Exploration Thailand

Extension of Philippine Passports

2016-05-22T14:35:00.001+07:00

http://explorationthailand.blogspot.com/

For some reasons, some need to extend their passports. There are some Filipinos who travel often around the international world such that their 44 pages of passport valid for 5 years is not enough. When I claimed my new passport last month, I saw the announcement about the extension of passport posted in the bulletin board of the Consular Office as shown below.

For further information and specific needs it is wise to contact the Consular office personnel in the contact details indicated below the document or visit their website. Click this.

2016 Renewing the Philippine Passport

2016-01-29T18:53:00.000+07:00

Five years ago, I wrote about the procedure and other details involved in renewing the Philippine passport in the Philippine Embassy in Thailand. The passport I applied for that time would be expiring in the first week of August this year 2016. I thought of renewing it later, about less than 6 months before the expiration, but I have plans to travel on April. It is advisable that passport be renewed at least six months before the expiration date as the international law states that the passport must have a minimum of 6 months validity when going international trips.

       The renewal fee in the Embassy website is 2,100 baht but the actual amount collected is 2,220 baht. I am glad it is lower than the 2,700 baht I had paid 5 years ago. The submission of my application was fast because I've downloaded the application form in the embassy's website and was ready for submission when I went to the Consular Office. There were not much clients that day as I arrived late morning. The requirements I've submitted were 1) original passport; 2) photocopy of the passport page 3 containing the information of the holder and 3)completed application form. That's all! Take note, no picture needed for this time.

      For those who haven't been to the Consular Office, to get inside the embassy compound, one must register in the guard and leave an ID. Therefore, an extra ID aside from the passport should be brought. When I went out of the compound after I've finished my transaction, there was a couple who submitted a photocopy of their passport in lieu of an ID. Upon entering the Consular office, there is a small touchscreen machine on the right side of the entrance door that prints the queue number. I got myself a number.

When the cashier collects the payment, I was asked to wait for the next call, which compelled me to go inside a room adjacent to the call window for the digital passport photo and signature. Presto! Application is done. A paper shall be given to you indicating the application number and steps on how to check in the website of the availability of the passport. Passport is said to be ready 4 to 6 weeks.

Thailand Driving License for Asians and Filipinos

2015-10-31T23:33:00.001+07:00

"I want to drive but I don't want to buy a car!" But...I've got myself two Thailand driving license last year with a one year validity, for driving a car and motorbike. Few days ago, I went to the head office of Department of Land Transport in Chatuchak, Bangkok for the renewal of the driving licenses. The renewal was done fast as there are two assisting booths for foreigner applicants. Upon submission of the requirements, the officer scanned my passport and work permit then after informed me that I am qualified for a 5-years driving licenses. So now I've got 5-yrs. validity after the temporary one year.

I have been residing for more than six years in Bangkok, and long time ago a colleague suggested to buy a car but I said "not in my plan". I had entertained the thought of buying a motorbike but never a car. As I am a practical spender who is more on saving cost or lessening expenses rather than paying for convenience, owning a car is not necessary and would only be spending unwisely hard-earned money as Bangkok offers different kind of transportation for the public from free buses, air-conditioned ones, three types of trains, boats, motor taxis and taxis. One can choose from the fastest but cost more to the slow ones but cheapest.

Based on the Agreement of ASEAN countries namely Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines signed on 9th of July 1985 in Kuala Lumpur, domestic driving licenses issued by respective countries are recognized when in another agreeing country. This makes it easier for example to apply for a Thailand driving license for a Filipino owning a driving license issued in the Philippines.

Applying for a Thai Driving License is easy, fast and you can do it by yourself, just the same way I did. If you are a citizen of the countries mentioned above and have driving license issued from your country and not expired, you apply for a driving license that would not take a half-day. Make sure you've prepared all the requirements stated in the list as shown in the photo before going to the Department of Land Transport Office. Those residing in Bangkok can apply in the main office which is in Chatuchak area or the nearest DLT branch office nearest you.

If your driving license in the Philippines is good for car and motorbike, you would be issued one ID for each and the documents to be submitted would be two sets. With the medical certificate, have it photocopied and it will be good for the second set of documents. After signing the application form, you would be asked to pass the Physical test that are in three types: 1) color blindness test, 2)reflex test and 3)Depth Perception test. There is no need to take the Theory and Practical test provide you have a valid driving license issued by your country. For the new applicants, temporary license would be issued for one year and 5-years upon renewal. The fees for two licenses for one year validity cost about three hundred fifty five baht (355 Thb) and nine hundred sixty baht (960 Thb) for the 5 years validity. Foreigner applicants have special lane or counter so the processing is fast. IDs are printed right away after taking the applicant's photo.

I don't own a vehicle but I applied for the driving license as it can be useful in some instances when identification is required. I don't bring my passport with me, and the driving license ID is usually accepted in the absence of passport. Having a driving license issued by Thailand adds personality factor while in Thailand.

Catholic English Masses in Bangkok

2014-09-02T13:58:00.003+07:00

When I was set to come to Thailand in May 2009 for a teaching job in a university, one question I had in mind is whether I could still be able to attend important celebrations of the Catholic church. Celebrations such as going to church every Sunday and on Holy days of obligation, knowing that Thailand is a Buddhist country. Glad to say finding a nearby church to go to every Sunday was not difficult at all and in fact there are many churches in every part of Thailand.

Chapel of the Annunciation, Assumption University Ramkhamhaeng Campus

Finding a church may it be Catholic or Christian groups in Bangkok is easy but due to the fact that Thais have their own language, a foreigner like me have to search for the church that have their celebrations in English. When I arrived, things became bit easy as I had a Filipina colleague who brought me to St. John Church at Latphrao Road Lane 2 were an English mass every 11:00 a.m. Sunday is being held.

Chapel of the Annunciation, Assumption University Campus Ramkhamhaeng

When I shifted work and transferred my place of residence, I attended mass at the Assumption Chapel in ABAC (Assumption University Huamark Campus) at Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24 wherein the mass is at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday. They also have anticipated mass every 5:00 p.m. of Saturday but only the the 3rd and 4th Saturdays are in English mass. Whenever I am not able to attend the mass in Assumption Chapel, my last choice is in Mary Help of Christians Church at Krungthep Kritha, Srinakarin. However, the mass is intentionally for Filipinos as the celebration is mainly in Tagalog though the homily would usually be mixed in English and Tagalog. Majority of the church goes as well as the choir, commentators and the priest are Filipinos. After the mass, there is an agape or free food for all.

However, the most popular church that is near the center of Bangkok is the Holy Redeemer Church in Ruamrudee. This church is big and have mass schedules both in Thai and English in the morning of Sundays and also Saturdays. There are lots of church goers in this parish.

Finding a church in every province or town is easy. Whenever I will be going to another place on a weekend, a church with it's mass schedule is always one thing I do research on. As long as I am in control, I never fail to attend mass on a Sunday of obligation. Check on the parishes in the Archdiocese of Bangkok.

Requisites For Filipinos Working in Thailand

2014-06-22T22:41:00.000+07:00

I saw the comments and questions of fellow Filipinos in Thailand in the post of the Philippine Embassy Thailand about the Immigration policies on tourists and OFWS, and the off-loading of passengers. I went through the comments and I wanted to reply on some of the queries but the thread was too long and addressing the reply specifically to the person who wrote the comment is not possible. Most of the questions I saw was about the OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) sometimes referred to as "exit clearance" or "exit pass".

Five years ago, when I was offered a teaching job by the government technical university in Bangkok, I was only concerned of the cost of living and other concerns about my life-to-be in Bangkok. I searched on the internet on places to stay in Bangkok, since the university will not provide accommodation. I also searched on some information about life in Bangkok, to have an idea of what kind of life I would have with the salary I would get from being a lecturer. During that time I was not focused on my preparing for my overseas job as I was still fully employed as a lecturer in one of the prominent colleges in my hometown in the Philippines.

