Part12

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fish2plus2 banned

Reged: 04/21/06 Posts: 2613 Loc: El Diablo Forum Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: blackmagix] #9736968 - 03/28/07 08:14 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

"kkf,

over under on when one of these patong boys pays a 7 figure baht dowry to a bar girl?"

alot. its so easy to fall for these chicks.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fish2plus2 banned

Reged: 04/21/06 Posts: 2613 Loc: El Diablo Forum Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: fish2plus2] #9736974 - 03/28/07 08:16 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

"maybe with the king's daughter or something."

hey, never say stuff like this in thailand.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fish2plus2 banned

Reged: 04/21/06 Posts: 2613 Loc: El Diablo Forum Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: fish2plus2] #9737021 - 03/28/07 08:24 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

"Thai women are much hotter in person than in pictures."

this is so true. i dont know why, but so many of them photograph poorly.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator blackmagix newbie

Reged: 01/04/07 Posts: 42 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: fish2plus2] #9738147 - 03/28/07 10:54 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: "maybe with the king's daughter or something."

hey, never say stuff like this in thailand.

Swiss man faces 75 years in prison for disrespecting the king

Good thing I said it from Hong Kong

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator southerndog old hand

Reged: 07/16/03 Posts: 1148 Loc: Andy B. '08 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: blackmagix] #9738322 - 03/28/07 11:12 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Damn, I just read whoami's post.. I was just in Phuket, would have loved to get a beer.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: blackmagix] #9750561 - 03/29/07 01:29 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Non prostitutes in Patong?

Bro, I dont think you understand where it is that you live. There are four main area's in Thailand that are notorious for prostitution:

1. Walking street in Pattaya 2. Soi Cowyboy in Bangkok 3. Nana Plaza in Bangkok

and....drumroll please...

Patong Beach (and more specifically Bangla Road) in Phuket.

Non-prostitutes don't tend to frequent these places

You forgot the original and most famous of all, Patpong, Bangkok? Home of the freakiest of freaky shows!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator john voight cleaning up after daddy

Reged: 04/16/06 Posts: 2555 Loc: SALAZARRRRRRRR Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #9750967 - 03/29/07 02:02 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

what were ladyboys @ birth, female or male? B/c I would be much less creepd out if theye are juct chicks w/ dicks. If ther wre dudes though... that is sick.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: john voight] #9780536 - 03/31/07 04:29 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

WhoIAm Birthday in Phuket Trip Report (Pics to follow later once I get the right USB cord to DL off my gfs camera)

Muay Thai down in Phuket Town, PK, (having been warned that most if not all of the Patong boxing rings were at least semi fake, we ventured into a far more "Thai oriented" area).

Long and annoying negotiations with different taxi drivers to get us from Patong down to PK. Eventually settle on an overpriced taxi (1000THB) to bring us there wait for us then bring us back. I'm sure we could have arranged better, but we left it a bit late (1hr before the boxing started).

Sos, after a 20min drive in the taxi, (sheet, after 2 weeks in Phuket I'd almost forgotten what it's like in a car, I've been tooling aroud on my motorbike for what seems like forever.) we arrive at the boxing arena (Sawit Gym/training camp/boxing stadium). My Thai GF got out and tried to buy the tix for the tree of us at Thai discount prices but to no avail. She got the 50% Thai discount, but WhoIAm and I had to pay full Farang Fare of 1200TB for ringside seats (900THB for outer ring seats). As we entered the arena, we realized it's smallish and no one checks the tix anyways so we could have bought outer ring and just moved to rigside if we wanted to (as most farangs were ringside and The Thais had outer ring seats). Seeing this, we promptly sat down right on the edge of the apron and awaited the show.

Looking for a little side action (we gots a little gambool in us) but both completely clueless on the form/favorites of the 9 bout fight, we decide to have a tiny 50THB wager on each fight with me taking all of the red corner fighters and WhoIAm taking all the blue corner fighters. NOTE even this random method can have painful gambooling repurcussions. On a 9 card fight I managed to lose 500THB???? (As the fights wore on I started getting in a deeper hole as most of the red fighters were going down by either decision or KO so I kept going for the dbl and treble wager on the next fight and still losing).

Onto to the fighting action. The first bout was listed on the card as a 50lb weight class. Prior to the emergence of the figters we were speculating on how old the competitors could possibly be at just 50lbs. Well, we were awarded a fierce battle atween what seemed like two 5 year olds. Red had a fierce "50 cent stare" and blue looked timid but had a definite height and reach advantage. After the opening ceremonies (which were similar for each fight) of a ceremonial dance center ring and a trace of the ropes with brief prayer in each corner) the action commenced. These 2 kids fought as hard as any 2 Brooklyn street fighters I can remember growing up. Red turned out to be a bull rushing brawler with strong punches but he could not hold up to the more technical and skillful kicking ability of blue. Thus, blue won by decision.

After the fight, I was reflecting on both the brutality and beauty of the spectacle of 5 year olds in such a contest. Their discipline and determination was startling for some so young and yet twas still a bit disturbing watching little kids "kickin the sheet" out of each other.

The next three fights moved on with slight rises in weight class and age. One of the hardest battles was atween what seemed two 14year olds who fought so fiercely that WhoIam remarked "The winner must get to lose his virginity tonight!" Of course, red won this fight wit a crushing kick/punch combo to the head that sent red spiraling to floor in a KO and requiring smelling salts to reawaken.

The 5th match shall be known as the sick OUTDRAW! Having doubled the stakes on this fight of 16yr olds, red was opening a big ole can of ass whuppin on blue through 2 rounds. The whuppin was so intense, we were both shocked Blue managed to stay standing in the 2nd round after absorbing so much punishment. Well, it seems Blue had been adopting a solid "rope'a'dope" stategy and at the stat of the 3rd round, red was visibly tired and blue KOed him in the 1st 30 seconds with a devastating series of kicks to the head.

Onto the next interesting fight...45lb weight class! What? 45lb? Tis it possible? Yep! Cus they were 6 or 7yr old GIRLS! LOL! These chicks fought as fierce, if not fiercer than the young boys. After three rounds, and not a single incident of standard catfight hair pulling, blue, of course, won by decision deepening my 1st foray into Muay Thai betting.

As the main event rolled around, I was in the hole for about 250THB and decided to "get out of it" on the last fight. I was confident that any farang named, Olaf, from Estonia, weighing in at 200lbs, had to have a decent shot against a local Thai journeyman. WhoIam graciously accepted the dbl or nothing bet and the fight commenced. Olaf had about a 7inch height advanage and easily the same advantage in reach. The Thai fighter also looked a little old and possily out of shape. The first 2 rounds went as expected with Olaf's superior power, reach, and kicking punishing the Thai fighter. At this point, I'm thinking "yeah HA! I'm out of it!" Unfortunately, Olaf ran out of gas shortly into the 3rd round and the fiht went to decision with the Thai guy winning on decision after out boxing him for te last 2.5 rounds. BAH! So I got to pay the full 1000THB taxi fare.

We had the taxi drop us off at Bangla Road back in Patong to continue the birthday merriment. We eventually wandered into the back of "Soi Disco something or other" for a few drinks whilst watching the bar girls a dancing. The mix was 10% hot, 50% doable, 20% meh, and 20% Yuck/ladyboy. At our first bar,

WhoIAm kept getting propositioned by an energetic somewhat cute 30something woman with an amusing surprise. When she opened her mouth, she was missing almost her entire row of upper teeth. Needless to say this was "offputting" for both of us, though my gf did find it quite amusing. At this bar I managed to lose something like 7 straight games of connect 4 to the head bar matron (LOL trying to beat a professional connect 4 player). After 2 drinks we moved onto the front of the soi to "Sharky's Bar," where all the dancers were dressed in schoolgirl outfits.

Once we landed at Sharky's Bar, WHoIam and I commenced drinkin and my gf went for a walk to get some food from the street carts. She returned about 40 mins later with a cake and candles and we had a little bday song and party there with the bargirls chowing down some cake! One of the bar matrons took great enoyment in speading icing all over WhoIAm's face!. The rest of the evening, I'll let WhoIam relate at his discretion/leisure.

Summary: Muay Tai (at a real arena/gym outside of the heavy farang traffic areas) was deffo a good night out depsite being on the V expensive side for Thailand. It's worth one trip just to experience the spectacle and ritual. Bangla Rd....Well it's Bangla Rd on a Friday night, LOL!

Edited by NewTeaBag (03/31/07 04:30 AM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #9780925 - 03/31/07 06:03 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

As NewTeaBag said, when we got the list of fights, there were a bunch of matchups listed as 45-60 lbs. "This must be the weight in kilos" I said. "But that would mean fighters in the main event are 200 kilos." "Do you think they have midgets fighting?" We figured out what was going on when we walked in and saw some kids who were literally 5 or 6 years old in full muay thai regalia. I was a little apprehensive about watching little kids kick the crap out of each other but I ultimately found it an extremely enjoyable experience. Some of the best money I've ever spent, in fact. I wouldn't have minded if the whole thing were nothing but kids. The one thing that struck me as really odd was that the referee kept adjusting the cup on one of the 8-year-olds. This happened a number of times during the fight. For some reason the trainers seemed to get upset when I tried to do this after the fight.

One of the reasons we went to the Phuket town stadium was that we figured it would be cheaper than the 1300-1500 baht charged by the Bangla stadium. We ended up saving a few hundred baht, but the taxi was 1000. At least Chang was cheap. Mmmm...Chang.

Here's a useful link for anyone in or considering visiting Thailand: Expert Play in Connect-Four

Quote: The rest of the evening, I'll let WhoIam relate at his discretion/leisure.

I went to Bangla road and came across some Thai girls.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator YanTree journeyman

Reged: 03/30/07 Posts: 50 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: john voight] #9781098 - 03/31/07 07:00 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: what were ladyboys @ birth, female or male? B/c I would be much less creepd out if theye are juct chicks w/ dicks. If ther wre dudes though... that is sick.

they were all born as men

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator YanTree journeyman

Reged: 03/30/07 Posts: 50 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9781110 - 03/31/07 07:03 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Blue balls.

At least tell us how many you took home...

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: YanTree] #9790723 - 04/01/07 03:11 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Saw Girly Berry live at a free concert in Patong last night as the closing to The Adventure Race Thailand.

VV Nice! Would see them again! Yum Yum!

Gossip video

Reality Video

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator octopi On the Island of Misfit Toys

Reged: 12/04/05 Posts: 735 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9794004 - 04/01/07 02:06 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: As NewTeaBag said, when we got the list of fights, there were a bunch of matchups listed as 45-60 lbs. "This must be the weight in kilos" I said. "But that would mean fighters in the main event are 200 kilos." "Do you think they have midgets fighting?" We figured out what was going on when we walked in and saw some kids who were literally 5 or 6 years old in full muay thai regalia. I was a little apprehensive about watching little kids kick the crap out of each other but I ultimately found it an extremely enjoyable experience. Some of the best money I've ever spent, in fact. I wouldn't have minded if the whole thing were nothing but kids. The one thing that struck me as really odd was that the referee kept adjusting the cup on one of the 8-year-olds. This happened a number of times during the fight. For some reason the trainers seemed to get upset when I tried to do this after the fight.

One of the reasons we went to the Phuket town stadium was that we figured it would be cheaper than the 1300-1500 baht charged by the Bangla stadium. We ended up saving a few hundred baht, but the taxi was 1000. At least Chang was cheap. Mmmm...Chang.

Did you go to the stadium on the outskirts of town, on the way to the airport, near the Tesco Lotus? That place is great. I agree the kids were awesome. When we first sat down I thought we got ripped off and were just going to watch kids fight, then dogs, then roosters and eventually just leave sad and a few thousand baht lighter. I was pleased to see some awesome 'big' and 'lady' fights though.

Also, seriously, underpaying for tickets and moving up a few rows? Lame, also, totally noticeable if you went to that stadium that I mentioned. It was a room with a boxing ring and people a few steps away that would be certain to notice. Good way to save a few hundred baht, I guess???!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator octopi On the Island of Misfit Toys

Reged: 12/04/05 Posts: 735 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9794066 - 04/01/07 02:13 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Does anyone have any idea where the single white chicks hang out in Patong?

When I'm in the area of Patong (which was rare, I would only go to party) I would hang out down Soi Crocodile (and noticed a lot of other women there too, it's fun and entertaining) or at the fancier upscale hotel bars. But seriously, just go out during the day and hang out at the beach. Or meet a group and take them on a boat trip somewhere or take a scuba course. Lots of girlfriends do them together, I noticed.

You'd probably meet more falang girls at Central or any other beach other than Patong.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ChoicestHops Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/02/04 Posts: 2432 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9794889 - 04/01/07 03:39 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: All I can say about the internet so far is that it falls short of my expectations. Now letís change the subject before I break something.

Is it really hard to have a stable internet connection on any of the islands outside of Bangkok? I want to check out an island like Ko Phangan, but from what I hear it's really hard to have a stable connection.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator CanIPlayII enthusiast

Reged: 06/06/06 Posts: 255 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ChoicestHops] #9795491 - 04/01/07 04:46 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Can you get USA sports on Satellite TV? Namely College and NFL Football?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator CanIPlayII enthusiast

Reged: 06/06/06 Posts: 255 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Degen] #9795961 - 04/01/07 05:27 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Is Degen still Banned? I would like to know if he got his account working from Thailand. The best thread on 2+2 and the OP gets Banned?

Edited by CanIPlayII (04/01/07 05:37 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator YanTree journeyman

Reged: 03/30/07 Posts: 50 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: CanIPlayII] #9798083 - 04/01/07 08:26 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Is Degen still Banned? I would like to know if he got his account working from Thailand. The best thread on 2+2 and the OP gets Banned?

Yes he is still banned.

What do you mean 'his account working'?

PartyPoker account?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator CanIPlayII enthusiast

Reged: 06/06/06 Posts: 255 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: YanTree] #9798386 - 04/01/07 08:47 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Thailand Moneybookers? and Party Poker.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ChoicestHops] #9801825 - 04/02/07 12:50 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: All I can say about the internet so far is that it falls short of my expectations. Now letís change the subject before I break something.

Is it really hard to have a stable internet connection on any of the islands outside of Bangkok? I want to check out an island like Ko Phangan, but from what I hear it's really hard to have a stable connection.

Well, I don't know about the other islands, but with Phuket being the biggest and most touristed, I'd sort of expect it to get the most attention in terms of stable internet, but our Provider, TOT, has been up and down more times than a bargirls underwear. I'd suggest that doesn't bode well for smaller islands.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: octopi] #9802240 - 04/02/07 01:31 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Did you go to the stadium on the outskirts of town, on the way to the airport, near the Tesco Lotus? That place is great. I agree the kids were awesome. When we first sat down I thought we got ripped off and were just going to watch kids fight, then dogs, then roosters and eventually just leave sad and a few thousand baht lighter. I was pleased to see some awesome 'big' and 'lady' fights though.

Also, seriously, underpaying for tickets and moving up a few rows? Lame, also, totally noticeable if you went to that stadium that I mentioned. It was a room with a boxing ring and people a few steps away that would be certain to notice. Good way to save a few hundred baht, I guess???!

Are you a woman? Were you with 2 other women, one with side pigtails?

If so, then we probably saw you at the same fight night.

Saving a few hundred baht: My point wasn't necesarily to scam 300THB on the arena but more to point out that there was very little difference between the outer ring and inner ring seats so should another visit, they could easily buy the outer ring seats and not worry about being far away or missing any of the action.

PS Everytime I've gone past SOI Crocodile there has been a Katoey show going on near the front and I'm pretty sure this has been at least "mildy offputting" for WhoIam's entry.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator CanIPlayII enthusiast

Reged: 06/06/06 Posts: 255 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: CanIPlayII] #9829172 - 04/03/07 08:29 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Can you get USA sports on Satellite TV? Namely College and NFL Football?

Bump and Keep the trip reports coming Teabag.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: CanIPlayII] #9833717 - 04/04/07 02:05 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Can you get USA sports on Satellite TV? Namely College and NFL Football?

I was in Australia for most of the NFL season last year and had this problem. One major issue is the time difference--even if you find an amazing sports bar with games from all over the world, most of the games come on at times like 3 or 6am when the bar would be closed. I imagine that you could buy some kind of super satellite dish here that would allow you to get Sunday Ticket. You would also need a Tivo or DVR unless you hate sleeping night. Option #2 is to watch the games on internet p2p streaming networks. I did this last year and the games were pixelated, choppy, often froze completely, and I had no idea what the lines were doing. Of course with the way the Steelers played last season, this was a good thing. Maybe the technology will improve by this season, but I wouldn't count on it. Option #3 is to get a friend to stream you games through slingbox or something. I don't know much about this.

Just to put some perspective on things here, yesterday I spent a few hours grinding $50NL and made twice the average monthly salary for Thailand.

Last weekend a bunch of rich Thai teenagers stayed at one of the villas here. It was like the Thai version of the OC.

