Shilo

LTGTR I'm in the same boat as you in that I pay just $12 for a bottle of 10. Note: have your Doc make it out for the 100mg. You can always split them if you want 50's. Taking medication on a trip is not illegal as long as their in a bottle and labeled in your name. In Pattaya it cost 500 baht ($12 US) per pill. I've got an appointment to see my Doc next week to get a fresh supply for my next trip in December. Shilo

Baritone, I'm not an expat (at times I wish I were) but I may be able to help a little with your questions. As far as collecting social security set it up so that your check is direct deposited into a US bank account. But make sure that it is a large multi-national bank that has a relationship with a Thai bank. Then it is just a matter of tranfering the money from the US bank to the Thai bank. I don't know about taxes on income earned in Thailand but I do know that if you invest in the US and you are a national of another country than investment income is taxed at the treaty rate of your home country. Shilo

Thanks for the suggestions. I started to read Private Dancer and got stuck when he started adding recipes:) I'll have to give it another try. I'm also going to have to hit Amazon to see which of the others I can find. One more that you may not have heard of because it is very new is Thailand Joy buy David Young. http://www.dcothai.com/books/thailandjoy.htm I picked it up in BKK and had to read on my plane ride home. I enjoyed the beek but the ending was a little wierd. Seemed like the author had 4 different endings in mind and decided to go with all four :-/ Shilo

Before going to Thailand (for the first time this pass July) I tried to read everything that I could get my hands on. Most of what I found was over the web. But I already know a lot about the info on the web. What I'd like to find now are some good books. It doesn't matter if their fiction or opinion/fact as long as there is a Thai theme. I'll start by offering a link to the site where a friend of mine is selling two of the books that he wrote. I came across them after reading a good review on Stickman's site. I odered them both and got a surprise when I got an email back and learned that the author lives about 10 miles up the road. We got together for a few beers and exchanged the books. Friendship aside, I'll tell you that they're a couple of good reads. Anyway, I'd like to drop off the link to his site. http://www.tropicalheat2000.com/s5_opening/index.html What books have you guys been reading and could recommend? Shilo

Welcome to the board:) Just wondering, what is AC2. That's a new one for me... Shilo

Edge, I've only made one trip myself (but going back in Dec.) so I can't help you on your questions about the Flipper. But I stayed at the RG and can help a little on that score. The RG is very nice, clean, big, and comfortable. Your right that they don't ask for ID's but that's not to say that you couldn't stop by the desk on the way in and have your lady drop it off with the desk. My biggest problem with the RG was the distance from the action but then again that was one of the things that I liked about it too. You can go to the bars and have your fun but when it's time to settle in for the night it's kinda of nice to get away from the action and have some place that's quiet. You will also run into some other FLB's while at RG which allows you to strike up some nice friendships and "learn from the vet's". As far as getting around, I'd think twice before renting a motorbike. Hell I'd think twice before getting on the back of one that is offering a taxi service. On your first trip stick to the baht buses. They run right outside the door of the RG about every 3 minutes, cost 10 baht, and can have you in the hot spots in just a couple of minutes. I think it's a little bit to far to walk but for 10 baht (25 cents US) why bother... Enjoy, Shilo

I used Angel's too. Cost was $950 for me because it was during a summer month. I flew on NorthWest, had 2 connections each way, and got air miles... http://www.angeltravel.com/ Shilo

Pete, I'll bite... Why avoid. And for that matter, this will be my first trip coming up so other that the "gay" scene which is not my bag, what other places should I add to my avoid list? Shilo