bangkokburning

You can do the Lao visa in Laos. You do not need an agent. Take a pic with you.....

But early in the morning the busses from Udon arrive and they get priority in Laos. So you have to wait some time.

The tuktuk fee from the RR station to the bridge should be 20 baht but since the tuktuk drivers are waiting long time for customers they charge 30 and will try 40. 30 Baht is OK than. But you can walk too, it is not far.

Be careful. Some visa agents in NK are not accepted at the other side of the border. They will send you back or let you wait long time. Some agents use stolen visa stamps...

Again, you can do all visa stuff at the other side of the bridge. They speak English. Signs are in English too.

Good luck.

1. I have never seen any group get priority. I am not saying thi sis incorrect as things can change. DO NOT DALLY. When you get off your choice of transport - move on swiftly.

2. Those Tuk-Tuk as you states SHOULD BE20, they that ain't gonna happen. From he RR station do as I had mentioned above. When you round up all the farang, they get more fares AND it becomes an all or nothing thing. Do not despair for them "waiting long time for customers" it is their choice to languish at he train station instead of moving about town. Its a mafia of lazy divers.

3. Never use an agent anywhere for anything. It is never cheaper or faster (unless other factors such as transport [taxi to/fro emb-cons] may be included in the mix, then rarely cheaper) and there can be all sorts of complications. There is also a certain travel wisdom you gain by DYI'ing it. The exception are the visa run vans to Cambodia.

This border xing is a bit unusual, that's why you should DIY. When I get off the train - I am usually ahead of the pack. BRING USD and do not complain about the xch rate (if you use THB) or anything else at the window. BRING USD! BRING A PEN!!

There will be no problem

Because you will pay. The officer at the window will see you are over and direct you inside. My hunch is they will assume you just did not know as you are only lowly stupid farang, mai grot.

I've diy'd to Aranyapathet on the big yellow bus, ive diy'd on local buses picking up a mini in Chantaburi. In the end. you really don't save any money and if you can't speak any Khmer and Thai it may be more dear. I don't want to hassle giving ou the logistics. pretty tedious but there are the routes so have at it. Just use Cambodia-Inter in Pattaya. Trat is really long way and the xing can be really scam ridden - even more than the latter - if that is possible.

From the train station its baht 30 in a share. They will demand forty and there is a but of a mafia thing going on now. So if you take the train, round up the farang and everybody pay 30. Its so short you can walk in the cool of the morning. I've walked back in the heat of day rather than pay those mafia maggots some stupid amount of money for a 2.km ride (at best) to from he first point wher eyou get the bus.

Checkup

I just had a complete check at Pra Ram 9. I think it was good value but I was charged an addl B400 as a doctor fee. I did not notice it and am pretty angry about it. Doctor hardly checked me at all physically, read me my lab which I can do by now. But it was cheaper than Sam and the facilitates are good. In/out two hours.

They have other packages and ala carte to B15000 btw

DHL should do th etrick but you may be required to fill out all sorts o f silly paperwork. I also think it will cost about the same as what the value of the used stuff is worth anyway.

Try Diethelm in Germany, maybe they can use you. I have a friend who tripped Germans around India for a few years. Came to hate it.

I think most if not all the large brokerages will accept you from abroad. You just need to meet the paperwork requirements.

You sure you want to be in the market now??

I've moved in wih my gf for a year so as to see how things go before we (or she) makes any big changes in her life.

She has this black box "Energy Saving Unit"

It has no wires attached

Supposed to save power in the entire apt. I haven't a clue how it may work. There is an on/off button and a fuse on front. Power cord to AC.

??????

I think its snake oil in a box.

Navalator

I have never been in Phuket city but can tell you the bus station is the most rat infested scum pit of dodgy-dans I have encountered in Thailand.

Honestly - If you want anything approaching a lovely experience in Thailand. It has to include camping.

Hey how about this one....the hassles and the hoops to disallow you claim your VAT refund at the airport and al the fine print prior. There is a sign at the airport like....getting angry at the official is breaking Thai law. So ...so many people have become irate that they put up a sign!

