#thailand travel requirements

[wanderlustphotosblog]

Planning the Perfect Two-Week Thailand and Cambodia Itinerary

Experience the best of Thailand and Cambodia with my comprehensive 15-day itinerary. Explore ancient temples, stunning beaches, and vibrant cities.

The only thing better than visiting the incredible countries of Thailand and Cambodia is seeing them both in one trip. With incredible history, culture, and food, both countries are hot spots for travel in Southeast Asia. While it may seem like a lot to visit both countries in one trip, I show you how in this amazing Thailand and Cambodia itinerary. If you can travel for fifteen days, this…

[visacollect]

How Visa Collect Helps You Find the Cheapest Visa in the World for 2024

Travelling is fun, but visas may be complicated. Travelers frequently seek the cheapest solutions because of application costs, processing periods, and restrictions. Visa Collect helps you discover the lowest 2024 visa worldwide.

What is Visa Collect?

Visa Collect is an innovative online platform that simplifies visa applications for worldwide travelers. Visa Collect lets digital nomads, business travelers, and explorers compare visa prices and criteria across many places to find the most reasonable and accessible choice.

With growing travel prices in 2024, Visa Collect's ability to get the cheapest visa in the world is vital for budget travelers.

Why Visa Prices Vary by Country

Visa costs and criteria vary per nation for several reasons, including:

Diplomatic agreements: Some nations waive visa costs.

Economic policies: Countries may impose visa fees based on economic, tourist, or international relations aims.

Processing complexity: Countries with stronger entrance criteria or comprehensive background checks may charge more.

Finding the world's cheapest visa for your vacation location might be stressful with so many factors. Visa Collect simplifies research with a single resource.

How Visa Collect Finds the Cheapest Visa Worldwide

Visa Collect tracks visa fees, application processes, and acceptance rates from hundreds of countries. Visa Collect lets you:

Compare visa fees: Find the cheapest countries for your nationality.

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Assess needs: Visa Collect lets you find simplified visas that require fewer documentation or tasks.

Visa Collect tracks economic visa possibilities for short-term stays for digital nomads in 2024 from numerous nations.

Top Destinations with the Cheapest Visas

The following places provide some of the lowest visas for 2024 travelers:

Thailand: Budget travelers love Thailand because it provides cheap visas for short stays. Visa Collect recommends this Southeast Asian location for budget vacations.

Vietnam: Visas in Vietnam are affordable, especially for visitors. Visa Collect updates its e-visa service, one of the cheapest methods to enter the nation.

Georgia: At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia attracts digital nomads. Georgia has among the cheapest long-term visas for freelancers and remote workers, according to Visa Collect.

Bali, Indonesia: Bali is a top destination for low visas in 2024 due to its burgeoning digital nomad community. Visa Collect offers real-time visa fees and application instructions.

Visa Collect's Benefits for Finding the Cheapest Visa Worldwide

Visa Collect enhances trip planning through: 

Current Information: Visa costs and criteria vary regularly. Visa Collect guarantees accurate and up-to-date data, easing travel budgeting.

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Global Coverage: Visa Collect offers visas for Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Personalized Recommendations: Visa Collect recommends the most economical and accessible visas based on your nationality and travel interests.

Tips for Finding the Cheapest Visa in the World Using Visa Collect

Plan: How early you apply affects visa costs. Visa Collect lets you compare ordinary and accelerated processing charges to find the best fit for your schedule and budget.

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Conclusion

Find the world's cheapest visa in 2024 without any hassle. Visa Collect lets you compare visa rates, analyze criteria, and apply for the most economical solutions depending on your trip objectives. Visa Collect helps you travel smarter and save money throughout Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and beyond.

FAQs

1. How is Visa Collect different from other visa application platforms?

Visa Collect is unique since it compares visa prices, criteria, and processing time frames from hundreds of countries in real-time. It streamlines discovering the lowest visa choices for each traveler's nationality and trip purpose, assuring the most affordable visa solutions.

2. Can Visa Collect assist with long-term visas?

Visa Collect offers information about short-term and long-term visas, including work visas for digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers seeking cost-effective choices in different nations.

3. How often is Visa Collect data updated?

Visa Collect routinely updates its database with visa pricing, application, and entrance criteria changes. This guarantees travelers get the newest and most accurate trip planning information.

4. Does Visa Collect help with visa-free travel?

Absolutely! Visa Collect lets travelers locate the lowest visas and identify visa-free countries, saving time and money.

5. Is Visa Collect beneficial for last-minute travel?

Visa Collect helps last-minute travelers choose countries with rapid and economical visa processing.`

[fbholidays]

Thailand Visa from Dubai: Fast & Easy Application

Obtain your Thailand visa from Dubai with ease. Our expert assistance streamlines the process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for your travel plans.

[guzhufuren]

A Guide to Some of the Best Queer Asian Shows

The guide includes a show’s basic summary; main genres/tropes/themes and official streaming links (additional info on how to watch at the end of this post)! You can find some content warnings in the reply section of this post. Shows are listed by countries, numbered by the order I recommend watching in, not by rating. All shows have happy endings unless specified otherwise. The list will hopefully be updated regularly (last updated on 04/04/2024, 98 queer shows in total).

Most shows are about mlm, I specify with coloured notes those that are focused on wlw, polyamory, aromantism/asexuality, etc.

Tumblr does not allow large texts or more than 30 images per post at the moment, so you can click on every country’s list to expand them and view them fully in a separate post. You can access this guide in a google doc here.

Thailand 🇹🇭 (full list here)

1. KinnPorsche mafia boss/bodyguard; action; kidnapper/kidnapee side couple

Kinn, a son of a prominent mafia head, is ambushed by an enemy, and meets Porsche, a bartender who comes to his rescue for a price, thus beginning their reluctant relationship as boss and bodyguard, which soon turns into something more.

iQIYI

2. Bed Friend friends with benefits; office setting; trauma

King and Uea work in the same office. After a company outing ends in a drunken hook-up between them, Uea and King agree to keep seeing each other on a strictly physical basis. With no strings attached, will these two be able to keep things between them simple and carefree or will their emotions eventually get the better of them?

Uncut 18+ on iQIYI or GagaOOLala or cut on YouTube

3. The Sign reincarnated lovers; fantasy; thai mythology; police

The story of the love between Phaya and Tharn who used to be mythological creatures Naga and Garuda in their past lives, and were forced apart. But fate intervened, and two men were reincarnated in new bodies. Now, they work together as partners in the Special Investigations Unit to uncover violent crimes and supernatural mysteries while their love is tested by mystical forces and past enemies.

YouTube

4. I Feel You Linger In The Air period drama; time travel; bittersweet

Jom, an architect overseeing the renovation of a rundown villa, continuously dreams of a man he's never met. When a twist of fate transports Jom to Chiang Mai in the 1920s, he assumes the role of a servant to the affluent young master Yai, the mysterious man from his dreams.

GagaOOLala or YouTube

5. You're My Sky sports; university setting; coming of age

Thorn, a young basketball player follows his senior Fah to university as a result of the promise they’d made — to become national basketball champions. However, to his dismay, he finds that Fah has already given up on basketball. --- Aai has to work in pairs throughout the semester with San, 1 year footballer; in order to receive a scholarship to study in Japan, Ai must be willing to do everything to get an A grade. --- Track running requires the compatibility of the team members to be very high. Vee, who became the new racquet 4, has to speed up training to fit in with the team as quickly as possible, especially with Dome, spending extra time together to train. Is love actually a major obstacle on the path of being an athlete?

