Phuket Thailand

pablo · #1 19-01-2006, 20:39

Left BKK, (for home) after wonderful 4 day's with "tiirak" (shopping, layback, and good time's)

At BKK airport, Thai Airways agent (new guy)...couldn't figure out my E-Ticket. He had to keep calling over a lady to help him sort things out. (I usually just present my Royal Orchid Card, and they figure it out) This was a small hassle, but I got it worked out...with an embarassed agent apology. (people in line behind me, were unhappy, though)

Next, my overstay in LOS (by 2 days)...

Immigration, at BKK Airport, treated me as a criminal, for 400bht fine. Made me sign two documents, (written in Thai...me, no comprende'), and I went on my way. 10 day's prior to my departure, I checked with Patong Immigration Office, and they said, "no problem, for only 2 day's, take care of...at airport) OK??

(It reminded me of one time in Tokyo...I mispaced my "shore pass". As an airline crewmember, this is a major NO-NO! I spent 30 minutes in a Japanese immigration office...and had to sign a "declaration of apology", to his "holiness", the emperor, for my poor behavior!)

Just get me home, please!!!

From then on, every security checkpoint, checked me over...real well???

Back to USA, my "Priority" checked baggage, arrived on the conveyer belt, almost LAST, in line??? (nice priority TG???) Now a 25 minute line-up, to get to "customs inspector".

You guessed it???

I'm sent to the baggage check, and proudly display, all of my belongings to the inspector. No problem... (only another 45 minutes)
He wanted to see my digital camera...pictures??? (for what??? porn, kiddie porn, what???)

I proudly displayed photo's of MTB, "tirrak's birthday", (below) with also,...."That's Ead, There's Nicke, Oh...look, My birthday "tiirak", There's Noi, Kwan, and Keach"...OK, no more photo's!!!!

Hassle......

Never had so much trouble's, in all my trip's to LOS.

No problem though.

Still made it from BKK hotel, to my doorstep (at home), in 22 hours. (Thanks to Thai Airways, nonstop from BKK/LAX) Usually (before), takes me 28 hours!

Not making any compaint's....just commenting on my trip.

Already, booking back to LOS, for Songkran. (LOS Blues so FAST???)

See Y'all Next time,

Pablo

pablo · #2 19-01-2006, 21:19

Oh? I forgot to mention...

When I arrived home, I found that my water heater had "blown-up", in my absence...and flooded my garage????

Bad timing, I think??? Bad Karma???

Hell, I got blessed at "tiirak's" Buddha Temple, in Buriram....????

What Else?

PABLO

pablo · #3 19-01-2006, 22:22

Uhhhh???

After my visit to the Buddha Wat, a truck on the highway, "flung" a rock, and broke the windshield on my Avis Rented Car. ( I pay for, of course) Later that night, my $500 camera fell off of a dresser, in my hotel...and broke the lens....

No more blessing's...please????

PABLO

seafox · #4 19-01-2006, 23:12

I have to remember not to go to the temple with you during Songkran. Hopefully you will have a more "blessed" trip at songkran.

ashley · #5 19-01-2006, 23:52

Hey Pablo.
Now would be a good time to hit the links and the casino. A hole in one and a run on the craps table is definitely in your future. It always turns from bad to good mate.

Cheers,

Ashley

marc26 · #6 20-01-2006, 00:12

my last trip, got back to vancouver, flight landed at 1130am, left airport at 230pm!

had to wait 1 hour just to show passport, then got flagged and had to wait 2 hours for them to look at my work permit!

fun2have · #7 21-01-2006, 08:29

watched a man pay his overstay at bkk, he was there with mia, luk krueng by 4, and his red angry face seemed to tell the story.

i think he must go to bkk on the buriram train.

i bet when you got to customs in lax i bet you thought "i didnt leave my case unattended at bkk did i"

throw an extra 100bt in the pot at the wat next time you go.

pablo · #8 21-01-2006, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by fun2have

watched a man pay his overstay at bkk, he was there with mia, luk krueng by 4, and his red angry face seemed to tell the story.

i think he must go to bkk on the buriram train.

i bet when you got to customs in lax i bet you thought "i didnt leave my case unattended at bkk did i"

throw an extra 100bt in the pot at the wat next time you go.

fun2,

No, my bags are NEVER unattended. (too much training, in my former life)

100 bht, doesn't make a "downpayment", on what I left at "THE" wat.

