I'm a week away from my first trip to Thailand and already starting to pack. A couple of questions:

1. I understand that there are internet cafes all over BKK, but are the keyboards in English or Thai? Are there any internet cafes that are particularly good? We'll be staying at the Westin.

2. I'll be taking my digital camera (rarely used) and if I load up the memory card, is there anyway to download the contents on disk or send them via e-mail to free up space? Where would one go for that sort of help and how much does it cost?

Thanks --

Molly Darling

MD-There are internet cafes everywhere. The keyboards have the roman alphabet in the Qwerty configuration. No problem. can't help with the camera question, sorry.

You will be able to find a place to record the photos onto a CD-R. Won't cost more than two or three dollars, I expect. At $5 or more I would consider it robbery.

Better would be just to buy more memory. Then you wouldn't have to erase your memory card.

Best would be to get more memory and record the images to CD.

You should probably recharge the battery in your camera. If you replace the battery then use the same kind that came with the camera.

Sending the photos in e-mail is a bad idea. IF it works, it would take a VERY long time.

Nothing really to add, Internet cafes everywhere and good ones or photo shops will put on a CD for you. Just remember do keep the photos howver you store/record them, we used to use a 'normal camera' and have photos everywhere, in draws, albums, cupboards, but since we started using a Digital one all I hear is that photos I took have been erased, or I gorgot to get around to loading them or whatever, I am determined to go back to carrying a good old lazy camera and getting them printed.

a cafe not far from your hotel that has fast computers is located on the right hand side of soi 4, sukhumvit road....there is a sign over the front dorr...you can't miss it....the price is moderate....

any camera store, of which there are many, will down load your pics to a cd in a couple of hours if you leave it with them....it is quite cheap..

the westin is a good central location near to the nana skytrian stop... lots of good restaurants in that area, lots of adult entertainment as well....english is not a problem in this part of the city by the way....lots of expats all around...

i have not found any keyboards other than english with maybe a couple of added keys here and there or keys in a strange place.....i think the "@" is in an odd place as i remember...

Thanks for all the information about the neighborhood -- it's helpful to know. Though, given that I'm a minister, I think I'll give the adult entertainment a miss!

I asked the keyboard question because in Paris, while the Roman alphabet is used, the placement of the letters is different, which makes touch typing impossible.

As for cameras, I'm in the market for a new one, but do I remember correctly that there's no benefit to buying it in Thailand? Some sort of tax or fee or something?

Molly Darling

why give the adult stuff a miss....here in boston the priests love going to bkk or so it is reported....just thought you might get a laugh out of this....

you will love the area...

The boys in Boston wouldn't be much on letting me be a priest -- that's why I went the Episcopal route. Their entertainment is playing havoc with our insurance rates, though!

Moving on to other sins, I've heard tell of a chocolate buffet in BKK. Is there such a thing?

Molly Darling

yes there is one, in one of the major hotels, but i cannont remember which hotel...sorry...someone else will chime in with it....
generally the eating in bkk is fantastic....i love the chocolate crepe at crepes and co on soi 12, sukhumvit rd....not far from your hotel...next door to cabbages and condoms restaurant....

i just found it...2-5PM in the sukhothai lobby ...13/3 so. sathron road..Tel: 287-0222..

this is a very nice hotel and you will enjoy a stop there