universe2000

One of the most difficult aspects of Thai culture to adapt to is the need for Thai people to lie. They do it in order to save face and will provide wrong information rather than say 'I do not know'.

To help better adapt myself to Thai culture, are there examples of a lie that was frustrating for you?

Note: this is a subject of a larger post about culture shock to help people adapt to the culture. I separated the topic to get more specific feedback.

What is the latest Acer Aspire One Netbook price in Thailand?

(8.9" model)

In a few weeks I want to take a bus/minibus from Krabi to Hat Yai in order to pick up the train at 3:20pm in Hat Yai.

I saw online that there are many air-con bus departures from the Krabi Bus Terminal.

For the minibus departures it says that they depart from Sanham Nam.

1) Is that near the Bus Terminal?

2) How long does the minibus take to get to Hat Yai?

Screens on Windows or Doors.

It would be nice if apartments would use screens on windows or doors. I always want to open up the window or backdoor of my apartment, but there is no screen, so bugs and all kind of stuff can crawl or fly in while I am sleeping. The worst is the mosquitoes.

I want to ship one Samsonite luggage (29" x 20" x 11"), filled with a few items, to the US. It will cost about 3,000 baht to ship. The luggage has a soft side (rather than the hard case style). Do I need a box to ship it? If so, does the post office sell such a box or is there a box store that I can go to? The luggage is in Pattaya.

Thanks

Remove the xenophobia.

I would implement an education program--targeting children (too late for adults)--to teach them that xenophobia, excessive greed, extreme nationalism, laziness, lying and cheating are wrong and will not benefit the country.

I had to look up the definition of Xenophobia:

Xenophobia is a dislike and/or fear of that which is unknown or different from oneself. A person unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign peoples. Xenophobia is different from racism and ordinary prejudice in that someone of a different race does not necessarily have to be of a different nationality.

I asked my girlfriend a while back about why the country doesn't give foreigners the opportunity to own land. She said that foreigners would buy up all the land and the Thai people will have no where to live except in poor areas. I was surprised at this response because she was educated at the master's level. I informed her that many countries provide foreign ownership of land and do not have this problem. There seems to be a relationship on foreign ownership and prosperity of a country. So if Thailand were to provide foreign ownership of land, I concluded that the overall society would benefit through higher income, higher education, etc.

Of course I lost this argument. Now I know it is really due to Xenophobia.

Quick update.

I met up with one other person at the border and we took the association taxi (mafia) for $40 from Poipet to Siem Reap. That's $20 per person.

I saw the mafia tout on the Thailand side after we got dropped off by the tuk-tuk. He followed us all the way across the border. And after we got our stamp into Thailand, he followed us to the street. The other person wanted to initially walk down the street and try to get a non-association taxi, but after negotiating, we felt $40 was pretty good. The tout wanted us to take the 'free' bus to the transportation center which we refused. After he figured that we might just walk down the street he started negotiating. It was raining, so maybe he didn't want to follow us in the rain.

Lying as in the small little pointless ones, they all do it, its ingrained into them.

I agree wholeheartedly with that comment. If they would talk straight and not as a snake it would be an improvement. We feel there is no need for the 'deceptions' or little & the bigger lies to save face.

Straight talking from so many women, as I get from friends, would be a bonus.

Is this related to the fact that Thai's feel they have to answer a question to be polite, even if they have to make up the answer. I noticed that Thai people talk like they are an expert in an area when asked a question. But in fact, they have no clue about the subject, but try to appear that they do. I first thought it was deception.

I asked my girlfriend’s friend about diamonds and she talked for some time about the subject. It seemed she knew a lot about how to differentiate different diamonds. When I asked her to look at two and compare them (with a jeweler's magnifying glass), she had difficulty commenting on possible differences.

This so called deception is one facet of culture shock that I experienced. But maybe it is really the Thai person trying to be polite.

I had this trouble with my girlfriend on other subjects and had to ask her if she was really knew the answer or was guessing. It always appeared she knew the answer, but often she said she was guessing.

There's one thing I'd change that would get me into strife for saying it.

Otherwise the main thing would be to be less tolerant of things that make day to day life harder. Whether it be corruption or laziness from officials, sloppy customer service, lawless motorbike riders etc etc.

I am curious what change would cause strife for saying it? I assume it would offend foreigners, not Thai people?

I will be traveling from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport. I would like to take a bus since the cost is much lower than a taxi.

BellTravelService has the following times to the airport:

6:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00.

The government bus (yellow bus) is:

6:30AM, 9AM, 1PM, 5 pm

One advantage with Bell is that they can pick me up at my hotel. The government bus has to be taken from the North Pattaya bus station. But getting to the North Pattaya bus station is easy with a baht-bus (20 baht).

If my flight is at 12:00pm than I probably need to take the bus at 9am. I am not sure if the government bus goes directly to the airport or stops a few times. The Bell service goes directly to the airport.

Any comments on which is better?

Thanks

Has anyone recently traveled from Poipet to Siem Reap? I am curious if you were able to avoid the taxi mafia?

