pong

@z109: the case of Istanbul-funny that you name it-as due to my other part-time job from time to time I have to sift (''read-after a year or so it is mainyl repeat all the same again-some of those traveller sites, on IST there was an amusing and by now interesting quote from someone from there complaiing about TA on another forum (L-thorntree- for ''backpacker'' style travellers) that there is an office in IST doing thus jobs in commission. Suspect that TA had ''selected'' this office as its local partner. Some hotelchains that take it seriously have instructed their mamagers to read any TA review and respond when appropriate, and more important; to make changes to their managed hotels if the cruitique is not unique and well-founded. (NH for example) What I dislike about TA-or maybe see it as a warning for any fourm/review site: many of those forums (and of course ther are more in languages most of you do not know) only get kind of newbies-people who seem to know really nothing about the place they are visiting (just read the main Thailand forums and wonder why all Australians always ask all the same things about Phuket). Or the kind of people I would rather stay away from-in that case it might be helpful in an unwanted way. So if I wanted to see reviews I would stick/find others in local language and for more intrepid travellers.

Oh-and the explanation may be is-like khun Fhall pointed out-Thai consider it being normal to point the way to the driver-certainly if it is in unknown territory to him. And agin-it has by now been said so many time-smaps are useless. If you have anything to show-it must be the name and full adress in THAI-preferably with khet=district and some written instructions on how to get to that place ftrom the nearest known landmark. That is why all those obscure massageshops, etc. have them all printed out on their ads on on their sites. The taxi service is just the car with driver-not the London style city knowledge.

This last is easy: they do not-generally speaking. Round up-forget the odd coins, that is about it. In fact fairly often a fare like 91 or more as 101 or 102 gets downed-the driver tips the passenger 1 or 2 bt-but not much more.

even though I consider myself as being quite well travelled in Asia, I have seen/done just 4 out of this list-with ''Myanmar=Burma'' a rather odd standout between the specific others. But from 2 out of those 4 I really wonder what the heck this is all about (Kota Gede-Yogya, Java, Indo)-seem to be the fruit of non-visitors having scraped guidebooks from 30+ years ago. Hardly anythig left of it (last visit by me: around 1 yr ago)

for those thinking about that big adventure of doing it all by yourself: go to Mochit Bustation, find ticketbooth (lowr floor, central hall) and buy ticket-buses run ev 30/40/50 mins, some now go directly to border area (name is Rong Kleua market), takes about 4-4,5 hrs and cost a little more as 200 bt single. Do NOT take bus 921 along the Ongkarak canal-takes much longer and makes a lot of stops A visum for Camb is 20US$-but at this post you may have to stand your ground and sit it out till Khmer officials accept it-they rather have THB-and a lot more. Then return (yes, you must get stamped in+out of Camb and hence pay for the visum). Return is the reverse. When you start early enough, you may find enough vans with empty space to return you straightaway to BKK and maybe even a more conveneient point. There is also a direct bus from SWAMPY airport-7,30 BUSterminal, 10-15 mins later AIRterminal (easy to reach by raillink), also direct to border. On fri-sat-sun a 2nd bus at 9.30/.40. Hence total cost: 2 busfares and 20US$=grand total of a little below 1100 THB. Can cut this down by taking train 1 way 48 bt) but that is a gruelling 6 hr sit on hard wooden benches in open air.

1.there are no motels on Bali-or I have never ever seen one in my 5+ visits. Maybe you either come from a country where every hotel is named such, or maybe you still do not have the gist for Asia and how it works? 2. there are 3 threads on this lovely island just below-the last postings date from nov '10 or around 1/2 year ago. There will not have changed that much. 3. do realise that that ''gay'' scene there is infinitely small compared to BKK or PTY, perhaps 3 or 4 places (bars, massage NO sauna) that hold up with their Thai namesakes. And it still is about the biggest concentration of such places in Indonesia (with well over 200 mill. people=more as 3 times Thaild.) Gay life certainly exist there (and to my taste even more friendly and relaxed as in Thaild) but it goes more the natural way: you meet, bump into someone, get introductions from friends via friends etc. Speak the language and know the mores. There is also a small MB scene on the beach-near the Hardrock HTL (name persiflage is common). Dont go looking, they will find you-after dusk. 4. NOV is not the best of times to visit this-reverse to Thaild (as it sits south of equator) then the rains start-and fiery they can be). Infrastructure is much less developed-all those unpaved gangs turn into mudslides ansd traffic grinds to a complete halt. Other sites: utopia-asia, as its names suiggests, trevvy (from SIN and its active gays), or the other well known Thai sites, as Bali seems the 1st choice for anyone wanting someone nearby and same but different. (gaybuttonthai, sawasdee-gay-thailand). There is a site like baligayfriendly or so-but that is just adverstising.

