Emil

Martin I've had 11 free flights through United FF program since 2004 using only 60K each time. I do have an advantage as I'm retired and very flexible on dates. I don't even try to book online to save the $15 as I know that when you do that you don't have access to the Star Alliance partners. Only once have I been routed on United for the entire trip and once I was routed on Singapore for the entire international trip. Other than that I get a mixture of United, Thai, Singapore, and Air Canada. I like it when they route me on Singapore not only for the service on board but they have a much better lounge, love that ice cream they provide. Twice I was routed on United to Beijing and then into Bangkok on Thai, however when routed this way you actually arrive at BKK earlier than when you come in on United. I haven't had any long layovers with the mixture, the only place I seem to get delayed is on my return trip on the last leg from SFO to SMF and that happens even on my paid flights. One time they wanted to fly me from Sacramento to Chicago and then back to Narita. I told them that I didn't want to fly 4 hours in the wrong direction and since this was winter I didn't want to turn a 2 hour connection into a 2 day connection and told them to look for another departure day. On my last free trip which was Jan-Feb of this year, at check in they gave me a boarding pass on the BKK-Narita leg which didn't seat me in Economy Plus. When I noticed it just prior to boarding I mentioned it to the gate agent and they issued me another seat in Economy Plus. When I got to the seat it was already occupied so I called the FA over. She left and a few minutes later came back and escorted me to business class. I then checked my other boarding pass on the leg from Narita to SFO hoping they made the same mistake but no such luck.

Since you appear to be concerned about cost then I suggest you do a little research on those airline frequent flyer programs. I believe Eva requires 100K miles for a free flight while United and Northwest only require 60,000 miles. Also most of the airlines frequent flyer programs require activity every 18 months or you loose your miles so whichever airline you select make sure you keep your account active. Another thing to consider is the ability to acquire more miles through their mileage partners without even flying.

Sacramento is only about 90 miles from SFO but United gives you actual miles or 500 miles per leg so R/T is just under 17,000 miles. If you fly often, stay with 1 airline as the bonuses kick in when you reach their higher levels. I'm premier executive so I get double miles for each paid flight, also I get four 500 mile upgrades for each 10K of paid miles. They can only be used on domestic flights and if not used within a year they roll over into your account. I pay with a United credit card which give me 2 miles for each dollar spent with United. (Got 20K miles last year for just signing up). Special promo going on now with United giving 5k miles, not as good as one of their promos in the past where they gave everyone double miles in which I got triple miles. Adding it all up its about 45K miles for this trip. If I would have booked online at the United website I would have gotten another 1,000 miles but the travel agent was $300 cheaper.

Just the other day I purchased a R/T (30 Apr departure-June 9th return) on United from Sacramento to BKK for $1140. That the most I've ever paid, at least I will earn 45K miles or 3/4 of a future freebie to lessen the pain. When I make my next trip in the middle of summer I will use miles.

I get the multiple re-entry permit at a cost of 3,800 baht. I was told by friends that the single cost 1,000 baht and that the multiple was only cost effective if your making more than 3 trips a year out of LOS.

The new Eastiny on Soi 8 opened last year. The other Eastiny properties that I'm familiar with in that area (Eastiny Inn, Eastiny Place and the Bella Vista didn't charge a joiner fee. Heard that they do charge 300 if you bring back 2, but I was always happy with one.

First it isn't either or on the 65 k monthly income or 800k deposit. If your income is only 33k a month then you would only need 400k on deposit. The guys I know who have the 800k on deposit draw on that account and then top it off I believe 3 months prior to the renewal of their visa. Been told that topping it off require a paper trail to prove that you didn't earn the money in LOS. You need to report to immigration every 90 days and fill out a form. If you pass through BKK immigration then the report date resets. I fly in and out of LOS every 2 months so I have yet been required to go to Jomtien except when I changed residences which they want you to report within 24 hours.

