KED

Thank Buddha for ThaiVisa. I think the big problem is the Thai immigration does not have a clear website to explain their policies and procedures. Also, in smaller immigrations offices in the provinces, I think the officials poor English results in a miscommunication of the process. If it were not for the information given on ThaiVisa - there would be so many more problems for all.

For a trip BKK to PNH (Phnom Penh), kayak and matrix only show bangkok airways. Skyscanner only shows airasia and bangkok airways. Thai air and Cambodia angkor also fly this route and there maybe others.

Are there any better search engines?

Not true at all. For BKK-PNH, Kayak definitely shows multiple airlines, incl Thai, Jetstar, and Vietnam airlines. You are aware that kayak usually has multiple pages of flights....and are usually presented cheapest to most expensive? (I just did a dummy booking for BKK-PNH and all of those airlines were represented on kayak, plus Bangkok Airways.)

I often use Kayak for Thailand to U.S. flights; however, within Asia (Bangkok-Chiang Mai / Bangkok to Indonesia) I find Kayak does not include air asia or Lion Air - I even submitted an inquiry with them - and they replied once asking for further info and then never responded.

For inra-Asia flights - I find skyscanner to be one of the best.

I have a friend who is gay, and he has a difficult time meeting another gay man in Thailand. The same complaints that hetero men have...the fellows are only interested in money...not devoted in any meaningful way...so...just curious...does anyone have any ideas that may help him meet a gentleman that would be good for his future? He's 50 years old, healthy, attractive. Financially, he's stable, but not secure. He is farang, and speaks passable Thai. Currently, he divides his time between his home country and Thailand, but if he met the right person, he would relocate here permanently. I'd like to help him, as he is a good guy and ready to settle down. I'll pass along your ideas. Thanks.

It's difficult to give advice. He needs to just keep looking. For a lot of people the looking can be the really fun part, but if you are feeling quite lonely then desperation sets in.

Best of luck to him.

This is not unique to Thai relationships, but I think one of the most important things is to learn from past relationships. No two people are similar, but I do find that if in a past relationship - language was an issue or money or age - then it is important to think about these issues when entering a new relationship. No relationship is easy in any culture, but in Thailand sometimes relationships can be even more complicated by each partner not being able to communicate as easily and by a difference in fiances and culture - but working it out with the other half is what makes a relationship stronger.

The airport and tourists, frankly there many I wouldn't let into the kingdom. Disrespectful slobs.

Be careful what you wish for - if Thailand does raise the standards for tourists - there's no way you woulld make the cut with your elitist attitude.

One thing is certain...

If everything was the same as back home.... I would not be here...

A more efficient airport, taxis who use meter and no corruption would not compromise the culture of Thailand -

It would be interesting for some investigative reporting to hire undercover foreigners to join the taxi queue and see how often they were given a fixed price versus the meter.

Probably not as often as you'd like to be able to report.

What makes you think I have a preferred outcome? I just think it would be a good exercise to see exactly how often this occurs. You, on the other-hand, seem to be a big apologist for the airport and the problems that exist there. Of course, no place is perfect but there are certain expectations that travelers have - if these problems are identified and corrected - then everyone would benefit - how can you really think that Suvarnabhumi is competitive with Singapore Changi or Hong Kong International or Tokyo Narita ?

It would be interesting for some investigative reporting to hire undercover foreigners to join the taxi queue and see how often they were given a fixed price versus the meter.

It is always great to hear about successful LGBT relationships succeeding. I married my partner in NYC last April and we have been together since 2002 and have lived together in Thailand since 2006. Actually, among my friends - more than 75% are in longterm relationships (5 years or more) and most have also married in either Europe or U.S. Love is Love.

if you and your wife dont mind, you can sleep over in changi airport. they have chair beds, plenty of power points, wifi, shower rooms. and heck . . there is even a roof top jacuzi

An important caveat - if you do decide to stay at the airport overnight - do NOT clear customs - all the facilities are on the departure side - if you leave cusoms - the check-in area is very sparse.

A few years back, I used to fly U.S. to Indonesia visa Singapore and had an overnight 6 hour layover. Staying overnight at the Changi airport is very comfortable - they have free wifi which is fast and reliable - they have amazing public lounges with nice, comfortable chairs.

The prices of hotels in Singapore over the last 5 years have increased meteorically - so depending on the time of your layover - staying inside the departure area overnight is a viable option.