I think there is a way to walk down the street after exiting the Cambodia customs, but I heard that the mafia will follow me around and will openly argue with anyone I talk to.

I stopped by the bus station on Pattaya Neua Rd and they had two buses to Aranyaprathet. One leave at 7:30am (171 baht) and the other at 8:30am (212 baht). It goes to Mukdahan so I need to get off when it arrives in Aranyaprathet. The 171 baht bus doesn't have a toilet.

There is a good website about the Cambodian Scams (talesofasia.com). It details every scam they try. If the Poipet border is empty when I arrive, I will try to use $20 for the Cambodian visa. If there are a lot of people, I will try to pay $20 and 100 baht. I will have to deal with the upset officer, but if I can think of it as a game, it should be fun.

The scam with the van is they try to charge you 1000 or more. They take you to the Cambodian consulate on the Thailand side and scam money from people. It is best to go straight to the border and get the visa there. If you take a van, your out of luck since they control where you go. All the buses from Khao San Road will try this also. Again, you may not have a choice since they control where you go.

Its really shameful, but tourist just assume it is part of the cost of traveling.

If you could change something about Thai culture to make life easier for a foreigner, what would it be? (A wish list, since it isn't going to change)

Here is my first comment:

Less discrimination in pricing

I find that a foreigner will pay more for the same service provided to a Thai citizen. This is discrimination in some countries and illegal. In most cases, it is a minor difference, but it is a little annoying to get used to. Prices are usually not listed for many purchases, so it is up to the seller to determine what they want to sell it for, and can discriminate all they want (even directly in front of you).

note: This is not suppose to 'showcase' perceived problems with the Thai culture. In fact, it will help me better understand differences in the culture. Part of trying to adapt to the culture. Hopefully it helps others that are experiencing culture shock.

Thanks for the comment. I read up more on this and found out the 'association' taxi's at Poipet are run by the mafia. So there isn't much of a chance to negotiate. I think the rate is $60 per taxi. The taxi holds four, so $15 a piece if it is full. The taxi drops people off at a tuk-tuk just outside of Siem Reap so the tuk-tuk can take the people to a commissioned hotel (so you probably paid a few dollars more).

I heard about the visa issue from Aranyprathet to the border. The tuk-tuk will take people elsewhere, but insist on going to the Rongklua Market and get the visa at the border. I don't mind paying $20 US + 100 baht extra, but I will probably have to hear an earful first.

My main worry is the taxi. I think I will need to meet some people at the border or just wait until the taxi is full. I heard the bus from Poipet to Siem Reap is really slow and corrupt.

Even with all the hassles, I heard that Angkor Wat is well worth it. I hope to take some nice photos.

I wanted to get someone's latest adventure at the Poipet border. I want to go to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat. I want to use an 'association' taxi. A few questions:

1) Once I exit Cambodia immigration (at Poipet), I walk toward the traffic circle. I than pick up a 'free' government shuttle bus to the new bus station (transport depot). How can I identify the 'government shuttle'? I assume there are lots of touts there that will confuse the situation.

2) Once at the depot, are all the taxi's there 'association' taxis? Do I need to looks for specific people that can be identified as part of the 'association'. I think the rate is set at $45 to Poipet.

3) For an 'association' taxi, I should still pay after I arrive at Siem Reap, even though the taxi may request it in advance?

4) When the taxi transfers me to the tuk-tuk just outside Siem Reap (part of a scam), can I wait and pay the tuk-tuk after they deliver me to my hotel (which I will have a reservation). I don't think the taxi will take me directly there, even though they say they will.

I heard the road is now completed. So the taxi should take about 3 hours.

I will go to Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat. A few questions:

1) Can I pay $20 US dollars for the Cambodia visa if I enter at the Poipet border? I heard that I may have to pay 1,000 baht instead.

2) One post said some people pay an extra 100 baht for updating their visa. Is this a scam? Since I will spend a few days in Cambodia, I think I can avoid this scam.

3) If a thai citizen joins me on the trip, does that person have to pay the $20 US dollars? Does that person need a passport?

Thanks

The road in Cambodia is now completed, so traveling is not a problem. Once in Cambodia, I heard the taxi is around $50, so if I share it with someone, than it would be around $25. I heard the bus is one option which someone said was $10.

I guess the rainy season is starting so not sure how that might affect the trip. In the next three month, is there a better month than June?

I would like to travel to Angkor Wat (Siem Reap) in Cambodia from Pattaya. Can anyone suggest a bus or van? I read that I can take a public bus that goes to Poi Pet, cross the border and take a public bus to Siem Reap. Maybe this is the easiest and cheapest method. But if there is a bus that goes directly to Angkor Wat (without the tour package price) it would be more convenient.

I have heard of all the scams that occur on the bus or van lines after entering Cambodia. If someone has taken a bus or van that didn't have these problems I would like to know about it.

Thanks

The front desk said it was Sophon, but it doesn't have the channels from the Sophon website. A DSTV ad shows up once in a while. I also get Zone Reality, Bloomberg, Universal, Sci-Fi, but don't get CNN.

