whatchamacallit

The book convenient forgot to mention that his young Thai wife, after a failed attempt to poison him, ran away with her Thai boyfriend after fleecing all his money.

Agree for sure with Sala Bua-Lo Spuntino, would not agree with Lae Lay Grill as they are overpriced and pretentious.

Klongmuang and gumpy: thank you so much for your input. It is greatly appreciated. We checked sala bua and lo spuntino website and agree with you. We will try both Lo Spuntino as well as Carnivore and give you our feedback.

We off to the chill out bar and restaurant for lunch.

Again thank you.

We are here in Ao Nang and enjoying the slow pace of monsoon season. Tomorrow, July 12 is a special day for us and would like some recommendation for a special dinner restaurant. Western, continental and/or French preferred. Quality of food is the number one priority, ambiance second, price is a not a problem. Trip advisor listed Carnivore as their number one choice - we checked this place last night and it was just ok. Advice ASAP please :-)

At the moment you are quite safe renting a motor bike, as there are not too many people around... You should be paying no more than 150 Baht per day . . .

@grumpy, klongmuang, and checker: thank y'all for taking the time and effort to answer my questions. The information you gave us is very helpful. We are looking forward to our (hopefully quiet and relaxing) vacation.

u have to do the 4 island one day tour from AO nang. about 500Baht. cheaper if u look hard enough.

and check out the 3 beaches at railey.

enjoy.

Thank you. We will definitely check it out if weather permits. I heard a big storm is brewing down there :-). Bought our round trip tickets flying Thai arriving July 9.. We will be there (Krabi, Aonang and Koh Lnta) for two weeks staying at Aonang Nagapura for the first two nights then we will check out and maybe move to different areas and hotels/resorts.

BTW, is it A good idea to rent a motorbike for the duration of our stay?

What is the cost for transportation (taxi, tuk tuk) from the airport to our hotel in Ao Nang?

Thank you.

People seem to read what they want to read, and can't wait to shoot the messenger. Thanks to those who attempted to understand and sincerely answer my question without resorting to insults and attacks.

For those who don't get it, it was never stated the Commonwealth passport holders should get special treatment. How ridiculous people.

This statement was qualified clearly...

"Yes, Thailand is not a Commonwealth country, however such countries usually don't attract some of the stricter requirements asked of some other countries ie, those not given 30 VOA."

Play the ball, not the man people. And try not to embarrass yourself by abusing the poster without actually reading or understand the post.

This is really starting to rile me. I may have to delete this post.

Thanks again people.

This thread seems to be going nowhere. Instead of being thankful for people taking their own time to reply to your questions with what they know from their own experiences, you seem over sensitive, stubborn, and somehow insulted for no good reason at all. Maybe its this exact attitude that got you on the tough requirement list for a tourist visa in the first place. Oh well never mind. Keep going along in your life thinking you're right.

Pathetic. I can't believe I even bothered.

Your thread started with a question bordering on a negative note. TV members have answered you the best they can and gave you their opinion which seemed to be what you're looking for. So where is the problem? No one is being negative except maybe you? Hint: a change in your name maybe in order? Having been to many Thai Embassies and consulates for our visas over the years, I can assure you that (sometimes) the law is interpreted differently at each different consulate. Yes in my opinion they are a bit over the top with their requirements just for a tourist visa - but I don't think they are discriminating against you.

'Even if you go to a major city in the US, you can look up at night and see stars'

http://www.presstv.com/detail/2012/06/23/247634/los-angeles-warned-over-air-pollution/

clearly you wont be looking up at the stars in Los Angeles if this report from yesterday is to be believed!

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/30/america-polluted-beaches-lifestyle-travel-beaches.html

Here are your finest beaches!

Lets not forget http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill talk about killing the ecology.

Asia has some serious issues i understand that but so does everywhere else so where do you start, I would say start at home but that's just me.

