Kimao

This has potential to create quite a stir.

We will see if the red shirts follow through with the plan to 'take over' the chaeng wattana protest site.

I don't see either side giving in.

I think I hear a bird chirping, "coup coup"

Had 5 coach purses sent from the US in a standard flat rate box. Arrived yesterday no fuss, no problem.

Send different meds back home periodically and had one package searched by customs but nothing taken.

It's a month. It will automatically re-up after a month if you don't cancel and have enough balance. It's AIS 1-2-call which is the pre-paid arm of the business.

AIS has 399 unlimited data. First 1GB is 3G then if you go over it's throttled back a bit

They give you a free wifi password too for any AIS wifi spot (big malls mostly)

My feedback would be that learning Thai numbers is not a very worthwhile endeavor. Their general lack of use means that even if one memorized them, that knowledge would shortly be forgotten.

That is coming from one who used to know how to read and write Thai numbers, then subsequently forgot them to make room for more important data, ie where to get best bbbj...

They sell it at the second pharmacy between suk 4 and 2 if you are walking towards 2 from 4 on the left side of the road.

It's a brand that I tried to look up but only found references to in Thailand. Purportedly a Swiss manufacturer. 12k baht but can't remember how many vials or mg. Never took it myself so can't attest to the quality.

A friend got a prescription from a doctor here but gave it up after a few months due to cost and switched to test.

I don't hate the messenger or the message.

You stated "as far as you know" there aren't places that can get 12 month extensions for language schools and I clarified my early statement that yes there are, but they operate more as universities on paper but don't require attendance just as the language schools don't.

As for converting a tourist visa to non-imm visa- it might not be rocket science, but try to explain to immigration officials that you don't need to leave country and apply at an embassy for an non imm prior to educational extension and you will be sorely disappointed with the results. My statement was that the same people who can bypass one aspect of the beurocracy can do so for the rest.

I don't pretend that "westerners" or "foreigners" (if that term suits you better) who live here contribute a great deal to the Thai economy, but I do believe that those who live normal lives are not in great danger of deportation or other trouble with the authorities. That is first hand experience and matches that of my friends who span the spectrum of legal, sub-legal, and outright illegal residents.

As to the OP- I think his questions have been answered well enough by now.

Just an FYI; As far as I know, there's not a private thai language school in Bangkok which can get you a 12 month extension of stay after you come in on your 90 day single entry ED visa. That's not how the rules are enforced for private language schools. You get documentation every 90 days to go to thai immigrations and extend your stay another 90 days. In fact you don't get 15 months you get just 9 months of extensions of stay because you came in on a 90 day visa, and they count that off your total "year" of study. Now "real universities" are whores from another bar, errr I mean horses of a different color, and a real uni can get you a yearly extension of stay..

 

There are outfits that can get a tourist visa converted to a non-imm visa (good for 90 days) and then get a 12 month extension dated on the last date of that visa giving you 15 months stay with no need to do 90 renewals or any need to leave the country. It is considered a Thai University although they are handled much the same as the sham language schools which don't require attendance.

If one were interested in such a service just specify as much at a visa processing place and they will point you in the right direction.

Always risks with something like that, but when the Nigerian drug dealers along sukhumvit aren't being picked up by immigration I don't worry too much for a westerner who is living and spending money without getting into trouble.

I'm here now looking at the menu.

Erdinger draught 160 half 260 pint.

Also have Stella, guiness, Kilkenny,magners and hoegaarden

I've had more than a dozen packages sent from the US and never had a single problem. I even had two boxes each with 4 iPhones sent and they arrived safely.

Writing in English is fine, but be sure you have all elements of your address included. Some forms only have space for city and street but you may need kwang (sub district) and ket (district) listed as well.

They are supposedly reigning in such places in Pattaya as they are very prevalent but where there's a will there will always be a way.

I've 'heard' that for 30k in bangkok you can get 15 months stay (3 month type O with 12 month educational extension) even on a tourist visa without leaving the country. Also don't need to do visa runs like a language school because it is a 12 month extension at once not the 3 month type language schools give.

visa processing outfits in Bangkok can be risky no doubt, but the owners are often well connected and can get just about anything done you need.

22% of girls purportedly volunteering for this study. Somehow I don't think most of the deaf hookers across from nana are participating.

That being said, they get fucked all night every night and aren't very discerning so I'm sure many are infected with HIV among other things.