Viki

> more tv shows from Thailand

GMMTV Thailand 🇹🇭 (full list here)

1. My School President high school setting; secret crush; school president/rebel musician

Gun is the head of his high school music club. Tinn is a school president and Gun's long-term rival. The Principal wants to disband some of the school’s “useless” after-school clubs, especially the music club. Per school rules, the student council president is the one who has the power to dissolve clubs. Gun is now at Tinn’s mercy, so he attempts to do whatever he can to persuade his rival not to cancel the music club. Little does he know, Tinn actually has a secret crush on him. Could romance brew as Gun makes a desperate attempt to secure the future of his band?

Viki (MSP) & YouTube (Our Skyy special 33-40) & YouTube (special)

2. Moonlight Chicken adult romance; age gap; deaf character

Jim is an ordinary guy running a chicken rice diner. One night, he meets Wen when he stays past closing drunk. Brought together by fate that night, intangible feelings arise. Neither can stop thinking about the other despite Jim's efforts to remain unattached. Jim also takes care of his nephew Li Ming, who is falling in love with Heart, a deaf teenager who is practically kept under house arrest by his affluent parents.

YouTube

3. Not Me revolution; freedom fighters; secret twins

When his twin Black is viciously attacked and subsequently left hospitalised in unconsciousness, White is unable to endure the harm done to his brother in silence. He learns Black was a part of a gang of anti-capitalist freedom fighters, and it was one of them who betrayed him. White disguises himself as Black to discover which one of them betrayed him and put him in a coma.

YouTube

4. 23.5 wlw; high school setting; secret admirer

Ongsa moves to a new school and meets Sun, a cute popular girl who she immediately falls for. However, she decides to approach Sun in instagram dms under the pseudonym Earth, leading Sun to believe she's talking to a guy. But Ongsa does not want to lose the opportunity to talk to Sun, so she decides to keep the fact that she is a girl a secret and continue talking as Earth.

YouTube

> more tv shows from GMMTV Thailand

Japan 🇯🇵 (full list here)

1. Cherry Magic!   mind reading; secret crush; office setting

By still being a vіrgin at 30, Adachi gains a magical power – the ability to read other people's minds by touching them. At first, he’s overwhelmed by his new ability, and it’s not proving to be helpful to him. But that all changes when he accidentally touches their office’s most perfect guy Kurosawa, who he learns has romantic feelings for him.

WeTV (Cherry Magic) & no international streaming of Cherry Magic The Movie is available to my knowledge, so watch on bilibili or KissKH

2. Kieta Hatsukoi (My Love Mix-Up!)   misunderstanding; high school setting

Aoki has a crush on Hashimoto, the girl in the seat next to him in class. But he despairs when he borrows her eraser and sees she's written the name of another boy — Ida — on it. To make matters more confusing, Ida sees Aoki holding that very eraser and thinks Aoki has a crush on him!

Viki

3. Our Dining Table food; child character

Salaryman Yutaka finds it difficult to share meals with other people. However, his life starts to change when one day, his cooking attracts the attention of a young boy named Tane and his older brother Minoru. The two brothers are impressed by Yutaka's cooking skill and invite him to their house to cook together. Yutaka's dreary life begins to change, and soon he finds himself looking forward to the meals he shares with the Ueda siblings together, as well as developing a taste for romantic feelings.

GagaOOLala

4. She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat wlw; neighbours; self-discovery; food

Nomoto loves to cook, but tends to make too much food and has no one to share it with. Luckily for her, turns out her neighbor Kasuga has a big enough appetite for the both of them.

No international streaming available, translated to english by Furritsubs, S1 & S2, watching instructions provided, please support translator on kofi.

5. Takara-kun to Amagi-kun high school setting; relationship exploration

Takara is a good-looking popular guy in class, while Amagi is a simple but bright and pure fellow classmate. The two begin to date in secret after Amagi's blurted out confession.

Viki or GagaOOLala

> more tv shows from Japan

China 🇨🇳 (full list here)

Most chinese shows are adapted from explicitly queer novels, the shows are undeniably and obviously queer, but nevertheless the queer romance part is censured. The only exception is number 4 on the list, it is not censored.

1. The Untamed period drama; fantasy

An epic fantasy led by a problem child who comes back from the dead 16 years later in order to fix the broken world he left behind — and finally unite with his soulmate.

YouTube

2. Word of Honor period drama; fantasy

The leader of assassin organisation Zhou Zishu quits his position in pursuit of freedom with drastic measures. In his travels, he meets Wen Kexing, the leader of Ghost Valley who wants nothing but revenge. The two become entangled in various machinations within the martial arts world, and eventually become soulmates instrumental in each other's redemption.

YouTube & Special Episode on Tumblr or DailyMotion

3. Couple of Mirrors wlw; period drama; socialite/assassin

You Yi is a kind-hearted socialite and a successful author. Her perfect life is turned upside-down when she discovers a betrayal by the two most trusted people in her life. With no one left to turn to, she finds refuge in the friendship and support of Yan Wei, a lonely female killer disguised as the owner of a photo studio.

YouTube. the show doesn’t have a happy ending, but it can be a happy ending for you if you stop watching at episode 12 timestamp 28:02.

4. Stay With Me enemies to lovers; high school setting; unconventional families; slow burn

Su Yu is a high school student who lives with his single poor father. Su Yu gets a new classmate Wu Bi. The two clash right from the start, and after getting off on the wrong foot, their explosive relationship takes a turn.

YouTube or GagaOOLala. the show doesn’t have a happy ending, but it can be a happy ending for you if you stop watching at episode 24 timestamp 05:00. OR watch the full thing and look at this post after

5. The Spirealm inside of a video game; mystery; fantasy; horror-ish; hopeful ending

A game designer Lin Qiushi is transported inside of a game he recently played, and now he must go through 12 horrifying survivor game doors to survive in the real world. Inside his first door he meets Ruan Nanzhu, a mysterious man who offers him to team up.

The show was taken down from streaming, download files here and subtitles here.

Various WLW mini web-dramas here.

Various WLW short films here.

South Korea 🇰🇷 (full list here)

1. Love for Love's Sake inside of a video game; high school setting; healing

At the age of 29 Tae Myungha finds himself transported into a fictional video game, and now 19 years old, he meets Cha Yeowoon, who is in the darkest moment of his life. And a translucent window appears where he receives a mission — to make Cha Yeowoon happy.

iQIYI (better subtitles) or GagaOOLala

2. Semantic Error enemies to lovers; university setting

A serious programmer and a rebellious artist clash over a school project. Their animosity keeps escalating to new extremes, defined by petty pranks and feisty arguments.

Viki

3. Love Tractor farm setting; farmer/city musician

Sunyeol, a city man with zero ability to survive in the countryside, comes to his grandfather's rural home. In front of him appears Yechan, a passionate and kind young farmer. While learning about rural life and assisting with farming tasks, Sunyeol gradually finds himself drawn to Yechan's warm and straightforward nature, while Yechan helplessly falls for Sunyeol.

iQIYI

4. Our Dating Sim high school friends to lovers; office setting

After 7 years, Lee Wan meets his first love, Shin Kitae, in a gaming company. When they were best friends in high school, Lee Wan was in love with Kitae. But he ran away and disappeared after confessing his feelings to Kitae after graduation. When the two of them begin working on a new dating simulation game and get more immersed in the project, old feelings are rekindled.

