KED

I have learned that not all women are unfeminine women's libbers like back home.

I don't think a woman who wants to be treated and paid equally is unfeminine. I find woman who are equal to their male counterparts are more interesting to be around.

Thai Airways knew about the Loy Krathong holiday and activities for over a year - why do they just now adjust their schedule - shouldn't they have done this months ago ? Why only take action within a week of the events?

From my understanding, all U.S. passports issued by the Thailand U.S. embassy are automatically the 52 pages - but if you apply in the U.S. - be sure to specify the 52 pages versus the 28 pages - both passports are USD 110 - but if you do any traveling around SE Asia - the prevelance of full pages visas (Laos/Cambodia/Indonesia/China/Myanmar) mean that you quickly use up many pages in a passport.

There are times when you cannot afford the "overtime" fee but glad you pushed back even if it meant waiting longer. The more we refuse to give tea money - the more often these scams wither and die, hopefully. Allbeit, I understand there are times when the government/police/other official does create unwarranted obstaces that cannot be bypassed without a bribe.

Interesting that you don't list Indonesia on your list - or did I miss it? Jakarta is mostly a miss - too much traffic and not much to do there - but in Java - Bandung / Solo / Malang and even Bali have some great places in the budget range with good inexpensive food.

The fee for the car sounds quite reasonable. Going back via Poipet I think you did well not incurring any 'out of province' charges.

i forgot to add that when we extied cambo the officer asked me if we wanted the VIP treatment, 200bhat each. i agreed since i figured they'd find some way to get money anyhow so they took our passports and 5 mins later returned and all checked out and ready to go.

I am not judging - but if people continue to pay bribes for "VIP" treatment - then the corruption willl never stop. I realize this is often easier said than done - but people should do all possible to avoid encouraging corrupt officials.

I traveled often to Vientianne around 2006-2010 when I first moved to Thailand and was under 50 years of age. I even managed to get a few tourist visas during the free period. Luckily, I was able to qualify for the retirement extension once I reached 50 and have not been subject to the crackdowns over the last few years. I always enjoyed visiting Laos and Vientianne specifically - I even travel back occasionally for a long weekend.

I think the biggest difference in Laos versus Thailand is there just isn't as much tourist influx of bodies and money - so there aren' many people who can make a living from tourists - either by legiitimate businesses or scams - however, Thailand has so many tourists in major areas like Bankok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui that some/many locals either set-up legitimate, honest businesses while others prey on unwitting tourists.

The state-by-state march toward marriage equality continues to grow - but where are the Asian countries in this?? Vietnam? Thailand? Taiwan??

I was in a hotel in Pattaya last week, at the breakfast buffet in the morning was a farang and his ho de jour, the farang had his hands all over her ass, and tits, perfectly acceptable in the bedroom, perfectly acceptable in one of Pattayas many knocking shops.

Listening to the conversations of the ever so unconfrontational Thais who all thought this was unacceptabale but wouldnt say anything I did.

I spoke to the girl in Thai and told her this was "mai riap roy", personally I didnt care, the fact I had two young kids with me pissed me off, the mrs was more pissed off at me for confronting this girl.

Before I get acused on anti anything, it bothers me not to walk up the soi holding a Thai male friends hand, if a Thai male puts his hand on my thigh it bothers me not, if he puts his arm round my shoulder it bothers me not, its a sign of acceptance, and perfectly acceptable in normal Thai situations.

JT, what you observed is nothing to do with being gay, its to do with with whats acceptable in Thai society (whether I agree with it or not).

Anyway, this scene on the bus made me think. If it was the much more common scene of an older white man, younger Thai woman

It pisses the normal Thais off just as much, Little Miss Issan wouldnt ever consider that sort of behaviour in her village, so why should Pattaya make it acceptable?

I do think it is interesting and relevant that a straight viewpoint finds extremel displays of PDA from a heterosexual couple is just as objectionabe as from a gay couple, but I do have two follow up questions.

1. What if the hetero couple were just holding hands or lightly kissing without the groping - and the same from a gay couple. If you were at a hotel breakfast with your wife and kids and a gay couple were holiding hands with the occasional light kiss - would you find it uncomfortable with your Thai wife and kids or no?

2. I agree if the couple were groping each other - I would have also said something to them or to management and have the situation addressed - but if you decided to speak to the couple - why to the Thai woman and not to the farang?? I think the farang was the one in the controlling situation and perhaps the Thai woman did not feel comfortable correcting the farang's advances.

not meant to be confrontation - but really interested in your viewpoint.

Continuing on the hread - I would like to echo the idea of civil rights - as a gay man - I want to feel just as comfortable holidng my bf's hand and showing subtle affection as would a straight couple - I don't think it is appropriate for a straight or gay couple to share tongues in public or start undressing or put hands on private aras in public - but I don't want to edit my natural emotions to hold my bf's hand in public or behave the same as a straight couple in public would when in love because my love is just as real and strong as anyones.

