Six Days in Bangkok - Spring 2015

Please forgive my spelling and punctuation, I'm a plumber and not an English major. Just read and have fun.
Whenever we fly into Bangkok, I think of it as flying into the Bronz,  just safer.

We always take pictures of the stuff inside our bags and then the bags as we check them in. The reason is most foreign airlines only will pay $30 to $100 USD a bag, including the contents.  


We carry travel insurance that will pay up to $1,000 USD each person but they like to see what is inside the bags. Knock on wood, we have never lost a bag in 18 trips back and forth across the Pacific Ocean. 

Our trip from California was very uneventful, which is a good thing. We landed at 1:30 AM as our plane was a little late.  Out plane from los Angeles was an hour late taking off. 

Originally we only had 55 minutes to change plane in Taipei. The crew made up 15 minutes and the plane that we were connecting with waited as half the booking for the connecting plane was on the plane from LAX. 


The new B777-300ER that China Airlines is using has a "Family Couch" section in economy class. It is three seat on the side that the leg rests come all the way up flat so it makes the three seats into what I would call a playpen as opposed to a couch. The lady and child next to us just snuggled up and slept for most of the trip. The airline even gave them bedding. 
 
We breezed through immigrations, got our bags which were prioritized and arrived at the White Orchard Guest House around 3:30 AM.  Now, the girl on the desk acted like she did not know anything about our room.  She kept asking who we reserved it from.   I played the phone converstion I had saved on my cellular phone to her and she still did not get it.  Finally, I pointed to the white board with reservations and there it was, "Terry and Daeng room #108 03-03-15". 

We took our bags to our room, unpacked some of the things we had packed on hangers and eye drops into refrigerator. 


We were wide awake as both our us slept on the 14 hour leg from California so we hopped on motorbike taxis and went to FoodLand for tourist breakfasts. 

Yep, you guessed it, comfort food of eggs, bacon, sausage, juice, toast and coffee. 

We walked back to our room, showered and went to bed.

We slept all day. 

I got up and took a motorbike taxi up Shuhamvit Road to a meeting of English speaking friends.


Before I left Kratom, the day manager, fixed us up with an extra pillow, water and extra towels. We're in heaven. 


Bangkok is a great place to get over jet-lag as it is a 24 hour town. 

An American Breakfast at FoodLand is 59 THB, about $1.83 USD with juice and coffee. The food is served on real porcelain plates, too.  

"Took Lae Dee" translates as "Cheap and Good". 


This area of Bangkok is know as the "Fun Zone". This sign says it: "The Worlds Largest Adult Playground!"

We like this area as it is easy to get around by taxi, motorbike, foot and skytrain along with the diversity. You can also get any kind of food that you would like. 

Today, I wanted to go to a meeting at the church on the end of Soi 10 off Shuhamvit Road.  I talked with the motorbike taxi driver and he said he would take me through the Tobacco Monopoly. 

It was a nice ride but the smell of the chemicals and the tobacco drying made me very glad I had quit smoking.  

This area is in the middle of Bangkok, just off of Shuhamvit Road. To see the ride just CLICK HERE. 

Now, here is the scary ride going the other way on Shuhamvit Road: CLICK HERE!


We have kind of lost track of the days and nights. We are blaming it on Jet-Lag.  We will be ready to make the trip north to our home in Mae Sai on Monday. 

The blue sign in the background of the picture is the Myanmar (Burma) border. 


We did get to have lunch and spend some time with our friends Richard and June. 

Daeng loves to go shopping.  The nice part is she only buys what she really likes and will not spend a lot of money doing that.  

Here is a picture of her in front of a big shop named the "Pink Pvssy".  I told her she would look great in that silver dress but without hesitation she said: "NO!"

We also looked at some shoes but Daeng like "Flip-flops" the best.  She wears them everywhere.  

The only time we had a problem with her wearing flip-flops was a few years back. She was not allowed into the big Bangkok Jewelry and Gem Show. You know what our attitude was; yep, screw them. 