Viki or GagaOOLala

5. She Makes My Heart Flutter wlw; bar setting; niece and aunt dynamic

The extroverted Gang Seol is hired by her aunt Jung at her only-women bar. Even though they are both lesbians, they seem to be worlds apart and have very different love stories.

YouTube

> more tv shows from South Korea

Taiwan 🇹🇼 (full list here)

1. History3: Trapped mafia boss/policeman

The story of a police officer who becomes trapped in the underworld, as he develops feelings for a gang leader.

YouTube or Viki

2. Kiseki: Dear to Me mafia; age gap

Bai Zongyi, an exemplary high school student with dreams of becoming a doctor, is one day unexpectedly drawn into the world of a charismatic and mischievous gangster Fan Zerui, who blackmails him into taking him in and treating his wounds. Just as their love story begins to unfold, Fan Ze Rui's criminal life catches up with him. On the other hand, Chen Yi and Ai Di are two orphans who grew up in the gang together. Ai Di has always loved Chen Yi, but Chen Yi only notices their boss.

Viki or GagaOOLala or YouTube

3. My Tooth Your Love dentist/chef; trauma healing

Bai Lang is a successful bistro owner with an severe fear of visiting the dentist... until a toothache forces him to come face to face with the handsome yet cold dentist Jin Xunan.

Viki

4. Anti Reset android/human

When Chu Yi Ping, an emotionless man, dislocates his hand in an accident at school, his uncle gives him Ever 9 as a caretaker, an experimental intelligent robot that his company is secretly testing.

Viki or iQIYI or GagaOOLala

5. History2: Crossing the Line sports; high school setting

When an injury sidelines a high school senior from the volleyball team, he develops feelings for a recruit.

YouTube or Viki

> more tv shows from Taiwan

Philippines 🇵🇭

1. Sleep With Me wlw; radio; disabled character in a wheelchair

A science textbook writer with a sleep disorder meets a wheelchair-using radio host who runs the midnight shift. This chance encounter at the radio station quickly sparks their interest in each other.

GagaOOLala

---

You can watch many shows for free on YouTube, and watch others on the streaming websites by setting VPN to one of the countries in the list. In other cases I recommend paying for subscriptions to show appreciation and support of content in order to get more of it in the future, but if you can’t, watch on KissKH (better quality), Dramacool or get files from MkvDrama. Enjoy!  🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[lurkingteapot]

Free Thai language learning resources

I’ve been learning Thai for the past 20 months. This list is by no means complete or comprehensive, what works for me doesn’t have to work for you, etc etc. That said: I’ve used most of these and found them useful, I thought you might, too. Have fun!

Youtube channels with free video lessons:

There are tons of wonderful teachers on youtube; this is by no means an exhaustive list. The three channels listed here are comprehensive, long-running, and updated regularly; if you have other favourites, please reblog and append!

Comprehensible Thai is a channel that teaches Thai in Thai, from zero, via the comprehensible input method. They have videos from total beginner through upper intermediate/lower advanced levels available.

Learn Thai with Mod – Mod runs a language school that offers good, structured group classes; she and her co-teachers often upload short videos about specific aspects of Thai. The channel has been around for a long time and they cover a lot of topics, including grammar points.

Thai Lessons by New (Learn Thai one Word one Sentence) – lots of good vocabulary and situational phrases

Other channels I like:

Advanced Thai with Kruu Momm -- one of my favourites, Momm’s a star. Not included in the upper list only because this is definitely more of an intermediate-advanced resource.

Thai with Grace -- I knew of Grace via her polyglot channel and travel vlogs before I realised she also teaches Thai. Fun stuff.

Kat talks Thai -- I believe Kat is more active on instagram (@kattalksthai), but these are still really neat.

Perth Nakhun’s Basic Thai playlist

Honourable mentions because they’re interesting and can be nice supplements (yes, the video titles on these channels tend to be clickbaity, the content is useful, though):

Stu Jay Raj: Stu is a polyglot based in Thailand. His channel is a bit of a mixed bag, but he has a very interesting approach to languages and sometimes does foreign accent reduction / accent analysis sessions on his channel (with consent and participation of those whose speech he dissects).

Thai Talk with Paddy: Paddy is an Australian who learned Thai when he was a volunteer in Thailand, he’s kept it up. Fun things about language learning and culture

Listening comprehension

I’m assuming many folks on here who are interested in Thai already watch some Thai shows (yes I’m stereotyping but also this is tumblr), which means you’re spending time listening to Thai.

If you’re not:

Netflix, Youtube, WeTV, and Viki all have several Thai shows with English subtitles available. The Youtube channel of Thai broadcasting giant GMMTV has English subtitles on nearly all of their uploaded series, some series are also subtitled in languages other than English. one31 is another huge channel; they have English subtitles on some series and some series also have subtitles in Thai. There’s tons more – find a rec list and a Thai show that sounds like you’d enjoy it, chances are you’ll be able to watch it for free, legally, on youtube. You can use the youtube controls (or the ones on netflix) to turn the speed down to 75% —this can make it a lot easier to catch what’s being said. 50% gets so draggy that I personally find it almost harder to understand, but ymmv—give it a shot!

https://lingopolo.org/thai/ has real-life recordings for listening practice; sign-up is required but it���s literally just an e-mail-address, user name and password. Using the site is free.

https://www.activethai.com/ has a section dedicated to learning the tones (under “Overview of Thai Tones”) including a self-test for listening that I found very useful.

Learning to read

I will always, always, ALWAYS recommend learning to read the Thai script. All available romanisations for Thai have drawbacks, and besides, you learned to read English with its “though through thorough tough thought”, you can damn well learn to read Thai. I promise it will help you improve your pronunciation (yes, really) and overall understanding of how the language works.

Learn-to-Read-Thai resources that seem comprehensive and like they should do everything in one:

Anki decks “Read Thai PHASE 1 - The Consonants“, “Read Thai PHASE 2 - Thai Vowels“, “Read Thai PHASE 3 - Consonant Classes” and “Read Thai PHASE 4 - Tone Rules” by Khruu Gaan (ครูกานต์). Anki is probably the most powerful spaced repetition software I have ever used. It’s free on all desktops and android. These decks have sound.

Memrise course “Read Thai: A Complete Guide to Reading Thai“

Other resources I used (In hindsight, I feel like I should’ve picked one resource to learn to read from and stuck with it; I think I was rushing and made things more complicated than need be for myself with my hodgepodge mix-and-match approach. But hey, I can read now.)

https://www.activethai.com/ – the site I started with. Teaches the consonants separated by class and with sound. The only reason this is no longer my top recommendation is that I ended up using this alongside a resource that helped me memorise what the words used to represent the letters actually mean because the site itself didn’t tell me, and I wanted that easy way to have 44 vocabulary words ready as soon as you’re done learning your consonants, and it gives you access to neat mnemonics such as ไก่จิกเด็กตาย(เฎ็กฏาย)บนปากโอ่ง.

The chart on Wikipedia’s English article on the Thai Script

the reference section of Thai-Language.com

In order to better learn to read Thai written in different fonts (modern and handwriting fonts can be tough at first), the Thai Script typographical styles overview on Thai-language.com was a huge help, as was throwing simple phrases things into gdocs and messing around to see how different fonts made them look. This chart from sanukmaak.com also helped.

