I probably would try to make it look like you are smuggling them. Put the pills in baggies then put the baggies in other baggies then put it in a large bottle of shampoo.
I want to take a taximeter from the Suvarnaphumi Airport to 88 Sukhumvit 24. Should I take the expressway? How much does it cost and how much faster is it? I'm spending only 1 day in Bangkok so speed is everything.
when you go to the taxi line, tell the guy you want the taxi to take Rama-9 road.
It just occurred to me that I have ambien and xanax but no script. How dumb would it be to pack ten of each? I'm not interested in trying to smuggle it in, I'd just throw it in with my toiletries.
Pretty dumb?
If you're using them to sleep, just bring them on the plane with you and throw away what you don't use. I wouldn't risk it. You can buy either at any pharmacy.
when you use the atm, make sure you take your card with you. today, the farang infront of me left his inside the machine, and i think i almost did this too when i first arrived. some machines spit the cash out and take 3 or 4 seconds to spit the card out.
I’m sitting in my hotel room in Laos feeling a little loopy from cold medicine and the little bit of Xanax I took to chill (the xanax I mean, the cold medicine is for my cold) and feel like doing some writing. Maybe I’m inspired by the ghost of Hunter S Thompson who spent so much time here in Vientiane after the fall of Saigon.
As someone who likes to indulge in occasional chemical recreation, I thought this might be useful to similarly-minded people traveling to Thailand. Most of the gaps in my knowledge were filled in by a Bangkok-based expat I met here in Vientiane.
Non-fun drugs
This includes things like antibiotics, birth control pills, and Viagra.
Just walk inside and ask for what you want. This is really nice because if you know you have strep throat or pink eye, you can buy some antibiotics or eye drops without the hassle of seeing a doctor first. If you ever have any stomach pains or diarrhea, immediately go to the pharmacist and take whatever they give you. There’s no reason to feel miserable for a few days when you can just spend $4 on some medicine.
Stimulants
Not gonna happen. No amphetamines, no Adderall, no Ritalin. I’m not sure about modafinil, not even the big pharmacies I went to had heard of it. Red Bull is really cheap, though.
Opiates
Also not gonna happen. I think you can get tablets with small amounts of codeine since the dose that suppresses coughs is far less than the recreational/pain relief dose. Taking 20 or 30 pills is way too degenerate for me and I’m also not a big fan of pain killers. All of my attempts at getting codeine cough syrup were unsuccessful. This is unfortunate because I’m a big fan of chopped and screwed music. You can get a prescription for morphine tablets but you have to be seriously, seriously [censored] up in order to qualify. NTB’s gf badly dislocated her arm and was in a lot of pain but the doctors only gave her Tylenol.
Benzodiazapams (Benzos)
This includes drugs like Xanax and Valium. I don’t think they’re technically supposed to give them to you, but I’ve never had a problem. I’m not really a fan, but they’re nice to occasionally chill out with on nights you don’t feel like drinking. I find xanax a useful occasional sleep aid. Addiction is possible with these and withdrawal is really nasty, so take it easy.
Steroids
If you meet me you’ll realize this is obviously not my thing. From what I’ve read you can sometimes find a shady pharmacy or easily find a shady doctor to hook you up.
Possibly useful fact: all pharmacists speak good English. I assume this is because they often need to read information on dosage, side effects, interactions, etc that my only be available in English. If you need directions or need to know where the nearest ATM is or something, stop into a pharmacy.
when you use the atm, make sure you take your card with you. today, the farang infront of me left his inside the machine, and i think i almost did this too when i first arrived. some machines spit the cash out and take 3 or 4 seconds to spit the card out.
Some more ATM advice: I find my ePassporte debit card to be much better than my US one. epass gives me a decent exchange rate and there are no fees either from them or at the ATM. This means I can take out 2 or 3k baht as needed instead of walking around with several months' salary for most people in my pocket.
when you use the atm, make sure you take your card with you. today, the farang infront of me left his inside the machine, and i think i almost did this too when i first arrived. some machines spit the cash out and take 3 or 4 seconds to spit the card out.
Some more ATM advice: I find my ePassporte debit card to be much better than my US one. epass gives me a decent exchange rate and there are no fees either from them or at the ATM. This means I can take out 2 or 3k baht as needed instead of walking around with several months' salary for most people in my pocket.
Don't forget to throw in the e-pass warning though about month long account lockouts for foreign withdrawals.
Anyone been to Koh Chang (or surrounding islands)? I figure that would be a nice place to go shortly before I return since it's close to Bangkok.
Right now I'm planning on a few days in Bangkok, a week in Chiang Mai, 3 weeks at Koh Phangan, and I have about 2 weeks left. I'm thinking about Krabi, Koh Tao, or Koh Chang.
Anyone been to Koh Chang (or surrounding islands)? I figure that would be a nice place to go shortly before I return since it's close to Bangkok.
Right now I'm planning on a few days in Bangkok, a week in Chiang Mai, 3 weeks at Koh Phangan, and I have about 2 weeks left. I'm thinking about Krabi, Koh Tao, or Koh Chang.
