jacko

I came back from PP recently on AirAsia, as it is a new flight it was cheap ($25+taxes+charges, one way) absolutely no complaints. Efficiency that makes the big carriers look pathetic. I stayed near the Walkabout (Flamingos), which is a good place. I walked around all over, I was more concerned about being hit by a motorcycle or falling into an open sewer than being mugged. I guess you should avoid the smaller streets as lighting is non-existant. There is a bit of action around the Walkabout...and in it...plenty of girls offering services, although they will not bring you a beer!. Nearby there are several other bars, (Shanghai is good, there being a good selection of serving wenches, some are 'cherry girls'). More action by the river, but take a motorcycle taxi if it gets late. Phnom Pehn is worth a visit. Take a trip to the killing Fields, about 40 Km away.

Well that is good news.........another option to avoid Heathrow. Now about avoiding the Middle East!

Drifting off topic here but there are some lovely faces in that photo. What is worse than being cramped into a seat on a packed flight with 12 more hours to go struggling to get to sleep?..........Some pratt flashing a camera in your face at the same time.

I have been here two weeks and have not heard of any raids of late, although some of the Thai orientated clubs were raided when I first arrived. I think the raids and piss tests are likely to be aimed towards the Thai places, and maybe the odd disco. Lately the problem seems to be armed youths, guns and the odd hatchet, making trouble amongst themselves, perhaps that is keeping the police 'busy'.

I agree that with your limited time you should go straight to Pattaya, from the airport! Four days is not enough! The 'Hard Rock' hotel is the crappy old Merlin with coloured lights on the balconies! If you are a younger person it may suit you, but better can be had for less of a price. As a first timer may I suggest 'reviews', Penthouse. What you should and shouldn't miss is up to you, but with only 4 days I wouldn't bother with Tiger Zoo or rock gardens. It is a tired line but get to the FLB and make friends...go on a crawl with a few and enjoy.

There has been flooding in Pattaya, two heavy rains while I have been here over the last 2 weeks. TV is claiming that the water shortages are 'over', but I wonder if the people selling water to the hotels will be happy to return to their previous employment? The true weather vane says water is back, you can wash your hands in the walking Street GO-GOs again!

According to my Bangkok post there will be some VIPs landing there in a few days, but the 'open for passengers' is stated as mid 2006. Latest 'problem' I read about, birdstrikes!

And pray what fantastic thing did you do with this extra 10 minutes that was worth risking your life for???

You have had a lot of replies but I thought I would add my ha'penny worth as I have just done exactly the same thing, got a one way mileage ticket. You only asked about getting into Thailand..........not out again..(.which is not a problem either.) Strictly speaking, if you enter Thailand without a visa, getting the 30 day on arrival, you are supposed to be in possession of proof of a flight out of Thailand, but immigration there never checks that. My only concern would be if your carrier would let you board, but as they issued the ticket it would be surprising that they give you a problem. I will go with a tourist 60 day visa and therefore no return flight proof is required. Tickets to return home work out cheaper from Thailand (than say the UK), and I have seen many one-way offers there.

I think you will find that it is union members who associate with the Socialist elements, when I was a Union representative some twits kept calling me 'comrade'. I do not understand the mentality of people who think 'someone' owes them a living? Will destroying your employer improve your working conditions? Take a look at the pictures of 'sacked' employees, nuff said.

Well I am booked to fly into the UK with BA in 2 days...Manchester fortunately. But also to fly BA to Bangkok in a few weeks obviously from Heathrow. What they call the World's busiest hub is probably the world's worst airport. It appears the staff there will go on strike at the drop of a hat. It is a dump, and they are building a new terminal at this awful place. BA are destined for the scrap heap if they let these selfish workers ruin their custom base and reputation, I have been reading horror reports of people who, after 8 hours flying without food are then stuck on the ground for 5 hours. These employees are industrial terrorists, perhaps Osama has ties to the TGWU.