In Thai popular culture you'll often see random English words, much the way we will often use random Spanish words or phrases in casual conversation. For example, I'll be watching Thai TV and it will say "blah blah blah SUPER SEXY blah blah POTATO blah." There's even a cable channel called "News 24" that anchors pronounce "News Twenty-four" but everything else is in Thai. Cultural imperialism is awesome.

Our new internet connection is not only fast enough to play poker, we can even watch streaming video if we allow for a longer-than-average buffering time. In short, we're partying like it's 1999.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator bjw1985 stranger

Reged: 04/04/07 Posts: 4 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9837339 - 04/04/07 11:30 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

i'm visiting with a buddy in may. we're flying into bangkok, and want to go to Phuket, Phi Phi island, soh kamui. just wondering what you guys recommend for going from bangkok to phuket. bus? flight?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator kaah enthusiast

Reged: 12/12/05 Posts: 326 Loc: bangkok Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: bjw1985] #9838478 - 04/04/07 12:57 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

i just came of patong did full moon and now im in chaweng samui wich is baby patong w/o bangala road

@Does anyone have any idea where the single white chicks hang out in Patong?@ at the beach hahaha always anlone. feels good to see, dont waste time on them. patong has the worst beach in thailand and when u are knee deep you cant see your foot but the nightlife is good. i did a tour in tigerdisco at bangala and after about 20minutes i walked home with a nonhooker thaigirl. is good!

pm if you are around

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: bjw1985] #9839190 - 04/04/07 01:45 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: just wondering what you guys recommend for going from bangkok to phuket. bus? flight?

I would fly unless you're really on a budget. You can fly anywhere within Thailand for under US$100. I have no idea what a bus would cost, but I saw a taxi service advertising 8000 baht. The flight was only about an hour.

Quote: pm if you are around

I'm planning on doing some traveling once epassporte unlocks my account. IF YOU PLAN ON TRAVELING ABROAD, MAKE SURE YOU LET EPASSPORTE KNOW BEFOREHAND. It's been over two effing weeks, I've sent in all the required documents, and it still might be another 10 days before my account iis unfrozen. NewTeaBag has lent me the princely sum of 7,000 baht and I've been living off of that. I'm going to cut a swathe of destruction once I gain access to my money though.

Later I'll post some pictures from our trip to the "waterfall" and Wat Chalong.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator dahouse newbie

Reged: 01/04/07 Posts: 30 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9839357 - 04/04/07 01:56 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehyb...News&rpc=44

ghey

Anybody in Bangkok should checkout the Bitec auto show (google it). Some of the hottest chics in Thailand working as models there.

I'll try and get some pictures up soon.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator dahouse newbie

Reged: 01/04/07 Posts: 30 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: dahouse] #9839419 - 04/04/07 02:00 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

These trip reports rock. Though get some more pictures!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ChoicestHops Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/02/04 Posts: 2432 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9841257 - 04/04/07 03:47 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Have any of you guys thought about opening up a offshore bank account and going back to Party since you are out of the states? It may not be worth it, but if you have the option I dont see why you wouldnt. I was googling the other day and found a one bedroom villa at the northwest region of Sumoi that was like $320/mo. That or Pattaya are about the only islands I can find stuff for by googling.

I still want to check out Thailand, especially the island life. Only time I can is after the WSOP main event or after the fall semester..

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: dahouse] #9851302 - 04/05/07 08:56 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Motorbike--Climb--Falls--Dam: A trip report in Pix.

WhoIam, my gf and I ride on over to Khatu Falls (prominently marked on the Phuket Map) to discover not quite what I expected. At the bottom there is what appears a bubbling brook with a couple of wading areas. After asking about, it seems it doens't really become a "falls" until well into the rainy season (starting in bout a month). Still some pretty scenery was found.

Children frolicking in the wading pools at the bottom.

We discovered an upward spiraling stairway into the jungle and decided to see if there be any sights to see higher up. After around a 400meter climb upwards (a bit tiring I must admit) we found the uppermost part of the "falls" deep into the jungle.

30min climb to find a dry bed. Bah!

Having come this far, we decided to crack on into the jungle proper (the stairway had long since ended) to see if we could at least get a nice view. Another 25mins of near vertical jungle climbing and we reached Kathu MTN summit.

The weary yet triumphant NewTeaBag climber.

After the climbdown, we had a nice Thai meal at the local food shack then proceeded on bike to Bang Wat Dam to see if Dam really meant Dam.

Upon finding the dam (nestled way down a back road right next to a lush country club golf course), we were greeted with some very nice vistas (read excellent destop background pics)

Enjoy! I'll let WhoIam do the Wat Chalong Trip Report.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #9851870 - 04/05/07 10:08 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Apparently in Thai, "waterfall" means "semi-stagnant pools of water." The climb to the top in the heat and humidity was effing ridiculous. It was just staircase after staircase up into the jungle. Of course we're guys, so there's no way we're going to stop before we get to the end. Finally we get there and there's nothing of interest and we're both exhausted. I took this picture of myself right after we got to the top--I think it captures the way we both felt: Coincidentally this is the same way I look after five large Changs.

We saw this sign on the way up. No...tapirs? When I figure out what this animal is, I'll remind myself not to bring one. In short, the waterfall sucks. Don't go there.

Yesterday we visited Wat Chalong, which as you might expect, is a wat in Chalong. There's a complicated Buddhist ritual you do when you go there involving all kinds of paraphernalia. This ends in a fortune-telling thing where you take a cup full of numbered sticks and shake it until one falls out. This is not as easy as it seems. Not at all. Finally after 8 tries, I got number 21 and went around the corner to get the corresponding fortune, which of course was only in Thai. "What does it say?" NTB's gf: "It is bad" "Yeah, but what does it say?" "This very bad." "WHAT THE [censored] DOES IT SAY?!?! And she still wouldn't tell me. Thai women are stubborn like that. After that we walked around the complex and went into some of the buildings. I tried telling NewTeaBag that it's good luck to go up to the Buddha statues and rub your feet on them, but he didn't fall for it.

A rare glimpse into Thai perception of farang. Some would call it racist, but I have a different word for it: hilarious

The strangest thing about the wat, that I didn't even realize until later, is that I didn't see one monk there. Not one. You can see monks on a daily basis everywhere else in Thailand. What do they do all day when people are visiting?

At the gift shop they sold firecrackers that you could light off at one spot on the grounds. What's more fun that lighting off firecrackers in a sealed chamber at a Buddhist temple? Lighting them off anywhere else. I bought a couple boxes and took them home with me.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator bjw1985 stranger

Reged: 04/04/07 Posts: 4 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9885546 - 04/10/07 01:42 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

i posted something yesterday but it seems to have gotten lost..

My friend and I are travelling Asia in May, and we are going to visit Thailand. both of us are 21. It will be our first backpacking trip, so we are both a little scared. Excited too of course.

Here's our tentative plan.

We leave HK on Wed, May 9th at 4:40pm. Get to Bangkok at 6:20pm

Return flight from Bangkok to Hk leaves on thur May 17, at 12:25 pm. and arrives in HK at 4:10 pm.

This is the only thing that is set in stone right now. Everythign below can be changed including order, timing, and even the locations we visit.

Spend the night of 9th and 10th in bangkok

leave for Phuket on 11th. spend night there

Go to Koh Samui on 12th. Spend night of 12th, 13th there.

go to Phi Phi on 14th. spend night of 14th, 15th

Go to Bangkok through phuket on 16th night at bangkok

return flight on 17th.

Questions 1. I looked on the map, and it appears that koh samui is closer to bangkok than phuket is. is it possible to go straight from koh samui to bangkok? if it is, i guess i would switch the order of phi phi and koh samui.

2. i heard that ferry schedules into the islands are pretty limited (ie only few times a day), can someone help me by pointing me to the right direction to a site with ferry sechduel? we're new to this kinda travelling so dont know where to look.

3. someone suggested to me that i'm ganan be losing a lot of time simply travelling from location to location with my current schedule. he recommended that i simply drop phuket/phi phi/and koh samui, and instead go to Pattaya. So spend the entire time in Thailand in Bangkok and Pattaya. This will give us more time to enjoy Thailand rather than stuck in transportation. does anyone have thoughts on this?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator KJS Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/02 Posts: 1617 Loc: Seattle, WA Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: bjw1985] #9886297 - 04/10/07 02:39 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

3. someone suggested to me that i'm ganan be losing a lot of time simply travelling from location to location with my current schedule. he recommended that i simply drop phuket/phi phi/and koh samui, and instead go to Pattaya. So spend the entire time in Thailand in Bangkok and Pattaya. This will give us more time to enjoy Thailand rather than stuck in transportation. does anyone have thoughts on this?

Pattaya is whoresville extraordinaire. If you want to bag hoes with 60ish German dudes for a week, go there. If you want to see cool beaches go to the other places.

Your schedule does seem tight to me. Phuket and Phi Phi are in the Adaman Sea, which is much more scenic and the water is much cleaner. I would just spend the whole trip on that side. Just do Phuket, Phi Phi and some other island further south, such as Boulon or Lipe, Ngai, Muk or anywhere else you can get to from Trang or Satun Provinces. These are the best islands in the country. Not as busy as Samui but no Burger King either.

Didn't read your reasons for going so I might be off on this. But you are not missing anything if you skip Samui and especially Pattaya.

KJS

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator JackAll Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/20/06 Posts: 2467 Loc: watching 2+2 get crapier daily Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9888047 - 04/10/07 09:00 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: The word for pumpkin is ìf*ck thong.î

Wait 'till you find out the word for "green pumpkin". You'll jizz in ur pants.

Quote: Does anyone have any idea where the single white chicks hang out in Patong?

Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

Quote: We didnít have any pressing reasons for choosing Patong.

Lol ... I believe ya (not)

Quote: If youíre a young guy with a bit of money in your pocket, I canít imagine a much better place than Patong.... You can get a girl for around US $60 and booze... Many of the working girls are startlingly cute, and this is coming from someone who has never been that into asian chicks.

I think we found your answer to the previous question

Quote: Anyone have any idea where I can meet some non-prostitutes around here?

You live at patong and f*ck hookers. You think that just cuz you have money you are good enough to get a non-hooker here?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator two0crew member

Reged: 04/06/05 Posts: 179 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: JackAll] #9888275 - 04/10/07 09:36 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Just got back from Ko Chang and Bangkok. It was really fun. For cool House music check out BED Supperclub.. Any Q's PM me..

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator bjw1985 stranger

Reged: 04/04/07 Posts: 4 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: KJS] #9894270 - 04/10/07 05:03 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

thx, i guess i'll stay awayyyyy from Pattaya.

well, we are going mostly for adventure. have fun. but we do also want to check out a little bit of the tourist attractions, like some temples.

What kind of things would I miss out on if i only go to Phi Phi and not Koh samui?

Also, from my schedule, where do u think is hte best place to catch a muay thai fight?

Thanks again,

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator KJS Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/02 Posts: 1617 Loc: Seattle, WA Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: bjw1985] #9896208 - 04/10/07 07:23 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

What kind of things would I miss out on if i only go to Phi Phi and not Koh samui?

Nothing.

Samui is not very pretty, and has nothing "must-see", IMO. It is popular due to its location, ease to get to and proximity to the island with the full moon party (Phang Nga). You can have fun there for sure, and eat Western food and peruse stalls of counterfeit CDs, wallets and crappy flip flops. But it is not even close to being in the same league as the islands in Trang and Satun in terms of natural beauty.

For me, Southern Thailand is a place to go see a white sand beach, chill on a hammock all day and eat some fresh seafood. And anywhere will have beers for you. There are places there that have accomodations for less than 100 people. They are slices of heaven. For instance, Ko Ngai, Ko Lipe, Ko Boulon, Ko Muk. Read up on them and see what you think.

KJS

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ChoicestHops Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/02/04 Posts: 2432 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: KJS] #9917274 - 04/12/07 02:17 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

How much are you island guys spending per month for all your expenses?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ChoicestHops] #9917787 - 04/12/07 03:44 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: How much are you island guys spending per month for all your expenses?

The rent on our villa is 35k (~US $1000) per month, but we could have gotten a decent place in a less desireable area for probably 1/4 of that. Electricity is probably another 5k, food and booze are whatever you want to spend--you could eat three square meals and get wasted every night on rice whiskey for $5/day if you wanted to. My motorbike is 3k baht per moth, but you could walk and take the bus. Basically you can live here as cheaply or as balla as you want to. Phuket is more expensive than the rest of Thailand, but it's still a lot cheaper than the West.

I'll try to write up a full review of Patong in the near future.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ChoicestHops Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/02/04 Posts: 2432 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9918143 - 04/12/07 04:39 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

So even on the "tourist islands" you can get some great Thai food like like $1-2 a pop? Your rent is expensive, but like you said, you could have gotten alot cheaper if you wanted. Ive found 1 bedroom villas on Sumai(sp?) from google for $300/mo which I thought was expensive.

So besides rent, you can live with expenses (food&drink/utilities/transportation) moderately-baller for like 400/mo tops?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ChoicestHops] #9918732 - 04/12/07 06:43 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

As long as you go to places that mostly cater to Thais, food is essentially free. There's a place down the street I go to all the time where all the dishes are 30 baht. I affectionately refer to it as the dollar menu. Once you step into a place that caters to farang you're going to pay at least double what you would pay at a local place. This is fine for farang food--I eat Thai food 90% of the time, but sometimes I just need pizza or a steak--but if you buy noodles at Joe's Australian Sports Bar for B140, you're just lighting money on fire.

I don't know how much you drink, but booze is the only thing that isn't proportionally cheap here. If you want to drink cheaply in Thailand, your only option is rice whiskey. I've heard it compared to nail polish remover, though I think that's being unfair to nail polish remover. Even if you buy local beer by the case, you're still going pay over $1/bottle. Wine is ridiculously expensive as a result of weird tariff rules and liquor by the bottle is slightly more than in the US. On the other hand, the most you'll ever pay for a regular drink in a club or gogo bar or something is maybe 140 baht or $4. So yes, you can live quite well spending $400 after rent, as long as you aren't an alcoholic or want threesomes with bargirls every night.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ShipitFMA Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/07 Posts: 2348 Loc: Getting my c-bets minraised Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9918819 - 04/12/07 07:01 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

WhoIam (or anyone else for that matter), im looking to go to thailand to live for 1-2 months at the end of the year with friends. What can you recommend, I think i would just like beach, clubs/pubs/nightspots..Having never been to Thailand i've no idea what to look for

Edited by ShipitFMA (04/12/07 07:04 AM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ShipitFMA] #9919583 - 04/12/07 09:38 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

bjw, Shipit, I only got access to my funds a few days ago so I haven't done any traveling outside of Phuket. You can try emailing Degen at grindblog@gmail.com if no one else gives you any feedback.

ChoicestHops, I forgot to mention transportation. There are almost no metered taxis on the island. If you rely on tuk-tuks, you will pay an arm and a leg. I think an economist should come study the tuk-tuk situation in Phuket, because it doesn't make sense to me. The supply of tuk-tuks far excedes the demand, yet it is impossible to get a reasonable price--there's some kind of gentleman's agreement among the drivers to screw everyone. Here in Phuket, you can ride the bus from one town to another for 20 baht, but they're hot and crowded. Motorbike taxis are a cheap but often scary option and aren't suitable for long trips.

I would recommend a motorbike. You can rent ones starting at 150 baht a day or around 2500 per month. I really suggest you pay a little bit extra and get an automatic--there are so many bad drivers and crazy road conditions that you don't need the added distraction of having to switch gears. There are a lot of motorbike accidents, so buy a good helmet and be careful.

You could probably buy a used motorbike and sell it back for about the same price, but then you would have to deal with registration, etc. Even if you drive it all the time, you won't pay more than a few hundred baht in fuel a month.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9919663 - 04/12/07 09:46 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Is anyone interested in going to Bun Bangfai? It's a fertility festival in Isan in mid-May involving giant homemade rockets. From wikipedia:

Quote: Originating in pre-Buddhist times, it is a fertility rite held to celebrate and to encourage the coming of the rainy season. As such, it is the most sexual and bawdy festival in Lao culture...Owing to the fertility rite origins of the festival, parade ornaments and floats often sport phallic symbols and imagery. Amid the festive atmosphere, dirty humour is widespread...A fair is held on Saturday evening, involving cross-dressing and large quantities of alcohol...Bang Fai come in various sizes, broken down into three groups...Lan rockets can be nine metres long and carry up to 120 kg of black powder

Full article here. I'm 99% sure I'm going.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ShipitFMA Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/07 Posts: 2348 Loc: Getting my c-bets minraised Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9921022 - 04/12/07 11:52 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Maybe i should try rephrasing my questions.. How much would i be looking to pay for a house on/near the beach..Probably a 3 bedroom house

Where would be optimal to stay within Thailand. Nicest beach area, night spots etc for best price

Should i look at doing anything 'touristy' whilst im over there

Reading what you've been writing about 400 a month for living is next to nothing, if i went to the gold coast in australia i'd be looking at like 5k a week...lol

Anything you want to add would help alot

Ship

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Jay. aka 1800GAMBLER

Reged: 05/12/03 Posts: 6615 Loc: Leeds, uk Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ShipitFMA] #9923828 - 04/12/07 03:15 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

alright, i think the gf and i are going to be living in phi phi for 2 months, july and august, yea rainy season i know. i've done most of thailand before but none of this side.

so any comments directly about phi phi are welcome, the diving, getting a super hot apartment for only 2 months, internet reliability on this island, nightlife, etc.

i guess this means i'll probably show the gf around bangkok for 2 or 3 days, so if anyone wants to do a one night meet up pm.

good job in this thread whoiam, your thoughts echo mine about pattaya and samui.

super important edit: free singhas for anyone who helps!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Valium stranger

Reged: 04/06/07 Posts: 13 Loc: Soothing Hencus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Jay.] #9946418 - 04/14/07 02:48 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

How you guys enjoying Sonkran?