Since I have international travel history already, my last travel in China for 20 days international training, I thought it would just be as easy as my previous travels to go out of the Philippines again. It did not occur to me that my going out again would be different, that I would be an overseas contract worker. It never occurred to me those POEA issues since my work permit would be processed in Thailand. I only bought a one way ticket without realizing that I would be going out of the country as a tourist and one of the immigration policies for Filipino nationals going out as a tourist is to have a return flight ticket.

On my day of departure, when I was to pay at the airport for the travel tax, the guy personnel who seemed to be a supervisor told me that I might have a problem in the immigration since I did not have a return ticket. I had told him that I have a contract to teach in the university in Bangkok but he said the more would it be a problem passing through the immigration. He even said to his companions that there were some Filipino passengers who has been off-loaded earlier. "What should I do?" I asked him. "Shall I buy a return ticket?" His reply was not encouraging but not does not give a definite advice also. He referred me to a woman on another counter, but the woman passively just said I must show my old passports showing I have traveled outside the country before. Then after I saw the name in the counter that the woman is a representative of POEA in the airport. What I did was to buy a return ticket instead (thanks for my credit card!) and I made sure I am not seen by the guy who had said something about the possibility of me being intercepted in the immigration.

If I probably had researched more or had asked someone knowledgeable on this matter, I could have saved myself from the worries and the cost of the return ticket.

For those Filipinos departing from the Philippines to Thailand for a job contract, here are the procedures I suggest you do:
1. Apply for your Non-Immigrant Visa B at the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila. It takes only 3 working days to get the visa, provided all the required documents are complete. No long queue and a representative can be sent to claim the passport with visa. Signed employment contract, letter of request from the company, photocopy of the Thai ID of the company owner or manager and other company documents are required aside from the passport of the applicant.
2. Update your membership with Pag-Ibig and Philhealth. At present, for OFWs the required membership fee for Philhealth is 2,400 pesos, a 100% increase of the rate the past years.
3. Register for membership at POEA and OWWA. The membership is 25USD. It shall be converted to the current rate of USD to pesos, then payment shall be in pesos. A certificate of membership shall be given after.
Perhaps, as I have heard about it, first timers are required to attend an orientation seminar. I did not have this as I registered when I came back home after one year of working in Thailand.

4. With the POEA certificate, pay 100 pesos for the OEC, known as "exit clearance". OEC is a simple receipt form that indicates the name of the OFW, nature of work, passport number and the country of destination. The validity is 2 months after the issuance.

For those Filipinos who went to Thailand with a tourist visa and came back to the Philippines with a Non-Immigrant Visa B, do steps number 2 to 4 as discussed above. OWWA memberships comes with benefits and services not only for the OFW but to the dependents as well.

What about the OEC?

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a requirement under the rules and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to help ensure that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are properly documented and protected.

The OEC, sometimes also called the “exit pass,” is required to be presented to international ports of exit in the Philippines as proof that the holder is a bona fide OFW. It is thus necessary when a Household Service Worker (HSW), or any OFW, goes back to the Philippines for home leave, if he/she intends to return back to the country of employment.

OEC holders are exempted from paying the travel tax and the airport terminal fee.

Source: Embassy of the Philippines, Singapore

Before checking-in for the departure flight, the OFW must have the OEC authenticated at the POEA counter. Then the remaining process will go smoothly. No questions asked from the immigration and no off-loading chances.

Planning the Itinerary

2014-06-21T23:31:00.002+07:00

A well-planned trip gives good result and avoids waste of time and inconveniences. A well-done plan is much needed when time is so limited and there is so much to explore in the place like Thailand.

Many friends had visited Thailand since I came here more than four years ago and almost all never did some researches on which place to go and how to go. This showed up my way of organizing things and mixing varieties. The first few visitors, I managed to accompany them but as more came, I run out of opportunity and time in accompanying them as I have my work. I realized I need not accompany them anyway.

What I did instead is to make an itinerary for their entire duration of stay with detailed instruction on how to go to places like a local resident would do at a minimal cost.

In summary, here are the tips for travelers:

1. Ask Mr. Google on what are the top 10 places to visit in the country or province you would visit.
2. Read blogs or reviews of the places. Reviews of travelers are very important because it gives you an idea on what to expect and also help you make the best choices.
Tripadvisor is a very good website for travelers where one can read the reviews or feedback of fellow travelers. The reviews would give you then much information that can help you a lot in making choices on hotels, attractions and also restaurants to try.
3. Choose or list down the places you would like to visit.
4. Get more information about the prospective places including the location, how to go to the place, the entrance fees if there are, dress-codes and other policies implemented. In Thailand, temples and other sacred places impose strict dress code.
5. Classify the places by location and divide them on the number of days you would stay.
6. Make an estimate of the time for each place and also the cost if possible.

For smart travelers, I recommend the following:

1. Use of smartphone with GPS or map.

2. Buy a local simcard. There are three major mobilephone network providers; DTAC, Truemove and AIS. To avail of internet service, cheaper international calls and other services for a short period, buy a tourist simcard.
3. Make sure to get a business card of the hotel or place where you are staying. English is a secondary language for Thais and so there is the communication problem. The hotel card would be a big help in getting a taxi when you need to go back to the hotel. If the taxi driver does not know the exact location, he can contact the hotel through the contact number indicated in the business card.

If you need some help and information on your itinerary for Bangkok or any part of Thailand, contact me for I might be able to help you. I can recommend also a nice place to stay but not costly and buy tickets on some tourist places at discounted prices.

Pattaya Attractions: Scam or Extortion?

2012-12-12T16:43:00.000+07:00

Pattaya attractions are becoming "greedy" (I use the word of my friend) to foreigners/tourists. I had this thought after my last visit recently to two tourists places done on the same day; the Pattaya Floating Market and the newly opened unfinished Pattaya Dolphin World & Resorts.

Pattaya Floating Market now charges 200 baht entrance fee to foreigners but free for Thais. A place called per se as "market" containing shops with few activities, all with a cost. A very lucrative business no doubt, earning from both sides: the sellers and the buyers. Same thing with the Pattaya Dolphin World & Resort, it charges unreasonably extra high for foreigners but not worth the price as the place has not been fully developed yet and have only the 45 minutes Dolphin show as their front line and attraction.

I had been to Pattaya Floating Market for many times, my first was on December 2009 when it was just a small one and expansion was going on. There were already many people most specially tourists that came by flock and by buses but there was no entrance fee yet, maybe because it was not long time since it opened.

With my last visit on December 9, 2012 I was with my Norwegian lady friend and we went to Pattaya Dolphin World & Resort to make use of the two vouchers I had bought from a discount website at a cheaper price. As I had not identified exactly in the map where the resort is located, I had been advised by the personnel when I called for direction that I rent a vehicle to bring us to the resort. So we did. To my surprise the place was underdeveloped yet, unfinished and the dolphin show was done in a small pool with a small stage. The dolphin show itself was not even extraordinary, performance was composed of 3 men and 3 medium sized dolphin. I have this observation because I had watched a dolphin show before in another amusement center in Bangkok.

After almost an hour stay in the resort, I tried to find some vehicles to take us back but there was none. There are no public transportation on standby waiting for passengers as there were only few visitors. It is understandable as it is not worth visiting the place considering that it is unfinished yet plus the place is secluded. I inquired at the ticket booth and they arranged for a van to take us to the Pattaya Floating Market. I later on realized again that we were charged expensively for a fee of 300 baht as the distance between the two places was less than 10 kilometers.

