Ask us about Thailand! - Page 568

I was thinking about traveling to Thailand/Laos/Cambodia after Australia, my main motives would be the weather and that it's cheap.
I was wondering though if it's a good destination to go surfing, and what would be the main surfspots (I'm guessing phuket? But I would prefer not to go all the way to the south).

Thailand is crap for surfing. If you want to surf/travel cheaply Indonesia is by far the best place on Earth to do it, I would look for more information along those lines.

Quote

08-02-2010 , 07:33 AM

#14177

kabouter

veteran

Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,173

Quote:

Originally Posted by PokerSpiv

Thailand is crap for surfing. If you want to surf/travel cheaply Indonesia is by far the best place on Earth to do it, I would look for more information along those lines.

I have already been to Bali, surfing isn't that big a deal for me, just like to do it when the conditions allow it. But is it crap compared to Bali or just crap in general?

edit: seems like it is doable in some months but not in february when I am there

Quote:

Is there surf in Phuket in December, January, February? Not usually. 1% chance.

Quote

08-02-2010 , 11:02 AM

#14178

PokerSpiv

banned

Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,775

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabouter

I have already been to Bali, surfing isn't that big a deal for me, just like to do it when the conditions allow it. But is it crap compared to Bali or just crap in general?

It's crap in general, Thailand is protected from ocean swells on both sides. The gulf of Thailand in the east, and the bay of bengal in the west. The surf in Phuket may occasionally reach 2 foot, but it's rare. Pics of surf here http://www.phuket.com/sports/surfing.htm

Quote

08-02-2010 , 12:16 PM

#14179

DoubleOh

centurion

Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 156

if you're in phuket anytime from roughly june-september you can surf at the south end of kata beach. it tends to be especially good in the afternoon-late afternoon with 2-3 meter swells.

there is a community of dedicated locals that surf there, it is the best spot on the island. the passing afternoon storms can kick it up to >3m swells. obviously i don't recommend that unless you're a reasonable surfer and strong swimmer because there are no lifeguards, and if there are, they tell you that you're surfing at your own risk through the storm.

you can also surf at kalim or surin but kata is much better 95% of the time.

Quote

08-02-2010 , 05:32 PM

#14180

hennerz

2008 uNL WSOP Champion

Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,566

Will hotels and cost of living/going out in Bangkok be more expensive on 2nd of Jan in Bangkok than say 10th Jan - due to New Year? We fly into BKK from sydney on 2nd Jan

We can go to Chiang Mai/Laos then stay in BKK after because we pass through it again before going to Pattaya, so 2nd or 10th are both good... any advice?

Quote

08-02-2010 , 06:47 PM

#14181

loosekanen

USA#1, Oh Yeah!

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 27,838

Quote:

Originally Posted by player bets

your thai def crushes mine far as speaking and is probably one of the best next to kotkis and khun t far as bkkers go. At some point ill study a little bit past tonal rules from phrasebooks but am lazy in a sense that im choosing to learn stuff as i go for the most part.

Currently im not learning more thai to impress girls, more to communicate better with ones i have already established relations with. when the time comes to make new im sure they will be impressed with what the ones before taught me

Just a lurker but have a question WRT learning conversational Thai from a woman as opposed to a man. I lived in Korea for two years and used the approach you are using learning Korean. It was fine for me but every now and then I'd get hassled by locals because I "spoke like a woman" in certain instances. Is Thai a language that is going to be dictated differently by men and women like Korean is?

Quote

08-02-2010 , 07:01 PM

#14182

sledghammer

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,120

Does anyone know anything about general aviation or flying clubs in thailand?

Quote

08-02-2010 , 07:04 PM

#14183

koolwhynot2

centurion

Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 180

Quote:

Originally Posted by sledghammer

Does anyone know anything about general aviation or flying clubs in thailand?

there's one on walking street in pattaya imo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS7hZhO0ee8

Quote

08-03-2010 , 04:25 AM

#14184

hi guys im link

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 202

Hey, if you guys were moving from bangkok to chiang mai and had quite a few boxes, computer chair, monitors and computers, how would you get there? Also it's both me and my boyfriend moving so 2 people total.

Quote

08-03-2010 , 04:50 AM

#14185

Vucking Vish

banned

Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,018

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi guys im link

1 way van rental?

Quote

08-03-2010 , 06:41 AM

#14186

mikenxz

grinder

Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 655

I'm in Chiang Mai atm, thinking about renting a scooter/bike but not so sure after reading some stuff online.

