goo

Very sad nationalistic sentiments attached to national symbols. That vet in the clip was just plain dumb. Ok, the Mexicans were displaying an insensitivity to their surroundings, but really, to come and act in the way he did shows equal insensitivity. Sad nationalistic prick who solves all his (childish and petulant) arguments with violence (or the threat of it).

As for Thailand, law or no law, it is a matter of respect for your host country to fly a flag of a different country above the host country. If you are going to fly your flag, give equal position to the Thai flag. It is just common courtesy.

I agree - there is nothing substantiated about the claims against this place. Whilst I hated it when I visited, and the monks certainly have zero respect amongst the Kanch community, I have seen nothing published which makes the place illegal. Ok, they are certainly a money making 'company' now, their claims to be a tiger refuge are laughable, but it still isn't illegal. Nothing hasbeen tested in a court. All these claims by the animal welfare cretins are just unsubstantiated <deleted>.

Bicycle cost 80B on trains, for any length of journey. Yes, the 'check-in' is close to Plt 10 at Hualompong. You will have no problems with you bike crossing the border, I have done it in excess of 20 times over 15 years. Many people pass through the border on bikes every week. They are normal.

I have a couple of questions.

1) Is the whole thing reset when you leave the country? If you don't report and just exit (with a re-entry stamp) and come back, is there ever any comeback?

2) Do they actually check 90 day report at visa renewal? I thought they were in different places (90 day reporting and visa/extension of stay renewal) and ne're the twain shall meet.

It is not required nowadays. Don't pay anything if you don't want to. The alternative is to pay whatever they ask and ensure that you get it all back after the ceremony. I get the whole face thing and have a certain tolerance for it, so I would have paid the money up front if I got it back after the ceremony, but my wife's parents didn't ask for it and they put the money in the pot themselves.

Marrying a 'good' girl from a good family should negate the need for any sin sot. Don't play the 'whitey pays game', it ain't so and isn't a tradition. Those that pay it and don't get the money back are just mugs.

I think the OP was trying to make the point that all us mere mortals have our phones taken away from us by security when we go into the British Embassy. I am not too sure of the point beyond that, but it kinda irks me that 'VIPs' allegedly can keep their phones on them but lil' ol' me can't.

Having said that, it isn't anything major to me, just small issue which might need raising with the Embassy security boss. I am not gonna do it, because, quite frankly, I have better things to do with my time.

On another note, my politics degree may have not been from a first class uni, but I don't think Thailand has a 'VP' - if I am reading into that correctly. Maybe a Deputy PM, but certainly it ain't a republic.

By far the best place is ProBike. They will order what you want (don't think they will do a rickshaw though, but you could ask).

Sorry folks to come to the thread late. I can confirm that the Hua Mark wall is still there but it is showing signs of neglect. I used to climb there 2/3 years back but it isn't used much nowadays thus the neglect.

Big C on Lat Phrao is still the best, although the fees are relatively steep for what it is, it is the best game in town.

I haven't been for a year but there is great climbing near Bangkok. The Saraburi site has been mentioned already, but the best stuff is probably in Lopburi or Phetburi (Khao Yoi). There used to be a site up and running about climbing around Bangkok but it is down now. You can find it on wayback under www.simonfoley.com/climbing. Great site and has a wealth of info.

I left last year through Koh Kong on a Non-imm B 1 month after quitting my job. The guy didn't even blink, just stamped me out and my visa was canceled. I was on a non-imm B extension and my WP had been handed in 1 month before. Koh Kong seemed completely unaware and just let me through.