valentinoxxx

That does souund strange. Was this recently? Could it be that you had a single band phone? A trip to MBK normally solves those problems.

If it's over the Christmas period, you should be careful about availability coming back from Thailand.

Second question first; things have changed rapidly in the prepaid market and now you can make calls direct from your mobile. Dprompt and Orange are enabled to do this. Not sure about One2Call. Orange charges at Communication Authority of Thailand rates plus 7% VAT. Not sure of the rate for Dprompt aand One2Call. Click on the links for info on how to do this. Normally involves dialling a short code before your international number. The first question I haven't enough detail to answer thoroughly. "#1 - I have two Nokia Phones purchased in the Philippines. I get a Network in Thailand, but they didn't work with the SIM I purchased. My guess is the phones are locked. Was told I could get them unlocked in Bangkok at the airport. Tried to do this but they wouldn't help me. Tried in Pattaya, no luck. Do you know any place in Pattaya that can help? " What do you mean by, "I get a network in Thailand"? It's probable the phones are network locked. As Nokias they should be simple enough to unlock. I suggest you take a walk up South Pattaya Road, on the other side of the road from the Day & Night places. There should be a mobile telephone shop or two there. Stroll in and tell then you want to unlock your mobile so that you can put your DTAC or whatever card in. Shouldn't cost more than 300 baht. The more 'official' the shop the less likely they will help you. They need to press a lead onto a spot beneath the battery, and run a short computer program. Shouldn't take more than a minute or so. No need to dissect the phone.

Depends what the items are.............?

You only need one mobile to work everywhere. Just make sure you buy a model that is sold in both countries. Then you just need to obtain the SIM cards for the respective countries. The network lock for Non Thai phones in Thailand was done away with a while ago.

Minimum requirements; GSM 900 or PCN 1800 compatibility. (US travellers take note). Needs to be unlocked from your current network if you bought it as part of an airtime package. Can be done in Bkk,(for small remittance) if not in your country. PrePay(No contract) SIM card info; With DTAC GSM/PCN 1800(HappyDprompt ) the starter kit is 400 baht with 100 baht worth of calls with a validity of 40 days. Their new recharge cards have a much more limited airtime validity period. Call charges are 5 baht per minute, with per second billing. In summary, call charges are 5 baht for the first 2 minutes and then 2.5 baht thereafter. You can also choose a time slot where the 2.5 baht price kicks in immediately. International SMS is 3 baht per message, instead of the standard 9 baht. Grab 'em while you can. Upgrade from standard DPROMPT SIM is 30 baht or a new SIM is 400 baht containing 100 baht of calls. Per second billing after the first 30 seconds.) MBK Centre in Bangkok will net further price reductions in terms of the SIM card. AIS GSM 900(One2call) is more expensive for the starter kit, 800 baht.(Though can be found cheaper at outlets in the MahBoonKhrong Centre in Bangkok. From 4 baht to 8 baht per minute. No per second billing. If you are going off the beaten track, coverage may be better. Otherwise....... They have a promotion running at the moment called 'Freedom Plus'.(May no longer be available) The thrust is this; Purchase a refill card and receive double the value but half(or less) of the airtime. ie; Buy a 300 baht refill valid for 30 days and receive 600 baht worth of calls valid for 15 days.(Calls work out at 2.5 baht per minute) Domestic SMS at 2 baht. International SMS I'm not sure. I guess between 4.5 and 9 baht. Switching to Freedom Plus, you lose any stored airtime you had previously.(You can switch between Freedom and their standard service for a fee. If you switch back to the standard service, you retreive previously stored airtime) Orange PCN 1800(Just Talk) also available and is the cheapest for calls. As little as 1.5 baht per minute and per second billing. SIM card comes with 100 baht worth of calls with another 200 baht bonus when you top up for the first time. 10 free SMS per month. http://www.orange.co.th/english/join/just.htm http://www.orange.co.th/english/join/just_kit.htm http://www.happydprompt.com/en/index.html http://www.dprompt.co.th/eng/index.htm http://www.one-2-call.com/One2Call/th/scri...lang=eng&menu=2 SMS If you are hoping to keep in touch with your 'tirak' after you leave and she has a Dprompt or DTAC mobile, then you can use this utility: https://sonic2.tac.co.th/bp3/bin/Index?lang=E Make sure yourself or herself registers before you leave Thailand though. This will afford you 50 free txt messages per month via the internet to a Dprompt mobile in Thailand. If your 'tirak' has an AIS or One2Call mobile, you can register her mobile by sending a blank txt message(optionally, you can select a PIN number of your choosing) to 900931(from her mobile). Alternatively, you can call *931. Then, you can use this utility to send her messages through the web: http://www.ais900.com/gsmweb/ (Note that there is a charge of 1 - 2 baht to her mobile for each txt msg received) It might be a good idea to buy a couple of recharge cards before you leave and to release the numbers to your 'tirak' at the appropriate time. Another way to send SMS to Thailand is to use Yahoo Messenger's SMS service. It's free. Download here: http://messenger.yahoo.com/messenger/downl...structions.html For International calls via the mobile networks, here are the links with the options and costs for calling direct; http://www.cat.or.th/eng/telecom_oversea_e..._efone_eng.html http://www.cat.or.th/eng/comparision.html GPRS(for sending email or surfing the internet via handset, PDA or laptop computer. DTAC/HappyDprompt: 0.10 baht per kb DTAC/HappyDprompt GPRS AIS/One2Call mobilelife GSM Advance As with all AIS products, buyer beware. Confirm prices. and Orange to follow.. Have fun!

