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thaiophilus

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  1. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from Patanawet in China’s outbound travel surges ahead of ‘Golden Week’   
    It wasn't speculation before COVID.
    Back in 2016, if you can believe The ASEAN Post,  "the Thai government decided to stamp out zero-dollar tourism, estimating losses of US$2 billion each year in tax revenue. Three companies were shut down, 2,155 buses were seized and several people were arrested for money laundering and operating illegal low-quality tours."
    If you want speculation about the future, the Bangkok Post has an explainer with a 2023 dateline.
  2. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from vinapu in China’s outbound travel surges ahead of ‘Golden Week’   
    It wasn't speculation before COVID.
    Back in 2016, if you can believe The ASEAN Post,  "the Thai government decided to stamp out zero-dollar tourism, estimating losses of US$2 billion each year in tax revenue. Three companies were shut down, 2,155 buses were seized and several people were arrested for money laundering and operating illegal low-quality tours."
    If you want speculation about the future, the Bangkok Post has an explainer with a 2023 dateline.
  3. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from vinapu in Bar boys in Jomtien Complex   
    Completely off topic, but I have a couple of 60 baht notes hanging on my wall (hint: they were issued in 1987 and 2006).
  4. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from 10tazione in Bar boys in Jomtien Complex   
    Completely off topic, but I have a couple of 60 baht notes hanging on my wall (hint: they were issued in 1987 and 2006).
  5. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from barcelona92 in Your advice for a 'Noob' heading to Thailand.   
    ... putting it very mildly, and not just because of the language. Are you sure you can handle the potential boredom of small-town life?
    Also, the land route from Songkhla to Padang Besar takes you into "FCDO advises against all but essential travel" territory. To satisfy the need  for regular visits to Malaysia, you might be better off living in Bangkok and flying to KL or Penang. (it might even be quicker!)
     
  6. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from ichigo in Trip report (July 2023)   
    Yes. Difficult to forget, as until you tap the gate doesn't open 😄
  7. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from alvnv in Your advice for a 'Noob' heading to Thailand.   
    ... putting it very mildly, and not just because of the language. Are you sure you can handle the potential boredom of small-town life?
    Also, the land route from Songkhla to Padang Besar takes you into "FCDO advises against all but essential travel" territory. To satisfy the need  for regular visits to Malaysia, you might be better off living in Bangkok and flying to KL or Penang. (it might even be quicker!)
     
  8. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from vinapu in Your advice for a 'Noob' heading to Thailand.   
    ... putting it very mildly, and not just because of the language. Are you sure you can handle the potential boredom of small-town life?
    Also, the land route from Songkhla to Padang Besar takes you into "FCDO advises against all but essential travel" territory. To satisfy the need  for regular visits to Malaysia, you might be better off living in Bangkok and flying to KL or Penang. (it might even be quicker!)
     
  9. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from fedssocr in Your advice for a 'Noob' heading to Thailand.   
    ... putting it very mildly, and not just because of the language. Are you sure you can handle the potential boredom of small-town life?
    Also, the land route from Songkhla to Padang Besar takes you into "FCDO advises against all but essential travel" territory. To satisfy the need  for regular visits to Malaysia, you might be better off living in Bangkok and flying to KL or Penang. (it might even be quicker!)
     
  10. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from alvnv in Luang Prabang Should Be on Your Travel List   
    Been there, done that, back in 2001, though I don't suppose it's changed much since. If the river level was low, some of the older wooden boats took three days in the upstream direction. In that case, instead of the relative metropolis of Pakbeng you get to stay in two tiny no-name villages.  The trip had its moments...
    Late on the first afternoon we met another boat identical to ours, which had hit a sandbank and sunk. So we stopped for a couple of hours while our boat's crew helped the other crew to rescue their cargo. By the time we moved on, it was dark. Very dark.  Those boats have no lights and we now knew that apparently even an experienced crew can run aground, even in broad daylight. It was a welcome relief when we reached Village #1. The evening meal was noodles or rice; breakfast was rice or noodles. The "hotel" was a row of mats.
    When we reached Pakbeng at midday the following day I chose to leave the wooden boat and complete the journey on a (slightly) faster and stronger steel boat the following day. Meanwhile I enjoyed the UNESCO world heritage delights of Pakbeng: choice of guest houses! private rooms!  beds! choice of restaurants! choice of food! electric light (until 9pm)!

    Slower than usual slow boat up the Mekong.

