craigt3365

Maybe the US Gov't should also look at the penalties which maybe handed out to said and recently detained perpetrators of such crimes by Thai courts.

What penalties? I am unaware of any given other than movements to inactive posts and small monetary fees. Enlighten me

I don't believe anybody has been convicted yet, just arrested and in jail. Money has been confiscated. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, as everybody knows.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843152-general-among-72-indicted-over-human-trafficking/

Hua Hin is a very nice town. Traffic's a bit bad, but it's an OK town.

Having been to every place on the article's list, except Colombia, I'd have to say she's spot on. But not sure I could retire on $975/month! Unless I cut my wine budget! LOL

Good article. Thanks for sharing!

AA has a tiered pricing system. Cheap seats get sold first. So, the earlier you book, the better off you are. Other airlines kinda do this, but will also run specials if they have empty seats closer to the flight date.

If you see a good deal, take it! As far as promotions, they are always running them. Just saw one this past week. But they sell out quickly and somethings their system gets so bogged down, you can't make the reservation.

Sign up with AA and get on their mailing list for promotions. What's your destination?

Your amazing! That's it! And David, the guy running the place, is in one of the pics. Great guy. It's something different. Quite a few locals go there for a sundowner. Food is OK, view is great.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My pleasure.

I'd like to try it but are they serious about the "gentlemen should wear a collar" bit? I never wear more than t-shirt and shorts here and have never been turned away from anywhere in Pattaya, including the Royal Cliff.

I've even re-scheduled my yearly visit back to the UK to the summer months so that I can wear t-shirt and shorts on the plane (business class) and all the time I'm there.

I've been there several times with just shorts, t-shirt and flip flops! I prefer eating outdoors. Mozzies a bit of a problem, like everywhere else here in Thailand at dusk, but the view is great.

I spent 3 weeks in Malaysian Borneo about 10 years ago. Started in Kota Kinabalu, flew to Tawau and drove to Semporna for diving. That's where I saw all the rain forests wiped out. Then from KK, took a boat to Labuan, overnight, then to Brunei. To Miri for the flight to Mulu caves and a 4 day trip from the caves to the mountain down the river to the mouth. A great overnight in a long house along the way. Flew to Kuching and spent 4 days there, a few on the beach.

If you do Mulu caves, this guy is a great guide:

https://www.facebook.com/willie.kajan.5?fref=ts

A land line is what's needed. Then she can get DSL. I'm pretty sure for the right amount of money she could get setup. A friend of mine just paid a bit to get fiber. Wasn't available in his area, but he needed it for work. So paid to have the line run.

I've heard many are now here teaching. Not sure why, but the government seems to be going after Filipinos for these jobs. My wife has even mentioned this was talked about on the TV.

Maybe things have changed?

They are wiping out the rain forests at an amazing rate. When I was there, 10 years ago, I traveled mile after mile through rubber tree plantations. Many run by Chinese companies.

https://thegreenreporter.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/30-of-borneos-rainforests-destroyed-since-1973/

A post violating forum rules have been removed from view. Along with an appropriate reply.

Your amazing! That's it! And David, the guy running the place, is in one of the pics. Great guy. It's something different. Quite a few locals go there for a sundowner. Food is OK, view is great.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this might help....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788538-speedboat-trip/

They are different restaurants, but owned by the same family. I've not been in about a year to the one in Ban Amphur, but wouldn't doubt prices have gone up. Can't comment on the one in Bang Saray.

For something different, if you like, try the Bang Saray Fishing Club. Or something like that. It's very hard to find, but fantastic at sunset. Great guy runs the place and the food is OK. Coming in from Suk, turn left at the Temple. Down about 1km you'll see a sign pointing to the right down a dirt track. Live music on Sundays, normally.

You might have to pay a bit of money, but I'd bet they'd run a line if you said you'd pay for it. Worth a check.

We've had a bit of luck by checking with the maids of our various neighbors. The coconut line works quite well. Our maid of over 4 years was the gardener in our village. She's fantastic. But only a bit of English.

The other good one we found was via relatives. She's awesome. A bit of English also.

OP: I'll reach out to the Filipina community here and PM you with details.

