jacko

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. That is a long time for a person old enough to be retired, in a country that might decide they don't like him one day and won't allow him to own the land. Yes, perhaps the value of a house will increase and it is an investment, many will tell you so, but in Pattaya, currently, I see a lot of houses offered for sale or rent. You may even decide you do not like living here after a few months or years, some aspects of life in fun town can wear on you. A condo may be another matter, where your ownership is clear, and given a good one, tourists are keen to rent, if you later decide to live elsewhere.

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!

Depends on a couple of things....is the wife a falang or Thai... falangs cost more and need visas? Also where will you live, it is much cheaper to rent away from Pattaya. For me, with a Thai live in GF , dark side of Pattaya, renting a house, own car and bike. Spend about 60-70k baht/month.

Yes, it makes one wonder what qualifies them to be a 'good airline'. I hope the busses are well air-conditioned, I seem to recall Dubai as being 'warm at times'. My last Emirates trip was great 'on the plane' and fine leaving Bangkok, as you say, things were not so good when Dubai airport and the connection came into the picture. Back to KLM....

I agree with the concept of 'work within the system'... and interested to hear that only 7 day extensions were being offered (I had heard of this elsewhere). As an aside, if you must overstay and pay the fine, it is somewhat easier at the airport than at the Cambodian border. The other people on the bus, who likely have more sense than being on overstay, will be delayed somewhat by you. Also, if an official does happen to want to check your passport prior, while you are on 'overstay', well, it seems to annoy them. Get a visa.

I guess, as Expats, we are not expected to have discussions about bargirls. Now, where did I put my pipe and slippers?

Well I am on a road trip and I certainly have noticed how much more fuel is costing. That will filter through to everything. Once you have learned the ropes, and found the ways to live cheaper, then inflation can be felt as it is all up from there, a move out into the muddy villages excepted.. I would be amazed if even the flight cost now, would work out cheaper than one in 2001.

I would reconsider your aversion to the bank. These are private companies that allow you to store valuables. If you insist that a bank is unsuitable, I would learn to be discrete.

Hmmm, it appears I am spending too much on rent and giving her a bit too much. I am finding I need an average of 70-75k. This is a recent thing. My rent is the same as last year but fuel and food have shot up. Many other items too. The above doesn't show some items like Cable TV Transport Fuel Medical Insurance and vehicle insurance. Car service and the odd repair (some thief breaks a window). Road trips and visa trips/expenses. I might need to move into the sticks to reduce this.

They taste great but an SOB to catch!

Does it taste like KFC only more filling?

EVEN in the USA eh.......sadly, my time over there, taught me to be careful dispensing trust too. But they weren't all bad.... here too....some good, some bad, some a bit of both. But you specifically used the 'phrase' BG... well yes I would be dubious of being handed a cigar and congratulated by a girl who works at a bar. Off to the DNA clinic or the airport! Hopefully, a wife deserves better.

I don't think the OP is discussing a BG here. Your girl was likely just trying to make a bit more money, or get her own back on farangs for giving her an STD.

I have often felt suspicious that the very act of making an enquiry may bump the price!

Midweek will normally offer better prices. Most people want to travel Fri-Mon. I always try Wednesdays on my search.....

Why do you say that, I know someone who pays 50K on the dark side, but it is palatial. I pay 15K and think that is reasonable. If you want to live in one of those grotty looking townhouses, sure, you can pay less.

You heard correctly, but didn't read very deeply. Where I bought the supplementary insurance, theft protection added a whopping 5000 bahts to the policy, but the dealer offered 2 years theft only cover, 80% returned if stolen in the 1st year, 40% in the second. I thought that was a good deal..... getting 40K back if it was stolen for the 2.5K outlay. (This was 16 months ago..and likely an incentive for those buying on credit!.... I paid cash) Of course if you rent off beach road for 200 baht/day, you are responsible for the full replacement value. Fortunately, as you have been, and touch wood, I have not yet had to test this insurance, although helmet theft, yes, this I am acquainted with. I also have had attempts to break into my back box, and yesterday some twat took a screwdriver to my car rear window and had a good rummage around inside.

Well you asked for options, not improvements. I live pretty close to you and use Edge on AIS. I pre-pay per month for 50hrs at only about 220 baht. It is truly useless and I expect it to bring on my first heart attack. Most of the day internet access outside Thailand just isn't there and it is slow slow slow... when I can connect. This board is often all I can get to....

Fair points, when I was travelling for work I always used BA as they went through the UK (my origin) and pretty much everywhere else in the world. Now I travel on my buck and despite travelling Biz Class, I look for best price. BA isn't going to offer that, nor Qantas. Domestic presence matters not for the little old UK, and we have quite a few alternatives to BA, but my important factor, is alternatives to LHR.

I guess you have your reasons to add the cost and dog-leg to Singapore. You avoid airlines because they are NOT in the One World Alliance ... For me it's a bit like saying I wouldn't be a member of a club that would have me as a member. The One world alliance has BA in it....!

Who is this guy with only 1500 posts telling us what to do?

I just flew round trip on KLM on tickets I purchased 7 months ago for the outward leg, and 4 months on the return. (I live in Thailand but purchased tickets ex-UK) No surcharges. Are these surcharges applied by BA when you purchase the ticket, or is it the heinous practice of hitting you at check-in when you can do nothing but get your wallet out?

I seem to have lost about 1,300 posts and have dropped to a 'Senior' from 'Elite'. I see Joe Kicker is still Elite but has only 2300 posts now.... must be wrong, he does that many daily!

I have been using KLM, they are no great shakes but the FF program is pretty good. I just tried to do a mileage booking and apparently Man-BKK can go via Nairobi...????? You need to consider whether you will just be doing UK-BKK or going elswehere before fixing on an airline. Beware of paying for expensive tickets just to accrue miles, a false saving. Some of the USA guys recommend United, yes American flyers offer great FF packages but that is to compensate for crap flights (in coach, they are good up front) and of no use if you will not go to the USA... I still have a shit load of Continental miles. I will need to look elsewhere soon, the KLM Biz class is getting too expensive and I will be trying Qatar or China. As to BA, well I would rather do a swamp than Heathrow.