand filter, big pool filter.

In Australia you van buy tablets that you take on a camping trip for purifying water from creeks etc..then jut use a coffee filtet if it has any dirt in it.

Chlorine is good but must be used carefully.

Also kills the aids virus.

Bathroom cleaning tip and save money.One spray bottle. I ltre water, 20 ml wash up detergent, and 50 ml standard buy in the supermarket bleach. Spray on and eave for an hour or so and wash of. Or if in the shower spray when finish and next time it will just wash off. Your grout will graduallay whiten up,

I do not know whether Thailand does it on purpose or accident.

One way of keeping power is to keep the people uneducated, and I think it is fair to say that in Thailand that is the majority case.

The same in Cambodia and Malaysia.

In Malaysia they have put English in and out, and in and out of the curriculum so many times..Their problem is they do not have the teachers for English.

They were teaching Maths and Science for about the last 4 years in English at high school. Announced this year back to Bahasa. Now at one school that has about 5 classes in each form the top 2 in English the others Bahasa.??

When the exam comes they must have different papers, but they can answer in either languager.

So keep them uneducated and we can tell them nore stories.

It would be nice if he showed the way by clamping down at national parks and government offices.

Well I am already sour on Thai Immigration.

No courtesy no replies.

Highly unlikely I will come back to Thailand before this and now even harder to change my mind.

In this day of Air Asia etc. It is so easy to book one way at a time for each sector and then make up your mind when and where you want to leave from.

Or in my case sometimes by train and you have to go to train staion to book first class sleeper.

As for the cash, normally use credit cards and also withdraw cash for ATM.

So really truly, no lie, Thailand bye bye,

Edit: large font resized - mario2008

I am one of those that does not have 2 pay for Visa.

However I have changed my destinations. This FRiday no more Thailand, going Cambodia.

I love Thailand but I sent my third unanswered email,( I have also sent fax), to Thailand Immigration department 10 days ago. So much for Thai courtesy.

I spend a lot of time in Malaysia and used to go at least 3, sometimes 4 times a year up to Thailand. I like to stay 3 weeks as by the time you get there and travel around 21 days is nothing.

But as you all know if I come across the land border by coach or go to Sungai Goloc and get the train I am limited to 15 days. Arrive at an airport I get 30 days.

Again why? not border runner> Went across to Goloc the other day. He is malaysian. Just went to get car part, his stamped 30 mine 15. Were were 3 hours.

What their computer no good, or they think their borde staff is DISHONEST.

There was no one in Goloc.. But was in Bangkoh, Kwai in November.. No one around.. Shops closed everywhere.

Same last May.. But just checked some hotel sites charging mor for foreigners, bu that is par for the course.

Attraction Suphanburi 199 Thai..499 Farang.

Thailand get stuffed.

There is currently no vaccine for this current Swine Flu.

Trials are about to be conducted in Australia on 240 people and children starting in the next few days. But even if everything goes as planned about3 months before any will be released generally.

Tammiflu has show no work..10 capsules per pack..usually 2 a day.

The other prduct named relenza also works. It is an inhalant but I believe not available in Thailand.

No ned to really worry about fancy hand washes..just wash well with soap and water.

Pregnant woman lost bayby to swine flu in Australia this week.

Not just Phuket. I am australian and live in Malaysia. I used to love going to Thailaind 3-4 times a year. But n ow unless I fly I get 15 day Visa at the land border. I take my golf clubs, or used to, and play.

Around Hua Hin 2000B or less for Thai..5000B for foreigner..Dragon Show at Suphan Buri 199 local 499 farang. Other prices are going beyond a joke and the actual dislike for farang is increasing.

I have managed to get a discount with one airline for my clubs and I reall guarantee my next trip in August is Vietnam.

At the moment I am in Australia arrived Monday and bar mat Wednesday. I CAN ASSURE everyone that the matter got and is still getting major coverage. Now a case involving a school teacher in Phuket in january is gathering speed.

I do not want to go back to Hua Hin and i loved going there.

You can only take so much.Trang the minivan 30B local and sit alongside Thai and pay 60. taxi drivers and others who openly say to you you have plenty of money.

Thailand would have to spend many million bath to combat the publicity, bad, they are getting here

Just a quicky reply. Have a look at the business that offers hotel bookings here on the Thai Visa site.

See if you can find the specials.

Pattaya to woo visitors with free rooms

BANGKOK: -- Tourism operators in Pattaya plan to offer free hotel rooms from May 1 to Oct 31 to attract local and international tourists during the low season.

Apart from hotels, restaurants and shopping malls will also join the campaign, offering discounts up to 50%. Final details will be decided tomorrow.

The seaside resort city is facing difficult times because of the global economic recession and local political problems, said Chatchawal Supachayanont, president of the Eastern Chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA).

"With this campaign, we hope tourists and meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (Mice) activities will be lured back to Pattaya again and tourism sentiment will improve as well," he said.

Mr Chatchawal said Pattaya's hotels had about 20,000 rooms and that all operators would join the promotion.

"This is the first time we have had co-operation from all parties, aiming to restore Pattaya's tourism image," he said.

"Average occupancy was not so bad at around 30-40% after the Songkran festival. But we are very concerned about reservations from overseas, which are not coming yet."

Pattaya's image took a hit just before Songkran when red-shirted protesters forced the cancellation of the Asean Summit after they stormed the meeting site, the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel.

