Travel Tips - Cambodia - Thailand - April 2004

Wednesday April 21, 2004

Chris Hill A Prisoners Best Friend - Sokha Beach Resort's Extreme Discount Offer - Shianoukville's Full Moon Party Discontinued - Live Music & Where To Go - Holy Cow Pasta Feast - Visa Costs To Vietnam & Laos - Phnom Penh's Spirit House & OK Hotel - NR Mail - Pattaya Expat Clubs

CHRIS HILL - A Prisoners Best Friend

James Taylor sang it like this, 'When you're down in trouble and need a helping hand (etc)… just call out my name.'

If you're a foreigner in jail in Pattaya, Thailand the name of the man to call is Chris Hill. Hill helps expats and locals that are jailed for releasable crimes.

The most common crime is an visa overstay. Thailand is cracking down and if you're a day late you are can be thrown in jail for a long time and deported, that's where Hill comes in.

"I know that friendship is vital - most of the expats in jail are alone. I am most often in the role of friend. They came on holiday (usually) overstayed their visa believing that they could pay the fine at the airport like "last time" and they end up on an overstay rap which often is a tiny fine - but the deportation process alone takes 2 weeks to 2 months. Their buddies left for home as soon as the trial was over .... I try to make them feel less "cut off."

Hill noted that some foreigners are jailed for non payment of a hotel bill. He often sees some of the people he has helped in the past return to their country then return to Thailand and find themselves back in the same situation.

When Hill hears of a case he interviews the person and makes the necessary contacts to enable them to be released. Dealing with embassies in these matters is part of Hill's job.

Some foreigners that have means have lost the plot in their journeys become dysfunctional and simply lose track of their affairs.

Hill helps the locals as well. He can probably name every lady of the night in town. Reason being he probably got them out of jail if they've been in Pattaya for a while. For a prostitute in Pattaya, going to jail is inevitable.

On a weekly visit Hill brings them toiletries. A shower to them in a packed shared cell is water poured into a plastic bag with holes in it that is held over ones head.

Hill has developed a severe respiratory problem and is currently unable to walk up the steps to the police station. He is looking for volunteers to deliver the toiletries once a week.

A retired major in the Rhodesian army Hill has made his home in Pattaya since 1998. He does this work without pay. Contributions are made from his church, the Pattaya City Expats Club and individual donors.

To contact Chris Hill… Tel: 038-370-551

SOKHA BEACH HOTEL RESORT'S OFFERS EXTREME DISCOUNTS

Sokha Beach Resort Hotel in Sihanoukville, Cambodia is offering a 'Fun & Sun' package for discount room rates through June 30, 2004.

Garden view rooms are available for $35 per person for foreigners and $25 per person for Cambodians. The rate is based on double occupancy. Regular hotel rates are $130 per room to $1,000 for the presidential suite.

The promotion includes buffet breakfast and on arrival a gigantic ice tea and fruit. The offer is not valid to groups. For reservations or information contact: email: reservations@sokhahotels.com Tel: (034) 935-999 Fax: (034) 935-008

SIHANOUKVILL'S OCCHEUTEAL BEACH SHACK'S MOVE - FULL MOON PARTY DISCONTINUED

The now trendy shacks on Occheuteal Beach have been asked by the police to relocate and move down the beach towards Serendipity Beach.

Shacks are outdoor bar/restaurants without walls. Chiva Shack has made the transition. They also have discontinued their Full Moon Party.

THE LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT SCENE

LAM MORRISON - Thai Rock Legend

The legendary Thai rock guitarist Lam Morrison appears nightly Tuesday through Sunday at the Blues Factory in Pattaya, Thailand. The Blues Factory is on the Walking Street.

GUITARIST CHIANG MAI TOOK

When searching for the best rock guitarist in Thailand Chiang Mai Took's name was mentioned most after Lam Morrison.

Took had a big hit from a song he wrote for a Pepsi Cola commercial several years ago. The song made money and Took bought the Brasserie restaurant/club in Chiang Mai where he often appears.

The club is on the river front on Charoenraj Road.

DR BEAT IN SIEM REAP

Dr. Beat Richner is most notably known for two things... building children's hospitals in Cambodia and playing the cello. Dr. Beat performs in Siem Reap at Jayvarman Hospital Saturday nights at 7:15pm.

SHEPHERDS PIE @ HOLY COW

The Holy Cow restaurant is a new addition on the Sihanoukville scene. Owners Naomi & Steve have been living in Sihanoukville the past eight years teaching English. They opened their restaurant/bar/guesthouse August 2003.

The establishment has a colorful warm atmosphere with a rich Spanish décor.

Shepherd's pie is on the menu. Guests familiar with Shepherd's Pie raved about the quality of the Holy Cow version.

We tried the vegetarian and bolognaise pastas. Each is excellent and addictive with its zesty tomato taste, ample supply of sauce and the pasta cooked perfectly and not overdone. Thailand's Pizza Hut and Pizza Company need to take some lessons from Holy Cow.

