alwayshavetimeforstupidity

yaaawwwwnnnn... another disgruntled expat who blames the fact he is a failure on the shortcomings of his host country and tries to lecture those who live in Thailand since years a content life

Not lecturing, just raising a simple point. Or do I need to have lived in Thailand 400 years and posted nearly 12,000 comments on Thai Visa to be allowed a say on any matter??

Very assumptive on your behalf though. Did you press the automatic reply button, like you do to any negative comment made about Thailand? Maybe you don't want the value of your business, property/land to fall??? Why improve it if its not broken hey? Progressive thinking.

If I spent my life posting comments on forums that would be a failure sunshine.

I completely agree, but I can't figure out whether their racism is down to the image that the foreigners coming over to Thailand in the last 50 years have created, whether its because they're scared of anything new or change, or if its just a completely lack of intelligence.

All three maybe?

look at some of the farangs in Thailand, do you blame them ?

Not at all. It's part of my point..

I've seen a few blogs and articles about foreigners attacked for "no reason". Ofcourse many on Thaivisa are pro-Thailand and therefore the usual instant thoughts are "there MUST be more to it".

If the Chinese (for example) had been coming to my home country for 50 years and taking "our" women then I'm sure there would be many more "random" attacks.

When I drive down Patpong beach (when I have friends over that want to stay there), I also feel like committing some attacks on the foreigners..!

Laws actually enforced,yeah like thats going to happen Dream on Alice.

Precisely my point....it is a laughable subject. Unfortunately one that costs many lives, but have Thailand completely given up on becoming a safe place with no corruption or will things just get worse and worse for them? Almost every ex-pat I speak to whose been here for 10 years plus say that Thailand has gone hugely down hill

Do all the ex-pats here just live here, knowing that one day the corruption and violence will become so bad that they'll have to leave?

And go where? Corruption and violence transcend history and geography. Show me intelligent life in another region of the universe and i'll show you greed and corruption.

But based on my original post regarding road traffic police and laws in Thailand. Its one of the most obvious places of direct, in your face corruption. Everyone knows about it, yet we all (especially foreigners) go along with it. You can pay 2euros whenever pulled up and you don't need to wear a helmet, for an extra 2 euros you dont even need a licence. Its killing 28000 per year in Thailand compared to 3000 people in Holland (a similar size population), buts its a moneymaker for them so its left alone, and we don't fight it.

People are always saying that things get worse and go down hill.. its human nature. Ask people in Holland, England wherever. They will say its getting worse.

So that's it then....stop fighting it because it's human nature?

Laws actually enforced,yeah like thats going to happen Dream on Alice.

Precisely my point....it is a laughable subject. Unfortunately one that costs many lives, but have Thailand completely given up on becoming a safe place with no corruption or will things just get worse and worse for them? Almost every ex-pat I speak to whose been here for 10 years plus say that Thailand has gone hugely down hill

Do all the ex-pats here just live here, knowing that one day the corruption and violence will become so bad that they'll have to leave?

I think most expats no in the back of there mind that one day all this violence will become to much. Thailand has gone way way down hill in the last 5 years or so.

Thai people in general are the most racist people i have ever met. I am saying that as a white man who lived in Zimbabwe for 8 years !! That says it all really.

I completely agree, but I can't figure out whether their racism is down to the image that the foreigners coming over to Thailand in the last 50 years have created, whether its because they're scared of anything new or change, or if its just a completely lack of intelligence.

All three maybe?

Laws actually enforced,yeah like thats going to happen Dream on Alice.

Precisely my point....it is a laughable subject. Unfortunately one that costs many lives, but have Thailand completely given up on becoming a safe place with no corruption or will things just get worse and worse for them? Almost every ex-pat I speak to whose been here for 10 years plus say that Thailand has gone hugely down hill

Do all the ex-pats here just live here, knowing that one day the corruption and violence will become so bad that they'll have to leave?

