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Despite the Obama Administration's vow to pivot towards Asia, most Americans find the needed footwork daunting. This is understandable. The place is faraway, the cultures a pastiche of puzzles. Here are some points to help remove some of the mystery.
Getting to the heart of Southeast Asia and Thailand, where we've been reporting from, is not exactly straightforward. There are no direct flights. The fastest route from the east coast is about 19 hours via Beijing. You'll pay more for the relative speed, even in coach. Most other flights are via Tokyo, with good connections to Bangkok and other business centers in the region, including Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Count on 24 hours for this trip, and use your banked mileage for an upgrade if you can. Fares vary from around $1000 in the off-season to twice that in high season, which are the winter months and the last weeks of August.
Another option from the east coast is via Europe. There are ample non-stops to Bangkok from most gateways. For some reason U.S. carriers' reservation software gives these options only after much scrolling.
U.S. Citizens don't need a visa for Thailand, and there are no welcome or good-bye taxes to budget for. Taxis are plentiful and cheap into the city, about $7 at 30 Thai baht to the dollar. If you arrive before midnight or after 6 a.m., take the airport train for a dollar. The car service available through the airport authority will set you back $60; but if you're tired and don't want to deal it may be worth it.
Hotels run the gamut from multiple star palaces to flop houses. Good, central ones can be had for $125 a night exclusive of a 10 percent service charge and 7 percent VAT. Serviced apartments are popular and for the price of a hotel room you get a kitchen with washer- dryer and large living area.
Bangkok is not the hippy backpacker bargain it once was, but it remains a good value compared with other great capitals of the world.
Traffic remains bad despite much improved mass transit. Most of the 21 million urban dwellers, out of a total population of 70 million, live within the city limits and make getting around a challenge. Take travel time to meetings more into account than usual when making hotel and other logistical arrangements. Hiring a car and driver is a good option, or get someone to write in Thai the destination for the taxi driver. Firmly laugh off any attempt to take you to a tailor or jewelry store. These are scams for which participating drivers get a kick back.
Another plus for Bangkok is its excellent air links to nearby countries. Yangon, the business center of recently opened Myanmar, is by served by multiple airlines that make the trip in an hour. Air Asia, one of a number of low cost regional airlines, has this slogan: Now Everyone can Fly. And they are, creating even more exchange of people, business opportunities, and in that wonderful phrase disposable income.
You propose, consumers here dispose. But before you go, do your homework and check with your embassy to see what kinds of help your commercial diplomats can provide.
| Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
| PWM200220180 bearing | 200 | 220 | 180 |
| PWM190210250 bearing | 190 | 210 | 250 |