Speaking and pronunciation

The hardest one for any new language for most folks. For me personally, finding someone who speaks the language and is willing to correct me was an absolute necessity, but I know that’s not always an option. If you’re going it on your own, make sure you check out the resources above for learning to hear the tones and those sounds and sound clusters not present in your own language correctly first.

Things to try on your own:

shadowing: Whenever someone on a show utters a sentence you think might be useful, or provide a useful pattern, or something just sounds cool, rewind and try to speak along as they say it, trying to make it sound as close to their pronunciation as you can.

try to record yourself and listen back -- yes, it’s cringe af but it will HELP.

memorising short sentences and phrases: tying back to the section above, there's a ton of youtube videos that is "phrases to use in [situation]" that are great for targeted learning if you're up for it

self talk (cautiously! don't want to cement bad pronunciation habits)

if you’re linguistically inclined: looking up descriptions on how to make a sound correctly sometimes helps, as does watching videos of folks who’ve successfully learned the language.

once you’ve learned to read: find sentences to read somewhere (twitter, a textbook, whatever) and read them into your phone’s dictation engine. See if the software understands you correctly. Adjust as needed until it does.

Websites and apps to find language partners or (paid) tutors

Like any other app where you ‘meet people’, please exercise caution on these.

italki (mainly for finding tutors and teachers, but you can find language partners on the forums)

Preply (web/app) (for finding tutors/teachers)

hellotalk (app only, iOS/android) for finding language partners -- free to use basic features like messaging, voice rooms, etc; has annoying ads

tandem (app only, iOS/android) for finding language partners -- free to use basic features, has ads

any other app or website that’ll let you meet people, like local facebook groups (yes really), instagram, etc

(note: Neither hellotalk nor tandem allow users to sign up without selecting a binary gender. it sucks. I’ve seen people who managed to circumvent this on Hellotalk by signing up via apple ID (? I think), but it’s hearsay and I have not managed to do so myself.)

Books (a book) that are (is) worth spending money on imo

Higbie & Thinsan: Thai Reference Grammar. The Structure of Spoken Thai. Orchid Press: Bangkok, 2002. Yes, it’s ancient in textbook terms. It’s not perfect, but it’s still the best reference grammar for Thai I’ve come across so far, and I use it frequently.

Random bits and bobs

Stu Jay Raj has two videos in particular that I, as a phonetics-and-phonology-loving person, loved and found extremely useful and wished I’d watched before I started to try and learn the script: Thai Vowels for Dummies in 5 Min v2 - A System Impossible to Forget and Thai Bites Extended Edition - Transliterating Thai using IPA. I realise these may be overwhelming and less helpful for people with no prior phonetics or phonology training, but they helped me so much it’d feel amiss not to include them.

Resources I recommend AGAINST using when starting out

drops/hello words -- seems like their Thai courses have been created using machine translation that wasn’t sufficiently proofread. They will assign you nouns in places of the corresponding verb or false cognates, and that’s within the first 10 or so lessons. Might be useful once the level where a learner can tell “ah, yeah, that’s … not right” has been reached? idk.

transcription as generated by google translate: BURN IT WITH FIRE. it’s a transliteration, i.e. 1-to-1 representation of 1 Thai letter = 1 Latin letter (extended), it’s not phonemic, it’s not going to help ANYONE (and those who can make sense of it presumably already read Thai and would be better off with just Thai script). Just. Stop.

Google translate as a dictionary: still shitty but not AS bad as the transcription function. Still, for the love of all that you hold dear, please, save yourself the pain and confusion and just use thai2english or thai-language.com instead.

---

And that’s that from me, friends. Yeeting this into the void before I second-guess myself more. Please append additional resources!

Edited to fix a couple of typos and errors on 2023-06-15

[thisonelikesaliens]

Update on Thailand's marriage equality bill:

Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Martin Petty

BANGKOK, March 27 (Reuters) - Thailand's lower house of parliament on Wednesday passed a marriage equality bill at the final reading, in a landmark step that moves the country closer to becoming the third territory in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.

The bill now requires approval from the Senate and endorsement from the king before it becomes law. It had the support of all of Thailand's major parties and was passed by 400 of the 415 lawmakers present, with 10 voting against it.

"We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality," Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee on the draft bill, told lawmakers ahead of the reading.

"I want to invite you all to make history."

The passing of the bill marks a significant step towards cementing Thailand's position as one of Asia's most liberal societies on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, with openness and free-wheeling attitudes coexisting with traditional, conservative Buddhist values.

Thailand has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant LGBT social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBT travellers.

The bill could take effect within 120 days of royal approval. Thailand would follow Taiwan and Nepal in becoming the first places in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.

The legislation has been more than a decade in the making, with delays due to political upheaval and disagreement on what approaches to take and what should be included in the bill.

The Constitutional Court had in 2020 ruled Thailand's current marriage law, which only recognises heterosexual couples, was constitutional, recommending legislation be expanded to ensure rights of other genders.

Parliament in December approved four different draft bills on same-sex marriage in the first reading and tasked a committee to consolidate those into a single draft.

(source)

[absolutebl]

Be My Favorite - Flaming Hot Trash Watch Action

Ready for this?

Adapted from the y-novel You Are My Favorite by JittiRain this is one of those “rewrite the past to change the future.” Starring Krist (SOTUS) + Fluke Gawin (DBK, Not Me). I expect this to be low heat, full of LIES and manipulation.

12 eps of approx 45 min fresh content each, and I guess I am drinking on frigay for the next 3 damn months 

Main tropes: time travel/slip/loop, paranormal, university setting, soft romance, low heat, sunshine/tsundere with GMMTV’s heavy hand on classic Thai BL tropes, product placement, and high production values.

Trailer | MDL

I’m getting some shizz outta my system before I start putting the alcohol into it...

Story issues 

Let’s get this on the table. I have a mixed relationship with Jittirain’s stuff because unlike Mame who is trash to her characters with plot, Jittirain is trash to plot with characters. All characters (what limited characterization there is) will be obedient to the plot and act against personality the moment it is necessary for whatever insanity is required for audience manipulation. We The Watchers WILL feel jerked around by these jerks (but as this is GMMTV there will be no actual jerking). We WILL be lied to, and the characters will lie to each other FOR NO GOOD REASON. 

In addition to Be My Favorite JittiRain is behind: Vice Versa, 2gether, Fish Upon the Sky, and Theory of Love. Mmm humm. Yeah. Drinks are defiantly required. 

Actor issues: 

Krist: Who knew Krist would do a BL again? Like seriously? His career has been riddled with controversy and his skills as an actor widely challenged. Regarding the first, this is not that blog, take that discourse/cancel culture elsewhere. For the second? I will judged his acting based on the usual criteria: this BL, this role, this pairing, this script, and the fact that this is Thai style acting. Okay?

Gawin/Fluke: I will likely slip and call him Gawin because that’s what he used when he first crossed my radar. I have said this before but he looks like an ex of mine. So my baggage with him is all personal. Said ex and I are amicable, but it wigs me out sometimes. They even have a similar voice. I will try to get over this. 

Also the both SCREAM straight. I mean I don’t wanna judge insult or anything but these boys got breeder smeared all over them. 

Okay, so what are we doing here?

Well, as previously established: DRINKING.

AND

A new trash watch! 

Although there is always the (however faint) possibility it will become a praise watch. Sometimes that happens. But this is Jittirain so... I doubt it. 

Ready?

Here we go! 

Episode 1: Sake & Fear 

I have heartburn already. Or maybe that’s the extra chili I put on my noodles + booze + EXISTENTIAL DREAD. 

