lance2546

On 12/17/2022 at 8:42 AM, rxpharm said:

Thai bank accounts give slightly better interest rates than Canadian banks and US banks on basic savings accounts, but still not good when compared to current inflation rates. The situation is similar to 22+  years ago.

I now have a Bangkok Bank savings account paying .5%; I can get 4.75% at a bank in the USA.

On 12/17/2022 at 8:42 AM, rxpharm said:

If you are applying for a Thai visa, particularly the O type visa, a minimum 800,000 Baht must be in your Thai bank account for a set amount of months before each visa renewal or application for the O type visa.

Not if you use an agent 

Yesterday I was talking to a Thai guy that opined there was very little inflation from pre- covid 2019 to the present. Guess he doesn't bar fine much

(He was telling me he changed jobs because his salary was insufficient and I remarked, "Yes prices for every thing are higher now.")

On 3/26/2015 at 10:09 PM, Guest Lumix said:

 It did piss me a little when you would be waiting in a queue to be served in say 7/11 and they would try push in

Same experience for me. They are a dour people and seldom smile. I see lots of Russian families around Second Road.

On 2/5/2023 at 11:49 AM, Zeppie said:

MAGA type behavior on boards".  It that's not expressing a far left political opinion, then i don't what far political opinion means..........You suggest to be a middle of the road good ole boy, but your comments aren't.  

@Pulci GorgonMAGA is the acronym Trump coined "Male America Great Again." Populism aimed at US voter anger. 

On 2/6/2023 at 6:26 AM, Pulci Gorgon said:

No one cares whom yo voted for.

Now I see why you were banned on another board, 555

On 2/5/2023 at 11:49 AM, Zeppie said:

You suggest to be a middle of the road good ole boy, but your comments aren't. 

@ZeppieWow you are making my point for me, 555. When some BMs say all world problems are caused by the US, I disagree and some board members declare that I am a far right radical for disagreeing. 

OK to criticize the USA but not OK to push back.

What ever, 555!

On 11/10/2022 at 9:26 AM, Rom said:

How about other BMs?  What do you find here that you do not at the other boards?

I became aware of ladyboy message boards after my first visit to Thailand in 2001.

I can't remember the name of the boards, but I recall one was operated by a Canadian guy, there was a Patrick that had a paid site, met farang guy, Las Vegas Bob (forget his board name) and a few others. 

At first I was fighting my attraction to ladyboys, the decided I wasn't going to live my life to please others, screw that, 555! 

I would go long periods with out posting, then some how I stumbled on to this, and the other popular site; PD remembered me and added me to the membership.

I would say what I would do on LBR and not other forums is push back on some extreme political views (both far left and right) and anti American sentiment. I've come to the conclusion it a waste of time to point out hypocrisy. I see a lot of MAGA type behavior on boards, from posters that insist they are objective; they abhor Trump's behavior but use it themselves, because, well, it works!

I just think of the old adage "never argue with an idiot; by standers may not be able to tell the difference", 555! Humans are tribal and loyalty to ones group Trumps all reason. (Pun intended, 555!)

Most boards are over moderated on politics, so compliments to PD for allowing "spirited" debate.

I've come to the conclusion it's best to only read, gather information and ignore nonsense posts. 

38 minutes ago, Zeppie said:

Do you real trust a thai having a foreigners back

Two women I trust more than any others are both Thai. YMMV

On 1/25/2023 at 1:18 AM, Sylvester said:

It sure was, and while I was in Thailand! I had some good fortune for a change.

You are one of those American guys that have all the luck ruin it for every one else!!! Opps, I forgot, I'm American also

How ya doin buddy? Yeah B38/ to USD didn't last long- but great while it did. I think the Thai Central bank is raising their interest rates, so the THB was bound to strengthen.

Man, Soi Buakao is busy! 

I was in Tree Town last night and wondered down the soi that connects it to Second Road. I stopped in the little bar on the right, Pams, or Pan something, I forget the actual name and there were two LBs working in the bar. I even bought one a lady drink, I'm going to lose my Cheap Charlie status, 555!

