fiddlehead

Yes, I noticed that bounce. ^
Figure it coincided with the price of oil.
Who knows?

Arrested them?
Fingerprinted? Mugshots? Jail time? Court case?
I doubt it.
I don't think arrest is the right word.

Anyway, stay safe out there folks.
I had to drive to Kathu from Rawai last evening, and saw 3 accidents on my way.
One looked very serious. (Lots of blood, lots of spectators)

Ferry to Ao Nong would be about 350 baht to Phi Phi and another 350 baht to Ao Nong.

20 baht baht bus from Ao Nong to Krabi town.

But this is only if you buy a ticket from a dealer.
If you go to the ferry, the woman there will charge you whatever she feels like.
So buy one from an agent near your hotel and they will even pick you up for another 100 baht or so.

Boats leave around 8:30 AM. (from Phuket town's Rassada pier)

With all the speedboats in the water these days, and 15 million tourists a year coming here, I think it is inevitable that accidents are going to happen.

Restrict the number of boats perhaps.
Not always easy to see a timber in the water, especially in high seas, and I doubt the traffic coming from the Similans is too crowded.

Glad to hear they are all safe.

Amorn I think it's called, downstairs Big C. (in the back) for speaker stands.

But, cables in Thailand are usually not very good.

Maybe O2 beach club?

That's a nice place, with pool and can be rented all or part of it I believe.

Friendship beach (Rawai) has weddings as do some of the other smaller resorts (ask for Charlie)

Kan Eang 2 has had them also. (restaurant in Chalong near the water)

Where do you like to eat? Hangout?

I bought a cheap one in Chinatown BKK.

I think it was around 1000 baht.
Have it for about 9 months now.
Works fine.
I bought it so the police wouldn't pull me over at their roadblocks and they now always wave me through.
But, I like the reassurance of having it whenever there are close calls. (no accidents yet)

I did take the sD card out and try it in my laptop.
Quality was OK, not great, but fine for seeing what's happening in front of me.

(didn't get the rear one)

Glad I have it

Rules are rules.
Except sometimes.
As usual it's up to the discretion of the officer.
I tried to use a Thai license in Cambodia when I was stopped and had to pay a fine ($10)

I told the cop that ASEAN countries had an agreement and my Thai license OK in Cambodia.
He said: "$10" Pay up or I'll make it $20

Of course, this was in Cambodia.
Thailand has much more honest police!

Yeah, both dams are quite flat.
The new one could (fairly) easily be accessed from Patong via the road I posted above.
You'd probably have to drive to Bang Wad from Patong to get started.
Bang Wad is 6 kms around,

Phunaka is 4.5 kms. (but add 3-4 steep kms to get there from Patong)

So, they banned rock climbing on Phi Phi last month

Now Diving.

I'd go up to HaSip Pee road although there is not a lot of shade.
Or, go up to the road that was cut into the mountain for the shortcut to Wat Chalong (that was never completed)
That is a beautiful place, although it is not flat.

Or combine the 2, although it is quite steep between them.
Not a whole lot of flat land around Patong that I know of.

Good to see they didn't include the speedboats, jet skis or tuk tuks in the categories.
That would be tough to pull off.

I'd just like to see them use the meters.
This haggling over inflated prices can suck.

Have you noticed the difference between escalator users in Singapore and in Thailand? If you block the escalator in SIN, you are soon brushed to one side as others RUN up the steps.

Here, folk just step on and vegetate. They won't move even if you're obviously right behind them.

This is my pet peeve ^.

I walk almost everywhere.

I don't have a problem with people in the way, as there are lots of them in any big city, and I've learned to dodge between them if they are going much slower than me, or wait for an opening.

But once people hit an escalator, they stop.

I don't understand this concept,

They drive like crazy, cut you off whenever they can, run red lights, zip into a parking spot before you if they can, but get on an escalator, and their world stops.

And this phenomenon is not just in Thailand, it is many places in the world.

I always take the steps if there is an option. But many times there is not.

Reminds me of an escalator that goes into a fitness center I saw once in Texas.

Anyway, rant over.

Bangkok is a big city and friendlier than most. IMO.

Not long. Maybe 500 meters.

My guess is someone with some influence bought some land back there and needed a nice access road.

It's a beautiful road.
Yes, it goes nowhere.

They should have gone rock climbing.
It would have been much safer.

I've climbed at Phi Phi a number of times.