What is this, America bashing time? Do you know that PressTV is an Iranian state own TV based in Tehran? Have you been to America? Have traveled extensively throughout the USA? Yes America has some issues that need to be addressed especially in the Carbon monoxide emission. Carbon emission is the biggest problem for Los Angeles which does have some very tough emission standards. Having lived in LA for over 15 years, i can tell you that air quality has improved greatly over the decades. I know most Americans care and very passionate about the environment they live in. You are cherry picking environmental problems in America. BTW, The gulf of Mexico oil spill was complements of BP oil which is a UK based. And the response to that disaster although was not perfect, was swift.

True democracy starts with 100% freedom of speech and no fear of reprisal - no exceptions!

I missed hitting the taco Tuesday deal today , it is a fair deal with the slice of pie thrown in at the end.

Not quite sure what people are expecting here but for Tex-Mex this is the best thing going in Pattaya.

Sorry to say that for the prices they are charging plus tax and service, we have the right to expect better food.

For a third world country like Thailand, the Navy pays their admiral well :-). If the son drives a 9 mill baht car, imagine how much they have in their bank acct? Oh about leaving the key in the ignition.... Duh?

Your bill will come with 17% on top on the menu prices.

To me a fast food joint, which Sunrise Taco is, should not be charging tax and service. Aside for the plus plus, the food is not very good. Sorry to say. We live in the area so we were hoping for better.

We tried sunrise taco and were very disappointed! It's sort of Mexican food :-). It's a fast food joint, so what's up with adding tax and service?

Ao Nang- J Hotel and ask for an upper floor ocean view room, this time of year is 600thb a night and a complete bargain. 2 minute walk to the beach and to the boat booth to Railay. Excellent location and value. Don't miss Krabi town, spend an afternoon and evening over there, cave tour on the river, dinner on the river.

Lanta-again bargain is Lante Bee bungalows, get the ones on the beach. Specifically ask for that. This time of year, again 600-800 a night. For a little more go for Best Western Maya resort. This location you are a short ride from Saladan town and have at your doorstep beach with restaurants right there so that if you don't want to get out of your swimwear, you don't have to !

Phi Phi-now, the money you have saved at above two locations, spend on nicer digs OUTSIDE OF PHI PHI DON VILLAGE. Sorry for shouting, but Phi Phi Don Village is a dump. Phi Phi Island Village, Zeavola, even Long Beach Resort, just, as soon as the boat hits Phi Phi, get out of that town to outer areas of the island.

There ya go, GOM's two satangs worth, most importantly enjoy and have fun.

Thank you grumpy..... Lots of info there! :-)

Tropo thank you! I guess we are one of the two planes to land in Phuket :-). Just happy to be back in Pattaya/Jomtien :-).

Oops. Meant to say "NOT" a happy Camper :-). Been a long night with only 3 hrs of sleep.

We flew Malaysian airlines from KL to BKK yesterday June 21. Left KL at 6:00pm. After an hour we were told that our landing might be delayed due to only one runway open. Then 10 minutes later we were told there were some power outage at the airport and that we have to circle about 45 minutes. Then a few minutes later we were told that due to the power outage there was no radar and the airport was effectively closed down to all air traffic and due to fuel concern we were diverting to Phuket airport, which we did. We waited 3 hours in the plane on the Tarmac before we were finally took off again for Suvarnabhumi. On the way there the pilot again announced we would have to hold a pattern and stay in the air for 30 or 40 minutes before our turn to land as there were other planes in front of us waiting to land. At 12:50 am June 22nd our wheels finally hit the runway at Suvarnabhumi. Does anyone know what the exact problem was and why they didn't have a redundant back up system? We were schedule to land at. 7:20pm but landed at 12:50am the following day instead :-(. We live in Pataya so add another 1.5 hr drive plus 40 minutes to get trough the airport with our luggage and we finally got home at 3:00am. They were pulling people aside who had connecting flights which I am sure were also delayed, but not sure of their fate.

I don't think you've really thought this through, have you?

I don't need a US passport. It's of no value for me except to travel on.

My citizenship status might become a tax liability in the future so I think I should start to cut my ties now.

I'm planning an extended dating trip to Canada and/or Australia with the intent on finding a wife who can sponsor me. If you know any Canadian or Australian ladies(doesn't matter how ugly) looking for an american man let me know.

