bob_ny

The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre

104 Rajdumri Road Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330 Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand

+66 2 251 6711

https://goo.gl/maps/rf7T4roCJFb5Lwhj7

Will they test for Hep B? Asking for a friend.

Pretty sure they do Hep B. I know they did a hep test.

They have a website that lists all the tests they do and there are probably others they don’t list as well.

I have removed two pages from my passport to hide my BKK comings and goings from prying eyes. Has not been an issue anywhere.

You’ve been lucky so far because that’s a big no no and a red flag for any immigration officer.

They may have not noticed it yet, but when they do be prepared. You risk whatever happens when you’re without a passport.

My thinking is you lose your freedom of movement even if you’re not incarcerated.

I’m glad it’s not my problem.

Let us know how things turn out.

I had the same thing happen to me entering England at heathrow.

Immigration officer asked where I was staying and I couldn’t get WiFi when I pulled my computer out of my bag. After an uncomfortable minute or so searching and waiting he just let me pass.

I bring this up because it’s not thailand that makes it difficult for tourists, it’s pretty much most countries.

I recently traveled neighboring countries and found a complete absence of airport security which made me realize why Thailand needs to be much more aware. Their airports are international hubs and their neighbors are not.

Thanks both, that's actually very reassuring. The rest of the passport, including photo page is fine, and the damage on the one page is still attached. I'll take proof of return journey, the required 10,000THB and some big smiles :) Thanks

The monetary requirement is 20,000 baht or equivalent in foreign currency.

They rarely check if you are a legitimate tourist with few trips to Thailand.

Other requirements are a flight out of Thailand within the allotted time of visiting status and proof of where you’re staying.

Again, they rarely check but they can and you can be denied entry.

Yes they do in mk or noodle shop

Same as New Yorkers using chopsticks at Chinese restaurants. But it’s not their normal eating utensils

Thai’s don’t use chopsticks.

The usual utensils are spoon and fork.

The use the fork to push food onto the spoon and use the spoon to bring food to the mouth.

You will not see Thai’s using forks to bring food to their mouth.

They do like to arrange different tastes and flavors into the spoon so that every spoonful is properly seasoned.

Find a Thai girl to feed you and you’ll avoid any hassle

I agree with Thaigirlslayer’s assessment of mercure. I haven’t stayed in the others you mentioned but have stayed in 4 other hotels on soi 11 over the years and the mercure was great value even at the higher price.

And their breakfast was really good too. I enjoyed the indoor/outdoor hanging out in the restaurant people watching as well as having drinks at the pool bar.

I think they’re both run by the Kingston hotel group.

From my experience at their places, they start off good and as they age, their facilities deteriorate.

Their prices are reasonable but don’t expect a high class of product.

I was in the solitaire a few years ago and it was nice. I think they either moved recently or renovated. There’s been so much change in that area it’s hard to keep up.

What read was that the elections can be scheduled at the earliest February 23/24 but the government had not set a date yet nor were they expecting to have that date set by February

Decent place

Stayed a couple of nights in November at 3700 baht for both nights

Guest friendly

Didn’t have time to use the pool and gym but they looked decent.

I found the coin self laundry the morning I checked out-damn! I could’ve used that

The Songkran date in Bangkok and Pattaya is like traffic laws, it’s just a suggestion.

The water sports usually run for about 5 days and doesn’t seem to adhere to a ceasefire when the sun goes down

Yes, the human body is a self cleaning machine.

What you inhale, ingest, and imbibe can assist in this function or block or slow down this function

The OP asked for help finding a place, not opinions on whether you believe in his methods of achieving a healthier life.

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I just checked google maps and noticed that there are many linked roads that don’t appear on the map. Probably because the map car can’t go there.

My guess is you won’t be able to locate a walking path until you’re there.

There are lots of walking shortcuts in the area

I’m not sure how far down soi 2 you are. I was down at UTC hotel sub soi 2 off soi 4 and there was a small alley that linked the hotel with soi 4

There used to be a walkway opposite grand majestic or majestic grand hotel on soi 2 that goes to soi 4

You’ll end up close to Hillary bar on 4

There’s so much building going on in that area it looks like it’s going to be a new place in a year or two

Enjoy it while it lasts

Not sure if you can still use facilities at Majestic Grande. Something to keep in mind

Why would they change that arrangement?

