www.CostaRicaTicas.com

It's easy to get $700 RT from LAX to BKK. Today it's $680 but who's counting? The 2 hour charter A/C bus from BKK to Pattaya is $7 (Bell Travel Service), the AirAsia (DMK to HKT) to Phuket is what, $70 round trip at most on a bad day? They sent me an email last week with $27 round trip (plus $10 each way baggage). But I know how to side step their baggage fees. It comes with experience & the help of kiosk check-ins. And Phuket is better than the Bahamas or Hawaii even if you don't care to be around thousands of gorgeous available women.

SFO usually $750 to BKK. So east coasters, you can often save by flying round trip into LAX - leaving a few hour layover - and then taking the $700 flight to Bangkok. Unless you live in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Chicago, New York, or Atlanta...this will probably save you $$$ and break up the longest leg of your flight. And if from your home airport, you can reach any of the aforementioned hubs with direct flights to Asia, consider booking round trip to that airport then a separate leg to BKK. Easy way to save a couple hundred if you're flexible.

These are historically low prices (almost 50% off previous years rates) and you have to fly midlevel airlines like China Air or Delta. Sure you have to fly to Beijing or Shanghai. If you get the chance, always choose Seoul or Tokyo over China. The airports in Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and Hong Kong are top notch (all 4 rated in the top 7 airports in the world). Way better than anything you've seen in the States. China airports are even better than any US airport in most cases. Unless it's Delta who flies out of LAX. Look at Google Flights & Seat Guru. Those American based airlines give you 28" - 31" of seating room & charge for everything. Fly Korean Air & you get 33-34" & free wine, hot towels, great meals, hot stewardesses, clean and new A380s or 777s, usb & AC charging outlets, travel kits (earplugs, eye masks, etc) in basic economy. But be warned, those Korean Air stewardesses will make you think all kinds of inappropriate thoughts so use the provided blanket to hide your interest. That would never be an issue on a Delta flight. Those unionized job protected nylon wearing 55 year old hags are hardly a turn on. FYI, Delta, United, and the other American based carriers charges between $130 - $200 per Leg (meaning each flight even if you have 3 flights to get to Bangkok) for the 33-34" seats often called "economy comfort" which are standard on most Asian Airlines (check Google Flights & Seat Guru for confirmation before booking). What a scam. Luckily, you have me here to save you money & keep you from getting cramped or ripped off.

The US based airlines are so remedial compared to Quantas, Korean Air, Emirates, Singapore, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, etc. And American Airports especially LAX are complete dumps. Last year the highest rated US airport was rated 57th in the world if memory serves & once you go to Asia, you'll realize why. Visit Singapore, Seoul, or even Bangkok and you'll see what crap airports we have in the US. It's embarrassing how we aren't even remotely competitive. It's like pulling up your Impala next to a Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bugatti and shouting "I have an American car". And the other drivers look at you and say, "Yes you do".

Flight prices are historically cheap thanks to US fracking & Saudi's trying to bury Iran with low oil prices. While Putin is pumping like mad (up to 11 million barrels a day from 8 million barrels) to keep his government afloat. Venezula is also pumping like mad because they are about to implode. So this oil oversupply & high inventory is a rare once in a 30-40 year (event) blip in time. Perhaps the last in our lifetime no matter your age. The US oil industry has laid of 100,000 workers in the past 2 months so this will self correct sooner rather than later. Venezula is about to go tits up. Iran is losing money on every oil pumped. Australia just axed one off the biggest natural gas projects in history. And oil platforms are shutting down daily. And ISIS just took Tikrit and threaten the Kurdish oil fields. So we are in a tight window of beautifully low oil prices. But before you know it, "poof", supply will contract, prices will rise, and your $700 flight will cost $1,600+.

Not long ago the stock market had fallen to 6,800, the ignorant & emotional sold their retirement at huge losses. Now just 5 years later the stock market has nearly tripled to over 17,700. And now at this new peak, everyone feels comfortable buying.

This is simple math. We are in the midst of an historic blip in time. The US dollar is ridiculously & artificially strong. People are over reacting to the slow down in China's growth that still is double our growth. The Europeans are printing Euros & flooding the market short term as a stimulus thus devaluing the Euro. And Russia, Saudi, Venezula, Lybia & US Frackers are dumping oil at insane rates. All three of the factors are short term and to your benefit.