Operators in Pattaya hope that when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva goes abroad he will be able to explain the problems in Thailand and how the government intends to solve them, in order to restore confidence among visitors.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-04-22

Not really hard to do promotional packages except as someone said most are done through online agencies and they cause problems.

If all the hotels employed a few reservation specialists that could handle English and do their own promo would be a start.

The Government could give a tax reduction for a start on the rooms say for 6 months.

Hotels could easily do stay 4 pay for 3.Not hard to do genuine. or stay 3 nights or more and get 50% off in house catering.Or free airport pick up if stay 5 nights etc. etc.

But I do agree with the comments that the Thai thinking is not prone to do this genuine. As said business slow increase price, Farang has plenty money.

i live Malaysia and used to come up 3 weeks in every 3 months, but not now. Come to the land border and give me 14 days, and if you come across at Sungai Goloc dead set 1 or 2 clerks treat you like a criminal.

So now I have tried Cambodia and found good and Vietnam okla.

Its like a tip. I will always give a tip, even if there is one incorporated, IF THE SERVICE AND FOOD IS GOOD. But if not will not

I read these posts and I am really annoyed with it also.

I live in Malaysia and there is a bit of dual pricing here but really it is not racist.Everyone here, well nearly, will overcharge evryone if they get the chance.

I like to come up to Thailand, the beaches and food are better there. I am lucky I suppose I was going to buy an appartment and didn't

This dual pricing annoys the shit out of me.

I was so pleased to go to Suphan Buri and find the government attractions were all same price for all. True. It seems the old PM said he noticed when he travelled he was charged the same as everyone else.

But don't get excited, the new privately owned Dragon show has 3, yes 3, price levels. Local locals 199, out of town Thai 299, and Farangs 499. All in Thai of course.

The Buffalo Show the same. Songkla zoo doubles the fare. The mini Bus in Trang 30 local 60+ foreigners and u sit alongside each other.

"The U.S. embassy in Bangkok said it had asked the Thai foreign ministry to provide "appropriate compensation" to U.S. citizens stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi and the older Don Muang airport, a big domestic hub."

http://www.daylife.com/photo/01hU1nuf7adHc

You know you have got to admire the absolute efrontery of the USA asking for compensation? WShat about when I was stranded due to strikes in USA no one came arround offering anything.

The " we rule the world" attitude. Rob the pooer, and the USA has done that well throughout the world. Over 70% of the current finacial problems of the moment,stem from a Banrupt country and they still have the cheek to put their hand out.

Sham, shame, shame.

I live in Malaysia and 3-4 times a year go up to Hatyai or Hua Hin. Play golf have a drink do some shopping.

Only spend my 40,000B average per trip, never have overstayed. Most times about a 2 weeks stay.

Now quite a delay at the gate getting a visa.I have never been asked for a return ticket as I usually use train..bus.

However the last time it took 5 minutes for him to stamp me out.

Anyway, no shit this is true, it will be my last visit to Thailand for a long time for other reasons.

However could I note that in Hatyai and Hua hin in the 2 weeks after the New Year it was quite noticeable the lack of people in the streets.

All the taxis, restaurants and shops looking for customers.

The night markets very very sparsley attended.

I think global economy might be the reason but the odour of we do not want you permeates the air and I tell my friends of this feeling.

Just fed up with Thailand.I live in Malaysia and have been going to buy a condo in Thailand, but everytime I turn around they are changing the rules.

And it seems everytime I come to Hua Hin it becomes less friendly to farang.

My Thai lady did not believe that there were different prices but now she negotiates most times.

As for Hat Yai it is no better.

So I suppose I look elsewhere, a shame as I really do like the place.

I did notice in November numbers of tourists were down and if the first week of January is any guide there will be some tough times ahead for Thailand.

Re return tickets. The airlines will sell you a one way ticket,wont they?If you are travelling around what do you do ?I sometimes fly to Bangkok and come out by train. You cannot book online. You actually have to go to the station.So no return ticket.

I do not know the pros and cons but the railway deserves a good shake up. Yes only one train a day to Pattaya, and it leaves at sun up and only one class ,third, with seats that often collapse.

I often use the Bangkok -Hua hin link and get the first class sleeper. Often doors do not lock, lights do not work, air con is freezing, don,t ask the car conductor for help as he says too bad. And the toilets always leave something to be desired.

My last trip to Golok, I was told definitely going ll the way, but during the night, I kept thinking it was going very slow, at 8am still going all the way but at noon finishing at Yala. Arrangements for passengers.NONE. REFUND NONE> ANSWER TO EMAILS NONE.

you cannot reserve unless you actually go to the station.

Someone should certainly use a cattle prod to liven someone up.

And the toilets at HUA Hn station, cattle would not use.

Hi, I find all of this difficult to understand. I have been thinking about buying a modest unit 2,000,000B. I am over 60 but I am now and have been a bit unsettled for a while at the , well I think entitled to say racist attitude, the New government seems to be adopting.

Whilst in the overall economy it may not show up for a while I would think many of the smaller businesses would notice a drop off. And surely as the word spreads amongst unit dwellers sales must drop surely?

I do not understand, Malaysia just about bending over backwards to get foreigners to live there and Thailand?

gednuinely for now they have lost me.

In Australia , and I am sure in other parts of the world, I have seen a water filter that takes water out of the air and runs it through reverse osmosis.

Works well in anywhere humid. I think that would apply to Thailand. Cost was about A$1000