Eneukman

Whenever I'm away from home, I access my aol e-mail via Internet Explorer as described by Fat Controller. However, I also visit their travel chat room on a regular basis at home and as far as I know this cannot be done by accessing AOL via Internet Explorer. If anyone knows a simple way of doing this or of accessing AOL's other facilities whilst in Thailand, I'd be interested. Thanks, Alan

It seems that there are access numbers for AOL that can be used in Thailand but you would have to be mad to use them as the charges are extortionate. I have been able to access e-mail on my aol account in Thailand in an internet cafe but nothing else. It has, however, been suggested to me that other areas of aol can be accessed if you log on to the internet using your local ISP and then open up AOL from your desktop. I have no idea as to whether this would work or whether you would still end up paying the extortionate hourly surcharges. Alan

As far as I can recall, there is a Thai Air Office right at the northern end of Beach Road - virtually next to the Dusit Resort. The office is on the corner on the right hand side as you come down the hill from the Dolpin Roundabout. Alan

Cheers, Scott - good to meet you (and Felice again) as well. I hope to be back in November next year at the same time and to make a permanent move about 8 or 9 months after that. Alan

That's pretty good Ranger - I paid £53 last year with Halifax for an annual policy. This also excludes winter sports, but as I don't go skiing, that aint a problem for me. Bank of Scotland was cheaper (about £45) but the price was put up following Halifax's takeover (sorry, merger) of the Bank of Scotland. The only slight downside is that to get this price you also have to have your household policy with the Halifax. Alan

My travel insurance is with the same company as my household insurance - I have an annual policy. It may be worth seeing what your houshold insurance nompany will quote you for travel insurance as you may get a discount from them. Alan

I like the RG and stayed there again last month. It's certainly not "miles" from the action though it is a bit too far to walk to the Walking Street area when the humidity is sky high (like, most of the time ;D). However, it is no problem to get a baht bus to wherever you want to go - though you may have a problem trying to cross the road - even at 8.00 in the evening! ::) Alan

I like staying at the Residence Garden - far enough away from the action to be quiet but only a few minutes jouney by baht bus. As a rough guide, it takes about an hour to walk from Walking Street to the Dolphin Roundabout at North Pattaya. But why walk when baht buses are plentiful? Alan

I'm just back from a 2 week stay at the Residence Garden and was charged 1,350 baht per night. The higher rate could be for the Christmas/New Year period or perhaps they have just increased their prices? The "deposit" asked for is a precaution against you not turning up for whatever reason. I believe they have a rule that if you don't cancel your booking in advance and just fail to turn up, they will charge you for the first night's accommodation. This is common practice amongst hotels and quite understandable as they need their occupancy rates to be as high as possible. Nothing will be ch

Having started this post, I had my boarding pass to hand when I approached the Immigration desk on my visit to Thailand last month. It wasn't needed though no doubt had I lost it, it would have been asked for! I would still keep hold of your boarding pass though - will make life a lot simpler if asked for. Alan

A few days ago in Pattaya, I withdrew funds from an autoteller in Pattaya. The rate given to me by Nationwide Building Society, as far as I can tell from looking at my account on the internet was a bit over 68 baht to the £. A week earlier, I got just under 67 baht to the £. Certainly a vast improvement from a few months ago when the rate had gone below 65 to the £. Alan

Definitely got the Pattaya blues just now - however, it will soon be fixed ;D ;D ;D ;D 4 days, 16 hours 2 minutes and 30 seconds to go ......................... and counting ;D ;D ;D Alan

I'm flying into Bangkok from Heathrow on Saturday 15 November on flight BA 9. It is due to arrive at around 15.40 after which I'll be heading straight for Pattaya. Is there anyone arriving on the same flight wanting to share a taxi? Alan

The scale of some of the maps can be a bit misleading. A rough guide to distances in Pattaya. From Walking Street to the Dolphin Roundabout (by the Dusit Resort Hotel) in North Pattaya is about an hour's walk - assuming you don't get too distracted by the freelancers along the beach side of Beach Road ;D Alan

This is ancient, but I still like it Alan The bricklayer’s song Dear Sir, I write this note to you to tell you of my, plight, for at the time of writing it I am not a pretty sight. My body is all black and blue, my face a deathly grey and I write this note to you to say why I am not at work today. While working on the 14th floor, some bricks I had to clear. But tossing them down from such a height was not a good idea, the foreman was not very pleased. He is an awkward sod – And he said I had to cart them down the ladders in my hod. Well clearing all these bricks by hand, i

As well as your password being case sensitive, I think your user name is also case sensitive. I've been refused access to the gallery because I got that wrong in the past. Alan

Thanks for the reminder Derek. I posted the original message some time ago after seeing this reported on another board but had forgotten about it. It seems that the reason for having to present your boarding pass is to ensure that you really have just entered the country. ??? ??? ??? I suppose it is all to do with ensuring that when your visa expires you really do LEAVE Thailand. Alan

I can't comment on China Airways as i've never flown with them but I'm certain that other members will give you their views on them. I would, however, suggest that 5 hours is too long to spend at any airport. If it was me, I would simply head in to Bangkok and meet your friends at your hotel. It'll give you a chance to find the best bars etc. As far as the return journey is concerned, I don't see why you can't go in to Amsterdam rather than hanging round the airport for 5 hours. Just make sure that when you check in at Bangkok that your luggage is checked all the way through to Aberde

I prefer rooms that have electronic safes such as the Residence Gardens rather than those that have safes that you open with a key. Alan

Thought about that as well when I read the headlines of the story. It does make you wonder though what the guy would have done if a farang had tried paying him 5 baht and just walked off after he had demanded 10 baht. And no, I do NOT want to restart the 5 baht or 10 baht argument again. ;D ;D ;D Alan

The Thai Air limousine service will take the toll roads if you ask them though you have to pay the cost of the tolls. Alan

I think most hotels will change travellers cheques for you but watch the rate you are being offered. It may not be the best available. Alan

I've stayed at the Dusit before and never paid a joiner fee. There again, I have never taken my guests in through reception. I used to take them down the side of the hotel to the pool area and enter the hotel that way, then take the lift up to my room. I also took them out the same way, usually exiting via the gate on Beach Road. Don't think they would be too amused if they caught you though Your price seems to be good value though. Alan

Doggie, which course at St. Andrews were you playing at the time? I've played the Old, Eden, New and Jubilee. (Hated the Jubilee but liked the Eden and the New). I used to have a wild hook at times. It was so bad that with a very strong left to right wind, I could aim over the gorse on the right and end up out of bounds on the left. ;D ;D ;D Then on the way back in with a fairway at least 60 to 70 yards wide, I could aim well over the gorse on the right and still end up out of bounds on the left. ;D ;D ;D Alan

Even a 36 handicap would be on the low side for me. ;D especially as I haven't played for 20 + years. Still, suppose I could always start again sometime in the future Alan