there are 2-with both at least 2 trips: by day and overnight. Even if they tell you it is nonstop-it never will be (the correct word should be direct), but even then a change in Khorat is often needed. Dont worry-bus staff will assist you if needed. otherwise there is the mealstop in Korat anyway. 1.one from North road-an office between 2nd rd. and the BKK-busstation. 2.a bus coming from Rayong and making a stop along Sukhumvit-any motosay or bahtbus will know and bring you. BOTH make numerous stops-they take the inland route via Chachoengsao-Khorat. Some people dont bother this, others take anything unexpected or untold as a grave insult. If you want a more direct overnight trip and a high-class bus, then I would advise to still go via BKK-MOCHIT (direct buses to from that busst.) and use a well-reputed comp. from there, like ChardChai or NakornChai Air |has webiste, currently only in Thai), as thse tend to have much fewer stops and more of 4-lane highway on the route. and the repeat final: Ubon can mean both the town=-capital of/or the province of that name, wich may well stretch 150-200 kms on. IF you intend to visit the vilage of some friend-it may very well be that a bus to another place is a better choice. Your friend would know then.

1.IMHO this is also a recycled item-saw the same-or at least same meaning, either in Nation or |Bkk-Post the odd day ago. Usually this boils down to a new police-highup-inspector (of course very clean and not even spent offering a thai whiskey to his formers to land that job.....) giving his maiden speech. 2.re Michael: I doubt if they differ between criminals and ''unwanted'' or overstayers. My personal bet is that the nr. of people sent back (only due having overstayed or maybe entered illegal-is that also criminal??- is at least 10 times as high as the nr. of criminals (convicted in their own country which has a reciprocal agreement about it and caught in the US) deported back.

flew back to Europe with the main airline of this country a few days ago-but via its other main hub and thus got the newspaper edited in the city where this plane is held. it said the entire crew took up lodging in the Kempinski hotel (part of a Thai chain-thus likely the Dusit?) at the airport. They kept themselves amused and busy by going picking straw- and other berries, a total of 40 and 60 kgs. As such the matter now still lies with the German court. The lawfirm concerned seems to have much experience with these type of seizures, it is not their 1st or 2nd. On a similar manner, Belgium once seized a Congo-airplane (an old dilapidated ex Russky Tupolev or so) as ransom for payment due (Mobuto was still alive), but they got stubborn and simple abandoned that plane-which stood for years rusting further at some minor airport, untill Belgium also had to cough up the money to dispose of it properly.

dear khun FH-you live here long enough to know that its never a case of all or nothing. The only proper answer is some yes, some no, and if yes-restricted-no alco sale. Also go-go and/or shows might be restricted in amounts of nude flesh shown. Have not been to PTY since a few yrs, but from reports understood that compared to BKK they seem more strict there-the gaybutton mostly has advance warnings about this. (best friend tells me that his bar appears closed, but will open doors to those they know with anything going inside as usual-and as regulars know that and also know a lot of bars are restricted, they get more custom and tips for the occasion as on normal days! TITs, I guess.

in this topic-as I am thinking about a Spouth_America trip (nothing decided yet). I remember having seen the ''protocol'' for these Brasil sauna-boys somehwere, maybe this, maybe the other Thao boards. Recently someone said, they are recognisable as they wear swimmers and no towels. But then? You just use a sauna-cubicle? Payments for services? Has anyone seen ofr have some own experience for Argentina/Buenos Aires- for this trip this ncountry in fact interests me more.

just to add a little to the assumed safety of these held ID's: todays Thaivisa, news section, had a short report of a young Brit who was on his 1st night in this town stolen by a ladyboy offering massage, and whos ID was kept at hotels reception. It was his 1st trip into this land of smiles and he was aiming to study more of muay thai=thai boxing. Police laughed at him and told they would do nothing-put it on insurance and gained experience in life.

so since when do the Thai roll a taco around every bit of chicken+veg? It in fact surprises me a bit, that MEX food (or even tex-mex) has not taken the Thai by storm-there are (AFAIK) just 3-4 not that much visited Mex restrts in BKK. Against a million or so of Italians-some even quite good. Maybe it is that Mex food always gave me the runs when there and Thai food does not...........????

nonsense-most HTLs do that-certainly in PTY. I think that str8 HTls may be even more aware of it as those ''gay'' ones-Thai ladies have much more of a reputation as the few barboys. ''Gay'' HTLs. or even that are said to be ''gay-owned'' are IMHO usually overpriced and tend to pressure you also in other unwanted (selling it as ''trusted'') things. But so do guesthss aiming at their own nationals-esp. when they feel unsure or hardly speekee the ankgrit even. Agree with the latter wellwish-all this info may seem overwhelming, once here you''ll find that most of it is only for minor unlikely events.

frankly, I do not quite understand why each Thai normal thing has to raise such comments. It is all over Asia; you relate to others around you with same words as family-members. That is why you, as elder person, may be called uncle or even daddy, and anyone of roughly same age is indeed brother or sister. The Chiense have many more words for nieces, nephews, apart from father or mohter side etc, but Thai and Malay not so much. Also ask any streetvendor and any will tell you the police is their ''friend''-which only means they have been paid to let them sit and sell.