Kawi = loser, poor, stupid, shy, and friendless (AKA Japan’s ordinary bottom uke archetype) - he’s a downer, this is an issue with this kind of character, not likable. 

Pearmai = the sunshine faen fatale Kawi has a crush on 

Piseang = the tall handsome cute popular perfect seme, plays basketball perfectly (waves at Love O2O), is also a DJ (nash)

Most of this ep was spent establishing this dynamic and some kind of secret santa for college kids, a magic time travel snow globe, and the fact that the wrong couple got together. 

Why is there a dandelion in the snow globe? 

Is it a wishes thing? Do they have that superstition in Thailand?

A 12 year time jump is v Japanese. Which life-point is closer to Krist’s actual age? Ooo, half a bottle of sake and I’m salty af. 

Apparently Kawi still has same problems and the same haircut as he did as a fresher.

Could we please talk about this? It’s in ALL BL. Why does NO ONE change their hair as they age? My hair changes by the week. 

Meanwhile our ordinary bottom has turned into a wild imbecilic tsundere and our seme clearly likes that and I am too drunk for this. So is Kawi. 

You know what, it’s not as terrible as I thought it would be. I don’t like it but I can see the characters becoming appealing. Maybe? Hopefully? Why do I do this to myself?

I’m not a monster, I will give it a chance. 

At least no one has yet picked up a guitar.

See you next week, same Jittirain time, same Jittiran place, new bottle of sake.  

Episode 2: Nigori & Serenity 

The sake I’m drinking tonight is described on the bottle “silky & mild” which is also a legit review of Gawin’s acting. 

WAIT A MINUTE.

What is going on? 

What am I feeling? 

They’re lying on the grass talking to each other in a meaningful way. It’s cute. I am enjoying it. How appropriately collegiate. 

Is this... enjoyment?

Am I enjoying this show?

OMG I AM. 

help 

I ate booze-filled chocolates AS WELL AS SAKE. 

Maybe it’s the double dose? 

Am I becoming silky & mild?

I got a slow down. I can’t do this every week for 12 weeks in a row. I’m not in uni anymore. I might end up being a nice person if I continue down this road. Can’t have that.  

Honestly, I do like the fantasy of getting to re-live your college years as a cooler version of yourself. 

Although, frankly, I did fine with mine. 

(Oh thank fuck, asshole me is back.) 

I don’t know where Max came from but he is officially the most interesting character in this show. 

Also... does he look a bit like a bad boy bunny to anyone else? 

It isn’t actually like it, but I am getting a distinct 2gether vibes from this show. It makes it feel kinda dated for BL. What a fucking crazy thing to say. Ignore me, I’m drunk. 

OOOOO.... Nong teasing. Very nice.  

The over dramatic drunken kiss made me giggle. First time Krist has been properly kissed in a BL.

Sigh. 

What do I do? 

I’m enjoying it! 

Damn it. 

Episode 3: Tipsy Waffling 

I was out at the club, came home faintly tipsy. Frankly I feel a little unwell, so I’m not gonna drink anymore. So this is an unprecedented semi-sober trash watch. I’m not sure if I’m ready but so far this show been beating expectations, and I don’t expect a derailment until next ep so I’m feel okay about my life choices. 

Okay Gawin is good. I’ll give you that . His little moment if realization (and giving up). The “oh shit” look. 

Wait.

That’s Title! 

When did he leave Wabi Sabi and join GMMTV’s stable? 

Look I kinda enjoyed this bit, because it was a joke.

BUT I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE ENDING.

Is this the beginning of the JittiRain of Doom? Or it this just good angsty story telling?

No way to know until next week.

(JittiRain of Doom - see what I did there? Aren’t I a clever little lush dragon?) 

I should go to bed now. 

I think we can safely say clouds are on the horizon and whether this is good storytelling or bad, only episode 4 will tell. 

Episode 4: It’s Happened! The Suck! 

not in a good way @heretherebedork​ said ep 4, can they call it or WHAT?! 

I’m officially calling Kwai’s pink haired Maximum hotness bestie “my café fae” and YOU can’t stop me. I love him. Or I want to be him? Or I AM him?

Difficult to know.

Checks own hair.

Not pick at at the moment. Mostly blue actually.

(I weirdly adore that blue open weave draw-string vest thing he’s rocking. Checks own closet. Wonders idly about turning a mesh laundry bag into a shirt.) 

Anygay... Café fae and I are running away together and not putting up with any of this Jittirain nonsense.

Right? 

Because this beach frolic...?  

Too cringe. Too awkward. I really don’t like all of embarrassment factor for everyone, not to mention humiliation and hazing and older kids picking on younger kids.

I’ve been done with this plot divice since SOTUS. And I’ll take it in small doses from Korea but no more Thailand. Stop it. And...

is that...

A GUITAR 

!!!

NO SINGING.

Oh, I hate this show.

Everyone listening in on the phone while he’s humiliating himself with a girl? This is fully terrible. 

I’m so uncomfortable with this whole episode. 

And yet. Secure. Because finally we are in the territory I was expecting. But ALSO I can’t bear it. 

Please make it stop.

At least Piseng is a decent human being.

And Pair. 

Screw all y’all. I’m eloping with Pair.

Wait.

What about my cafe fae? Hummmm. 

Ah! Got it. Thrupple! 

I’m not gonna lie. That was rough going. 

And I am not OK.

Although I’m digging this thrupple scheme of mine. 

Episode 5: I Am V Drunk

For those of you following the soga of ABL is a lush... 

I got my cocktail! 

Then got distracted by meeting colleagues at the bar. 

Then went for dinner and wine.

Then got another cocktail and finally made it back to the room. 

So by the time I started watching this week’s installment I was... quite drunk. 

Take this recap with a grain of salt margarita salt rim... no... not that kind of rimming, that’s just in KP, sadly... wait... what am I doing? I got distracted. This is GMMTV. Def no rimming. 

So! 

Kawi deserves his new asshole friends (stop it ABL no rimming). 

I just don’t like him. He’s too straight and whiney and homophobic. 

Could we have a romance between Pisang and Max? 

Asking for a friend me. 

Bet there would be rimming. They both seem very game. Just saying.

Different show ABL. Different show. 

Where was I? Apparently I went to the land of Bed Friends for a moment there. 

Why does anyone like Kawi? 

Max deserves better.  

Pear deserves better. 

Pisang deserves better. 

OMG!!! His utter wistful yearning over the happy gay bar. Poor baby. 

Awe don’t run away from Max. We love Max. Max is the best. You NEED a Max in your life. We all do! 

Someone described Max as “tired gay,” and I feel this keenly. 

NO SINGING. 

I DON’T LIKE WHERE THIS THREAD IS GOING. 

NO NO NO NO NO 

SKIP! Skipskipskip. 

Next week look like a classic ep 6 kiss then angst. Whatever. 

It was fine. 

This was a fine installment. 

I’m very drunk. 

Hotel all spinny. 

Hi, bed! Make me a sammitch. 

Episode 6: I Am Less Drunk Than I Should Be

I just wish this were Pisaeng’s story instead of Kawi’s. It would be a lot better. In fact, it is a lot better. Any time we get PS alone or with any other character it’s a better narrative. Any time with him and Max talking it’s the best of everything, That’s all I want on my screen.

In fact, Max is all I want. 

I love his “care bear kpop” clothes. 