I receive Mnet Movie 2 (MM2). Does anyone know where I can download a schedule.

I found this site, but the movies don't seem to line up with what's on.

http://beta.mnet.co.za/Schedule.aspx?channel=95&days=1

Thanks

The current movie on at 6:16pm on Sunday is with David Arquette. His girlfriend is a mannequin. He is suppose to have some kind of disease.

I receive Mnet Movie 2 (MM2). Does anyone know where I can download a schedule.

I found this site, but the movies don't seem to line up with what's on.

http://beta.mnet.co.za/Schedule.aspx?channel=95&days=1

Thanks

Is it possible to know where the Baht Bus (Song Thaew) is going without asking the driver? I noticed there are some numbers such as 300, 400 and 500 on the side of the trucks, but I don't think this determines where it goes.

As an example:

A Baht Bus goes from Beach Road in Pattaya to Jomtien Beach (via Thappraya road). How is this different than the Baht Bus that goes from Beach Road to South Pattaya Road to Sukhumvit?

Check out the link below: This is an often-asked-question in Pattaya.

Baht Bus Routes etc

Thanks for the link.

So basically there is no real method of knowing where the baht bus goes without asking the driver. There are a few routes that I use where I don't have to ask the driver. Going from Thappraya Road to Second Road (up to Pattaya Klang - Central Road) is an easy one. Once I get on the baht bus from Thappraya, it only seems to go down second road.

There are a few routes I am curious about:

1) Corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to Tesco Lotus on Sukhumvit/Thepprasit.

I see a baht bus once in a while but it doesn't seem to be a standard route. I assume it would be a 10 baht ride.

Infrequent buses. 10 baht for farangs, not sure how much for Thais.

2) Corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to Big C on Sukhumvit/Pattaya Tai (South Pattaya road).

I probably have to take two baht buses to do this. I am not sure how frequent the baht bus is on Sukhumvit. I assume this would be a 20 baht ride (10 + 10).

Yes, 10 + 10 for a farang. The second bus would be a white bus. There are plenty on Suk.

2) Corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to Sukhumvit/Pattaya Klang (Central Pattaya road).

I assume this would be a 20 baht ride (10 + 10) using the same method in #2.

Yes.

3) Corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to Harbour Pier.

I see baht buses from the Harbour Pier to Jomtien but not sure how to pick one up going the other way. I assume I have to stop the baht bus and ask in this situation. (10 baht fare?)

If you talk to the driver, probably at least 100 baht, but not sure about this one.

The last route mentioned was from the corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to the Bali Hai pier (to get the ferry to Koh Larn). I have seen baht buses on the pier that would take people to Jomtien. But not sure if there are baht buses that go the other direction. I would think it would be a popular route in the morning since the ferry is always full at 10am. I could take multiple baht busses if there is a standard route to the pier. 100 baht seems a little costly just to get to the pier.

Maybe I can take one from Thappraya to Third Road. And see if there is another one traveling on Arthachinda Road which goes directly to the pier.

Is there any accommodations near Bang Saen Beach or Burapha University or the aquarium in Bang Saen (Institute for Marine Sciences) for around $1000 baht or so. I saw the Tide Resort which is about $2300 baht. Any website links would help.

Thanks

Is it possible to know where the Baht Bus (Song Thaew) is going without asking the driver? I noticed there are some numbers such as 300, 400 and 500 on the side of the trucks, but I don't think this determines where it goes.

As an example:

A Baht Bus goes from Beach Road in Pattaya to Jomtien Beach (via Thappraya road). How is this different than the Baht Bus that goes from Beach Road to South Pattaya Road to Sukhumvit?

Check out the link below: This is an often-asked-question in Pattaya.

Baht Bus Routes etc

Thanks for the link.

So basically there is no real method of knowing where the baht bus goes without asking the driver. There are a few routes that I use where I don't have to ask the driver. Going from Thappraya Road to Second Road (up to Pattaya Klang - Central Road) is an easy one. Once I get on the baht bus from Thappraya, it only seems to go down second road.

There are a few routes I am curious about:

1) Corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to Tesco Lotus on Sukhumvit/Thepprasit.

I see a baht bus once in a while but it doesn't seem to be a standard route. I assume it would be a 10 baht ride.

2) Corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to Big C on Sukhumvit/Pattaya Tai (South Pattaya road).

I probably have to take two baht buses to do this. I am not sure how frequent the baht bus is on Sukhumvit. I assume this would be a 20 baht ride (10 + 10).

2) Corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to Sukhumvit/Pattaya Klang (Central Pattaya road).

I assume this would be a 20 baht ride (10 + 10) using the same method in #2.

3) Corner of Thappraya/Tepprasit Road to Harbour Pier.

I see baht buses from the Harbour Pier to Jomtien but not sure how to pick one up going the other way. I assume I have to stop the baht bus and ask in this situation. (10 baht fare?)