js007

As for the Priceline system "locking up" for a certain amount of time after an unsuccessful bid, that used to be the way the USA Pricline system worked. BUT, if you used the Hong Kong Priceline site, you could immediately rebid after a rejected bid. So, you could just start low and work your way up. I'm not sure it still works that way, though.

It has been years ago (2002?), but I used to put in lowball offers for Bangkok hotels via the Priceline Hong Kong web site. I got some great deals that way. For example, I think I stayed at the JW Marriott for around $60. Some for the Westin on Sukhumvit. You put in your bid and wait. Either they take it or they don't. If so, you've just purchased the room for the requested nights.

I bought my IPAD2 in the USA for $499, free shipping and no sales tax. I guess that's about 14,970 baht.

Yep. Thai Air Premium Economy is tolerable. Something like $2000 from LAX vs. an economy fare in the $1300 range. Sometimes, it's worth it. At least you don't go insane in the economy seats.

It could be done, right? What ever happened to the Hippie Trail? Combine that with the Banana Pancake trail and you might actually get to Thailand.

Surely, you can bring gold into Thailand in some amount. But where do you store it? Renting a safe deposit box may not be so easy? You might be better off wiring money into Thailand and buying some Thai gold jewelry.

Maybe it's normal, I don't remember every flight I've taken, but last time, on the trip back to LAX, the flight was only 13 hours and 45 minutes. A pleasant surprise.

Unless they've now changed, the plane they use is the Airbus 340-500. I've been in that plane a few times on the JFK-BKK route and also on the LAX-BKK route, but always in Premium Economy. All seats have their own in-flight entertainment systems, I think.

It's hard to generalize, isn't it? If a particular bar doesn't proved the type of service you want, pay your bill and go somewhere else. If everyone did that, the bad bars would soon be out of business.

Yea, but I'm sure the doctor wouldn't prescribe Xanax just because I want to zonk myself out for a plane ride.

One time, on one of the Thai non-stop flights to Thailand, I met a girl right before we got on the plane, and she ended up sitting a few rows in front of me. After we boarded, though, I didn't see her again during the entire flight. The next time I saw her was at the baggage claim area. She said she slept all but the last 15 minutes of the 17.5 hour flight with the help of some Xanax. Sounds like the way to go. although I'm not sure where I'd get my hands on Xanax.

When did they start the one bag limit on international flights? It used to be two, I believe. Of course, that's just one more bag for them to lose.

When did Wac say anything about "wiping them out"? All that's needed is meaningful regulation. For example, an SEC head that actually believes in doing his job, as opposed to the clown that was in charge during the Bush administration.

Wall Street helped create Apple? Well, I suppose Apple received some funding when the company went public. But surely, Apple could have received private funding. Wall Street was not necessary. Take a look at Facebook. So far, I can't buy any Facebook stock, but the company is estimated to be worth billions and billions. The work of Wall Street? Hardly.

I think there's a web site called seat guru. They should have that information.

Why all the bar closings? Greedy landlords? Or just not enough customers?

I keep my wallet in my front pants pocket. I usually don't go out without it, so I just keep my cash in there. Just be careful of the ladyboy pickpockets.

Stay at a place with good security that doesn't employ thieving maids. How you determine that, I'm not sure. In all my trips, I've never had a problem. I usually stay at small guest houses.

Yes, for "foreign name" condos. But this is apparently a "company name" condo.

Technically, it's illegal for a falang to own real estate in Thailand in a "company name." That's why that kind of deal is cheaper. You'd be buying something you don't really own and never will own. And some day, the Thai people may just decide that enough is enough and take back all the illegally held real estate. And don't think it can't happen.

Even if Pattaya turns into the Monte Carlo of Asia no longer affordable to the average Joe, surely there'll always be someplace else. Some other up and coming "shit hole." Personally, I don't care what kind of tourists Thailand has or where they come from, so long as I can still have fun at a reasonable price. And I don't suppose that'll change anytime soon. One can still find reasonably priced accommodations, and Thai foodd is still cheap. And 3000 baht a night for a nice go go girl is hardly exhorbitant. In any event, I wonder what happens when the Euro finally is no more? Back t

I wonder if the Marriott in Pattaya has a breakfast buffet like the JW Marriott in Bangkok? If so, that would be pretty good, although very expensive. Probably around 800 baht.

I think I read somewhere not too long ago about a Russian guy who was being nagged by his wife so much that he jumped off a building from the 9th floor. That didn't kill him, so he tired it again from the 9th floor. And again, he lived through it.

Yea, send them an email. And if they say they have a joiner fee, tell them to stuff it and stay at the Marriott.

The first time I ever ran across this law was down in Phuket. There was a Family Mart a few doors down from my guesthouse and I stopped in to buy a few beers to take back to my room. No sale, as it was about 3PM. So I went back to the local Irish Pub and had a few pints of Singha on special.