house516

I will be in TH Feb 13 to 24. I'm always up for a beer or two to lie about war stories.

This is my favourite Sukh hotel. Good combination of location, price and room. The washer/dryer is the lynch pin for me.

When using online translators, it's important to use proper grammar, non-jargon and unambiguous words. Use big words! It's easier for translating.

I maintain that higher class hotels are better at discretion as long as you are. If you and your guest look and like you belong then you will. 
 

If you want to see how the rich enjoy life, hang out at the Mandarin and watch the old boys with hot young busty play things draped on them. You can bet nobody from the hotel is going to challenge these guys.

EVERY Beginners Guide to Bangkok states that you should learn some words or phrases in Thai but they all forget to say what are the best things to learn. So I want to know from those that have been there what are some words phrases that could have helped you out? Are certain words better to learn or should I practice whole phrases. I made a list of words and phrases I think might help me out but if I could get some critiques that would be awesome.

 

Words:

drink

food

spicy

yes

no

wait

fast 

slow

taxi

hotel

 

Phrases:

How much for...

Where is...

How do I get to...

What is your name?

How are you?

I don't know a lot but

yes - khrap/kah - khrap is also used at the end of most sentences and phrases to maintain a polite tone. Like most asian languages Thai uses tone for defining meaning and less so for expressions of intent or emotion. Khrap is used by male speakers and Kah is used by female speakers. If you find your self in a situation that calls for even more politeness or to express regret use 'nah khrap' at the end of your sentence.

no - my Khrap/my - my (often spelled 'mai) is used to express a negative

Taxi - everyone says taxi

hello/goodbye - sawatdee khrap

toilet - hong-nam

The toilets are where? - Hong-nam yew tee-nigh khrap? The question word (tee-nigh/where) is usually placed where the answer would appear in the sentence eg: Hong-nam yew tee-nah kah. /The toilets are there.

you - khun/coon

thank you - khob khun khrap

excuse me - koh tode khrap - can be used to get someone's attention or 'pardon me'

one - nung Most food stalls sell only one sometimes two dishes. Point at what you want and say 'Nung khrap'.

2 - song, 3 - sam, 4 - see, 5 - ha, 6 - hoke, 7 - chet/jhet, 8 - baat, 9 - gow, 10 - sip

the food stalls prices are often in multiples of ten, so knowing how to recognize these can be important.

20 - yeesip, 30 - samsip, 40 - seesip, 50 - hasip, 60 - hokesip etc

The girls know how to say bigger numbers 5,000 baht ;)

The number 5 is used instead of lol because it is pronounced ha - 555 = hahaha. You will see it on advertising everywhere and after you fall in love and are texting your new tgf

My experience is limited, anyone can feel free to correct me.

On a quick swing through SE Asia this October.

6 - 8 Hong Kong

8 - 11 Bangkok

11 - 16 Hua Hin

17 Bangkok

If you are considering riverside, I have stayed at lebua at State Tower and Centre Point Silom. Both are nice, have good breakfasts included with the right reservation and are definitely GF. lebua is a step above Centre Point in condition but also in price. You should be able to find both on sale if you have the time to look. I go to lebua every couple of years for a few nights.

It's been six months since I've been in Bkk but as I remember, the Rabbit card is only good for the BTS. In my opinion, it's a good idea. Day passes are too expensive and having exact change to buy individual tokens is a major hassle. If you are planning to be there for more than a few days, I recommend buying a rabbit card. As I return at least once a year, I keep the card and bring it back to use the next time.

You can buy the equivalent for the MRT but you will likely use it less.

>>Simagu

I spoke to the CATSA guys at the airport I work at. They accept the tamper-proof bags from duty free shops and duty free purchases made on airplanes. Also, they thought the TSA tape to re-seal a bag was unusual but that they would accept it as CATSA has their own tape for doing the same thing. So, no problems making a connection in Canada with a duty-free purchase if it was sealed by the people who sold it to you.