On our walk to breakfast this morning we could see the men working on the powerlines. 

I call this picture: "Shocking - The Thai Way". Look close and you can see several men standing on the poles and wires. 

It's around 5:00 AM Sunday morning. I woke up listening to a group of ladyboys arguing under our hotel window. 

With my limited understanding of Thai, I think they were arguing about who was the best looking.  I opened the window, leaned out and waived at them.  They waved back laughing, maybe because I was naked. 

I think this was one of the ladyboys that was arguing. By the way, the saying here in Bangkok is: "Best looking girls are boys."

I did some emails and decided I would have breakfast at the NaNa Hotel Buffet Breakfast.  This will probably be the last chance for a "farang", aka: western style, breakfast for a while.  


It is an all you can eat breakfast for 250 THB, about $7.70 USD.  If you stay there breakfast for two is included in the room. 

We won't stay there as three times, in the past, we had reserved standard rooms and then when we arrived we were told they did not have the standard rooms and only had deluxe rooms for more money.  We feel that is being dis-honest!  One or two times we can accept as mistakes but three times and we feel you are trying to screw us. 

Breakfast was okay with ALL THE BACON YOU CAN EAT!. I got my money's worth but I probably will not eat there again as everything else, besides the bacon, was just so-so.  

While we were talking a walk and clowning around, Daeng made a conference call. 

I think we are ready to make the trip north.  

Although we had fun, six days in Bangkok was enough for us. 

We live 891 kilometers north of Bangkok. That is 554 miles north. 

It's a travel day. It did not go real smooth. Here is the story: We were picked up at our room by one of Jon's drivers. Jon has been providing us with ground transportation for many years and always doing a great job at fair prices. He dropped us off at the Thai economy check in gate.

When we got to the Thai Airline, All Flights check in counter we were told we had to go back 4 isles for our plane check it. That was a long walk.

When we put our bags on the check in scale the lady told us we were over the 20 kilograms each and would have to pay 560 THB. I explained to her that in the past we were allowed 23 kilograms as we were coming from California. She said yes, if we came on Thai Airlines. I said okay and gave her a Chase Sapphire credit card. She in turn told Daeng to take it to the end of the row of check in booths. 

My right knee was hurting so I asked for a wheelchair while that was happening. A nice guy brought a wheelchair and I sat down. 

Then a lady from Thai Airlines brought me a credit card slip to sign. It had the 560 THB charge on it along with a US dollar amount. This is a trick that Thai banks use to get about 3% more when using a US credit card. I told her I wanted to pay in Thai Baht. She said that was so I scratched out the US dollar amount and signed it. I'm sure we will have to fight that one for the principal.
Then onward through security. Daeng's bag had be searched as she had a small container of dietary fiber in her bag. 

After that when we got off the elevator to the ramps Daeng realized she had lost her ticket. She ran back to security and found it BUT she did not have her identification so she could not come back. Luckily the fellow pushing me in the wheelchair realized that and went back and got her through.

The nice part is we were right on time to board the plane.

We are now home in Mae Sai and happy although a little annoyed.

It was nice to sleep in our own bed. 

By the way, the next morning I logged in to my Chase Sapphire card and see the $18.18 charge. I called the bank and a live person answered the telephone Chase. that is one of the benefits of this card. 

I explained the circumstances and she said she would credit the card the difference of 95 cents. 

Thank you Chase Bank. Sometimes it's not the money, it's the principal. 

The really nice part is I feel better. HUGS

Thailand - First 10 Days Back Spring 2014

It's March 6th and we're on our way back to Thailand for three months.  We pack pretty light as we have clothes and everything we need at our home on the Myanmar (Burma) border.

The worst part of our trip is the 18 hours and 10 minutes in the air.  The whole trip to Bangkok is about 30 hours pillow to pillow.  What that means is from the time we get up in California to the time we get back into bed in Bangkok is about 30 hours.

We use China Airlines as we can fly round trip for about $1,000 USD each.  Of course that is economy fair as first class is about $5,000 USD each.  I am small enough now to sit okay in the tiny economy seats.  I have lost about 76 pounds from my top weight of 326 pounds.  