    Pakbeng
     

    Luang Prabang
  11. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from Phoenixblue in Luang Prabang Should Be on Your Travel List   
    Been there, done that, back in 2001, though I don't suppose it's changed much since. If the river level was low, some of the older wooden boats took three days in the upstream direction. In that case, instead of the relative metropolis of Pakbeng you get to stay in two tiny no-name villages.  The trip had its moments...
    Late on the first afternoon we met another boat identical to ours, which had hit a sandbank and sunk. So we stopped for a couple of hours while our boat's crew helped the other crew to rescue their cargo. By the time we moved on, it was dark. Very dark.  Those boats have no lights and we now knew that apparently even an experienced crew can run aground, even in broad daylight. It was a welcome relief when we reached Village #1. The evening meal was noodles or rice; breakfast was rice or noodles. The "hotel" was a row of mats.
    When we reached Pakbeng at midday the following day I chose to leave the wooden boat and complete the journey on a (slightly) faster and stronger steel boat the following day. Meanwhile I enjoyed the UNESCO world heritage delights of Pakbeng: choice of guest houses! private rooms!  beds! choice of restaurants! choice of food! electric light (until 9pm)!

    Slower than usual slow boat up the Mekong.

    Pakbeng
     

    Luang Prabang
  12. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from 10tazione in Luang Prabang Should Be on Your Travel List   
    Been there, done that, back in 2001, though I don't suppose it's changed much since. If the river level was low, some of the older wooden boats took three days in the upstream direction. In that case, instead of the relative metropolis of Pakbeng you get to stay in two tiny no-name villages.  The trip had its moments...
    Late on the first afternoon we met another boat identical to ours, which had hit a sandbank and sunk. So we stopped for a couple of hours while our boat's crew helped the other crew to rescue their cargo. By the time we moved on, it was dark. Very dark.  Those boats have no lights and we now knew that apparently even an experienced crew can run aground, even in broad daylight. It was a welcome relief when we reached Village #1. The evening meal was noodles or rice; breakfast was rice or noodles. The "hotel" was a row of mats.
    When we reached Pakbeng at midday the following day I chose to leave the wooden boat and complete the journey on a (slightly) faster and stronger steel boat the following day. Meanwhile I enjoyed the UNESCO world heritage delights of Pakbeng: choice of guest houses! private rooms!  beds! choice of restaurants! choice of food! electric light (until 9pm)!

    Slower than usual slow boat up the Mekong.

    Pakbeng
     

    Luang Prabang
  13. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from tm_nyc in Luang Prabang Should Be on Your Travel List   
    Been there, done that, back in 2001, though I don't suppose it's changed much since. If the river level was low, some of the older wooden boats took three days in the upstream direction. In that case, instead of the relative metropolis of Pakbeng you get to stay in two tiny no-name villages.  The trip had its moments...
    Late on the first afternoon we met another boat identical to ours, which had hit a sandbank and sunk. So we stopped for a couple of hours while our boat's crew helped the other crew to rescue their cargo. By the time we moved on, it was dark. Very dark.  Those boats have no lights and we now knew that apparently even an experienced crew can run aground, even in broad daylight. It was a welcome relief when we reached Village #1. The evening meal was noodles or rice; breakfast was rice or noodles. The "hotel" was a row of mats.
    When we reached Pakbeng at midday the following day I chose to leave the wooden boat and complete the journey on a (slightly) faster and stronger steel boat the following day. Meanwhile I enjoyed the UNESCO world heritage delights of Pakbeng: choice of guest houses! private rooms!  beds! choice of restaurants! choice of food! electric light (until 9pm)!

    Slower than usual slow boat up the Mekong.

    Pakbeng
     

    Luang Prabang
  14. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from khaolakguy in Luang Prabang Should Be on Your Travel List   
    Been there, done that, back in 2001, though I don't suppose it's changed much since. If the river level was low, some of the older wooden boats took three days in the upstream direction. In that case, instead of the relative metropolis of Pakbeng you get to stay in two tiny no-name villages.  The trip had its moments...
    Late on the first afternoon we met another boat identical to ours, which had hit a sandbank and sunk. So we stopped for a couple of hours while our boat's crew helped the other crew to rescue their cargo. By the time we moved on, it was dark. Very dark.  Those boats have no lights and we now knew that apparently even an experienced crew can run aground, even in broad daylight. It was a welcome relief when we reached Village #1. The evening meal was noodles or rice; breakfast was rice or noodles. The "hotel" was a row of mats.
    When we reached Pakbeng at midday the following day I chose to leave the wooden boat and complete the journey on a (slightly) faster and stronger steel boat the following day. Meanwhile I enjoyed the UNESCO world heritage delights of Pakbeng: choice of guest houses! private rooms!  beds! choice of restaurants! choice of food! electric light (until 9pm)!

