canucklehead with a few questions for when i come over

[Boorak]

hi there,

i've been frequenting this forum off and on for a few weeks now, as i hope to be making a trip to LOS some time in mid october. i plan on staying for at least 4 weeks, possibly as long as 6, and there's a variety of things i really wanted to get done in that short a period of time.

first off, i've been told that you can only stay in thailand for 30 days with a regular tourist visa, and as i hope to stay for longer than that, are there any shortcuts that anyone might suggest as to how to be able to stay longer? maybe just hop across a border or two? i have a friend who's daughter is a diplomat in vietnam, so i was thinking of maybe visiting her. is the trip from thailand to vietnam a long/expensive/difficult trek to make?

as well, i have to ride an elephant. i realize that this is a pretty unoriginal thing for a farang to do while abroad, but i've just had this rediculous notion in my head that i have to surf the back of an elephant. i just think it'd make a cool shot i was advised to head up to chiang mai to do so, but don't know if there are any hardships in trying to get so done.

a full moon party has been a requirement advised by every person i've known who's gone over, and since the only date i would fall in on it is nov 5, which would be the better locale to whoop it up with? koh phangan? phuket? any smaller, more local events? (i'm a small town kind of lad)

i'm also hopefull in trying to get an international scuba certificate, or if that's not attainable, just scuba diving for a few days in some really beautiful isolated spots that no one gets to see often enough, but should every chance they'd get.

i also wonder if foreign prescriptions (or any prescriptions at all) are recognized by thai pharmacies, as i have pretty bad adhd and use some fairly strong corticol stimulants to get by, and would hate to have run out or lost my meds while there. i also want to pick up a few sets of prescription glasses, and wondered what the decorum was for getting them done, as well as cost. any indications?

finally, i know that the markets are to be seen to be believed, and am hoping to snag some fairly good deals on clothes, maybe a couple nice suits (or 4 ) and other goodies and the like. heard bankok is the best for it, but might anyone have any other suggestions?

i've been looking forward to getting out there, and am super-friggin' excited to finally have the chance.
if anyone has any other ideas that are must-do's in LOS, i'd be more than happy to hear them.

thanks again for the time

[cybernator_uk]

Hi, hope you have a good trip to LOS and welcome to the board.

For your questions
You can apply for a 60 day visa at you local Thai embbasy.. Or you can hope over the boarder, Somewhere like Singapore, Laos, Malaysia etc for a few days and go back in... With Vietnam as you said you could be intrested in, you can book a flight from Bangkok to places in vietnam... I am 99% sure Thai fly to Ho chi minh city and Hanoi.. www.thaiair.com youll be able to look there.

Youll Enjoy elephant riding... Did a day trip from Bangkok to see the bridge on the River Kwai.. Not far away there is a place where you can ride elephants... Ill find out where it is. We finished a bit early on our tour and the tour guide took us there for as it was on the way back to Bangkok.

Go with an empty bag, youll be able to get clothes very cheap all over.. You can get a lot stuff from the night marlets... Patpong in Bangkok is good for that (all fake but who cares) and tailors are plentiful although i have never been to one.. Sometimes inn Hotels (depending on where your staying) They will be able to tell you where a good on is. I know one of the hotels in Bangkok i stayed in did.

A trip to see Muai Thai mainly the Lumpini stadium in Bangkok is a must just for the experience.. The crowds are crazy and tickets arnt that expensive... Although i cant remember the price again of the top of my head.

Im sorry i cant help you with the other questions but it might be worth seeing if your doctor can prescribe you a longer course for time in LOS... Some of the other board members might be able to help you on that one.. Ive no experience in buying from chemists in LOS

Enjoy your trip and let us know how it all goes

All the best
cybernator

[Crustasian]

Sorry guy. We have numerous neeeebies who ask for advice.I am happy to reply sometimes but it seems that you have not bothered with our archives

PLEASE REFER YOUR GENERAL QUERIES TO THE SEARCH

[IRISH JONNY]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

Sorry guy. We have numerous neeeebies who ask for advice.I am happy to reply sometimes but it seems that you have not bothered with our archives

PLEASE REFER YOUR GENERAL QUERIES TO THE SEARCH

MY EXACT THOUGHTS CRUSTY.........
SOME GUYS ARE JUST TO LAZY TO DO A SEARCH AND HAVE A READ...ALL OF HIS QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED ON THE FORUM !!!!!!
OH....WELCOME TO THE BOARD MATE...DO ME A FAVOUR AND HAVE A READ.......
IJ