nidnoyham

Dougie, As a sassenach, I have to take issue with you about people refering to G.B as England, I thought the Americans called us Limeys, or Brits, unless that is a thing of the past. Seing as a large majority of them have Scots- Irish ancesters, the thought of them refering to this Island as England is news to me. Heathrow is in England they may say they are flying to England, but they always say Europe dont they ? Talking of Heathrow, for several years there used to be a sign over the exit tunnel saying " Welcome to Britain " I often wondered if the sign would say the same on a tunnel in Glasgow- Belfast or Cardiff ! I fully understand your claiming to be Scottish, I have not claimed to be anything but English for years, in my view Britishness has lost its meaning. Since devolution, we are all more sensitive about our roots, my best friends are Scots and I love the place, especially the Whisky Trail, Grantown, Dufftown etc. Scots, Welsh, Ulstermen have have voiced opposition to England for hundreds of years, and not because of what the Americans call Britain. Lang may your lum reek!

As you are all well travelled Ladies and Gentlemen, I thought it might help to give some tips on avoiding lost baggage and helping to locate it quickly if the worst happens. :'( Some of this you may think is stating the obvious, but as someone who has worked in this area for a long time, I have seen things that make your teeth curl. First and most obvious is to have your name on your bag, backpackers are the worst offenders, when you next travel, look at your bag and ask yourself how easy would it be for a 3rd party to reconcile it with you ? ::)supposing the handle came off in the conveyor system, is there a name inside the bag or stuck on the side? Many people worry that their house will be burgled if they put an address on, just your name, City/ Country will do. It is amazing how many people put just a piece of coloured cloth on the handle to identyify baggage, great if it turns up, but not much good to the person who finds it with no destination tag on. if your bag is found at your departure point with no tag it is a simple job for an agent to enter your name into every flight leaving at that time to find your booking and issue a new tag, usually overwriting the origional number on to match your receipt, of couse it saves time it you put your flight-destination on a seperate tag, these are available at check-in for free. I know it is very stressful checking in, but do watch the Agent as they tag your bags, if you have 2 bags on the scales at one time, especialy sports type bags with long loose handles of the same colour, it is possible to get the handles mixed up and get 2 tags on 1 bag none on the other. Also this a personal erk with me, if you are travelling in a group, ask the Agent to issue each person with their own receipts, it saves time to give them to one passenger on one booking, problem is if your bag is missing at the other end and that person has sailed of with the receipts, you have no receipt for your bag, plus that passengers name is printed on all tags by the computor, so if found with no other I.D , it will not match up with your loss details, not a big problem, but makes life easier if it has your name on. And of course if you borrow Auntie Freidas bag, make sure you change the name tag to your name! Security- My advise regarding what you put in your bag is simple, dont put anything in there that you wouldnt put in the post, the smallest padlock is better than nothing, even twisting lots of wire around the zips to hold them together if nowt else. The biggest problem is people who have too much hand baggage at the departure gate, this seldom has a name tag as they think it wont be out of site, if confiscated you get a limited release tag and it gets loaded in the bulkhold, not containerised, this makes it available to pilfering, honest baggage handlers are in the majority at Heathrow, but I can't speak for other stations. Backpackers, either get a plastic bag youself, or from the airline, I never travel with a pack thats not inside a bag, this does 2 jobs, it makes it less accesable to people, and just as imortant it covers all the loose straps that can catch in a conveyor system, I used to have a knife pre 9-11 just to cut the straps where a buckle gets caught and wedged too tight to undo. Try to check in about 90mins before departure, too early and that flight loading equipment wont be ready and your bag may be put to one side and overlooked, if you have golf bags that are taken to special services, have a walk back a bit later if ther is time to see if they have gone or are still on the cart. > The Airline industry doesnt want to loose your bags, it costs money, and PAWOBS (Passengers arriving without bags) are monitered very closely, if targets are not met there is a Stewards Enquiry, and the staff have read another memo from Management. Hope this is of some help Cheers 0