Some day's, are just better than other's....I guess?

All, in all, an outstanding tour of LOS....AGAIN!

pablo

fun2have · #9 21-01-2006, 12:27

sometimes the trip go like clockwork, all the bgs you find are great company.

the hotel give you the room you had last time, the tuk tuk/vendors remember you and leave you alone, the indian tailors ignore you.

maybe the pra you visit at the wat next time should be higher up the scale, or it could be just one of those days.

fotonut · #10 21-01-2006, 13:24

Pablo, interesting time you had getting home, I don't think I've every heard someone getting that much attention! Have been asked questions before, even had bag inspected once (simple/quick) but never pictures?? Must have still had quite a grin on your face after the long flight?

pablo · #11 21-01-2006, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotonut

Pablo, interesting time you had getting home, I don't think I've every heard someone getting that much attention! Have been asked questions before, even had bag inspected once (simple/quick) but never pictures?? Must have still had quite a grin on your face after the long flight?

No, fotonut...the grin is long gone.

I save it for "short time" experiences, with the new "master's", of our security, in the good old USA! (land of the free, home of the brave)

On September 12, 2001, (the day after, you know what...9/11), I was horrified by the sight of my junior crewmember (airline type), being forced to remove his cap, jackiet, necktie, belt, and shoes...Then placed against a wall, and "patted down", like a criminal!

Remember, the aircrew's, were the FIRST victims of this attack! Not the perpetrater's!

This "shakedown", was done by a woman at the Dallas/Fort Woth International Airport. (USA) Being of "middle eastern" descent, she had donned the "muslim type" scarf and veil, following the 9/11 incident. Out of the closet, so to speak!!!(you can draw your own conclusion)

I became "enraged", and began declaring MY authority, as "Captain"...and demanded a halt to this treatment! Almost immediately, I was subdued, cuffed and taken away, by the local police! (flight was cancelled, BTW)

These "people", have authority, and powers, that even exceed that, of the Nazi SS, and Gestapo!

So, a "GRIN", on your face, is a wise response, at the time! But a real "PISSER", all the same!!!

pablo

digit_uk · #12 22-01-2006, 00:48

Quote:

=the hotel give you the room you had last time, the tuk tuk/vendors remember you and leave you alone, the indian tailors ignore you.

The much hated tailors are not Indian majority of them are in fact Bengali and a few Burmese. During my stay in Patong I did not meet a single one who was actually Indian!

swiftdave · #13 22-01-2006, 01:39

I used to cross into the US every other day or so on business. There was this one b1tch at Canada Customs who after 9/11 took things a bit too serious. Stopped everyone, searched vehicles, patted down tourists. Made what used to be a 5 min crossing take hours.

One day some undercover RCMP came through escorting a panel van. She insisted on searching the back. They informed her that it wasn't possible so she made a big show of her "authority" and proceeded to the back. She opened to door and there was a half dozen US marshalls, guns drawn and pointing at her chest. Seems they were escorting a prisoner or something. Her career is now over.

fun2have · #14 22-01-2006, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by digit_uk

The much hated tailors are not Indian majority of them are in fact Bengali and a few Burmese. During my stay in Patong I did not meet a single one who was actually Indian!

my friend Rainy who runs a tailor shop on soi viking would be especially upset if he was called bengali.

the boys he has working for him a nepalese-burmese from northern burma. they originated from when the british took the gurkhas to burma.

Rainy and his wife are too of the most pleasant and educated people i have met in patong, and haved shared many good meals with them over the years.

definately not annoying indian tailors.

Rizzamabob · #15 23-01-2006, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftdave

I used to cross into the US every other day or so on business. There was this one b1tch at Canada Customs who after 9/11 took things a bit too serious. Stopped everyone, searched vehicles, patted down tourists. Made what used to be a 5 min crossing take hours.

One day some undercover RCMP came through escorting a panel van. She insisted on searching the back. They informed her that it wasn't possible so she made a big show of her "authority" and proceeded to the back. She opened to door and there was a half dozen US marshalls, guns drawn and pointing at her chest. Seems they were escorting a prisoner or something. Her career is now over.

AHHAHA thats ****ing classic