As I approached the entrance of the Floating Market, there were some personnel on guard but I just walked past them without saying a word. Take note! as I have mentioned above there is an entrance fee of 200 baht. Why was I not checked for a ticket? As an Asian, I am 100% mistaken as a Thai. But I noticed the driver haven't left and he followed us up to the entrance and he watched me get inside while he waited for my Norwegian friend to finish smoking. As my friend approached the gate, the driver said something to the personnel at the same time pointing at us. Then there we were told about the entrance fee. At first, we thought it is 100 baht per person and the price was already unacceptable to me. Misunderstanding statements are very normal in Thailand due to language barrier. When my friend gave the money, it was 200 baht per person.

Isn't it some people want to earn much money unreasonably at the expense of others? Don't they realize it that though for others the money that means much to them might not cost much to others, what matters most is the value of what being paid for.

(Update) Last February 2, 2014, I was in Chonburi province again with my friend and sister. We went to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden (my 3rd time), Khao Cheechan and Silverlake Vineyard. As the places can't be reached by public transportation, we hired a songtaew (taxi). On the way to our destination, while trying to be friendly with the driver and to get information as well, I have learned that half of the 200 baht entrance fee collected at the Pattaya Floating market is given to the taxi driver as commission, that is 100 baht per tourist. Same as in other tourist places, drivers are given commission from the entrance fees paid by their tourist passengers. Isn't it a double earning also? The taxi driver earns from the rent of his car plus the commission. The more tourists, more commission. Shooting two birds at the same time.

Thailand Visa and Re-entry Permits

2012-09-09T15:57:00.000+07:00

     The month of August 2012, I had to do the extension of my one year Non-immigrant B visa for the private company I am presently working for. I am the only foreign employee and the company is owned by Thais. There were some difficulties when the one year visa was applied a year ago of the same month, but I thought extension processing would be much easier. I had informed the senior staff in the office in charge of processing my visa more than a month before the expiry date to give time for her to prepare the required company documents. The requirements on my side as an employee are easy to comply (copy of passport, last arrival stamp, departure card and last extension of visa) and so much of the bulk of the requirements are those papers from the company. In the list of 17 requirements, only 3 of which concerns me and the rest from the company.

      But I was wrong with what I thought. The Thai colleague who took care of processing my papers had to go back to the Bangkok Immigration Office at Chaengwattana five times to complete the requirements and I had to be with her on the 1st, 2nd and 5th time of going to the Immigration. Perhaps it took a bit harder to process the papers because I am the only foreigner employee of our company. The Thai immigration officer carefully scrutinized each paper submitted and had to pay 1,900 baht extension visa for one week. Take note, 1,900 baht for one week extension of visa and it is the same fee for a one year visa.

      Upon application, I had told the Immigration officer that I want to apply for an extension visa with a multiple entry permit which I know costs 3,800 baht. She told me vaguely that it has to be done on another department pointing finger to another direction. My thought was that in applying for the extension visa, one can apply just for it with a single entry or a multiple entry only to realize and learn later that it is not really the way as I thought. I had misunderstood the words used by others in referring to their visas, sometimes saying "single entry visa" and "multiple entry visa".

      Here it goes then. A visa (Non-immigrant B) may it be a first time visa or extension costs 1,900 baht for one year and one has to apply separately for the re-entry permit with two choices: single re-entry permit for 1,000 baht and 3,800 baht for multiple re-entry permit. Application for the re-entry can be done immediately after acquiring the approved visa since the expiration of the re-entry permit is the same as with the expiration of the extension visa. However, if one has to apply only for the re-entry permit, it can be done at every Immigration checkpoint and at the Suvarnabhumi airport. As a suggestion though, it is best to apply for a re-entry permit at least a day before the scheduled flight to leave Thailand rather than applying at the Suvarnabhumi airport on the time of departure because as indicated in the Immigration website, the granting of the re-entry permit at the airport would depend on officers approval as deemed necessary. Getting out of Thailand without an approved re-entry permit for those who got a visa would mean cancellation of the visa and work permit. Another thing, the re-entry permit at the airport has a service charge of 200 baht making it 1,200 baht instead of 1,000 baht for a single re-entry.

Happy Birthday to His Majesty the King

2011-12-06T14:59:00.000+07:00

Happy birthday to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej!

Every 5th day of December is a very big and important occassion all over Thailand. All provinces from the biggest to the smallest community celebrates this day as it is the birthday of the so much loved and revered head and father of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). He is the longest reigning King who has been in the throne for more than 50 years. As a father is the head of the family, the birthday of the King is at the same time celebrated as Father's day, a special day to give honor to all the fathers in the country.

Year 2011 marks the 84th birthday or 7th cycle of His Majesty the King. A grand 7 days celebration has been organized and prepared which was held at Sanam Luang area including the Grand Palace which started on the 3rd to the 9th of December 2011. The highlight was on the day itself at 10:30 a.m where His Majesty the King granted public audience to the Thai people approximately reaching 18,000 at Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Watching the momentous event in a wide TV screen can make one feel the good feelings of love and great respect to the King by the Thai people and even those non-Thai who had learned to love the country as their own.

Though much preparation was done it was simple as compared to the first birthday celebration I had witnessed. I had learned it was due to the wish of His Majesty to have a simple celebration considering the severe flooding calamity that has been experienced by the country. The first one I witnessed before, in the night the whole street of Sanam Luang was closed and it was full of small shops representing the different private and government agencies. There were a lot of well lighted glimmering floats of different designs that showed the creativeness of the Thais for the love of their HM the King. Though this years celebration was simple but it was still festive with the light and sound show in the walls outside the Wat Phra Kaew and variety shows. People flocked in the Sanam Luang and many buses had changed their routes to better serve the people going to the festival.

        One of the biggest attraction is the Grand Palace. It was opened for the public for the people to have the chance to see the Grand Palace at night. It was indeed a good opportunity to get inside the number 1 must-see tourist place of Thailand. Another attraction was the light and sound at the walls at the front of the Palace.

May the biggest event of Thailand had been celebrated lavishly or in simple way, one thing so sure, Thai people adore their King.

        Long live His Majesty the King!

Banrie Coffee and Restaurant

2011-11-09T21:16:00.000+07:00

A friend adores eating out as well as trying restaurants. Banrie Coffee Bar and Restaurant did not escape her eyes of interest. After watching movie, we walked the path going to Ekkamai BTS Station as she would be taking the skytrain to Ploenchit and I will be taking the bus back to my place. And there at the corner of Sukhumvit 63 along Ekkamai is Banrie Coffee and Restaurant, at the foot of one of the four Ekkamai BTS Station exit, opposite the Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal.

The setting and ambiance of the restaurant is one of a kind, not the typical airconditioned restaurant with a well decorated wall and neatly arranged chairs, but rather it has a sort of of antique look design of a garden. The view when seen outside looks like an old place that has not been taken care of and the brick walls around had been left to crumble or they had chosen to ignore. The trees and plants look like it just grew up and left as the way they grew up, not trimmed or were not under the caring hand of a gardener. The picture of the restaurant as I picture it in my mind is warm lighted ambiance due to the warm type of lighting, color of furniture as well. But when sitting in one of the tables in the open area, the ambiance makes the diners feel relaxed with a garden-like feeling though the tables and chairs are not the expensive wooden ones. I remember I had to choose the table where the chairs have a back support as some are benches. There are areas of different settings to choose from including an air conditioned room that would be good for a touch of fine dining (but not really fine dining). Diners also have the choice to stay out in an open area or in a covered air conditioned one.

The restaurant serves Thai foods for a complete meal as well as appetizers for those who wish to linger and pass the time while drinking some beer or other alcohol drinks while listening to the live music rendered by a Thai singer and a guitarist. The live music can be enjoyed in the open area as well as in the close room.

