vinapu

tell me something I don't know, lol You will be mentioned in due course , rest assured. It was nice to meet and bar hop with you . In meantime here's day 1

both very handsome, specially first one. As for calling them Russian it depends of degree of nationalism. For most of English speakers the will be, since they come from Russia. Kissinger was American even if born and raised in Germany and Madame Curie was French scientist even if Polish born and raised. Not to mention Marshall Rokossovsky, Russian without drop of Russian blood. Other than Trump who would call Obama Kenyan?

Preliminaries and getting to. This was my first trip to Thailand after leaving workforce for good and as result it was also longest of them all (so far I hope).Also first covering month of January, I was in that month before twice but only for ,few days in the beginning back in 2003 and at end last year. I keep travel diary on evert trip everywhere so no need to stretch my memory, cleaning glasses from time to time will suffice to produce this report. Reading it this morning I noticed that some occurrences faded from memory already which makes point again not to be upset about small things as they are soon forgotten for good. Winter trip has advantages of escaping cold but also carries risk that weather may go in the way. It was exactly a case this time. When we boarded plane snow blizzard started . It was sudden and energetic and as result we took off exactly 2 hours later than scheduled. Considering that at Narita I had originally exactly 2 hours connection time it was obvious that something will happen. Either, like last time I took that route plane to Bangkok will be waiting but luggage arrive day later or I need to be placed on another flight that evening or day after. Did not bother me as nothing I could do on my part. I did not enjoy flight much ( one of those things faded from memory I mentioned before but diary remembers). It was cold inside and this comes from guy who likes winter over summer. For first few hours entertainment system did not work which I don’t care but in modern aircrafts one can’t turn on reading light if screen is dead so I lost few hours of reading time. And to add to my misery , food was nothing memorable and that is charitable. But as always there was bonus – nobody seating beside me. I always fly at the back , middle section , aisle seat , hoping for that to happen and it did again. I noticed that elbow space is as important as legs one on those long flights. We landed as we departed , exactly 2 hours after scheduled time and were advised to see agents who will inform as about further connection. This being Japan , was organized very well. Indeed lady was holding placard with Bangkok and my flight number, told me where to go and there another agent gave me boarding pass for tomorrow morning , advised to pick up my luggage , pass immigration and go to the parking spot nr 16 where shuttle bus to hotel will be waiting. It was all in print on small piece of paper. Impressive enough. Japan I thought. Then somehow things get a bit less smooth as I was waiting exactly 2 hours for my luggage to emerge entertaining myself with Whatsapping, e-mailing and Lineing. After that we were back to Japan. Bus arrived and was filled to capacity with people sharing my misfortune, from what I heard not only Bangkok bound but also Bejjing and Saigon but somebody said Manilla passengers were lucky to be placed on next flight departing tonight. At the hotel they knew exactly why we are there, there was special counter arranged and we got our keys and coupon for supper tonight and breakfast tomorrow as well as information about bus to the airport departing in the morning. In short all my questions at Narita were answered before I even asked them. It was too late to go to the city 1hr train trip away so I settled in the room and did not even bother with evening meal. Just made my tea and went asleep. As for breakfast ‘opulent’ is understatement. All tasted soooo good and I feel sorry for myself that days I was eating more than I need are over. I was placed on Thai flight and again had luck of nobody seating beside – it’s after all still 7 hrs flight. I already commented in another thread, meal they served was probably best airplane meal I ever had and no, after that breakfast I was not starving or something , it was just extremely tasty, just pork with rice but made for kings and CEO’s . This way instead of landing at 22.30 , I arrived at 17.40 next day and day 1 of my trip started. still Christmas time in Japan Scat Airlines ? I wonder what this is all about

in some circles they are called Russians or East Europeans

additional crematorium built?

to avoid routine sometimes when somebody I'm on friendly terms with asks me ' how are you ?" , my response is ' who cares ? ' or even more up to the point " none of your business "

station is renovated and working indeed with trains to Sihanoukville and Battambang departing daily

from Bogania?

confirmed , the same happened to me when I was there right after you. When checked -in on the phone boarding pass was issued but with clear note ' that pass can't be accepted at the airport you are flying from , please go to the counter to obtain paper one' or something to that effect .

and a lot of other drugs are just over the counter for which my family is eternally grateful to Thailand. Few years ago me nephew , epileptic, was running out of his drug which happened nowhere to be available or if available , only by prescription from local doctor. ( Later we learned it was due to manufacturing problems ) . Fortunately one of our members was able to find those in Bangkok and buy without any fuss , just ' how much do you need?' and sent to us literally few days before last pill was taken. to answer original question , yes I once forgot BP pills called Olmetec and surely enough they were available just for asking and baht at Chula.

it was probably just automated move by the clerk without thinking. reminds me visit to bank when clerk asked me ' how are you ?' and I answered ' not good, going to funeral right after that ' to which she responded ' have a nice day"

i consider it great idea and hope it will bear some fruit. If memory serves me well it was raised first by Vietnamese Prime Minister. if revenue is concern nothing stops country from collecting payment at point of entry in exchange for, say , sticker in the passport but without any paperwork required

+1

in my opinion more danger is coming from idiots wearing all those gold necklaces while getting drunk and debaucherous than from enterprising thieves themselves. My late godmother used to say ' vinapu I'm only afraid of stupid people"

April Fools day moved to Feb 1st

possible but they spoke with strange accent typical to former far away colonies

I agree. just returned from month in Thailand and Cambodia and I did not notice any nuisances coming from Russians even in Phuket where they are very big chunk of vacationers. Only annoying moment during whole trip was when group of 4 already drunk teenagers, Australians judging by an accent sat at the table near mine at Happy Beer garden and they spoke very loudly with 'fuck' being every third or forth word spoken but even then they kept to themselves.

I can't say much about Pattaya as on last trip I was there only 2 days but week or two ago while strolling Silom it dawned on me that while say 10 years ago majority of obvious tourists were Westerners now they are replaced by Asians. There were visits in bars where I was one of very few farangs in attendance and once in Tawan even boy sitting with me noticed ' you only farang in bar". Only place when one can still see farangs en masse is soi 4. Is this good or bad? I don't care who keeps our bars running and boys employed. So as long as I have fun for me this is cosmetic change but change it is. Only negative part of that shift for some may be that boys in bars are more overdressed now than in the past. I was told that this is what Asians like. Whether it's true , I don't know. I can live with guys on the stage in sexy , fitting jeans although ones in tracksuit pants are bit too much when boys esthetics are discussed.

it looks that Songkran is one of those love-hate things. Some people share your sentiment but I know few who absolutely love it . Bottom line is until one tries , will never know.

roll your sleeves and you will be rich. As for April you are correct but since I gave up on slavery in October now I'm free man, even in April

I,m glad to hear you safe and sound. Planning another Thai trip, even better. One day I need to try visit at Songkran time but I don't like crowds and excessive heat so can't force myself to. In meantime I,m on my way from another fabulous trip waiting for boarding for my last leg flight. Even before opening my own door I already miss Bangkok

On few trips when logged in Boyztown I actually doubled up and rented cheapest room at Zing as well in case I get somebody from jomtien. Better go to the bed ight away than songtaew I figured

Don't you know orange is green by other means

+1

As, I said I did not encounter any guest issues at hotels I was staying. Can,t comment on saunas as it is not my scene. Did not use Grab either, hailing tuk tuk on the street for my communication needs was easy enough. In Phnom penh they have their own well working app called Passsap.