    Slower than usual slow boat up the Mekong.

    Pakbeng
     

    Luang Prabang
  15. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from vinapu in Luang Prabang Should Be on Your Travel List   
    Been there, done that, back in 2001, though I don't suppose it's changed much since. If the river level was low, some of the older wooden boats took three days in the upstream direction. In that case, instead of the relative metropolis of Pakbeng you get to stay in two tiny no-name villages.  The trip had its moments...
    Late on the first afternoon we met another boat identical to ours, which had hit a sandbank and sunk. So we stopped for a couple of hours while our boat's crew helped the other crew to rescue their cargo. By the time we moved on, it was dark. Very dark.  Those boats have no lights and we now knew that apparently even an experienced crew can run aground, even in broad daylight. It was a welcome relief when we reached Village #1. The evening meal was noodles or rice; breakfast was rice or noodles. The "hotel" was a row of mats.
    When we reached Pakbeng at midday the following day I chose to leave the wooden boat and complete the journey on a (slightly) faster and stronger steel boat the following day. Meanwhile I enjoyed the UNESCO world heritage delights of Pakbeng: choice of guest houses! private rooms!  beds! choice of restaurants! choice of food! electric light (until 9pm)!

    Slower than usual slow boat up the Mekong.

    Pakbeng
     

    Luang Prabang
  16. Haha
    thaiophilus got a reaction from vinapu in Trip report (July 2023)   
    Yes. Difficult to forget, as until you tap the gate doesn't open 😄
  17. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from PeterRS in Luang Prabang Should Be on Your Travel List   
    Been there, done that, back in 2001, though I don't suppose it's changed much since. If the river level was low, some of the older wooden boats took three days in the upstream direction. In that case, instead of the relative metropolis of Pakbeng you get to stay in two tiny no-name villages.  The trip had its moments...
    Late on the first afternoon we met another boat identical to ours, which had hit a sandbank and sunk. So we stopped for a couple of hours while our boat's crew helped the other crew to rescue their cargo. By the time we moved on, it was dark. Very dark.  Those boats have no lights and we now knew that apparently even an experienced crew can run aground, even in broad daylight. It was a welcome relief when we reached Village #1. The evening meal was noodles or rice; breakfast was rice or noodles. The "hotel" was a row of mats.
    When we reached Pakbeng at midday the following day I chose to leave the wooden boat and complete the journey on a (slightly) faster and stronger steel boat the following day. Meanwhile I enjoyed the UNESCO world heritage delights of Pakbeng: choice of guest houses! private rooms!  beds! choice of restaurants! choice of food! electric light (until 9pm)!

    Slower than usual slow boat up the Mekong.

    Pakbeng
     

    Luang Prabang
  18. Haha
    thaiophilus got a reaction from alvnv in Trip report (July 2023)   
    Yes. Difficult to forget, as until you tap the gate doesn't open 😄
  19. Haha
    thaiophilus got a reaction from Ryanqqq in Visa on arrival   
    I'm not.
  20. Haha
    thaiophilus got a reaction from floridarob in Visa on arrival   
    I'm not.
  21. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from vinapu in Visa on arrival   
    I'm not.
  22. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from fedssocr in Visa on arrival   
    I'm not.
  23. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from alvnv in Visa on arrival   
    I'm not.
  24. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from vinapu in Visa on arrival   
    Just to clarify: "visa on arrival" and "visa exempt" are different things.
    People from the countries in 10tazione's list are entitled to the visa-exampt 30 day stamp.
    The 15-day "Visa on arrival" applies to citizens  of Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and there is a desk in the airport before immigration where you apply for it. (caveat: this list came from some random web page so may not be 100% accurate!)
     
  25. Like
    thaiophilus got a reaction from alvnv in Visa on arrival   
    Just to clarify: "visa on arrival" and "visa exempt" are different things.
    People from the countries in 10tazione's list are entitled to the visa-exampt 30 day stamp.
    The 15-day "Visa on arrival" applies to citizens  of Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and there is a desk in the airport before immigration where you apply for it. (caveat: this list came from some random web page so may not be 100% accurate!)
     
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