Laawman

I've just gotten over my bout of covid. Still, shouldn't complain as it's likely to be the only free thing that I'll ever get in Thailand.

3 hours ago, Woodie said:

I use Skyscanner.

Never a problem and heaps of options.

They are highly rated by many. I particularly like the 'show whole month' option for fine tuning the prices.

8 hours ago, bumblebee said:

Nice little teaser there LM ;)

You're welcome Mr BB, even though she does appear to have a twig growing from her head.

Emmy - I'll just leave this here.

Well, I originally booked direct with Scoot for 21st August only to have them cancel after a a week or so. Last time I looked they weren't doing any flights this side of Xmas. 

Ok so I went back into True this morning and they said yes we'll convert your card over to an e-sim with no extra charge. Still needed my damn passport though, only it's still at the agent's awaiting my visa. Should make life a bit easier as I can have my UK sim card sitting alongside it as opposed to keeping it in my spare phone.

I shall be watching this topic carefully as I had a mind to get one when I came over. True offered me one when I signed up last week but I'd already bought the sim card. It does seem like they're offered with iphones or selected android models - which is odd as they should all be compatible.

Was there again last night - the raised position makes for great people watching.

46 minutes ago, Pdoggg said:

How long does the Rewards Card last nowadays?  I think the expiration is on the card of the card rather than a specific time from the day of sale.  

Sometimes on Sunday there is a 199 baht lamb dinner that is just 99 baht with the card.  So if you don't have a Reward's Card but was going to order the lamb anyway then the card only costs an extra 99 baht.  Note even without the Rewards Card you can get a chicken dinner for 99 baht.  Big portion.

The Reward's Card also gives a free coffee refill with their brekkies.   That would be important to me if I didn't have a couple of cups at home before going out for breakfast.   But their coffee is not high quality not that one can expect a cheap brekkie to have high quality coffee.

Of all the places that have all day brekkie deals perhaps the best coffee is at At All Cafe directly across from Pitani.  They will serve you a proper latte or cappuccino with your breakfast for 89 baht.  But the food is subpar there. 

Prices going up everywhere though.  I heard the Irish Rogues raised their brekkie from 110 to 120 and saw a sign in Buzz's video of Andy that the Hideaway breakfast is now 105 baht.

Well, I got my rewards card on August 25th, and it's valid until Jan 31st. B199 for those that want to know - but it pays for itself in a week or less and can also be used at the Jomtien branch. The roast chicken dinner is friggin' massive and fills the plate so you'd better be hungry! Not really keen on the Nescafe instant coffee but prefer tea anyway so an extra cup is always welcome. Nonetheless, I shall be dining at Kung's again on the morrow!

https://www.facebook.com/kungshotsausage/menu

I tried Kung's (soi Lengkee) for my brekkie this morning. Choice of sausage and some very crisp hash browns washed down with a cup of tea for B109. Will definitely go back again tomorrow. 

I have been going to CCs for the last week, but charging an extra B10 for jam/marmalade is a little beyond the pale. Can't fault the rewards card for B99 evening specials though.

2 hours ago, Pdoggg said:

Sometimes it is not easy to open a bank account with a tourist visa.  In Pattaya, if you want someone to cut through the red tape Mot can do it for you for 3500 baht.  This includes picking you up in her car and making it easy.  According to her website there will also be a fee to the bank for an ATM card, perhaps a high cost ATM card which includes the dreaded insurance that you don't need but banks push.  Think she deals with Bangkok Bank.  She also deals with visas and driver's licenses.  

https://www.mots-services.com/mots-services1

 

Yes, my agent recommended her for driving licences as well. Something else I'll have to sort before my IDP expires.

So........... what do you call a guy who's always nervously looking over his shoulder?

A resident of soi Buakhao.

I'll get me coat........

2 minutes ago, seven said:

Be careful with that. I tried this a couple days ago in a complete different part of the world. The blonde in question would have  P Diddy and all other Annabelle’s fans in tears. A nosy person behind me saw what I did and things almost got very uncomfortable. I had to intimidate him to shut up.

You do what you have to do!