It is indeed refreshing to have someone to respond to enquiries without judgment or snide comments. ThaiVisa could use more knowledgeable resources like UbonJoe.

While I don't have you technical expertise - I can anecdotally confirm that I have experienced a notable slowdown in my internet over the last month or two at night - when downloading a video being especially slow.

I am not a Thai-basher - really like living here; however, I think the OP has a legitimate gripe - why would locals charge admission and allow the family to climb to the top of a dry waterfall. Tourists cannot research every aspect of their holiday - part of the fun of a holiday is the surprises - but when locals (Thai or other nationalities) knowingly scam those who are visiting their country - it leaves a bad impression. sure the amount is small but it is the continued barfage of small scams that can sour a holiday. Due diligence is always appropriate - but sometimes Thailand is a series of scams -

I belive the 7 day VOA for USD 15.00 has been discontinued and now the only option is th 30 day for USD 35.00. Not sure when this changed.

Can the OP clarify which airline he is writing about? He refers to both Air China and China Air in his post...they are 2 separate airlines; one Mainland Chinese, one based in Taiwan.

Correct and good point.

China Airlines are based in Taiwan and have a superb service.

Air China and China Southern are Chinese mainland airlines.

China Southern hub out of Guangzou which in my opinion ranks alongside Mumbai as one of the worlds worst airports.

Really? Never had the pleasure of using Mumbai, but I thought Guangzhou was O.K. Nothing special, but alright. (Transit.) Why did you dislike it so?

I agree witth Baboon - Guangzhou airport is like being in the 1970's but it is not overly crowded and signage is clear - nothing horrible just boring.

I haven't take the train since they extended the operation from Nong Khai station to Vientianne station, but at Nong Khai the train station is only about 2.5 to 3 kms to the friendship bridge. Once the train arrives at Nong Khai - there is a mad rush to full tuk-tuks to the Friendship Bridge. I think at this time you can get for 30-50 baht. I have even walked from the train station to the border before -

"Today is a joyous day!

Not everyone...would agree with this statement...

I am sad for those who are saddened by equal rights for all. For those who do not accept equal marriage - let them have their opinions - but don't subject my life and my rights to their beliefs.

If someone feels that their life is not worth living due to a bad relationship or other problems, why not simply walk away from your life and dedicate your life to assist those in need - devote the rest of your life to an orphanage or in a hospice - if your current life is not worth living - then donate that life to help those in need. you might just find out how precious life can be.

I have stayed at Baan Kaew a few times - it is around THB 800 - with wifi and a nice courtyard - but the rooms are basic and no pool - but it is in a great, quiet location - not really Lanna style but a good option for those on a budget.

http://www.baanorapin.com/. Nice place.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

I love the Baan Orapin - it is an amazing retreat - and always suggest it to friends - it is in the THB 2,000 price range - but the rooms are quaint yet modern - it has a pool and a great private courtyard - the breakfast is wonderful also - a great getaway for a romantic holiday - or even with kids - if you must.

What price range are you looking for and what are your requirements (you mention pool = but what about wifi and parking?)

Rather than paying traditional travel agents a sales fee - Thai should become more current and offer more competitive prices online. I never get competitive Thai Airline fares when traveling within Thailand, within SE Asia or long haul. Even Bangkok Airways sometimes offers fares competitve with low cost carriers when they are in a market that other airlines fly.

I am equally concerned with the increasingly hostile attitude towards Americans especially as evidenced on the editorial page of the Bangkok Post. I frequently encounter it in pubs especially if i wear a shirt with the American flag on it. A lot of it seems to come from Brits. I will heartily agree however that the US criticism of the military takeover was and remains ill-advised. The USA has done some good things but very little under the current administration.

not to hijack this thread but while U.S. actions on the world stage are always hotly debated - I will accept that this administration has not been perfect; however, i much prefer their overly analyzed responses to the invasion of Iraq by the previous administration and the war in Vietnam to go further in history.

I wish the United Nations would play a stronger roll in being the world's policeman bevause I don't think the U.S. should.

As for racism, it is definitely a basic instinct to surround yourself with similar people who have similar language and customs; however, the world is far more interesting when you embrace the diversity of the world and its peoples.

I totally agree, the police continue to arrest the users and small-time sellers. Where are the arrests of the major suppliers. How difficult is it to get the seller to name his supplier and move up the chain to arrest the major players.

I have been doing short 1 week trips from DMK to Chiang Mai and Siem Reap and have had only had carry-on for the first time. So, I googled what liquids would be allowed as carry-on and saw that no liquid/gels should be more than 100 ml and they should be in a clear, 1-liter bag which should be removed from the bag at security.

However, my experience 3 times now has been that the Thai security - doesn't require or even want the liquids removed from your bag, and once I had a full large tootpaste tube which was not confiscated on the roundtrip.

Is there different security regulations within Thailand? I'm not complaining - just trying to understand how to pack under Thailand guidelines.