Thailand is quickly turning into Greece but can't yet compare to Phils. Phils is just a mess and often involves police directly in shakedown. REALLY dangerous. That is not to say cops are not involved ...(cigarette in the street scam, jet ski broken scam, no passport come with me scam, airport stolen goods scam).

Nothing will change - Thailand has farmor pressing issues and they have new fresh meat from India and Taiwan (and China). This is how they roll...next victim errrrr tourist

Hi trogers - always most helpful. Yes, condo not flat. She only works there and under no illusion she (we) can live there. Thanks for the tip, but that's out of her range. I think she (we) are looking to spend about a year saving and educating ourselves. She a first time buyer, me never a notion about buying in (BKK) Thailand. It will be her place, I'll help with payments in addition to our travel and incidentals. She has to want it.

Can I ask you one more question aside from those already posed? 30sqm Tiny. What is the resale opty on a new/used condo that small in a very average area but near-ish a btts/mrt stop??

I'm not sure I understand why being on a tourist visa stops you from taking classes? In the beginning it will be important to get the sounds of Thai down as well as possible and a class or better a tutor for that is pretty useful. As Todd said, reading the paper is difficult for a myriad of reasons; one of which is you need to crawl before you can walk and for that there are many books that have been translated into Thai from English; useful once you can read and have a decent working vocabulary (other than really needing a Thai to read the book out loud so you can really get the sound down right). But, of course, you are also right in that the speaking and listening portion of learning also has to be worked on. I just don't know how one can get past advanced beginner in Thai without being able to read other than total immersion. Although you may get to an advanced beginner stage faster without reading.

But, since you are already aware of this and as they say, up to you, I would still recommend Becker's books. Most of the 700 or so words per book are useful and there's a post somewhere on here that has all of them with audio clips in a PC friendly (free) program that will quiz you on them. And if you change your mind, the book does teach you the fundamentals of reading. There's also software for about 1000 baht for the first book that will quiz you on the sentences - definitely worth something but maybe not 1000 baht.

Hi - because I always lose weeks not days as I come and go from Thailand. At a minimum of B6500 it is just not cost effective. I have a Thai girlfriend and she is helpful but I don't want the relationship to be about learning Thai. It's about us. I have spent years in Thailand for what that's worth. My tones are not bad. My biggest issue is actually not hearing the subtitles on some really difficult words. I need to build my vocab back to a minimum of where it was five years and take it to another level. Where school comes in is to help me create better sentences.

Your mention of the necessity of learning to read is noted. I think I would be quite happy with 1000 words and being able to string a sentence together but I will reevaluate. I do though need to increase my vocabulary quickly.

While Tod did mention a number of factors he struggles with a newspaper.I am sure a whole host of other periodicals, Internet sites, whatever will prove equally challenging in their own way. I don't want to spend all day on this. 1.5 hrs for study and one hour for flashcards about my max.

Thanks for you input.

I am currently on a tourist visa and this has made school a bit of a mess. I can't do an ED or retirement visa till April201. The fall back plan is self study.

CAn anyone recommend a book - with a great CD, preferably a series that can take me to intermediate level. I am not interested in learning to read/write. It looks daunting and to many people complain that after years of intensive study, they cannot read a paper. I think my time is better spent put into phonetics. Yes, I know the arguments...

Anyone can comment on the quick and dirty book by Myke Hawk - I have the pdf that was created. Its great but unwieldy to make flashcards from. Printing it is B5 a page.

Thanks

My girlfriend (33) has been renting all her life due to a 'travel addiction'. She makes fair money but has talked about acquiring a small 2nd hand condo. Max she has to spend I think is 800K-1m although some stuff at 1.5m looks far better (and far more pricey). I am OK with this smallish investment. I will help w/ payments to allow her to pay it off more quickly. I think in years to come we will travel 8 months and stay in BKK a few months.

I would like her to look at a 10yr mortgage or 15max.

What is MLC? Variable interest rate?