One caveat: You must not leave the airport. You must go through security soon after passing through Border Services. If you leave the airport or take too long to go through security, you will have to re-pack your purchase into checked luggage.

Thanks for the report. A fair amount of info to be gleaned for those thinking of staying in LOS.

Think perhaps you got lucky and it just seems like a lot of trouble unless you're getting the deal of the century. On my last flght out of Montreal, they simply asked if I was transiting through the US and wouldn't sell it to me. That simple...

It may have been lucky on the Canadian connection but the bag did exactly as intended for getting through US customs. My neighbour is a Canada Border agent. I'll ask her for clarification.

However, I normally don't buy duty-free as I find the prices to be jacked up. My example is Santo Domingo coffee in Dom Rep. At the resorts, it's $15US/pound. At the duty-free, it's $10US/pound. At a local grocery store, its about 200 pesos ($4.60US)/pound.

Also, what is the deal with duty-free in Thailand? You can buy duty-free after arrival - even downtown, as long as you have a foreign passport. Is this normal elsewhere?

Keep in mind that if you are flying on from Bangkok, you will not be able to take your duty free liquor with you on your next flight.  I understand that you are restricted to 100 ml of liquid in you carry on luggage.

 

I neighbour of mine was complaining that they had a couple of bottles of expensive duty free booze taken from them when they transferred to a flight down to Phuket.

Many if not most duty free shops can seal your purchase for connections. Recently, I bought some Brugal rum in Dom Rep. The duty free folks sealed it in Santo Domingo. In Newark (US), security decided they wanted to 'swab' inside the bag. They ripped open a hole and then sealed it again with their own TSA-labeled tape. Arrived in Toronto (Canada) for another connection and there were no problems. Two connections, two seals and 3 countries. Ask the clerk if they can seal your purchase before buying.

As a matter of custom, KLM provides sealable bags for the 'jin houses' that they provide to executive passengers. This is to get your Danish jin onto a connecting flight.

Great post. Thanks!

March 6 - 17

Will probably include 3 or 4 days in Singapore as well.

I like topics like this and look forward to more responses.

Thanks for the great pics Kopite and BKKSC.

1. Learn the BTS, MRT and ferries. Nothing will help you get around the city easier at a reasonable price.

2. Even if you aren't into flowers, its difficult not to be impressed by the mass on offer at the wholesale market in Chinatown. Pak Klong Talad. At the least, if you are going to Yaowarat, try to saunter by.

3. Try eating at one of the bigger roadside eating areas. There's one beside/under the overpass near Ploenchit BTS station that is good. And another area in Suk Soi 38 that is on my list for next trip. I recall an awesome breakfast at Ploenchit of Beef and Basil, rice and fried egg for 30 baht.

4. Stock up on sunglasses at MBK for 2 or 300 baht / pair

5. Chatuchak Market is a must. Be prepared for a long, hot day. Take water.

6. Go to a gold shop in Yaowarat or MBK, even if only to look around. I bought myself a baht of gold on the last trip. But before you buy, read up on the difference in purity and weight of Thai gold. Download one of the many Thai Gold Apps for your phone to monitor the price.

7. Foot massages are a great excuse to get out of the heat, have a cold water or hot tea and a relaxing rub.

8. Take a walk around Lumpini Park. Join in the Tai Chi or yoga groups. Watch the Monitor(?) Lizards. Jog. As an added bonus there is an elevated foot path from Suk Soi 10 to the NE corner of Lumpini.

9. Wat Pho and Wat Arun are a short ferry ride across the river from each other. Go to one in the morning, stop for lunch and a massage, then continue to the other in the afternoon. You can get a decent lunch, on the water, at the ferry station at Wat Pho.

10. Stay hydrated. In addition to the free water from the hotel, I go to 7/11 and buy the gallon(?) bottles of water for less than a dollar. I use that to refill smaller bottles for my day trips.

