jacko

I don't see an airline that flies from Bangkok (I guess) to Auckland via Perth. So you might be looking for an open jaw ticket. Thai fly to both cities, so you could use them in and out of Bangkok and look for a Perth-Auckland single. Might be easier to just get the round trip to Perth, only Thai direct, many choices with a change, about 20,000 baht + taxes. Perth to Auckland is likely Air NZ or Qantas..about 1200-1300 Oz dollars, nearly 24 baht 50 satang

Well I am trying the E5 diesel substitute.... can't tell any difference. I wouldn't know if service is consistent, only dealing with the one place. The mechanics seem to get on with their work and are a pleasant bunch. You have to interface with these young girls, and my limited Thai seems to make them avoid me. It is all a bit disorganised, and customer time is of no consequence, I have waited hours for small jobs. Plus the vehicle can be ready for an age before they pick the paperwork up and pass it to the cashier. There are 2 fancy offices for the managers, who are male. I have yet to see

How much is the postage?

A bit like selling aeroplanes. Sell them first, struggle or miss on the promises later. I'm still using my Edge.. the router flashes away in the corner trying to get a connection.

They did fix the seat belt for free once. Gary, I believe you live in the sticks, so probably not using the Ford dealer on Sukumvit near NaJomtiem?

Yes I might be on a shared line with 19 guys who video conference and download movies overnight. I got my hardware, pleasantly cheaper than I expected. Plenty of choice, finally got a Belkin from the big store at the top of TukCom. Splitter and a bit of telephone extension too. What fun unpacking it, wiring it together and programming it. It was surprisingly straightforward. All the information I was given by TT&T slotted in. Of course it doesn't work. The Pattaya office refuses to answer the phone. Other numbers I call, if they answer, tell me they will call back,but never do.

This TT&T offer is advertised under MaxNet at 2M/512 590 baht 3 is 790 4 is 1000 Increase the upload speed to 1048 and there is another higher range of prices. It is only when you press them that you 'learn' you share this 'speed' with 20 other users, or 10 for Premier Class. Anyhow, I have yet to get it to work so the proof will be in the pudding when I get into it. Joe...a great informative reply......

I didn't get any packet. TT&T said they had routers, but not wireless. I paid money, I received a printout with some details and password, no new line involved. Advertised as MaxNet. The office told me it will be ready Monday at 5pm. I was also told I could get my own hardware. I don't believe I need a modem. Does anybody know if I need a splitter ...... perhaps easier to just go to to Wattana on Klang, I hear good things of them.( I am the worst, someone with a bit of an idea, but hardly knowledgeable.)

I am giving up on my Edge Internet, so now I have to go buy a wireless router, I was guessing Tuk Com, but is there anywhere else in the Pattaya Area....? If it is only Tuk Com, which floor and does anyone have a stall/shop they would recommend? Will I also need to buy a splitter to separate the Internet from the phone line, or is that incorporated in the router?

That's not a layover, it's a stopover. A city tour, hotel and breakfast should be included.

More of what Joe says...... Keep in mind that whilst 6400/day may cover a room at the Dusit, it is somewhat less than the room only charge for the hospital you mentioned (BKK-Pattaya). Check if the insurance includes the more reasonable places in Sri Racha or the Sirikit in Sattahip. But, as you say looks comparable. What is the maximum liability the policy offers? Is the 6,400/day broken down....eg for the Expats Club Group Policy there is (up to) 4000/day for room, 2000 physician fees and a few other sundries (hospital general expenses.) The policies make it difficult to fully un

Does re-finance mean borrow more money in a climate of increasing interest rates and a bad property market? Sounds a little risky and impetuous......OWEN needs to comment.

Free servicing (labour only.... you had to pay for parts) came with my vehicle. I think it was the first three services or up to 2 years. That was with Ford. That said, you have to watch them and read your booklet as they fix the car. I took mine in for a 'strange noise from a wheel'. They replaced a part, charged me for labour but not the part. When I said it was still under warranty, they told me this 'not include'. I re-read the warranty and it was 'bumper to bumper'. Point being, they don't know what they are talking about and the inclination is to get money from you.

Only from Aberdeen and London offered..... Last 'cheap day' 27 Nov.... if you need a one way out to LOS Sept-Nov,, you could buy a return for £632,... which is less than a one - way ticket (£789). Can anybody tell me how it is to transit (domestic-Int) via Terminal 5 these days. Dare I reconsider BA...............

Sorry no help wrt the furniture, just my commisserations. The little sods got most of my kitchen cabinets! Spraying only controls them..... I was told not to spray, so that the guy could put put down some bait that would be taken back to the queen and kill her off. Monthly checks now have been clear for some months.

BP meds (particularly generic or Thai made equivalents) are cheaply available without prescription.

This is 50,000 baht/month..... I know people living here on that but they have moved to the darkside for cheaper accomodation and other expenses (meals etc). If you rent in Jomtiem, well 6k/month is cheap but can you afford the deposits..... 3 months rent in advance, and maybe a security? I would say yes, if you have a flight ticket home and a lump sum to fall back on.

Same for me, used Gulf Air some years ago and, in economy, it was awfully cramped for me. Seat pitch was tight. They certainly offer cheap flights, and in the current climate, there may be little alternative below £500.

This has a lot to do with your age. Beyond 60 it gets hard to find insurance, or expensive and you might consider self insurance. The 'piece of string' answer...Expats Club offer a group plan of 1Million baht cover , about 16k/year.... BUPA are here and when I last asked good cover was above 60k/annum. http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/ExpatsAAInsurancePlan.doc

I have been looking EVERYWHERE.........

Well this is the TGF talking Emil.... A whole new thread here but interest rates are less than inflation right now... The numbers given for inflation are a crock, my perception is much higher. Prices seem to hold well in Thailand for a long time then jump in big steps. Invested.....glad I am not there right now....they have made nothing for the last 2 years (Footsie).

She has the land, ready to go.....

I claim to spend 60-70k including rent. I am quite happy renting, I base that on comparing to what I would pay in a hotel or serviced apartment, and the fact I get much more space. I am not interested in a condo, and as a foreigner I am not allowed to own a house (well the land, legally). The only time I feel a bit of regret on renting, as opposed to buying, is when my Thai GF points out the grand total of rent I have paid over 2 years. (Wasted money she says). Based on rent alone, the cost of a house would not be covered for a lot of years (15 in my case), renting is cheap here. Tha

On my Emirates Biz Class flights, the electric seats were failing all over the place. I did enjoy the IFE, listening to golden oldies from my teens!