I'd much rather ask them first though if possible - LBs can be such show-offs that you'd think that this isn't a problem!

Dropped in here last night on my tour of Walking Street Revisited. It currently appears to be set in the heart of New Delhi, but once you wend your way through the thronging masses you'll still find it here right next to Living Dolls. It was very quiet with only a couple of LBs here, but I enjoyed a quick Singha (is it me or has this gotten better over the years?) before  moving along.

15 hours ago, Pulci Gorgon said:

 

I don't think so. I didn't work it very seriously when I resized to catch the ugly ladyboy in the front. Phones have an auto focus software and both photos focused on her face. In order to catch ladyboys across the street, you should have choosen a mode that displays squares for you to select what character you want the camera to focus on. It's easy to say but not to do when using it discretely. 

I'm convinced your phone can make fairly good photos. Once the character is well shot, then one can see if the photo was good only after photoshopping. 

It is capable of a surprisingly good output - comparable to my old SLR kit for 90% of the time (of course, it was 16yrs old......) Being discrete is the problem though, though fortunately with a smart phone you can pretend you're just texting.

17 hours ago, bumblebee said:

The discreet, candid photos capture nicely the atmosphere of the shady goings on in Pattaya.  Good work Laawman, it gives some of us a little taster of what awaits on our eventual return.

There's a lot of shady goings on in Pattaya! Perhaps I should invest in a pair of these glasses.

10 hours ago, Ashoka said:

If you decide not to use the agent, is it way more cumbersome?

And is there a website or something with the description of what they do or its hush hush under the table?

Also how much did the whole agent thing cost?

I don't believe it's difficult to do, certainly cheaper if you can meet the financial requirements and have more than a modicum of patience. It's a bit hush hush I guess, but then in Asia a bit of baksheesh is always going to be for payment in advance of services. I don't believe there is a website detailing the whole process - that really would be taking the mickey! 

The whole thing costs (currently) 25k + 3,700 + 200 = 28,900 and that gives you 15 months in country. 90 day reporting is free.

8 hours ago, blind boy grunt said:

 

i guess the agent insisted on Bangkok bank Laawman?

She did indeed! I needed a bank account anyway but was kind of surprised when they gave me everything back right away. Very handy though as now I can use Wise to move some more cash over.

I would imagine it's already been returned to the visa agent for processing as they need about 3 weeks. 

Only the deluxe models have a drain plug.

Many thanks for your efforts PG, it is hard work using a smartphone (Pixel 4a) but the biggest challenge is using it discretely. I was actually sitting in the Bamboo Bar which does have a few GGs btw. 

The second pic was done using the 2x digital zoom which was predictably rubbish as they always are.  

OK, so today I ended up doing the dirty deed. With a bunch of filthy lucre clutched in my hand I headed down to the agent's office and handed over the necessary. I wasn't really expecting to get it all done right away, but it was quickly off to Jompters with the taxi guy. Breezed through the queues of frustrated looking plebs, a quick snap with the digicam and it was back to Patters to open the bank account. Must have took the best part of an hour and a serious case of writer's cramp with all the forms I had to sign. Walked away with a debit card and an online account which is pretty crucial these day for topping up phones etc. Checking my account book I noticed the 800k already was put in and then immediately taken out again before I had a chance to scarper with the proceeds. The bank hangs on to your passport, but the agent already gives you a receipt for it.

Sorted.

Shrewd move at 44THB - gotta strike whilst the iron is hot! Indeed, a visa agent is required for the 800k, though it is a very grey area as far as legality is concerned. I recently heard a story where a guy had been using one for years, then deciding to go it alone with his own deposit and efforts. The officer took one look at his bank book and then asked him where was last years money. Application denied! Clearly then they are bribed to look the other way during the processing period so continued use of an agent is highly recommended! 

"Just when I thought I was out - they pull me back in."

No, I don't wear a Stetson but it would be fair to say I've poked a few old cows in my time. Laawman is an old handle so the more recent avatar seemed appropriate. 

9 hours ago, seven said:

Excellent info. Thanks!

I figured a full explanation was in order as all the other info I've encountered  seemed patchy.