The op don't make any sense...have you checked out the tax laws in both Canada and Australia? They're both strict tax laws and expect you to declare foreign earnings as well. Is there something else you're not disclosing here?

Thank you for sharing this valuable info. We do go to the BPH for simple tests and annual check ups. Yes they are expensive but we like the fact that it is nearby, clean and modern and you get to see the doctor almost right away. But for a more serious procedure we usually go to Phyathai in Sriracha as their prices are way better with the same quality that of BPH, but it is about a 45 minutes drive. We have also been to government hospital where the price is very good, but the few times we were there it was very busy and the wait was very long. We do have BUPA insurance but we only want to use it for serious emergencies fearing they will raise our premium if we use it for non- emergencies situation. Your post proofs the importance of shopping around.

Ao Nang is cool. at north end is park with marina, you can walk sand spit to small island in low tide.

I put on shoes and climbed along rocks at sea coast, but it's potentially dangerous, and not for everyone. rocks are sharp.

Raily beaches are the jewels in that area. can get there by boat from Ao Nang or by a couple other routes. I stayed at Putawan resort, which costs less than half of most of the other resorts, because it's further inland. You can also hike overland - about 50 minutes to/from the Raily beach closest to Ao Nang. Of course there are a bunch other things to do in that area, but I'm kee neeo (tight-ass budget) and I had two akha gf's with me, so that soaked up my spending money. Fun to share hotel rooms with a couple giggling 20-something gals with no inhibitions, though. ....and being sugar-daddy for a week.

Sad to report there's no tidal pool fauna in that region. If you go to California tidal pools, they're teeming with anenomes, starfish, large crabs, and all sorts of interesting and colorful lifeforms. Around Krabi, all you see are barnacles, tiny crabs, and remains of little shells which the locals have cracked open for morsels to eat. In other words, locals and Burmese workers have scavenged tidal pools to such an extent that they're now dead zones.

Thank you guys for taking the time to reply. The information is greatly appreciated and we will definitely use the advise given. Might pass on the giggling akha girls, as we are an old couple :-)... We will skip the tidal pools, but I am sure there are other things to do.

OP so you prefer economy class then

I was upgraded to business on a flight with them ( only way i ever get to fly business ) and i though it was bloody fantastic, but i am just a mere pheasant.

We hide out in the cargo hold with the animals :-).

DusitD2 Baraquda (5 bars and lounges) to choose from. Be ready to pay the worldly prices for the drinks.

. Its the price of progress, I guess.

when you say that pedestrians cannot assume they can walk anywhere safely

and that stand a reasonable chance of reaching your destination safely

can only be in a vehicle is definitely not " progress "

'Progress' in wealth and affluence and adopting the worst of western habits....

Pattaya is no longer the sleepy little laid back hamlet of old. It is a major tourist destination on the world map. These things will happen anywhere - ask the families of all the tourists who were killed in Orlando last year. But that doesn't make Ortlando a bad place, any more than what happened to you makes Pattaya a bad place.

If pedestrians were getting run down every other day then it might be a different matter, but what happened appears to be an isolated incident.

Not sure what you mean by the worse of western habits? I am a westerner and never beat up a pedestrian. From my six years in Thailand, as a bit of a generalization, it does seem to me, that Thais do seem to have bit of a short fuse even with other Thais. Road rage is worldwide. Combine road rage with the complete lack of obeying the rules of the road and any kind of courtesy while driving, it's a recipe for all kinds of problems. So what happened to the OP is NOT all that isolated.

We live in Jomtien and have never been to Krabi. Planning to visit next month. Our schedule is open. We were thinking about a two to three weeks holiday. We would like to split our time between Ao Nang or any area near Ao Nang, Koh Lanta and maybe Phi Phi. We prefer to stay on the beach or close to it.

Any suggestions as to how much time we should spend in each place? Where to stay (1500 baht/day or slightly more)? are there any serviced apartments available renting on a daily basis? Is it a good idea to rent a motorbike? I know July is slow season and this the reason why choose to go during this time as we are not too fond of big crowds, but how is the weather like in July? Thank you for your input.

You hit the nail on the head. Accurate and precise. Wake up and smell the coffee!