m_holmes

to finish last post... didn't have to take a bus to depart. flight qr 832 was only 1/3 full. never have seen this flight so empty before. Funny, I got an email from Qatar airline a few days before the flight offering a discount to upgrade to business class. glad I didn't take the offer. was seated by myself on emergency exit row and slept comfortably almost the entire flight. Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

I'm at Doha airport now. it is certainly a work in progress. had to take the bus arriving from my plane. , don't know about departing yet. get to the transfer security check and of the 16 or so pairs of slave scanners, only 6 were actually manned. so called free Internet is spotty, but passible. it could be a good airport. at least the bars in the airport are open at 6am and that's where I am now. Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

I hope this is true as I'm flying through there on July 18th for a wonderful 2 month holiday in Thailand. that bus used to move passengers is a pain in the ass Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

Lived in Phnom Penh for several years. Suggested you trust neither the locals nor the expats. Of all the characters who I had met when I lived there, my favorite was Declan. What a piece of work. And then there was the head of a Christian Ngo who used to come into a bar and barfine every girl in the place. Oh what memories! Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk

Use 2 accounts. 1 with ATM / debit card, one without. Keep all your money in the account without the card and transfer money into other account as needed. Problem solved Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk 4

Have to disagree. I see a bunch of hotties. Have to admit, though, that I've been in the desert for several months. Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk 2

WTF? ???? If you are using your own computer it will work just fine. If you are using government machines you should not be using their computers for anything except official business. Remember all those forms you signed regarding terms and conditions in regards to using the Internet? If you are sufficiently knowledgeable about tcp/ip/udp , there is no way anyone can block full Internet access for you. If you want my assistance, please send me a PM and I will help you, as long as you are not using military computers and you are not active duty. If you are one of the above, ask on

If the Thai govt/Thai airlines were smart, they would do immigration check in on board for business class and above for Thai airlines. Of course the problem is the wait for the luggage. Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Three letters: VPN. www.strongvpn .com. I've been working in the ME for years and you can use it everywhere. Find an IT guy you work with to set it up for you if you don't understand it. Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

For anyone else reading this thread here is an alternative approach. Buy a one way ticket to Thailand. Also buy a one way airasia cheap ticket from Bkk to Cambodia/neighbouring country, departing about 3 weeks after your landing day in Thailand (about 1200 baht when on sale). Tell your bank you are moving to Thailand so they won't freeze your account. Bring $. Enough to last you for a few weeks. When you get here, go to Kasikorn bank open an account and put your money in. Then go to a us Consulate and get the income verification letter --about 50 USD. Go to immigration and apply

Picked up as usual. The driver was waiting for me when i arrived. Thats why i always use mr. T. Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

I dont understand why regular or semi-regular visitors dont open an account here in thailand. Either bank transfer, paypal transfer or stick a bunch of your money in your money belt and deposit it into your thai acct when you get here. Problem solved. Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to post. Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Well im coming next week with mr t who ive used for years and ill relate my experience in this thread. Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Here is a topic that long term residents understand but has never been discussed. For those who understand the obvious reason(s)why , opine. Sorry for the double post to the open forum. Please delete as appropriate.

Here is a topic that long term residents understand but has never been discussed. For those who understand the obvious reason(s)why , opine.

Tonight in Udon Thani, everything open. Girls dancing on the bars. Happy Songrang.

Just 1, I think you got off easy.

I've never heard of one of those, what does it look like??

A few nights ago, I was at an entertainment area here in Udon Thani where there was a big drug raid. For the first time, I was asked to produce a passport and frisked. I showed him a copy of my passport I had in my phone as well as pictures of my wife and kid (both Thai). I asked if he wanted me to go get it and he said next time and to enjoy my evening. That was the end of that. Once they figure out you're not a drug dealer/user, trouble-maker or the like, they will leave you alone... If for no other reason than they don't want to be bothered themselves.

My point is that there are consequences to elections. It is not correct to conclude that it doesn't matter whom the electorate votes for. In the case of Thailand, this country went from having the most qualified person in ASEAN running a country to the least qualified in one election. Sure everyone is corrupt to some degree, much of that is a reflection of the electorate, but the trajectory of politics in any country is affected by the people elected to office. Take the United States, does anyone really believe that a Ron Paul or Ralph Nader would put the country on the same political traj

Yes what a clever farang you are. Everybody is corrupt so why vote? Unfortunately, your POV has consequences. Those consequences are seen in the US now, where 50% of the population is either in poverty or working for poverty level wages. Elections matter, and unfortunately with so many people having the same view as you, it makes the job of those who have corrupted the system, much easier. Again, well done

Don't worry about any of that. "Bad-Luck" and her gang are too busy trying to get Taksin back to Thailand to worry about anything like floods, the economy or the rule of law. Quite honestly, this time is probably the best time in years to engage in any kind of criminal activity in Thailand.

Well, I never did find a hotel in Pattaya so I decided to stay in Bangkok ( I was coming in from the Middle East). Couldn't get a flight or bus to Isaan, so my revised plan was to have a good New Years Eve in some of the fine performing arts centers in BKK. Stayed in Avana hotel, went to the restaurant for lunch. Had 3 Leos but as I hadn't had any alcohol for months it went right to my head so I went back to my room and was asleep by 6pm. Now back in my Lair in Udon so all is well. Planning to go to Pattaya the week after Songkran.

Thanks, I'll try them. Every place I've contacted has been full.