I am going to Thailand tomorrow.

[tamdrin12]

I left Pattaya and am headed to Chiang Mai. Two days in Pattaya were enough for me. But now that I banged the hottest chick of my life.. a bar girl.. my standards are set high for the rest of the trip... I won't be settling for ugly girls I think!!!

Wow I definitely see how guys fall in love with bar girls even though its a bad move...

+1 for going to a new country
+1 for enjoying a hottie
+1 for knowing when to move on

BTW if Chiang Mai is too urban etc (I think the pollution is only 2 months a year in April/May or so due to forest-burning) then you could try Chiang Rai. They say it's "like Chiang Mai used to be."

Thanks,
Chiang Mai is really not that urban.. It has basically a small town feel to it IMO. You just rent a scooter and you have total freedom to head for the hills within 15-30 minutes. And man driving a scooter through the lush Thai jungle like hill's is frikkin beautiful. I felt so free doing it the other day.... The people are noticeably more friendly out here.. As is to be expected in small towns..

[newlifeinphilippines]

if one doesn't want to use a scooter where should they go in thailand? is ching mai a waste if you dont want to u se one?

[tamdrin12]

Uhh.. What are you scared scooters are too dangerous? You'll get used to it... Yes Chiang Mai will suck without a scooter. Taxi's are more expensive than BKK and it is a pain to get around. I guess if you don't want to use a scooter stay in BKK... They have a good metro system there as well as motorcycle taxi's and cheap taxi's if you make them use the meter.

[newlifeinphilippines]

Uhh.. What are you scared scooters are too dangerous? You'll get used to it... Yes Chiang Mai will suck without a scooter. Taxi's are more expensive than BKK and it is a pain to get around. I guess if you don't want to use a scooter stay in BKK... They have a good metro system there as well as motorcycle taxi's and cheap taxi's if you make them use the meter.

i can use train or bus. so where should i go? Just from bangkok to phucket and thats it? Where are all those jungles and mountains with the elephants they have is that only in chiang mai?

[Yohan]

So.. I have a potential job option in Chonburi which is 30 minutes from Pattaya. Do you know anything about it Yohan? I'm curious as to what kind of place it is..

Chonburi City is the capital of Chonburi district, on the same road no. 3 as SriRatcha and Pattaya.
About half distance between Bangkok and Pattaya.

It is mainly an industrial city, not really so much there for sightseeing and holidays, not so small, about 200.000 people living there.
Easy into Bangkok and easy to Pattaya, plenty of bus traffic in both directions.

If you have a job option, why not? Try it.

For locally going around, like Ang Sila market or Bang Saen Beach, best is to rent a motorcycle, like in any other similar provincial city in Thailand.

Similar to Pattaya, the beach is not good for swimming, beware of jellyfish... next place for swimming in the sea would be by ferry in Sri Ratcha to Ko SiChang but I prefer Pattaya by ferry to Koh Larn, where the water is really clear.

[tamdrin12]

Hi Yohan,

The employer has informed me that the school is close to Bang Saen Beach and 20 minutes to Pattaya so I guess it is not in Chonburi city proper.

I am thinking to try it as the job option seems pretty good. You have to stay in the school all day but teach only 2-3 hours.. I did swim when I was in Pattaya and I did touch some jellyfish.. I wasn't aware it was a big problem there... Damn the water is like a bath down there... Apparantly the jellyfish didn't sting me!

[gsjackson]

I'm sure I'm expressing a minority opinion here, but some westerners, who are also apparently not made of stern stuff, probably should read it. I am counting the minutes until I can get out of Thailand. After two weeks, I can't stand to look at or smell the place any longer. I go out only to eat nearby or to take morning walks along the beach before most of the freak show comes out. It's just complete and utter revulsion. And places like India are actually dirtier? I'm quite certain I'll never set foot on Asian soil again.

The point of view I'm coming to is that you should find a place you really connect with, and then keep your eyes open for an agreeable woman.

[Cornfed]

I'm sure I'm expressing a minority opinion here, but some westerners, who are also apparently not made of stern stuff, probably should read it. I am counting the minutes until I can get out of Thailand. After two weeks, I can't stand to look at or smell the place any longer. I go out only to eat nearby or to take morning walks along the beach before most of the freak show comes out. It's just complete and utter revulsion. And places like India are actually dirtier? I'm quite certain I'll never set foot on Asian soil again.

You seem to be getting early onset dementia.

[tamdrin12]

I'm sure I'm expressing a minority opinion here, but some westerners, who are also apparently not made of stern stuff, probably should read it. I am counting the minutes until I can get out of Thailand. After two weeks, I can't stand to look at or smell the place any longer. I go out only to eat nearby or to take morning walks along the beach before most of the freak show comes out. It's just complete and utter revulsion. And places like India are actually dirtier? I'm quite certain I'll never set foot on Asian soil again.

