jacko

Just off the top of my head and an attempt to generate discussion. Most of the Chinese I see are in large groups being led around, they all go to eat in a cafeteria like environment, there is one near the Tesco Lotus just over Sukhumvit/ Soi Siam CC area and coaches come and go all evening. The rest are wandering in shopping malls but I don't see them buying much. If the 'average' Chinese tourist spends more than the average western tourist I would be surprised! TOT reports are mostly BS, Where does Wiki get its data? There weren't many buying LDs in the GGBs last night.

The tunnel still isn't open. The U-Turn opposite The Bangkok Bank is full width now, so we have the huge coaches struggling to change from Northbound to Southbound there. For the other direction bikes can get through opposite Klang, but that means many bikes are trying to do-or-dare dash across to get onto Pattaya Klang and into town, crossing the full Northerly flow of Sukhumvit. Both these are disasters waiting to happen and I predict an accident or two soon will force the powers that be to get their fingers out of the proverbial and get the damned thing opened!

Not even a stopover en-route to OZ or China? I seem to see a few familiar faces on both of my flight legs to and from Manchester.

Blimey, does nobody lock the door these days! The squeeze may be on. Ten Chinese tourists are worth one of us and it appears that ratio will be far exceeded. I was thinking only yesterday do I want to remain here, as I was simply doing a little shopping and seemingly surrounded by people shouting at one another and walking backwards at me!

I don't think I will be messing about with 'vouchers'...... two second job via internet banking to top up. Only in UK 3 weeks ...(I hope).

That Flybe one looks like a real bargain!

I do too. Boy you could pick up a bottle of single malt cheap though!!! Bought a bottle of Drambui last trip through Dubai and used a credit card, so didn't realise what I paid until I got the statement, won't be doing that again!

Kuwait Airways and Kuwait City Airport have poor reputations. Sometimes risk with the big bargains but I would never consider more than one transfer........ Mixing carriers, well I always feel you risk losing baggage.

Thanks, I suppose I could give it a try. If I find it isn't working I can always just top up on the internet...... I don't think that requires a OTP below 500 baht. Yes I got International Roaming activated and my phone blocks any roaming data. Never have used Voice Mail.....

Didn't the GGBs on soi 13/1 and 13/2 get instructed not to open before 5 or 6 a while back? I rode down 13/2 about midday and it looked like they were getting ready to open.

Good heads up! Did Lufthansa settle their problems?

Manchester has at least 7 Mid East connecting during summer season. No direct yet.

Most likely.......

I don't think they are worried about anything... but are always prepared to chase more business. This does not appear to be aimed at those already living here on retirement extensions..... although that is something I personally would very much like to replace. With something less onerous! As it is a Visa, I believe, like the multiple tourist, you will have to obtain it in your home country. It requires you to tie up 3 million baht, and the conditions allowing you to spend some of that are undefined. Also medical insurance from a Thai company, for 5 years. How on earth does someone currently living in the UK obtain that, and why would he/she prior to being granted a Visa? The same applies to putting £71,000 in a Thai bank account. Medical insurance is usually based on 1 year renewals. If they turn up with an extension that is valid for 10 years, or 2x5 years, yes I will pay more for that , 10,000 baht is about the same as 5x1900.) And usually I pay more each year for Re-Entry permits. I am unlikely to want to tie up a small fortune for 5 years, but could live with putting it in an account to obtain a 5 year extension/visa, but want to be able to start living off it immediately. I am afraid this could be another duck egg, like the multiple TR visa! But let us wait and see. I was told the previous rumour of this was all BS!

Yes, on Thursdays, Friday in the pink and Saturday rosy, Sunday peachy, Monday feeling blue and Tuesday ruby, Wednesday i see red.

500%, probably not unusual on SML!!!

And untold it shall remain.... as I remain inviolate.

That is a Cat isn't it? (Just remembered, I went from Chumphon/mainland) I did that trip and it was fine, but the Thai Mrs had to go on the upper deck, she gets seasick if I show her a picture of a boat.

I get the impression this sort of shit happens more as we get into low season. Places and staff are making less money, and try to compensate by cheating in some way. The owner suffers but the staff won't care. I was given a bottle of beer that had been 'messed with' recently... ie I believe the contents where not fresh SML, I have been drinking the stuff for a decade or more and know what it tastes like. Fortunately the mamasan changed it for me and the taste of the replacement was fine and very different. I also had to send a beer back for being warm in LK Metro, I am not paying 150 baht for a warm beer, They nagged me because I had squeezed my lemon in it and tasted it, but at least it got replaced. (You just know the top will be banged back on and someone else will get it!) I try to be positive and think, well years ago, getting it replaced would have been hard!

Can't afford them!

I will only be in the UK for 3 weeks. My SIM validity is not an issue as I top up regularly, which keeps that at 12 months. Yes I could let the credit run to zero and my weekly plan will not renew, but I wonder then if an SMS will be transferred to the UK on roaming with zero credit on my phone. I need that for some aspects of mobile/internet banking. Last trip/year I just kept the weekly plan alive, with plenty of credit on my phone. Problem was, I ended up staying in the UK a lot last year, and for each week there paid for my AIS '123' plan .... rather wasted money!