As the one who made the statement "why cant we all be Buddhist ? I was merely trying to point out the fact that the other religions, sorry- people from the other religions are the ones that are causing the present threat to every human being on this planet. the turn to terrorism means that everyone is a potential terrorist, if you dont think so try walking on an aircraft without being scanned for weapons. It will get worse I feel now that the whole world is on the move, the troubles in N.I are perpetuated by people who live in the same community, but are of a different religion, they go to different schools, they do not mix socially, and now we are getting in the U.K and America/ Canada, large numbers of Moslims Seikhs Hindus, who want their own schools and their own political parties, again differential and seperation breed distrust.But at the same time they want to be "British" but can they really be the same as the indigeonus population? I put it to you if you were a squadie in the British Army in the field with a Moslem foe, how would you feel about having a Moslem fellow soldier watching you back? Perhaps thats a bad example, but it one that occurs to me. But my main reason for my qoute, is that Buddhists arn't trying to rule the world, unlike the other lot , and I am immpressed with the Thai peoples outlook on life, laid back and tollerent, we could do with a bit more of that in this world

Thanks Tom for the e-mail address and the advise about staring. Thing is no one knows when they are doing it ! I remeber a work mate being interviewd for a post by a male colleuge and a girl from Personnel, the girl had to leave the room for a phone call, while she was gone the co-interviewer leant across the desk and said" Your doing very well so far, but can you stop staring at her tits ?" when she came back in it was even harder to conciously ignore them Cheers!

LEADBELLY/ PR Thanks for the advise about addressing the Ladies, discretion is my middle name, and I would have checked with my lady friend about the meaning of that word before using it. And we are all Hansum men in Pattaya- arn't we ?? I still have a problem trying to follow Cheshire Toms advise to e-mail before we go. does anyone have e-mail addresses for such places as Simons ? I can try to call ladyfriends sister in Pattaya, perhaps it will be in PATTAYA NEWS or something, well Iv'e got 2 weeks, anyone there 31oct-02nov ? My daughter and her new Thai friends will probably shoot off to Exite for a night, its a bit noisy for an old codger like me, I'll just have to find something else to do for a few hours Cheers !!

Steve, It is not unusual to have a wrong spelling on a ticket, it depends which letter it is, if it is the first of your family name that changes it completely, say Riley to Filey it could be a problem, give Eva a call 0208745 7779 at Heathrow and tell them the problem, they may accept it and put a note in your booking of the problem for your return journey. Good luck

Steve, When a passenger arrives without baggage in U.K the Airline agent should fill out a C3 Customs delclaration form wich the passenger signs. This form asks if there are any dutiable goods in the missing bag, the form is kept by the Agent and presented to the clearing officer, the officer then uses his discretion to open bag or just let it go through. His first concern is where baggage came from, if from one of the hotspots for drugs ie. Jamaica, Iran, Pakistan,yes and Thailand it is more likely to be inspected. If any dutiable items are taken from the bag, the officer will fill a form in as a reciept and this is handed to the Airline, this can be asked for by the passenger to pay the duty within 6 weeks,but it means going to the customs warehouse at Heathrow with the form, so most people dont bother, if items are declared the passenger can go to the red chanel with Agent and find out duty due, customs will not take payment until goods arrive, so a cheque may be left with c3 form and when baggage arrives it is cleared with dutiable items. It is amazing how valuable a bag is when first missing, but how worthless it is when it comes to filling out a customs declaration, suddenly all that jewelery, is just imitation,and the Cartier watch is in the bag they have. hope this clears some misunderstanding

Woah Chaps, lets not get our knickers in a twist on this thorny ethnic lark. Papa the dictionary definition of ethnic is "of a racial group or resembling the clothes of a primitive people" In the U.K we have 4 diffrent countries in 1 tiny island, historicaly given nicknames by each other; Taffy (Welsh) Paddy (Irish) Jock (Scots) and the English were regionalised into Georgdie- N.East, Scouse- Liverpool, Brummie- Birmingham etc. Dont know how far back this goes, but it probably over 100 years, there is no insult to it , unless the F word is put in front of course. perhaps to the modern P.C foreign mind it may sound on par with the newer groups from diffrent ethnic backgrounds. historicaly we in the U.k accepted these names as the norm, and didnt give them a second thought. All has changed now of course and suddenly there is a problem. As you say some names are meant to be insulting, the 2 you mentioned are examples. Personaly I think that legal actions against white people in the racial mix, is unbalanced, the ethnic people can call you what the "F" they like in their own language and you havnt got a clue what they are saying, but the intent to insult is still there, they dont get prosecuted as you would, calling them a name. in a language they understand. There must be more important things in the world to argue about !