As the name calls for coffee, they serve special coffee with their own style of serving. It was evening that we dined and was not good for me to take coffee so I did not have the chance to try their coffee. However, my friend did and the serving was not the typical way of putting in a small cup for hot coffee but they put it in a medium sized drinking glass. I had learned the coffee came from the Southern part of Thailand, made of Arabica and Robusta beans which has been roasted to level 8. They described it in their website as bitter and make the drinker awake.

As it is a Thai restaurant, same as typical Thai restaurants, not all waiters and waitresses can comprehend English language and if ever they can, some can only understand very few basic English. When we dined for the first time, we pointed out most of our orders on the menu book. But when we ordered rice, since I am familiar with the name of fried rice with seafood I volunteered to tell the name "khao phad talae". A bit funny, at first they brought to us one cup of steamed rice in a white plate; second time, one cup of fried rice in the same type of plate. We were three and the dishes we ordered were for the three of us so it is common sense that the rice should be good for us three also. Finally, for the third time, they got it right. The second time we dined-in the restaurant, my friend ordered Pepsi but we were given a bottle of Coke.

There are many foreigners who go to the place and I do not understand why mistakes that can be rooted down to not understanding what the customers got to say. But anyway, if one can't speak Thai it is best to just pinpoint the food to be ordered in their menu list. As the Chinese saying goes, less talk less mistakes.

Thai foods are good enough and they have variety of liquors to choose from. When one wants and feels like discharging after drinking or eating a lot, the toilet are nice and clean with a touch of uniqueness that compliments well with the entire perspective.

By the way, do not be surprised if one says Banrai or Banrie... I think Banrai in Thai and Banrie in English. Even their website is confusing to what the real name is as it both contains the same name. Nevertheless, it is a nice place to dine if you are somewhere near Ekkamai area.

Global Travelmate

The Splendor of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

2011-11-07T00:23:00.000+07:00

Splendid! It is the most beautiful place I have ever been when talking about nature, and the first time for me to be in a vast botanical garden. When I visited the majestic Grand Palace (the number 1 must-see place in Bangkok) I admired it as such I uttered it was the nicest tourist place I had ever seen. However, when I was in the grounds of Nong Nooch Garden, I had the best time touring, my eyes feasting on the colorful surroundings, every moment admiring the landscape and scenery. My favorite was the French garden which held me breathless and in awe as I tried to take pictures in every angle. It is really a beautiful place worth visiting! Though we stayed overnight, still I think we were able to tour only about one-third of the approximately 600 acres (1500 rais).

Approximately 155 kilometers from Bangkok, I got to know Nong Nooch Garden Resort when I saw one photo of it in an online Filipino Community in Thailand, the Siam Pinoy. From then on I had the strong desire to visit the place and included it in my list of places to visit. Opportunity came when there was a three day weekend vacation in July 2011 in celebration of Buddhist lent. Three of my friends planned to go to Underwater World in Pattaya but I convinced them to go to Nong Nooch instead. Anyway, the garden is also in Pattaya. One in the desire to go out of Bangkok City and have fun, six of us went for the tour. But beforehand I had made inquiries and reservation at Nong Nooch. It is best to always plan and organize things ahead to make the tour enjoyable, hassle free and successful.

When I called the office for inquiries the lady I talked to asked for my email address and sent the location map. Overall I found the staff very accommodating and friendly. The entrance fee for foreigners is 500 baht per person and 100 or 200 baht for Thais which includes touring around the approximately 600 acres area, entrance to the Thai Cultural show and Elephant show. For Thais, the entrance fee of 100 baht does not include the cultural and elephant show.

As I had inquired on details, I arrived to a conclusion that for foreigners it is more than worth the cost to stay overnight than just going for a day tour most specially if done by group of two or more. Why is it so? It is like this... if one stays overnight, the entrance fee is waived and one has to pay only for the room. They offer different type of accommodations from the luxurious one to backpackers standard room. So far cheapest rate of a room good for two is 1,200 baht per night and it already includes buffet breakfast for two. I was with five of my friends and we rented a room for 5 at a rate of 3,000 baht plus 350 baht for an extra bed since we were six. Each of us only paid approximately 560 baht for an overnight stay. With the 560 baht each, for almost two days, we had more time touring the very big area, taking pictures with different poses with very nice backgrounds, dining in two of their restaurants, watch the Thai cultural and Elephant show. We did not have a car to go around the place but it was not a problem at all because we just made a call at the reception area for pick up and after few minutes the shuttle service comes in whatever part of the resort we are waiting.

There are so much things to see, different types of accommodations to choose from, exquisite gardens, restaurants, aquarium, activities to do such as biking, and two-storey building showcasing special cars, as such it is really advisable and wise to stay at least a night to explore the approximately 600 acres area. Nevertheless, if one wants to have a quick tour, there is a tourist bus inside the compound that goes around the area. The passenger have to pay 100 baht only for a round trip. The cultural show is very entertaining and so the elephant show. The elephant show so far is the best I have seen. Two of my friends had their pictures taken sitting in between the trunks of two elephants for a fee of 50 baht per person. I wanted it also but I was not ready with the bad smell from the elephant that might stick on my clothes. After picture taking with the elephants, four of them had pictures taken with a young tiger for a fee of 60 baht per person.

How did we go there? From Bangkok, we took a bus bound to Pattaya at the Ekkamai Bus Terminal. The bus trip took two hours. When the bus reached Pattaya bus terminal, we could have taken or rented a "taxi" (songtaew) straight to Nong Nooch but we decided to have lunch at the center of Pattaya at Festival Mall. From there we rented a songtaew to bring us to the garden. We had a bit of a guilty feeling as the songtaew driver gave as an initial price of 1,000 baht but we had hard bargaining and it ended up to a price of 200 baht. No one among us six had the idea how far we had to go, we only focused on the amount to be paid for the songtaew. Only to realize and have a guilty feeling when we were on the road as the driver traversed the Sukhumivit road to the garden, the longer we traveled than expected, we realized that the 200 baht is very unreasonable price and not enough for the driver to earn enough for the trip. After some sort of "deliberation" we finally decided to pay the driver 75% more. Maybe income was not good that time so he heeded to our very low price instead of having no income at all. Although as foreigners, it is always best to bargain at the lowest price one can think of to avoid getting ripped off.

There are many tourist places that can be visited in Pattaya or Chonburi province but among all the places I had visited, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is the best place I had ever been so far and I enjoyed every moment being there. Just imagine, we had almost a thousand of pictures taken! See for yourself then...

When we left the place, we dropped by and had lunch at Pattaya Floating Market. Another good place to visit.

Mum Aroi Restaurant

2011-10-26T00:39:00.001+07:00

I had been to Pattaya for countless times, had dined in some nice fine dining restaurants and as well as chain of restaurants that can be found everywhere in Thailand but this restaurant, Mum Aroi at Naklua Pattaya seemed to be one of the popular seafood Thai restaurants. It is located almost in the outskirt of the northern part of Pattaya and can not be easily found if one is not familiar with the location. But two times I had been there for dinner with Thai colleagues, the big restaurant has been full of diners composed mostly of Thai people in groups.

As the name in the signage is in Thai, it obviously shows that its main target customers are Thai people. However, there are few foreigners but they are accompanied by Thais. I had to ask my Thai colleague the name so I can write it in English. My engineer colleague told me it is a very popular restaurant in Pattaya. With the big area and numerous dining tables almost filled up, indeed the restaurant is one of the favorite and popular restaurants. Much as I can remember our way when we went to the restaurant, however I can not describe exactly the way to go there.

