Up2u

You are fortunate your American credit union does not charge a foreign transaction fee, typically credit unions charge 1% and big banks 3%, so your only costs should be the 200 baht per transaction Thai bank charge and an out of network charge by your credit union. The actual exchange rate will be set by VISA or MasterCard depending on how your ATM card is branded. Just use the most convenient and safe Thai ATM available since you will receive the same exchange rate at any Thai bank ATM. Just one word of caution, should you be asked Would you like this transaction in your home currency (USD)?, be sure to say NO. Say YES and you will have triggered a dynamic currency conversion (DCC) which could cost you 2-3.5%. This also applies to purchases using your credit card; tell the cashier Thai baht only (no USD transaction).

Certainly not like the good old days but the boys are around just fewer in numbers. My Gay Romeo filter usually returns 5-8 within a few hundred meters of my beach section. 10 days does put you in Pattaya around Songkran week when many boys return to their villages for the holidays.

I suggest people use the "Like" feature on the desktop site to express their approval of a post/picture. Comments about a picture adds little value since you are expressing your personal tastes and who really cares, after all it's only a picture. We all have our preferences and who cares that I like twinks and someone else likes hunks. Discussing our preferences would be an exercise in futility. Discussions and comments about religion or politics or other subjects are completely different and encouraged. I appreciate those posters who have taken the time to post on the picture thread and speaking as a person who use to post there, I need other things stroked but not my ego.

I suggest people use the "Like" feature on the desktop site to express their approval of a post/picture. Comments about a picture adds little value since you are expressing your personal tastes and who really cares, after all it's only a picture. We all have our preferences and who cares that I like twinks and someone else likes hunks. Discussing our preferences would be an exercise in futility. Discussions and comments about religion or politics or other subjects are completely different and encouraged. I appreciate those posters who have taken the time to post on the picture thread and speaking as a person who use to post there, I need other things stroked but not my ego.

I have had friends buy phones from NewWave and were completely satisfied. Some of the smaller outlets charge 2 - 2.5% for using a cc. I don't pay that surcharge and will not buy frome them. My warranty is doubled using my cc and any issues with the vendor; and quick call to my cc company has someone in my corner protecting my interests.

There are several legitimate shops in Tukcom (Winner, Jaymart, New wave, IT Center, PowerBar, etc.). It's the small kiosks where the ripoffs take place and buyer beware. I have seen the Samsung Gear S2 classic at the Samsung Tukcom and Samsung Central Festival stores for 11,600 baht. A friend has one and he loves it.

It is true for exchange booths operated by the big banks too, wait until you are in town before doing these transactions not at the airport.

The beach concessionaires are closed on Wednesday, no vendors and no masseurs and it has been that way for quite sometime now. The crackdown we are now talking about is the reduction in the number of chairs/umbrellas by 50%. For example, Rits section and my sectio

This subject is also discussed on the Gay button forum. Gay beach at Jomtien has not disappeared but has changed dramatically. Hopefully, it will retain some of its allure (chairs/umbrellas for those who want protection from the sun and showers, masseurs, food and drinks, souvenirs, massage, and yes some cute boys in speedos) but only time will tell. The gay beach was why I came to Pattaya starting last century and in those days sitting under the bungalows with thatched roofs. Times change hopefully the gay beach survives.

You are in the minority. When I first visited the gay beach as a sex tourist many years ago I was delighted it was not like a California beach with no services, chairs, umbrellas, masseurs, boys, etc., that was the allure. You may not be aware but there are two beach volleyball areas at Jomtien that I am aware of, in addition to banana boats, jet skis, paragliding, etc. Try doing that on a California beach (and I am from San Francisco). At Jomtien there are large open areas for families and sun bathers to work on their melanomas.

I go to the gay beach regularly as I am an expat here. I know the vendors, the masseurs, food vendors by name and some are my friends. Many are from Isaan and are poor. Nobody gives a shit about them especially this uncaring government who has effectively reduced their income by 50%. Might makes right and these poor folks no say in any of this.

OP, I wouldn't let bar prices dampen my holiday fun. In the old days I was a notorious bar hopper, 15-20 minutes then on to the next. Today, if I was still going to the bars, I might make some adjustments to my entertainment activities but I wouldn't let prices spoil the fun. If, you are into big bodies and size you are visiting the wrong country and you would be even more disappointed in TPE unless a free lay is that important.

26 October 2015 Pattaya Hotel Fires Staffer for Kicking Guest http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1445863224&typecate=06&section=

Last night the Complex was quite busy as there was a BP at La Dolce Vita complete with food, dancers, sound system, etc. I also remember the short-lived Rock Hard Boys. Had some good times in the back room. It was a licensed drinking bar and the shows were impromptu depending on the demand.

Right, no gogos in Jomtien, it is a zoning ordinance. There is one police affiliated girlie gogo across from the Complex that might be grandfathered since it has been there for many years.

Yes, and the OP requested the thread be closed. Case closed.

There was no way to bring the thread back on course and as noted the moderator complied with the wishes of the OP.

I never equated paying for sex the same as buying a T-shirt at the night market.

The assumption that he remains in power through 2016, I believe is realistic. And what if the voters reject a new draft constitution?.... always a possibility, then he remains in power for a long, long time.

(That pic, what a cutey!) Another reason why I like Eva from the west coast, the schedule. Arrivals and departures around noon in Bkk. No early morning Delta or United departures which was a terrible way in to end my holidays in the past. BTW, all Eva flights booked from BKK to the west coast are substantially cheaper. For example, rt bkk to SFO, business, 3500usd; SFO to bkk, 4700usd. The 4700 Eva price is still hundreds of dollars cheaper than united or delta. You can pay a little more and have a six month or a year layover for your return leg.

I get plenty of exercise and stretch the legs just walking to the lounge at Taipei (btw, EVA has three different levels based on your ticket and club membership). Some people like to snack, take a shower, use the Internet, etc.

Yes, I was a bit harsh on Narita as my issues with the bus gates were mostly prior to the the airport expansion. And yes the Narita to BKK leg was often around seven hours and not nine. My problem with Narita has less to do with the airport and more to do with the American airlines that use it. DL and UA that use it as their Asian hub and can simply not match the competition when it comes to schedule, price and service (as just about every customer survey shows). My friends (million mile UA club) will throw in the towel since UA has screwed them and dropped their BKK service. I have tried unsuccessfully to do an upgrade with DL for five years now. I fly EVA now and couldn't be happier. Think back to the days when TWA and PanAm were the industry leaders and compare to what DL and UA offer today. Excuse the rant.

The Delta and United terminals, lounges are lacking and often forced to use bus gates. Japan is cold, rainy in the winter months. All flight delays for me and my friends have been through Narita and weather related. The Japan <=> BKK leg is excessively long (9 hours) vs 3-1/4 using Taipei. Taipei is the EVA hub and lounges are quite nice, never a bus gate.

Living in Thailand has its advantages when booking flights to USA. I use EVA and can now book a business class ticket to SFO for Xmas for less than $3,500 (BKK<=>SFO). My friends in San Francisco would pay $4,600-5,700 for this same flight (SFO<=>BKK). Also, the Elite class tickets are costing $600 less than last year for the Xmas holiday period. Nice thing about EVA is it avoids Japan (Taipei).

I had budgeted for my medical and putting a roof over my head (bought a condo). Where my initial estimates fell short were(not in a particular order); the exchange rate going down from 38 USD to 29(since rebounded), having a long-term bf, and financing cars (actually two). Live in Pattaya. Buying a car was the smartest thing I did as it gives you freedom.