The Alpha price to Thai mobiles is 30p, the cheaper price is to landlines. Though, with Telediscount's 5p why bother? Strange that it doesn't work for you. I got some good use out of it before the reverted to the 20p per minute number. That about as good as it gets for non prepay systems,(20p to Thai mobiles) Most of the TSPs foul up sometimes. That's why u pay BT the big bucks. Try this number instead; Thailand-mobile 20p per min charged to your BT bill 090525 21121 Here's a link to BT's latest prices for dialling these special numbers, if you want to be sure; http://www.bt.com/Pricing/pis_info.jsp?PRI...umbers&c_index= Chok dee :-)

No, it's Don Muang train station. Across the road from the airport.

Indeed many policies will not cover you if you have hired a motorcycle over 50cc. Paul, take a closer look at the two policies I have recommended when the time comes for renewal. For only £54 the Link Travel policy sounds quite similar to the Trailfinders policy at £99, with the Sainsbury policy good for longer trips.

Here ya go Skate; http://www.worldtravelcenter.com/eng/tools...trip&baseline=1

I love it when people come back and thank everyone for their advice. :-)

Thanks Steptoe.

Has any one got the details for West East Travel?

I guess you've had your question answered on the Nanaplaza board. You can use a phone card to call the USA or these people. www.callbackworldwide.com

Hey Capn I would say it's almost certainly Evergreen Deluxe as the numbers from the front of the aeroplane on the lower floors start at 20, before that the seats(First and Biz) are on the upper floors. The first few rows on EVA deluxe are on a 2:2 formation at the very front, so I wouldn't baulk if is I was in rows 20-23. I bought tickets for girlfriends from Uk and they were in row 22 to Bkk and 21 to London. I went to the EVA office in Euston and made friends with the staff there. :-) £618 for a January dept to Bkk was what I paid last year. It would have been less(£598) if I had hadn't taken the option to hold the tickets for some months, to ensure that the girls were coming.

It's worth pointing out with your recommendations, that the trip cannot exceed 31 dys for the prices quoted. Also with the recommendation for the PRIMARY-MONEY SUPERMARKET EXCLUSIVE the price for Worldwide Annual cover is in fact £42.23 for 31 day durations and contains some whopping excesses, from £50 to £250! (Parts of the claims you have to pay yourself). In fact, this policy DOES NOT include baggage, which is why it is called EXCLUSIVE. It is possible you checked the price for Europe only travel. DO NOT BE FOOLED INTO THINKING THE CHEAPEST POLICY IS THE BEST VALUE. Just wanted that to stand out. :-) The policy at Link Travel(Willis First Response) that I have recommended is for up 60 day durations and is only £54 with a maximum of a £35 excess on certain claims. 0800 224422 A policy for a similar quality and duration of travel at Direct Travel is around £95. This goes for all the other recommendations on this thread. You may find a cheaper policy, but the cover will be diminished in some way. Check out the Sainsburys Annual Travel policy if you require an annual policy with a longer trip duration, 90 days per trip for £65. I think their excess is the same(£35) with an option to wipe out all excesses for a extra £10 or so. https://www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/insurance/...avel_quote.html I'm sure there are a lot of people here who are in LOS for more than 31 days. :-) Please check the basic cover you are getting, keeping in mind the points I have mentioned. The excesses, baggage and money inclusive(?) and longest trip duration. It's your money, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Hey Druid I wasn't aware there would be any charges from bank ATMs in Bangkok and Pattaya with the Nationwide DC as long as they have the VISA sign. Do you know different?