Note, the LBs were nice but kinda stocky, not equal to the photos above. But a big gal could have your back in a bar fight, so it is what it is

On 1/10/2023 at 7:04 AM, Woodie said:

"Transgendered"  should not be used, even if it is tempting to say "Young Wanchai transgendered into Lily."  Don't!

I usually refer to Thai LBs as a girl in english or puying in Thai. I don't remember any adverse reaction by telling a Thai LB 'yes, I like ladyboy" but ya never know; they can be sensitive and unpredictable (ya ba?)

Filipino LBs, in my experience, are less sensitive and will call themselves gay or bakla. I've asked several if "bakla" is derogatory, all have said no. But I knew them and they were comfortable talking to me. I wouldn't say that to a LB I didn't know.

I've never had a bad reaction calling them a girl; however, to their credit, most will correct me and admit "I not lady." I do my best to act surprised, which they love and a great segway to a more intimate encounter.

(we now "segway" instead of moving or progressing; also learn "hacks" instead of tips  ) 

On 1/10/2023 at 9:54 PM, Woodie said:

Who the hell coined that phrase?. It is no more appropriate than me being called an Anglo Saxon. I am 2 generations away from being an Anglo Saxon!. I would be "offended" by someone calling me that just because my grandparents happened to come from England.

Until recently immigrants to the USA mostly wanted to forget the "old country" and move forward. A lady whose parents emigrated from Switzerland to the Pittsburg PA/ Wheeling WV steel mill areas told me her parents insisted on english being spoken at home. The native born referred to the mostly Eastern European immigrants as "hunkies", a derogatory term and the new commers worked hard to integrate. Nothing "romantic" about being from europe and working in dangerous, low paying steel mill and coal mining jobs in the 1920s. 

Immigrants from the UK arrived very early in the then American colonies, often as indentured servants or transported criminals. After we freed our selves from British rule, Australia became the UK's criminal depository 

I've traced my family history to the 1600's; both side emigrated from England. But I never heard any family members identify as any thing other than American. I suspect the US census category of "American" is comprised of UK descendants, with the majority from England and Northern Ireland.

On 1/11/2023 at 2:06 PM, Pdoggg said:

But there is not really a firm going rate. 

Agreed. 

In my October 2022 experience most LBs and GGs will go ST for 1k. It does depend on the LB/ GG, how much she likes you and how well you get along. The really hot, young LBs/GGs can get more, but, personally, the premium they demand is not worth it to me. I could care less about being the guy with a trophy, I just want a good time in bed.

On 5/3/2022 at 10:41 PM, Pdoggg said:

Where I do care about the price is at gogos. Some gogos have cheap draft beer while others only have expensive bottled beer

Back in the day, I used to drink cheap draft beer at WS go gos. My last visit to Pattaya, I never left the Soi Buakao hood, 555. Come to think of it, I haven't been to WS since around 2017; just couldn't see the point...

Some cheap draft beer at some Soi LK Metro go gos too. A great place to quaff cheap large beers and watch the world go by is Katesiree on Buakao. Wifi and ice gratis

On 12/17/2022 at 4:47 AM, Sylvester said:

OMG, what a terrible accident. Poor guy.

Agreed. I know it's possible to get a "permanent" visit from two guys on a motocy if you mess with the wrong people, but I reckon the biggest risk to most of us expats and visitors is electrocution or being run over by a drunk or self absorbed driver texting on their cell phone.

From what I gather, navigating Thai Immigration is becoming increasingly more difficult. I opened a Bangkok Bank account in Bangkok in 2003 on a tourist visa, then converted that to a 90 day O, then to Extension of stay for Retirement. No problem opening the bank account but the teller refused to give me online access, she was just making up the rules, so I wrote the president of Bangkok Bank a letter, yeah, snail mail, and actually received a reply, advising me of course I could have online access, just return to the branch I opened the account and present this letter, which I did.

Guess who I spoke with?