This is my first time and I can't say it is all that great except for when I intend to go out and get soaked and have paste put all over my face, which isn't that often.

Yesterday I walked to get a pizza and some soda, a block from my apartment. I came back dripping wet with a soggy pizza and sticky, and pissed off.

My girlfriend said 'this is thailand, you are not in america, you cannot get mad, this is our culture'

wtf...

off to pattaya today w/ no camera or cell phone, an old pair of tennis shoes and a pocket full of 1,000 baht notes, should be a little funner.

have fun.

D

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator kaah enthusiast

Reged: 12/12/05 Posts: 326 Loc: bangkok Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Valium] #9946863 - 04/14/07 04:41 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

valium, white paste btw! songkran is awsome get a gun and start spraying the laaadies

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: kaah] #9948151 - 04/14/07 10:17 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Shipit, Jay, The best advice I can give you is to find a Thai person to phone real estate agents and help you negotiate your rent. There's a dual price system for just about everything here and real estate is no exception. When we were looking at places here, NTB's gf warned us not to talk when she was on the phone because if they heard farang in the background they would jack up the price.

all, I have mixed feeling about Sonkran. On one hand it's fun to run around going crazy and spraying people with water. On the other hand, I'm not interested in being blasted in the face with ice-cold water while I'm riding my motorbike and just trying to get to my tailor for a fitting. I'd feel a lot better about the holiday if it were restricted to just a few areas. One amusing thing is that two nights ago I had a katooey put a water pistol to my head and demand a kiss. I couldn't help but think of this:

All you guys were right, I caught a disease from a girl here--pinkeye. My left eye is bright red and swollen almost shut; I look like effing Quasimodo. I got some antibiotic eye drops, but it looks like it's going to be mandatory celibacy until this clears up, at least if I don't want to pay.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator imthaifool journeyman

Reged: 11/29/06 Posts: 64 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9948648 - 04/14/07 11:49 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

You boy is in the building. Will be in BKK holla at me if you want to chill.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #9973126 - 04/16/07 10:46 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I got the following PM and thought I'd post it here for future reference:

Quote: Hello I have a few questions regarding renting a house/apartment in Phuket I hope you can help me with. I plan on going to Thailand this fall. probably sept or october and stay there for 6+ months. It looks like Phuket is what fits me the best. I might go alone or with a friend. What is the best way to find a decent 1 or 2 bedroom appartment without getting screwed? I dont need super luxus just a decent place with stable internet connection since I will be playing poker from there. Thanks

The best advice I can give you is to take a week or so and explore the island. Spend a night in each area/town and spend the day looking at houses and apartments. I think you're coming at the start of the busy season, but that shouldn't matter since you'll be looking at a different market than the tourists. If you're willing to commit to staying somewhere for 6 months, you'll be able to live in a nice Thai neighborhood at a great rate. Most landlords and real estate companies will want you to stay for a year, but there's no way they'll refuse an offer of 6 months from a farang.

Find a Thai person to call realtors and negotiate for you. Even if you have to pay a bar girl or something, just do it. You'll save thousands of baht every month. Any place savvy enough to advertise on the internet (especially in English and espcecially on Google) is going to be more than the going rate. This isn't to say you'll be completely ripped off or anything, but you'll pay more than a local would. Don't speak while your Thai assistant is on the phone and always have them quote a price up front. This price is just an offer--you will be able to bring it down, but it will still be in the general area of the original quote. They may be hesitant to rent to you and will want the lease in a Thai person's name. I'd probably just offer to pay each month in advance. Under no circumstances would I give them the full 6 months up front. Even with a signed lease, you'd probably have little legal recourse if they kicked you out.

Internet: Make sure you get a place that is already wired for internet access. Make sure they can turn it on right away. This will limit your housing options, but it can take up to a month to install a line, so it's a necessary hassle. Upgrade to the best residential connection--it should be B2k-4k per month. Internet in Phuket can be unreliable by western standards, so as soon as you're moved in, contact another company and have a 2nd line installed. Get one of those two-source modems that will give you an uninterrupted connection if one of your lines goes out. You can find information about internet services in Thailand and a list of Phuket providers here.

Option #2 is to play in internet cafes or places offering free wifi. There's free wifi all over Patong, but I'm not sure if this is true in the rest of Phuket. Personally I don't feel comfortable entering my passwords over unsecure connections plus I lugged my 24" monitor here so I could play at home.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator imthaifool journeyman

Reged: 11/29/06 Posts: 64 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10023299 - 04/19/07 07:45 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

If anyone wants to chill or set up going out or something holla at me. I'm in BKK. I know there are a few of yall here so maybe we can have a get together? Is that cool?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: imthaifool] #10023641 - 04/19/07 08:42 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

songkran is cool. i enjoy seeing everyone out smiling and having fun and the atmosphere is cool. thais seem to really enjoy the holiday.

im surprised your pizza got wet. I went out several times during songkran in areas shoulder to shoulder with people and I didnt get wet. i think you just unlucky.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: imthaifool] #10023661 - 04/19/07 08:46 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: If anyone wants to chill or set up going out or something holla at me. I'm in BKK. I know there are a few of yall here so maybe we can have a get together? Is that cool?

How long you stay Thailand? You stay long time? I like you very much.

I'm going to do some traveling once I can convince myself to play poker for more than an hour a day and make some real money. If you're still here when I visit bkk we should definitely meet up. Are you Thai Thai (from Thailand)?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator imthaifool journeyman

Reged: 11/29/06 Posts: 64 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10080416 - 04/23/07 05:32 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I'm here until 10 of may. No I'm not thai thai.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator octopi On the Island of Misfit Toys

Reged: 12/04/05 Posts: 735 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Valium] #10083476 - 04/23/07 01:02 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: How you guys enjoying Sonkran?

This is my first time and I can't say it is all that great except for when I intend to go out and get soaked and have paste put all over my face, which isn't that often.

Yesterday I walked to get a pizza and some soda, a block from my apartment. I came back dripping wet with a soggy pizza and sticky, and pissed off.

My girlfriend said 'this is thailand, you are not in america, you cannot get mad, this is our culture'

wtf...

off to pattaya today w/ no camera or cell phone, an old pair of tennis shoes and a pocket full of 1,000 baht notes, should be a little funner.

have fun.

D

You've never had a truck full of Songkraner's see you, yell FALANG!!!!!!! and turn their truck around JUST to get you?

If you don't like it, stay inside. Thais are all about sanuk.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator bjw1985 stranger

Reged: 04/04/07 Posts: 4 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: octopi] #10208819 - 05/02/07 08:24 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

hey, i'm trying to figure out the ferry schedules from Phuket to Phi Phi

I found this. http://www.phiphi.phuket.com/schedule.htm

But this make is sound like I have to come back on the same day/next day. I want to stay there for couple of days. Can someone help me figure this out?

I'm planning on just showing up. then finding a place to stay. will that be a problem? any tips?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: bjw1985] #10209087 - 05/02/07 09:13 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

In the link you provided, the ferries have a 1-way price that's half the return price, so I imagine you'd just do that. Or you could just come to Phuket, mouth the words "I want to go to Phi Phi" in a touristy area, and get mobbed by travel agents. I still haven't been, so maybe someone else can chime in with advice.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Schmitty 87 old hand

Reged: 03/25/06 Posts: 703 Loc: Trafalgar Square Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10217975 - 05/02/07 10:40 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

This thread is such a great guide.

I'm heading to Thailand over the summer for about two months (early June to late July), though I'm still yet to book my flight. I got quoted $1250 roundtrip from Columbus, OH by seemythailand. Does that seem about right? The fares early in the thread were like $700 roundtrip but I can't find that anywhere.

How's the weather June-July?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator TheMetetron Perpetual Traveler

Reged: 10/01/04 Posts: 6721 Loc: Blogging in BsAs Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Degen] #10279659 - 05/07/07 08:59 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Bump,

I'm considering taking a 2-4 week vacation to Thailand sometime in Sept/Oct to check it out and see if I'd like to potentially move there sometime next year for a bit.

I'm searching through the thread, but what are some good web sites that rent furnished apartments in Bangkok by the week/month for reasonable rates? I am willing to pay for something nice though. Thinking a 1 bedroom in a modern building with modern furnishings and high-speed internet for $500-$1,000 per month.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: TheMetetron] #10299099 - 05/09/07 06:52 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

I'm considering taking a 2-4 week vacation to Thailand sometime in Sept/Oct to check it out and see if I'd like to potentially move there sometime next year for a bit.

I'm searching through the thread, but what are some good web sites that rent furnished apartments in Bangkok by the week/month for reasonable rates? I am willing to pay for something nice though. Thinking a 1 bedroom in a modern building with modern furnishings and high-speed internet for $500-$1,000 per month.

TheMetetron, I'm in a similar situation. I'm moving to Bangkok in under two weeks and plan on finding an apartment when I get there. I'm willing to commit for 3 months max because I haven't decided if I want to stay in Thailand, continue on my travels, or travel for a few months and come back in the winter.

An option you might want to consider is staying in a decent hotel and working out a special rate for the two weeks or month you'll be here. As an example, the place we stayed in when we first came to Phuket was 500 baht/night but we were offered a rate of 4500 baht/month. This was a smaller place run by one guy and his family, so I don't think you would get a deal quite this good in bkk. You should get significant savings though, especially if you can get a Thai person to work out the deal for you.

Anything you find on the internet in English is going to be at an inflated price. That's not to say it will be a total ripoff, but you'll be paying more than you could. This is probably fine for what you're planning, but not ok if you wanted to stay long-term. $500-$1000 will get you a lot. Let me know if you find anything useful on the web.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ShipitFMA Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/07 Posts: 2348 Loc: Getting my c-bets minraised Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10299376 - 05/09/07 07:57 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

I'm considering taking a 2-4 week vacation to Thailand sometime in Sept/Oct to check it out and see if I'd like to potentially move there sometime next year for a bit.

I'm searching through the thread, but what are some good web sites that rent furnished apartments in Bangkok by the week/month for reasonable rates? I am willing to pay for something nice though. Thinking a 1 bedroom in a modern building with modern furnishings and high-speed internet for $500-$1,000 per month.

TheMetetron, I'm in a similar situation. I'm moving to Bangkok in under two weeks and plan on finding an apartment when I get there. I'm willing to commit for 3 months max because I haven't decided if I want to stay in Thailand, continue on my travels, or travel for a few months and come back in the winter.

An option you might want to consider is staying in a decent hotel and working out a special rate for the two weeks or month you'll be here. As an example, the place we stayed in when we first came to Phuket was 500 baht/night but we were offered a rate of 4500 baht/month. This was a smaller place run by one guy and his family, so I don't think you would get a deal quite this good in bkk. You should get significant savings though, especially if you can get a Thai person to work out the deal for you.

Anything you find on the internet in English is going to be at an inflated price. That's not to say it will be a total ripoff, but you'll be paying more than you could. This is probably fine for what you're planning, but not ok if you wanted to stay long-term. $500-$1000 will get you a lot. Let me know if you find anything useful on the web.

JESUS, i was looking at the net and everything was around 5k US a month AT THE MINIMUM. It was phenominal.

Is my best bet to find a thai speaking person to make the connection with a thai real estate agent or something?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ski Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 02/26/06 Posts: 2799 Loc: Thailand, not playing Absolute Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: TheMetetron] #10299483 - 05/09/07 08:18 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Bump,

I'm considering taking a 2-4 week vacation to Thailand sometime in Sept/Oct to check it out and see if I'd like to potentially move there sometime next year for a bit.

I'm searching through the thread, but what are some good web sites that rent furnished apartments in Bangkok by the week/month for reasonable rates? I am willing to pay for something nice though. Thinking a 1 bedroom in a modern building with modern furnishings and high-speed internet for $500-$1,000 per month.

Check out "Sukhamvit" Rd from Soi 7ish-25ish is a very nice area. the lower Sois (small roads) are "Nana" which is all hookers. Theres a really good apt finder at www.thaivisa.com

I've been living in Thailand (in the south mainly) for 6 months. Feel free to ask any other questions

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator KJS Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/02 Posts: 1617 Loc: Seattle, WA Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ShipitFMA] #10304155 - 05/09/07 03:09 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I'm considering taking a 2-4 week vacation to Thailand sometime in Sept/Oct to check it out and see if I'd like to potentially move there sometime next year for a bit.

I'm searching through the thread, but what are some good web sites that rent furnished apartments in Bangkok by the week/month for reasonable rates? I am willing to pay for something nice though. Thinking a 1 bedroom in a modern building with modern furnishings and high-speed internet for $500-$1,000 per month.

TheMetetron, I'm in a similar situation. I'm moving to Bangkok in under two weeks and plan on finding an apartment when I get there. I'm willing to commit for 3 months max because I haven't decided if I want to stay in Thailand, continue on my travels, or travel for a few months and come back in the winter.

An option you might want to consider is staying in a decent hotel and working out a special rate for the two weeks or month you'll be here. As an example, the place we stayed in when we first came to Phuket was 500 baht/night but we were offered a rate of 4500 baht/month. This was a smaller place run by one guy and his family, so I don't think you would get a deal quite this good in bkk. You should get significant savings though, especially if you can get a Thai person to work out the deal for you.

Anything you find on the internet in English is going to be at an inflated price. That's not to say it will be a total ripoff, but you'll be paying more than you could. This is probably fine for what you're planning, but not ok if you wanted to stay long-term. $500-$1000 will get you a lot. Let me know if you find anything useful on the web.

JESUS, i was looking at the net and everything was around 5k US a month AT THE MINIMUM. It was phenominal.

Is my best bet to find a thai speaking person to make the connection with a thai real estate agent or something?

Best answer is no. These folks will very likely just conspire to get more from you and chop it up. Involve as few people as possible in the process.

KJS

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator john voight cleaning up after daddy

Reged: 04/16/06 Posts: 2555 Loc: SALAZARRRRRRRR Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10306079 - 05/09/07 05:26 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

maybe you guys wanna split this 7 ways? on craigs list: http://bangkok.craigslist.org/rfs/327581240.html

asking about USD $280,000; if approached with cash, could prolly get it down to 250k. would come to about 35k per unit.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fatgirl_lover

Reged: 04/15/07 Posts: 295 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: john voight] #10306582 - 05/09/07 05:59 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

you guys should start a new thread this one is ummanagable. KKF earlier yous aid "talking to people on this message board makes mew ant to jump in front of a bus", well just seeing you stupid name, yes you know what stupid name i mean i mean "fish2plus" makes me want to vomit my huge brains out.

how is all of your thai coming along for residents, do you take classes in thailand? let's say someone was going to be there for amonth is it worth taking classes? i don't know many thai people outside of thailand, unlike other languages, spanish, chinese, russian, french, etc. also thai as far as i know doesn't have as many other applications, like liteature etc.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator KJS Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/02 Posts: 1617 Loc: Seattle, WA Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: fatgirl_lover] #10306780 - 05/09/07 06:11 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: you guys should start a new thread this one is ummanagable. KKF earlier yous aid "talking to people on this message board makes mew ant to jump in front of a bus", well just seeing you stupid name, yes you know what stupid name i mean i mean "fish2plus" makes me want to vomit my huge brains out.

how is all of your thai coming along for residents, do you take classes in thailand? let's say someone was going to be there for amonth is it worth taking classes? i don't know many thai people outside of thailand, unlike other languages, spanish, chinese, russian, french, etc. also thai as far as i know doesn't have as many other applications, like liteature etc.

AUA does classes in Chiang Mai. I did not take them but heard that they were worthwhile. I did books + tapes before I moved there. It was helpful to a degree. The grammar in Thai is quite easy so you can learn quickly by memorizing a lot of vocabulary. But comprehension was a b*tch for me. It is hard for Western ears to pick up the subtleties of the tones. Once I lived there I found a tutor who came to my house weekly for lessons. Do make an effort and you will be rewarded. I knew people who lived there for years and I could speak way better than them. You will get a lot of smiles and respect from people for trying even if you are not perfect. And if you have any aspirations to socialize outside of the farang zones, you should learn it.

Learn stuff that has an application. I focused heavily on food. By the end I could read any menu, order anything I wanted how I wanted it. I could go to any town and know "that is a noodle stall, that is a rice shop, that place specializes in x." It was very rewarding.

I also had a Thai friend who spoke some English but he was pretty insistent that I spoke Thai with him. So I learned a lot of language surrounding making plans (time stuff, directions, etc). Combine this and the food stuff and i figured I could go anywhere and do anything and never feel lost if no one around me could speak English. But it is a another leap altogether to where you can speak abstractly about things. I never got there.

