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Exercises in celibacy - trip to Thailand and Vietnam in Jan 2025

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Posted
40 minutes ago, thaiophilus said:

Physical cards can be virtualised too. If you add a physical card to Google Wallet you can use your Android phone to make contactless transactions on the card account, but as an extra level of security it uses a virtual card number, not the one on the card.  I assume iPhones have an equivalent.

It's amazing how technology enabled  to make complex simple thing of paying for one's meal ( or condom  or whatever )

10 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

I have a couple of virtual cards. 

more of them we have and more we use those we are exposing ourselves to more fraud.

I used my card only once last trip and it was enough to create trouble as described above. 

At end of day,  juggling all those cards and accounts is not making us richer more than stirring a tea makes her sweet. 

when travelling I use cash and cards are used only if there's no other option ( like buying airfare on internet ) and even the majority of my card use is just withdrawing money from ATM. Main reason is that using cash allows me to control my expenditures much better ( where that 50 tala or 100 taka  from back pocket went ? ) 

as a matter of principle I boycott those establishments who sport " we don't accept cash " and similar signs. Of course I'm not dogmatic and yield if absolutely necessary but it's rare.

Posted
6 hours ago, BangkokDreamer said:

If you have the app. Most cards have a function you can turn off and on. I only turn on my card to make a purchase and then I turn it off right after. It helps avoid fraud. The same with my debit card. I turn it on to withdraw money and turn it off again right after. 

Yes, the 'suspend function' is very useful.

Posted
2 hours ago, vinapu said:

when travelling I use cash and cards are used only if there's no other option ( like buying airfare on internet )

If you are in Thailand, some airlines offer cash payment at 7/11. Bangkok Air does. You book your flight on internet, and then choose as payment method, i don't know now what it is called, "Cash at 7/11". You receive a mail, go to 7/11 within a certain time, i think something like 2 hours, show the barcode to the cashier and pay him. There is a very small fee. After paying, you receive the booking confirmation of your flight.

Posted
1 hour ago, 10tazione said:

If you are in Thailand, some airlines offer cash payment at 7/11. Bangkok Air does. You book your flight on internet, and then choose as payment method, i don't know now what it is called, "Cash at 7/11". You receive a mail, go to 7/11 within a certain time, i think something like 2 hours, show the barcode to the cashier and pay him. There is a very small fee. After paying, you receive the booking confirmation of your flight.

thank you , I did not know about it and certainly such option was not offered when I did booking for S as it's very unlikely i wouldn't spot it.

  Our flight was with Asia Air which is super budget airline while Bangkok Air brands itself "Thailand's boutique airline " and charges accordingly. 

Posted
10 hours ago, ichigo said:

 

Back to the topic highlighted in the title of this thread:

I can attest to Vinapu's typical high spirits, despite 2nd night of celibacy.

Thx again for your time and company and guidance!

Posted
22 hours ago, vinapu said:

thank you , I did not know about it and certainly such option was not offered when I did booking for S as it's very unlikely i wouldn't spot it.

  Our flight was with Asia Air which is super budget airline while Bangkok Air brands itself "Thailand's boutique airline " and charges accordingly. 

Air Asia should have counter service payment too according to their website, but with some restrictions 

https://support.airasia.com/s/article/Counter-Service-Option-Thailand-en?language=en_GB

 

1. What is a Counter Service option?

Counter Service option provides guests the convenience of paying for online booking in cash at any counter service/7-Eleven branches nationwide in Thailand. This ONLY applies to Guests departing from Thailand.

2. Can I choose Counter Service option for any online booking?

No, this option is only available for domestic and international flights departing from Thailand. The travel date must be more than 5 days from the day you make your booking.
 

3. If I select Counter Service option during an online booking, where do I go to make the cash payment?

You can make the cash payment at any Counter Service/ 7-Eleven branch nationwide in Thailand.


4. If I choose Counter Service option, can I pay in any currency?

No, payment currency is in Thai Baht (THB) Only.
 

5. Are there any additional charges if I pay via Counter Service?

Yes. A Counter Service of THB50 per guest will be collected. Additionally, payment fee at counters listed below will also be charged.

 

  • Booking Amount from1-30,000 THB   Additional Charge THB 30
  • Booking Amount from 30,001-60,000 THB Additional Charge THB 60
  • Booking Amount from 60,001-90,000 THB Additional Charge THB 90
Posted

Photos above are truly excellent. You know how to frame a scene,

Vinapu said:

“On next island we got a supper / dinner , quite tasty and sufficient although I noticed few people from our group overloaded their plates and did not eat it all wasting quite a lot of food and did not even bother to clean after themselves leaving that job to a guide and other tourists. Some people should never be released from their leashes.”

Witnessed same behavior from large group of tourists in Danang last year. They simply tossed their trash under table they were sitting at.
 

 

Posted
6 hours ago, vinapu said:

Day 13

 Since I opted to sunset trip to Hong Islands I have morning free and decided to visit fishing village opposite of Krabi town. Another  great idea. Peacefull and serene and only few minutes , 10 baht boat ride from busy city. It strongly reminded me village where I spent my vacation at my grandparents farm to a point that I started feeling bit emotional.

 Krabi river:

20250129_173732.thumb.jpg.8b5c8d558c3254856e9522fc62f3e578.jpg

toward the sea:

20250130_094856.thumb.jpg.1e9a56e2fc9f6b5c2b5b8ced8a850392.jpg

and a village:

20250130_100617.thumb.jpg.d953cf353253b3e8cd62c403c2c73e45.jpg

20250130_100043.thumb.jpg.3bfb3d80eda67d4fe413e7f390160bea.jpg

20250130_100645.thumb.jpg.3ba18e0c20b5926906e748af0a8263bf.jpg

 

If I ever return to Krabi that will be my first place to go for in-depth exploration. Often otherwise unremarkable places are treating us with enlightening what sense of travel is all about.  I returned the same way , by local boat.

