jfchandler

Another vote from me for the Bully's pub hamburgers...in their various versions... Best I've had in Thailand for the price...so far...

I've eaten at Fudruckers in the U.S., and those are fine... But as long as we're wish-listing here... folks from So. Cal. would know of a local chain there called Tommy's Burgers, where all the cooked to order burgers come with homemade meat-only chili (no beans), a think slice of beefsteak tomato and fresh sliced onions and pickles... They beat In-and-Out and the others hands down...

I just came back from a two-week visit back to the States, and indulged heartily... (got my burger fix there....) along with chili fries and chili-topped tamales.... Along with a healthy portion of the pickled green chilis... Am I making your mouth water yet???? PS - All Tommy's Burgers joints are 24 hours... It's a family owned chain that's been a fixture in Los Angeles for 60 years...

See the attached photo on their web site... And unlike other advertisements... this pretty much is exactly what the burgers they serve look like...

It's not WHY.... but I sure don't mind it... and a few other things as well!!!!

The Landmark has multiple restaurants, each with different style of foods.... But....for a single dinner there, I'd probably choose their steak house, which has good food and a nice view from on high...

Le Banyan, Vertigo and Kinnaree are all solid choices, each in their own category.... The common thread among them is all are classy, stylish and reasonably quiet/peaceful places.

For the other two nights, I'd suggest making one an Italian night, using any of the Italian places recommended above (can't offer an opinion on those, since I rarely choose Italian), and make the other night a dinner river cruise on the Chao Phrya..... For newcomers to BKK, you really don't want to miss that experience...

All together... a very good sampling of Bangkok eating....

That makes too much sense. TIT.

Just flew in June from LAX-TPE-BKK and return on EVA and every flight was full.

I just did my return yesterday to BKK on the same LAX-TPE-BKK route on EVA...

As always...the LAX-TPE segment was full, at least in economy and evergreen deluxe.... But there were plenty of seats open on the connecting TPE-BKK segment, though not noticeably more than normal...

For some reason, EVA always has two flights leaving TPE for BKK within a half hour of each other...in the morning around 8:30 am or 9 am.... And I was on the second of those.... So maybe the first, earlier one was fuller.... Not sure why they schedule like that....

He wouldnt pay extra fuel charges, once tickets are booked and paid for, its a done deal.

Not quite true... Brit...

If you note above my recent post regarding EVA.... my ticket was bought and paid for completely... But when I wanted to just slightly change the date of the return flight segment, they insisted I'd be responsible for their standard $100 change date fee AND the increase in their fuel charge since the time of my original purchase.....since they claimed they would have to "reissue" my original E-ticket....

Needless to say I had too much to lose so she got a slap instead. Anyone who compromises their position like thid deserves what they get. Lead by example.

Darn right, hope you didn't stop at a slap though. What about a knee to the groin?

To a female student who's just offered a BJ?????

In the past 5 years of traveling frequently on EVA, I've probably changed my flight date 4 or 5 times in total... In all of those times, for whatever reason, the only amount I was ever charged before was the flat $100 --and until this flight -- never anything extra beyond that.

I had an interesting experience this week with EVA Air relating to the higher fuel prices....

I had finished my business on my trip back to the USA, and was considering changing my return flight back to BKK to an earlier date. Normally, the EVA rebooking charge would cost $100, but I would have saved more than that thru savings by avoiding hotel nights here...

However, when I called EVA and found they had an earlier return seat available, they insisted the price for making the change would be $175 -- the normal $100 rebooking charge for an economy ticket, PLUS about $75 more that they argued was the increase in the fuel surcharge since the time of my original ticket purchase some months ago.

I argued with the rep about that, and asked her to check with her supervisor. But the answer came back that to change the date of my return flight, which I had already purchased, they would have to re-issue my ticket...which all along was an E-mail ticket anyway... And in reissuing the ticket, they insisted I'd become responsible for the current higher fuel surcharge....

The $175 added price would have ended up eating away most of my potential hotel savings. So in the end, I decided to just keep my original return flight, and spend a few more days relaxing in L.A. and visiting with friends here.

So, I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience lately with trying to change the date of an already purchased ticket/reservation. EVA's interpretation of that came as quite a surprise... and I wasn't going to give them an extra $175....on top of the already expensive RT ticket price...

And,with the way ticket prices are soaring, I may not be making trips back to the USA quite so often as has been my practice the past couple years...

I stayed at the Crown one night....a few months ago...on a night when the electricity was out on my soi, and everyone went out for a late night of partying...as a result....

It was OK...and the price mentioned was correct.... But it was pretty threadbare...and certainly a long haul down Suk Road from NEP....

If that's the price and class of hotel at issue here, then the other Crown Hotel between Suk Soi 6 and 8 is about 1000 baht, far far closer to NEP, and probably a bit more comfortable and clean... It also includes a decent buffet breakfast.... Stone's throw from Nana BTS station at Soi 8.