Wrap up and hope for the best!

Ate a meatball sandwich that wasn't any good there a few days ago. I've heard other reports on the ground that they are good. I'll try once more for a second chance maybe a burger but not wowed yet. Their bar outside, Kazbar I think, has overpriced mixed drinks (200 baht) for an outdoor spot but for those who like shisha you can enjoy those if you like.

On my way there now to meet some friends. This is a nice surprise.

I have not, but their location is good and a friend of mine has always enjoyed using their hotel. Per him- clean and decently priced. He lives here, but uses the hotel when he meets someone he isn't interested in bringing to his home and it is very girl friendly according to him.

I opened an account on a tourist visa before but some banks won't allow that. There are a lot of posts online about the best ways to get it done.

If you are planning on wiring money over it won't be any cheaper than converting money at a good exchange place. Kasikorn, the green farmers bank which I primarily use, doesn't have good rates on conversion of incoming funds. They only charge 500 baht on incoming money though and most banks have a set wire transfer fee that is less than $100. You are better off bringing cash and exchanging at a super rich unless large amounts in which case you can get a better rate from the bank when the contact you to verify the wire funds are yours.

The banks will do paperwork on large transfers and starting this year are supposed to report all accounts with over $10k dollars to the financial crimes agency if you are an American. FYI.

They are consolidating some of the protest sites but there aren't plans to stop protesting anytime soon. Most of the leaders don't have many options but to keep going or they will face arrest.

By some means or another this election will probably not prove valid so now there will just be hashing out on what grounds to invalidate it as there were many issues and lots of lawsuits flying around.

Fun can still be had, but down the road I don't see how the protestors have any option aside from escalating. Airport closures are a sure fire way to make something give so I wonder, like many others, if that will eventually come to play.

The emergency measures have not put a stop to the large gatherings, nor have they done too much besides initiate travel warnings from outside countries in my opinion.

Soi 11

Firehouse- breakfast burger is amazing

Suk 11- has great thai food.

The Australian- good food and often live music

Don't recommend-

Zak's wine bar. Food was awful and tiny portions. Marshmallow- expensive and nothing special

Soi 8

Monsoon. Really like their Massaman curry, chicken satay and the gf likes just about everything too, so it appeals to Thai and farang palates.

Is the Sukumvith area safe? I have reservations fo 13 dec to go to Bkk. Staying on soi 22. Is this area safe? Appreciate some feedback.

Thanks.

Shouldn't be a problem. The protests are centered around government areas. Protesting or otherwise, most Thais don't go to soi 22 ;)

Photos from today. (They are auto adjusting to sideways on my phone if a mod can help with that)

I certainly hope we have no airport shutdown as I have an international flight leaving mid December. I attended (kind of) the protest at the immigration building today. Planned to help my friend with some paper work without realizing it would be shut down. Decided to check it out anyways.

I couldn't sign in for about a month. Thought the forum had closed down. It happened same time as Pattaya and Philippines sites went down but those came right back up.

Glad it's sorted now though.

Don't think it's for drugs as the male staff didn't have to get checked.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are tested through urine.

Sitting in Hilary 2 today. Scored a free drink for helping the girls carry some tables to setup in the back. Thought it was payday as all the girls where lining up and they had what looked like cash registers set up.

Turns out it's the monthly piss test. All the girls (staff and otherwise) bring their IDs and get a cup. Piss and turn in. Haven't actually seen the process before. Asked about blood and was told that's every three months. If they fail they have to get treatment or can't work.

Interesting to see.

Waited too long to book. My bad. Hyatt not available one of the nights I am there. I can not stay at a place known for mongering, and liked the idea of a upscale place like Spasso where I can perhaps get a girl to take to the room…. so convenient on the night of a late arrival. Any input on how the bars/clubs inside the other upscale places compare to Spasso? I do not care if the drinks are expensive and if there is some great food and quality cocktails, that is a bonus. Quiet enough to have a conversation a bonus, and the possibility of a super hot girl for ST or LT, even if pricey like Spasso, a requirement. Best option Sheraton? Thanks.

Intercontinental at BTS ChitLom has Mixx disco located in the basement and another lounge club a step up on the ground floor I think (name escapes me).

Take a look and see if it fits the bill. I really like Mixx. Wednesday night is packed with girls as it's ladies night and the weekends are always busy.