jacko

Yes KLM will connect you to China Airlines through Schiphol. Emirates may be a fair alternative, but Dubai was awful when I last transited there. Also the extra flying time needs to be considered....I keep hoping for some direct carrier from Manchester-Bangkok!

It is hard to predict last minute bargain availability, so I would recommend booking between now and a minimum of 1-2 months before travel. With the oil prices likely to go higher, and the possible implementation of stupid 'green' taxes now may be the best! Lowest prices are normally obtained by avoiding peak times (Easter for your example), and weekend travel.If you use a Middle Eastern airline, weekend from your transit point, would be Thursday/Friday. Beware of transiting in Western Europe, as obligatory airport taxes/ charges can add up.

I have talked to one or two who fulfil those requirements currently working in Peppermint a Go-Go. Their rate is about 2000 baht/ hour for knob polishing!

When I last compared (to the UK)...... 001...Full price, cost you both limbs from one side of body. (19b/min) 007...Good quality, 9b/min 008... A bit noisy on the line, 7b/min 009... Hit and miss on quality but suffices. 7b/min. I stick with 009 and it is preprogrammed into my mobile now for my frequent calls.

Well I guess I would like to be 'off the map'......but check my flag!

The beaches are mainly public property so it is unlikely. You could access internet on an EDGE/GPRS network though, via your mobile phone. You might tempt fate and need to keep an eye on your laptop if you go for a swim.

My neighbour has gone through a lot of problems with his permit. His renewal was problematic and he had his business account locked. He has also spent a lot of time without his passport, which also prevents him getting money. He was often told 'not to worry' and little else. Currently his lawyer, who has just bought a new car, is holding his passport (he gave it to the lawyer afer a visa run), likely waiting for a newly presented bill to be paid. (I believe about 80k). Applying for the work permit, with only a week left on the stamp, was the original mistake. I hope your lawyer came well recommended.

Yes, very few offer 100% security. The only UK one may be National Savings, as they are guaranteed by the UK treasury. But doesn't he sleep with the taxman! What is a man to do? Money under the mattress earns 0%.

Then likely there is no relationship. Although the owner there is English, a tall gentleman who comes across as very competent. He often presents at the Pattaya Expats club. I also met an Australian there who was Thai fluent. No idea of any association with a pub manager. Don't expect too much from Thai websites...TIT. I recently sent another one an enquiry regarding a house for sale, and it took them 4 weeks to reply.

AA Insurance is a broker, they arrange the medical insurance for the Pattaya Expats Club and my motorcycle cover. Used to be on Pattaya Klang, but just moved to Duck Square near Big C South. http://www.aainsure.net/links.html

I am looking into an Alliance and Leicester account based in the IOM. Great interest rate (6.5%) Internet only. Certified copy of passport and a utility bill required. Alliance and Leicester

Now that one is definitely eye-popping tight...

I re-read your post and it may be risky. Plane landing, (on-time do you think), long walk to immigration, immigration queues, collect luggage and finding a taxi...then check in at Don Muang. If your ETA is anytime around the Bangkok rush hours, it could be tight.

I saw that Ocean 1 Tower was to go ahead on a news article a few days ago, that is some 91 floors, tallest in Thailand! As to VT7, if the construction is now going ahead, what has prompted this? Just 14 metres or 4 floors, for real?

Heathrow has been crap for me the last several times, exhibiting pathetic organisation, overcrowding and complete lack of regard for customers. Broken jetways, late departures, aircraft parking in remote areas and waiting 45 minutes for the steps, repeated security checks, long queues and surly staff who cannot speak English. Transit from terminal 1 to 4 and reverse is a chore... the connections centre a farce. My pet hate, a national disgrace, burn it down, leave the staff inside...rebuild. Sciphol for me next few trips......will try Abu Dhabi or Qatar next. Heathrow, well I will wait to see if terminal 5 helps, but somehow I doubt it.

An example would be the Nova Park..... , I believe you can get them down to 15k (low season) if you don't have the room cleaning and pay your electricity on a per unit basis. Plenty of 'big rooms available', over beer bars advertised at about 10,000. Soi LK Metro area or one of the many Soi 13s Then cross over Sukumvit and pay even less. No it isn't hard to get a place for a month, in fact quite common.

Both BA and BM have flights at 17.05 to LHR, BA 1403 and BD 591, my guess is Etihad have a code share on British Midland. The flight duration this routing is over 31 hours.That along with the dismal prospect of going via terrible LHR, and 15 hours in Abu Dhabi airport (per your warning) might not suit everybody.

Why have you listed the 'Ethiad' 7 early evening flights via Heathrow? Is it an Ethiad aircraft between Manchester and LHR? (I would be surprised if they were allowed to take customers from BA or British Midland) Having to take BA to LHR and go through Heathrow itself would take away the Ethiad advantage for me.

I have always erred on the side of caution. With a hotel room, there is no issue, but your own place? She might just have a few boyfriends interested in your DVD player, laptop and that safe in the bedroom. Have the driver take a circuitious route. More likely you will one day have a problem with a keeper though.

The £76 sounds a little steep..... although I admit to not having done this for a while. It all depends on the 'class' of your booking and the class/code you have to change it to. (There are quite a lot of codes for economy, most of the consonants and a vowel or two). Overall it is likely cheaper than a one way bought from the UK... plus a one way bought in LOS. I end up needing one way tickets as I often get single leg awards tickets.

LHR and CDG, some sort of massochist? I prefer to use KLM, same mileage club!

Seems like getting an open return, or buying a ticket that allows you change the date is the best option. Visa and immigration issues aside, did you try shopping for that one way ticket to Thailand yet?.. They often work out as much as a return. I have bought one way from LOS, you often see them advertised on Soi Post Office, but in January, particularly early January, there will be little availability. The muslim holiday of Eid al Adha will be around 18-24 Dec this year too.

Eneukman got it right and you did too!

I was using my GPRS in Phang Ma Pha, a little village in Mae Hong Son, the Edge network there worked better than here in Pattaya, East of Sukhumvit. I think I will be sticking with this crap in Pattaya for a while yet!

How do you get the immigration official to totally ignore the (60 day) Tourist visa in your passport the first, second and third times you come in? There are a lot of other issues with this approach, one being you might not get the extensions you hope for. Even then, it is only 'up to' 1 year 9 months, not 2 years. Also, as I stated, one of the Tourist Visa (60 day) extensions likely will count against you in the 90/180 limitation. This very limitation was introduced to curb people living here based only on the 30 day stamps (it is NOT a visa). It seems they are now tightening up the loopholes on that regulation change. Apologies for the thread highjack, but I worry people plan their trips based on dubious 'visa' information.