jacko

It may be a bit late for you but I normally top up my phone using Bangkok Bank internet banking. (A slight correction, I do it using my phone, rather than my computer) I see no reason why you could not top up to another's phone.

That is the way to go, buy coming into Bangkok.Doha looked expensive to me and there is always currency changing expense. As to Heathrow, well apparently T5 is pretty expensive, more than say 3.

The Pirates of Blood River.

My transfers to LOS cost me the $25+500 baht.But I had to pay a bill to a French account recently in USD, I paid my $25 at my end, but another $28 vanished en-route. Cheaper to send money 6000 miles overland than about 100km over the channel. I hate banks...well European ones, the Thai ones are much better.

I never use that one, is it 'reliable'?I normally go to the one in front of Homeworks, South Pattaya/Sukhumvit BigC. There is one in the corridor to the toilet at Carrefour, but I have only spotted it on-line once. Yes a local bank ATM is a good option, I have also had 25k from a Bangkok Bank ATM. A £300 limit, only 15,000 baht, is a bit limiting.

There are more Thais in Pattaya than any one other nationality. And I am guessing anyone offering babysitting services will supply a Thai. I responded to the comment that no-one in Pattaya is to be trusted with kids......Although there have been a few incident of late. Link

Sweeney (of course)

Pah, likely it happens more here than many western countries. Likely there are few as most have an abundance of relatives who will do the job or the kid gets taken to work.

I went to ARC on Sukhumvit and they came round and fitted one for me, it was all straightforward. Just shop around and compare prices. A studio likely needs about 12,000 BTU and they seem to be around 20,000 baht, installed. Generally they hit you up for an extra charge by saying the distance to the compressor is more than what is included, so beware of that. You will need space in your electrical breaker box for a dedicated breaker, 32 amp. Numchai in Naklua or again on Sukhumvit is another option and they are quite good on service.

I tried the cheque option once with my Bangkok bank account, passing them a UK cheque here. They charged me for transferring the money from BB London to LOS. I do a telex transfer now each charged at about $25, then have to pay 500 baht when it arrives here. (I live in LOS). I don't think you can do better other than finding another USA bank with cheaper charges..... just transfer larger amounts, less frequently, to make the total charges less.

Tom Courtenay.

Oh FFS Joe!Why not edit your 'Interests', it needs to be a little longer then each of your posts occupy the complete screen with blank page!

Ouch......

Yes, as soon as I started to read your post Dubai came to my mind, and their unbelievable prices on single malt scotch!Not now though. I am stunned by the price of a sandwich and beer at swampy these days.

Well I know the Hilton offers a babysitting service, but likely only for guests. This came up under Google...

It would be a little more accurate to say suffered 3 strokes, due to lifestyle, smoking, love of the Great American ribs etc etc. Excercise might well be a benefit.

Thanks for the review, sounds like too much trouble for the savings.Where transfers are involved with another carrier just too likely to go wrong.

Well I hope talk is correct. I didn't need an extra stop in Munich so never considered SQ, but I often chatted to those heading to Singapore in the airport. Might be using SQ economy as I can no longer justify the high Biz class prices.

I think it is a pretty lame idea too, although I am not much the shopping type. Bloody airport is more like a Mall these days and you struggle to get to the gate going around display cabinets of overpriced crap.

Barry Humphries

Well last year there was a pretty good evening, super fireworks and yes there will be the big fireworks/shindig on the beach...but.....Very very crowded, quite chaotic, and to be honest, with a lot of drunken twats in the mix perhaps a bit dangerous to have kids with you, I would worry about losing them. So don't think of going to Bali Hai pier, but if you can get a good spot on the beach I think it would be good. I am expecting there to be even more people here this year. I might stay home!

Well CAT sell calling cards for example.... and once used the system logs your number and attaches it to the say 500 baht credit. The old fashioned thing where you have to type in loads of numbers.But valkyrie was describing a TRUE SIM.

Meatloaf

Bring back the special one........?

oops, I think it is 00944....