Minimum down payment in Thailand (10%)?

Looking at BKK and K the terms one can borrow are confusing, this rate for this long and such and such for three months blah blah - IS there a straight up mortgage anywhere?

Penalty to pay the mortgage of early?

Fancy schemes Banks try to drag you into when borrowing?

What is the current interest rate that she can use to calculate a mortgage? Do you see rates up or down in next 18mos?

Peril of a variable mortgage and are all mortgages in Thailand variable (MLC)?

She works near Asoke (<1km) but flats in this area obviously no in range. Can anyone recommend a nice living area a 3-4km away? Thong Lor flat for 1m - possible? Quiet, green spaces, less air pollution, good open markets, shopping center, MRT/BTS access. can be Thai neighborhood 100%.

Current market conditions for a Thai buying a condo in said price range.

Perils of buying a 2nd hand condo?

Benefits of buying 2nd hand?

Management fees

Thank you

I find that a/c uses about one unit per hour.

I just met my girlfriends mother yesterday (her aunties and uncle). She speaks Teochew. Now residing in Bangkok, her and husband came from Issarn fifty years ago. She gave me a sample while her sisters rolled their eyes. She is 62. I will see the family next week, if you have a question about the language perhaps I can remember to ask. Please pm.

Thanks, this is al quite helpful!!

Cambodia: I lived here when it was wild and dangerous and as a young man loved it, but I pulled up in 96. The poverty is grinding. I could not take it any longer and felt it was truly "cheap holidays in other peoples misery" to quote John Lydon. The food is bland and not very clean. People are lovely, you can find a great wife who is not a 35 yo hooker run thru the ringer. The corruption is beyond the pale - another reason I left as well as all the dddgy guys starting to float in. Dead-ender perverts and I just did not want to be assoc w/ that. Barang still have appeal.

Phils: Dire situation. Dangerous people. Food is horrible. Alcohol is cheap. As crowded per km as many African countries. Food is REALLY bad. Visas are easy but expensive. Not easy to get anything done. No golf. Crappy beaches believe it or not. Ignorant haze of Catholicism permeates. Dangerous people.

Interesting analysis, and quite a bit of truth to it, from my personal perspective.

Two issues, though. I think your description on Cambodia is a little outdated. I think what you wrote has some validity as of maybe 4 or 5 years ago, but the place has taken great leaps forward vis-a-vis foreigners. On my last trip there, my hotel was full of not only families, but there was a group of 70's + bicyclists. They were having a great time taking bike tours around PP. I spoke to them a few times, and all they could rave about was how "lovely" Cambodia was. I think think is a far cry from the pervert rejects who used to seemingly be the main type of visitors.

And I have been traveling to the PI quite a bit lately. Yes, the food is horrible, and the place can be a dump. But dangerous? I really haven't seen it (vice the odd kidnapping on Palawan and such, to be sure.) The people are super friendly. And some of the beaches are simply marvelous. Boracay is getting a little crowded, but the pink beaches such as in Zamboanga are an example of really nice places. And I have golfed at Subic, and it is a really nice course.

HI and thanks it was a quick write up. My point is we are all HERE for whatever reason. I can trip forever but I long stay here. Many guys can't leave Thailand. In fact If they took away the toilet paper the aircon, the farang food, the cold beer and especially the hookers - 90% of guys would be gone tomorrow, Now, I dont want to get too off topic here.

Last time I was in Cambodia was about three yrs ago. There were signs all over Siem Reap about - watch out for foreigners and sex traffic, etc...I felt really bad and ashamed. That we as foreign me have sullied our reputation so fast in that country. I love photography and that means I need to take special care around kids to keep my distance. You lose a dimension of perspective when like in muslim nations its not easy to visit with women. Anyway... it may have come up a bit dude but there is enough crushing poverty in Thailand for these eyes these days. Ive just seen too much. From Pakistan to Philippines. I will say that Cambodia is aguably more stable than Thailand and has better growth. But the corruption and the creeps - I don't want it. Also, beaches are crap.