Just to inform those of you interested: 1.since 1/6/11 the Airport Express BUSes have all ceased. Not that they were used that much on the routes most of you wanted-and that's why too! 2. the airport Express TRAINS have lowered their fare to 90 bt/single and 150 bt/return (either quoted as 15 or 30 days valid), untill 31/12. This was 150 bt/single. They have also exTENDED these trains to the far more convenient PHYATHAI stop=end of line (beside the BTS=skytrain), every 30 mins. it is a bit unclear at the mo if they still run ev. 15 mins untill Makksan (that white elefant terminal) or if the halfhourly service is now all (they still also stop Makkasan). THESE trains have good seating and room for luggage. The CITYRail=all stops trains exist as before: ev 15 or 20 mins with all stops at lower price and lower comfort (looks inside like the BTS=skytrain=no luggage space, these trains are often very overcrowded wtih local Thai commuters). It is still possible to pre-check in luggage IF you fly with TG=THAI, up to 3 hrs before departure and only at Makkasan. BKK-air also offered this for a while, but this is withdrawn.

beste combo, starting from PTY, is likely the borderrun-vans, but make sure they actually go to Aran (many use another border). Then simply skip the return and find your own way on Khmer side. All details-eevn where you have to turn left or right-at talesofasia.com. Forget train if starting from PTY.

billy, I am pretty sure you are confusing something-or maybe these are the rates for those who did not do their homework properly and arrive at airport unannounced with the local kitchensink and all that. When booked in advance these rates were quite low and you could choose -like any hamburger, between small/Medium and Supersize. IMHO it reads like parrotting (=brainless thinking) to repeat every time that unfounded mantra. I prefer people using brains. But yes- it does indeed seem that AA imitates what Ryan tries out here in Europe-maybe thats wise Asian-look what the markets respond and choose wisely. In INdonesia BTW thre is a plethora of low-cost airlines are those flying for even less as AA-but also with less safety. Like Adam Air-went bankrupt after a crash or 2.

@ Q of anonone. I went last time along time before even those venues were working by that name. Incidentally, on the sawatdee board there just was a lively topic about ''how people learnt about Pattaya''. In short; for me it was FUN-and a lot cheaper as BKK by that time. This was even before bars in Sunee started to open and before that Boyztown sign got erected. You could simply interact freely with anyone, without the direct intervention of money greedy mamasans, boys were impressed if you spoke some Thai and if you might even have visited their home-province and quite a lot were more on the lookout for a moreorless permanent friend as a shorttimer-very much in fact as the str8 sector with the bargirls operates. hen it all got commercialised more and more-and a nearthesame opened up in Sunee-a new discovery. Untill the cycle repeated itself again.

maybe you are open to some minor adjustment/explanation: these boards one can see often in Cambodia and are mainly provided by the many NGO's that are against child-s..x-and all that so forbidden but also always reported as being so much on the rise activities. This country in particular seems to have a very wide attention for it. So it basically means what is als always said from Pattaya etc: check age.

As I have only visited 88 different countries up to now with nearly 200 on earth) and feel not qualified to know it all. AMS has tumbled way down the listings-so much that even the local govmt. is now thinking this should be adressed too. Prahy is by no means high on the list-maybe just in the top 10 for Europe. Just take a look at an average Czech streetview. I think in Europe Spain=Espana has risen fast. with Madrid being often quoted and the seaside places/island of Sitges - Ibiza very high on the list. Those listings also have a big element of the hi-so speedy on drugs set that seem to be caracteristic of the trendsetting elites for fashion, music etc. For me my choice remains firmly on Bangkok. Would I really have to explain why?

Farose 1 is in Sapan Kwai. farose 2 is quite hard to find and off a soi off RKHaeng. About 5-10 mins fromt he RKHaeng ARL station. Those nights are not daily and preannounced in Thai websites-mostly weekends. (when traffic is not that bad actually). As always-it varies, also what FH says about it-maybe true, maybe half, maybe not-sometimes. Finer details and descriptions are mostly on the cr..ngf.rs.x. website. The recent acclaim was for dejaVu sauna-just off LardPrao (roughly same general area if seen from Silom-ghetto).

-diff shops->diff. rates: out of date. ever heard of google to find a website? youll have to subscribe to be able to see on the website their rates offered-CASH only-big notes give slightly better rates. They have 3-4 shops beside the BigC across from the centran World on Rajprasong, the red massacre place. Since a few monthes also on Khao Sarn road and along Silom-roughly between soi 2 and patpong-that side these may offer fractional lower rates. There are also 2 other same-same offices; SIAM just beside the news Arts centre across from |MBK and VAU along Sukhumvit. and staying in gay quarters: there is also an item on it on the shamelessmack.wordpress blog.