This is definitely one of those shows where I don’t understand why anyone likes the central character - his friends, his love interests, his father, his audience, tumblr. 

No one should like him. He started out a loser and he’s only getting worse, and nasty to boot. 

Yes, it’s good we see him apologize, but there’s no logic behind the choices that led him to needing to make the apology in the first place! 

(No one does, honey.) 

We are heading into classic Jitiirain where are the characters are going to betray us and themselves in order to serve the narrative. 

And I’m not drunk enough for this. 

Honestly? I think Krist what is miss-cast as well. 

I’m not in the anti-Krist faction but just imagine... what if Kawi had been played by Khaotung? He has a much softer more dynamic screen presence. I think he could’ve carried even Jittirain’s patented nonsense. KT is... in fact... CUTE. 

Gawin is not an issue. (Which surprises me, since I came into this with a bias against him.) 

Because we can see PS thinks that K is cute even before the script felt the need to tell us this. 

Even when he’s being an arsehole, PS’s eyes are all soft for him. I guess some guys just are attracted to arseholes. 

Heh. 

See what I did there?

Meanwhile I hate PS’s mother! 

She = evil. 

I RECOGNIZE that balcony!

PS’s house/apartment thingy is the same as MaxNat celebrity pad in Y-Destiny. Another one for the location trackers.

That’s it, that’s all I got. 

Only one gay pun for you this evening. 

I have one job to do and I’m blowing it.

snerk

Nighty night. Don’t let the mosquitos bite leave hickeys. 

Episode 7: NO SINGING

I guess Kawi is one of those “straights” who just gets gayer the drunker he is. I know the type. 

Boozing the Kinsey Scale. 

Beer goggle queers. 

Cockeyed. 

Three sheets to the flame. 

Dick wasted. 

What else do we call them?

Oh yeah... cock tease. 

Episode 8: STOP SINGING 

Pisaeng for these last two episodes...

(singing cat never gets old, bite me) 

Good for you Pisaeng for standing up for yourself. Stop letting the straight boy jerk you around. 

(I see you in your matched couple shirts.) 

Omg I HATE Kawi just WHY IS ANYONE FRIENDS WIH HIM? 

Stop. Just this show would be so much better if he weren’t in it. 

I’m glad he lost Pisaeng and I enjoyed watching him cry. 

Even if he still made everything about himself. 

We return yet again to the fact that I love Max. Max and I are running away together. 

Pisaeng is just never Kawi’s priority, whereas the opposite is always the case. Talk about one sided love friendship relationship everything.  

Kawi the coward. 

To little too late. 

I do keep thinking about Big Eden with this series, Kawi just seems so straight no matter what he says or does or kisses.  

Poor Pisaeng he gets what he wants but it’s all out of pity, fear, and desperation. 

And all he wants is a chance to flirt? 

Is he an actual saint?

Fuck this damn show. 

(source)

As always with these trash watches, I update the original post until Tumblr has a brain fry and won’t let me anymore. Then it becomes an updated repost. Life in the dumpster fire is never dull. 

[bengiyo]

23.5 Degrees Ep 3 Stray Thoughts

Last time, the school allowed them to restart the astronomy club, but many students believe in the superstitious rumors about the club, and refused to join. Ongsa and Sun joined the club, and Luna was eventually able to convince Aylin to join. Ongsa continued to fret over lying about her online identity to Sun, and ridiculously threw her phone away in the garbage. However, after much strife, she got her phone back and reconnected with Sun in her Earth persona. Meanwhile, it seems that Mawin may have a crush on Tinh. We left at Ton saying he and Ongsa dated before, and now I am working on my gameplan about how Euro can still win and be paired with AJ. I am also shipping the teachers.

Three days? Does Ton really get around that much??

Ton is so much. Oh my god.

I tell you these kids stay filming each other in ways I am not comfortable with. I am glad I came of age before this era of surveillance because I would not have survived.

Classic gay behavior: managing an organization’s finances to be closer to your crush.

Sorry, Ongsa. Now all of Thailand thinks you’re straight.

Blossom, what does Ongsa’s romantic history have to do with your debt? You better pay what you owe!

23.5 please don’t let me down on Mawin. Big Gay Boys need love, too!

Oh, Mawin, are you really ready to face the consequences of rule breaking for dick?

I’m invested in Aylin’s search for connection.

Hold on! Sun is a sports gay!

I am never going to complain about a silly pratfall in this genre. That’s a requirement.

This poor dog always looks like he’s hot.

They really didn’t think this sneaking into school thing through once the school president’s cousin was interested.

They really let Tinh film them breaking school rules. How silly is that.

The sisterhood of the traveling pants has arrived at the school.

Wow. They really fell on each other twice this week.

Look at the security guard being reasonable.

Ton is too much.

For a second I thought they were going to throw the teacher over the balcony to his death.

Hiding in a closet? It’s where many of us first meet and connect.

The finger touch with the light in the background was a really nice touch (ha!).

Alpha is a real one. She's maintaining discipline and giving her boy a shot with Tinh at the same time.

I don't know if Blossom should be feeling smug with the state of her game. At least she's being a good sport.

"Every girl would be into you if you were a guy." Sun, sidebar.

Oh ho! Chaoren knows about Ongsa's crush. She seems like she meddles. This is good for us.

I'm having a lot of fun with this. I was chatting with @ginnymoonbeam earlier when I had to pause about how specific this show feels for the lesbian experience and how that gaze is impacting even the male stories. I love how effectively Milk is playing a loser, and a lot of the GMMTV boys should be taking notes.

[trickphotography2]

more darlin'/jake head canons? pls?

Oooh, okay - here are a few that popped into mind:

The McDonalds anniversary tradition is sacred. Jake fought having it as their dating and wedding anniversary because he wanted to make it special, but Darlin' dragged her feet. Eventually, they stop celebrating their first date with McDonalds and let it be their wedding anniversary tradition. If they're apart for their wedding anniversary, the first meal they're having back together is McDonalds. As the Seresin kiddos get older, they remind their parents about the tradition, and as teens roll their eyes as Darlin' tells the story of why they get the fast food, while Jake interjects with jokes. (He loves telling his coworkers he's taking his wife on a hot date for their anniversary, and seeing their faces fall when they find out where [an actual thing my dad loves doing on their anniversary for this exact tradition]). Like Darlin' predicted while driving to the hotel after their backyard wedding reception, the kids and grandkids love the tradition as well. Every year, Jake and Darlin' get pictures of McDonalds bags and their family on their anniversary.

Contract negotiations happen every year on their dating anniversary. Jake finally managed to get Darlin' to give him one anniversary to spoil her on by agreeing to drop his annual offer to redo their wedding so she could have a big ceremony. (Darlin' never wanted it to begin with, and it gave him an excuse to show his wife just how much he appreciated her every year instead of with one big event. His favorite was a weeklong trip to Thailand when Darlin's parents flew in for a month long visit when they were stationed in Japan. The grandparents got to hang out with the kiddos, while Jake and Darlin' got to explore and reconnect as a couple instead of being parents.) Negotiations are meant to be fun, but are also a time where they have serious discussions about their family and future. It's where Jake first brings up the idea of retiring from the Navy after hitting his 20 years. With his military pension secured and only 43-years-old, he could get a job as a civilian and be with his loved ones all the time. Discussions start that night, and Jake eventually decided not to drop his papers but to start looking at transitioning to a desk job that won't require as much travel. As much as he hates the idea of hanging up his helmet, he wants to be around his family more.