I stayed at the Crown one night....a few months ago...on a night when the electricity was out on my soi, and everyone went out for a late night of partying...as a result....

It was OK...and the price mentioned was correct.... But it was pretty threadbare...and certainly a long haul down Suk Road from NEP....

If that's the price and class of hotel at issue here, then the other Crown Hotel between Suk Soi 6 and 8 is about 1000 baht, far far closer to NEP, and probably a bit more comfortable and clean... It also includes a decent buffet breakfast.... Stone's throw from Nana BTS station at Soi 8.

My EVA flight from BKK to Los Angeles in the past two weeks was basically full for the Taipei to L.A. segment.... as it usually is.... Only difference, the price this year was several hundred dollars higher than the same ticket...one year ago...

Majestic Suites is a very nice small hotel...and just around the corner (on the main Suk Road) from Nana Plaza... and is guest friendly of course...

Hard to find their rooms for much less than 1300....so it's a bit above your requested price range...

Try some of the online booking sites...like asiarooms.com or passionasia.com....for availability of Nana Plaza... It's right across the street from NEP and usually is around 1200 including breakfast...

There are a couple choices on Soi 8 in the 1000 to 1200 baht range...but they are a 10 minute walk down Suk Road... (going from Suk 4 (Nana) to Suk 8.

I'd avoid the Grace Hotel at all costs... it's a dump and is heavily frequented by Middle Eastern clients....

What's a reasonable range for the cost of Western-fit housing rental up there???

Brit...I'd sure like to know how you'd pay the same price for an international air ticket now...as you paid in past years.... considering all the carriers have raised their ticket prices and fuel surcharges...

I bought a BKK to L.A. RT economy ticket on EVA a couple months ago...that I just used this month for June travel...that cost $1400....all inclusive.... The same ticket a year ago cost about $1000 all inclusive....

Back when I was a tourist...I was coming to LOS 3-4 times a year....usually for a couple weeks at a time... With today's airfares...and them heading even higher for the near future.... I doubt I would/could have kept up the same pace of travel....

Could I have afforded the tickets...? yes... sure... But would I have been willing to spend that much for travel??? No... probably not... I would have cut back on the frequency of my trips...for sure....

There is now another thread on this same topic... See here....

A couple of things on this...

1. There already was another, prior thread on this subject with SCB...fyi... See here...

2. There are any number of U.S. banks that still don't charge either per transaction fees or foreign currency fees for foreign country ATM withdrawals, including in Thailand.

Someone above mentioned IndyMac Bank, which is accurate about IMB not charging a foreign fee, though I don't believe they reimburse other banks' fees.

Another very good account in this category is from Salem 5 Direct, which doesn't charge their own fees and also reimburses other banks' fees up to some limit, if they are assessed.

(Though interestingly, SCB's 20 baht fee wasn't showing up as a separate item on my accounts, it was just being added to the total withdrawal amount, when I checked my U.S. accounts regarding the withdrawals).

3. Regarding other Thai banks' ATM fee practices, SCB NEVER charged this 20 baht transaction fee before when people were using U.S.-issued ATM cards at their ATM machines in Thailand. It only started earlier this month...

About BKK Bank, their past practice (and I haven't heard it's changed lately) regarding the use of THEIR ATM card at other Thai banks' ATMs has been to allow a couple of transactions per month with no fee in the Bangkok area, and then charging a fee for any non-BKK Bank withdrawals in the BKK area beyond the first couple fee free... I believe they always charge a fee for using their ATM card at other Thai banks' ATMs outside of the BKK area.

However, I have NOT heard that BKK Bank has begun charging fees (similar to Siam Bank) when people use U.S.-based ATM cards to withdraw money at BKK Bank ATMs....

Thus far, all the reports here (about new fees for ATM withdrawals using U.S. ATM/debit cards) seem to relate to SCB only....

It also would be helpful if folks can clarify what's happening now, and whether SCB has either ceased charging this fee or is not charging it for LARGER amount ATM withdrawals... I'm out of the country until later this week, so I can't advise on this for now...

I'd certainly agree that the article describes supposed rules/policies that are not fully followed by bank branches...

Experience shows it's certainly possible to open new Thai accounts, including debit cards and online banking, without having a work permit. And there are other issues as well...where the supposed rule doesn't always apply...

Here is the current language from the Thai Embassy in Wash DC's web site about choices for where people can/should apply for visas.... It still appears to give the option for people to apply at honorary consulates in places other than their residence....provided you are not from a Middle East or Socialist country... See the fourth bulleted item below...