If you ever wanted to see the world - especially Thailand. Don't be the idiot who sold his entire 401K at 6,800 & now feels comfortable 5 years later buying at 17,700. Buy your damn $700 RT flight from LAX or your home port and go see Thailand.

If you can't handle the best food on the planet for $1/plate, or a nice guest house for $25/night, or a super pimp hotel for $70/night, or a sleep over with evening & morning performances for $35-$50, then maybe your destined to just read about others adventures. But if you make excuses in this perfect storm of budget friendly perfection...then there is no hope for you.

Stop making excuses. Here are the keys. Here is the car. Take it for a spin. And if you never come back, no one will blame you...cause you're in Thailand baby.

Thats still better than the rotten onion smell coming from your armpits you racist bastard.....

Anyone who hasn't gone, just go to Thailand.

Stop making excuses. The longer you wait, the more you'll hate yourself once you actually go & realize what you've been missing all these years. Your excuses are like a religious person who stays a virgin until 40. You have 100 reasons not to go (or not to lose your virginity). But once you pop your cherry, you're like "Why the hell did I not do this earlier?".

Stop making excuses & pop your Thailand cherry.

Until you visit Thailand, you're still a Virgin no matter what you say!

+1000

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When I was born, I was given a choice - a big pecker or a good memory.... I don't remember what I chose.

Very well said. I popped my Thailand cherry about 25 years ago and its been one wild ride ever since. Phuket is my personal favorite monger destination of all.

Phuket is changing quickly. If you stay near Bangla Rd, I enjoy it. Every year I go, things change rather dramatically. I'm not a Hollywood Disco type. I avoid TukTuks. This year Tiger opened a second location on Bangla called "Tiger Live" which is pretty nuts. Similar to Tiger Bar but with stripper poles & girls who know how to use them. And for those uninitiated, Thais in general don't have the Vegas stripper pole talents so enjoy it if you can find it. Despite their obesity & mommy bellies, yes Ticas can work their asses better than Thais (in general).

I'm not sure why yet but the Thais & Filipinos don't like the Koreans. One sat next to me in Tiger Live with his Galaxy S5 & recorded a whole (awesome) stripper show. No tip. No bar fine. Just a 58 year old voyeur. At least tip the girl dude.

Thanks to Buddha & Putin, the Russians are vanishing. Too broke to travel. I'm the most inclusive guy in my travels. Various ages, races, etc. You're cool with me. You're my friend. But I haven't found a single Russian who isn't an asshole. They walk around in speedos into fine dining establishments with their pale white bodies. Honestly, the Russia girls are damn hot but have some self respect or self awareness. At least I find it amusing that they can only do business in Thailand by speaking English. So I suppose that's some comfort.

In Thailand, my experience is, the Chinese run in tour groups. You see Aussies, Brits, Americans, Germans, Swedes, etc doing their own thing. But the Chinese so far seem to run in tour groups. They are not a bother but they don't interact with others. And the Chinese seem to dominate the high end hotels. They buy out blocks of rooms at the best places. I think they need to learn to integrate a bit more.

But the Thai girls like the American's because we are polite & deferential. Apparently the international vie of American men by foreign women is that we are deferential & polite. This can lead to abuse if your just a straight push over. But being American, is a notch on your belt...a leg up. Although the Chinese men throw around a lot more $$$ than American men.

Who knows what your experience will be. I've never paid more than $80 in Costa Rica or $35 in Thailand. Your age, looks, personal hygene, weight, etc. will impact what you pay. But as a broad generalization, in Thailand you pay way less than 1/2 of a 1 hour session in Costa Rica & condoms are ususually options & all night is usually standard. Meaning you get a night & day session. And not once in Thailand has a propenia been suggested or required. Can't say the same for SJO where Taxi Fare, Propenia, and in session negotiation seem the norm.

I have Thailand on my bucket list, I'm going to start bringing that up in conversation on my next trip to SJO... I think a number of the regulars have some experiences to share. Same program for Columbia.