The Seresin kids know Javy as Uncle Coyote. The other Daggers are known by their call sign.

Both Darlin' and Jake end up going back to school. It takes some convincing for Darlin' to agree to it, but after one too many drinks one night, Jake got her talking about college. He saw how her eyes lit up talking her engineering classes. But when he tried to talk to her about it later, she brushed him off and said she was happy with her choice to switch to English, and there was no reason for her to back to school when she was busy with work and raising their family. He pushed harder when he brought a copy of the F-18 NATOPS home and caught her reading through the section on the fuel systems. Pulling in the big guns, Jake called his in-laws who joined his gentle pressure campaign. It took a review of their finances, assurance that Jake could support the family on his salary, and a conversation about using his GI Bill for her education rather than the kids for her to finally agree. In the end, Darlin' agreed to put in her notice at work and focus on being a full time student. It's an adjustment, juggling school with being a mom, and being the oldest person in class while trying to remember material she hadn't seen in over a decade, but thankfully she was able to complete the program in a year and a half. After graduating with her second Bachelor's, she went back into federal service, but was able to advance and get a higher paying job. Jake was just as reluctant to go back to school, but Darlin' turned his own words against him after he complained about feeling too old to be in the cockpit one too many times. If he wanted to advance up the chain of command, having a graduate degree would help. Eventually, after Mav got him in touch with a couple admirals who were happy to give him advice, he enrolled in the Naval Postgraduate School online program in the Master's in Warfare Operations (fully funded). It took almost two years to finish the program, and Darlin' loved seeing Jake doing his homework at the kitchen table with the kids finishing their schoolwork at the same time. They both had fun helping the other study, using certain motivational techniques...

[yeeehwa]

Turbulence (Part Two)

pairing: ot8 ateez x fem reader

genre: smut. fluff. angst.

warnings: n/a

word count: 1,586

summary: finally some information

a/n: sorry this chapter is so short. next one will be extra long and the plot will start coming into play more then! Please enjoy! also it wouldn't let me tag some people. not sure why, but i'll try to have it figured out by next update.

Turbulence has been put on permanent hiatus

tag list: @layzfeelit @marsattacks @dream-in-progress @mingkilovur @jenseok17 @camzpetite

previous | next

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

It’s been a week and you haven’t heard anything back from Mina, or KQ. You sighed and slammed your laptop shut, the constant refreshing of your emails just making your headache worse. You had expected to hear from someone by now. The only light came from the small desk lamp that sat in the corner of your desk, illuminating the disappointment on your face.

You ran your hand through your hair and pushed your laptop to the side. You picked your phone up and reread the last text that Mina had sent you. Not that you need to. You’ve basically memorized it by this point. 

Leaving for Korea. Will get you more information soon ❤️

Your response was left unopened, and a frustrated groan left you. You can’t believe you were more anxious for this than you were just waiting for an answer about the job.

You laid your head in your crossed your arms and closed your eyes. 1…2…3… you counted as you utilized your breathing exercise. 

A ding rung through the silence of your apartment and your head snapped up. You quickly reached for your phone, only to sigh again in disappointment. You had hoped it was more information about your travels and stuff, but it was just a notification from YouTube. You had followed KQ Entertainment on all social media platforms. Just so you could watch the content and start learning more about the people you’ll be working for and with. 

KQ Fellaz 2 had posted another video. You blinked, not realizing it was already 3am, but your infamous insomnia kept you up. You needed a distraction anyway, and opened the newest KQ Fellaz 2 video. 

You smiled at the antics of the group of boys, and some creative spark came to you. You smiled, loving when you’re hit with inspiration. Nighttime was where your creativity flowed best anyway. 

You reached down beside you and grabbed your sketchbook out of your bag, and paused on one of the members on screen. A huge smile spread across his face and eyes shining in laughter. You didn’t know his name yet, but you were almost positive it was Hunter.

Pulling the pencil out of the spiral that held your book together, you flipped to a blank page and got to work. 

You started with a close up of his face, deciding to do the exact expression that was on your screen. A wide smile, eyes scrunched, you were able to almost match him and you were proud of yourself. Faces and expressions were never your strong suit. You added a small gold chain that ran across his face, over the bridge of his nose, with golden yellow sapphires hanging down. 

Next to it, on the empty side of the page, you wrote detailed descriptions about each individual item. The chain links, the jewels, and why you chose the particular colors. 

The gold on Hunter's naturally tan skin matched beautifully. The golden yellow sapphire is the national gem of Thailand, where Hunter is from, displaying his roots. The yellow sapphire represents divine grace, something that is required when dancing and portraying emotion through dance. 

You sighed, resting your head on your arm as you wrote. Each piece to you has to have some sort of meaning or way of complimenting each other. It’s why you believe you’re so good with styling, and how you’ve gotten a few jobs on music video sets when artists were in New York for filming. 

Gold compliments the yellow sapphire-

You yawned, your eyes slowly drifting shut as you finally let sleep take you.

***

Your phone started ringing, jerking you out of your slumber. You yawned, before fully processing that it was your phone that was ringing. Majors grumpy whines finally made you sigh and look for your phone.

You slowly grabbed at your phone, eyes still half closed, and saw that you were getting a video call from Mina. 

“What?” You grumbled to her as you answered her call. The brightness of your phone hurt your eyes and you hissed, burrowing back into your arm. 

“Well, that’s a nice greeting.” She sasses to you. She stared at your dark screen. “What time is it?”

You groaned out at her in response. Slowly lifting your head to peek at the brightness. “5:47 in the morning. Go to bed.” Your head fell back into your arm. 

“I thought you’d be happy to hear from me. Considering I have info about when you start.” Mina set her phone down on her desk while unbuttoning her suit jacket and ungracefully plopped herself into her chair. 

You heard her huff out and paper shuffling and your head perked up a bit at the thought of finally getting some information. “Oh yeah?”

Mina smirked, not looking at the phone. “There she is.” She organized a few of her papers, picked them up and straightened them by tapping the edges on the desk. “They want you here next week. So the sooner we can get you over here and acclimated to the time change, the better.”

You groaned and fully sat up now, trying your best to stretch out your stiff back and neck, with no luck. You quickly jerked your neck to the left, then right, cracking it and releasing some tension. 

“Okay ew. Stop.” Mina cringed at the cracking of your neck. “You know I hate that.”

You sleepily blinked at her. “And you know that I hate having the little sleep I get interrupted, yet here we are.” You rolled your eyes at her. “I need coffee before anything else.”

Mina huffed in response and you laughed at her. “Don’t blame me. I’d still be happily asleep if you didn’t call me.”

“Girl. I-“

“Nu-uh.” You interrupted her. “Coffee first.” She crossed her arms and sat back in her chair, but let you go.

After trudging into your little kitchenette and making a decent cup of coffee, you sat back down in your desk chair and looked expectantly at Mina, more awake and able to focus.

She sat up in her chair and pushed some of her long hair into ut of her face. “As I was saying,” she started figiting with the papers again. “They want you here and starting next week. I’ll look into flights for you and Major. I can probably get you guys on a plane in 2 days. Is that enough time for you to pack? I’ll have Mark-“ she stopped at the look you gave her. “No not that Mark. I’m not an idiot. My brother Mark.” She rolled her eyes and made a sound of disgust. “I’ll have Mark and some of his friends come by and move your furniture to a storage unit. You can ship stuff that you’ll need as well.”

“I’m assuming we’re going back to our college days and we’ll be living together?”