 

I was supposed to be picked up by tour people at 11.30 but they arrived 45 minutes late when I started  wondering if there’s some screwup and even called lady who sold me that trip asking what  is going on.

 

Fortunately from now on all went very well. On Hong island I climbed impressive view point, then took ecological path where I spotted monitor lizards and even had time to get wet in the sea. Glad I took that advice to take that trip.

 few pics from up high on Hong island :

20250130_141040.thumb.jpg.2f941ade66ccfbd832614dae976c2c12.jpg

20250130_141709.thumb.jpg.e8d280b828971cac3ee9eeb71b287a28.jpg

20250130_163338.thumb.jpg.95f3bf4e08102c35fe323821f085e5ce.jpg

On next island we got a supper / dinner , quite tasty and sufficient although I noticed few people from our group overloaded their plates and did not eat it all wasting quite a lot of food and did not even bother to clean after themselves leaving that job to a guide and other tourists. Some people should never be released from their leashes.

 

For actual sunset we relocated to other island where swimming was difficult due to sharp stones  but view was spectacular.

 20250130_175042.thumb.jpg.8756b3803ae932fa830b9905c8cde81b.jpg

20250130_180442.thumb.jpg.b69abc1369061a2608eec949175f41f0.jpg

20250130_182529.thumb.jpg.0eb8677934940833bddc678be602bef2.jpg

 

After dark there was an opportunity to swim in water with fluorescent plankton .

All in all , again I was very happy with advice to visit Hong Islands, screw Phi Phi and their hordes.

 

It was probably 9 when I finally got to my hotel , enough time to buy banana pancake on night market to celebrate my fourth  celibate night in Krabi.

 

celebrate my fourth  celibate night in Krabi.

 I hope you are not suffering withdrawal symptoms (pun intended!)

Posted
10 hours ago, reader said:

Photos above are truly excellent. You know how to frame a scene,

 

undeserved but I will take it, thank you. 

Posted
6 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

celebrate my fourth  celibate night in Krabi.

 I hope you are not suffering withdrawal symptoms (pun intended!)

I guess no, if you add 2 empty nights in Bangkok before Krabi leg  it makes  them 6 . Somehow I coped with division of whoring and sightseeing on this trip.

 

Posted
5 hours ago, Travelingguy said:

I would think the legendary Vinapu would be capable of bridging this division and reestablishing balance.

as boys say ' you think too much"

Posted
6 hours ago, vinapu said:

 

Day 14

Time to return to civilization or, since my destination is Pattaya,  to a bit of civilization. In the morning I went to survey local wat, white temple towering over center.

20250131_092821.thumb.jpg.74bbfc8577309b385cbd97668736c7c6.jpg

20250131_094143.thumb.jpg.f3d03ea361402561eb31d0c15735f0e0.jpg

 

On the grounds they have nice exposition showing history of Buddhism , I found it very interesting.  Then returned to hotel , packed little I have and found myself on the road again.

 

Catching 100 baht tuk-tuk to the airport was easy and I was there well before time, soon found that I have even more of it since plane was late 1 ½ hr. Security confiscated my deodorant  which was surprising considering they did not have problem with it in Swampy when I was flying to Krabi. Oh , well.

Reading forum I noticed unwelcomed news – due to local election there’s prohibition in Pattaya today , no alcohols sales and presumably no bars opened.

Landed in BKK at 4.30 pm. and closest bus they had was 6.30  to Jomtien  and at 7 to North Pattaya Bus station so it looks good part of day today I spent waiting in airports.

I went to  coupon, now card restaurant by the Gate 8 to eat something. Now they have  cards they can preload with any amount we wish and unused amount is promptly refunded. Very efficient.

 Killing time I also checked capsule rooms near train station , past the money exchange booths. Not exactly cheap at 600 for 2 hrs but still handy for those who need to catch early flight without worrying about catching the taxi in middle od the night .

 

This time I decided to solve permanent problem were to stay , in Pattaya or Jomtien by meeting both options mid way and opted for Zing hotel by Pratamnak hill , mid way between both. Do not mistake it with Zing Resort in Jomtien Complex.

20250201_110310.thumb.jpg.e9234c5e8f3aaffca57aee2b164b8535.jpg

 

We always pass by it but almost never read reports from people staying there and I must say , I liked it. By time I get there and spruced up it was past 9.30. I caught songtaew toward Boyztown but as expected all bard were dead closed.

Only venue in Boyztown opened was Paradise massage with few attractive guys outside including  Wit , veteran there. I noticed that he starts to develop bit of size. When commented about it he retorted that it’s because I did not use his services for so long ( I did last year though) . There were just 2 freelancers in completely empty Boyztown proper.

 So I decided to see how are things in Jomtien Complex hoping Dik’s will be opened because I had cravings  for chicken with cashews, what else.

I was opened indeed and quite busy at that  with only one table free so I claimed it immediately.

 Soon after I spotted familiar face of our former member z909 passing by so I called him over. His first reaction was like he saw the ghost as we exchange some messages in December but then I was not sure I will go so said nothing so he was not expecting to see me there.

We exchanged news  and just before midnight I hoped on songtaew and returned to hotel for my record breaking 7th celibate night in Thailand in row. Pure tragedy was that I did not even feel  bad about it, who would think ?

Well done, 7 in a row!

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