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We will know things are going to shit when they start using the word 'consolidate'. Although it would be a nice contract to repaint all the planes, supply new stationery etc.

Thanks LTGTR, I am sure Delta does have spare planes. Huge airline and all that. I am equally sure that Qantas doesnt. These things need to be in the air to pay for themselves. They can jiggle their maintenence schedules to free a couple up but thats about it.

Airlines dont have a spare dozen aircraft sitting around 'just in case'. The logistics involved with clearing this backlog must be a nightmare. Its unprecedented. (except maybe for BA, they should be used to it) Shouting and getting upset at airline staff? Well there is the term .. 'the squeeky wheel gets the oil'. Dont think that works in Thailand. Its quite simple, the Airlines cant put you in seat that doesnt exist.

Yep, on Singapore and Air Canada. Flew on one from Sydney direct to Vancouver last year. I like the configuration. Perviously AirCan had to stop in Honolulu to fuel up on this route. BTW in August I am flying on a Qantas A380 Melbourne to LA. Looking forward to it!

Lets the Russkies do up U-Tapao. They seem to be the ones who use it most. Yep, I use Bell Bus if I have daytime travels between Swampy and Pats. At least if their driver is nodding off, I cant see it.

Agree with Regyai on this. When shit happens many people go to water and do illogical things. When the yellow shits took over Poomi, I got stuck in Siem Reap. So did lots of people. I kept running into people who were making all sorts of wacky plans to get back to a CLOSED airport ... derrr. Hiring cars, organising buses etc. from Cambo to Bkk. I rebooked into my hotel, organised some more money from my Bank at home and took it easy. My next destination was Phuket and when it became obvious I wasnt getting there via BKK I made my way to Phnom Penh. Got a flight from there to Singapor

If the airline booked you through, then yes it will be fine. Problems arise if you book 2 flights separately ... even with the same airline. Problems REALLY arise when you connect with 2 airlines that dont codeshare. My flights to BKK from Australia with Singapore Airlines have a 50 minute connection time at Changi. Never had a problem. Mind you there is no time to mess around especially since this requires a terminal change. You will be fine. Just pick the better airline as LOS to UK is a looong trip.

You might have to do some legwork. Most things with 'pam' ... temazepam etc are not available without a script. The ex TGF wanted some sleeping tablets and the Pharmacies wouldnt supply them. Good luck

I used air asia to go from sgn to hkt about 6 weeks ago. The flight was full. I just had a look to see what was available in July and like you said nothing came up. Like Tom says it looks like a re-evaluation must be happening on this route. Pity.

Dietrich, for a family holiday Patong will be great. Thousands of Australians holiday there every month. Yes its more expensive than Pattaya but then again most places are. Plenty of great beaches nearby. Good shopping and facilities to keep the missus happy. Lots of stuff to keep teenagers amused. Exactly when are you planning to go as the high season/low season prices vary greatly? From Perth you should get some good flight deals. Unlike Lovedog, I havent ever had language problems in Phuket. Its touristy and the locals want your money. Ignore the ones that try to sell you shit you d

Are you just out to do tourist stuff or is p4p your priority? It will make a big difference to the advice you require.

This actually confused me. I checked and was told I need to obtain the visa in Australia before I travelled to Nam. My point of entry was Hanoi and there was a Visa on arrival counter BEFORE immigration. I dont know if that was possible for me to use or not? I assume the setup would be the same at Saigon/HCM airport.

Can you access funds at atms? It may be safer and easier to get dong this way. I changed some aussie dollars to USD at a good rate at the time. I probably neednt have bothered. I use a travelex travel debit card so withdraw my own funds from any atm. Atms spit out Vietnamese dong. 2 weeks ago 1$US was 18,000 VND. The locals seemed to value $1 as 20,000VND. Most times when you ask a price they will quote a USD price. I just said I only have dong so got their price in that. I came back with most of my USD. Warning, I had my wallet lifted in Saigon and I thought I was being very car

The biggest rip-off I have seen are the tuk-tuks in Phuket. Used one.... once. 200bt to go about 1km in the rain. The little mafia bastards should be outlawed. I wonder how my insurance would be if I got injured in one of these death machines? Patong would be perfect for a baht bus system.

Excellent. where were they 3 weeks ago?

I use this, www.orbitdownloader.com its free and quick

Agreed that works fine if the Airlines have an agreement or a both members of Star Alliance or One World and codeshare etc. There is no way in hell I would trust my bags to be transferred from EVA to Air Asia at Swampy. Skate you havent said what time your flight gets into Thailand. Very important that you allow enough time to clear customs, get your bags then check-in at Domestic for your flight to Pookey. I'd allow 2 1/2 to 3 hours. So many things can go wrong. Your flight is late into Thailand. Long line-ups at immigration. Bag is lost/slow coming off carousel. Long line-ups a

Seen it from the outside, looks clean and modern. 5 min further walk from Bangla than the C & N. Try the Lamai hotel on Rat u Thit. Price probably about 1500 though at this time of year. Other good choices are Summer Breeze Hotel and Orchid Residence on Soi SanSabai. All girl friendly.

My low tech, short term solution is to get the data cable for the WD hard-drive and either hide it or take it with you. She cant look at what she cant connect with (did that make sense?)

Good deals but Jetstar dont do asia out of my city... damn.

I remember seeing one at the second road end of soi7. I tend to avoid em like the plague. If I wanted to be reminded of home so much, I'd just stay here.

Budget and stay for as long as you can. When the money runs out, so do you!

Tom, next time I would really, really suggest using Singapore Airlines instead if you can.

Yep, its one of the funniest shows on TV!

See if you can do something with the miles using Singapore Airlines. They are excellent and with star alliance also. You might be able to even just book something and use the FF for an upgrade.