biggles

I heard the same tale in Oz, except the victim was an aborigine

Why on earth would anyone want to walk from Nirun to Sukhumvit? You would just get a MC taxi, there us a rank right outside! Or you could just walk up Soi 9 or 11 to Suk, done that many times for exercise when I lived there

I have lived near Soi Arunothai for 15+ years. We walk there a lot and have never had any personal safety issues. We often eat at Nirun restaurants. The only real danger is that it is a narrow, two way road with very poorly surfaced edges. Easy to trip or get collected by traffic.Just get a motor bike taxi home at night

Yes they have but limits on who is allowed in. Most tourists or casual visitors will not qualify at the moment. Check Immigration website for restrictions. I am in Angeles, the lockdown is quite severe here and getting around is not easy

Not a cynic, just a realist. I know 5 guys who use agents, none of them "legally" qualify. Just follow the money trail from agent to IO!

They actually gave a 400 room hotel, ut only about 12 rooms rented so wanting no customers there. The villas are actually at the back and all seem to be long term stayers. If it suits you, great location, it might pay you to call into reception and enquire

A friend has been renting a 2 storey, 2 bedroom villa at Golden Sea in Soi Buakaow for 2 years. Air con, kitchen, small garden front snd rear courtyard, 2 pools etc for 17k a month probably a better option than a condo for many

During the last water shortage some years ago they had the chance to dig the lake out deeper. They did nothing and will do the same again!!

This reminded me of a true story. Some years ago a guy wrote a TR about his Pattaya trip on a board here. He had some problems with his bowels while here but one day he ended up in a soapy. While on the mattress, going down on the girl, he felt a fart coming on and he let it go. Sprayed s...t Everywhere. Paid the girl a big bonus for the mess. I met the guy several times, very much a newbie but enjoyed his trip despite a lot of misadventures.

Imagine how much worse it would be with the usual tourist numbers

Sailingbill, I have read a few posts suggesting that guys on o-a with a retirement extension should start again, enter on a tourist visa and convert to an o, then get a retirement on that!

I was here in the last big water shortage many years ago. They talked about doing it then, had lots of meetings, probably allocated a budget....... And did nothing. They did say a pipeline had been built and it would never happen again!!

Thats what they said when it was low the last time, 15 Years ago!! . Never happened then either.

Starbucks has to be a goldmine in Thailand (and Philippines) charge American prices but pay local wages, taxes and charges

Who Killed Roger Rabbit

On the day you apply you must have been in oz for 2 years. Once approved it is portable, mate has had it paid into his thai bank for 15 years. No annual adjustments tho. Another mate had to return after 15 years in BKK. Had no family there, had to rent accom.

"Linked in the Philippes but not in Thailand, in the USA but not in Canada. " Not in Australia either and we even have Queen Liz as our head of state!!

Philippines is one country that does. Very easy to stay long term with no immig hassles

When I renewed my 5 year last Nov out on route 36 I only had a tourist visa and they would only give me a 2 year.

First trip 1998 spent 2 months touring around, 2nd trip 1999 another touring trip but caught up with an ex boss living with a gogo girl in BKK. He suggested meeting up in Pattaya (I had never been) after my travels and that was where my life changed. Stayed at the White House hotel close to WS., went for a stroll and heard music from a bar, Shadows instrumental as I recall. FLB it was and spent a lot of nights there after that.

In my younger days I would have wild, raunchy sex with a staunch catholic girl. She would go to church and confess and then come back for more!!

and yet the cynic in me says that nothing will change!!

GF and I were regulars at the old park. Dropped in last week and surprised how small and expensive the new one is. As you say you can eat in a small local place for less, without the crowds. I won't hurry back

I don't really have a tipping point I guess. GF and I live in RP but spend 5 months a year here, 3 trips. The Oz $ is at a terrible rate..... BUT Flights are cheap, Cebu Pacific is often under $180 return each. we have rented the same place for 10 years (I lived here before) and the rent is still the same price and GF is a great cook, tho we eat out quite often. Neither of us are drinkers or smokers so our expenses are low. GF loves it here, lots of Filipina friends so I would face a real battle not to come anymore.

We arrived sunday at 4am. Immigration almost empty, no more than 3-4 people in each line. We went thru the "old farts" queue first in line. Had no problem with the scanner, tho we have used them in KL and Singapore. I can see how first time travellers could be confused tho.