Just noticed you said only staying a month. In that case, just learn how to be polite and maybe how to ask for directions. I wouldn't bother with a class.

KJS

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator nextgenneo 20k duck fight yo?

Reged: 03/21/06 Posts: 1834 Loc: Grinding Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: KJS] #10306905 - 05/09/07 06:21 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

jesus why is this thread so loooooooooooooooong

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fatgirl_lover

Reged: 04/15/07 Posts: 295 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: nextgenneo] #10307343 - 05/09/07 06:58 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

thanks KJS... with spanish i studied it for a long time in junior high, high school and then travelled a bit and was clueless. the sounds were such a big thing, for example in spanish "kayatey" is how to say shut up, and that's how i would have spelled it a few years ago but now just by sounds i can put the right letters down "callete" the command of the verb callar, stop talking with Te directed at the other person. extremely satisfying, when i hear a song or someone talking and there is a word i don't know there is still only a 1/5 chance (or less) i can spell it correctly but it's getting better and feels great. takes time for the ear to get used to the sounds

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator TheMetetron Perpetual Traveler

Reged: 10/01/04 Posts: 6721 Loc: Blogging in BsAs Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: fatgirl_lover] #10307635 - 05/09/07 07:23 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: but now just by sounds i can put the right letters down "callete"

No you can't. It is "c·llate" when using t˙ or "callate" when using vos. "callete" doesn't exist.

Quote: the command of the verb callar, stop talking with Te directed at the other person

The verb is "callarse" not "callar". The "te" isn't there because it is directed at someone it is there because it reflexive. It translates to "shut yourself up". Your spanish isn't as good as you think.

Also, I am used to hearing kah-SHA-te in Argentina whereas in Mexico it would be KAH-yah-te. I may have screwed the phoentics up because I'm not very good at phonetically spelling things.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fatgirl_lover

Reged: 04/15/07 Posts: 295 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: TheMetetron] #10307684 - 05/09/07 07:26 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

metetron what a negative nancy, please note my improvement

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator private joker public nuisance

Reged: 10/16/04 Posts: 11366 Loc: north american scum Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: fatgirl_lover] #10309846 - 05/09/07 10:20 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: thanks KJS... with spanish i studied it for a long time in junior high, high school and then travelled a bit and was clueless. the sounds were such a big thing, for example in spanish "kayatey" is how to say shut up, and that's how i would have spelled it a few years ago but now just by sounds i can put the right letters down "callete" the command of the verb callar, stop talking with Te directed at the other person. extremely satisfying, when i hear a song or someone talking and there is a word i don't know there is still only a 1/5 chance (or less) i can spell it correctly but it's getting better and feels great. takes time for the ear to get used to the sounds

Aren't there many many bigger problems in the world to worry about than how to pronounce "callete?"

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator TheMetetron Perpetual Traveler

Reged: 10/01/04 Posts: 6721 Loc: Blogging in BsAs Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: private joker] #10309881 - 05/09/07 10:23 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: thanks KJS... with spanish i studied it for a long time in junior high, high school and then travelled a bit and was clueless. the sounds were such a big thing, for example in spanish "kayatey" is how to say shut up, and that's how i would have spelled it a few years ago but now just by sounds i can put the right letters down "callete" the command of the verb callar, stop talking with Te directed at the other person. extremely satisfying, when i hear a song or someone talking and there is a word i don't know there is still only a 1/5 chance (or less) i can spell it correctly but it's getting better and feels great. takes time for the ear to get used to the sounds

Aren't there many many bigger problems in the world to worry about than how to pronounce "callete?"

You people are trying to put me on Spanish tilt by repeated writing a word that doesn't exist aren't you?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fatgirl_lover

Reged: 04/15/07 Posts: 295 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: private joker] #10309896 - 05/09/07 10:24 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: thanks KJS... with spanish i studied it for a long time in junior high, high school and then travelled a bit and was clueless. the sounds were such a big thing, for example in spanish "kayatey" is how to say shut up, and that's how i would have spelled it a few years ago but now just by sounds i can put the right letters down "callete" the command of the verb callar, stop talking with Te directed at the other person. extremely satisfying, when i hear a song or someone talking and there is a word i don't know there is still only a 1/5 chance (or less) i can spell it correctly but it's getting better and feels great. takes time for the ear to get used to the sounds

Aren't there many many bigger problems in the world to worry about than how to pronounce "callete?"

okay i was thinking you were a jerk for your first response to me, but with this one i concede

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: fatgirl_lover] #10373629 - 05/14/07 11:49 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I'm thinking about heading over there next month. I'm gonna pick up a ticket for a month stay, any idea how much United will ding me for if I decide to stay for an extra month or two?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator TheMetetron Perpetual Traveler

Reged: 10/01/04 Posts: 6721 Loc: Blogging in BsAs Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10402740 - 05/16/07 09:28 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

This is borderline dumb. Tickets from BA to Bangkok are $2,000. Anyone got better suggestions? Best I can do is take a roundtrip to Sydney, spend a week or two in Austrlia, then take a roundtrip from Sydney to Bangkok and travel around Thailand for a few weeks. Total is $2,600 for this option or $2,000 for the direct roundtrip from BsAs. I think the extra $600 is worth some time in Australia as much as I hate to take time off from work, but I'd really prefer some cheaper option out there somewhere.

Any help?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: TheMetetron] #10407556 - 05/17/07 06:08 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Can you get a decent price on a ticket to LA/San Fran/Vegas? From there you can go round trip to BKK for $6-700. Check out seemythailand.com for cheap flight info.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10409271 - 05/17/07 11:13 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I was just watching BBC World and right as they started running a story about Thaksin, the channel went off the air because of "technical problems." Wow.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10426351 - 05/18/07 01:35 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: I was just watching BBC World and right as they started running a story about Thaksin, the channel went off the air because of "technical problems." Wow.

You in BKK yet? How was Laos?

PS The laundry lady said you went 26 items over.... LOL You finally reversed the farang ripoff :P

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10426603 - 05/18/07 01:53 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I'm still in Vientiane. I think I'm going to stay another week or so in Laos. I really like the city--it's like some weird alternate universe Paris where the student demonstrations of '68 were successful in overthrowing the government and the ensuing communist government destroyed the economy. Everything is ludicrously cheap even by Thailand standards. I've had some kind of stomach bug the last few days and feel like crap. I'm going to have a full physical when I get to bkk to make sure I don't have parasites or anything. I'll post a trip report and pics at some point.

Any more crazy chicks show up wanting to cut my dick off?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10426992 - 05/18/07 02:19 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Any more crazy chicks show up wanting to cut my dick off?

If by chicks you mean Katoeys, then yes. If by chicks you mean womens, then no. :P

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Schmitty 87 old hand

Reged: 03/25/06 Posts: 703 Loc: Trafalgar Square Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10432351 - 05/18/07 09:38 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Hello everyone,

I'm leaving for Thailand in about a month, and I'll be staying for a few days in Bangkok then heading down south stopping in Krabi then going to Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Gonna be there 6 weeks all in all. Anyways, I'm budgeting about $1600 for the stay, so I'll be staying in some pos hotels with what I'm assuming to be nonexistent security. So, how should I take care of my stuff (especially my passport and money). I'm planning on just carrying my backpack around, but if I want to swim or party that's probly not going to work. What do you guys suggest?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator skier_5 Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 01/19/06 Posts: 3382 Loc: praha Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Schmitty 87] #10433555 - 05/18/07 11:39 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Hello everyone,

I'm leaving for Thailand in about a month, and I'll be staying for a few days in Bangkok then heading down south stopping in Krabi then going to Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Gonna be there 6 weeks all in all. Anyways, I'm budgeting about $1600 for the stay, so I'll be staying in some pos hotels with what I'm assuming to be nonexistent security. So, how should I take care of my stuff (especially my passport and money). I'm planning on just carrying my backpack around, but if I want to swim or party that's probly not going to work. What do you guys suggest?

we just left these things in our rooms for the most part and didn't have any trouble, but i think that most places have safes or somewhere where they can put them away for you.

edit: can i suggest skipping koh samui and just going to ko phangan instead.

Edited by skier_5 (05/18/07 11:40 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Schmitty 87 old hand

Reged: 03/25/06 Posts: 703 Loc: Trafalgar Square Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: skier_5] #10434388 - 05/19/07 12:57 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: Hello everyone,

I'm leaving for Thailand in about a month, and I'll be staying for a few days in Bangkok then heading down south stopping in Krabi then going to Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Gonna be there 6 weeks all in all. Anyways, I'm budgeting about $1600 for the stay, so I'll be staying in some pos hotels with what I'm assuming to be nonexistent security. So, how should I take care of my stuff (especially my passport and money). I'm planning on just carrying my backpack around, but if I want to swim or party that's probly not going to work. What do you guys suggest?

we just left these things in our rooms for the most part and didn't have any trouble, but i think that most places have safes or somewhere where they can put them away for you.

edit: can i suggest skipping koh samui and just going to ko phangan instead.

Yep I picked Samui at random. But if Koh Phangan is better I'll definitely go there. Why do you think it is better? Also, how's Koh Phangan on the backpacker budget (compared to koh samui and koh tao)?

edit: skier, did you go to Chiang Mai? worth the trip?

Edited by Schmitty 87 (05/19/07 12:59 AM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ski Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 02/26/06 Posts: 2799 Loc: Thailand, not playing Absolute Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Schmitty 87] #10434506 - 05/19/07 01:10 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

Quote: Hello everyone,

I'm leaving for Thailand in about a month, and I'll be staying for a few days in Bangkok then heading down south stopping in Krabi then going to Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Gonna be there 6 weeks all in all. Anyways, I'm budgeting about $1600 for the stay, so I'll be staying in some pos hotels with what I'm assuming to be nonexistent security. So, how should I take care of my stuff (especially my passport and money). I'm planning on just carrying my backpack around, but if I want to swim or party that's probly not going to work. What do you guys suggest?

we just left these things in our rooms for the most part and didn't have any trouble, but i think that most places have safes or somewhere where they can put them away for you.

edit: can i suggest skipping koh samui and just going to ko phangan instead.

Yep I picked Samui at random. But if Koh Phangan is better I'll definitely go there. Why do you think it is better? Also, how's Koh Phangan on the backpacker budget (compared to koh samui and koh tao)?

edit: skier, did you go to Chiang Mai? worth the trip?

Koh Pga Ngan = WAY cheaper and mroe backpackery then Samui. Koh Tao is mostly backpackers but somehow is about the same price as Samui, maybe because it is such a small island and is a bit farther away from the mainland.

Chang Mai is definitely worth the trip IMO. The Jungle treks are cool. The girls in the north are just about all hott. The shopping is REAL cheap (go to the weekend market if you can, mostly locals and same stuff as night bazaar but way cheaper).

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ski] #10434542 - 05/19/07 01:15 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

This has probably been covered about a thousand times, but any suggestions on a good value for a hotel in the $50 area in bkk? I'm just looking for something for two nights while I stop hating life after the 24 hour trip.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator skier_5 Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 01/19/06 Posts: 3382 Loc: praha Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Schmitty 87] #10434636 - 05/19/07 01:24 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

Quote: Hello everyone,

I'm leaving for Thailand in about a month, and I'll be staying for a few days in Bangkok then heading down south stopping in Krabi then going to Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Gonna be there 6 weeks all in all. Anyways, I'm budgeting about $1600 for the stay, so I'll be staying in some pos hotels with what I'm assuming to be nonexistent security. So, how should I take care of my stuff (especially my passport and money). I'm planning on just carrying my backpack around, but if I want to swim or party that's probly not going to work. What do you guys suggest?

we just left these things in our rooms for the most part and didn't have any trouble, but i think that most places have safes or somewhere where they can put them away for you.

edit: can i suggest skipping koh samui and just going to ko phangan instead.

Yep I picked Samui at random. But if Koh Phangan is better I'll definitely go there. Why do you think it is better? Also, how's Koh Phangan on the backpacker budget (compared to koh samui and koh tao)?

edit: skier, did you go to Chiang Mai? worth the trip?

samui is way mroe developed and resortish and just had a weird feel to it. it didn't have that much of a local feel to it. more commercialized i guess. There was nothing that stood out about the island either.

ko phangan has the full moon party and is much smaller and really awesome imo.

chang mai was pretty awesome, but you gotta keep busy or it can get boring. Like ski said, the market is really cheap and the jungle treks are cool. Whatever you do, do the trek the first few days you are there and then you can hang out with the people you meet for the rest of the time or whatever.

ed,

I'm sure there are lots of places that you can stay in bangkok and perhaps some of the people with more experience will chime in. We just did the backpacker thing so we ended up on kho san road our first night and ended up staying at the D&D Inn which had A/c, hot showers, a pool on top for like 750 baht i think. I don't know if it's best, but it was reasonable and I would recommend it from the night or two that we stayed there.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Schmitty 87 old hand

Reged: 03/25/06 Posts: 703 Loc: Trafalgar Square Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ski] #10434652 - 05/19/07 01:26 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote: Hello everyone,

I'm leaving for Thailand in about a month, and I'll be staying for a few days in Bangkok then heading down south stopping in Krabi then going to Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Gonna be there 6 weeks all in all. Anyways, I'm budgeting about $1600 for the stay, so I'll be staying in some pos hotels with what I'm assuming to be nonexistent security. So, how should I take care of my stuff (especially my passport and money). I'm planning on just carrying my backpack around, but if I want to swim or party that's probly not going to work. What do you guys suggest?

we just left these things in our rooms for the most part and didn't have any trouble, but i think that most places have safes or somewhere where they can put them away for you.

edit: can i suggest skipping koh samui and just going to ko phangan instead.

Yep I picked Samui at random. But if Koh Phangan is better I'll definitely go there. Why do you think it is better? Also, how's Koh Phangan on the backpacker budget (compared to koh samui and koh tao)?

edit: skier, did you go to Chiang Mai? worth the trip?

Koh Pga Ngan = WAY cheaper and mroe backpackery then Samui. Koh Tao is mostly backpackers but somehow is about the same price as Samui, maybe because it is such a small island and is a bit farther away from the mainland.

Chang Mai is definitely worth the trip IMO. The Jungle treks are cool. The girls in the north are just about all hott. The shopping is REAL cheap (go to the weekend market if you can, mostly locals and same stuff as night bazaar but way cheaper).

Oh sick Koh Pga Ngan it is. Chiang Mai is really tempting me now, but I'm worried about spending $200 to fly up there and back to Bangkok if I'm only gonna be there for 3 or 4 days. How did you get up there ski? Buses ok?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator skier_5 Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 01/19/06 Posts: 3382 Loc: praha Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: skier_5] #10434665 - 05/19/07 01:28 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Also, ed, when you get to bangkok you're gonna get ripped off by a taxi if you don't know what you are doing. There are shuttles that you can get for like a 100baht that go to kho san road, or if you want to get a taxi go find the meter only line and go there and they will take you on the taxi meter. If you go outside of the arrivals door there will be cab drivers who won't use the meter and try to get you for more. I've heard of people paying like 750 baht for their cab ride. I'm not sure what the proper amt is but I imagine it should cost maybe 150 - 200baht on the taxi meter, hopefully someone can correct me if that's too high - it's been like a year.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator skier_5 Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 01/19/06 Posts: 3382 Loc: praha Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: skier_5] #10434692 - 05/19/07 01:30 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

buses to chang mai were hell for us, but we may have gotten unlucky. we just went with your run of the mill cheapish, travel agency bus. they'll typically go overnight but still take time.

Another option that we never did were to take trains. I think this might be more expensive then buses, but would probably be a way better option. They book up fast though, so you need to book in advance.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: skier_5] #10434695 - 05/19/07 01:30 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: I'm sure there are lots of places that you can stay in bangkok and perhaps some of the people with more experience will chime in. We just did the backpacker thing so we ended up on kho san road our first night and ended up staying at the D&D Inn which had A/c, hot showers, a pool on top for like 750 baht i think. I don't know if it's best, but it was reasonable and I would recommend it from the night or two that we stayed there.

I'll check that out, thats pretty much the price range I'll be looking at for the rest of my trip.

Quote: Also, ed, when you get to bangkok you're gonna get ripped off by a taxi if you don't know what you are doing. There are shuttles that you can get for like a 100baht that go to kho san road, or if you want to get a taxi go find the meter only line and go there and they will take you on the taxi meter. If you go outside of the arrivals door there will be cab drivers who won't use the meter and try to get you for more. I've heard of people paying like 750 baht for their cab ride. I'm not sure what the proper amt is but I imagine it should cost maybe 150 - 200baht on the taxi meter, hopefully someone can correct me if that's too high - it's been like a year.

This is the kind of stuff I'll be researching for the next couple weeks, thanks.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10435432 - 05/19/07 03:10 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

RE Taxis

SImple answer is ALWAYS use metered taxis (and make sure they turn the meter on) when in Bangkok. There is an easy to find meter taxi stand just outside the airport (you just have to wade your way thru tons of indy taxi touts both inside the terminal and outside offering xxxxxx fare to wherever) I paid about 200-250THB to a centralish part of BKK from the airport.