Phils are really dangerous and in particular Angeles City - a hellhole if there ever was one. Philippino people have no dignity, they will put you in a dire mess for 1000p. They are a danger physically - they wack and knife each other with regularity. The friendliness is a hope that they can be a patron - or someone in their family. So one course in the nation?? I think Cambodia has one course and incidently, I am sure that course was the sole initiative of American military officers.

But lets get back to the topic. I can't agree more that not only Thailand but Asia has matured and with that comes industrial corruption and scams. All the other countries have variations, but Lieland does it best. Do visit bangkokscams.com - if you are not up on this crap, it will be an eye opener. Lots of ball-sy pics as well.

The OP is correct - Corruption and scams are legion. Thai govt has always seen the scams as a vent for the poor and hence do little or nothing to abate. We are in the end - just passing thru and the problem will leave them as we get on the plane. I really like Thailand. But its a love hate realtionship sure. If it were not for my lovely girlfriend of 6mos Id be only spending 5 mos a year here - strictly on the islands IN A TENT.

BTW today a txi scammed me/gf. took all this bs detour thing - I told my gf to tell him that we will give him the standard cost +10B when we arrive. If not he can drop us anywhere for nothing and we will take another and report him. She is so jai-yen but she told him because she knew what it was going to look like if I jumped in. I tiold her the minute we passed the intersection I smelled a rat - her being Thai said very little until I kept pressing her.

For the - its only a few baht guys....guess they would have paid the 105B instead of the 60. If you pay "just a few baht more" each day...say "only" 100. That is three usd. that is 3000 a month and assuming this doesnt happen every day 27000B a year. But its only a little.

The thing about the people to lazy to walk...the prices do go up. If the price is 400 but they ask 500 and 50% of the people willpay the 500. That is the new price and it has NO bearing on the value of the room whatsoever.

Sorry for the tirade

In fairness, this is only 3rd time Ive had a problem with taxi drivers - but my gf also had a bad one few months ago, taking HER for a ride. She told him, return to bus station! She said he was pissed!

Let me add some sage travel advice - take it or leave it. Knowledge is power. Know the proper value for whatever your are purchasing. Pay no more or no less. In Thailand speaking Thai well enough to bargain is invaluable. The numbers are same in Khmer - so there you go. Numbers same in Indo/Malaysia as well.

Have an idea of what you will encounter on your trip that is odd and a once off - get the price prior

Know how far you are going, apply a price

Know the value of a B150,300,400,700 room. Even if you don't stay there, you know the value. These differ greatly in and out of cities, on beaches...

Know the price of long and short haul transport

Know the value of food

Know the price of medicine

Dont be in a hurry and certainly dont show you are

Dont always assume that you are going to be ripped off OR that a higher price is being ripped off, make concessions for anomolies

Many years ago the transport guys would name a price (high) but one would break if you stood around or looked for other means. Not so anymore. They state a stupid price and stick with it - F-You farang. Even if you know the price for Thais. Hat Yai bus station is a great example. I have walked into town many times rather than paying B15-40 over odds. B70 to go 1.5km - maybe you.

ASK BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING.

Its not right to be overcharged because you are from another country or have more money or whatever ignorant perceptions thieves you wish to stripe you with. This - oh, its only a FEW baht mentality is loathesome and lazy. Who likes to pay more and get less? Do you think this money goes to good cause friends? The daughter of the mans education? NO, it goes for gambling and whiskey and hookers.

This mentality always spouts from the following persona: Expat of five years, has bought already home or has posh living situation. Usually married within under five years of arrival. Has plenty of dosh having spent the better part of his life, not in Thailand and not gaining insights abroad - but a nose to the grindstone. Early retirement and divorce have set you down here. You are in the lower top tier of spending power for expats, very comfy - and deride everyone for trying to save money or get the real price (as if that should be difficult). You don't speak any Thai. You have only visited holiday spots in Thailand and only a few at that. You loathe backpackers have not really seen much if any of the other countries in the region. Your reason for being here is based on lifestyle and you have no love for Thailand. You could be in Spain or Mexico or Nicaragua or wherever...Usually this guy is overweight and loathe to spend another hour looking for a better room or whatever or a better price. Takes what he is handed and makes himself happy with it.

