PenName

BR, Thanks; that's probably the piece of news I was operating on. I'm probably going to spend the next holiday at the Eastiny Residences as I like the idea of a wired connection and I've had good experiences at other Eastiny properties. I am glad to hear that some or all of the kinks have been worked out at the RG, though. Pen

Yeah, these aren't departure taxes in the same sense as what's collected at BKK. These are the varying fees set by every major airport for landing and / or taking off. Narita's are lower than those in Taipei and they're part of those delightful group off additional charges we've all come to know as "fuel surcharges and taxes" -- sort of like an individual VAT for each airport. Pen

AverageBob, Thanks for the Mac info; it's what I would have suspected to be the case, but it's always good to get some "in the field" recon. I'll make sure the RG is back on my list of considered hotels. Pen

Brama, Without knowing the connections you're considering, it's hard to say for sure, but I believe those taxes and fees are tied to takeoffs and landineds; i.e., layovers. So, an itinerary having two stops or layovers would be assessed taxes and fees twice, while one stop would only see one charge beyond those for a non-stop. I've seen one-stop itineraries where the base ticket was slightly higher than a two-stop version to the same destination that ended up being cheaper after the inclusion of taxes and fees. It's all meant to be kept too confusing for us to figure out, of course, but

While on the topic of the RG, a question came up in an IM discussion: namely, has anyone had any trouble with using the wireless Internet connection on a Mac? It was thought that there had been an issue for Mac connections, but I'm not sure what kind of protocol issue could inhibit Mac's from logging in on a wireless connection able to be used by Intel machines. Anyway, would love some feedback from any who might have some experience. Thanks, Pen

Generally speaking, if you're walking up, they know you're comparison shopping and can just as easily leave and "walk up" to someplace else. However erroneously, the hotel owners don't seem to think you're comparing prices if you contact them via their website. TIT, as with all else. I suppose too many of our brethren making reservations, blocking out a room and then not honoring the reservation has led to the proliferation for demands of upfront payment or a credit card deposit, and while it is a hassle or imposition for me, I can understand their side of that issue. As long as you

Phantom: I must admit that it's not an area I know in any depth. I've been through there a few times and certainly know it on a map. It's proximity to Walking Street is one of the major positives that had me considering a stay in the first place. I truly have no idea if it's a particularly bad neighborhood or not -- it just never has had much "energy" to it compared to other parts of town. Sort of one of those neighborhoods that you feel like could be an iffy area with very little effort. I liked the Internet in the rooms, the size of the apartments and, of course, the prices, but

Chas, I've been a bit iffy about the location as well. If they're on the dingy side as well, I'll just go with the Eastiny Residence on Soi 10. I got a decent rate for a deluxe room and the word is that they've got wired hi-speed Internet in the room, so I see no reason to make more of an ordeal out of it than that. I've had good luck several times at Eastiny Place on Soi 8, so why mess with a winning streak? Thanks for the feedback. Pen

Going through the usual ritual of considering broadening my horizons with regard to places to stay for my next trip and came across the Nong Apartments, just off Soi Yensabai. I did a search but it came back with nothing found, so I was wondering if any members had stayed there and had anything to relate; good, bad or indifferent. Thanks, Pen

2,500bt for short time? Um, how wide spread (pun intended, or not) is this becoming? Pen

While I'm sure it may have been noticed, I figured it was worth posting that this month's Cathay Pacific special includes BKK as a destination and prices are $780 (all-in) from Los Angeles or San Francisco and $880 (all-in) from JFK. No, there's no mileage to be accrued other than on Asia Miles, but given the numerous postings about fare increases and the difficulty in finding reasonably priced tickets, it might bne worth it to forego traditional mileage and open an Asia Miles account. I believe the regulations are that tickets must be purchased by 30 April 2006 and are for departures 01

bh - Your airport wifi card in your Mac should find the wireless signal just fine, and the wifi at the BVP is accessible from most, if not all of the rooms. Pen

Yes, I didn't even think to take it into consideration, but lv2play raises a very good point with regard to where you'll need to change planes. In over 800,000 air miles flown, I've been fortunate to only arrive without my luggage five or six times -- one of them, though, was when going through Heathrow, and another one was when going through Charles de Gaulle. I've been through Frankfurt several times without any luggage mishaps, and have always found the airport reasonably easy to navigate and make connections. I would think you would have less air time going through Frankfurt, as well

My experience on long hual flights from the west coast of the U.S. to Europe and Great Britain would put my vote on Lufthansa. Neither carrier is necessarily my airline of first choice, but if having to choose between them, it would be LT. Pen

