Greg_B

$412 for a trip to LOS....Go for it and enjoy, I just hope you don't have a long layover

If you only realized that what many a psgr. is putting in those bags to make them so heavy.... Many bags going to Asia, have items bought in there current country and then re-sold in the homeland {SGN}, it's actually freight, but they check the large bag/box and expect the Airlines to tolerate the weight. It's a matter of safety for the ramp agents and the airlines. All of us understand what a vacation is all about, but shipping your household items as baggage is not a privelage....

With you on this one, nidnoyham...I've been lifting those bags for 19 yrs and at times you wonder what in the HELL is in them...Ive seen many a back/shoulder injury and the person is never the same after surgery Excess baggage charge should be a must for the airlines, it's a matter of safety and common sense. But, trying to get the general public to understand that is another problem. I've seen many things put in bags, but the psgr. who checked a suitcase full of sand from the beach was a real winner....

Govt hints that it will abandon Liverpool stake deal BANGKOK: -- The government gave many strong hints yesterday that it was giving up the controversial bid to buy a 30percent stake in Liverpool Football Club, questioning the club’s financial situation and voicing concern over the special lottery plan to finance the purchase. Cabinet ministers leaked comments to the press, saying Thailand would reorganise the way the club did business if the bid succeeded. This, observers say, was apparently aimed at discouraging the club from agreeing to the deal, which has created a political storm in Thailand. Despite initially failing to heed warnings that Liverpool FC is far from a perfect investment choice, government officials are now mentioning the club’s financial burdens, although they say Liverpool’s reputation alone is still a sound investment. “What I fear is not the financial status of the team but the opposition by several groups, especially senior figures,” said Deputy Commerce Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, the chief Thai negotiator on the deal. Government Spokesman Jakrapob Penkair said in a separate interview that the Thaksin administration would have to take into account the feelings of Thai people. Opposition to the lottery plan has become tumultuous and a signature campaign has been launched to block the deal. Even PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s political mentor, Chamlong Srimuang, came out on Monday to harshly criticise him. “Because the talks with Liverpool still go on, the lottery plan will be suspended for a while,” Jakrapob said. “The negotiations with the club will go on, but the prime minister has made it clear he would not push forward stubbornly or simply walk away without reasons.” “Promoting vice is never my idea,” the PM said. “But Thai society undeniably still indulges in gambling, and that’s a reason why my government has issued new lottery tickets to compete with the underground lottery. In the Liverpool case, it’s not at all about gambling. People who are criticising me just don’t understand what I’m doing.” Pongsak said Liverpool had ฃ2.8 million (Bt208 million) in cash, assets of ฃ100 million and a debt of about ฃ18.9 million. The figures could not be independently confirmed by the club. While saying the club’s reputation would provide “immeasurable brand value” to Thailand and help lift the country’s image internationally, Pongsak again cautioned that the deal was not final and suggested that if it fell through the Kingdom was willing to look at other teams. “If you see the Cabinet resolution, you will see that the Cabinet approved the lottery to buy an English Premier League team,” he said. “We did not name the team. That means we can go to another if the current bid fails.” Government officials said the prime minister’s working team had uncovered the “diversity” of Liverpool businesses and was worried by it. “Unlike other leading clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton, which have been involved in sportrelated activities only, Liverpool has diversified its business,” said a government source, who asked not to be named. “If Thailand manages to buy the 30percent stake, we will have to demand substantial control of the way the club does its business.” --The Nation 2004-05-02

Thanks for the website...

Any website or pictures, this place has my interest for a Sept. trip...

RG is the place to go...Glad your making reservations now, as XMas is a tourist season

Could you be talking about : Parkway Inn Hotel E Mail : parkway@bkk2.loxinfo.co.th

Very good deal...

Gotta agree with Crackpot on that one, it's a good hotel http://www.roofgardeninn.com/

I've stayed at both {Nana/Dynasty} and to each his own. Both are okay for a one night stay. I'm trying the suite at the Nana the next trip, just something new after a long 22 hr. trip...{2100 Baht}

Emil.. So true, until you have your carry on bag weighed {FRA}, I was very pissed off as they told me I had to check it at the gate. LH was the agents for Thai Airways in FRA and they do weigh all carry-ons there. But never had it happen to me since..

Well, they are really cracking down on the overweight luggage and watching that , but what to do with the passengers is another story in itself. Wouldn't be feasible to make another section or larger seats for them. The charging for two seats is getting popular, but isn't well recieved by the general public {as they want low fares}. I guess you know your in "trouble" when the person beside you needs the seat belt extension It's an issue that most airlines just want to avoid and I can't blame them on that. Yes, Airline Management has something to be desired, I'll echo that thought also. They are so worried about getting you out/in on time and they forget that it would be nice to have your luggage there also. The last impressions are made when you finally get your luggage after flying many hours.

