jacko

Are Turkish Airlines able to issue the onward from Istanbul boarding cards at Bangkok now?A past issue was having to go to the transit desk to get the boarding card in Istanbul before... not good with a tight connection.

Yes, there is an extra queue and you have to be viewed on a camera.I waited there about 2-3 minutes.... and about 10 at immigration on a midday arrival. If you go down on the escalator to entrance 8, there is a guy there selling taxis to Pattaya that can be haggled to 1000 including tolls.

I see the pound has fallen back now.... Mr Darling and his pie hole!!!I have used my CCs in LOS, and fortunately no issues. It is just that I did not like the 'security' of when they did it. Some try to go off into another room with your card, some write down the number etc. That and a few dire stories on internet forums, persuaded me to avoid doing so. Also drawing cash overseas on my credit card, no, since charges start immediately at their usurious interest rates. My LOS account gave me some interest last December, and since my UK accounts are now offering near zero, might as well leave more over here. Probably start buying my airtickets from the LOS end!

Simply not true.... he posted in a thread on curries.... the once.

An international licence has no validity unless accompanied by the original home country licence.The second sentence is the reality, they will tell you whatever if they feel so inclined.

At this time I have always found that immigration is THE delay, my suitcase being there already when I get through. The exceptions being when a new immigration post has just opened, and I have managed to peel off sharply and get to the front, or when I come inwith the TGF and we can go through the Thai posts together. Perhaps make friends with one on the plane...

Yes, those that haven't finished yet await your help!

I am a little surprised by the explanation above by the OP (I know, take it up with the Trip report OP)..... Firstly, I did not know they were now making new laws that only applied to Pattaya.... especially one that doesn't make sense as tourists effectively would not be permitted to rent bikes in a tourist town??? I did know that the standard rental agreement restricted the bikes to the Pattaya area. Does it matter anyhow, policing is sparse at best, driven only as a way to collect money rather than prevent traffic violations? The typical 'traps' are on Beach Rd near the police station.....and the 2nd Rd/Klang junction. Not wearing a helmet and stopping at lights past the line are reasons to be talked to. Sometimes road blocks on Sukhumvit between Tai and Nua...... particularly where it creates the most delay.

Oh... the loud music and the fact that it wasn't music was why I haven't been back in for a while. I guess 'always' means not the 5-6 times I have been there..... That was the only problem I had within the place though, good show, attitude and service.

Jeez.... don't listen to this. The queues at this early hour are nothing compared from midday on when the European overnighters are all coming in!

Apart from the funny blue bit on the front brake (note spelling ) it looks like mine. These are good bikes, as you stated for a farang nip-about. It might help if you posted the KM.

I think the immigration queue will kill that idea. Failing an early arrival...... does anything take off on time from LHR???? If you miss that bus.... get up to departures and try for a 1000 baht taxi. Or be gregarious and look for monger material on your flight for a taxi share.

Prior to a thunderstorm there are often cool breezes as the hot humid stuff gets lifted. All relative of course, but certainly cooler!

It would be sensible to me..... over and above the 400,000 or 800,000 you are required to show. You can even draw down on that so long as you build it back up in time for the renewal, and 3 months ahead of course. I have plenty of neighbours who get all their bills paid while they are away, one has some arrangement, the other lets me take care of it. As to Ebay, well perhaps this is a bit of an exception. I actually use my UK accounts again and have the stuff sent to the address per the CC there. I am also quite sure I was told I could use my BB ATM card to draw cash outside Thailand, but admittedly have not needed to test this. That would mean the money went through 2 currency conversions and I have this daft idea I am losing out. Nor have I tried to use it to purchase goods outside LOS, that is where my UK cards come in. I do not trust using my UK cards inside LOS. As to what you replied to Dr Mick above, perhaps buy airfares and travellers cheques in LOS.

I was in your place the other night. Previously music was there but 'non-intrusive' What has happened to the music system...sounds like it has been Thai-ified!! Base boosted (maybe compression added) and volume up and distorted.

The weather has broken in Pattaya, we just had a nice cooling thunderstorm.

I seem to recall that when I got my Bangkok Bank ATM card, there was an option of a more expensive card, which would allow withdrawals outside LOS. The card has a Visa and 'PLUS' emblems on it. If in doubt, pop into the bank and ask them. I find it more convenient to only transfer sufficient funds to my Bangkok Bank acct, for living in LOS. Any other place, I am drawing on my UK bank account. That bank account has 'Internet Banking' and I can send funds to any country and use the debit card worldwide. That said, I do not believe you are restricted by Bangkok Bank from making transfer out of LOS, providing they are sure the money was brought into the account from overseas. I would not like to see what rubbishy exchange rate Lloyds would give you on receiving baht, hence get Bangkok Bank to convert it prior to transfer. There is also the option of a foreign currency account which you can open in LOS (eg £ ,€ or $). Since nobody offers interest rates these days, you only have to avoid charges and detrimental currency fluctuations. Consensus seems to be that the baht will decline against £ in the future..... but don't hold me to that!

It sort of interferes with the Freelancer status if the bar gets involved.Give the girls a few free drinks will get them in!

The point of being a Freelancer Bar is..... oh never mind!

Get these back in the 'Tired of Being Gay' thread.You wake up and catch the sod shaving his legs (at best) with your razor! It's the season when the aircon compressor keeps running all night! Hottest day of the year expected Monday.......

It just takes me to their login page.

Via Lastminute.com I just received an offer of Gatwick-Bangkok £400, (from), the validity 21 Apr 09 - 10 Jul 09.

I nearly mentioned that I would have left LOS already.