I've always enjoyed the Eastiny Place on Soi 8 -- I'd be prepared to love the Eastiny Place on Soi 8 if they'd add high speed or WiFi Internet to their rooms. I know, I know; the vast majority of us don't go to LOS with (or wanting) the ballast of a laptop and online obligations, but given the steady flow if business in the Internet cafe's, it appears most of us log on to check emails, at a minimum. For those of us who work online or must stay connected, plus with the growing advent of VoIP phone service, it will be nice when more middle of the road hotel have updated to having Internet avai

Hub: I completely agree. I do a lot of traveling domestically and occasionally internationally for my work and I collect all of those miles to a program where I can grab a Business or First Class ticket on CX. I haven't had a chance to do the JFK / HKK non-stop in First yet, but that's where the next mileage purchase is going, hopefully for a November trip in 2006. As for alternatives, I'm with you -- what's the sense of paying for three uncomfortable trips on some carrier (probably a US domestic one) just so you can earn a free trip on the same uncomfortable carrier? Let me pay $80

Yeah Hub - that's kind of the thing. CX is such a generally superior quality, you really start to (re)think the value of holding out to pay more on another carrier where you may be less comfortable, just to scoop up the miles. As with anything, it's different strokes for different folks. Another option, I suppose, is to open an Asia Miles account and collect the miles there; similar to what several members do with Eva since their miles don't land too well with any other carriers. A look at Asia Miles does reveal that there are several carriers that can post miles to an Asia Miles accoun

December Sale, FYI: Cathay Pacific is running another one of their monthly specials for purchase of ticket through 31 December 2005. For $722 from LAX or SFO, or $782 from NYC (inclusive of fuel surcharges but not of taxes), departures are available from 01 February through return required by 15 May 2006. As always, there are no frequent flyer miles available other than the Asia Miles program, but it is a decent price for sneaking in a previously unscheduled trip over for Songkran or whatever. I know the value of the discounted ticket versus the lost frequent flyer miles has been analyz

Doggie, Despite every good and reasonable effort to coerce my schedule, I regret to inform that I will be unable to fulfill my duties as a member of the American team for this year's events. I had been counting on partaking every bit as much as I needed to partake, but the production I'm on will not wrap in time for me to make the trip over. Next year's dates will be treated with greater devotion and forethought. I hope Year 4 of the Cup is the biggest and best yet, even in my absence. Pen

I believe the rate for Internet service at the RG for one week is 600 bt., and 150 bt. on a daily basis. Pen

Dog - I remain a big fan of an old fashioned coach trip north, but am extremely flexible and laid back about such things, so if the majority opt for a shorter sojourn made at 35,000', then you'll hear no gripes from me. Given the degree I'm looking forward to things, you could stick me on the back of hobbled elephant and I'd still be lacking a care in the world. Thanks once more for taking charge on the arrangements and coordinating what is essentially a hoarde of unruly children. A round or two in your direction will be my pleasure. Regards, Pen

If there is still room in the planning, I would love to be counted in for the full programme asI'm currently scheduled to be in LOS from 18 October to 01 December. My first vote would have been for motorcoach travel to Changmai with intermediate stopover, but I am happy to bow to the majority and / or most common sense approach to make the trip. At this point, I would anticipate traveling solo, so I've no need for any "extra luggage" considerations. Sounds like a great fortnight and I look forward to further details as it comes together.

I heartily second BigKev's inquiry as I'm looking to finalize an autumn trip and would love to hear any feedback on the NYC / BKK / NYC routing as it's currently at the top of my list for getting back to paradise, even though Star Alliance carriers are not getting the bulk ofmy business these days (not for any knock against them -- I'm just flying to places better served by One World members these last few months). If the flight is all it seems, though, I'll happily start routing myself back through TG and all its Star Alliance buddies. Thanks, Pen

I'm curious -- does KE still have the policy of not asssigning seats for passengers in coach class until airport check-in? Historically, this has always been the reason I've avoided them as the prospect of being surprised at the airport with a middle seat for a U.S. - BKK haul has never seemed like the perfect way to start a holiday. Given the reviews here, though, and the generally good, comparative price for KE, I'm wondering if reconsideration is in order. Pen

Sorry Bill (and the rest of the thread followers): I was actually asking about the viability of the Vonage package / system over WiFi wireless internet connections -- not the usage of a wireless phone handset. I was just wondering, with all other things being the same as having the computer or laptop hooked to a broadband connection, if the system will work with resonable clarity and dependability if utilizing WiFi or similar? I did enjoy your prediction (and it inherent optimism), however. From your mouth to the communication gods' ears. Pen