debbiev

People...and tourists...luv elephants. Now we can get a 10000baht fine for helping keep them alive. That sucks!

Yes, people love elephants, but do you really believe that bananas and sugar cane keep them alive? Seriously? I think that if people love elephants, they shouldn't want to see them in the city and living in conditions that are inhumane.

Good! I hope they do also "crackdown" on the tourists feeding the animals. Charge them a thousand baht for the crime. To most tourists that won't be enough money to hurt, but enough to send the message. The word will travel like wildfire--tour companies, travel blogs, etc. No more elephant feedings, no more revenue for the "renters" or mahouts. The practice will have to stop. The Thai government will make money (for a while). Everyone will be happy. Well, that is, except for the ones exploiting the elephants.

I agree with the poster who said buy your tickets directly from the airlines. I bought a Thai Airways ticket (HKT-BKK) from a travel agent at my guesthouse in Chiang Mai in 2008 just before the airport closures. Because the flight was never taken, I went to the Thai Airways office to get my refund. They never had received the money. When I returned to the States, I called the travel agency (Chiangmai K.K. Travel) about ten times to request the refund. Each time I spoke to someone, I was told "the manager outside eating lunch," or "the manager in Bangkok today," and was told to call back at another time. I received another refund from Thai Airways during the closures, so I do not believe the airline was at fault. I never got the money back from Chiangmai K.K. Travel. Instead, my Visa Signature card credited my account and went after the agency on their own. I don't know what the outcome was. What did I learn? That I should have gone to the Thai Airways office in Chiang Mai and purchased the tickets through them.

In a taxi from the airport to Phuket Town (not my first, as I was on the way to my Thai bf's place), I ended up having to endure the ride with closed eyes and forced slow breathing. The driver was on the tail of a motorcycle. And, I mean...on the tail. There was maybe a foot between the bike and the car. The stupid rider should have just let the car pass, but he didn't. He continued to speed up and so did the driver. It was crazy. One slip up and the bike and rider would have been under us. I was actually anticipating the bump it would cause and the explaining I'd end up doing to the police. I was not only terrified that the rider would be killed before my eyes, but that it would all somehow be blamed on me. I was afraid to say something, unsure if he would listen or just speed up or lose his concentration and kill the guy anyway. So, I closed my eyes.

As for the poster who said tourists routinely get ripped off by paying upwards of 1200 baht to Kata, half that blame needs go on the tourists for not doing even the tiniest bit of research and paying the inflated fares. I've never paid more than 600 baht total for a full taxi to Kata. Even on my first visit, I knew what the fares should be--I would not have even entertained the idea of 1200!

Hello. My Thai bf is going to meet me in Singapore next week. We will be staying with friends of mine for a few days, then returning to Thailand (I'm coming from the US). This is my bf's first time flying and first time out of the country. I will be waiting at the Changi Airport (Singapore) when he arrives, but he will have to go through immigration by himself. My question is: Does anyone foresee any issues for him? He will have a return ticket and his passport (which is brand new, by the way). He will have the address to the place we're staying and he knows that we're staying three days. He may not have any money with him, as his last paycheck went entirely to rent and motorcycle payment. Will that be a problem?

I want to walk him through the entire process so he feels confident (and I want to feel confident for him).

I would also appreciate hearing success stories.

Thanks!

Hi, getting ready to move to the LOS...

Will a NTSC US model Wii work in Thai? Would you just replace the cable that goes from the wii to the TV? Also, does anyone know if I had to buy a new wii in Thai, would a Wii Fit from the US work on the Thai Model?

I have the same question. I'd really hate to have to replace my console and games, so I'm hoping that the US Wii will work. If it can work, what modifications will I need to do (converter?, transformer?, adapter? cables?)? Thanks!

I'm actually trying to GET to Thailand. I live in Los Angeles and work in the film industry. I was just told the other day that I (along with about 80 out of 100) was laid off. Prior to that, for four weeks we had been strung along with no work (therefore no pay). All the while I've been trying to find a way to get back to Thailand to live. I've been there twice (one of the times was during the latest airport protests).

I keep wondering if I'm preparing to jump from the frying pan into the fire, but if there's no work in LA and I have to live on savings, it would go a heck of a lot farther in Thailand and I wouldn't have to deal with road rage every day. Not to mention, I could be spending time with my bf there.