Re BKK Hotels

You don't have to stay on Khao San Rd (backpacker/granola/broke westerner area) to stay less expensive. Most of the bigger hotels with flashy websites are more expensive. If you look a little harder you find value. I stayed for 4 days at 550THB($16)/night in a decent neighborhood, 5 min walk from the subway. That price was gained by my Thai GF but still even as a farang walkin you shouldn't pay more than 1000THB($28)/night and sleep in a secure, comfortable environment with easy access to the rest of the city.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10435617 - 05/19/07 03:34 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

when i arrived in thailand i didnt have a guide book, hotel, map or the slightest knowledge of thailand. i ended up taking an illegal taxis and that was one of the funniest experiences of my life and i look back fondly of it, maybe because i didnt get robbed.

dont research things too much. you want there to be some adventure to it. my 2cents.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ski Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 02/26/06 Posts: 2799 Loc: Thailand, not playing Absolute Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Schmitty 87] #10436056 - 05/19/07 04:46 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote: Hello everyone,

I'm leaving for Thailand in about a month, and I'll be staying for a few days in Bangkok then heading down south stopping in Krabi then going to Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Gonna be there 6 weeks all in all. Anyways, I'm budgeting about $1600 for the stay, so I'll be staying in some pos hotels with what I'm assuming to be nonexistent security. So, how should I take care of my stuff (especially my passport and money). I'm planning on just carrying my backpack around, but if I want to swim or party that's probly not going to work. What do you guys suggest?

we just left these things in our rooms for the most part and didn't have any trouble, but i think that most places have safes or somewhere where they can put them away for you.

edit: can i suggest skipping koh samui and just going to ko phangan instead.

Yep I picked Samui at random. But if Koh Phangan is better I'll definitely go there. Why do you think it is better? Also, how's Koh Phangan on the backpacker budget (compared to koh samui and koh tao)?

edit: skier, did you go to Chiang Mai? worth the trip?

Koh Pga Ngan = WAY cheaper and mroe backpackery then Samui. Koh Tao is mostly backpackers but somehow is about the same price as Samui, maybe because it is such a small island and is a bit farther away from the mainland.

Chang Mai is definitely worth the trip IMO. The Jungle treks are cool. The girls in the north are just about all hott. The shopping is REAL cheap (go to the weekend market if you can, mostly locals and same stuff as night bazaar but way cheaper).

Oh sick Koh Pga Ngan it is. Chiang Mai is really tempting me now, but I'm worried about spending $200 to fly up there and back to Bangkok if I'm only gonna be there for 3 or 4 days. How did you get up there ski? Buses ok?

I've taken flights and Trains. Buses are always my absolute last resort. If you wanna save money take a night train from Bangkok for like $~30USD. Basically you leave at 6pm. End up in the bar car with other travelers by 6:15pm, drink until 12 then fall asleep (lay down beds) and you're there.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ski] #10436393 - 05/19/07 06:17 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

there are bars in the trains? i never noticed any.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Tempest122 journeyman

Reged: 12/09/06 Posts: 93 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10436462 - 05/19/07 06:34 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Earlier in the thread it was mentioned party poker is blocked by the thai government. KKF and Ski, how do you guys play on party from thailand? I'm going to visit for a month or so this summer and would love to be able to play at party again.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10436467 - 05/19/07 06:35 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: This has probably been covered about a thousand times, but any suggestions on a good value for a hotel in the $50 area in bkk? I'm just looking for something for two nights while I stop hating life after the 24 hour trip.

I recently asked Bill about hotels in bkk and he said this: "sukumvit 11 has the ambassador and grand president which i beleive are about $50 a night and i think you can save money and book online, or so i've been told. cheaper than that there are loads of options but i'm not really sure of names or anything."

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator K‰≤∞‰Æ•n loves sippin_piss

Reged: 05/03/06 Posts: 3565 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10471894 - 05/22/07 08:40 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Koh Samui / Thailand first timer - Chaweng or Lamai?

I'm going to stay at Koh Samui for 10 days in June. I'm going with my spouse. We're near our 30s.

Things that we enjoy doing on a holiday:

* Snorkling (coral(ish) beaches preferred) * Sun bathing (on the beach, not the pool) * Eating local food (in restaurants) * Some kind of a privacy * Shopping * Live music + few beers * Other activities (safaris, excusrsions etc.)

Things that we (she ) dont enjoy:

* Crowded beaches (o rly) * Sound of jet skis (o rly) * "Spring break" athmosphere (past that)

So far the Nora Beach Resort (3800 TBH/night) on the northern Chaweng Beach looks like the winner. I'm gonna make the reservation for the first three nights from that hotel unless something comes up in this thread.

Also, any general tips for a first time traveler like me?

PS. So far I only have my flights booked to Bangkok so feel free to suggest other places than Samui if you feel so. Thanks.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator kaah enthusiast

Reged: 12/12/05 Posts: 326 Loc: bangkok Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: K‰≤∞‰Æ•n] #10477686 - 05/22/07 05:48 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Koh Samui / Thailand first timer - Chaweng or Lamai?

I'm going to stay at Koh Samui for 10 days in June. I'm going with my spouse. We're near our 30s.

Things that we enjoy doing on a holiday:

* Snorkling (coral(ish) beaches preferred) * Sun bathing (on the beach, not the pool) * Eating local food (in restaurants) * Some kind of a privacy * Shopping * Live music + few beers * Other activities (safaris, excusrsions etc.)

Things that we (she ) dont enjoy:

* Crowded beaches (o rly) * Sound of jet skis (o rly) * "Spring break" athmosphere (past that)

So far the Nora Beach Resort (3800 TBH/night) on the northern Chaweng Beach looks like the winner. I'm gonna make the reservation for the first three nights from that hotel unless something comes up in this thread.

Also, any general tips for a first time traveler like me?

PS. So far I only have my flights booked to Bangkok so feel free to suggest other places than Samui if you feel so. Thanks.

chaweng is like the patong in phuket of samui(hooker n nightlife central) atleast north/central chaweng is.. its a seven kilometer long beach so hard to pinpoint action, but this is a place where you walk up and down and get pestered by taxidrivers honking at you every 10seconds, be prepared. lamai is quieter i have only stayed there one night but its a bit smaller more relaxed. chaweng is like the capitol of samui and if you are traveling as a couple i would probably say live in lamai and visit chaweng. you will have more privacy in lamai. advice? dont play 4K/night for a room

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator kaah enthusiast

Reged: 12/12/05 Posts: 326 Loc: bangkok Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: kaah] #10477829 - 05/22/07 06:00 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Tempest122 i played at party while i was in paton phuket. i talked to some other players at the cafe and they said it depended on where you where in the contry, they said the could ent connect to party in pattaya e.g i dont know if it was the poor connection ore the poor hardware(ore both) but it lagged HELL and i got disconnected and autofolded more than 5times in 5minutes..

"samui is way mroe developed and resortish and just had a weird feel to it. it didn't have that much of a local feel to it. more commercialized i guess. There was nothing that stood out about the island either.

ko phangan has the full moon party and is much smaller and really awesome imo."

honestly is there anything on this earth more commercialized then the full moon party. kohpangan is cheap, thats about all it is.. the beach is PACKED with topess hot... sweds?! thats not what you travel halfway across the world too see, not a person over 40 at the island and the avrage is farang/ age 20.8/britt 33%/scandinavian 33%/israeli 33%

and alot of resturants are runned by israelis at this island for some reason

i thougt the place sucked ass but if you are the type of person that enjoy ibiza you will have a blast for 150b per bucket there.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: K‰≤∞‰Æ•n] #10487463 - 05/23/07 11:59 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Koh Samui / Thailand first timer - Chaweng or Lamai?

I'm going to stay at Koh Samui for 10 days in June. I'm going with my spouse. We're near our 30s.

Things that we enjoy doing on a holiday:

* Snorkling (coral(ish) beaches preferred) * Sun bathing (on the beach, not the pool) * Eating local food (in restaurants) * Some kind of a privacy * Shopping * Live music + few beers * Other activities (safaris, excusrsions etc.)

Things that we (she ) dont enjoy:

* Crowded beaches (o rly) * Sound of jet skis (o rly) * "Spring break" athmosphere (past that)

So far the Nora Beach Resort (3800 TBH/night) on the northern Chaweng Beach looks like the winner. I'm gonna make the reservation for the first three nights from that hotel unless something comes up in this thread.

Also, any general tips for a first time traveler like me?

PS. So far I only have my flights booked to Bangkok so feel free to suggest other places than Samui if you feel so. Thanks.

3800THB/night sounds on the sicker side of sick in terms of prices IMO. Not been to Samui, but you could easily fulfill all your desires/requirements on multiple parts of Phuket without ever coming into Patong (most touristy/nightlifey part). If you want some advice bout specific areas/accom on Phuket drop me a PM.

PS I'm 33 with a 31yr old Long term Thai GF. So this isn't coming from a "young spunker".

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10487525 - 05/23/07 12:05 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

you might be able to get a discount on a flight in june. there is as court ruling on the 30th which could spark violence and more political uncertainity. maybe even another coup!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10487552 - 05/23/07 12:08 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

The Constitutional Tribunal may dissolve the two biggest political parties on May 30, and if the first draft of the new constitution holds up, the party system could lose most of the clout gained under 10 years of a democratic charter.

Unpredictability has characterised Thai politics for decades, but this year's host of uncertainties has got even the most seasoned political analysts scratching their heads.

"This is the most confusing period in Thai politics that I can remember," admitted Chris Baker, co-author of several books on the topic with his wife, academic Pasuk Phongpaichit.

One of great unknowns is whether or not Thailand's two largest political parties will be dissolved and their leaders barred from politics for the next five years.

On May 30, the Constitutional Tribunal will decide the fates of the Thai Rak Thai Party, founded by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the Democrats, the country's oldest political party which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year.

The two parties face charges of committing fraud during the April 2, 2006, general election, the results of which were annulled on May 8, leaving Thailand in a political wilderness from which it has yet to emerge.

Other questions looming on Thailand's political horizon include whether or not a nationwide referendum will reject the kingdom's 18th attempt at a constitution, whether there will be a general election by the end of the year and whether the extremely popular but equally divisive Thaksin will return from exile and if the military will stage a counter-coup in an attempt to clear up, once again, all this political uncertainty.

Much depends on the outcome of the May 30 Constitution Tribunal ruling.

If the tribunal decides to dissolve the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties, street protests can be expected by the two parties' followers, which number about 14 million and 4 million, respectively.

If the tribunal decides not to dissolve the parties but to bar their executives from politics for the next five years, that will raise other questions.

"If they bar a significant number of politicians from politics, questions will arise about how meaningful the next election will be," said Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat party.

While it is clear that the Thai military do not want to see the political comeback of Thaksin, whom they deposed with a coup last September 19, it is less clear to what extent they intend to throttle the political party system.

Judging by the first draft of the new constitution by a military-appointed committee, Thailand's political parties are set to lose a lot of the political clout they won under the last 1997 constitution, deemed the country's most democratic charter to date.

The 1997 constitution was scrapped with the coup.

Many clauses in the newly drafted charter are designed to prevent the emergence of a strong premier and one powerful political party, as happened under Thaksin and his populist Thai Rak Thai party between 2001 to 2006.

"This is an elitist constitution," said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Security and International Studies. "The spirit of this constitution is to put down Thaksin and the Thaksin regime or anything like Thaksin again."

But there are indications that the charter will be significantly amended by the time it is presented for a referendum in August or September this year.

For instance, an amendment committee has already dropped a controversial clause that would have created an "emergency council," an appointed body to resolve future political crises, and it is likely to change a clause bringing back appointed, as opposed to elected senators, as was stipulated under the 1997 charter.

If the new constitution weakens Thailand's political parties too much, the politicians are likely to mobilise their followers to reject it in the referendum.

"Any attempt to make the elections not meaningful, and to restore the rule of the bureaucracy, will only invite trouble. That's the bottom line," said Abhisit.

When Thai politicians say "the bureaucracy," they include the military, who basically ran the country from 1932, when they overthrew the absolute monarchy, until 1992, when a brutal army crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Bangkok finally ousted the generals from the political scene.

"They've been trying to burrow their way back for the past 15 years and got nowhere until this coup, and then suddenly they're back," said Baker in reference to the Thai military.

Over those 15 years, however, much has changed in Thailand, and the "bureaucrats" may be in for a surprise if they force their hand too much.

"Public expectations are much higher," said Thitinan. "People are smarter, more sophisticated. They have had ten years of the 1997 constitution and five years of Thaksin, so they've had a foretaste of the things they can get."

Democrat leader Abhisit, who may well lose his job this month, agreed.

"The one certainty is you can't roll things back," said Abhisit. "One way or the other we will return to elections very soon."

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10490629 - 05/23/07 03:51 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Does this mean I'll get to see tanks?!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10501189 - 05/24/07 07:37 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Does this mean I'll get to see tanks?!

LOLZ Unlikely, but if you do, possibly with flowers sticking out of their gun barrels like the last coup.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10515611 - 05/25/07 05:05 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

In another thread that got locked, Mmerli wrote

Quote: We are looking for a few more people to come with us. A house with 4-6 people will probably be the most fun. We are currently looking at Phuket as the best choice since we prefer beachy area and stable internet connection is obviously extremely important. I want to point out that we are all ssnl/msnl players so we are not going to rent a huge palace over there, but a comfortable place should be possible without going broke.

First of all, Phuket is not the place to go for a stable internet connection. The best I can say about it is that it often worked when we wanted it to. This is referring to our second connection because our original wasn't functional for over 8 days before we switched companies. Thailand broadband isn't even in the same league as what we're used to in the west. I can't imagine what 6 simultaneous users would be like on the connection we had.

You say you don't want a palace, but a place with 4-6 bedrooms is going to be pretty baller by definition. Like anywhere else, real estate in Thailand is all about location so you're going to pay a lot more for a place near the beach or the center of town. NewTeaBag and I looked at some places that were huge and inexpensive, but they can best be described as being in suburbia, and this was something we wanted to avoid.

Any place this large is going to have maid's quarters and hiring a maid would probably be worth it with so many people. For about $150-200/month you can get someone full-time who's trained to deal with Westerners.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10516674 - 05/25/07 09:01 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: In another thread that got locked, Mmerli wrote

Quote: We are looking for a few more people to come with us. A house with 4-6 people will probably be the most fun. We are currently looking at Phuket as the best choice since we prefer beachy area and stable internet connection is obviously extremely important. I want to point out that we are all ssnl/msnl players so we are not going to rent a huge palace over there, but a comfortable place should be possible without going broke.

First of all, Phuket is not the place to go for a stable internet connection. The best I can say about it is that it often worked when we wanted it to. This is referring to our second connection because our original wasn't functional for over 8 days before we switched companies. Thailand broadband isn't even in the same league as what we're used to in the west. I can't imagine what 6 simultaneous users would be like on the connection we had.

You say you don't want a palace, but a place with 4-6 bedrooms is going to be pretty baller by definition. Like anywhere else, real estate in Thailand is all about location so you're going to pay a lot more for a place near the beach or the center of town. NewTeaBag and I looked at some places that were huge and inexpensive, but they can best be described as being in suburbia, and this was something we wanted to avoid.

Any place this large is going to have maid's quarters and hiring a maid would probably be worth it with so many people. For about $150-200/month you can get someone full-time who's trained to deal with Westerners.

This may be true but also it may be true that our place, "Vista Ville" were not so on the up and up about what they were providing. In my current temp spot, I am playing on a stable 500K, shared, TOT connextion with no problems of any sort.

PS WRT to vista ville: Leaving day proved to be quite an episode that involved significant argument, Puk nearly getting in a fight with the agent, Jit, smiling vista ville maids, an engish speaking man named, Victor (who no one had seen or heard of before) on the phone, an angry owner, the signed lease contract which Jit then claimed to not have understood when she signed it, and eventually a Tourist Police Officer mediator.

The end result was I got douched for 1200 of the deposit (they originally wanted to withhold 5000). So next time we meet up you owe me a beer Singha!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10516791 - 05/25/07 09:20 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

KING WARNS JUDGES ON DISSOLUTION

Trouble sure to follow

His Majesty the King yesterday expressed his grave concern over the upcoming Constitution Tribunal verdict on the future of two major political parties and asked the country's top judges to do their best for the country and yet brace themselves for heavy criticism.

The message, which emphasised the country was on the brink of possibly another major crisis, was conveyed to top Supreme Administrative Court judges who were granted an audience to present the monarch a gown to commemmorate his 60-year reign.

The King described the verdict, due next Wednesday, as a "highly important" decision, which would cause a lot of trouble no matter how it turns out.

"It will be a highly important decision, which will cause you [judges in general] trouble no matter what," he said. "There will be trouble whether political parties remain or not, because [on one hand] political parties need to exist."

The monarch said even he himself was not supposed to speak out on this delicate matter.

"Regarding this issue, you [Administrative Court judges] are not supposed to say anything because you are not involved. Even I can't say if there should be or there shouldn't be political parties, or whether parties should be dissolved or not. That's why I said the gown you gave me gave me trouble. It came with no power. Whether one will wear the gown or not, there will be no power. Just like you. You have no power [regarding this matter] as well," he said.