The first time, as we came from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel, being one of the exhibitors of TEMCA 2011, we passed through the center of Pattaya and then to Sukhumvit Road. There we tracked down the road till my colleagues saw the neon triangular signage of the restaurant giving directions which way to go. The second time, I was with another colleague engineer and he knew so well the way. We passed at North Pattaya to the direction for Sukhumvit. Without reaching the Sukhumvit road, he drove to the left then after few kilometers there was the restaurant.

The place is big and cozy. There are more than one air conditioned rooms with karaoke where those who want to have private gatherings can occupy the space. But the most interesting and cozy location is the open space. The open space is big and there is a live music. Diners can have the feeling of being in a garden or feel the sea breeze or hear the waves. I even saw a small pool somewhere in the open space.

With regards to food, of course, they serve Thai foods. Their menu is in English and Thai but I did not bother to see inquisitively each food offered as listed in the menu book as I often leave the choice to my Thai companions of what food to order. One thing I only request to them is "mai phet" (not so spicy). Thai people always have the first choice of seafood when dining out and it is because of the love for seafood that made the restaurant to be popular. Mum Aroi serves variety of seafoods. So far, though I do not know the names of the food I ate, I can say they taste good. When it comes to service, I say it is the typical Thai way of serving in a restaurant.:-)

Filipino Restaurant in Bangkok

2011-09-26T14:49:00.000+07:00

Do you want to try Filipino foods? Do you miss Filipino foods? Are you craving for your favorite Filipino dishes?

I have heard from fellow Filipino friends about the Filipino Restaurant here in Bangkok as well as grocery store selling popular Philippine products. But I just took those talks as information and had the minimal desire to visit the place and try their foods. After all I do not have cravings of my country's famous dishes as I was used to eating simple foods when I was in the Philippines.

Bulalo

Crispy Pata

My two years and four months stay in Bangkok, Thailand marked two first time for me: 1)meeting fellow Filipino electrical engineers who had opted to leave our very own Philippines for a greener pasture in the Land of Smiles, just like me; and 2) dining at the New Mabuhay Filipino Restaurant at Soi 19 Petchaburi road. The ordering of food was left to the choice of Ayi who led us to the restaurant. There we had bulalo, crispy pata, chopsuey (pad pak ruam mit in Thai). Of course, for the guys the highlight was the cold San Miguel beer. Since I do not drink beer, canned Del Monte juice was a nice substitute.When there, I had the feeling of being back home in the Philippines as the food servers and customers were all kababayans, though there were a few of other nationalities having their dinner. The place itself have a Filipino setting showcasing the Filipino groceries for sale.

With a short talk from the owner, we had been informed about the other services they offer such as sending money to the Philippines as well as goods. He said that their rates are lower than the famous money sending agency, the Western Union.

Would you like to go there and try their dishes? The restaurant is easy to find and accessible as it is situated at Pratunam area, opposite the road where Platinum Mall is. Look for Street 19 or Petchaburi Soi 19, walk through the inner part of the street and turn to the left when you see a small street. There is the New Mabuhay Filipino Restaurant.
By the way, I almost forget aside from serving Filipino foods, they also have some well-known Philippine products for sale. Of course the staff as well as the owners are Filipinos and speak in their native tongues. For sure when you are inside the place, you will not have the feeling of being away from home as it is just like being home. And as the famous saying goes "there is no place like home". If you miss home, I recommend visiting the restaurant. For non-Filipinos, try the Filipino restaurant so you will have the taste of Filipino foods.

Renewing Philippine Passport in Thailand

2011-09-14T11:50:00.001+07:00

On the 23rd of July 2011, I went back to the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok to claim my 4th passport issued by the Philippine government as the 3rd one had expired. I have been given the latest type, the biometric or popularly called e-passport with microchips and maroon in color. From date of application, it took more than a month before I was able to claim it, though a month earlier than the announced estimated time of release. It has not been long time since the Philippine government has been issuing the e-passport, a machine readable copy and so there was a huge backlog that explained the reason for a prolonged time in acquiring a Philippine passport. The Embassy informs the applicants that it would take at least two months after the filing of application. My passport would expire on the 31 January 2012 but I applied for renewal six months before the expiration. I would not be able to use it anyway or be allowed to enter any foreign country except in my own country since one of the international requirement when traveling in another country is for the passport to have at least 6 months validity period. Secondly and the main reason, I had to extend my Non-Immigrant B visa that would expire on the 11th of August 2011.

Weeks before I went to the embassy for the application, I gathered information through the website and asked my friend whom I know had renewed also her passport few months ago on what are the requirements in applying for a new passport. My friend told me that it took her only three weeks waiting time after application. She also recommended a photo studio near the Philippine Embassy where I can have my passport picture taken. In the application for the renewal of passport that I downloaded in the website indicates that a 4.5 cm x3.5 cm picture with dark blue background should be attached.

When I arrived at the Embassy, before I entered the compound I asked the security guard where I can have my picture. There on the opposite road from a distance to the embassy is a photo studio and so I had my photo taken. It took only few minutes for the picture taking and photo processing and so I proceeded to the consular section and submitted the printed application form which I had filled up days before in my office.

That day I learned some things:

Picture to be attached in the application form can be of any color or background, size is 4.5 cm x 3.5cm;
Passport picture shall be taken in the embassy by an embassy personnel; (Funny because I tried hard to make myself beautiful when my picture was taken in the studio but in the embassy, I found my hair in different directions ha ha ha but oh! I am glad because my photo in the passport went out fine. :-) )
The processing fee increased from 2,500 baht to 2,700 baht (approximately 3,780 pesos or 90 USD);

An applicant can request certification that she/he has applied for renewal of passport. The said certification is given for free.; and

As a Filipino citizen it pays to be updated with the latest news on consular services by checking the Consular Section page.

At the same time I took the opportunity to officially inform the Philippine government that I am here in Thailand by registering myself in the Embassy. I got an ID in return. I downloaded the form in the website but the personnel in the counter gave me another form. So better, just request at the embassy the form if you want to register yourself and get an ID rather than downloading in the website. But if you are a Filipino, it is but wise to register. And oh by the way, you need to submit 1x1 picture for the ID.

As I checked the website now, the information contained are more comprehensive and complete, a sign that it is being updated regularly. There is no need then to go to the Embassy just to inquire. Calling the Consular Office would make one feel welcome because they are accommodating in answering queries. Overall, I can say they are efficient in their services. Mabuhay!

Update: For the latest information (year 2016), kindly refer to this blog .

Filipino Electrical Engineers in Bangkok

2011-09-05T00:45:00.001+07:00

On the 4th of September 2011, there were two first time for me with my history of stay in Bangkok, Thailand: meeting fellow Filipino Electrical Engineers working in Bangkok and dining at a Filipino Restaurant. I write here about the meeting of Filipino EEs and in another page about the New Mabuhay Restaurant.
We were five electrical engineers (Ayi, Jun, Francis, Omar and me) in the meeting and two of which came with their partners. I was the only lady among the engineers but it was a normal occurrence for me as there are only few lady electrical engineers in general and more so in a foreign land. The meeting was initiated by Engr. Ariel Luces, who has been working in a foreign multinational contracting company in Bangkok as a EE/ME Manager. How he met the other engineers? I presume through business transactions.

How Ariel and I met may make one say "small world" just like I had exclaimed when I knew that we had some sort of 'connections' back home. It went this way: I met his wife in an online community for Filipinos in Thailand. It started with the desire to find fellow Bicolanos in Thailand. As his wife and me exchanged information, I had learned that her husband graduated in the same university where I had taken my BSEE (Bachelor of Electrical Engineering) and that he was an instructor in the same university. When Ariel left the university to work here in Bangkok, his teaching loads were passed on to me. Aside from having familiar faces, we never had any chance to talk to each other while in our hometown and while in the university as students. And now here in Bangkok we are friends.
The time agreed to meet was at 2 in the afternoon at the Food Center of Central World Plaza but I came about 1 hour late as I took bus 40 which goes through the traffic loaded street of Sukhumvit. Nevertheless, it did not matter to them I guess because everyone were busy talking to each other while I was on my way.