The islands in Trang and Satun Provinces are the best. Better than Chang by a longshot. Look for: Ngai (aka Hai), Muk, Boulon, Lipe and others nearby those.
OK, I am officially an idiot. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized "holy [censored], I never went to the embassy to get my 60-day visa." It's closed on the weekends and I was planning on coming to Bangkok from Laos on Tuesday. I wouldn't have time to pick up the visa if I went on Monday. I've gotten two 30 day visas already and if I go back now this would be my third. Would I then be able to get a 60-day visa from a foreign consulate or would I be [censored] for 3 months? I did a quick search on this and didn't find anything conclusive. I'd appreciate a quick answer in case I have to reschedule my flight.
OK, I am officially an idiot. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized "holy [censored], I never went to the embassy to get my 60-day visa." It's closed on the weekends and I was planning on coming to Bangkok from Laos on Tuesday. I wouldn't have time to pick up the visa if I went on Monday. I've gotten two 30 day visas already and if I go back now this would be my third. Would I then be able to get a 60-day visa from a foreign consulate or would I be [censored] for 3 months? I did a quick search on this and didn't find anything conclusive. I'd appreciate a quick answer in case I have to reschedule my flight.
You already know the answer! If you reenter on another 30 day visa, you MUST stay out for 90 days regardless of whatever visa you would use to reenter.
what are your favorite resterants to eat in bkk/thailand? for me it'd be:
japanese - Hachiban Ramen (chain)
Korean - BBQ place on Soi 12 (these are all the same really)
Indian - Face (forgot the soi)
Italian - my kitcheen. Italian food in BKK sucks imho. suggestions?
Thai - Street Vendors ftw, it seems like you get better quality in the poorer areas. the areas around the outside of the mall bangkapi is probably my overall favorite.
Chinese - Chinatown ftw. just look for red. (gootheoy gio let moo dang) i also like the chinese food court in Emporium
Muslim - not many choices that i know about. generally unimpressed with the stuff on soi 3.
spanish/mexican - Does it exist in BKK? Have never seen it.
Italian - my kitcheen. Italian food in BKK sucks imho. suggestions?
Have you tried the place at the end of sukhumvit soi 11 (a little towards soi 13, next to President Solitaire)? I think they had some Italian expats working there, seemed like a decent place. I'm not exactly an expert on Italian food though..
what are your favorite resterants to eat in bkk/thailand? for me it'd be:
Indian - Face (forgot the soi) Rang Mahal Rembrandt Hotel Suk 18
Italian - my kitcheen. Italian food in BKK sucks imho. suggestions? i like Biscotti regent hotel don't know the street
Thai - Street Vendors ftw, it seems like you get better quality in the poorer areas. the areas around the outside of the mall bangkapi is probably my overall favorite. So many good ones, but no the street vendors are not the best sorry
spanish/mexican - Does it exist in BKK? Have never seen it. it sucks usually, there is a few nice ones in Pattaya
In Patong, I ordered three dishes and some nan from this Indian restaurant to be delivered. When the driver came, I was presented with an itemized bill for 1200 baht. I said "holy [censored], this better be the best Indian food I've had in my life." And it actually was so I couldn't complain.
The best BBQ chicken is at a stand on the beach road right before Phuket Graceland on the righthand side.
I'm moving to Bangkok on Wednesday and my hot 21-year-old sister is coming to visit on Friday, so hit me up if you want to get a beer or something.
But just to double check... Gambling is illegal there?
BUT...
Playing onliner poker is no problem at all and I won't be arrested for doing it at an internet cafe or anything?
Would it be worth just staying in a hotel with wireless do you think, to play from the hotel room?
So many questions... I live in Australia and I'm seriously considering giving it a try for a few weeks very soon. When you say it's just way too hot in June / July is it unbearable or still worth the trip?
So many questions... I live in Australia and I'm seriously considering giving it a try for a few weeks very soon. When you say it's just way too hot in June / July is it unbearable or still worth the trip?
I apologize Degen I got ahead of myself and started asking questions that had been asked and answered in my excitement. I would love to catch up with you for a beer when I get over there though.
The only edible mexican food in Bangkok is a place called Charley Browns. Its on the same soi as Bed Supperclub but around the corner in a small soi.
My favorite restaurants were Shabushi (sushi buffet around the corner from Hyatt Erawan) Mk, Fuji, Lumba Lumba (all you can eat dim sum on Lang Suan near Starbucks) Outback Steakhouse (3rd floor Siam Discovery Center) Cheap seafood BBQ places (we always went to this one in Pin Klao but most are the same)
In Koh Samui there were about 10 thai places that I survived on for a year. Depending on what you are looking for there is a great thai place making it. (Khao Ka moo, Rad naaa, Khao mhen gai, Jok for breakfast, etc) For mexican in samui check out Gringos cantina.
The cafeteria in Central Chit Lom has excellent food for about 50 baht a plate.
Also, I recommend hitting up the 4/5 star hotels around the country for dinner. They have the best food and its usually not that expensive.