Check with the Jasmine as they were running a 50% off room rate with breakfast last week. If you need a lift then try the Pasadena. If you need a pool then try the Kerrati as they are affilaited with the Metropole and you can use their pool and fitness center, but they might be over your budget.

That place is located north of the roundabout past the Dusit. They were nearing completion of another addition to their property awhile back, might be finished by now. Have never stayed there but some of our high rolling Chavs have stayed there. PM Mirkwood if you don't get an answer.

You didn't think my response was thoughtful or useful. If your thinking of renting or buying a place near the line I would hope that you get our from behind your computer and hit the pavement.

I would like to see them get more business and expand their operating hours. I got to use them awhile back as United put me on one of their Star Alliance partners and I arrived around noon instead of 11 PM. I noticed on my drive back to BKK a few days ago that the bridge work has been completed and there were no detours. All I saw was a small amount of work still being done on the motorway.

With it that close to completion I would think that you could just follow the pedestals, connecting links, and stations under construction.

Hub, Using 60K UA miles and flying on Singapore with one stop is also sweet.

I did my renewal last August and only had about 2,000 baht in my account and had no problems (have heard rumor that they now want to see at least 100,000 in the account). I also leave LOS and return 6 times a year so maybe that was a factor. On the 90 day reporting to immigration, the calander resets when you re-enter LOS at BKK. I have yet to report to immigration because of my frequent trips going outside of LOS. To do this you need to purchase the mulitple re-entry permit for 3800 baht or pay 1000 baht each time along with filling out the forms. The only time I have reported to immigration is when I moved to another residence which they want you to do immediately. I agree about having either a Thai wife or TGF with you to make the process easiser. Have taken TGF with me on both occassions and many times the immigration official was talking directly to my TGF in Thai and I didn't have a clue to what was being said.

I still see images of Kim when I hear that Joe Cocker song. Bak Wan

I wear the hat (which is straw with a brim) to keep my face from burning from the sun as I burn easy. Agree about not wearing the hat inside and would also add that one wear a shirt when inside.

He told us when his daughter graduated, we assumed that he meant high school and not getting her PHD.

Walked by last night and saw a banner that says 30% to 60% off on all suites.

If your refering to me I don't have to either, just don't want to maintain a house while living in LOS. I'll still have my condo to live in once the house is sold and the 7 acres up in the California foothills to build on if I decide to move back. Never had to worry about getting a job of teaching English in LOS or looking into investing in a guesthouse like others on this board.

Fortunately I don't have to work either and get to travel 6 times a year to Pattaya. Staying 6 weeks each trip until I clear up things with selling my house when I can then stay full time. Also I made enough money that I don't have to stay in a run down hotel or worry about paying 500 baht for S/T and 1000 baht for L/T.

Haven't stayed but have walked by numerous times and it appeared to be a place that caters to tour groups.

The monthly discounted rate that we heard about a few months back amounted squat. Most places offer a monthly rate of about 10 times the daily rate, the place your refering to wasn't even in the same ballpark. Sailfast I just don't want to see anymore BMs get burned by BigD's suggestions. I don't know how many dissatisfied customers have to bitch before he quits hyping the place. It appears that his loyalities are to the owner and not to fellow BMs.

The cheapest room goes for the $14 and from what I hear there is no windows or A/C. I've visited bargirl rooms that had at least a window and they cost about half. Also they had a fully enclosed bathroom. I've never stayed at any place that didn't have an enclosed bathroom, is that common in the Philly area as I've only stayed at one place there and it had an enclosed bathroom. The only place that would come close is a few of the latrines I had to use in the Army.

Thats the place where you get to hear and smell the body functions of others, as the wall seperating the bathroom from the living area does not go to the ceiling. If you consider that place high quality I would hate to see a place that you consider low quality.

Keep in mind that most places that offer monthly rates do not include water and electric. Also they will either have reduced room cleaning or none at all unless you pay extra for each cleaning.