In the evening, we walked through the sidewalk and proceeded to New Mabuhay Restaurant in Pratunam. We had Filipino foods (bulalo, crispy pata and my favorite chopsuey) and drinks (San Miguel beer and Del Monte juices). We parted ways at about 9 in the evening. It was a great time indeed meeting colleagues in the same profession.
However, it is not the last meeting but rather the first as the group agreed to meet at least once a month. The second meeting is set tentatively on October 2, 2011. We hope more Filipino electrical engineers or even technicians can join us. If you know someone, kindly refer us. We look forward to expanding the network of EE here in Thailand.

Non-Immigration B Visa

2011-08-31T00:47:00.000+07:00

Finally, today I got the stamp in my passport for my one year Non-Immigrant B extension visa, the 5th time that I went back to Immigration Office Division 1 at the Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty the King in Chaengwattana and, after 21 days since I filed the application for such.

It was actually my Thai colleague who facilitated the processing of the papers starting from the preparation of the requirements concerning the company documents up to dealing with the immigration officers. I just had to go with her as it is a part of the requirement. As I am the first and only foreigner employee of our company, it was the first time for them (my employer) to apply for papers needed to legalize my stay and working in Bangkok. However, on my part, it is my second employment here in Thailand but on a different type of organization, the first one in a government owned university. As it is not my first to apply for visas, I had taken some of the leads. It was really tough! The least in my expectation.

With my first job in Bangkok as a government university lecturer, processing of visa including the work permit were not a problem. There was a delay in the application of my Non-B visa when I applied in the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila because there was no attached request letter from the president of the university to the Thai Consul in Manila. After that the succeeding applications and extensions plus the work permit were acquired smoothly. The applications were done by me alone, without the need to be accompanied by a Thai representative from the university.

With the previous experience, I expected my recent application would be easy plus the thought that it is only an extension and I have my work permit. But it was not! Most of the paper requirements for the extension of Non-Immigrant B were the same as when applying for a new one except that a picture was taken of me working in the office and proof of my salary. I was thinking, because of my past work experience in one of the technology university in Bangkok and the fact that since it is an extension visa only, acquiring it would be easier. But it came to be, the applying of the Non-B Visa was easier than acquiring an extension visa.

There are few things I had learned which I would like to share to the readers:

1) application of visas are classified. The department that accepted and processed my documents are in business category perhaps of private companies only;

2) the minimum salary requirement for foreign nationals must be met and shown in the tax document as indicated below

European Countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, and U.S.A. Baht 50,000/month.
South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong Baht 45,000/month.
Asian Countries, South America, Countries in Eastern Europe, Countries in Central America, Mexico, Turkey, Russia and South Africa: Baht 35,000/month.
African Countries, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam Baht 25,000/month;

3) the application of extension visa can be done one month before the expiration;

4) if passport is a new copy, requests to transfer previous stamps from the old to the new one.

One thing I realized though, it is true like what others say, the immigration policies change as often as they want to. So the saying goes "there is nothing permanent but change".

TEMCA 2011

2011-08-24T00:13:00.000+07:00

For three days I was in Pattaya for the TEMCA 2011. My company was one of the more or less 25 exhibitors who had a big space and spent quite a large amount of money to have a presentable booth that showcased and promoted the products each are selling or distributing.

TEMCA is the acronym for Thai Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Association. Every year for 27 years, the association organizes exhibition and seminars which are supported by leading big companies, may it be internationally or locally owned. This year it was held on the 19-20th of August 2011 at Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), a facility managed and owned by the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel. There were a total of approximately 50 booths some of which have been built with style and height. To mention some of the exhibitors, first is our very own Magpie Blazetech Co., Ltd.; infront of our booth is Schneider Electric, behind is Draka Prysmian Group, then there is also the Maxwell Group, Charoenchai Transformer Co., Ltd., QTC, Lekise, U-Group, Samsung, Panasonic/Sanyo, WIP Electric Co., Ltd., Maxwell Group, Tan and Sons Corporation Limited, Arrow Syndicate, Haco Electric Solutions, Fire Victor Co. Ltd, Imperial, Suntec, Compomax and Thai Wire.

It was so interesting to go around looking at the booths as each have their own special designs and styles of presentation. Each boot showcased the latest innovation and technology specifically in lighting, mechanical and electrical equipments, fire protection, electrical cables, safety devices and the likes. There I had known that Sanyo is presently owned by Panasonic though they still exist independently. I also have seen the ready made solar panel, the latest CCTV system offered by Panasonic, the telephone with video call, the multi-layered large cable wire and the latest styles of electric lighting. As an electrical engineer I was also updated with the latest trend in electrical lighting and accessories, The recommended type of fluorescent lamp now is T5 which is slimmer and longer than the previous T8. Also bulbs are the LED types which give more light but consume lesser energy. And by the way, the biggest organization that participated in the affair was the PEA (Provincial Electrical Authority) of Thailand. A lot of managers and employees of PEA coming from other provinces were present, wearing a white polo shirt with PEA Smart Grid Logo. I wanted to ask why it is called Smart Grid but I did not have the chance to talk to a competent English speaking PEA personnel.

What made the affair more attractive and amusing were the presence of young sexy lady entertainers for which some acted as sales assistants. Some booths had games for the audiences with interesting prizes, guessing games, dance presentations and even a bartender exhibition show. One may ask what is the relevance of the bartender show, belly dancing of young ladies as well as rapping to the exhibition, that was also my question I had within myself. Charoenchai Transformers had even had a booth that looked like a bar and served non-alcoholic drinks for free.

I did not actually look much into the products distributed by QTC but what attracted the people most to their booth is that they had distributed forms for each to fill up then dropped in a drop box which has been drawn out later in the day. Wow! they gave big prices like an external hardisk drive and even an Ipad. Some had their business cards distributed in the booths and they got in return freebies like bags, sample products and brochures.

Exhibit shows like TEMCA benefits contractors, direct users and most specially product distributors. Marketing wise it is one good way of showcasing the business.

Embassy of the Philippines, Bangkok

2011-07-19T22:58:00.001+07:00

Embassy of the Philippines in Bangkok

Last Friday, I went to the Embassy of the Philippines in Bangkok for the renewal of my passport which would expire six months after, on January 2012. It was my first time to go on office hours and to avail of their services. The first time I set my foot on the grounds of the embassy was during the celebration of the Independence Day 2010, followed by the orientation seminar for teachers which coincided with the visit of the members of the Voyage of the Balangays. Oh! I almost forgot, the third one was when I was invited to attend the meeting of chosen teachers, the purpose for which to form a teachers' council.

When I entered the gate of the embassy, the guard mumbled the words "Consular section" so it came to my thought that the consular office is not at the main building. I saw a board with the name "Consular Section" with arrow to point out which direction to take. I misinterpreted the arrow pointing on the direction such a way with a question in my mind, I almost proceeded at the back of the building of the said office.

The consular section is simple on its set-up and just enough to accommodate about 20 people. The staffs are approachable and accommodating. When I was the concerns of each client were done fast since only few clients were there during that time. Only that it took a bit longer for me to be given a certification that I had applied for the renewal of my passport.

When you go to the embassy make sure when to have with you an ID to be presented and left at the security guard in exchange of a visitor's ID. You will be asked also to write your name, purpose of visit, address, contact number and time in before the gate will be opened for you. There are two buildings inside the compound. The big one looks like a house and on it's right when facing the building is a smaller one, the Consular section. There in the consular section can you avail of all the services offered by the Embassy.