Awesome views, 2 or 3 companies to choose from (I've used 2).

Felt very safe, even had my 8 year old climb the same routes and watched the safety explained by the Thai instructor.

No problem.

But now, this guy says, he doesn't need to talk to an expert, he can see the climbs are too steep.

Yes, when I read that, I thought something strange going on and thought maybe it was because they had been building a new resort at the end of the beach and possibly they didn't want anyone walking across it to access the climbing (to the west of the pier as you arrive on the ferry).

But, the payoff (or lack of) makes more sense.

So, let's destroy one of the reasons why people come here, along with the sea gypsy village in Rawai that many go to see, and ban diving while your at it. (but keep those jet skis running)

Where in either story does it say this guy "does not need to talk to an expert because he can see the climbs are too steep".?

If a business is using a National Park to make money then I reckon it is fair enough that it gets permission to do so, and pays a license fee. I am sure that would be the case in your home country, it certainly is in mine. Otherwise it is no different to any other case of business encroaching onto public land, something which is slowly being dealt with lately. Or perhaps you think it is ok to take over beaches, forests, national parks, etc ?

Not supposed to put links on here so: google the following statement, you'll find it: “Climbing is an extreme sport and a risky activity. Even though there are safety regulations, and well-tested equipment is being used, there is still the possibility of someone falling and dying,” said Worapot Lomlim, the Ao Phang Na National Park chief. “There is no need for an expert’s opinion on this; I can see myself that it is not safe.”

Don't know your budget but the area you probably want is somewhere around 136 street. 5 or 6 blocks in either direction is OK.

I stayed in one with a view of the National Museum which was around 144 street (sorry I forget the name of it) that was only about $20 a night. It was fine.

I walked down to the casino from there a few times.

It's about a 20 minute walk, along the river.

I got a bit depressed in the casino because I watched some seemingly poor (dressed like peasants anyway) people throwing their money away on blackjack, often taking a hit when they should be standing or vice versa.
No one was smiling,

"Thailand Fever" sounds like the book for the OP.
It explains many things about the differeneces in cultures, in both Thai and English (so you can read it together with your girlfriend/wife/bargirl/whatever)

I've climbed at Phi Phi a number of times.
Awesome views, 2 or 3 companies to choose from (I've used 2).
Felt very safe, even had my 8 year old climb the same routes and watched the safety explained by the Thai instructor.
No problem.

But now, this guy says, he doesn't need to talk to an expert, he can see the climbs are too steep.

Yes, when I read that, I thought something strange going on and thought maybe it was because they had been building a new resort at the end of the beach and possibly they didn't want anyone walking across it to access the climbing (to the west of the pier as you arrive on the ferry).

But, the payoff (or lack of) makes more sense.

So, let's destroy one of the reasons why people come here, along with the sea gypsy village in Rawai that many go to see, and ban diving while your at it. (but keep those jet skis running)

So - punchline - almost every rational farang will rent.

and irrational Farangs are willing to pay for the luxury of being able to make any changes according to their whims.

LOL!

Not just farangs.

You should see some of the changes my Thai neighbor made to their house.

Took the landing out at the bottom of the steps and made the steps so steep they are a death trap.

They have a 4 year old.

I asked if he's ever fallen down those steep steps?

THey said, they always carry him up and down.

But yeah, you can make changes as you like.

Some will improve the house.

Some will destroy it.

I was just there 2 days ago and all seemed normal.
The sea-gypsy men were building many crab traps and we watched, amazed at how they do this.
It is an art.
To see this kind of native culture squashed for just another high end villa, (or a few), would be such a shame.

I hope justice prevails and having proved they've been there more than 100 years has protected them in the past.
But, the armys in charge now.
So, does that make a difference?

Anything is possible in Thailand.

I've bought 2 pair in Thailand: 10,000 baht each (aprox) or $300.
They are around $600 in the states for basically the same glasses.

I got an eye test last year and bought a pair online (Progressive lenses) for $96. (company called OZeal, but it took a while and I was getting worried about them)

Finally got them:
The lenses are OK, but the frames don't fit so great.

If I had bought them here, I would take them back to get adjusted.
But feel a little guilty trying it, so I got used to them.
But someday I will stop in at a shop and see how much they want to bend the earpieces a bit. (if it is even possible)

I tried it myself after soaking them in boiling water, but was still afraid I would break them.