If the employees couldn't even tell you why, then I'd say move on to another bank. We opened an account with a new back in Central Festival. Easily done. Asked if we could get the account balance verification letter for immigration done in Jomtien, to save us a trip into town. Yes, no problem.

Got to the branch in Jomtien, the answer was NO. Very rude. So, had wifey call Central Festival, they called the lady at the branch, 15 minutes of arguing. In the mean time, wifey called the HQ. They called the branch manager (who was out), he called the lady at the desk, and voila! Verification letter was done and we were off to immigration.

Banking here is absolutely hit and miss.

P.S. due to this, we closed the account and moved to another bank who's been fantastic to work with. At least at that branch! LOL

Pollution could be a cause. I had a friend end up in the hospital here after a swim new a river outlet. Covered neck to ankle with a horrible rash. Only happened one time and we can only guess somebody dumped something into the river upstream.

Indeed - I just combined a Burger + IPA (American) at New York Burger (Sukhumvit 22)...

Happy all round - apart from the prices: 500++ Baht Manhattan burger which was very good, I fancied something 'hoppy' so instead of the 120 baht Singha beer (330ml) on offer I chose a couple of American IPA's (330ml)... again, excellent but at 300 baht++ each a little pricey...

For real cheap bottled Craft Beer from the US try JUSMAG.

I was just in Stockholm and could get a fantastic burger for less than that! At a very touristy place, great views of the rivers, fantastic restaurant though.

500B++ is the same price I'd also pay in, say New York City! Crazy.

Prices in Thailand have indeed risen a bit over the past decade.

One friend who does this owns an ocean view condo here and basically just works remotely. But without all the new technology available today, he'd have to be onsite.

I've met many bloggers lately who are traveling the world. Not a lifestyle for me, but they are loving it. One is a retired (recovering) corporate lawyer from Chicago now living in Bali with her husband. They are due to move soon somewhere else, just don't know where yet!

We've got a few Filipino maids in our village. They charge more, and some really want a live in arrangement, but they speak English! Something you might want to consider. If interested, I'll contact one as they've got a pretty good network. Maybe they could find one for you.

I'll also try to touch bases with Frugal Freddy, but he's not doing so well know. His Filipino wife use to run a maid service with a few of her friends.

Let's move this over to the Bangkok forum for some local help!

Topic moved.

Finding a good maid is not easy. We've been through many. Do either of you speak Thai?

As recommended before, the Pattaya Job Center is a good place to try.

I activate my cards via the internet. No need to call, but you can call an 800 number with Skype easily. Or, most banks also have a number with an area code.

It's due to the import duties of alcohol here. Some 300%. Ridiculous. I just came back from the Baltic states where you could get a fantastic mug of draft beer, brewed locally, for 45-60B, or less! With lots of different ones on offer.

500ml bottles of all kinds of beer was at times, less than 30B at the local store. Great beer. Nothing like we have here. Unfortunately. The beer prices here are ridiculous. Way cheaper in neighboring countries.

I don't think that applies to craft beer made in Thailand.

Agreed, but allows them to charge ridiculous prices. Right? I never spent more than a few dollars for a draft beer in the Baltics. Same with when I was in Czech. Now Stockholm...that's another story! But outside the Old Town, the prices show here on that bill were about the same. And the quality/variety was much better in Sweden.

1. Along beach road Pattaya Tai to Pattaya Nua round trip 5km, best time is before 630am when the tour buses started to arrive.

North half of it, from PAttya Klang to Pattaya Nua round trip 2.5km is much cleaner.

2. Patumnak hill 1.7km per lap, best time is in the evenings, too quiet in the mornings may not be safe.

My wife went with a neighbor's wife to Pratumnak hill a few months ago. In the morning after she dropped off the kids. Last time they'll do that. They were followed by some homeless people that came out of the bushes. Had to run to catch up to a few others nearby. Scary.

It's due to the import duties of alcohol here. Some 300%. Ridiculous. I just came back from the Baltic states where you could get a fantastic mug of draft beer, brewed locally, for 45-60B, or less! With lots of different ones on offer.

500ml bottles of all kinds of beer was at times, less than 30B at the local store. Great beer. Nothing like we have here. Unfortunately. The beer prices here are ridiculous. Way cheaper in neighboring countries.