The point of view I'm coming to is that you should find a place you really connect with, and then keep your eyes open for an agreeable woman.

Lol Man.. I'm really surprised you hate Thailand that much.. India is at least 10x dirtier than Thailand... Everything is infinitely shittier from the infrastructure, the roads, restaraunts, hotels.. people.. everything.. You must not have a good connection with Asia. The level of dirtiness in Thailand does not bother me at all.. However, I am in Chiang Mai and it is a more cultured place. I enjoy the temples here.. But I agree.. if you are in Pattaya that place is like a magnet for losers and freak shows... I wouldn't have chose to stay in Pattaya for a month.. Shit I am contemplating moving there?? maybe its a bad idea.

[gsjackson]

I'm sure I'm expressing a minority opinion here, but some westerners, who are also apparently not made of stern stuff, probably should read it. I am counting the minutes until I can get out of Thailand. After two weeks, I can't stand to look at or smell the place any longer. I go out only to eat nearby or to take morning walks along the beach before most of the freak show comes out. It's just complete and utter revulsion. And places like India are actually dirtier? I'm quite certain I'll never set foot on Asian soil again.

The point of view I'm coming to is that you should find a place you really connect with, and then keep your eyes open for an agreeable woman.

Lol Man.. I'm really surprised you hate Thailand that much.. India is at least 10x dirtier than Thailand... Everything is infinitely shittier from the infrastructure, the roads, restaraunts, hotels.. people.. everything.. You must not have a good connection with Asia. The level of dirtiness in Thailand does not bother me at all.. However, I am in Chiang Mai and it is a more cultured place. I enjoy the temples here.. But I agree.. if you are in Pattaya that place is like a magnet for losers and freak shows... I wouldn't have chose to stay in Pattaya for a month.. Shit I am contemplating moving there?? maybe its a bad idea.

India is that bad? And in China apparently people defecate on the sidewalks. Yeah, I definitely think I have a bad connection with Asia.

I remember watching the Indian "Olympic team" enter during the opening ceremonies in '96 -- about 9 or 10 unimpressive looking characters in turbans -- and thinking it quite remarkable that the second largest country in the world, the cradle of pantheism, couldn't be bothered to make any effort at all towards this supposed occasion of universal brotherhood. I started then working the hypothesis that Hinduism and Buddhism are so focused inward that they completely ignore the outside world around them and let it turn to shit. No conception at all of beauty, cleanliness or order, except maybe within the mind.

I dunno -- probably just another unworkable hypothesis. But it seems like you'd need to be some sort of psychological nihilist to walk around in this squalor and not be disgusted.

[gsjackson]

I'm sure I'm expressing a minority opinion here, but some westerners, who are also apparently not made of stern stuff, probably should read it. I am counting the minutes until I can get out of Thailand. After two weeks, I can't stand to look at or smell the place any longer. I go out only to eat nearby or to take morning walks along the beach before most of the freak show comes out. It's just complete and utter revulsion. And places like India are actually dirtier? I'm quite certain I'll never set foot on Asian soil again.

You seem to be getting early onset dementia.

Why's that, Corny? You actually might like this place if you're still interested in buggering your way to the top, as there's a substantial market of old pederasts with some money. They seem to prefer about half your age, but maybe if you showed them an ample supply of Viagra and a gung-ho attitude, they might make an exception.

[tamdrin12]

I'm sure I'm expressing a minority opinion here, but some westerners, who are also apparently not made of stern stuff, probably should read it. I am counting the minutes until I can get out of Thailand. After two weeks, I can't stand to look at or smell the place any longer. I go out only to eat nearby or to take morning walks along the beach before most of the freak show comes out. It's just complete and utter revulsion. And places like India are actually dirtier? I'm quite certain I'll never set foot on Asian soil again.

The point of view I'm coming to is that you should find a place you really connect with, and then keep your eyes open for an agreeable woman.

Lol Man.. I'm really surprised you hate Thailand that much.. India is at least 10x dirtier than Thailand... Everything is infinitely shittier from the infrastructure, the roads, restaraunts, hotels.. people.. everything.. You must not have a good connection with Asia. The level of dirtiness in Thailand does not bother me at all.. However, I am in Chiang Mai and it is a more cultured place. I enjoy the temples here.. But I agree.. if you are in Pattaya that place is like a magnet for losers and freak shows... I wouldn't have chose to stay in Pattaya for a month.. Shit I am contemplating moving there?? maybe its a bad idea.

India is that bad? And in China apparently people defecate on the sidewalks. Yeah, I definitely think I have a bad connection with Asia.

