daveAustin

Just avoid Somalia and the Strait of Hormuz etc.

Eh up, the donkey's smiling again! Always an ominous sign. They were just saying there's too many coming in and they will have to introduce a tariff to cutback, and now visa-free entry for Russians. Bizarre. Bet the woman Thai doctors on Phuket are getting nervous, and rightly so.

To have TV back and Thailand pre-smartphone days. 😋 A noble sentiment, but that would probably get old fast after you realise people are only interested in your money. Would be better and safer to fly under the radar and help anonymously.

I’d be up for a 3000 baht entry fee if it scares the Chinese away 😋

Wow, boomers really get wound up over the smallest thing. Some great pics there of old Songkran!

Don't really know how you guys get yourselves into these kinds of predicaments. If you want to marry them, tell them straight... I will not follow you, you will live with me! That is it. Stop loving them ffs! 😋 Grow some balls, chaps.

Did you ever get 'properly' between them, Simon?

Perfect example of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. We need to get visitors in, tourism is flagging... "Hey, come in, come in, free visa for all!" Too many people coming in, we need to reduce tourists: "No, No, No, pay this or go back!"

Songkran effect?

You’re paying for their time and making the bar more money. It’s probably 140 baht and up nowadays—a lot more in Bkk, Phuket and esp gogo bars anywhere. Rarely indulge or even do those bars, but each to their own. The worst is if a guy is clearly looking for company, they feign interest to get the drink, then immediately switch off or work someone else for more drinks simultaneously. Avoid the pretty ones. 😋

Ooh I bet this topic brought out the haters. Have at it, you unworthy colonial lot you! 😂

Pretty benign compared to smoking tobacco, but of course the latter is a known quantity, is taxable and thus any ill effects are inconsequential. Nothing to do with health, it is all about LOSS OF REVENUE! Pathetic!

Didn't find the place especially dangerous and sadly tourists perish all over the kingdom. There is, however, an especially shady element on that island and you might have a different experience if you attracted the attention of the wrong type. Guess Nomsod is milling about?😐

Mike has the measure of it, but I wouldn't assume all those 'bored' looking girls in HomePro are single. Very unlikely, or at least unlikely to not have love interests. They are mostly about commissions there and are big on cust service. Don't forget that Thais are supremely polite in that type of setup and it is easy to assume the attention you get is 100% genuine and that you could rock-on in short order. Having said that, this is still one of the best places for getting hooked up. Forgetting P4P tourist areas for a bit, regards 'genuine' girls here, it is all about first appearances... same anywhere I guess, but esp in Asia! Don't worry about age, but being clean and well attired is an absolute must. You might not need Thai, but having nice shoes (especially), along with a collar and smile can work wonders. Dunno the full story, but a guy in the above scenario strolling into a store here looking for action would have a markedly different success rate if he walked in with t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops compared with slacks, shirt and shiny shoes. You are halfway there without saying anything.

Probably not if you're in a touristy area or Bangkok, but it is nice to be able to speak rudimentary Thai at least to people while on a road trip, example. Or if you're in a jam or a delivery driver calls etc etc. Each to their own, but not as necessary as it might have been. You'll soon all be speaking it if immigration make you sing the anthem and favourite Thai song for your visa though. 😛