• Applicants residing in CA, AK, AZ, ID, NV, OR, UT and WA should send their application forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles or the Royal Thai Consulate-General at Oregon
  
• Applicants residing in CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI and VT should send their application forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, New York or the Royal Thai Consulate-General at Massachusetts
  
• Applicants residing in IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD and WI should send their applications forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago or the Royal Thai Consulate-General at Missouri
  

• In addition to applying at above addresses, applicants who are not holders of travel document or from the Middle East countries and the socialist countries can also obtain their visas at the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas (Dallas), Texas (El Paso), Texas (Houston)and Dominican Republic
  
• Applicants not residing in the states mentioned above can apply at the Consular Office, Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C.
  

I also got rejected by Denver but I was able to get my NI type O from the Alabama consulate last October. I'm over 50 so I had no problem but if you aren't, I don't know how strict they are with the new limited requirements of the visa.

They required nothing but the application form, a photo, my passport and $150 check. This was not a retirement visa so no financial statements was required.

Sorry for the late reply I have been away.

Vagabond....I'm confused about what kind of O visa you applied for/received....

You mention being over 50, which is one of the requirements for an O retirement visa, but then say you didn't get a retirement visa...

So, what exact kind of O visa did the consulate issue for you???

does it help that she is smokin' hot??

Great for you... But Uncle Sam don't care....

In fact, that probably makes her chances worse....

But...don't forget...sounds like she's got some time to go still on her student visa/OPT time... Hope you make good use of it... And...down the road, there are a lot worse places for a farang to live than Thailand...especially if you've got a fine lady in hand....

I went into the Thai Embassy in Los Angeles yesterday and the whole process took less than 10 minutes. First went to the lady at the front desk who browsed at my paperwork and sent me to window 2 (visa lady). She also did a quick review and told me she cannot issue a 1 year miltiple entry visa, she said she can only issue a 90 day non immigrant B visa. Then to cashier at window 2 (only $65 for 90 day, not $175 for multiple entry 1 year visa). I have to go back this morning to get my passport at 10-30am. She said I can take this visa to the Thai Immigration in Bangkok and apply for a work permit. Sorry about the long description, but some people may want to know the process. I must say they were all very pleasant in there

Thanks for updating on this Aussie... That's interesting to hear... So...it sounds like they're giving you a single entry business visa that's valid for 90 days... So I'm assuming that means...then once in Thailand, if you become employed prior to the expiration of the 90 days, then you can file for an extension of stay from your original visa.... But you can't use only visa run/runs to extend your permitted to stay time beyond the original 90 days...

I also have an update to add... I just received my multiple entry non imm B visa from the Houston honorary consulate, based on invitation documents from one of TV's well-known sponsors here. Everything went smooth as silk, just the same as last year, although the application fee for all the consulates has now risen to $175 for the mult entry version. The consulate processed and return mailed my documents/passport within 24 business hours, just as they had promised. One thing I hadn't realized before, though, is that their office is closed on Friday. So they got my documents on Monday, return mailed them Tuesday using my self addressed overnight envelope, and tracking shows I'm due to receive them back today....

Southern fried steak is not on my usual menu list.... so I can't say I've had one since moving to BKK...

But, I have the vague feeling I may have seen that item offered on one of the pub menus around town....

When I get back from my current U.S. trip, I'm headed to try the breakfast at the new EuroGourmet Bistro....

Thanks for the recent replies and comments...

I've moved on...and am doing quite nicely now... with my bank account still untouched....

Since then, I've met one BKK nurse who specifically has told me she's not after her mate's money because she's proud to have her own job (a good sign if her actions end up matching her words), another lady who hasn't asked me for a dime in the past two months together, and.... you knew it had to happen....

a third lady from Isaan who is an absolute cutie.... has a professional job working for a Thai government ministry in Bangkok, and who, shortly after we met, asked me to loan her 400,000 baht for an operation from her Mom....

I very politely told her no.... I don't loan or give money for things like that, especially with someone I have just met, though I also told her I certainly understood her wanting to do whatever she could for her Mom. (I didn't even bother to ask about the details with the Mom, since I knew I wasn't going to go down that road.)

At the time, I thought...maybe...that would be the end of her... But, she's kept in touch with me since then, and lately, bought me a gift to give to my parents during a current trip back to the U.S. Still, I'm remaining a bit wary.....

Little Home Kitchen is a bit of a chain, with other locations including one in the basement of the Silom Complex building near Saladaeng BTS....

And yes, they make a decent thin waffle (not Belgian style), with several choices available... banana, strawberry, cashew and regular, I think.... about 60 baht or so... Pancakes also...

To answer PaddyThai's question above, I don't know anything new, or have anything new to report, beyond my prior post of June 7. Haven't heard from her in any form since just prior to then, as I previously reported.

Last time she and I talked, I told her I wanted her to explain to me what was going on with her, her "problem", when she could. She also said she might be coming back to BKK for a visit sometime in the future. But since then, no communication. So, since that time, I haven't attempted any further communication. If she wants to talk or pursue anything, she knows where to find me.