This is on the way to Jomtien and is a nice place http://www.roofgardeninn.com/

Gotta agree with Irishman, easier to get your own at home and bring it with you. They are small and easy to bring along...Just make sure you get a Region Free player and you will be fine..

Your not getting the point, Emil.......Most taxi's have to pay a yearly fee to be allowed to pickup/drop at the airport.

Like any other airport in the world, there is a surcharge for the service at the airport. ... Ever notice a coutesy van..? They have to pay a "surcharge" to the airport for being allowed to pickup/drop off at certain places...Most get it by charging for an access card to open a gate into an area or a License Fee to be allowed the "privelage". Lots of "hidden" airport charges we never see and assume they aren't there.. I would expect BKK to charge, just like the rest of them do...Here is the website for anyone who wants to see how the new airport is coming along.. http://www.bangkokairport.org/airport/about_demo_eng.asp

Just because it will be reduced in mileage, won't mean the ride will be any cheaper. I'll bet there expenses will go up at the new airport also...

Foreign airlines blast AoT charge scheme High costs may derail regional hub plan Boonsong Kositchotethana International carriers have criticised a plan by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) to impose a hefty two-stage increase in airport charges, saying the extra costs could seriously endanger Bangkok's status as a regional hub. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Montreal-based industry body representing 270 airlines, was joined in issuing the warning by most international airlines serving the Thai capital. IATA and the Board of Airline Representatives in Thailand, a coalition of about 60 major carriers, said operating costs at Don Muang were already considerably higher than in Singapore and Malaysia if all hidden fees were taken into account. AoT, the partially privatised airport authority, is still waiting for the Transport Ministry to sign off on the decision by the Civil Aviation Board (CAB) to allow AoT to raise aircraft landing and parking fees by 20% on Oct 1, to be followed by another 15% hike the year after. The CAB also recommended that AoT be allowed to raise passenger service fees, commonly know as the airport departure tax, to 700 baht from 500 baht for international departures, and to double the fee for domestic flights to 100 baht. AoT plans to impose the new rates when Bangkok's new international airport, Suvarnabhumi, starts commercial operations later next year or early in 2006, AoT officials confirmed. But Anthony Concil, IATA's director for communications, said the fee increases were out-of-step with the industry's belt-tightening trend. ''AoT is already making significant profits and to seek increases in charges is unjustified. Further, there has been no noteworthy improvement in service quality to justify any increase,'' he said. ''It could seriously jeopardise Bangkok's plan to maintain hub status in the region. Given the large investment in Suvarnabhumi Airport, it would be a shame to have a world-class hub sit idle due to a misguided charging policy,'' he added. Reflecting the industry's common view on the issue, IATA said that in today's economy, cost reduction was the name of the game for airlines. With average airline profit margins in the 2-3% range, it was imperative that all industry partners join in these efforts and Bangkok's airport was no exception, he said. ''Landing fees are important, but the bottom line is the total cost of operations. Yields to Bangkok are weak, reflecting the large amount of tourist traffic. As a result, to have sustainable operations, costs at the airport must be low,'' IATA said. Some major Western carriers are pondering whether they would be better off moving their Southeast Asian hub out of Bangkok, or even bypassing the Thai capital altogether, according to Bangkok-based airline executives. AoT executives insisted that the airport service fees are needed to fund AoT's 86-billion-baht investment in Suvarnabhumi Airport, scheduled to open on a trial basis in September 2005. The new airport will be run by AoT subsidiary New Bangkok International Airport Co Ltd NBIA. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous story Next story

Better to make the reservation and re-comfirm it before you leave for Thailand... Last thing I want to do is be looking for a hotel when I arrive...

I had good luck 2 yrs back getting some...But, get your eye exam done in the "homeland" as they like to just use the computerized process in Thailand.. I got the frames that the sunglasses attach to, {holes near the bow/frame }, it is so easy to put on the shades and take them off...I had a little monkey bend the hell out of them in Koh Samui and I was able to bend them back into place with no problem at all I paid $175 {USD}

Mine was 4,500 Baht {Bought on E-Bay} and works great on my TV in the USA, with the DVD's I bought from Thailand...Region Free and dual voltage, 1/2 the size of a laptop... Item # 3092201073

I had a midnight flight and the Majestic Suites let me stay till 8:30 PM for 500 Baht

Check on E-Bay for one. I just got a Mini DVD Player, that is "Region Free" {can be used in all regions}. It has a TV hookup and I plan to use it in Thailand. Not a big item {smaller than a laptop} and will be in the carry on for use on the trip over.

Depending on how long you are going to stay, but the RG is excellent and has the proper facilites for cooking...But the price is 1350 Baht/night...