Is it hard to get a decent insurance policy with the rental that covers everything? What other pitfalls are there to renting? Best place to rent from?
Thanks

Quote

08-03-2010 , 07:26 AM

#14187

toke

journeyman

Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 216

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleOh;20615985 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************20615 985******end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************20615 985******end_of_the_skype_highlighting

in terms of resources for learning / practicing, i was looking around recently trying to find the best one to help a friend of mine coming here, and can definitely vouch for the Learn Thai Podcast, it's a tremendous resource. they teach street / commonly spoken thai (versus dictionary / phrasebook thai) and the format is good for visual and audio learners.

i believe it used to be entirely free but now access to every lesson is like ~$200. every beginner lesson (way more than enough to keep a total beginner busy for a 2-3 months) is still free. the advanced sections are great for people that already speak quite a bit but want to expand vocabulary.

learn-thai-podcast.com

I grinded all the conversation lessons which were rly good. Only thing that kinda bothered me is it seems the guy who did the english translations isnt totally fluent in english so some translations are not totally clear. But still that's the best learning material for learning thai i've found in the internets and ive gone through a lot of stuff...

In this lesson you will hear Paeng and Boy talk about Boy’s plan to open his soapy massage place. <- one of the intermediate conversations lessons lol

Quote

08-03-2010 , 07:29 AM

#14188

theRealOmahaKid

adept

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 930

Quote:

Originally Posted by kap arai

i never would have gone swimming in patong, but kata and nai harn

there is absolute no problems with swimming at kata or nai harn beach.

Quote

08-03-2010 , 09:27 AM

#14189

player bets

banned

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 420

Quote:

Originally Posted by loosekanen

The dialect is the same except men use a particle at the end being kap and women say ka. There maybe a word or two that women use but its never came up for me.

Quote

08-03-2010 , 09:27 AM

#14190

AceCR9

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,357

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenxz

just rent one, don't drive when your drunk or its bad weather, and you will most likely be fine.

negotiate when you go to rent one, even if price seems cheap you should almost always be able to get it lower

Quote

08-03-2010 , 10:53 AM

#14191

nhourmess

adept

Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 898

Anyone have any experience with the Honda PCX? It's 70k new, what you think it will be worth a year from now?

Quote

08-03-2010 , 11:30 AM

#14192

Lessu

Thailand Guru

Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,069

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhourmess

Anyone have any experience with the Honda PCX? It's 70k new, what you think it will be worth a year from now?

you mean how much is a new one in one year or how much is one worth after YOU have used it for a year ?

Quote

08-03-2010 , 11:35 AM

#14193

hennerz

2008 uNL WSOP Champion

Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,566

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lessu

you mean how much is a new one in one year or how much is one worth after YOU have used it for a year ?

after he has had it for a year imo

Quote

08-03-2010 , 11:37 AM

#14194

nhourmess

adept

Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 898

the latter obv.

Quote

08-03-2010 , 01:27 PM

#14195

AuroythmiX

old hand

Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,247

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi guys im link

Commercial removalist, obviously.

They are very cheap and there are both Thai owned companies & internationally owned ones depending on how much you want to pay and the level of service you expect (eg. do you want them to pack everything for you, or just collect the stuff and deliver it).

Quote

08-03-2010 , 01:37 PM

#14196

rutang

veteran

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,640

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi guys im link

it's both me and my boyfriend moving so 2 people total.

didn't you read the thread before you came out here? bringing your boyfriend is a terrible mistake.

Quote

08-03-2010 , 01:46 PM

#14197

Gettin Weed Money

journeyman

Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 200

Quote:

Originally Posted by AceCR9

Going to Phuket with a buddy for 4-5 days, how much should I pay for 2 bikes for the time?

Quote

08-03-2010 , 02:18 PM

#14198

rutang

veteran

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,640

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gettin Weed Money

Going to Phuket with a buddy for 4-5 days, how much should I pay for 2 bikes for the time?

Yo, GWM, when are you going to Phuket? i'm planning on going to Trang for a few weeks, and was thinking about swinging by nakhon si thammarat and tricking you into showing me around for a night or two at some point.

Quote

08-03-2010 , 02:22 PM

#14199

rutang

veteran

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,640

oh yeah, to answer your Q, you'll probably pay around 150/day per bike for 5 day stretch. maybe cheaper if you get ****ty bikes, up to 200 for newish, quality bikes.

if you come into town when i'm around, i know a place that doesn't screw you over. also, often Lessu has bikes for rent.