So, my answer is...I'm not leaving, I'm coming!

Does anyone have trouble with "splashing"? Maybe it's because I hold it until I have to go so badly, that it comes out in a hard stream that splashes back up all over my legs, feet and whatever. I'm a girl. Does that matter? Any tips? The only solution I have found so far is to go right before I'm about to take a shower--then I just wash everything down. Yikes!

Hi.

Anyone know if American GFs have the same trouble bringing a Thai BF to visit the US? I have to be honest (and perhaps naiive)...I had no idea that visiting the US was so difficult.

Do I have to travel with him? I was planning to help him, but from the US, not Thailand. He doesn't even have a passport right now. We're going to try to get one on my next visit in January. He hasn't been out of the country--or even on a plane or to BKK. Should we start planning some trips out for him before he tries to come here?

Would it help if he was here on business? Maybe I could get his boss (who's American) to "send him on a business trip."

I want to do this right, even before I start.

Thanks!

You guys are so helpful!

I'm from Los Angeles. Maybe some Hollywood stuff. You're so right about the price tag. I'll keep it simple. How about a gift basket with an assortment of things--creams, a canvas bag with a glitzy Hollywood theme, candle & votive with some sort of gold swirly business...?

I was planning to bring a toy for the nephew (he's around two, from what I can gather). I was thinking a Tonka truck--something that he can grow with. There are so many toys which require batteries or charging, but I want to stay away from that, because I don't know their "electrical" or battery replacement capabiities. If the truck proves to be too big or expensive, I'll go for your idea of art supplies.

One of Eak's brothers lives with his mother. He's in his mid-twenties. Do I need to bring him something, too? How do I address him when we first meet? I met the youngest brother in Phuket. I think I scared him when I got up to shake his hand--oops.

By the way, thought I'd throw this in the mix too...I'm 43 and Eak is 28. I don't look 43, but rather early to mid-30s. His mother is 54. I don't know if he has told her about my age, but if he has, will ages have an impact on how I should handle our first meeting? I know to wai her first. I have a Thai friend who is teaching me some proper/polite phrases to use. But those are things I'd do regardless of the age difference between Eak and me.

I'll also try to find the other posts you mentioned.

Thanks again,

Debbie

Hello!

Eak's mother lives in Nakhon Si Thammarat (I don't know the village). When I spoke to Eak last night, I mentioned that I wanted to bring something back from America for his mother. At first, he was surprised and pleased. But when I tried to engage him in helping me figure out what to bring, I got laughter and "my mother is local people" and "oh, I don't know what you should bring--that's a woman's job, not man's."

I didn't take offense to his reply. I did wonder, however, what he meant by "local people." Maybe he's afraid I will bring something impractical or too nice. Or, maybe he thinks his mom likes only local things.

Sadly, I can't think of anything that stands out as American, aside from something with a flag on it. Anyone NOT from the US know what would represent the country? I was thinking of a nice bowl or something she could display, but with your purse gift, maybe it should be something to wear? A Ralph Lauren shirt/blouse in her birthday color?

It's been suggested that I bring chocolates, but I'm afraid they will melt before I get to her (I'll be staying with Eak for the first three days in a tiny room in Phuket with no aircon).

I do really like your handcream/smellies idea. I'll explore that a bit, too.

Thanks for your help.

Debbie

Hello Everyone.

I'm glad I found this--it's nice to have so many who have "gone before me." I was in Thailand in November and met a guy. I have since returned to the US and have talked to him practically every day. I am going back in January to be with him for a week. During that time, we'll travel to his province to meet his mom (his father died some years ago). Since we've just met, marriage and moving countries isn't at the forefront of our thoughts, but if our relationship goes well, the topic will obviously come up. Some of your stories have literally brought tears to my eyes as I think of the hardships one (or both) of us have yet to face. You and your husbands are very brave and it's nice to read about how committed you are. Congratulations!

I do have a question.

I'm planning to take a gift to Eak's mom. Does anyone have a suggestion? I'd rather not ask Eak, because I'd like him to be surprised too. I have met a Thai girl here who has only been in the US for 3 years. She suggested chocolates. That's good, but I'd also like to bring something more lasting as well. This girl said to me that Eak's mom will want to display whatever I bring and proudly exclaim to her friends that her son's American girlfriend gave it to her. Any thoughts?

Thanks. :-)