Holy Cow is two short blocks from the Cal Tex gas station/Star Mart store in the Center of town. Tel: (012) 478-510 or Email: holycowguesthouse@hotmail.com

VISA FEES LAOS, VIETNAM, CAMBODIA & THAILAND

If you plan to do the LOOP of traveling through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Visa fees apply. Rates vary according to the country of passport origin.

For Americans and Europeans Thailand grants 30 days free. A 30-day tourist Visa for Cambodia coasts $20 when purchased at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok. You will pay more (around $25) if you purchase the visa at the border.

From Phnom Penh you can purchase visas for Vietnam and Laos. A 30-day visa for Vietnam costs $26. A 30-day visa for Laos costs $36. Both visas must be activated within 30 days of purchase.

It takes one day to process a Laos visa and three days for Vietnam. If you have a previous Vietnam visa in your passport it takes only one day.

Three pictures are required for the Laos visa and one for Vietnam.

To start the LOOP from Chiang Mai, Thailand you can purchase visa for both countries in Chiang Mai. Travelers Friend Moo says the 30-day visa fee to Laos is 1500 baht/$38 for European and American passport holders. A 15-day visa cost 750 baht/$19.

Cambodian citizens pay 1000 baht/$25 and passport holders from the Philippines cost pay 900 baht/$23 for 30-day visas.

A 30-day Vietnam Visa from Chiang Mai costs 2400 baht/$61 and takes four working days for processing. Express visas are available in two working days for an additional 800 baht/$20.

Two passport photos are required for each visa.

From Chaing Mai contact: Moo (Treechada Jansawat) - The Travelers Friend is located on 139 Sridonchai Road opposite Suriwong Book Center. Tel: (053) 209-118 - Email: travelersfriend@thai.com

From Phnom Penh contact Lucky Lucky Motorbike rentals and travel: Main office: No. 413 Monivong Blvd. Tel: 023- 216-676

SOMETHING NEW IN PHNOM PENH - OK HOTEL & SPIRIT HOUSE BAR & FINE DINING RESTAURANT

A new bar/restaurant/hotel is now gracing the Phnom Penh wine, dine & lodging scene with the addition of the Spirit House and the OK Hotel.

The OK Hotel is a new seven-room facility with rate starting at $15 a night. The Spirit House is a fine dining restaurant and bar. Both opened in March. The establishments are owned and managed by English lady Wendy Greengrass.

Greengrass was trained at the famous Savoy in London. She was raised in the hotel restaurant business. Her father owns a bed and breakfast in Scarborough England.

The restaurant/bar is located on the grounds of the OK guesthouse. The hotel is across the street. Greengrass also offers catering services.

For good food, relaxing garden setting environment and reasonably priced drinks check it out.

Location: Next to the OK guesthouse on street 258 up the street from the Cambodiana hotel and the riverfront walk area. Also very near the Royal Palace.

NR MAIL

A former Cambodian Daily journalist wrote:

I found the NR site looking for info Keith Closs, the basketball player. Intrigued to see basketball and Cambodia overlapping as interests of the site.

Re the article of Sihanoukville's beaches: Is a guy named Claude, French-Cambodian, still operating a bar-restaurant of that same name there?

Thank you. I enjoyed the riff on Closs on the Venice Beach Courts.

Sincerely, Thomas Beller

NR

Claude's has moved from the old location on Occheuteal Beach location. Word has it a dispute with the landlord. The new location is HIGH on a hill above Sokha Beach and near the Sokha Beach Resort Hotel.

The new facility has bungalows and a bar/restaurant. One problem is it is difficult to reach. The steep grade of the hill is difficult to climb. There is a tram that takes one to the top where the bar/restaurant is located. At the time of our visit it wasn't operating. We arrived prior to the 4pm opening time. If you're a guest at the bungalows you will need strong legs.

PATTAYA EXPATS CLUBS

The Pattaya City Expats Club meets every Sunday at HENRY J BEANS Bar & Grill, at the AMARI ORCHID RESORT, at the north end of Beach Road. A Buffet is available from 9:30 AM. Meetings start at 10:30 AM, and try to finish by 12:00 noon. Pattaya Cuty Expats Club: www.pattayacityexpats.com

The Pattaya Expats Club meets a the Green Tree Restaurant, Beach Road next to Soi 1 on Saturdays at 11:30 am. Pattaya Expats Club. www.pattayaexpatsclub.com

SIEM REAP - THE LAUNDRY

After the Beat concert the Laundry Club is a great spot to relax. The spacious facilities have comfortable seating in a relaxed atmosphere. A pool table is in the recreation room.

Owner Sylvan was formerly with the Sauce Group that put on parties in Phnom Penh. The Laundry is on a side street one half block from the Old Market downtown.

ARCHITECTURE TOURS IN PHNOM PENH

We have written in the past that after seeing the Royal Palace and the monuments to death the Toul Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields there is not much to do in Phnom Penh. Now there is a new alternative.

An architecture tour company Khmer Architecture Tours has been organized to show tourists modern buildings that are usually not accessible to the public.

Two tours are planned for the last two weekends of every month. For more information and reservations contact: www.ka-tours.org

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