Was Majestic Grande sold?

I got the middle offer, I think it was 5 gigs or 9 gigs for a month for 550 baht. Unlimited, but after the gig allowance the speed reduces. And I had sim with me from a previous trip so kept my old number and saved a little bit of money.

This was with AIS at the airport

Flown both EVA and AsianaAirlines.

Both excellent choices.

I prefer AsianaAirlines of the 2

Never flown the Mainland Chinese airlines but have read some not so good reviews so tend to avoid.

I believe my last suits from about a year ago cost about $425 US. That was top fabric, 2 custom shirts, and tie.

To date that was the most expensive meal I ever had anywhere. Considering that other top food choices in Bangkok will cost you 10% of this one, that was my first and last meal there.

Business wise it was a good choice for establishing a solid connection.

What would a cab cost from NANA to Don Mueang airport ?

Meter taxi from suk area usually runs less than 400 baht with tip and tolls.

I've gotten away with no tolls meter costs of about 260 baht in the wee hours of the morning. So no traffic. Tollway not necessary

Which BTS goes to Don Muang airport?

I thought the closest BTS stop is Mo Chit and a bus then takes you to the airport, but google maps has a couple of different options.

One is getting a bus from victory monument to the airport.

I took thai lion air, air Asia, and the train round trip Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Prices for airfare range from $50-100 out of Don Mueng. Depends on sales being offered and advance purchase. Lion air has lower weight restrictions on carry on and savings on ticket can quickly be lost if needing to put luggage in cargo hold.

Air Asia a little better on carry on weight. Bring your own portable bag scale to avoid hassles.

They have an overnight train that I took with sleeping car. It was an interesting alternative that I did once and enjoyed. I left Bangkok around 6 and arrived in Chiang Mai around 9 in the morning. You might even find a willing bed partner to make it more enjoyable.

A few days is enough time. I could find a weeks worth of fun there too. Don't go there expecting a scene like Bangkok.

I was always intrigued by the suite sale by the tailors. I will be staying at Majestic Suites. May be I should try their suites. Has anyone bought suites from these tailors? If so how is the quality and worthiness compared to Men's warehouse?

I have bought many custom suits over the years.

I'm not an expert fashion hound so I rely on the tailor to guide me.

Labor is cheap so pick the best material you can and get a few fittings.

You'll get a suit much better than off the rack

Thanks for the detailed routing to the taxi stand. I guess the mistake I made before was trying to negotiate the fare with agents inside the arrival area. Could you please explain a bit more on the machine? For example, I have luggage and my destination is Nana Plaza. So what should I be using? Thanks in advance.

When you get down to the lower level, there are escalators down to there, go out the doors and look for the lines or cordoned off rope and stanchion area if there aren't many people.

Last time I was there, they had 3 machines. I didn't spend a lot of time reading the signs, but it seemed like they separated long distance from local. And they mentioned luggage too. I'm not sure if there's a surcharge for luggage. I know I took local on right. There was 3 machines.

I had a large suitcase, a carry on wheeler and a computer bag. I wasn't charged extra for that amount of luggage.

You'll get a paper with info about the taxi stand and stall number where the taxi is waiting for you.

If the driver takes the receipt, ask for it back. I think it has info about filing complaints. Probably won't need it but if you have the paper the driver is less likely to take advantage of you. Just my perception. You've got more leverage and he won't take you for a newbie.

Most of my rides have been fine. Been through the process about a dozen times. Worst taxi experiences I've had were minor, driver expected me to put bag in trunk. Ok, I guess he doesn't want a tip. Or the driver stops to get gas after picking me up and keeps meter running while I sit in car waiting to get to my hotel. Just stupid shit- no reason to avoid the taxi stand for me.

Most of them have been agreeable and helpful.

Grab is another downloadable app just like uber. I've seen both uber and grab come up as alternatives on Google maps, but never used them in Thailand.