Yeah the same nice lady that originally declined online access; she was batting her eyes and telling every one who would listen that farang had a letter allowing online access. Several managers ignored her then one said "Just do it!" in Thai. 

She kept the letter, 555.

As PD advised, keep trying, Thai bureaucracy is remarkably inconsistent, so it's a number game.

I've also done the Thai DL myself, bought and sold motorcycles and it wasn't a problem, just the time to jump through the hoops.

I've had two bank accounts and two Retirement visas, now all expired and might just try for a third

One thing that even a Visa Agent can't resolve is the relatively low interest rates offered now at Thai banks. I suppose one could "rent" the money from an agent. I reckon having 800k on deposit would cost me around $875 usd in lost interesting compared with a US bank. 

On 12/5/2022 at 12:48 AM, Pdoggg said:

The Buy-Sell spread  is currently ridiculously wide for the Danish krone.  If you coming to Thailand from Denmark, it is probably a good idea to exchange krone for euro in Denmark and bring euros to Thailand.

 

That is a huge spread! Here in Guadalajara, Mexico I exchanged $100 USD and received P18.40. The sell rate is P19.60. I will use an ATM the next time and avoid the poor cash rate.

2 hours ago, Pdoggg said:

Costs 800 baht for Thais to run but 1600 for Woodie and other farang. 

If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em. US McDo's now charge Thai nationals triple price for all items on the menu 

20 hours ago, Quinn said:

Those with 2 or 3 in them ! 5555

I have only walked through tree town one time, but I did notice a few ladyboys in bars with mostly female staff. I remember when BKK go gos often had one ladyboy in the lines up. 

1 hour ago, Laawman said:

It's always been used as a rat run - that's the problem with it. Just plain dangerous now with no pavements although I guess they would just get clogged with vendors and taxis. Good place for the hospital -  I expect they specialize in RTAs and STDs. given the location.

agreed. If the distance is far, I often walk up to third road, then go east or west to where I want (on soi buakao) then down a connecting soi. Long way around but I like to walk any way

On 4/30/2022 at 6:19 PM, Pulci Gorgon said:

They should think of using free spaces to create parking lot buildings for both cars and motorbikes and organize public transportations (baht buses and taxi motorbikes a stricter way.  They could also think of creating (baht) bus passes for everybody. 

Why? Just double park outside the shop you want to visit and backup traffic for three hundred meters. Mai pen rai, na

Man, Soi Buakao has become a snarl of traffic. Glad I'm just visiting and have no vehicle to park. 

I exchanged $300 usd on Sunday Sep 25 and got B37.35, which was about 15bips better than the ATM rate at Swampy.  

@PdogggAre you thinking of buying long bonds? I am, but when?

On 9/18/2022 at 8:24 PM, The-Sith said:

It's good you kicked her out quickly.

That's all we can do buddy, when we see it "going south" what works for me is to terminate and move on.

I've become complacent and didn't pre-screen correctly. My bad.

Yesterday met a LB from Pina Love at SM Clark for a coffee meet and great. 

Wow, quality girl, passable, intelligent and working on Clark at a call center. Also speaks Spanish, so she works on a bilingual customer service agant.

Goal oriented and her plan is to retire at age 35 (she's 32 now)

She drove me back to my apartment and I invited her in...

Amiga Travel. Perimeter area near Petron,  will process visa extensions for less than Immigration's prices (Because Angeles City Immigration now automatically charges Express Lane fees)

The down side is it takes about seven days to process. FYI

Was out last night on Walking Street and I was amazed at the number of punters, HUGE increase from just last week. 

Hit Body Shop, La Bamba and Shooterz; had a good time but didn't BF. 

Was sitting at Kokomos and one LB that I chat to on FB walked inside and asked why I didn't invite her for a drink. (I've never invited her, 555) She was trying to embarrass me in front of a friend that isn't into LBs. That's unusual but I ignored her and she went away. Probably needed money for shabu (yaa ba) She was looking a little rough

On 9/11/2022 at 10:22 PM, Pulci Gorgon said:

How about a TR for the community ? 

Here ya go