“Yep!” She chirped. “I have an extra room I can clean out and more than enough space for Major in my apartment.”

“Is there room for my-“ 

Mina waved her hand at you, looking tired. “Yes Yee. There’s room for your sewing machine. And a little area where you can put your crafty stuff. Look. The main thing I need to tell you is that they want you here next week. You’ll be on a plane in two days, and when you get here, you’ll meet KQ Fellaz 2. They’re who you’re going to be starting with.” A voice off screen took her attention for a moment, before she looked back at you, then back at the voice. 

“Hongjoong should still be in the dance studio. Do you need me to go babysit again?” She rolled her eyes and sent you a wink, sticking her tongue out a little bit.

You couldn’t hear what the voice was saying, but it was stern, with a slightly playful undertone. Mina nodded. “Let me finish up with our new stylists and I’ll go get them. Yeah yeah. So home Eden! Go be with your wife!” She giggled as she playfully shooed him away.

She turned back to you, a warm smile on her face. “I have to go play hide and seek with my boys. It’s never fun. But, before I go, make sure you pack warm right now. Box up summer things and ship them. It’s cold here. And don’t forget your paperwork!” She shrugged her jacket back on. “Oh. And before I forget. I plan on having you move up very soon. I know you have a lot going on in that brain, and I know you’ve already been looking into Ateez and KQ Fellaz 2. You already have plenty of stuff sketched out, and knowing you, half of it is made or in the process of being made.” She sent a wink and she picked up her phone. “You’ll do fine. Don’t overthink. I’ll send you an email with your flight information soon. I love you!” She gave you a cute finger heart and hung up the call. 

You blinked, absorbing all the information she just threw at you. You smiled, finally having at least some idea of what’s going on. And you’ll be leaving soon. Your eyes widened. You’ll be leaving soon!

You decided to down your coffee and get to work. You needed to make a list of what you needed to take with you and what could wait and get shipped over. Major was grumpy as you made so much noise as you started to pack.

[shivangeasyvisa]

(via The Ultimate Guide to Securing a Thailand Tourist Visa)

[salvadorbonaparte]

I was watching TV yesterday and they shared this "inspiring" story of this guy who travelled from Germany to Thailand by foot/bike/train etc for over 400 days to propose to his girlfriend and they made it seem like he's a low budget spontaneous backpacker but I have so many issues with the story

He mentioned he had his own company that he gave up to do this which already implies to me a level of economic stability most people don't have

A lot of the countries he travelled to require visas to be applied for well in advance and some of them are relatively expensive so either he planned this all in advance, travelled there illegally or like. Waited at the border for ages???

They then showed his engagement ring with six diamonds plus a big ass diamond he allegedly "found" in Pakistan???

Also if you want to propose to your long distance girlfriend just buy a plane ticket instead of taking over a year to arrive for a social media stunt??

[namrata-hinduja]

6 Essential International Travel Tips for First-Time Adventurers By Namrata Hinduja

No matter how much you’ve traveled in your own country, planning your first trip abroad can be exciting and also little overwhelming. At Go Overseas, we’ve been traveling the world for years and still pick up new tips and tricks along the way.

Exploring a brand-new place might seem scary or confusing at first, but it doesn’t have to be! Follow these simple tips to prepare for international travel and make your trip stress-free and enjoyable.

Prepare your travel documents

The first and one the most crucial tip to avoid stress is to apply for your passport early and check its validity. Many countries require your passport to have at least six months of validity and enough blank pages for entry. If your passport is close to expiring, renew it before booking your flights, as delays in processing can create disrupt in your plans. Also, research whether you need a visa, as some countries won’t allow you to enter without one. While US and UK passport holders can often travel visa-free or get a visa on arrival, rules vary, so always double-check entry requirements.

Research about your destination

Take time to research your destination to make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. While traveling spontaneously might sound fun, knowing a bit about the country’s culture, language, and laws can help you avoid surprises. For example, chewing gum is banned in Singapore, feeding pigeons is illegal in Venice, and riding a cow while drunk is against the law in Scotland! Every country has its own unique rules that might seem unusual to outsiders, but understanding them beforehand will help you respect local customs and stay out of trouble.

Questions to research about the country you're visiting

• What is the local currency? • Can you drink the tap water? • What is the dominant religion and are there rules around clothing modesty? • How catered to tourism is your destination? Are accommodations for tourists widely available? • What is the country's main language? How widely is English spoken? • Does the local food align with your dietary requirements? • Do traffic laws in this location differ from your home country?

Address money matters

Before heading off to your faraway destination, make sure to let your bank know about your travel plans. This way, they won’t think your card is being used fraudulently when it suddenly pops up at a market in Thailand!

In some destinations, ATMs might not be easy to find, and many cash-based countries don’t accept cards at most restaurants or shops. If that’s the case, make sure to carry enough cash for your daily expenses. Some travelers like to use a money belt to keep larger amounts safe while exploring.

Book everything in advance

If you’re sure about your travel plans, it’s best to book your trip as soon as you’re ready. While last-minute flexibility might sound exciting, you could face limited options or high prices for accommodations if you wait too long. Many last-minute travelers end up scrambling to find a place to stay, which can be stressful and expensive. The same goes for transport tickets—you’ll often get better deals by booking early. Planning your itinerary in advance not only saves money but also gives you peace of mind, letting you focus on enjoying your trip without worrying about what’s next.

prioritize your safety and health

While it’s not helpful to worry too much about what could go wrong, staying aware of your surroundings and taking simple safety precautions will help you enjoy your adventure to the fullest.

Safety tips to follow while abroad

• Keep your belongings safe from pickpockets by using a crossbody bag or fanny pack. These are great for storing your phone and wallet securely. Avoid keeping valuables in your back pocket or the outside of your backpack! If you're extra worried, consider using a money belt under your clothes or a theft-proof wallet for added security.

• Stay connected by sharing your travel plans with friends and family before you go, including your accommodation details and contact information. If you're from the US, consider signing up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the U.S. State Department. This way, the local U.S. Embassy can reach out to you in case of emergencies like natural disasters or political issues.

• Consider getting travel insurance as an essential part of your trip preparation. It can help cover unexpected costs like emergency evacuations or lost luggage, saving you money if something goes wrong. You can find travel insurance and other helpful items on GO’s nomad essentials page!

• Use your common sense while traveling. Ask locals or hotel staff about areas to avoid. It's a good idea to travel with a buddy at night, and if you're going out, don't drink too much, especially if you're alone or with people you don't trust. If you use apps to meet new people, you always meet in public places. Most importantly, trust your instincts—if something or someone feels off, listen to that feeling!

Pack appropriately

Packing smartly can make your trip much easier. Avoid overpacking or leaving things disorganized. Use packing cubes to keep your clothes neat and save space—they're cheap and super helpful. Pack light but remember to bring clothes for different weather conditions. A heavy bag can be a hassle, especially in places without elevators. If you're worried about running out of clean clothes, use a laundry service or buy new clothes as souvenirs. For safety, lock your bags, keep valuables like electronics in your carry-on, and store important items in your room safe or hostel locker.

Conclusion

Although making a list of things to do before your first international trip might seem like a lot of work, it will make your journey much better! Plan ahead, get travel insurance, and use packing cubes to stay organized. Remember, it's better to enjoy your trip slowly and focus on quality rather than rushing through it. By being prepared, you'll have an amazing experience and will likely be excited to travel more in the future!

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