Agreed...saw her recently myself. Turn right at the Bangkok Bank on 2nd Rd ( just after Greg's Kitchen) And she pointed me to a dentist just across 2nd Rd from her place. Filling, 700 baht done immediately. Very impressive well equipped place.

Due to a lot of price hikes on diesel fuel this may get you into an argument with one of the famous surly drivers. I am not sure what the 'official' prices are of late, don't see any off those signs on the buses saying the fare should not be more than 10 baht now. My thought to cover the rising fuel cost..."make the locals pay the damned same price" doesn't seem to have been taken up!

Well this year it seems to be mainly cloudy, relatively cool and the much needed rain in short supply.

If you don't want to go all the way back to Bangkok Airport there are buses from Pattaya to both Ciang Mai, Chiang Rai and even on to Mae Sai. It is a bit of a drag, but so is the trip to Bangkok. Probably be about 600 baht each way, recommend Fan 1 or VIP bus with NakhonChai Air, they have their own bus station on Sukhumvit, just turn right onto Suk off Pattaya Klang, it is on your left after about 50m. Computer booking and reservations recommended. English no problem.

Lot of contradiction here....I have a Thai 1-2- Call prepaid SIM which I bought nearly a year ago. Late June I got an SMS (in Thai... :frustrated , but not from the daily 9998 bother..so I had it translated) telling me I had to register between 1st and 31st July. Otherwise service would be cancelled. Piece of piss, went to Telewiz (in Carrefour , also at IT Centre), gave girl passport, and told her my tel number, she filled the registration in for me. Free Probably be cut off next month....

That is incredible. I have never seen better than about £2650 biz class from Manchester via LHR on BA :frustrated But keep your eyes open, I just noticed that on the return trip they have me landing in LHR and departing from LGW....assholes!!! At £2930 I get to stay in LHR...but one leg is on Quantas.... I think the BA biz class is a very comfortable product, but if I can get to BKK a grand cheaper on another major carrier, with only 1 stop (LH, KLM etc etc)...I will not even consider it. How did you book the Milan trip? I could use my BA air miles to fly to Milan.....then perhaps come back on the same plane to LHR and on to Bangkok....

Well nobody seems to be answering this. I have never had any problems on Gulf, but I normally go biz class. Economy is pretty cramped. If you do get any aggravation it will be at Heathrow. That said, most customers are Middle Eastern and tend to travel with the kitchen sink! Play safe, keep your hand bagage to 'normal' sort of levels, then get the duty free and other stuff in Bahrain. I don't carry too much when I travel out there, you can buy mostly what you need pretty cheaply on arrival. have fun.

Serviced Apartments are a better option. Most have room service, daily servicing and pretty much everything a hotel can offer......with the extras of more space, a living/sitting area, fill the fridge up yourself (big saving on a hotel minibar). I had DVD/toaster/coffee maker/microwave. Hotel rooms get old....flying ducks on the wall at The Inn!!!! Most apartments include electric and water, some charge it seperately.

Whilst I have alot of respect for Emirates airlines, I did work in the Middle East for 20+ years and do not wish to feel that I am back there for 20+ hours.

You are wasting your time grimsbyuk. Someone out there is stuck in the same groove...

You need to try few others.....they have kept me waiting fewer times than BA. Does BA009 EVER take off on time! I normally fly biz with KLM (not for 300 quid) and have been quite satisfied.

KLM are offering 300 quid from Manchester (383 incl), economy of course but no hassles in the Middle East or other God forsaken place. Other places in europe on special too, book a non weekend flight for best price. Fly April to End June, stay max 30 days. Easy to book at KLM.com

Taltos.... It totalled at a fraction under 1400 pounds. That was biz class booked directly on klm.com. Tweak with the days if you can be flexible, weekend flights are more expensive. jacko

I walked down Patong beach yesterday, a lot of buildings are damaged and under repair. I am staying at Kata which is okay but very quiet. Look for somewhere set back from the beach a little.