Archive for the 'Gossip/Stories' Category
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
Casting for Marine 2
The producers of the movie “Marine” have decided to make a sequel, which I think is interesting since I didn’t even know they made an original. Apparently much of it is to be filmed in Phuket so they started recruiting for extras from Tiger Muay Thai. It’s a good idea actually since many people there are military or ex-military or at least look military. I personally didn’t try out (I wouldn’t have been in Thailand anyway) but I know a few guys who got some parts.
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
Visa Considerations
The two main options for tourists in Thailand (from the US) are to either come with NO visa, in which case you’ll be auto given a 30 day entry visa with a 500 baht per extra day fine. The second option is to come with a 60 day tourist visa which you’ll have to apply for ahead of time. Im not sure how much it costs but you’ll have to go to an embassy to get it (NYC of SF) or hire a company to take care of the processing for you. So your next question might be – what if I want to stay for 90 days? Well, then you do one of the infamous “Visa Runs”. Options abound since both flights and boats are rather cheap and countries are close by. The most frequent flight options usually take a person to Singapore or Kuala Lampur and possibly Ho Chi Mihn (I opted for KL). Your passport is stamped, your exit visa is taken care of, then when you reenter Thailand your 30 (or 60) days starts over again. Read the rest of this entry »
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
First Trip to Patong
About 30 minutes from camp, the party city of Patong is located on what was probably once a gorgeous beach. It has long been overrun by tourists, but the city itself still hosts ALL the action to be found on Phuket. The nightlife here is rather famous, though not quite as legendary as the Full Moon party, and includes everything from bars and restaurants, to Go Go Bars, to Muay Thai fights at the Bangahla Stadium, and of course all the knock off shopping you can handle. I went with Mike and Brendan, and we spent most of the day on the beach relaxing. There are all sorts of things to do in this area, jet skis, parasailing, renting Harley’s, and just about any other thing you’d expect to find in a tourist location. Unfortuantely the surfing is terrible in this particular location, but on a side note I saw some people surfing at Kata beach the other day. Read the rest of this entry »
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Full Moon Party
Sorry, this post is so delayed, we’ve had some internet problems and I’ve been busy with training and beach-hopping. First, let me explain what a Full Moon party is since I assume most people haven’t heard of it officially – I hadn’t heard about it either until just before coming to Thailand. As the name implies, it takes place the night of the full moon which is typically once a month. The “Official” party takes place just south of Bangkok in what I’ve been told is the sleaziest city in Thailand and a real hot spot for backpackers looking to party. I’ve read some forum posts on the party and its apparently loads of fun and complete madness (as one would expect with thousands of backpackers from around the globe converging for the sole purpose of partying for 10 hours straight)… Well I didn’t attend THAT party, but our camp through their own mini-party in its honor. Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday, October 16th, 2008
Thai Hospitals
Well, the inevitable has happened, albeit earlier than expected, but I caught a stomach bug and it knocked me out like a huge right cross. I’ll save you the gruesome details, but after a “rough” night and then passing out on my way to the bathroom, the guys here at Tiger called an ambulance for me. I was admitted with a 102 degree fever and host of other symptoms. I was given an IV drip (I LOVE these things!) and put in a room for about 24 hours. And let me tell you, these rooms were NICE! I was wishing I had brought my camera so you guys could see, I had a balcony, flat screen TV with HD movies on demand, my own bathroom, and of course an all you can consume IV drip! Read the rest of this entry »
Sunday, October 12th, 2008
Gossip from Dave
Two experienced travelers he knows were both drugged eating at street-side vendors (separate events). One was lucky enough to get a cab back to his hotel where he woke up safe the next morning. The other traveler woke up wearing only his shorts.
Vegetarian is a GREAT option in Asian countries. Dave drinks the water and eats the ice (I actually ate the ice too with no problems) both in Bangkok and Mexico without getting sick, but only had a case of the Tennessee’s after eating some poorly cooked meat.
There is a $2000 fine in Australia just for OWNING a laser pointer.