The King asked the visiting judges, led by Supreme Administrative Court President Ackaratorn Chularat, to "rightly interpret" what he was trying to say.

"Whatever court you belong to, judges need to make the right interpretation, otherwise the country will be doomed," he said.

His Majesty reiterated that the upcoming verdict and reaction present Thailand with a potential crisis.

"You [Administrative Court judges] have the responsibility to judge, but not with the hammer. You can only decide within your heart whether the Constitution Tribunal makes the right ruling. Your responsibility and duty are to criticise the ruling. I have no right whatsoever to say if they are right or wrong, but in my heart I have to know whether they have done right or wrong. If they are wrong, there will be trouble whether or not political parties remain. I have the answer in my heart but I have no right to say it. Neither do you. But you must have the decision in your heart as to whether the Constitution Tribunal is right or wrong.

"But there will be trouble and damage, whatever ruling is made. Any decision can be a mistake. Therefore, there has to be some criticism. If there can't be official criticism, there has to be personal one. That's why I told you, you brought me trouble by bringing me this gown, because this gown means I'm also an Administrative Court judge.

"[We] can't issue any ruling because we are not the Constitution Tribunal. Being the Constitution Tribunal, they have the right to be involved in many things. But if you listen to radio over the past two days, there has been heavy criticism about the courts. You [Administrative Court judges] have to find a way to protect your fellow judges.

"...You took responsibility following what I said in Hua Hin over a year ago and consequently many things happened. And those things have their causes. But the things got entangled. And soon they may be more so. You must be well prepared to dispense some criticism - not as judges, but as individuals or specialists - to prevent our country from sinking and people saying we have done nothing or trying to solve the problem.

"You have the responsibility to prevent the country from sinking, to give more knowledge to knowledgeable people, or to educate those who have no knowledge, so that they will know which direction Thailand should take. You can think, and you can say it, because you are the ones with the knowledge. Please keep on trying to improve our country's situation, which is not good at all this year," the king said.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10519324 - 05/25/07 01:20 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Next Weds should be fun for yall in Bangkok. I'll be happy down in Phuket.

I think the King's public statement to the judges was a definite warning but also a thinly veiled message for the general populace for calm in the face of whatever the Weds decision should be.

I imagine should the most extreme end come out (low liklihood) and both of the major Political parties get the 5year ban then there will be heavy protests possily spilling into riot. That said, many of these protestors are paid travellers from the Northern provinces certainly willing to shout for money but prob far less interested in fighting/bloodshed over The Thak Sik Thai or Democratic parties.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ski Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 02/26/06 Posts: 2799 Loc: Thailand, not playing Absolute Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10519640 - 05/25/07 01:42 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: Koh Samui / Thailand first timer - Chaweng or Lamai?

I'm going to stay at Koh Samui for 10 days in June. I'm going with my spouse. We're near our 30s.

Things that we enjoy doing on a holiday:

* Snorkling (coral(ish) beaches preferred) * Sun bathing (on the beach, not the pool) * Eating local food (in restaurants) * Some kind of a privacy * Shopping * Live music + few beers * Other activities (safaris, excusrsions etc.)

Things that we (she ) dont enjoy:

* Crowded beaches (o rly) * Sound of jet skis (o rly) * "Spring break" athmosphere (past that)

So far the Nora Beach Resort (3800 TBH/night) on the northern Chaweng Beach looks like the winner. I'm gonna make the reservation for the first three nights from that hotel unless something comes up in this thread.

Also, any general tips for a first time traveler like me?

PS. So far I only have my flights booked to Bangkok so feel free to suggest other places than Samui if you feel so. Thanks.

3800THB/night sounds on the sicker side of sick in terms of prices IMO. Not been to Samui, but you could easily fulfill all your desires/requirements on multiple parts of Phuket without ever coming into Patong (most touristy/nightlifey part). If you want some advice bout specific areas/accom on Phuket drop me a PM.

PS I'm 33 with a 31yr old Long term Thai GF. So this isn't coming from a "young spunker".

Looks nice, the north part of Chewang beach isin't hooker central like a lot of Chewang (and lamai).

Check out "Jungle Club" while you're here. One of the best places to bring a gf I think.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ski] #10528802 - 05/26/07 04:42 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I was concerned that we had broadband from two separate companies and had problems with both of them. This may have to do with being so far off the beaten path--let us know if you experience any trouble.

I don't understand how there was a problem with Vista Ville. We added a number of explicit clauses to the lease that were signed and initialed by both parties. I think one said something like "the lease can be terminated at the end of any month by either party with no penalties." Meh.

I'm glad I'll be in Laos on the 30th. I can't wait to see how they blame farang for this.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Atomic member

Reged: 03/11/05 Posts: 114 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10531793 - 05/26/07 02:25 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

This is a online diary some photog keeps and it has a 7 part photo tour of his month long trip to Thailand.

http://www.ikeepadiary.com/diary/2005/04_11_thailand_part_01/frame_index.html

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Atomic] #10539430 - 05/27/07 04:29 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: This is a online diary some photog keeps and it has a 7 part photo tour of his month long trip to Thailand.

http://www.ikeepadiary.com/diary/2005/04_11_thailand_part_01/frame_index.html

Nice, we need more trip reports like this. So far I've just looked at part one--those are some ugly ladyboys in that show.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Atomic] #10542584 - 05/27/07 02:53 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

http://www.ikeepadiary.com/diary/2005/04_11_thailand_part_01/frame_index.html

This has me super pumped. Thanks for the link.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Mmerli journeyman

Reged: 06/10/06 Posts: 72 Loc: Denmark Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10555676 - 05/28/07 05:59 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: First of all, Phuket is not the place to go for a stable internet connection

Oh okay that is what I was told elsewhere It's obviously very important that we can get a quality connection. What place would you recommend over there then?

Quote: You say you don't want a palace, but a place with 4-6 bedrooms is going to be pretty baller by definition. Like anywhere else, real estate in Thailand is all about location so you're going to pay a lot more for a place near the beach or the center of town. NewTeaBag and I looked at some places that were huge and inexpensive, but they can best be described as being in suburbia, and this was something we wanted to avoid.

Okay but since myself and the people I have talked to all play in the NL100-NL400 range the rent/person/month should probably not go beyond say 500$ Do you think this is realistic?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Mmerli] #10562298 - 05/29/07 04:41 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Our place in Phuket was essentially in the jungle, so this may account for some of the internet problems. Still, major problems with two internet providers... NewTeaBag is staying in Phuket so you might want to talk to him in a month or so and see if he has any more problems. I've only lived in Phuket so I'm not sure what the internet situation is like elsewhere. Bangkok is obviously going to have the best internet in the country. If I remember correctly, Southern Dog lives in Chiang Mai so you might want to PM him if that region interests you. Don't worry, even if you end up living in the city, you can fly anywhere in Thailand for under $100 and get similarly inexpensive lodging.

$500 per person per month is plenty. This is what NTB and I were paying for our villa (go back a couple pages for pics) and this isn't even close to getting the best value for our money. This is ~70k baht per month for four people. That's a lot for Thailand unless you're looking at really high-end real estate. Again, what you get for your money depends on the desirability of the location.

If you end up living in Bangkok, it might be easier to get two (or three) two-bedroom apartments next to each other, but this is just speculation because I haven't checked out any apartments yet. I'm not a high-stakes baller like some of the guys here--I usually play 200NL (lower lately) and make essentially unlimited money for Thailand. Especially coming from Scandinavia, you guys will be amazed at how cheap everything is.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator john voight cleaning up after daddy

Reged: 04/16/06 Posts: 2555 Loc: SALAZARRRRRRRR Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10562751 - 05/29/07 06:41 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

does NewTeaBag play NL30(deep) on FT?

If so, is that his only source of income? B/c If it is, I am flying over tomorrow!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Josem Ninja Tar

Reged: 01/19/07 Posts: 4727 Loc: Victoria, Australia Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: john voight] #10562767 - 05/29/07 06:44 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

please don't tell me that a winning NL30 player can make a good living in Thailand.

If it is possible, please pm wickss.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator john voight cleaning up after daddy

Reged: 04/16/06 Posts: 2555 Loc: SALAZARRRRRRRR Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Josem] #10562785 - 05/29/07 06:48 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

well I play NL30 (deep) with a guy named NewTeaBag, and he plays during night (so day time in thailand).

Furthermore, I think I am better than him.

So I would be to Thaliand what the Durrrr is to America. And if you play above NL30, your like the Patrick Antonius of Thailand.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: john voight] #10562883 - 05/29/07 07:16 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: does NewTeaBag play NL30(deep) on FT?

He plays a number of limits at NLHE and PLO as well as tournaments; I'm not sure what his main games are. He definitely has a better work ethic than I do. I've also seen a guy named "BadTeaBag" playing SSNL on FT but they're not related.

You could easily make a living playing $25NL in Thailand. If you figure 5bb/100 *6 tables = $15 *.75 hand/hr = ~$12/hr + maybe $5/hr rakeback. At around $17/hr you'd be making more than 98% of Thais and 98% of farang expats. You could live quite well until your inevitable suicide.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: john voight] #10563067 - 05/29/07 08:01 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: well I play NL30 (deep) with a guy named NewTeaBag, and he plays during night (so day time in thailand).

Furthermore, I think I am better than him.

So I would be to Thaliand what the Durrrr is to America. And if you play above NL30, your like the Patrick Antonius of Thailand.

LOLZ I've been spotted at 30NL!

Yes I have been messing about at 30NL at FTP. IF you think your better than me, then mazeltov! You deserve a cookie!

I play mostly PLO 50/100/200 these days but of late been supplementing my small FTP balance with 30NL whilst wacking away PLO on PRIMA.

But yes, theoretically, if I so desired based on cost of living, I could live off 30NL alone. WhoIam's calculations are pretty accurate wrt what earn rates ae in relation to Thailand Costs.

PS What's your FTP SN if u dare to admit?

Edited by NewTeaBag (05/29/07 08:02 AM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: john voight] #10563279 - 05/29/07 08:38 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Furthermore, I think I am better than him...

Ah, but are you as looooooky?

It's so fun to torment uSNL from paradise. I'm off to watch the dancing girls on Bangla Rd with my HUGE 2500 baht profit

Full Tilt Poker Game #2535640921: Table Esk (deep 6) - $0.15/$0.30 - No Limit Hold'em - 8:17:45 ET - 2007/05/29 Seat 1: DiscGolfer1969 ($29) Seat 2: z26745507 ($29.95) Seat 3: hooper58 ($29.40) Seat 4: gnusi ($31.80) Seat 5: lolita13 ($90.90) Seat 6: NewTeaBag ($59.55) lolita13 posts the small blind of $0.15 NewTeaBag posts the big blind of $0.30 The button is in seat #4 Dealt to NewTeaBag [6s 3s] DiscGolfer1969 calls $0.30 z26745507 raises to $1.35 hooper58 folds gnusi folds lolita13 calls $1.20 NewTeaBag calls $1.05 DiscGolfer1969 calls $1.05 lolita13 bets $3 NewTeaBag raises to $14.40 DiscGolfer1969 folds z26745507 calls $14.40 lolita13 raises to $89.55, and is all in NewTeaBag calls $43.80, and is all in z26745507 calls $14.20, and is all in lolita13 shows [Jd Ks] NewTeaBag shows [6s 3s] z26745507 shows [Kd Kh] Uncalled bet of $31.35 returned to lolita13 lolita13 shows a pair of Kings NewTeaBag shows a flush, Ace high NewTeaBag wins the side pot ($59.20) with a flush, Ace high z26745507 shows three of a kind, Kings NewTeaBag wins the main pot ($88.20) with a flush, Ace high z26745507 is sitting out Total pot $150.40 Main pot $91.20. Side pot $59.20. | Rake $3 Board: [Kc 4s 2s Qc As] Seat 1: DiscGolfer1969 folded on the Flop Seat 2: z26745507 showed [Kd Kh] and lost with three of a kind, Kings Seat 3: hooper58 didn't bet (folded) Seat 4: gnusi (button) didn't bet (folded) Seat 5: lolita13 (small blind) showed [Jd Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings Seat 6: NewTeaBag (big blind) showed [6s 3s] and won ($147.40) with a flush, Ace high
 * HOLE CARDS ***
 * FLOP *** [Kc 4s 2s]
 * TURN *** [Kc 4s 2s] [Qc]
 * RIVER *** [Kc 4s 2s Qc] [As]
 * SUMMARY ***

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Josem Ninja Tar

Reged: 01/19/07 Posts: 4727 Loc: Victoria, Australia Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10563317 - 05/29/07 08:46 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

of all the hands to use to brag, that is not one of them.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Jay. aka 1800GAMBLER

Reged: 05/12/03 Posts: 6615 Loc: Leeds, uk Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: K‰≤∞‰Æ•n] #10563344 - 05/29/07 08:50 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Koh Samui / Thailand first timer - Chaweng or Lamai?

I'm going to stay at Koh Samui for 10 days in June. I'm going with my spouse. We're near our 30s.

Things that we enjoy doing on a holiday:

* Snorkling (coral(ish) beaches preferred) * Sun bathing (on the beach, not the pool) * Eating local food (in restaurants) * Some kind of a privacy * Shopping * Live music + few beers * Other activities (safaris, excusrsions etc.)

Things that we (she ) dont enjoy:

* Crowded beaches (o rly) * Sound of jet skis (o rly) * "Spring break" athmosphere (past that)

So far the Nora Beach Resort (3800 TBH/night) on the northern Chaweng Beach looks like the winner. I'm gonna make the reservation for the first three nights from that hotel unless something comes up in this thread.

Also, any general tips for a first time traveler like me?

PS. So far I only have my flights booked to Bangkok so feel free to suggest other places than Samui if you feel so. Thanks.

chaweng is not the ideal beach for you in samui. it's the livest place and still not a crowded beach but busier than the others. plus it's super long so unless you get the south side (first house hotel etc) you don't have an exclusively area. last time we went we could only get on Nae Nam beach, which was almost completely empty, had lots of small thai hut restaurants which served the best food i ate while in thailand and for the cheapest prices in samui. then on a night you're a 10 minute taxi from chaweng.

while your on chaweng rent a bike or car and drive up to that side of the island and walk along the beach to check it out.

edit: downside is chaweng has a decent reef in parts. i dont think nae nam did, but i didn't search one out. google will know.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Josem] #10563880 - 05/29/07 10:11 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: of all the hands to use to brag, that is not one of them.

LOL I said looooooooky NOT good.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Echelon enthusiast

Reged: 04/05/06 Posts: 236 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10572865 - 05/29/07 10:22 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113798&st=0

check this newteabag

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Echelon] #10575581 - 05/30/07 02:06 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113798&st=0

check this newteabag

Excellent, thanks! Something to bear in mind on my next move.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10575593 - 05/30/07 02:07 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Hows it going over there? Have the elephants invaded bkk?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10575668 - 05/30/07 02:12 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Hows it going over there? Have the elephants invaded bkk?

Still awaiting the verdict, but the king is speaking on TV right now sending amessage of calm before the announcement.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10577581 - 05/30/07 07:02 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Am I the only one who finds it hilarious you're going to see dancing girls in Thailand with money you won from someone named lolita13?

When is this ruling expected? I keep thinking about how awesome it would be if the two main parties in the US were banned and their members prevented from running for office for five years.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10578501 - 05/30/07 09:45 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Am I the only one who finds it hilarious you're going to see dancing girls in Thailand with money you won from someone named lolita13?

When is this ruling expected? I keep thinking about how awesome it would be if the two main parties in the US were banned and their members prevented from running for office for five years.

LOL Hadn't spotted the irony of drinking beers payed for by lolita13 whilst watching a bunch of near Lolita Thai girls dancing.

The annoucement came down:

Democrat party cleared of all charges. Thai Rak Thai (party of the deposed PM) given the 5 year death sentence.

So far relative calm, no elephants or riots in Bangkok and as of 30 mins ago Bangla Rd was cracking away in full early evening swing.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ofdabeat enthusiast

Reged: 08/20/06 Posts: 351 Loc: friggin bangkok baby Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10595362 - 05/31/07 09:20 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I'll hit Bangkok the 4th of June if anyone there wants to share a drink feel free to PM, i know the country quite well in case you need infos.

PS : oh if i sound or look strange it's becaus i'm fleeing China after a stock market operation gone bad leading to ultrabustonest ( soon in BBV )

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ofdabeat] #10595623 - 05/31/07 09:57 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Eerily quiet on Bangla Rd tonight as all the bars and dancers are shutdown/gone fo the Buddhist holiday. Never seen Bangla at night looking so calm...er boring.

I did see a couple of "Ah, screw it! Let's work tonight anywayz.", Ladyboy streetwalkers braving the alcoholess farang hordes though.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Kibby veteran

Reged: 12/27/05 Posts: 1545 Loc: pwning medical billing Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10601926 - 05/31/07 05:12 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

My god. I just got through that thread (I skimmed ALOT) and now have plans to go to Thailand in Feb.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Tempest122 journeyman

Reged: 12/09/06 Posts: 93 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Kibby] #10602009 - 05/31/07 05:17 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Decided I need an adventure so I'm going to buy a ticket to thailand in a week or so and just go KKF style with no plans. Great thread, it's going be interesting to see where I end up.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Bulbarainey old hand

Reged: 08/17/04 Posts: 808 Loc: skid row, wall st & 4th st, lo... Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Degen] #10603078 - 05/31/07 06:32 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: What is the approximate monthly cost to live well off in Thailand?