I remember watching the Indian "Olympic team" enter during the opening ceremonies in '96 -- about 9 or 10 unimpressive looking characters in turbans -- and thinking it quite remarkable that the second largest country in the world, the cradle of pantheism, couldn't be bothered to make any effort at all towards this supposed occasion of universal brotherhood. I started then working the hypothesis that Hinduism and Buddhism are so focused inward that they completely ignore the outside world around them and let it turn to shit. No conception at all of beauty, cleanliness or order, except maybe within the mind.

I dunno -- probably just another unworkable hypothesis. But it seems like you'd need to be some sort of psychological nihilist to walk around in this squalor and not be disgusted.

Many a time have I seen the old Indian taking a shit on the sidewalk or railroad tracks. One time a guy was squatted over right next to his little outside shop.. taking a shit right there and wiping his ass with his hand. We come from the most developed countries in the world. It is a big shock to most Americans when they step outside of their little bubble and realize oh shit the whole world ain't America...

That said... Personally I love Asia even though it is less developed materially. In general I find the people to be warm and friendly as well as less judgemental. I guess I have a good connection with Asia for whatever reason... I also find it to be a more laid back atmosphere. Perhaps you could stomach Japan... I think it is the cleanest country in Asia. What you say about Hinduism and Buddhism is true.. they are very focused inwardly.. I even heard one Buddhist say.. when questioned about the garbage everywhere in India "Trash is in the mind"....

It's different for sure.. but there is a vibe here that some people resonate with making it a very agreeable place to live...

Try to enjoy the rest of your trip... Get out of Pattaya!

[Mr S]

Ha ha if you think Thailand is dirty....India is not 10x dirtier, it's more like 100-1000x dirtier than Thailand and I'm not joking. I'm pretty adaptable but even I found most rural parts of India like living at the town dump or something. A few years back I went up and down the East coast of India. Other than a few tourist pockets that are kinda cleaned up most of the country is just piles of garbage, trash and massive air pollution everywhere. INDIA = I'll Never Do It Again!

The younger crowd in their teens and twenties can maybe tolerate India since they don't know any better and don't have much life experience yet and their bodies haven't slowed down with age. However if you are older in you're 30's and above I personally would only go to India again if I had money to spend to avoid the lower end experiences of traveling in India. Staying at mid range to lower end hotels is risky and unsanitary. Trying to wing it by taking the bus or train around is a big mistake unless you have lots of time like months traveling to be flexible with scheduling conflicts. It's best to either hire private taxis to take you around the city or between cities or fly between cities. Stay only at 3 or more star hotels. Only eat at higher end food places that cook the food. Only eat fruits you can peel. IT's better to go on organized tours than try to wing it, too much lost time trying to navigate on ones own if you don't speak Hindi. It's supposedly an English speaking country but most people here can't speak English actually.

For me Thailand is not so much the environmental or environment that annoys me but their fake 'smile' culture. They pretend they are friendly and nice but actually most people there just want to use you for something rather than genuine interest reasons. Plus they bottle up their emotions and explode over stupid things at the least expected times. Thailand is okay to visit but I don't think I'd want to live there long term like other expats like to do.

When I came back from India I got a new appreciation for the Philippines and MAnila, and I think MAnila is really dirty and traffic so just use your imagination what India is like!

If you're looking for a compromise 3rd world part of Asia I thought Vietnam was pretty clean for a third world country. OBviously there were parts of the cities that were typical 3rd world but in comparison to other parts of Asia I've visited they were pretty clean and organized fro a 3rd world country.

[Yohan]

The level of dirtiness in Thailand does not bother me at all.. However, I am in Chiang Mai and it is a more cultured place...

It's more about to find a place which you like. I don't think, Thailand is so dirty compared to other Asian countries.

Thai people in general are taking frequently showers and there are plenty of laundries everywhere.

If the smell of the sea is disturbing you, it is easy to relocate somewhere away from beaches. No need to live next to a fishery port.

If foreign tourists in groups are disturbing you, it is easy to look for a place with very few foreigners next to you, move away from Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya.

If you feel not comfortable with dark rural villages, move on to a city with some nightlife.

In all Thailand are good streets and a lot of public long distance bus services. You can go to everywhere in Thailand.

[Yohan]

For me Thailand is not so much the environmental or environment that annoys me but their fake 'smile' culture. They pretend they are friendly and nice but actually most people there just want to use you for something rather than genuine interest reasons...

I agree.

I have a condominium in Thailand and we are using it now for vacation and in future after retirement during wintertime as it is getting cold in Japan.

There is no reason to stay in Thailand all time, it's getting boring, but for vacation it's OK. This is a developing country. Thai people are just business-like towards foreigners.

We pay what we order and we get what we need - no complaints from our side. Business is business, and money is money.

My family does not have any personal relationship with Thai people.

I am not surprised, when I read horror stories about how some foreign man is gone bankrupt because Thai bar girls are pretty good when asking for money... My bargirl is different... What a BS-talk. OK, up to you but not with me... LOL