rcj1959

Can any UK based correspondents to this site recommend any travel companies in the UK who can offer exceptional deals for flights and hotels to Thailand besides the usual companies that you find advertising in the nationals each Saturday/Sunday. I'm looking for a cracking deal for flights out of MAN or BHX, a good quality hotel of a standard such as the Dusit or Royal Cliff in Phuket/Ko Samui/Pattaya. Two years ago I got the Regent at Cha-Am for 14 nights including transfers and return flights LHR-BKK with Qantas for £493. Anyone seen any bargains out there? Looking to travel 21/5-4/6/2005 Thanks for any feedback.

I had one huge problem dealing with Ebookers in March 2002. I booked online for a friend and quoted the guys credit card details and all relevant details. To cut the story short, Ebookers goofed big time. Mr Brian Hinton became Mr Hilton Brain on his flight tickets and he was booked on the EVA and BA flight out of LHR flying out on the same night. Trying to deal with a Indian with a limited command of the English language was bloody difficult especially when trying to iron out problems caused by them. Be very careful and check your credit card statement as soon as you can.

The threat of SARS together with the terrorist threat and the Iraqi War have all done their bit to put people off flying especially for non business related travel. Has the end of the War and the absence of SARS in Thailand increased the confidence of the travelling public or are the many planes that ply their trade to from Asia still suffering from a lack of "bums on seats"? I ask the question because I am flying to BKK from LHR on 31/5 with Qantas having taken advantage of a fantastic offer back in March when confidence was low (see my earlier topic) and am wondering whether I am likely to be able to take advantage of empty seats (preferably the middle four) for the overnight flight..

If there are a large queues for non Thai Nationals but none for their immigration officials is it pukka and proper to go to that desk or do you have to wait to be called over?

In a SARS related message a guy said that he landed at 11am and was in a taxi on his way to Pattaya by 1132. Now, in my experience thats a pretty fast turnaround but is it always as fast as that? Have the Immigration desks speeded up or was he just plain lucky?

Travelling LHR-BKK on QF2/QF1 in May. Can anyone recommend seat and row numbers which allow a tall guy like myself a bit of extra legroom?

I have been to Pattaya 4 times in the last seven years as a single guy but realised that my glory days were over having met a wonderful woman to whom I'm now engaged and the memories of this City were beginning to fade. In the English media last Sunday, Bridge The World offered a great package including return flights from LHR to BKK deoarting 31/5, returning 15/6, 14 nights accomodation in The Regent in Cha-Am and private car transfers inclusive of all taxes for £493. Here was my chance to shower the lady in luxury and get back to my favourite part of the world. Besides I would be saving a few BF's too!. Next question is does anyone know very much about Cha-Am/Hua Hin. Is there a hydrofoil service linking Cha-Am with Pattaya and if so what is the cost? [smiley=love.gif] [smiley=love.gif] [smiley=love.gif]

Be very careful when using Ebookers!! No doubt many transactions have passed by without a fault but when there is a problem they are the pits! I booked a flight for a pal who was travelling to LOS in March this year and found that there was a problem with the internet booking. It would appear that Ebookers have succumbed like many British companies to using foreign call centres and indeed have one in India somewhere. As a result I found myself dealing with a guy who didnt have a decent grasp of the English language. Because of this guys ineptitude my friends name was changed totally when his tickets arrived and he received tickets for two different airlines-EVA and BA-I'm not saying they are all like that but it caused me a lot of grief. BEWARE!!

My pals were booked on this flight departing BKK at 2245 on Saturday but is not due to depart BKK until 0400 Monday 30/9. Anyone any idea why?

Anyone have any experiences of combining a fortnights vacation in Pattaya with several days in Phuket?. Is it possible to fly from U-Tapao to Phuket? Any idea on cost? Website details? Also can anyone recommend particular agents in Pattaya to book with whilst in Pattaya? Can anyone advise best deals out of Bangkok. Period in question is 14th September to the 28th September. TIA Roger

I love travelling with Emirates-I can fly from my local airport - BHX (Birmingham)-great entertainment, great food-and a chance to stretch ones legs and have a few beers in the Irish Pub at Dubai Airport between flights. Can anyone recommend any ticket agents who specialise in supplying cheap tickets for this airline. TIA Roger J