I can't imagine ever spending more than 4k a month on the most absolute baller lifestyle imaginable. Thats like penthouse apartment in Bangkok with a redic view, going out every night to the best clubs, live in maid etc etc

does this include having a baller car? is it possible to get the same baller cars as the usa or at least an older version and do they cost more cus of taxes? ie: not like a rolls, but more like a bmw 7 series, merc S class, etc

also, how do you avoid all the trannies? some of them look so convincing, do they only stay in certain parts of town, and if u got naked with one that has surgery, would u be able to tell before u stuck it in? thanks

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator KJS Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/02 Posts: 1617 Loc: Seattle, WA Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Bulbarainey] #10604350 - 05/31/07 08:06 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

Quote: What is the approximate monthly cost to live well off in Thailand?

I can't imagine ever spending more than 4k a month on the most absolute baller lifestyle imaginable. Thats like penthouse apartment in Bangkok with a redic view, going out every night to the best clubs, live in maid etc etc

does this include having a baller car? is it possible to get the same baller cars as the usa or at least an older version and do they cost more cus of taxes? ie: not like a rolls, but more like a bmw 7 series, merc S class, etc

also, how do you avoid all the trannies? some of them look so convincing, do they only stay in certain parts of town, and if u got naked with one that has surgery, would u be able to tell before u stuck it in? thanks

You don't want to drive in BKK. Google pictures to see how insane it is.

Most ladyboys I encountered are not trying to pass as anything but transgendered people. They are not going around trying to scheme straight guys into sleeping with them under false pretenses. They are what they are in Thailand, more like a 3rd sex than female.

KJS

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Schmitty 87 old hand

Reged: 03/25/06 Posts: 703 Loc: Trafalgar Square Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Atomic] #10606502 - 05/31/07 10:54 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: This is a online diary some photog keeps and it has a 7 part photo tour of his month long trip to Thailand.

http://www.ikeepadiary.com/diary/2005/04_11_thailand_part_01/frame_index.html

Ok that looks really cool. For those that have gone on the jungle treks in Chiang Mai: those bugs are scaring the living [censored] out of me (theres a big mosquito type looking thing and a huge [censored] spider). Should I avoid the treks? I really want to go on one to meet people plus it looks cool, but I don't want to encounter any bugs that are going to make me scream like a little girl.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Bulbarainey] #10610686 - 06/01/07 05:46 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: does this include having a baller car? is it possible to get the same baller cars as the usa or at least an older version and do they cost more cus of taxes? ie: not like a rolls, but more like a bmw 7 series, merc S class, etc

also, how do you avoid all the trannies? some of them look so convincing, do they only stay in certain parts of town, and if u got naked with one that has surgery, would u be able to tell before u stuck it in?

From what I understand, cars are really expensive in Thailand. I suggest you visit bkk and see the traffic before deciding if you want a car or not. Or drive around Boston at rush hour and imagine it being twice as crazy. I think it would be really hard to adjust to the free-for-all coming from the US where everyone generally obeys traffic signals, stays in their lane, etc. Maybe if you wanted to be really baller, you could pay a taxi driver his average daily rate to be your personal driver.

Some people think that ladyboys' entire goal in life is to suck some straight guy's [censored] without him knowing. Even if this was a common desire, I'm sure they realize the serious risk of an ass kicking in this situation. 98% of ladyboys are really easy to spot after you've been here a little while. Some warning signs: Generally just look at the face and if anything looks, off, move on. Lack of an adam's apple is meaningless because it can be removed for a couple hundred bucks.
 * They're tall. Many begin taking hormones during adolescence (you can walk into a pharmacy and get them) and this supposedly causes increased growth. Also guys tend to be taller then girls.
 * Big hands/shoulders
 * Deep voice
 * They look like they're going to the prom. Hair and makeup perfect, nails expertly done, super-stylish clothes. Real Thai girls still try to look good, but they're more laid-back about it.
 * They're really aggressive.
 * Big [censored]. C'mon, this is Asia.

If you go to a gogo bar or beer bar, you can be pretty sure everyone is a biological female. Most will have one ladyboy, but they're usually obvious to spot. Ladyboys are usually found in ladyboy bars (duh) and as streetwalkers/freelancers.

I've had a lot of girls joke that they were ladyboys once we were in the bedroom (with clothes still on). Not funny! This is like me saying "Whoa, I hope I didn't infect you with AIDS." Have other people had this experience?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fatgirl_lover

Reged: 04/15/07 Posts: 295 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10610978 - 06/01/07 06:48 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

"I've had a lot of girls joke that they were ladyboys once we were in the bedroom (with clothes still on). Not funny! This is like me saying "Whoa, I hope I didn't infect you with AIDS." Have other people had this experience? "

lol certainly not

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fatgirl_lover

Reged: 04/15/07 Posts: 295 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Bulbarainey] #10610999 - 06/01/07 06:54 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: What is the approximate monthly cost to live well off in Thailand?

I can't imagine ever spending more than 4k a month on the most absolute baller lifestyle imaginable. Thats like penthouse apartment in Bangkok with a redic view, going out every night to the best clubs, live in maid etc etc

i'm on pace to spend well more then 4k a month currently

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator fatgirl_lover

Reged: 04/15/07 Posts: 295 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: fatgirl_lover] #10611026 - 06/01/07 07:00 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

also i'm in bangkok tonight if anyone wants to hang out i got nothing to do. no phone, my email is clambunny@gmail.com just leave a number and i am going to check a couple more times tonight.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator K‰≤∞‰Æ•n loves sippin_piss

Reged: 05/03/06 Posts: 3565 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10648732 - 06/04/07 06:19 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I'll be in Thailand (rookie) in 6th of June. Wee!

I want to take a taximeter from the Suvarnaphumi Airport to 88 Sukhumvit 24. Should I take the expressway? How much does it cost and how much faster is it? I'm spending only 1 day in Bangkok so speed is everything.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: K‰≤∞‰Æ•n] #10652232 - 06/04/07 01:57 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: I'll be in Thailand (rookie) in 6th of June. Wee!

Ditto, I'll be the fat angry white guy.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator zasterguava Pooh-Bah

Reged: 04/06/07 Posts: 1692 Loc: St Kilda, Australia Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: spoohunter] #10653178 - 06/04/07 03:03 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

are thai girls more flat chested?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: zasterguava] #10659987 - 06/04/07 11:14 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

It just occurred to me that I have ambien and xanax but no script. How dumb would it be to pack ten of each? I'm not interested in trying to smuggle it in, I'd just throw it in with my toiletries.

Pretty dumb?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator firstyearclay old hand

Reged: 04/08/05 Posts: 902 Loc: San Diego, California Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10660138 - 06/04/07 11:25 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

is this thread seriously still going?

I probably would try to make it look like you are smuggling them. Put the pills in baggies then put the baggies in other baggies then put it in a large bottle of shampoo.

Does that help?

fyc

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator zasterguava Pooh-Bah

Reged: 04/06/07 Posts: 1692 Loc: St Kilda, Australia Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: zasterguava] #10660252 - 06/04/07 11:34 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: are thai girls more flat chested?

lol, idiot.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: firstyearclay] #10660257 - 06/04/07 11:34 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

It seems to be, I'm a little worried about tuq catching up to me in posting while I'm gone though.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: zasterguava] #10664209 - 06/05/07 06:46 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: are thai girls more HOT?

Hellz Yeah!

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: K‰≤∞‰Æ•n] #10664387 - 06/05/07 07:22 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: I'll be in Thailand (rookie) in 6th of June. Wee!

I want to take a taximeter from the Suvarnaphumi Airport to 88 Sukhumvit 24. Should I take the expressway? How much does it cost and how much faster is it? I'm spending only 1 day in Bangkok so speed is everything.

when you go to the taxi line, tell the guy you want the taxi to take Rama-9 road.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10664642 - 06/05/07 08:22 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: It just occurred to me that I have ambien and xanax but no script. How dumb would it be to pack ten of each? I'm not interested in trying to smuggle it in, I'd just throw it in with my toiletries.

Pretty dumb?

If you're using them to sleep, just bring them on the plane with you and throw away what you don't use. I wouldn't risk it. You can buy either at any pharmacy.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10664680 - 06/05/07 08:28 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

when you use the atm, make sure you take your card with you. today, the farang infront of me left his inside the machine, and i think i almost did this too when i first arrived. some machines spit the cash out and take 3 or 4 seconds to spit the card out.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10665012 - 06/05/07 09:22 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: It just occurred to me that I have ambien and xanax but no script. How dumb would it be to pack ten of each? I'm not interested in trying to smuggle it in, I'd just throw it in with my toiletries.

Pretty dumb?

If you're using them to sleep, just bring them on the plane with you and throw away what you don't use. I wouldn't risk it. You can buy either at any pharmacy.

Good call, thanks.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10679072 - 06/06/07 04:19 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Legal drugs in Thailand

Iím sitting in my hotel room in Laos feeling a little loopy from cold medicine and the little bit of Xanax I took to chill (the xanax I mean, the cold medicine is for my cold) and feel like doing some writing. Maybe Iím inspired by the ghost of Hunter S Thompson who spent so much time here in Vientiane after the fall of Saigon.

As someone who likes to indulge in occasional chemical recreation, I thought this might be useful to similarly-minded people traveling to Thailand. Most of the gaps in my knowledge were filled in by a Bangkok-based expat I met here in Vientiane.

Non-fun drugs This includes things like antibiotics, birth control pills, and Viagra. Just walk inside and ask for what you want. This is really nice because if you know you have strep throat or pink eye, you can buy some antibiotics or eye drops without the hassle of seeing a doctor first. If you ever have any stomach pains or diarrhea, immediately go to the pharmacist and take whatever they give you. Thereís no reason to feel miserable for a few days when you can just spend $4 on some medicine.

Stimulants Not gonna happen. No amphetamines, no Adderall, no Ritalin. Iím not sure about modafinil, not even the big pharmacies I went to had heard of it. Red Bull is really cheap, though.

Opiates Also not gonna happen. I think you can get tablets with small amounts of codeine since the dose that suppresses coughs is far less than the recreational/pain relief dose. Taking 20 or 30 pills is way too degenerate for me and Iím also not a big fan of pain killers. All of my attempts at getting codeine cough syrup were unsuccessful. This is unfortunate because Iím a big fan of chopped and screwed music. You can get a prescription for morphine tablets but you have to be seriously, seriously [censored] up in order to qualify. NTBís gf badly dislocated her arm and was in a lot of pain but the doctors only gave her Tylenol.

Benzodiazapams (Benzos) This includes drugs like Xanax and Valium. I donít think theyíre technically supposed to give them to you, but Iíve never had a problem. Iím not really a fan, but theyíre nice to occasionally chill out with on nights you donít feel like drinking. I find xanax a useful occasional sleep aid. Addiction is possible with these and withdrawal is really nasty, so take it easy.

Steroids If you meet me youíll realize this is obviously not my thing. From what Iíve read you can sometimes find a shady pharmacy or easily find a shady doctor to hook you up.

Possibly useful fact: all pharmacists speak good English. I assume this is because they often need to read information on dosage, side effects, interactions, etc that my only be available in English. If you need directions or need to know where the nearest ATM is or something, stop into a pharmacy.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10679147 - 06/06/07 04:31 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: when you use the atm, make sure you take your card with you. today, the farang infront of me left his inside the machine, and i think i almost did this too when i first arrived. some machines spit the cash out and take 3 or 4 seconds to spit the card out.

Some more ATM advice: I find my ePassporte debit card to be much better than my US one. epass gives me a decent exchange rate and there are no fees either from them or at the ATM. This means I can take out 2 or 3k baht as needed instead of walking around with several months' salary for most people in my pocket.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10679419 - 06/06/07 05:25 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: when you use the atm, make sure you take your card with you. today, the farang infront of me left his inside the machine, and i think i almost did this too when i first arrived. some machines spit the cash out and take 3 or 4 seconds to spit the card out.

Some more ATM advice: I find my ePassporte debit card to be much better than my US one. epass gives me a decent exchange rate and there are no fees either from them or at the ATM. This means I can take out 2 or 3k baht as needed instead of walking around with several months' salary for most people in my pocket.

Don't forget to throw in the e-pass warning though about month long account lockouts for foreign withdrawals.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10679724 - 06/06/07 06:34 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

NOTIFY EPASSPORTE IF YOU ARE TRAVELING. SERIOUSLY

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Schmitty 87 old hand

Reged: 03/25/06 Posts: 703 Loc: Trafalgar Square Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10699814 - 06/07/07 04:03 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Anyone been to Koh Chang (or surrounding islands)? I figure that would be a nice place to go shortly before I return since it's close to Bangkok.

Right now I'm planning on a few days in Bangkok, a week in Chiang Mai, 3 weeks at Koh Phangan, and I have about 2 weeks left. I'm thinking about Krabi, Koh Tao, or Koh Chang.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator KJS Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/02 Posts: 1617 Loc: Seattle, WA Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Schmitty 87] #10703419 - 06/07/07 08:19 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Anyone been to Koh Chang (or surrounding islands)? I figure that would be a nice place to go shortly before I return since it's close to Bangkok.

Right now I'm planning on a few days in Bangkok, a week in Chiang Mai, 3 weeks at Koh Phangan, and I have about 2 weeks left. I'm thinking about Krabi, Koh Tao, or Koh Chang.

The islands in Trang and Satun Provinces are the best. Better than Chang by a longshot. Look for: Ngai (aka Hai), Muk, Boulon, Lipe and others nearby those.

KJS

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: KJS] #10718902 - 06/08/07 09:49 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

It's really hot here and nobody seems to speak spanish. WTF?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10719141 - 06/08/07 10:16 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

OK, I am officially an idiot. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized "holy [censored], I never went to the embassy to get my 60-day visa." It's closed on the weekends and I was planning on coming to Bangkok from Laos on Tuesday. I wouldn't have time to pick up the visa if I went on Monday. I've gotten two 30 day visas already and if I go back now this would be my third. Would I then be able to get a 60-day visa from a foreign consulate or would I be [censored] for 3 months? I did a quick search on this and didn't find anything conclusive. I'd appreciate a quick answer in case I have to reschedule my flight.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10720998 - 06/09/07 01:54 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: OK, I am officially an idiot. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized "holy [censored], I never went to the embassy to get my 60-day visa." It's closed on the weekends and I was planning on coming to Bangkok from Laos on Tuesday. I wouldn't have time to pick up the visa if I went on Monday. I've gotten two 30 day visas already and if I go back now this would be my third. Would I then be able to get a 60-day visa from a foreign consulate or would I be [censored] for 3 months? I did a quick search on this and didn't find anything conclusive. I'd appreciate a quick answer in case I have to reschedule my flight.

You already know the answer! If you reenter on another 30 day visa, you MUST stay out for 90 days regardless of whatever visa you would use to reenter.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10722026 - 06/09/07 05:22 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: You already know the answer! If you reenter on another 30 day visa, you MUST stay out for 90 days regardless of whatever visa you would use to reenter.

I was 90% sure about this but I was hoping I was wrong. I saw a guy earlier who looks exactly like a 55-year-old version of you. I wish I had my camera.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10723506 - 06/09/07 11:29 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

what are your favorite resterants to eat in bkk/thailand? for me it'd be:

japanese - Hachiban Ramen (chain)

Korean - BBQ place on Soi 12 (these are all the same really)

Indian - Face (forgot the soi)

Italian - my kitcheen. Italian food in BKK sucks imho. suggestions?

Thai - Street Vendors ftw, it seems like you get better quality in the poorer areas. the areas around the outside of the mall bangkapi is probably my overall favorite.

Chinese - Chinatown ftw. just look for red. (gootheoy gio let moo dang) i also like the chinese food court in Emporium

Muslim - not many choices that i know about. generally unimpressed with the stuff on soi 3.

spanish/mexican - Does it exist in BKK? Have never seen it.

English - yeah right im not eating that shiite.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Gondolin stranger

Reged: 08/27/06 Posts: 5 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10729128 - 06/09/07 10:40 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Italian - my kitcheen. Italian food in BKK sucks imho. suggestions?

Have you tried the place at the end of sukhumvit soi 11 (a little towards soi 13, next to President Solitaire)? I think they had some Italian expats working there, seemed like a decent place. I'm not exactly an expert on Italian food though..