I have to say I didn't have any of these problems, I stayed in the deluxe room. It is possible that the guys in the 360 baht rooms may be hit for a joiner fee. Though, not for any of the other rooms. Another point of note is that there are alway trainees there and it is possible they are nervous of making a mistake. So rather than the money coming out of their pockets, they may make sure that the collect any monies owing. I was only there for two or three days and had no problems at all. I think it is also possible to have a late check out for around 50 baht an hour.

If you are staying on or near the Sukhumvit Road you can take the air conditioned Bus from the Bus station further down the road at Ekamai. Taxi there will take a few minutes for around 50 baht. Comfortable buses leave at least every half an hour until 10pm for 97baht. Jump in a baht bus waiting at the station for a maximum of 60 baht for the both of you. Voila. If you feel like a bit of adventure, you may meet a nice girl on the bus. :-)

Better still, get yourself an MBNA CC and pay for your flight with it. They supply free travel inconvenience insurance that pays you £250, for the emergency purchase of essential clothing if your luggage is delayed by 12 hours or more and up to a further £250 if the delay carries on for over 48 hours. You just use the CC to purchase the stuff you need and then send the covering letter from the airline confirming the delay and they void the spend from your statement. Good perk. If you have the Gold or Platinum card you have the added benefit of Lost Luggage Insurance of up to £1500 if the luggage proves permanently lost.

On Walking street, though at the quiet end is the Siam Bayshore. One of the nicest places to stay in South Pattaya, though, I stress you should request a front facing Sea view room. They have a balcony with chairs. Also I think the beachfront in front of the hotel is privately used by them. Here's their URL; http://www.siamhotels.com/sbs.html The Dusit is at the other end of Pattaya

Their website is at http://www.awgroup.com/ They have a few branches around Bkk as well as the airport branch. Try also Charlie Connection Travel at www.travelconnecxion.com/

Woody's advice is spot on. I would only add that you should NOT use your debit card for purchases. Restrict its use to cash withdrawals. For purchases use the credit card if you can. A human being can skim the details from your debit card and clone it. You won't be happy when they empty your cash from your account. With a credit card, it won't be your cash flow that's hit. Also, you have better purchase protection with a credit card. If you are taking TCs, you will generally have a better time with AmEx. For instance, if they are lost or stolen. You can use your internet(or telephone) flexaccount to pay the whole balance of your CC statement so as to not incur any charges. Only one thing I ask. Take good care of your Nationwide cards as they are the only ones offering this non-greedy service and if it's taken away from us through excessive fraud and complications, we'll only be left with the greedy banks ripping us off. Up to 2% cash withdrawal charges a hidden 2.75% foriegn exchange commission and interest charges regardless of whether you pay the full balance of you credit card statement. Yes, this is what is being perpetrated on us by our banks. Many happily took the windfalls they got by supporting the change of many building societies to banks. Now you can see the results. They will just get the money back in other ways. Support the institutions that try to give some thing back. Nationwide Building Society, John Lewis(Waitrose, Peter Jones) Companies can work and be successful without squeezing the last drop of life from everything they touch. There, I feel better now.

Not impressed with those insurance policies. What are the excesses on those policies? What if your trip is longer than a month? My annual policy covers trips up to 90 days with no policy excess. An excellent mid range annual policy is supplied by Willis First Response on 0800 224422 60 days per trip with a £35 excess The cost is around £54. Good, efficient service when I had dealings with them. Recommended.

http://www.awgroup.com/ (Many convenient offices including one next to the airport) http://www.travelconnecxion.com/ (reliable Khaosan Road agent)