Does anyone else find the following figures interesting but not surprising?

Songkran Festivals 4 days - 212 fatalities

Red Shirt Protest for democracy - 25 fatalities

Last years figures for the Songkran seven days were....

"Songkran's "seven dangerous days" ended yesterday with 373 deaths and 4,332 injuries in 3,977 road accidents nationwide."

"A total of 5,271,977 drivers and motorcycle-riders were examined at checkpoints nationwide. Of those, 408,020 were cited for violating the law, including 137,806 for driving without a licence and 136,772 for not wearing a helmet."

Sonkran festivals are a great time for the police, a nice easy way to make money and quick bonuses. We all know this but how many stand up to it?

Let's say on average that last year the police made 150baht on each driver that was driving without a helmet or licence so.....

150baht x 408,020 = TOTAL BRIBES OF 61,203,000Baht

61,203,000 / 373 deaths = PRICE OF LIFE 164,083 (3150British Pounds)

Obviously not a problem fixed overnight but...maybe if the red shirts get what they want and get into power, the simple measure of driving lessons, actual tests and a simple law that every motorbike rider and anyone else on the bike wears a helmet + a drink/drug driving law actually imposed. All with strict, imposed penalties (revoked licence, jail time or driving ban, or documented fine) instead of a simple 100-200baht POLICE BRIBE taken.

25 people died for a decent enough reason, 212 died for no reason but in my opinion a figure easily reduced if it wasn't for corruption. The route cause. One thing much worse than a corrupt government proven guilty is a corrupt government, military, country free do do what it wants.

BELOW IS A PICTURE OF ME IN AMONGST THE RED SHIRTS, WATCHING SOME SPEECHES LAST SUNDAY!

Thanks a lot for your comments and responses, will certainly take the advice and try atleast 1 of the above.

I will read through other blogs now also..

Thanks for the concern and note, I stayed at the Baiyoke last week and also ventured out to see what was going on with the rallies and watched some speeches. Almost every red-shirt I met was very friendly, and focused on the stage.

I agree with the comments on the terrible service and the fantastic views at the Baiyoke but I thought the food was fantastic in the evening on the 78th and also 82nd floor. I wasn't lucky enough to get a glass floor but the golf, fitness centre, and pool are great for me!

Thank you guys!

Hey there!

I live in Hua Hin but need to spend the next 9 nights in Bangkok for work and I seem to have spent the last 2 days looking on hotel search engines, reading reviews and finding which hotels are best suited....but then thought, why not ask for some expert help!!?? Not bothered too much about being around the rallies/protests, because they seem mostly very friendly...whats important is waking up to great food!!

I'm looking for a hotel close to Pratunam Market with a GREAT BUFFET BREAKFAST .......... any ideas???

contact [email protected] there are 10-15 tennis players or call 0802446739 bill

Thank you!! I'm sending an email now. Much appreciated!!

Dusit Resort. 6-11 April from memory

Are you playing? Do I need to have a team?

There are always teams short of players. If you turn up for a look on the first day, you might score a spot for the rest of the tournamant.

I have a team, yes.

Thanks alot Kurnell. Much appreciated!! Just need to find other things to do in the meantime!

Please keep me in mind if you hear o a team looking

My Hippo...where are you based??

I am based in Lat Phrao, Bangkok and am normally a soloist - my route, my pace & my stops. I normally have a 20km warm-up run to a PTT gas station just past Fashion Island and sitting there, having a coffee, I decide where I am going. People have asked me and the best answer that I can give is "Ask me when I get back!"

Take today, for example, Sunday morning, light traffic and nice weather. My road bike is off the road awaiting spares so I was on the hybrid. Some of my routes I have designated 'Sundays/holidays only' so I decided on one of these - about 8kms along Hwy 304 is a 7-11, turning right there, ride for about 7kms and right again, it eventually leads to Rom Klao Road and back to Minburi. I've never tried that route on a weekday but as it passes the Inland Container Depot, I assume it will be busy. So it was a nice, pleasant 75km ride.