Right Tom, got the picture. It would be a good idea to e-mail ahead of our arrival. Unfortunately I am one of these non IT people, and would have absolutely no idea of how to get their e-mail address, my teenage son is out for the night, he is the kiddie in that department, perhaps he can put me straight, but I definately will do that if possible. Thanx mate

You are totally correct Kanga, it is beyond the understanding of the non- fanatical mind that a human being could inflict such horror on others. Living in the U.K as I do, I too have been horrified at the atrocious acts of murder carried out in Ireland by both sides of the conflict in the last 25 years, and it looks as if it is about to begin again, these conflicts- Ireland; Israel, the Balkans, once started, just carry on thru generations of hate and revenge. Why cant we all be Buddhist ?

Thanks for your advise Tom, Stevens. I will have a translator, my Thai lady friend, thats why I am taking my daughter to Pattaya Baz, my butterfly days there are over- well on hold shall we say. Tom I called them Lads for want of a better word, but now I have Katoey (what is that exactly) I shall avoid the term again. It is Lucys first trip to LOS, she can't wait to go, so the e-mail bit may be usefull when she is back home, but not as enjoyable as dooooing it. I like the meal idea, my daughter being a performer herself, will click with them I'm sure, we have a tape recorder, camera etc, we shall see how things go. You have to admit though, going to Pattaya for your daughters education! What a damn fine gesture. Things you do for your kids eh? Cheers !!!

My student daughter, studying theatre for decree course, has chosen for her final year to do a thesis on cross-dressers in entertainment, Danny Larue, Hinge & Bracket etc. Fing is, we are coming to Pattaya 31 Oct and she wants me to take her to Simons- Tiffanys, with a view to talk to the performers about their ideas and thoughts about what they do. I have little knowledge of these places exept 1 visit to Simons,with 2 ladies I might add. so do you think these lads will be O.k about this? We do not want to offend anyone. Does anyone have more of an insite to these performers, any ideas what to ask and what to avoid ? ( Why couldn't she do Dickens ) Thanx Chaps

:)Yeh they did Bits and Pieces as well, they were pretty awfull, Dave had an Osmond type smile. I remember them live on Sunday night at the Palladium, I cringed, and my dad just shook his head- happy days.

Thanks Andy & Garno for your input, seams a bit bleak for my friend. I can understand the thinking of these immigration people worried about a Thai doing a runner in the U.K. But having said that I do like a challenge, what makes it all seem so ridiculous is that in my local high street on a Saturday, 1 conversation in 5 is in English, my borough has over a 130 languages spoken in it, so naturally I take it as a wee bit of an offence that a friend of mine will be refused a short stay in my country as my guest, the law is an ass, as Oscar Wild would say. Anyway, I will give it a go,if all else fails, there is always the channel tunnel under a frieght train. Oh yes Garno a passport is 1500 baht. Is there anyone who has failed to get a visa ? can you tell me why? cheers to you all.

Thanks for the info Tom, not sure that she has a lot going for her in the employment department, it sort of varies from working her parents farm and the bar in Pattya, which she has given up this year because of illness - slarosis of the liver. too many Baileys and ice.The problem is, my teenage kids think I just cant be bothered, but that is not tue, I would love to give her a look at dear old England, she is also of course a lovely person, or I Wouldnt be asking these questions. cheers anyway.

:-/ Will be taking my student daughtere to LOS in November, where she will meet my Thai lady friend. I know they will get on fine, and I know my daughter will ask when my friend will come to England, so we can return her hosptality- she is giving us a tour Pattay/Pitchet/Changmai etc, my kids can't understand why she will have such a problem getting a visa for the U.K. But I know from people I work with that it can be an expensive caper, and not easy. Anyone done it ? All I want is for her to visit for a while. Oh yes I am not able to marry her, even if I wanted to, just a bit of time together in old Blighty. Cheers

got back frm Pattaya 12 june, spent time with my thai ladyfriend of 8 months, and have had flu type symtoms, the worst on friday day of the England/ Brasil match. (dont know how I will convice my boss I was really sick). Have also got blisters on the old chap ! looking up the AOL health website I found I have all the symtoms of Herpes, apparently millions of people all over the word have it but only 20/% know they have. The body immune system will sort it out but you have it for good. O.K I know all about the condom thing- dont need telling, just thought I'd put the thought into other peoples head, wish someone had for me.

Thanks to Dave G & Cheshire Tom for condo info, will pass it on to friend, must encourage him to go for 2 bedrooms ! :)

was asked to find info on condos in Pattaya last week and forgot !. Anyone know of estate agent with website for friend in U.K. to brouse through? Had a great evening in the bar after the England Argentina match - well done the band !