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(Travel With Interesting Toys)

Archer2, this isn't a direct response to you

Yeah, it's pretty nuts. People rave about the Del Rey that has what 80 girls on a good night. What $80 - $100 / for an hour wrapped in condoms? Are you kidding me? Do you get the Sportsmen's Lodge promo emails with those fat girls with stretch marks? I wouldn't touch any of them if the services were free. Are you kidding me? Gross. First rule of marketing, don't put ugly fat baby factories on your advertisements to mongers. You do realize your competing with Medellin, Sosua, Rio de Janaeiro, Panama City, Pattaya, Angeles City, Phuket, Cartagena, Bangkok, Ho Chi Mihn City, etc...or don't you? Apparently not.

In Thailand that $80-$100 is a hotel, a day of meals/drinks, plus a multi-session bareback session with no propenia request. She sleeps over...not always...but easily negotiable. Bang, sleep, awake, bang, no propenia. I love how they make the bed & fold my clothes. Added benefit. And if they I take them to breakfast, they always throw my lowball tip back at me and say "too much". Who knew a 7-10% tip was offensively too much. That's what I love about the Thais.

But yeah, it really sucks to be in a warm climate with awesome food, fit girls, eager companions, top notch hotels or cheap guest houses. It's tough having to deal without the stretch marks, propenia requests, and clock watchers of Costa Rica. And worst of all, it really sucks not being afraid for your life when walking home drunk at 2:00 a.m. And let's be honest, when you can have 80 girls in the Del Rey, why would you possibly want to consider a 2 mile x 1 mile section in Pattaya with 30,000 options for 1/3rd the price. A place where you can walk to your hotel inebriated without fear of being jacked. I don't feel comfortable walking 100 meters between Del Rey & Key Largo at night.

This is no dis on San Jose. Costa Rica serves it's purpose. But if you want to experience something a lot more enticing, just go to Thailand. Visit Pattaya & Phuket. Bangkok while far superior to San Jose is a bit overly hyped. While you can get a life altering Soapie Massage, the "known" districts are nothing speical. But Pattaya will blow you away.

Might be better to avoid visiting. What happens when you refuse to return home? Visiting Thailand will ruin your life. You'll never want to return. So word to the wise, "Don't visit". Make an excuse. You can't get vacation time, the flight is too long, your wife sees your credit card bills." Just make an excuse, any excuse. Just push it off another year. And next year, do the same. Stay in your barbed wired high crime comfort zone with gringo pricing with hotels that cost $100 + 14% tax + 10% gringo fool exchange rate surplus fee + 45 minutes of wrapped fun costing $100, and crappy imitation American style food that cost $10+. Yep, that is paradise. How could you possibly want anything more than that? Just be happy with what you've got...

Whatever you do, DO NOT VISIT THAILAND.

Hey Max........

In CR, I often get YOUR Thailand experience........

I know that YMMV in CR.

Max--you paint a pretty picture. Have considered it many times.......but the thought of that flight.....

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There's a prettier girl every day...

Very informative and witty posting Maxbass…rolling on the floor laughing at some of your color comments!

The flight is like anything else, after you have done it so many times you become use to it in a way. It is 20 hours from my house to Bangkok flight time not including lay overs.

The flight over there is no problem for me, its that dreaded flight back home. So, that's when I'm always planning my next trip on my way back home.

My next trip to Asia will be around Labor day Weekend. I'm thinking about a few days in Bangkok then off to Phuket and a few days in Pattaya then hit my favorite part of Bangkok soi 22 for my last few nights.

Like Maxbass says, just do it and you won't regret it.

I had a CRT friend you may have heard of: PacoLoco.

He said he wanted to visit Thailand but said the same things as you. I told him two things: 1. You have to be somewhere for 24 hours, you may as well be on a flight to Thailand. 2. Once you get there you'll see why it was worth it.

Now it's too late for my friend. Think about it.

Wit

...and the thoughts of those planes crashing or disappearing in the South China Sea....make CR and MDE seems a lot closer and more user friendly!

Think of Thailand as CR on steroids. In San Jose, you have Del Rey, Sportsman, Blue Marlin. Now imagine that x 50. Hotels as cheap as $20-30. Food as cheap as $1.50. All nighters from $30-60. You will never go anywhere else!