Lumpini Park

Flower market

Eating at Ploenchit beside the overpass

Ploenchit

I have the Pimsleur Thai course. It's 30 - 1/2 hour lessons. Just listen and repeat. It's a great starting point. Pretty sure we know each other, contact me on FB.

Ya the little bit I've researched on it, it still seems that if you arrive and leave by air your still good for 30 days. it's the border jumping, into the neighboring countries that seems to be the emphasis. I'll still look further into it though. Be a shame if they crack down on it by air, all I'm doing is spending my holidays there.

Most countries frown on a foreigner being in their country without a proper resident visa for half a year or more. It establishes residence for income tax and other reasons, even if you are in and out. A friend of mine ran into this problem in Canada with his British GF. Given the close relationship between the two countries (no visa required for tourist reasons) it wasn't even on their radar until Border Services was about to refuse her entry. She had to promise she was applying for permanent residency before she could return.

It's worth a call before making any commitments.

I don't know about the hotel room or rentals, but given the tightening of measures on tourist visas, I suggest you check with the Thai consulate near you to see if you need a visa. The scuttlebutt on the Thaivisa forum is that visa runs are becoming a thing of the past. You are planning on being in Thailand for almost a 1/2 year, it would be a shame for it to work the first 3 times you enter and then the fourth time the immigration officer sends you home. Just send a quick email, tell them your travel plans and ask for their opinion.

I'll just miss you. Have fun.

Interesting conversation, such was the point of the post. I find it difficult to imagine the whole scene to disappear anytime soon. But I recognize the possibility of a determined new PM with the backing of the military and other, less adult oriented, tourist operators to make a potentially significant change. Even if there were significant changes, I would think that the low-key in club FLs will always be around.

I agree with Kimao and Homo. I've spent 15,000 baht for 2 people at one of the restaurants at lebua an 10,000 for two at the other. It was money wasted. I'm perfectly willing with spending that kind of money but it's got be worth it.

On the other hand, if you stay there, the included breakfast buffet is awesome.

Not directly Bangkok news but it could affect the way Bangkok officials react depending on the relative success.

The news story notes that "they had been set an arrest target of 100 sex workers a night." The colonel calls it his way of bringing happiness to Pattaya. They seem to be targeting street walkers but it has to be unnerving to the bar owners.

Link

Great report PC, thanks!

I have stayed at Phachara, in a studio room, not a suite. They do have suites but the studios are large too. Everything in it was modern - the kitchen, the bathroom, TV/DVD player, furniture - everything. Although it is clearly a somewhat dated building as the hallways are not wide like a new building, the doors seem a little smaller, the moldings have an older design to them that does not quite fit the modern furnishings.

The kitchen had

• 3/4 sized fridge with freezer in top cabinet,
• small appliances, such as microwave, coffee maker, toaster,
• flatware, utensils, etc
• washer/dryer for laundry

The bathroom was small, modern with shower. I had a good supply of hot water always. The living area had a comfy sofa and chair for visiting/drinking/watching movies on the large screen TV and DVD player. The bed was comfy and clean. There was not much view from my room.

Elsewhere, there is a small fitness centre and swimming pool on a middle floor. The fitness centre had some treadmills, bikes and some sort of weight training equipment. If there were any free weights, they were small and few. The pool is just outside of the fitness centre overlooking soi 6.

The restaurant downstairs had a breakfast that was included in my room. They had basic western fare as well as Thai and maybe some Japanese. Booking your room with breakfast, at about 300 baht extra per night, is a good value if you intend to feed your overnight guests. However, it is a small uninteresting buffet. If you like to have a better breakfast, or if you usually wake alone, or if you just like to sleep in and get your brekkie elsewhere, skip the included breakfast. I will return in September for a week and I intend to fill my fridge with fruits and other snacks for evening and mornings.

I like Phachara for the service, the room and the location, and I consider it to be a good value for a quality room.

Sorry Mr Green, I've never stayed at either.