ARmy Rumour SErvice

**eodmatt** · 18-05-2012, 07:21

Originally Posted by Thai_exile

The most important advice in this cornacopia of genuine experience, urban legend and wishful thinking is to let your bank know you are going to Thailand and will be there for some months. UK Banks have security triggers on their ATM and credit cards and Thailand is regarded as a "high fraud risk country". Even after 16 years, my card sometimes is rejected until I call them to verify my identity and the answer is always the same: "it's for your own good". No it fcuking isn't lady, it's because you are too incompetent to have a cross-reference of one's residential address on your records. Touch wood, it hasn't happened recently, but a year or so ago, it was happening every month just before my pension went it. Make sure that you have the 24hr hot-line phone number for your bank back in UK.

I am not into Muay Thai myself, but it is a great institution and held in huge respect as are the people, Thai and foreign, who take part. Be humble and you will get on fine. That is the case in all aspects of life in Thailand, not just martial arts.

Oh yes, as has been said, don't trust the coppers and don't diss the Royal Family in any way!! It is not a case of not being heard by someone in authority. The ordinary people love the King and the Monarchy in a way that it is difficult for us to fathom. They will sort you out themselves if you cross the line!

I can't comment on Pattaya as a place, as I have only been there a few times and then as a short term visitor, but apply common sense and you will be safe and will have a great time in a beautiful country with wonderful people, I am sure.

Wot 'e said.

And, be cautious about doing things with your feet in Thailand - I mean like shoving something over to someone with your feet (the Thais will say you are behaving like a monkey, although how this squares with them playing football is beyond me) and putting your feet up on things isn't polite, unless it's a foot rest. Raising your vour voice to people is considered impolite and shouting means you are out of control.

Be polite to and smile at taxi drivers and tuk tuk drivers they have a shit life on low pay, but be prepared for rudeness, not knowing the place you want to go and occasionally the taxi driver pulling over and saying he doesn't want to take you any further.

And dont forget what I said about using condoms. It isnt so long ago that some bar girls were convinced that unprotected sex with clients was ok as long as they took an aspirin a day to ward off HIV.

**Koschei** · 18-05-2012, 08:24

A couple of female friends of mine are planning a backpacking trip to Thailand, the dozy twats. Has anyone with experience of the country got any advice for them aside from the obvious?

**Thai_exile** · 18-05-2012, 08:34

Originally Posted by Koschei

A couple of female friends of mine are planning a backpacking trip to Thailand, the dozy twats. Has anyone with experience of the country got any advice for them aside from the obvious?

Hello my dears!.....

**Koschei** · 18-05-2012, 08:40

Originally Posted by Thai_exile

Hello my dears!.....

That was the obvious.

**Thai_exile** · 18-05-2012, 09:01

Originally Posted by Koschei

A couple of female friends of mine are planning a backpacking trip to Thailand, the dozy twats. Has anyone with experience of the country got any advice for them aside from the obvious?

I think much of the advice given in this thread applies to backpackers, Muay Thai practitoners and holiday makers of any persuasion alike. The access to funding is the most important thing.

Backpackers are not the most popular of tourists nowadays particularly in Bangkok. They are no longer considered intrepid adventurers as per the 60's and 70's when there were no credit cards and mobile phones and they were living on their wits. Now they are looked upon, rightly or wrongly, as being cheap, dirty, and won't be spending much. Therefore they don't tick the right boxes with many Bangkok Thais. My personal beef is with backpackers travelling on the Skytrain or Subway in the rush hour with a huge pack on their back - and probably their chest as well - constantly turning around and bumping into the other passengers. Tell your friends to take their kit off - no, boys, I know this is the NAAFI, but I didn't mean that - when standing in crowds. Thais will appreciate such good manners. The further they get up country, the more accommodating they will find the attitude of the locals.

There is no doubt that the Lonely Planet series is probably the best source of practical advice for travellers, especialy when on a tight budget. It is kept reasonably up to date. I used to meet a lot of backpackers when I lived in Ayutthaya and most of them swore by the LP Guide.

The most popular trip was called "the Loop" apparently. Travellers start in Bangkok, go to Ayutthaya for a couple of days, travel by rail or bus north to Chiang Mai, then into Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and back to Thailand. They then go to the beaches in Phuket or wherever for a few days where they meet Russian mafia and other European fugitives who recruit them as drug mules. Hence the "Hello my dears of my previous post".

Applied common sense will generally keep them safe!

**Andy_S** · 18-05-2012, 09:34

SNIP
Applied common sense will generally keep them safe!
SNIP

I rather doubt it.

If it were that simple, surely this commodity would be bottled and sold (or force fed) to every "'Ere we go, 'ere we go, 'ere we go" in the departure lounges of all UK airports?

**Thai_exile** · 18-05-2012, 10:10

Originally Posted by Andy_S

SNIP
Applied common sense will generally keep them safe!
SNIP

I rather doubt it.

If it were that simple, surely this commodity would be bottled and sold (or force fed) to every "'Ere we go, 'ere we go, 'ere we go" in the departure lounges of all UK airports?

I understand what you are saying, but I stand by my comment. Most people who get into trouble in these parts do so because they evoke support from His Excellency, the Emperor Mong, or his Thai equivalent, Khun Mongchai. The fact is that in Thailand - at least in Bangkok - you have to work quite hard at being stupid to get into real trouble, unless you are extremely unlucky. I am not averse to indulging in the activities in "areas of prurient nightlife" (as I once saw them described on a tourist map) and in 16 years I have only seen two fights in the street; and they were farang-on-farang. Mugging in these areas is rare when compared with the equivalent western entertainment areas. The biggest risk to a tourist is from the police, who have no scruples about extorting money for mythical crimes, so avoid them if possible. They tried to do me for Bht 2000 for dropping a cigarette end in the street, until I pointed out to them that I was a resident, that I hadn't smoked for 35 years and they would look foolish if I took it further. I trust the bar girls and mama-sans, most of whom are reasonably honest if you are reasonably sensible, more than the coppers. However, if you are stupid, they will take advantage, make no mistake!

**Scorcher68** · 18-05-2012, 13:38

Echo much of what has been said here do not trust the fuzz and be polite and ALWAYS respect their royals .The Thais are overall a really good bunch there is the odd exception like dodgy tuk tuk drivers but even these are a minority compared to the good uns you should have a great time .