Ok I have been reading alot of posts. Can someone please give me solid advice? I will be flying from America to Thailand in December. I'm getting married the week of arrival. I have read "no return ticket, no tourist visa". I'm not planning to return to America because we decided to stay there to be close to her family. So I would hate to spend the extra money on a roundtrip ticket if I don't need to. The airlines I will be using are United and I believe China air from Tokyo to BKK. So is a one way ok? Or should I play it safe and get a roundtrip?

You automatically get a 30 day visa in the Airport or on the plane. I have been to Thailand on several occasions with out a return tkt.

The enforcement of the return ticket is inconsistant by airlines and never enforced by Thai immigrations; however, UA is one of the strictest - so you will most likely need either a Thai visa or a ticket outside of Thailand within 30 days for UA to allow you to travel.

It is a difficult position - but information is your friend - I agree with Paul888 - try to act surprised and confused that they are charging you more than you expected - don't just give in to their demands (maybe leave the kid with the Mom or have the Mom come with you as well). Of course, you don't want to be denied - so you cannot force the issue too much - but do ask for receipts for all you have paid and also report the inconsistancies. Amazing Thailand.

Cold! Is this a joke? In the early 1970's I remember swimming and surfing in the middle of January in the UK. Sea temperature Zero. But Thailand now early morning is fresh here, but is easily bearable outdoors. Indoors here, so easily comfortable I can walk around all day with no shirt on. Talk of winter here is all in the mind. People are watching too much TV of what it is like in the rest of the world and kidding themselves they have it just as bad.

It's not cold!

This must be true because you used a really big font and then bolded it -

OP, i feel it a bit strange that you comment on the number of Brits living in Thailand.

Are you worried that in the long run that its going to turn out like Australia?

After all, (modern) Australia was based on the influence of our exported examples of British culture.

Give it a century and Bkk might remind you of Sydney.......................

So exported British criminals are now British culture?

I think Bali is a more popular destination for Aussies than is Thailand.

OP, i feel it a bit strange that you comment on the number of Brits living in Thailand.

Are you worried that in the long run that its going to turn out like Australia?

After all, (modern) Australia was based on the influence of our exported examples of British culture.

Give it a century and Bkk might remind you of Sydney.......................

So, exported British criminals are now British culture?

I think Bali is the second home for Aussies - not Thailand as much.

Interesting. I am surprised they didn't already fly this route.

I am not a major fan of AIr Asia - but their Camodian fares are substantially lower than Thai or Bangkok Aiirways- and even though TG/PG charge higher fares - those fares are still non-refundable and have a significant change fee - so I agree with the other replies - this is true of most every airline - if you want the lowest fare - then be prepared to pay a large amount to make changes later - for any airline.

I just hope they were not wearing bikinis at the time - because if so, they will be in trouble with the NCPO.

In US, keeping guns out of the hands of crazies and assault weapons out of the hands of criminals, gangs and extremists and teens is the realistic issue we have to deal with. We are way way beyond the option of a gun free society. Having weapons to defend ourselves is part of our pioneer heritage of defending our homes and is still deeply embedded in our psyche. The overwhelming majority of americans have very responsible attitudes towards guns. If only those french journalists had a few weapons themselves, maybe they could have had a fighting chance....

Not sure if they held guns but there were policemen guarding the offices and the editor had a bodyguard - they were killed as well in France.

Why do they need to shoot him so many times? trigger happy society !

To make sure he is dead.

Better him than them.

Especially what is going on in the world today.

but when the [police begin to kill as quickly and as often as the criminals - how do we tell the difference?

You can tell by the outfits.

I thought the good guys wore white hats.

So, as long as they wear this uniform and shoot to kill - they are always the good guys??

love comes in many forms. some people only look for physical attration while others only look for financial secuirty - age is important to some while not to others - live and let live - consenting adults have the right to choose for themselves - best of luck to all in pursuits of romance, love and companionship.

Why do they need to shoot him so many times? trigger happy society !

What a brainless statement this is. You have absolutely no idea what the exact situation was or how you would feel in the same situation or how you would react. You must actually think the US is filled with people who look for any reason to shoot others.

not just any reason to shoot others but any reason to shoot themselves as well - the U.S. is a gun crazed country and the police are part of the problem not the solution.

Why do they need to shoot him so many times? trigger happy society !

To make sure he is dead.

Better him than them.

Especially what is going on in the world today.

but when the [police begin to kill as quickly and as often as the criminals - how do we tell the difference?