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ofdabeat enthusiast

Reged: 08/20/06 Posts: 351 Loc: friggin bangkok baby Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10729911 - 06/10/07 12:05 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: what are your favorite resterants to eat in bkk/thailand? for me it'd be:

Indian - Face (forgot the soi) Rang Mahal Rembrandt Hotel Suk 18

Italian - my kitcheen. Italian food in BKK sucks imho. suggestions? i like Biscotti regent hotel don't know the street

Thai - Street Vendors ftw, it seems like you get better quality in the poorer areas. the areas around the outside of the mall bangkapi is probably my overall favorite. So many good ones, but no the street vendors are not the best sorry

spanish/mexican - Does it exist in BKK? Have never seen it. it sucks usually, there is a few nice ones in Pattaya

English - yeah right im not eating that shiite.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10731260 - 06/10/07 02:22 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

In Patong, I ordered three dishes and some nan from this Indian restaurant to be delivered. When the driver came, I was presented with an itemized bill for 1200 baht. I said "holy [censored], this better be the best Indian food I've had in my life." And it actually was so I couldn't complain.

The best BBQ chicken is at a stand on the beach road right before Phuket Graceland on the righthand side.

I'm moving to Bangkok on Wednesday and my hot 21-year-old sister is coming to visit on Friday, so hit me up if you want to get a beer or something.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10731453 - 06/10/07 02:43 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

What are my options for real pizza in bkk? I've gotten pretty sick of The Pizza Company and their weird condiment bags.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10732299 - 06/10/07 05:37 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: What are my options for real pizza in bkk? I've gotten pretty sick of The Pizza Company and their weird condiment bags.

you dont put ketchup on pizza?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Idiotex

Reged: 01/30/07 Posts: 363 Loc: Min Donking A Wide Range Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: farang0] #10733593 - 06/10/07 11:08 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Yo Degen great thread mate.

But just to double check... Gambling is illegal there?

BUT...

Playing onliner poker is no problem at all and I won't be arrested for doing it at an internet cafe or anything?

Would it be worth just staying in a hotel with wireless do you think, to play from the hotel room?

So many questions... I live in Australia and I'm seriously considering giving it a try for a few weeks very soon. When you say it's just way too hot in June / July is it unbearable or still worth the trip?

Thanks man.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Josem Ninja Tar

Reged: 01/19/07 Posts: 4727 Loc: Victoria, Australia Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Idiotex] #10733634 - 06/10/07 11:16 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Yo Degen great thread mate.

he has been banned for a few months.

Quote: So many questions... I live in Australia and I'm seriously considering giving it a try for a few weeks very soon. When you say it's just way too hot in June / July is it unbearable or still worth the trip?

Thanks man.

climate info here: http://www.amazing-thailand.com/Climate.html (first google result of "thailand climate")

by "too hot" I think they mean by american standards.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Idiotex

Reged: 01/30/07 Posts: 363 Loc: Min Donking A Wide Range Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Degen] #10733636 - 06/10/07 11:16 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I apologize Degen I got ahead of myself and started asking questions that had been asked and answered in my excitement. I would love to catch up with you for a beer when I get over there though.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator Idiotex

Reged: 01/30/07 Posts: 363 Loc: Min Donking A Wide Range Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Idiotex] #10733645 - 06/10/07 11:17 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Thanks Josem.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator farang0 addict

Reged: 02/27/06 Posts: 627 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Idiotex] #10734294 - 06/10/07 01:05 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

The only edible mexican food in Bangkok is a place called Charley Browns. Its on the same soi as Bed Supperclub but around the corner in a small soi.

My favorite restaurants were Shabushi (sushi buffet around the corner from Hyatt Erawan) Mk, Fuji, Lumba Lumba (all you can eat dim sum on Lang Suan near Starbucks) Outback Steakhouse (3rd floor Siam Discovery Center) Cheap seafood BBQ places (we always went to this one in Pin Klao but most are the same)

In Koh Samui there were about 10 thai places that I survived on for a year. Depending on what you are looking for there is a great thai place making it. (Khao Ka moo, Rad naaa, Khao mhen gai, Jok for breakfast, etc) For mexican in samui check out Gringos cantina.

The cafeteria in Central Chit Lom has excellent food for about 50 baht a plate.

Also, I recommend hitting up the 4/5 star hotels around the country for dinner. They have the best food and its usually not that expensive.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Josem] #10739298 - 06/10/07 10:03 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

climate info here: http://www.amazing-thailand.com/Climate.html (first google result of "thailand climate")

by "too hot" I think they mean by american standards.

I think they mean sane person standards. It's [censored] hot. I've even been drinking water instead of beer.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: Idiotex] #10742190 - 06/11/07 02:10 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I doubt bkk is much hotter than Phuket. It's not that hot--you get used to it pretty quickly. I wear pants every day and often long sleeves as well. If you were walking around all day with a backpack or something you would be miserable, but you're mostly just moving from air-conditioned environment to air-conditioned environment.

There's maybe a 1 in a million chance you could be playing poker in an internet cafe and a cop could walk by and try to extort some money from you. My plan in this situation is just to point out the thousands and thousands of baht in play at the tables. It couldn't possibly be real money I'd be more concerned about key loggers and [censored]. Obviously playing from your room is way better than sitting in an uncomfortable chair with a bunch of randoms. Sometimes hotel wifi can be slow to the point of unplayability though.

edit: yeah, it's not that hot by Australian standards but obviously it will seem hotter since it's winter in Australia now.

Edited by WhoIam (06/11/07 02:17 AM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10742453 - 06/11/07 02:41 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Random tip: If you're American, tell people you're from New York. Most foreigners think NYC is the most magical amazing place on earth and their eyes will light up when tell them it's where you're from. I never know how to answer this question anyway and usually give some awkward answer like "Well, I grew up in Rhode Island but then I lived in Pittsburgh for five years and now I'm just kind of traveling."

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator nutsflopper old hand

Reged: 02/13/06 Posts: 1184 Loc: traveling Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10744180 - 06/11/07 08:42 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

There's maybe a 1 in a million chance you could be playing poker in an internet cafe and a cop could walk by and try to extort some money from you. My plan in this situation is just to point out the thousands and thousands of baht in play at the tables. It couldn't possibly be real money I'd be more concerned about key loggers and [censored]. Obviously playing from your room is way better than sitting in an uncomfortable chair with a bunch of randoms. Sometimes hotel wifi can be slow to the point of unplayability though.

Do you just download partypoker on the cafe's comp and login? Also, do you know the best way/place to get a fast and stable connection in thailand as far as apartments or houses?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: nutsflopper] #10744251 - 06/11/07 08:59 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

There's maybe a 1 in a million chance you could be playing poker in an internet cafe and a cop could walk by and try to extort some money from you. My plan in this situation is just to point out the thousands and thousands of baht in play at the tables. It couldn't possibly be real money I'd be more concerned about key loggers and [censored]. Obviously playing from your room is way better than sitting in an uncomfortable chair with a bunch of randoms. Sometimes hotel wifi can be slow to the point of unplayability though.

Do you just download partypoker on the cafe's comp and login? Also, do you know the best way/place to get a fast and stable connection in thailand as far as apartments or houses?

I imagine that's what you would do. If you did this I woul change my password every day at a different place. My only internet cafe experience that involved poker was in Laos and I had a laptop. I've written about internet in Phuket, I'm not sure about Bangkok, where I assume you'll be going.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ofdabeat enthusiast

Reged: 08/20/06 Posts: 351 Loc: friggin bangkok baby Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10744666 - 06/11/07 10:17 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

There's maybe a 1 in a million chance you could be playing poker in an internet cafe and a cop could walk by and try to extort some money from you. My plan in this situation is just to point out the thousands and thousands of baht in play at the tables. It couldn't possibly be real money I'd be more concerned about key loggers and [censored]. Obviously playing from your room is way better than sitting in an uncomfortable chair with a bunch of randoms. Sometimes hotel wifi can be slow to the point of unplayability though.

Do you just download partypoker on the cafe's comp and login? Also, do you know the best way/place to get a fast and stable connection in thailand as far as apartments or houses?

I imagine that's what you would do. If you did this I woul change my password every day at a different place. My only internet cafe experience that involved poker was in Laos and I had a laptop. I've written about internet in Phuket, I'm not sure about Bangkok, where I assume you'll be going.

most good hotels in bangkok have a good internet connection. hell i pay 7000 bahts a month for my apartment in an hotel and i have a 4mb connection for 20bucks a month, and the whole building is wifi.

Edited by ofdabeat (06/11/07 10:19 AM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ofdabeat] #10754072 - 06/11/07 11:29 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Yesterday I learned that Bangkok has two airports! How industrious of them.

Hyachahachacha

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ofdabeat enthusiast

Reged: 08/20/06 Posts: 351 Loc: friggin bangkok baby Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10757852 - 06/12/07 08:32 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Yesterday I learned that Bangkok has two airports! How industrious of them.

Hyachahachacha

Only one is in use actually ( for flights with passengers anyway )

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator OneBigRed enthusiast

Reged: 12/29/05 Posts: 213 Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ofdabeat] #10757896 - 06/12/07 08:40 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: Yesterday I learned that Bangkok has two airports! How industrious of them.

Hyachahachacha

Only one is in use actually ( for flights with passengers anyway )

Actually both are, because Suvarnabhum (new airport) has had so many problems. One runway has cracked, and the airport could'nt handle all the traffic anymore. Now some domestic flights are moved to Don Muang (old one).

All international flights fly from Suvarnabhum though.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: OneBigRed] #10758613 - 06/12/07 10:16 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

don muang was so ghetto but it'll have a warm spot in my heart forever.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator nutsflopper old hand

Reged: 02/13/06 Posts: 1184 Loc: traveling Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10760026 - 06/12/07 12:31 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

What do you do about phones over there? Are cellphones an option?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator KJS Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/02 Posts: 1617 Loc: Seattle, WA Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: nutsflopper] #10760385 - 06/12/07 01:01 PM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: What do you do about phones over there? Are cellphones an option?

Yes. Plenty of pre-paid phone options. Super easy to get a used phone at one of the many cell stalls in bigger shopping centers. Refill your $$ at 7-11 with ease.

KJS

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10771667 - 06/13/07 11:53 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: Yesterday I learned that Bangkok has two airports! How industrious of them.

Hyachahachacha

More TR detail RQD!

How art thou enjoying BKK (aside from the heat)?

You going to venture south or north?

And after 6 days in BKK, what's your gf's name and are you planning the wedding yet?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10781460 - 06/14/07 12:07 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

I managed to get groped by three or four different lady boys within two hours of landing! FU khoa san road. Other than that I've just been taking it easy. I flew out to Sumai on monday so I could watch filthy old europeans in capri pants cruising around with thirteen year old girls. I'm also happy to see that they still enjoy their speedos.

I did learn that "hallo sir massage okay" means come inside so I can jerk you off, so thats good.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10782081 - 06/14/07 12:55 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: I managed to get groped by three or four different lady boys within two hours of landing! FU khoa san road. Other than that I've just been taking it easy. I flew out to Sumai on monday so I could watch filthy old europeans in capri pants cruising around with thirteen year old girls. I'm also happy to see that they still enjoy their speedos.

I did learn that "hallo sir massage okay" means come inside so I can jerk you off, so thats good.

LOLZ About a week ago, I went up to Hat Kamala to see what the nightlife was like (considering getting a house nearby). There were about 15 bars in operation with about a 5 bargirl/waitress to 2 customer ratio except for a "BeerGarden." Inside the "BeerGarden" were a lovely bunch of sweaty 50 someting, paunchy, Germanz drooling over 20 something Thai Girls. Been here over 3 months now and it's still hard to get used to that sight.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10783769 - 06/14/07 05:25 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: when you use the atm, make sure you take your card with you. today, the farang infront of me left his inside the machine, and i think i almost did this too when i first arrived. some machines spit the cash out and take 3 or 4 seconds to spit the card out.

QFMFT This is going to make life a lot more complicated for a while.

I just spent a month in Vientiane and I'm really missing it. I'm sure this is because life has kicked me in the ass about 8 times since getting to Bangkok. Let me know if anyone is interested in a 3-month old Dell 24" monitor for a good price. Unfortunately I'm not joking.

Anyway, not going to bore anyone with my sob stories. The 2+2 clubhouse here is awesome. Someone had a portrait of Sklansky made that's it least 9 feet tall; it reminds me of Mao in Tienanmen square. There's always at least 1 game going and we all call each other by our 2+2 names.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator john voight cleaning up after daddy

Reged: 04/16/06 Posts: 2555 Loc: SALAZARRRRRRRR Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10784015 - 06/14/07 06:07 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: The 2+2 clubhouse here is awesome. Someone had a portrait of Sklansky made that's it least 9 feet tall; it reminds me of Mao in Tienanmen square. There's always at least 1 game going and we all call each other by our 2+2 names.

RUSERIUS? Can you elaborate on the clubhouse? IE: how big is it, who live in it, activities you guys partake in total members, etc...

B/c that sounds like a real incentive for me to move to BKK, chilling w/ some white ppl who I can relate to, and not be all on my own.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator NewTeaBag it's more than just whiskey and sex, honestly

Reged: 11/21/06 Posts: 2081 Loc: Phuket, Thailand Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10784069 - 06/14/07 06:17 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Finally got the pix of my gf's camera:

Enjoy:

WhoIAm on his Bday getting cake smeared on his face by the "schoolgirls" of Sharky's Bar

A bunch of Bargirl Butts

An interesting bar sign

A V Young muay Thai fighter

A V Young muay Thai fighter again

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: john voight] #10784083 - 06/14/07 06:19 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

Quote: The 2+2 clubhouse here is awesome. Someone had a portrait of Sklansky made that's it least 9 feet tall; it reminds me of Mao in Tienanmen square. There's always at least 1 game going and we all call each other by our 2+2 names.

RUSERIUS? Can you elaborate on the clubhouse? IE: how big is it, who live in it, activities you guys partake in total members, etc...

B/c that sounds like a real incentive for me to move to BKK, chilling w/ some white ppl who I can relate to, and not be all on my own.

Haha, just joking about that but it could actually happen one day. This month I'm living in the same place as Offdabeat, but I don't think that qualifies as a clubhouse.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator WhoIam Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/19/05 Posts: 2127 Loc: Vientiane Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10784119 - 06/14/07 06:26 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote: WhoIAm on his Bday getting cake smeared on his face by the "schoolgirls" of Sharky's Bar

I don't remember this, but I do remember (and appreciate) getting the cake.

KKF was telling me over some Changs that Sklansky actually visited the clubhouse a few months ago but he didn't really talk to anyone, he was more interested in the two dark Isan girls he was with.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ofdabeat enthusiast

Reged: 08/20/06 Posts: 351 Loc: friggin bangkok baby Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: WhoIam] #10784452 - 06/14/07 07:30 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

KKF was telling me over some Changs that Sklansky actually visited the clubhouse a few months ago but he didn't really talk to anyone, he was more interested in the two dark Isan girls he was with.

I was pretty sure he wasn't into light skinned polite pink-nippled chiang mai girls.

By the way i just discovered that the school where I teach/grind a bankroll have a female ( 16-18 years old and more ) volleyball team.

what to do OOT ?

Edited by ofdabeat (06/14/07 07:30 AM)

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator ofdabeat enthusiast

Reged: 08/20/06 Posts: 351 Loc: friggin bangkok baby Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: ofdabeat] #10784516 - 06/14/07 07:45 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

by the way

Quote:

Tank in BangkokBangkok calm despite rumours of coup

From The Nation

All remained quiet at the Army headquarters close to midnight on Wednesday, and the Council for National Security tried to quash intense rumours sweeping the capital that either another coup was imminent or a drastic plan was underway to deal with proThaksin protesters.

Reporters swarming the Army headquarters started withdrawing around midnight. Army sources denied the coup rumours which peaked late in the evening.

The rumours were apparently propelled by related events earlier in the day. Late in the afternoon, rumours had it that the military council was planning to declare a curfew to force an end to street protests by proThaksin mobs.

After a meeting between CNS chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin and top security officials, CNS spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd came out to deny that the junta was planning to enforce a curfew.

More rumours then emerged that the proThaksin protesters were planning to move their rally to the Army headquarters to challenge the CNS.

Great let's get rid of the military and back to good old corruption.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator edfurlong THE Ed Furlong

Reged: 02/25/04 Posts: 13538 Loc: Stabbing your probiscus Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: NewTeaBag] #10784557 - 06/14/07 07:53 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

Quote:

LOLZ About a week ago, I went up to Hat Kamala to see what the nightlife was like (considering getting a house nearby). There were about 15 bars in operation with about a 5 bargirl/waitress to 2 customer ratio except for a "BeerGarden." Inside the "BeerGarden" were a lovely bunch of sweaty 50 someting, paunchy, Germanz drooling over 20 something Thai Girls. Been here over 3 months now and it's still hard to get used to that sight.

Yeah, it's pretty gross. Whatever, I'm gonna go get drunk and bang a hooker.

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: edfurlong] #10784781 - 06/14/07 08:33 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

how did you get a dell in thailand?

Post Extras: Print Post  Remind Me! Notify Moderator xxThe_Lebowskixx Carpal \'Tunnel

Reged: 08/21/06 Posts: 3718 Loc: Indeed. Re: Ask Degen Anything About Living In Thailand [Re: xxThe_Lebowskixx] #10784807 - 06/14/07 08:40 AM Edit post Edit  	Reply to this post Reply   	Reply to this post Quote   	Quick Reply Quick Reply

i want to buy a unit in that new condominium on the chao praya river... too bad i am running horrible this year