Anyone been to Bangkok/Thailand recently?

[tetrasect]

One reason places like Thailand is not appealing to me. Do they have any vegetarian food at all ?

In younger days, we used to eat unripe mango with salt & chilli powder but I doubt if I can survive entire trip on it.

Yeah there's tons of vegetarian food. You won't need to search. You can get pad thai everywhere and the choice is usually between chicken, prawns(sometimes) or tofu. Same with fried rice, green curry, yellow curry, khao soi, pretty much everything has the option of chicken or tofu. A lot of dishes are vegetarian anyway, like som tum or stir fried morning glory. Tons of vegetarian restaurants as well. They also have mock meat restaurants which are usually amazing.
Lots of Indian restaurants around as well. Stay away from Pizza in Thailand unless you find a proper Italian place. They put condensed milk and kak like that on their "pizza" and everything about it is awful.

Just a tip when buying spicy food like som tum or green curry; tell them 1 chilli or 2 chilli (adjust to your taste) or you will get a bowl of pure fire. Get a local knockoff coke or whatever sweet soda to curb the burn, works wonders.

Also tons of exotic fruit everywhere. I usually go to the market in the morning and get a bag of fruit for breakfast. Awesome stuff (except for the durian which tastes like a cheese and fruit smoothie that's been left on the counter for 4 days).

 

[Sideshow Bob]

My guy.
You complain about food but eat unripe mango with salt and chilli?

Do you like eating fried cockroaches / Biltong ?

 

[Sideshow Bob]

So because there is a 0.1% of population that eats insects the whole to Thailand doesn’t appeal to you? Lol ok.
Yes there are many vegetarian options, probably more than what SA can ever offer. U won’t ever have a problem with finding vegetarian food.

I don't know anything about Thailand hence my question. Lol ok ?

 

[MaisonP]

I don't know anything about Thailand hence my question. Lol ok ?

Haha okay, Thailand caters for all.
It’s the more diverse place you will ever experience. Like @tetrasect said many many veggie options.

 

[Bliksis]

One reason places like Thailand is not appealing to me. Do they have any vegetarian food at all ?

In younger days, we used to eat unripe mango with salt & chilli powder but I doubt if I can survive entire trip on it.

Yes they do. There are also many jain restaurants.

And eating insects is not mainstream. It's very often just a tourist gimmick in touristy areas.

 

[IceQB]

So my tickets booked for Thailand via Quatar in December thru FNB App, was R13600 each.
Land in Bangkok, then will get flights to Phuket.
Come back to Bangkok for 4 days then back to SA.

 

[MaisonP]

So my tickets booked for Thailand via Quatar in December thru FNB App, was R13600 each.
Land in Bangkok, then will get flights to Phuket.
Come back to Bangkok for 4 days then back to SA.

Nice, best airline to fly with.
Hamad International is my second fav airport after Singapore.
It’s an experience in itself.
Flights to Phuket is approx R800 return. Really no fuss.

 

[Dylan_G]

https://visasnews.com/en/thailand-60-day-visa-free-takes-effect-on-july-15/

South Africa is included:

Citizens from 93 countries will be able to stay in Thailand without a visa for 60 days starting July 15, 2024.

Eagerly awaited by many fans of the destination, the date for the implementation of the 60-day visa-free stay extension in Thailand has just been announced by the authorities.

And then also:

https://www.business-standard.com/f...mote-workers-details-here-124071500290_1.html

The "Land of Smiles" has introduced a new long-term tourist visa, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). "This visa allows holders to stay in Thailand and work remotely for companies or clients based in other countries, all without the usual immigration and tax worries," according to the Thai embassy.

Soon, if you successfully acquire a DTV, you'll receive a 5-year multiple-entry visa. This allows you to stay in Thailand for a total of 180 days per year, with the option to extend for another 180 days.

Cost of Thailand DTV Visa?
The Destination Thailand Visa is priced at 10,000 THB

Eligibility requirements for the DTV
To be eligible for the DTV, you need to meet the following criteria:
— You must be at least 20 years old.
— You must have enough funds to pay for the visa fee.
— You must show that you have at least 500,000 THB (around Rs 11,53,944) in your bank account to support your stay.
— You must provide proof of employment with a registered company.

Benefits of the Thailand DTV Visa
The DTV offers several advantages:
— Lower income requirements and visa fees compared to other Southeast Asian countries.
— The option to extend the visa for up to 180 days, costing 10,000 THB.
— Eligibility for nationals from 93 countries.
— The ability to work remotely for international companies and clients while in Thailand.
— You can bring your spouse and children under 20.
— No taxes on income from foreign sources for stays up to 180 days.

Downsides of the DTV Visa
There are a few limitations to keep in mind:
— You cannot work for a Thai company without a Thai work permit.
— Changing your visa type will terminate your DTV.

 

[purple face]

What is a reasonable price for flights in December? from Cape Town or Johannesburg

 

[MaisonP]

What is a reasonable price for flights in December? from Cape Town or Johannesburg

If you book soon just less than R15k
If you wait more you’ll pay around R18k

 

[bokka1]

Flying to BKK and Phuket is cheaper that Samui.

Play around with Google Flights.

 

[JustJack]

Can't wait!
Dept. 31 Jul to BKK via Singapore
Back 23 Aug. Lekker long time!

 

[bokka1]

I can highly recommend the Riva Surya Hotel in Bangkok, it is right on the river, close to Khao San Road and next to a boat stop.

The service was great and you have beautiful sunset views over the river for sundowners.

 

[IceQB]

Nice, best airline to fly with.
Hamad International is my second fav airport after Singapore.
It’s an experience in itself.
Flights to Phuket is approx R800 return. Really no fuss.

Plan on booking flights to Phuket when in Bangkok, or should I get it done now as well.
VPN...?

 

[MaisonP]

Plan on booking flights to Phuket when in Bangkok, or should I get it done now as well.
VPN...?

Nah you can book now already. I mean you’ll save maybe R200 if you book from here.
You will however depart from Don Muang airport in bangkok.
Both Air Asia, or Bangkok airways or even Vietjet air also fine. You just choose what time of comfortable for you and book.
What dates you booked for in Bangkok?

 

[tetrasect]

Plan on booking flights to Phuket when in Bangkok, or should I get it done now as well.
VPN...?

Phuket is a complete shitthole. Worst place I've been to in Thailand. Would avoid at all costs.

Unless you wanna see hoards of pensioners walking the streets 24 hours a day and old ladies offering "massages" on every street corner..

 

[Bliksis]

Phuket is a complete shitthole. Worst place I've been to in Thailand. Would avoid at all costs.

Unless you wanna see hoards of pensioners walking the streets 24 hours a day and old ladies offering "massages" on every street corner..

It's not my favorite by a long shot, but it'd still great for about 2 nights. There are nice things to do and see, one does not have to hang around Bangla or Samsabai.

 

[Bliksis]

Interestingly, due to the large Russian diaspora in Phuket, there are now even some Russian eateries. Think what you will of all the Russians, but the spread of cuisine is a positive for me.

I had a particularly good meal at a small Georgian restaurant in Sawatdirak Road called Georgia Restaurant. LOL.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

What is a reasonable price for flights in December? from Cape Town or Johannesburg

Eish..

www.cheapflights.co.za

 

[MaisonP]

Eish..

www.cheapflights.co.za

View attachment 1744007

Book direct. You can still fly for less than R14k