Everything went smooth, the immigration officer laughed at me as I sang my "Good Morning Song" using English, Spanish and Thai. Because the streets were pretty empty at two in the morning, the taxi driver took us on city streets so we did not have to pay the 75 THB (about $2.40 US) for tolls on the highway.  

Pam at the White Orchard Inn II had our favorite room ready for us.  We like this little place as it is clean, close to the sky-train (BST) and the staff is very friendly and helpful. 

I have made the trip over the Pacific Ocean 21 times. The longest trip was in 1961 from Korea to California with 44 hours in the air on prop planes.  I was a young man of 21 years old and the trip still beat me up. 

When we arrived, we checked in our room, showed, eat and took a little nap.  Bangkok is a 24 hour town so we had no problem having breakfast at five o'clock in the morning.

This is Sukhamvit Road at Soi 5 at 5:00 AM.  The party is still going on.

We had breakfast at Took Lae Dee Restaurant in Foodland.  They have Farang food so I had an English Breakfast.

"Took Lae Dee" translates from Thai to English as "Cheap and Good".  That is a excellent translation and the folks there are very friendly. 


Here is a picture of our server at 5:00 AM.  This is why they call Thailand the "Land of Smiles". 

A few hours sleep and up again.  With the red shirt and yellow shirt demonstrations happening in Bangkok it is hard to move around this Sukhamvit Road area by car or taxi but very easy on the Sky-Train.  

We'll talk of the red and yellow shirts at another time.  

By the way, you can even get fresh vegetables right in the city.  Yea, Thailand.  

I wanted to go to a noon meeting on Saturday with some English speaking friends so I hopped onto a motorbike taxi.  At that time of day we were able to travel through the Tobacco Monopoly.  

The Tobacco Monopoly is a several square mile area in the center of Bangkok that is used to dry, treat and cut tobacco.


On the way through the area, the smell of tobacco and the chemicals that they add was so strong I almost vomited.  

I wish I could take my smoking friends through this area as maybe smelling this stuff would help them quite smoking. 

We have been talking about buying a car here in Thailand for the last few years.  Gasoline is very expensive so we have been considering vehicle with a diesel.

At this time, real gasoline, when you can find it, is around $6.00 USD a US Gallon.  Gasohol is a little cheaper and is what most folks buy for their cars. Diesel is around $3.54 USD a US Gallon. 

Also, a diesel pickup truck will get about the same mileage as a gasoline car. Being a guy, I like the idea of having a diesel pick-up truck, too. 

So we found the closest Chevrolet dealer in Bangkok and went to see the Chevy Colorado.  This is the model we liked. It is a X Cab with a 2.5 L Diesel. 

The folks at this dealership were not very friendly so we agreed that we would look more when we got home in Chiang Rai.  There is a Chevy dealer there, as well. 

During our stay in Bangkok, we took a little time to smell the flower, so to speak.  

The flowers here are beautiful.   

We also walked around the more know areas of Bangkok.


We stopped for a coke in the Nana Fun Area.  It is know as the World's Largest Adult Playground. 

By the way, here you can still buy Coco-cola made with real cane sugar in 7 oz. glass bottles. 

We were also a little sad as we made a little side trip to the little coffee shop were we bought coffee every morning in 2006.  

It was run my an elderly couple that always smiled and treated us nicely.  

When we got there we found this, an empty shop. We went through the open doorway and found the owners.  He was ill and they had to close the shop.

We spent some time talking with them to be sure they had enough food and could live alone okay.  They said their son was helping them so they would be okay.

Things change but this made us both sad.  

It also reminded us that life is like a roll of toilet tissue. The closer you get to the end the faster it goes. 

We have been here in Bangkok for six days so it is time to go north.  I also have to renew my Thailand retirement Visa.  I could do it in Bangkok but it is much easier in Mae Sai. 