Do not stand for being double charged if I can help it. Yes, to save money but there is also a principle. 99% of times you are overcharged it is not going to anyone that will make you feel warm and fuzzy about. It's just theft. Best thing you can do to guard against it is: a) find out the price prior speak enough Thai to sort out bargaining c) be willing to walk away

I no longer even think of tripping to anywhere remotely touristy in Thailand and much the same for many other places in Asia. It is rife with scams. I will not stay in any bungalow concession or resort or go near all the mess that surrounds it. There you will find the worst types of people. Bait and switch is the worst ploy as it wastes time and money. Next time you think about - oh its onlt a FEW baht...what about when you are shown a picture of a beautiful bungalow, taken there and it is a dump AND its double the price previously stated?? Dont like it - WALK BACK.

I no longer go anywhere near bungalows, I only trip in remote parts of Thailand and Asia. In Thailand - I only stay in the national parks. I am stress free.

Thailand is VERY scammy and actually more so as its tourism is so developed. In fact there are people from other countries (Indians) coming here to scam you (astrology/suits),French/ Algerian thieves, Ukranian hookers...

Thais also find Samui I big scam pit as well.

I am so tired of being derided because I want a fair and proper price for my purchases. Why is it you guys are never buying me a beer? you have so much money.

There is a site called bangkok scams - have a look.

Finally ...ONLY A FEW BAHT? I would like to remind these people of how insanely strong the THB is. Thailand IIS as expensive as Malaysia now - and without its standards (lack of corruption, Infrastructure, education...). 10THB is 1/3 of a USD. Have some respect for the money you worked so hard to earn. There is no shortage of poor people that the govt does not see fit to sort out a path to upward mobility that will take your 500 here and 1000 there all day long

I have traveled extensively throughout South and SE Asia for nearly twenty years. There is no one paradise and there is no perfect place to be year round. My opinion of other countries as follows:

Cambodia: I lived here when it was wild and dangerous and as a young man loved it, but I pulled up in 96. The poverty is grinding. I could not take it any longer and felt it was truly "cheap holidays in other peoples misery" to quote John Lydon. The food is bland and not very clean. People are lovely, you can find a great wife who is not a 35 yo hooker run thru the ringer. The corruption is beyond the pale - another reason I left as well as all the dddgy guys starting to float in. Dead-ender perverts and I just did not want to be assoc w/ that. Barang still have appeal.

Vietnam. Food is great. Women are stunning - but if you think Thais are harsh on you, you've not been to Vietnam. 2nd most money grubbing people I know. Ruined every trip I ever made there over. Sour.

Lao: Lovely, hot and landlocked. Corruption rife, long stay visas are (were) problematic

Indonesia: Crowded, crushing, HOT. Great people not not easy to get hooked up even if you speak bahasa. Food not clean. Visas impossible. You can drag it out about a year with the "have a girlfriend" thing. Then its over more or less and it gets tough and expensive.

Malaysia: lovely country but a bit boring. I think Thailand is about same expensewise. May get lucky and get a Chinese gf. Women can be seen w/ you and not though of as hookers, Food is decent. Alcohol and golf are expensive.

SIngapore: Like it more as I get older but its too expensive. Especially for alcohol. Take care of green spaces GREEN SPACES. Goverment is a bit nanny but they do deliver. Stable financial system.

Phils: Dire situation. Dangerous people. Food is horrible. Alcohol is cheap. As crowded per km as many African countries. Food is REALLY bad. Visas are easy but expensive. Not easy to get anything done. No golf. Crappy beaches believe it or not. Ignorant haze of Catholicism permeates. Dangerous people.

