KED

Yes, Malay and Indonesians share a large percentage of common language -

In addition, some Tagalog (Filipino) words and Indonesian are the same also - but not nearly to the extent of Malay/Indonesian

common words include:

Buka - open Lima - five Lelaki - male Kanan - right

A similar situation with AIr Asia - I tried to purchase a ticket online within Inodnesia for USD 50.00; however, due to security safeguards on their website - my U.S. credit card kept getting denied. So, I was meeting a friend the next day at DMK - I arrived a little early and went to the AIr Asia desk and wanted to purchase the ticket; however, the reservation was held for only 1 hour and had been cancelled. The Air Asia ticket agent said she could rebook it - but that she would have to charge me USD 100 for the same flight. I took out my smartphone and booked a new reservation and got the same USD50 fare and the same CC denied message. However, once I gave her the confirmation number - she sold me the ticket for USD 50.00.

I understand that hotels and airlines want to direct booking traffic to the webstite; however, if you have a customer in fron of you with cash or CC, then you should be able to offer them the same fare rather than creating the extra step of having them book online directly in front of the company sales agent.

Now you can pay for your AirAsia booking, in cash, at any 7-11 in Thailand. You have one hour to do that after you make the booking.

This is valid only for bookings that originate in Thailand - I was buying a ticket within Indonesia so this was not an option.

Amphawa Floating Market on the weekends in Samut Songkran is a nice day trip on Friday/Saturday/Sunday. About one to one-and-a-half hours away by car or van.

Lumphini Park (now that it is protester - free)

Chatuchak Weekend Market for shopping and for coconut ice-cream and good food.

Healthland Spa Massage

Have a drink or dinner at or after sunst at The Deck Restaurant - across the river from Wat Arun.

Visti the Flower Market

Take a dinner cruise on a small rice barge (not on the huge casino-like boats).

The Bangkok Art & Culture Center at BTS National Stadium sometimes has interesting exhibiions.

A similar situation with AIr Asia - I tried to purchase a ticket online within Inodnesia for USD 50.00; however, due to security safeguards on their website - my U.S. credit card kept getting denied. So, I was meeting a friend the next day at DMK - I arrived a little early and went to the AIr Asia desk and wanted to purchase the ticket; however, the reservation was held for only 1 hour and had been cancelled. The Air Asia ticket agent said she could rebook it - but that she would have to charge me USD 100 for the same flight. I took out my smartphone and booked a new reservation and got the same USD50 fare and the same CC denied message. However, once I gave her the confirmation number - she sold me the ticket for USD 50.00.

I understand that hotels and airlines want to direct booking traffic to the webstite; however, if you have a customer in fron of you with cash or CC, then you should be able to offer them the same fare rather than creating the extra step of having them book online directly in front of the company sales agent.

Changi really is an amazing airport. The art and free wi-fi and public lounges make even a long layover not so unbearable. Thailand and many other countries should learn a thing or two from them.

That was my question as well, Mapguy.........but then what about those pesky airline employees having a bad hair day. Talk about making up the rules as you go along....

It isn't a matter of the airline employee - the 6 month validity rule is published by Thailand, not by the airline.

The unfortnunate thing for those of us who travel on a budget and on our own funds rather than for a company, is most alirlines are on a race to the bottom for giving fewer miles for tickets purchased and increasing the amont of mileage required for an award. I have also reached your conclusion - best to find the best fare and forget about the affiliation.

As a side note, within Asia, I often find Air Asia to be the best option - I fly them between Thailand and Indonesia about 3-4 times per year plus other small trips. I joined there "Big" award program and found that after 2 years of accrual and about 10-12 trips - the "Big" award wasn't enough for a one-way Bangkok to Chiang Mai award - not really "Big" at all.

I think her visit is a good idea but a bit far from home since 90,000 children from South America will be arriving illegally this month in America to become refugees. I can't help but wonder if she shouldn't be gathering some money to take care of the refugees at home instead of in Thailand.

That's really a false choice. ALL refugees deserve support, both financial and political. Just because there are many refugee groups in the world doesn't mean you have to choose which to support.

Don't you just luv em; JT took off in her Private Plane to an undisclosed destination? Was JT flying the plane?

She does a lot more than others do, and she works on a mirco level by adopting some childern. Not much said about trafficing, but then again needs to get out of the country?

If people have time, go to one of your local services in Thailand and spend some time there as a volunteer. You may make someones life better for the day, and may change your life. Just a thought. All of us need to do more selfless acts, me included.

Can someone explain to me the difference between child trafficking and adopting some foreign children and dragging them to the USA?

Child trafficking often involves either forced prostitution or child-labor - I don't think the adoptees were in the same environment.

The river-side area is not far from the Thai embassy and has a much better ambiance - there are many restaurants and pubs in the area and a great River-side park as well. Getting from there to the embassy is a 20 minute walk or a quick tuk-tuk ride. Depending on what you are looking for - this may be a better choice than staying close to the Thai embassy.

Once you receive your one-year extension based on retirement, if you plan to leave Thailand within the year, you might want to get a single or multiple re-entry permit on the same visit.

A mother and FIVE newborn kittens were dumped at my place. We took them in, though kept them outside. When the kitties were about 3 mos old or so I took them to the vet, along with the mother, for shots and deworming pills. Then shortly thereafter I took the mother back to be fixed because five cats is enough! The price to have the mother fixed was about B2k. Sorry, I can't recall what it cost for the kitties' shots and such. But for one cat it can't be more than B1k, I would think. Next up, all the kitties have to be fixed. Fortunately all but one are male; males are cheaper to fix than females.