...so what is the reason for the blog then? Just to tell everyone what you do on the bike everyday? I don't get it Hippo....

Dusit Resort. 6-11 April from memory

Are you playing? Do I need to have a team?

Hi,

I'm new to Hua Hin and looking to play more tennis (and badminton).

I'm available most days.

Anyone?

Cricket sixes coming in 6 weeks

Would love to play Kurnell. Where is it and what's happening?

I reiterate my thanks for the information...

However we must have been lucky, or caught the immigration on a good day because today when we went and began to tell them the reasons we were 2 days late, the officials said it was fine. No overstay would have to be paid because the office isn't open on a Saturday.

We just paid the 1900 Baht and got a new "permission to stay stamp". Only for 7 days, but it gives us time to go to the hospital daily for cleaning and then arrange travel.

Maybe it was because she had lots of cuts and brusies and bandages but they were very fair to us. Not seen this type of treatment at immigration before!!

Thanks for your help

Your Girlfriend needs help from the hospital. A lot of the big hospitals have staff that deal with Immigration in cases like this. If not you need a medical certificate from the doctor.

Have a chat with the hospital and Immigration.

This is the rule that deals with her. It may even help you. If not you will have to do a border run and pay any overstay you may have.

2.25 In the case of medical

treatment or convalescence or to look after a patient:

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 90 days at a time.

(1) Confirmation and request has been made by a physician

responsible for the treatment. The Physician must describe the details of treatment and advised that the illness is a barrier for travelling.

(2) In the case of looking after a patient, confirmation and request has been made by the physician responsible for the treatment or by an embassy or consulate.

(3) Patient Carer, except parents, spouse, children, adopted children or children of spouse, shall be granted no more than 1 extra person.

Thanks a lot for the information mate, really appreciate that! Theres been a delay responding because we went to the hospital and they've written a note for both of us. Its in Thai but they say basically explains the situation and that we were both unable to travel. I saw the second reply to my question, hopefully the letter will get us both through, otherwise I'll take the trip alone no problems.

Really appreciate the detailed answers! I'll keep you both posted.

Hello there,

I'm a 30 year old Englishman and in Thailand for another 3 months and want to play as much sport as I can...but its diicult to find similar people here in Hua Hin.

I can play football, all raquet sports or whatever you like. I'm getting abit fed up of the running and cyling, but my trainers and bike never let me down and are always up for going out.

Anyone in the same boat, need players for games or practice or if you need a partner for a game?????

Or even know of some expat teams??

Any help would be great!

My Hippo...where are you based??

I'm in Hua Hin....and looking to get together with some fellow cyclers!

I wish I knew the answer to this because I'm worrried, but hopefully someone here will...

We're 28 and 32 years old. English and Swedish Nationality.

We have been in Thailand for 8 months and fly out of the country every 30 days or 14 days via land as many do....

We were due to take a trip to Ranong on Saturday but on Friday night we were involved in a motorcycle accident and my girlfriend was badly injured and needed to be stitched up at hospital, and treatment everyday for the next 7 days. Anyway, we weren't able to travel on Saturday so went to Hua Hin Immigration instead on Saturday morning to try to get an extension (First question - Is this possible???). The immigration is open Monday to Friday so we will go there again tomorrow, Monday (as my girlfriend needs to stay in the area for hospital treatment).

Is it possible to get an extension on a 14 day visa?

Is there any way the cirmunstances will help the situation or is it completely business for the immigration?

What is the best and cheapest way to deal with this situation given that by tomorrow we will have overstayed 2 days each and need to get stamps...

Any help would be much appreciated because we're both very worried!!

Thanks for your help.

As el jefe stated well done sounds like a great trip.

Very impressive daily mileage.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Thanks Conrad!

We're now planning to start cycle tours in Thailand. We know of one other company that do it in Phuket, but would like to organise different types of cycle tours and training for club cyclists.