The embassy is located at 760 Sukhumvit Road corner Soi Philippines (30/1) Klongtoey, Klongtan, Bangkok. The area is between Thong Lo and Phrom Phong BTS stations, and business hour starts 9 o' clock in the morning to 4 o' clock in the afternoon. For more information, you may visit the website of Embassy of the Philippines in Thailand.

Searching A Place to Stay in Bangkok For Long Term?

2011-07-10T23:42:00.006+07:00

Are you searching for a place to stay in Bangkok? In this blog, I will be giving tips on how to search for a place to stay specifically in Bangkok.

Finding a place to stay when one can not be in his own home or residence can be easy as well as not easy. Easy because there are thousands of choices and available places in many locations but not easy as one chooses a place that meets his criteria, taste, needs and wants. To find a place to stay, time and effort are needed in visiting the prospective places most specially if it is for a long stay.

When I came to Thailand more than two years ago, I did not went through the searching process because I had taken the place that was offered and available for me. Neither did I had the second thought of taking the available place because being new in the country, not to include the language barrier, I knew it would not be easy to do the searching in just a short time most specially that I had to start to report to work immediately.

But when I had changed my work after a year and a half, there was a need for me to relocate. What I did was to announce to my colleagues and friends who are living along the area where I wanted to relocate that I am searching for a place to stay. My time frame in searching was short as I had a deadline to meet. Going around and inquiring was a bit difficult as I can not speak in Thai. Thanks to the technology that brought internet, it was made easier for me.

Shortly, I found the place of my choice through the website www.9apartment.com. For those who are or will be looking for a place to stay in Bangkok, the old strategies are gone and time consuming. Here are some tips to would make searching a place to stay easier:

1) Decide on a) the location you want to stay, b) the monthly rental range you are willing or can afford to pay, and c) which among the amenities that you would like to have in your place;

2) Search in the internet. There are many websites for those who are looking for places to stay or rent. Some of the websites are in Thai language. Use Google Chrome browser as it automatically translates the page to English or to any language. To mention some of them the sites: www.9partment.com, www.tee-pak.com, www.horpak4u.com, www.thaiapartment.com, www.renthub.in.th and www.bangkok.craigslist.co.th The first site on the list is where I got my place now.

3) Make a list of prospects and call or send email for more information. Don't forget to ask them if there is an available room. Lots of time will be saved.

4) Visit the places you think meet your requirements or standard.

Time and patience are needed but it is worth the effort when you are finally in your chosen place, you have the feeling of comfort, peace and convenience.

After all, it will be your home away from your home.

Ways To Explore Bangkok

2011-06-28T21:10:00.000+07:00

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, the country popularly called "Land of Smiles" and there are many things to do, places to see and shopping malls to visit. It depends on what the persons' interest are. Exploring Bangkok by going to the tourists places with a touch of Thai culture and history, from historical to modern, from nature to man-made, as well as enjoying shopping at the side street bargain markets to the Class A shopping malls is not difficult because Bangkok offers all types of transportation such as buses of many types, taxis, trains (traditional, above and underground), tuktuks and motorbikes. Guides and information are easy at hand as one can easily get maps for free at the information booths of shopping centers, train stations and other locations. For more detailed information and personalized inquiry, it is easy to spot a Tourist Information Center.

However, if you come to Thailand for limited number of days, it is best to plan your itinerary and do some researching ahead so as to maximize your time in exploring Bangkok. There are thousands of information that can be sourced out of the internet. You need not pay for a tourist guide. In fact with the technology we have now, one can do the researching and planning of trip conveniently at ease by just sitting in front of a laptop with internet. Hotels have their own websites or are advertised in online booking agencies such as Agoda, Sawasdee, Hotel Travel and a lot more booking sites. It is but wise to check the rates not only at the hotels' own websites as most often booking sites offer a lower price.

Yes, it is true the easiest and most convenient is to take a taxi but for those budget savers and who totally wants to travel in an adventurous way, it is best to use the public transportation available like the skytrain commonly referred to as BTS and the MRT (subway train) provided there is a station near the place where you are staying or visiting. It indeed unquestionably fast as it avoids the traffic. There are many buses available for which route can be identified by the numbers indicated in the front and back of the bus. Google map shows the bus stops with bus numbers stopping on each. Let us say the buses are for local residents only not for tourists because the time is usually limited and it is a hassle to take the bus. It gives one a great feeling of uncertainty on when to press the button to stop, most specially with the existing of language language barrier, one is lucky if by chance he/she finds someone who can comprehend basic English language.

Whichever mode of transportation one takes, it becomes a part of experience that can be fun with a touch of adventure. However though, as I had mentioned earlier the existence of language barrier, be prepared and anticipate the difficulty of communicating as Thailand is not an English speaking country. Then you need to carry with you the word "patience". But if you know your way, things would be a lot easier.
Enjoy your exploration of Bangkok.

Silom City Hotel

2010-08-03T16:30:00.001+07:00

The front side as taken by my friend

Bangkok has a lot of choices to offer for accommodations, from the most elegant luxurious five star hotels, budget hotels, guest houses, apartelle, apartments and town houses. One just have to find the right place that suits them, may their consideration be the location, cost, comfortability and amenities. One of them is Silom City Hotel, a three star hotel with an address at Silom 22, Silom Road.

My two friends from Legazpi City, Philippines before coming here for a pleasure visit had searched for a hotel located near the center of Bangkok. I have not made it clear with them but I think someone promoted the hotel to them. When my friend arrived in Bangkok, I searched for the website of the hotel to get the location and learn the direction to the place. Hotel websites are very helpful and useful to guests because every information that a guest may want to know are usually indicated in the site. The Silom City Hotel website, same as other hotel websites, shows photos of nicely done, clean and comfortable bedrooms as well as the reception counter and dining tables. The location is described as a very strategic place as most of the famous common tourists shopping centers are very accessible from the hotel. Very attractive and encouraging.

On my way to the hotel, I took the BTS (skyway train) from the first station at Mochit. As the train was running and stopping from one station to another, I was trying to analyze the possible exact location of the hotel based from the information I got on the hotel's website so as to get down on the BTS station nearest to it. The information that I was pondering on was "11 minutes walk to Surasak (S5) or 13 minutes to Chong Nansi station". My engineering orientation made me formulate the possibility that it might be in between the two BTS stations and if I do not go down at Chong Nansi, which comes first before Surasak, I would be probably be seeing Silom City Hotel while the skytrain proceeds to Surasak station. Anyway, I decided to alight at Surasak station as it is two minutes less of a walk that from Chong Nansi station. Only to discover that my point of theory was wrong in considering the three location as points that would be connected, it did not form a straight line but it instead a triangle. However, whatever kind of triangle it maybe, that I did not try to figure out anymore. The hotel was not along the side street of the same way traversed by the skytrain, but it was about 1 kilometer going farther away from both BTS station. Feeling uncertain of my direction I decided to take the service of a public motorbike.

Business is business, mostly tells only the best things but not everything. The hotel has its address at Silom 22 at Silom Road. Silom according to Wikitravel is Thailand's major financial center whose importance has been acknowledged with the presence of both BTS and MRT. The hotel was on an inner part of a commercial block and going through the hotel, one needs to pass a small road and on the side of the road are small stores and a wet market for local residents. So I did. As the hotel was situated in the inner part of a narrow road, it was a quiet place as seldom cars would pass. The reception area is small with a small dining area on the left side and I noticed it when I enterered the main door which was opened by the concierge. There was one lady receptionist on duty when I arrived at about 7 in the evening and unhesistantly told me to go straight ahead to the room of my friends at the 7th floor. It gave me an impression that the hotel does not cater to many guests.