When he/she is old enough, have them fixed if you can afford it. Otherwise, you're in for a rough ride.

Great story !! I wish there were more pro-active animal owners (and animal adopters) who would netuer and spade their dogs/cats. I know there used to be a soi dogs charity doing this, but I haven't heard anything from them in a while.

All tourism-related businesses and services as well as all airports throughout Thailand, including at key destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phang-nga are operating as per normal.

Yes - but as per normal includes Jet Ski scams, Gem scams, taxi / tuk-tuk scams, two-tiered pricing, corruption, TAT would be better served if it spent less time issuing press statements and more time ensuring a safe environment for travelers. Thailand is an amazing place with amazing people; however, those who cheat and scam touritsts ruin the country's reputation.

In addition to the increased number of miles to claim an award ticket, UA just announced they were changing the accrual from a distance flown to cost of ticket scheme. For most people traveling on discount tickets - this results in receiving half as many miles under the current program. This takes effect 31March15.

For me, that kills my allegiance to UA - plus the fact that they pulled-out of Bangkok and their Star Alliance codeshare flights are more expensive than most other airlines who serve BKK to U.S. on their own aircraft.

Agreed that a crackdown on taxi scams and mafias is called for. But I think also better information at both DMK and BKK would help arriving passengers know their options. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, arriving passengers with manageable luggage and who are traveling to areas served by the MRT/BTS - the airport link is most often a better option. And from Don Meuang - the A1 bus to BTS/MRT.

I realize for larger amounts of luggage and for other areas not serviced easily by BTS/MRT taxis are still necessary.

I agree that these steps are positive for Thailand, and if they continue, puts Thailand on the path of decreasing corruption. However, it is important for these institutions be open to public inspection. Thailand needs to publicly show the compensation of government paid salaries and to allow the media to cover all aspects of government without fear of prosecution or imprisonment for fact-based reporting.

Tiger Air seems only to have an office at Don Mueang - but gogle shows this office for JetStar - but best to give them a call to make sure it is correct

21st Floor, Charn Issara Building

942/160-163 Rama IV Road

Bangkok 10500

PH: 02 267 5125

Before I turned 50 and was eligible for a yearly retirement extension, I traveled by train to Nong Khai and took a tuk-tuk to the border. The train was always at least 1 hour late and I never relied on being able to make it to the Thai Embassy in Vientianne that day. Since you booked the train already - be prepared to add one day to your journey.

If you really want the shortest trip possible - it is best to book the earlies flight or take an overnight bus the night before.

I usually was not in a hurry and enjoyed my time in Vientianne, so I wasn't in a super rush.

Thanks for the update - ChaengWatana is a good facitlity - just a bit of a journey for many of us. Did you decide against getting a re-entry permit - single or multiple?

Aldebaran, I know it's an incredibly onerous task, but you really should, having already been part of this forum for 100 posts, to spend some time reading through all the threads related to your fundamental inquiry.

I must agree with JusMe, the basic requirements and options for a retirement visa issued abroad or an extension within Thailand based on retiremtent is covered in depth - search is your friend. Once you have done the research, if you have specific questions - then better to ask here -

So what are Russians doing in Thailand? Is it to boost tourism? Or does Thailand really want these kind of people?

Really can't answer this, but something just makes me wonder, WHY?

Just my thoughts....

One pedophile does not incriminate the entire Russian poulation. There have been Americans and Australians and Europeans arrested for similar crimes. One individual is just that and you cannot stereoype an entire population by one person's actions.

Definitely, the most important part of bargaining is knowing what you think the item is worth and what you are willing to pay. If you consistantly buy the same item then you can get a better idea of what the local prices are. And, as mentioned before, keep a smile and don't think of it as a fighting match .

This is the third time I'm asking the OP where's he's from? Muslims like him but Thais don't. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I have more Thai friends than falung friends. We play golf together do business together and socialize in general. Sometimes they prefer to speak English sometimes Thai but I know they would never talk to me if I smelled like an Arab's jockstrap.

but they still talk to you when you speak like a farang's jockstrap?

I am not concerned about PC; however, Indonesia's majority religion is Muslim but there are also many Christians and Hindus - the same way that Thailand's majority religion is Buddhism but there are Christians and Muslims and many other religions here.

Lastly, your comment about smelling like an Arab's jockstrap - I wonder exactly what ethnic group's jockstrap you do find appealing?

I guess I was lucky. I flew them in March from Bangkok to Los Angles with a connection in Guangzhou (Canton) and the flight between China and Los Angeles was on the A380 and the seats were great and the food was ok. I didn't feel like i was compromising anything for the much cheaper fare than any other airline offered. The Bangkok to Guangzhou flight was a 737 and had a meal - the leg room was typical. The layover in Guangzhou is tedious - the airport is in need of an update - but I really didn't feel unsafe while flying with them. All flights were ontime and I saved US $300 as compared to the fares of other airlines.

I am not questioning the accuracy of those commenting before me; however, I do know of a friend who also receives a one year mulitple entry O visa from an honorary consulate in the U.S. and he is also under 50 and not married to or a father of a thai citizen. I also understand that this is not strictly policy; however, the consulates tend to be more flexible.