Razzler1973

Should be 7:45am and 9:45am, been like that for years so quite odd they changing it, it's right at the front facing outwards just to make sure you got the right one, think they are the only ones going to Laem Ngop

If they say 5:45am though ask what happened to the 7:45am

Tbh I wouldn't have any issue going earlier and arriving earlier, mind

OP still not come back?

How very, very strange and unexpected ...

Yes, just one 7/11 but it's so small anyway think they'd struggle to bother placing another one

As mentioned, ATM was opposite

I did notice some money changer type places ( I think ... vaguely remember seeing the signs) but they were closed in low season when I was there, maybe a couple of them and near the 7/11, if I recall

OP posts a topic that they know will get everyone bickering, etc

Doesn't come back to thread

Ah, ok, I get it

They do go pretty frequently, there are different bus companies running them too. I am sure there is a company doing every half an hour too, this is to Trat, mind

If you're going to Ko Chang that bus isn't really caring about your ferry schedule. Also, think the every half hour buses take a little longer and aren't as good

If you are going to Chang then get the bus to Laem Ngop, as you are walking into Ekamai the ticket counter on the left (before you walk in) sells tickets to Laem Ngop directly (for ferry), they have 2 well timed buses, think 7:45am and 9:45am, it's about that, may be 8:30am but it's reasonably early, that's the best one to get to Chang the quickest, good bus, no problem

Ferry ticket seperate but 80 baht or quite cheap, they're quite regular

If you go to Trat you'll need to get to the pier. If you are just going to Trat itself then any of the buses will do (not Laem Ngop though), they are very regular and a few companies running them. Just check the different ticket windows at Ekamai when you're there, they won't be full

Went to Koh Lipe last summer and it was far from overcrowded, a lot of stuff shut in low season, weather was absolutely fine (rained one day). Very relaxing place, small, water was amazing (even in low season)

Stuff is more expensive cause they're quite far from mainland and they don't grow anything there. Can still get fried rice, pad see ew, grapao type dishes for 60 or 70 baht, Isaan food stall 50 or 60 baht

Beers in bars were 60 or 70, fine

Accommodation more expensive but can get very good places 800, 900 baht, aircon, etc but stuff right on the beach a lot more, can pay 1000 with no aircon purely cause near the beach, you'd expect that these days though

As an aside, how large is Ao Nang area?

Particularly in terms of the beach to town (is there one?). Walkable to get around or pain to get to/from beach if you're not right on top of it?

As evidenced by the 100 'backpacking in Thailand' blogs full of information ...

They are pretty much all the same, zero actual information of use but some pictures but god darn those guys had an adventure and want to share it with YOU!!

It's like these people are the first people to visit Thailand

Nothing new, I see Chinese plated cars almost every day in Chiangmai area.

They mostly use the road from China to Laos and then Thailand

I bet that's a hell of a trip to do

I think mobiles, online bookings for rooms and credit cards totally changed 'backpacking' as I knew it

In previous times backpackers would discuss the meaning of life and hippy stuff but nowadays they are discussing which Uni they went to and what they did their degree in whilst recording all their 'adventures' on their facebook via their phones

To be honest I'd be annoyed she put the empty container back in the freezer

So, MHS to Pai is about 50kms

Is just driving there on a bike from Pai a normal thing to do or a bit ropey?

Google maps says 107km and +2hr. I remember as being a 3hr drive and twisty turning up and down road.

Meh, thought it was closer

Are there gas stations along the way?

Did you all notice that there were no complaints about taxis in Chiang Mai? The reason is we DON'T HAVE TAXIS on the streets. We don't have buses either.

It's tuk-tuk starting at 100baht and more if an extra half a kilometre is involved, and Song Taews supposedly at 20baht but farangs are often asked for double that.

Yes, we can phone a taxi company and they will send a taxi out, as long as you don't mind waiting for it to eventually arrive.

So, you think the best way to stop these taxi complaints is to get rid of taxis? Erm, no

Love it, so, no and it's a huge part of my visits to Thailand

I can eat street food all day. Never really have any issues and eat all kinds. Some of you guys just can't stomach it, which is fine. Enjoy your lasagne*

* I like lasagne too but not way I am eating it in Thailand

Visit the Grand Palace?

... it's closed

However, I WILL take you on a tour for just 20 baht

Jakarta - Best Kept Secret in SE Asia!

Have they stopped streetside places selling cheap beers or something crazy there?

So, MHS to Pai is about 50kms

Is just driving there on a bike from Pai a normal thing to do or a bit ropey?

I stayed at Little Corner in Sukhumvit before, Soi 44, if i recall, walking distance to Ekamai too

Kind of quaint place, erm, on the corner. Rooms aren't super huge but comfortable, TV, air-con, hot shower, etc.

Price was around 700 or 800 from what i remember, low season

This isn't just a tourist thing, they also refuse Thais

About time they do something, report them, fine them

We have similar here in UAE where 'shift change' is also a popular excuse

I guess we can count out the likes of Hong Kong and Singapore due to failing the 'reasonable rents' thing, both excellent cities though

In terms of similar to BKK and around the area then KL is ace

How is it in July/August time? Bit quieter? Too rainy? Get cold at night at all?

That is in the middle of rainy season, but that just means that there will probably be afternoon/evening showers every day. It would not be cold at night, though. There would likely be fewer tourists, but at least from my perspective, that still doesn't change the fact that the town is geared towards tourists and scarcely resembles the quiet and traditional little village it used to be. But again, if you are looking for some souvenir shops, a hamburger, tattoo, yoga studio and then a late night beer bar, Pai would be fine then and less crowded.

Been forever since I have been up there, I am sure it's changed a lot, like a lot of popular places in Thailand

How is it in July/August time? Bit quieter? Too rainy? Get cold at night at all?

How is it in July/August time? Bit quieter? Too rainy? Get cold at night at all?

I am not sure you understand how actual relationships work ...

In the west you give them money and your home and you hope for sex.

In Asia you give them money and you get sex in return.

Isn't that how (heterosexual) relationships work?

Is yours different?

Yes, unsurprisingly, mine is different seeing as I don't live in a seaside cartoon postcard

Been with my GF for 3 years and refuse to give her money on regular basis

Although one assumes you expect something from her on a regular basis and that she should stick around just for the opportunity to breathe the same air as you.

I assume you mean he expects sex?

I am not sure you understand how actual relationships work ...