We flew Thai Airlines as it still has planes from the new airport to Chiang Rai.  They also give you 20 Kilograms of free checked baggage.  Nok Air and Air Asia charge for all checked baggage.  With baggage the cost is about the same.  I also got a deal on line for 1900 THB (about $57 USD) each.

The trip was uneventful and we took a taxi the 60 Km north to our home. Every one and everything was good when we arrived.

A couple of new news items.  While we were gone, Daeng's brother Tun made a septic room so he could do kidney dialysis at home.  


They did a nice job with the glass but the plumbing has a little to be desired.

I have to remember that most folks here have never seen "A" grade work so they think "C" grade is okay and "D" grade is acceptable.  Oh well, this is Thailand.

The other new item is Daeng's niece, Nuy, is five month pregnant.  She lives with her boyfriend but come here every morning early, when he goes to work, and spends all day eating, eating and eating.  I told her she would be as big as me in a few months.  I need to try and be loving. 

She told me that after the baby is born she will be skinny again and I'll still be fat. 

It is also nice to see Bang helping with the laundry business.  Her son, Bum, is so cute and growing up really smart. 

His nickname is really "Bom" but I always call him "Bum". 

It's also nice to have coffee and Pa Thong Ko at the Ban Pa Mueat morning market.  

Our friend "Me", the lady on the left is going to have another baby.  We asked her is she knew if it would be a boy or girl.  She said she didn't know.  I told her is she was on the bottom she would have a little girl and if on top, a little boy.  


She started to laugh.  I ask her why and she said: "I think I'm going to have a puppy!"

Here is a picture of her little girl.  She is just like Mom, want more money. 

Grandma is going to stick around also to help with the new baby.  

We ran into "Mai", the fellow that helped us with our home after the 6.8 earthquake here in 2011.  He was a great help and put everything back better than it was.  

For stories about the 6.8 just CLICK HERE. 

He understand the value of quality work and is an excellent craftsman.

Watermelon anyone?  The sign says: "3 for 10 THB".  That is about 10 US Cents each.  To bad I gave up watermelon for lent.  I should have given up Brussel Sprouts. 

Tortillas in Thailand?  They don't call them tortillas but they look and taste about the same.  

Here is the way they toast them on the Myanmar (Burma) border. 

I think this is the way they have been doing it for hundreds of years. 

Renewing my Thai Retirement Visa was extremely easy as most of the immigration officers have Tun, Daeng's brother, laundry their uniforms.  They filled out most of the paperwork and I was out in about a half hour with a Visa until March 13, 2015 and municipal entries.  That means I can come into Thailand as many times as I want during the year.  
We also visited the big Mae Sai morning market.  You can buy just about anything there.  

That includes Ant Eggs for Ant Egg soup. 

It takes a lot of time to harvest enough Ant Eggs to fill a small bag like Daeng is holding.  The cost is 40 THB, about $1.25 USD. 

Now that we are here for a few weeks before we do some traveling, we did some shopping for food items, like coffee, milk, bread, sugar, peanut butter, jelly and stuff like that at Tesco/Lotus.  Tesco/Lotus is a big store. 

Daeng bought cheese and sauce to make pizza. 

We also spent three days looking and test driving cars and pick-up trucks.  I was thinking about the Chevy Colorado but when I test drove one it was very sloppy in handling compared to the Toyota.  


We stopped to buy gasoline for my motorbike and I could hear Daeng laughing.  I turned around and ask her why she was laughing.  She pointed to the drawing of the pigs on the big truck next to us.  I laughed, also. 

We went to the Toyota Dealer just south of Mae Sai and test drove the Toyota Vigo Hilux 2.5L diesel model G Smart Cab, again.  

Here is a review of the "E" model CLICK HERE.  In the USA it is known as the Tacoma or 4Runner.  We like the "G" model as it has all the extra stuff like back up camera, DVD player, etc. 

Ta, the lady we are working with, is going to call the main dealership in the morning and see if they have it in white with a cream interior.  If they have it we think we will buy it.  

More will be reviled tomorrow, Monday.