      The hotel room looked good with a queen size bed and with a bath tub in the bathroom. The three of us slept in the bed but yet there was much space. Nowadays, one amenity that a guests would greatly consider is the availability of the internet service. Some hotel provides internet service for a costly charge, some for free, some in the lobby only but Silom City Hotel had wireless internet available for free in each room. And such service is an added attraction which even my friends had admitted.

      Morning came, breakfast time. I had told myself the night before that I would be taking coffee only in the room as I am well aware that per hotel policy, only two guests per room are allowed and that only the registered guests are entitled for the free breakfast. But my friend told me the three of us can go to the dining table as they were not given a breakfast meal coupon. I was hesitant but anyway we went down to have breakfast. True indeed, nobody checked on me, as I enjoyed the free breakfast with my friends.

      Though the location is about quite a long walk to the nearest BTS station and is located on an inner part of the block with a narrow road, if a friend would ask me if I would recommend the hotel, my answer would be YES.

Missed Charger and Chances

2010-08-03T01:22:00.000+07:00

Two lady friends from my hometown in the Philippines , Tet and Lads arrived midnight of Saturday, 17 July 2010 here in Bangkok, Thailand through the Philippine owned flight carrier Cebu Pacific Air. Like my other friends and relatives who had visited me here, they availed of the 50% promotional fare of the said airlines, approximately 4,500 pesos (Philippine currency) for a two-way Manila-Bangkok trip.

The last minute arrangement we had was that they would call me when they are at the Suvarnabhumi airport through the Thailand simcard which my nephew Lance had brought back home from his vacation here in Bangkok last May. From then on, I can give them directions on how to come to my place. Tet had only confirmed their desire to stay in my place temporarily when I think they were proceeding to the airport for their Manila flight. Otherwise I could have given instructions on how to go to my address in details. They were actually had booked themselves to a hotel but considering they would only use half of the time with a one whole day price, it was not a good idea for them, so I offered my place for them to spend the rest of the night.

Oh well! Sometimes things planned and not so well-planned do not happen the way we want it to be. Sometimes it seems like there are outside forces working that hinder the fulfillment of the plan. The easy going trait of Fiilipinos would resort to a joke saying '"ah! looks like they have "balat sa puwet (birthmark on the ass)" which means bad luck. To make the story short, we were not able to contact each other though both of us had tried to, so without much choice they checked-in to the hotel instead, at Silom City Hotel.

       Come Sunday morning, while getting ready to attend mass, a thought to open my Facebook account came to my mind while wondering why they have not contacted me. There it was a message from Lads. Hurray! communication was established and so mobile phones were in contact. Thanks to the presence of social networking which made some people addicted but on the other side of the coin serves as an alternative avenue of fast communication. They had the plan to go to the nearest Catholic church to attend the mass. But after our talk we agreed to meet at St. John Parish Church at Lad Phrao where I usually attend the English mass. I just gave them the instruction the way to get to the MRT (a subway train service). Then everything went on fine as we had a sumptuous healthy lunch at Sizzler.
      It was their first day to explore Bangkok and they headed to Chatuchak Weekend Market as I suggested to do so and I went back home to bring the pasalubong (presents) they brought for me with an agreement I will go to Chatuchak Market to meet them so we can go back to their hotel together late afternoon. Then I spend the night at their hotel.
I was relaxed imagining that I would meet them with mixed of happy and excited facial expression as they had their first part of Bangkok exploration. As I was in the bus on the way to meet them, I ring Lads to tell them I am coming. The mobile phone rung but call was not accepted. I reached the place and tried many times calling her mobile but a taped voice says same thing... the number is not in service. "Oh my goodness!" I thought, "again! same problem as last night?!" . The mobile service I have been using here in Thailand has always been reliable and there could be no problem on the simcard. But I was panicking already, I called the customer service of DTAC, my service provider to check on the number. But everything was alright I have been told. I had walked about 1 kilometer from the Mochit BTS station, Chatuchak MRT station passing through the Chatuchak Market to Khampeng Phet MRT station with the hope that I would by chance see them. But sorry for me, they were nowhere to be found. Resigned, I walked back to Mochit BTS station traversing the same path. A thought of calling the hotel came to my mind. Thanks God! I had brought with me the address and telephone number of the hotel which I had written in a small paper when I searched for the direction in going there. I always felt I am guided by an angel that whispers to me good dispositions! I never used the public coin phone and so it was another first of an experience for me again. Hurray! I was able to contact them as they went back to the hotel... the mobile phone's battery got drained
Yes right, both of them have unserviceable mobile phone because batteries had been drained and both of them forgot to include in their baggage the charger!
      Mobile phones has been a very effective tool for communication. And communication plays a very important role to many things. When going on a travel, one of the most important part of the baggage that should not be forgotten is the mobile phone charger. Efficient line of communication minimizes the time and energy consumed, and ensures the fulfillment of the plan.

The Threshold: Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in Bangkok

2010-08-01T23:43:00.000+07:00

The Photowalk participants at the King Rama I Monument,
taken by the Jose Tan, the organizer and leader.

Saturday, 24th of July year 2010, about fifty people of varied nationalities with a common interest on photography gathered at King Rama I Monument located at the end of Memorial Bridge for the Scott Kelby Annual Photowalk Wang Burapha Phirom, Bangkok. The photowalk was organized by Jose Tan, a Filipino portrait photographer residing at Minburi, Bangkok. According to the organizer, a big portion of the participants were Thai and Filipino, others were of Malaysian, American, Norwegian, Swedish and African nationalities. The coverage of the Channel 3 Television made it more a big deal. Two young ladies and a camera man from the television company walked with the other participants as they went around the area taking photos.

The assembly time was at 3:30 in the afternoon. Most had brought SLR (Single Lens Reflect)and DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflect) cameras while I only have with me my three months old point-and-shoot Panasonic touchscreen camera. Gee! I felt inferior at first, but the words of the organizer during our informal basic photography session done four days before the walk made me look on the eye level. What were those words? The beauty of a photo does not depend on the type of camera.

Why did I join the walk? Photography is not my best hobby but I love taking photos, clicking the shutter as fast as I can involving common sense and perception on how would a photo be nicely taken. The emergence of the technology of digital cameras, popularity of social networking and influence of a long time photo enthusiast British friend lured me into it. I joined the walk for few reasons but joining the contest was the least. First, it was an opportunity to be with friends and to meet new friends. It is always a great pleasure to be with friends, isn't it? That is networking. Secondly, I foresee the walk as the threshold to develop myself in the field of photography; and third but not the least, I had been in the Pak Khlong Talat (flower market) before but did not have the chance to scrutinized the place. So this activity was my chance to do so.

The walk started at the flower market. My friend. whom I had successfully enticed to join me, and I went through the line of flower shops. Wow! This was the exclamation words we had uttered while our eyes open so widely feasting on the beauty of the bunches of different and colorful flowers. So excited I forgot that I was supposed to take photos in an artistic way. I never had seen before variety of bountiful flowers and most cost cheap. In my hometown in the Philippines, flowers were of few varieties and most came from Baguio City, the summer capital. One point added to my stand of conclusion that I had formulated before that Thailand is blessed with many resources. When we finally get over with the excitement, we decided to figure out our way, with the use of a map (now I learned to use maps) and asking fellow participants we had encountered along the way, to the Giant Swing and then to the Democracy Monument where the Cafe Democ is, the designated meeting place after the walk.

My camera settings had a bit of a problem which I was not able to solve and the battery was low. Nevertheless, the minor problems did not hinder me from enjoying the walk and from attaining my objectives. The day was ended with a good dinner at a small nice restaurant infront the Bangkok City Hall. It was worth a good experience indeed!

In everything, there is always something new to be learned.