thailand

Bangkok night

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 05:55:29 +0100

I can not say anything about the night life on a personal level. I see and find all I need during the day and it's sober surroundings with less worries in most aspects. If you are looking the nights red light district then Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy or Patpong are your areas. Each spot has different highlights and taste for the various desires. Be cautious in any avenue you choose and stay away from trouble caused by excess drinks (tourist areas are home to predators of both foreign and native to prey on the street and bar drunks). There is a higher STD chance here so, take caution and choose an establishment over street walkers (any TUK TUK driver can take you). If a Tuk Tuk driver asks you if you want happy hour...It's not a general bar for drinking and an awkward moment upon discovery. Bangkok is sure to "WOW" you.

My suggestion is if it's your first time. Stay in the day and pick up some Thai chat skills (not in bars). The day has all that the night has to offer with more safety to enjoy a longer stay.

FROM BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 05:03:45 +0100

There are three main terminals for buses leaving Bangkok, in my situation Mo Chit BTS Station 2 is the main terminal going to Northern destinations.

•From the airport
Just save headache and jump into a cab (meter) located in front of airport exit. You will see people waiting in line and a couple of booths with attendants and cabs lined up behind them. Show the attendant your written or even better 'printed out' destination (easiest way is have it in Thai not English) However, Mo Chit 2 BTS should be easy enough for them to undersatand as long as you pronounce it well.

•From your hotel;
If you have luggage, take a cab to Mo Chit 2 bus terminal. Cab cost is low and worth the pay rather than dragging of huffing your gear trying to save 30THB. For me the cost was 90THB ($3US) from Watana Mansion Hotel Bangkok to the Mo Chit 2 bus terminal (about 20 minutes).

Once there you will see windows where attendants are selling tickets, just look for one that says Chiang Mai and buy the next bus ticket (I think one leaves every hour). I could not read anything else besides the cost of 526THB. They are not the best at speaking English, so I just showed my bus ticket asking with a smile along the way through the bus loading area until I got to my bus (which did not have my number in English on it). The bus is nice double decker with reclining seats, AC, Thai movie, snacks and drinks, roomy. I took the 1030am bus from Bangkok and arrived in Chiang Mai around 8pm or so. The ride is somewhat of a boating affect, so you may want to take motion sick pills if you are sensitive to that. The scenery is nice and small villages are passed, everything looks clean and pleasantly relaxing for a comfortable journey.

A stroll in the back streets Dindang, Bangkok. (North area of Bangkok)

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:54:27 +0100

Walking around the streets is very safe and I have had ZERO hassle from vendors or anybody, in fact I probably am the only hassle here asking questions they do not understand. They all seem happy and helpful and the food I buy from the vendors is great. Meat like ,duck, hawk, pork, chicken ,and much more - in soup, kabobs, or with rice - available everywhere and some are mobile in truck or wheeled cart. Fresh fruits and veggies are plentiful as well. I have seen whole pigs that were cut in half long ways for sale, and another getting cut (carful when you see this, the guy knocked the butchers type knife out of the meat and it hit my ankle - causing a small knick - I quickly used my mobile alcohol swab to whip it clean) The hog heads are also sitting there, not sure but I guess that might be used to make soup or eat also. Fresh fish, swimming or gasping are ready to buy along the wet market path. Various clothes and jewelry always near. This is just a town street, and its clean (much cleaner than my experience in Philippines big city, they have better vendors in province or small city areas in my opinion).

The malls are fantastic and many have a bowling center, cinema, ice skating, children playground, fresh food markets, plus all the normal shops and restaurants. I think that is why so many are lean here in Thailand. Shopping is a whole day of walking to see the new deals and fresh ready foods. All the ones I have strolled are clean and secure, people are generally nice (Thia way in "the land of smiles").

The 'TRUE MOVE' SIM card

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 16:18:34 +0100

Phone calls, A ‘TRUE MOVE’ pain in the butt. Okay, so in Thailand you need a Thai number. I got the TRUE MOVE sim card and it was a pain the butt, even when locals tried to help me load the minutes. Here is what worked for me. Insert the sim card, next dial 9300, this should activate it. NEXT steps: Have your new load numbers ready or buy a card and scratch the strip to relieve the numbers. Dial this *123*yourcode# then press send, example … *123*46276233810359# SEND call (using the correct sim if you have duel). To check balance use #123# then send and a pop up should come on screen with the balance available (in English).This worked for me after trying many other ways using the menu options, none of them worked. I only got a message saying my card has expired. Hope this helps somebody looking for answers as I was. Maybe your experience will be better, it will be helpful if you or your friend speaks/understands Thai for setting up the sim card, if not the friendly Thai personal may help you(as was in my case). The load and sim card can be purchased at any 7Eleven found easily at most corners around town. The sim card is 50THB and the load same cost and up to 300THB in increments of 50.