There are already dozens of companies doing bike tours in Thailand (see SpiceRoads.com, crouchingtiger.com, backroads.com, etc) But none of them are organizing tours with 100+kms per day, every day. Maybe that's the way to differentiate yourselves. Or maybe there just aren't enough people who want to do that kind of mileage. In any case, I wish you the best of luck. And congratulations on finishing your tour. I'm very impressed by your consistently high mileage.

Really great to hear that el jefe....I haven't heard of those companies but I knew there were a few who did the shorter rides. We want to do some longer rides around SE Asia, crossing into Thailand's bordering countries. One of the tricky things whilst we were on route was finding food and hotels along the way...its easy to make a plan but when the terrain is unpredicatable its also easy to over/under ride in a day...we'll put lots of thought into though. Have you rode with any of the companies you mentioned?

Thanks for that! It's a case of completing each day and then rocovering for 10 hours. We're itching for the next now!!

Thanks again for the info.

Hi Andy,

I had the same trouble 2/3 months ago. Finding a road bike is tricky all over Thailand, and finding a used road bike is even tricker.

I trecked all over Bangkok to 6/7 stores, the best i found was a new entry level specialised and trek road bike for around 30-35,000TB

Then I went to Hua Hin, Pattaya and eventually found mine in Chumphon and one for my mate in Hua Hin - but both very lucky. In December we went training on our bikes in Phuket and theres lots more hope or you there. We found 3 decent road bike stores and plenty of used road bikes between 12,000 and 80,000TB.

Where are you based?

Good luck with it though. Well worth having a road bike, so many places to get out for good rides.

Hi!

It was pretty great actually...although at times during the ride we would have rather have been anywhere else.

We set of on 20th December from Bangkok, headed south to Chumphon, then Surat Thani then headed East and kepy close to the Coast towards Songkla and then inwards to Hat Yai. Late on 24th we crossed the Malaysian border, then another 4 days we were in Kuala Lumpur...then we landed in Singapore around 2pm on 31st....just in time to meet some friends for a new years eve party. It was much faster than we had planned but we set of with some long days with the thought we would be in much pain towards the 10th day (which we were!!).

We woke around 6am everyday and set off 6.30am at first light and rode until between 4pm and 7pm usually but there was 2 nights we rode into the dark after getting split up after I took an injury and had to rest for half a day. When we had finished cycling or the day we had a big meal usually lots of rice, and then fell asleep within the hour so had plenty of sleep before the next morning.

It was a great experience and I'd recommend anyone to do it. I wont forget The Malaysian jungles, the south Thailand East coast and the Mountains around North Kuala Lumpur...we saw some great stuff. We travelled really lightly, at first with rucksacks but after 3rd day we sent them home and for the next 7 days wore the same cycling shorts and tshirt until we got to singapore.

We're now planning to start cycle tours in Thailand. We know of one other company that do it in Phuket, but would like to organise different types of cycle tours and training for club cyclists.

(Dec 20^th) Day one – Bangkok – Hua Hin = 239km

(Dec 21^st) Hua Hin – Chumphon = 265km

(Dec 22^nd) Chumphon – Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat = 255km

(Dec 23^rd) Sichon – Songkhla = 273km

(Dec 24^th) Songkhla – Alor Setar 116km

(Dec 25^th) Alor setar – Penang 112km

(Dec 26^th) Penang – Ipoh 170km

(Dec 27^th) Ipoh – Selangor 157km

(Dec 28^th) Selangor – South Kuala Lumpur 114km

(Dec 29th) South Kuala Lumpur – Melaka = 149km

(Dec 30^th) Melaka – Selatan = 167km

(Dec 31^th) Selatan – Singapore = 103km

I am available almost anytime to play badminton and looking for players to play against. Is anyone available? Please post here or PM me i you are available or no of any clubs/ places to play in Hua Hin.