India: easy 5/10 yr visas for americans and brits (5yr). Dirty, unforgiving, friendly men. Women you wont get near. Unattractive women. Crazy, insane (even in the mountains). Typical food is crap. Just as expenive if not more than Thailand / Malaysia for similar standard. India is now expensive.

Thanks for that excellent explanation. While there are different ways to say things, people have a way of saying this or that in their tongue/s. in Thai, I'm always seemingly getting it wrong.

I have searched the thread above and found some tools that appear to be useful, but I am looking for a down and dirty spreadsheet of the 500 most used words in phonetic Thai / English.

I have dl'd the Quick and Dirty PDF which is wonderful, but super unweildy for making flashcards and I can't print it out as I don't have a printer and ... it has so many pages. I think I will in the end use it, but it will be a slog on a 10" netbook.

Not to get off topic - can anyone highly recommend a book w/ cd? The Becker books? When I had a look at them, they appeared dry.

Thank you

I have not been able to really get an understanding or find a definitive rule for using jop/mot/set

I have a rough idea that ....

mot is finished in regard to - I am out of it.

jop relates to action. we are finished (today) with the paperwork

set - finished in finality. she and I are finished.

I was told not to use set laa-ou for many things as it denotes death or the total finality. My girlfriend said this is rubbish. She was a real initial help (with the above) but upon query further, she cannot help beyond.

Does anyone have a clue as to some rule that I can apply when using these words/terms? It seems I am always getting it wrong.

A down and dirty approach and the correct understanding /rules woud be great.

Thank you.

People are missing the point - comparing Pattaya to Detroit and such nonsense.

In my time in Pattaya I can vividly recall ...

Katoeys's mugging tourist on the beach with regularity and disconcern obviously by police. Often the guys show interest, often they are cornered like up in the Nana BTS area.

Routine gold snatchings from motos often resulting in serious accident and often involving foreigners

Theft from Apts/Hotel rooms is rife and the cops could care less - kiss your stuff good bye.

Theft from violent home robberies and robberies away - even in gated communities is rife.

Violence along Beach Rd, muggings of farang by Thai men.

Purse snatchings all over Pattaya, but Soi Bukhao is notorious.

Gold snatchings from motos often with bodily injury

Bodies washing ashore with regularity (not always Thai)

City is throughly awash in meth and all the problems that brings

Moto theft is an hourly occurance

Local young boy gangs - but usually leave the farang along. SHOOTOUTS often resulting in injury - VERY VERY COMMON

Walking street is a real danger to those in the know. Anyone remember the N.Eurpeans who got into a scuffle some years back - set upon by a gang and then a bunch of Thai men jined in for fun. All went to hospital. I think they all survived but one was reported dead for days. The police were loathe to turn this gang in - despite having eyes everywhere AND the friend farang coppers - they could not finger the suspects. After two long weeks, some arrests were made - and then it disappeared from the radar. This is more common than people think,

What about the Russian women murdered ON THE BEACH a few years back?

Then there is the disconcern by drivers and FARANG SOME OF WORST OFFENDERS -deadly

Then there are the prostitutes - born bad to the bone they arrive in Pattaya, hopped up on meth, pimp Thai BF. They give these punters all sorts of problems these days. Don't get what they want, they get wacked.

Guys in bars shortchanged and angry, ripped off on the bill/drinks, other thievery... complaining (beer bars in big areas) - often get a bashing.

Then there is the HIV rates from the prostitutes which I would put at somewhere between 15-20% if what my friend tells me about the amount of porn churned sans condom out of Pattaya (Thai). Old men that cannot get it up w/ condom, old men that just don't care. People disconcern of their (others) health, Pattaya - largest gathering of sociopaths in teh world. The girls on Beach Rd must be ALL HIV pos...you get the punters down there, then they have another a little more upmarket and she sleeps with you. Pattaya must be deadly at this stage of the game. There is a reason there is no data on HIV rates in Pattaya -and how easy it would be to collect.

It's all safe, They deserved it - until it's you. This incident is only news because the cops brought the gang down.

Remember this incident well. Because you have a target on your back in Pattaya and the cops just don't care.