partyanimal

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I watch all expenditures since my goal is to never have to work again. i guess there's a bunch of guys who have done well for themselves financially on this Forum. I do think though that if someone has any debt whatsoever (with the exception of mortgages) and this includes car loans, then you should stick with cattle class.

gotta admit your pics make it seeem like a dump, but i find it nice. next trip i'll be in BKK for 4-5 nights so I'm going to find a nicer place that also has a pool.

Thanks Aeolus! Welcome to the Forum! Right, that's what I mean, trying to snag a few seats to sleep. I really enjoyed the my only 18 hour flight on Sing. I guess airlines have to give you some space and keep you entertained if you're flying that long. I was in the bulkhead on a Sing Air flight and the armrests were not removable. And I'm pretty sure that was the whole plane. Although I do understand that a meal tray may have to be in an armrest in the bulhead but behind a seat elsewhere. But I think it's trhe whole plane. Does anyone know for sure on Sing? I'm flying out on a Saturday but coming back on the Mon nite/Tuesday 1 AM flight.

I like the Grand Inn if I staying for a night or two. Sedate, low key, no problem with bill, good wake up call, friendly staff, 24 hour access to lobby safe, never a line at reception desk as there's only 4 rooms a floor and not many floors. Will continue to stay there if I'm only staying a night or two.

Seems like it's crackdown time on cigs: World > Asia Pacific from the November 02, 2005 edition Thailand takes lead in global tobacco fight By Simon Montlake | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor BANGKOK, THAILAND – The marketing space for selling tobacco has shrunk considerably since the days when the Marlboro Man roamed freely across TV screens and city skylines around the world. Many countries now restrict the advertising of an addictive product that medical authorities say kills millions every year. But few have gone as far as Thailand. Citing a ban on advertising, the Thai government ordered vendors in September to remove all cigarettes from display or risk a $50,000 fine. Activists say cigarette packets are effectively advertisements that should be hidden from view. Stores now carry signs advising customers to request tobacco products from their staffs. The Thai measure is the latest skirmish in the global fight against smoking, which is increasingly focused on the developing world where at least 65 percent of tobacco is now consumed. The stakes are high in the rising economies of Asia, where an estimated 50,000 teens take up smoking every day, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Western tobacco companies facing stagnation at home have long sought a larger piece of the Asian pie. In their way stands a vocal antismoking lobby that is bending the ear of Asian governments and beginning to make some inroads, even in societies with entrenched smoking cultures. "If you look at why Thailand has been successful [in curbing tobacco], you can't ignore the role of civil society in pushing governments to take action and mobilizing public opinion," says Bungon Rittipakdee, coordinator of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, an advocacy group. Apart from Bhutan, where smoking in public was banned completely last year, Thailand has adopted the toughest tobacco controls of any developing country. And there are results to show for it. A generation ago, over 60 percent of Thai adult males smoked. By 2004, the rate had dropped below 40 percent, though the trend for Thai women has been rising. While Thailand's smoking rates remains high compared the US (now at 22 percent), it is lower compared to other Asian countries. For example, around 70 percent of men are reported to smoke in Vietnam and Indonesia where cigarettes are cheap and readily available. And China accounts for roughly 1 in 3 of every cigarettes smoked worldwide, according to the WHO. New tobacco ad treaty A new factor is the new WHO-backed Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that came into effect earlier this year and has been ratified by 94 countries, including India, Malaysia, and China, the world's biggest producer. This treaty requires participants within five years to impose tough restrictions on tobacco sales, including a total ban on advertising and sponsorship, and has been hailed as a turning point by antismoking campaigners. (The US has signed but not ratified the treaty.) Despite being a major tobacco producer, Thailand ranks among the toughest markets for hawking the product. Cigarette packets carry gruesome pictures of diseased lungs and rotten teeth that cover half the available space, and smoking is banned in most public places. Film and television producers aren't supposed to show images of smoking, and cigarettes are airbrushed from old programs and movies. Strong health lobby Observers say Thailand's well-organized health lobby has been effective in nudging policymakers, helped by revered monarch King Bhumipol who warned last year of the dangers of youth smoking. In addition to Thailand, three other countries mandate graphic visual warnings on cigarette packets - Canada, Brazil, and Singapore. Hong Kong lawmakers last month began debating a similar proposal. Last month, Canada also become the first country outside the US where governments can sue tobacco manufacturers for smoking-related health costs. 7-Eleven fighting But Thailand's Sept. 24 ban on displaying cigarettes in stores is a step too far for some. Retailer 7-Eleven has resisted the removal of display cases behind its counters and challenged the regulation, as has Thailand's state tobacco producer. Thailand's Council of State is expected to rule on the dispute by mid-November. While 7-Eleven continues to openly sell tobacco products, it has also cut down the size of its displays in 3,000-plus Thai outlets. "It's our way of showing that we're willing to cooperate with any government campaign to reduce smoking," says company spokesman Suwit Kingkaew, who adds that tobacco products make up 5 percent of total sales. Campaigners say that retailers receive special incentives from tobacco brands, including a generous "slotting fee" for an eye-catching display, a claim disputed by 7-Eleven. But with fewer and fewer opportunities to push their product in Thailand, tobacco producers are feeling the pinch. "This [ban] is critical for tobacco companies. They can't advertise anywhere. All the venues are closed. This is the only one left for them," says Dr. Hatai Chitanondh, a retired public health official who runs the Thailand Health Promotion Institute, a nonprofit foundation. Smoke at temples Among the public places where smoking is frowned upon are Thailand's Buddhist temples, though many monks still smoke, say campaigners. They blame worshippers for giving cigarettes as alms and praise the national Buddhist council for setting up a committee in September to tackle tobacco addiction. On the streets of Bangkok, few smokers object to the crackdown. Taking a cigarette break outside his office, businessman Kirsada Limamapar, a regular smoker for over 20 years, says he's happy to see cigarettes off the shelves. "I'll try to quit again, I know it's bad for my health," he says.

Correctomundo! There's lots of reasons u might want a change of venue. As others have suggested, book it for a few nights and walk around. You probably will be able to extend your stay if u like it but chances are u will find something more to your liking.

I'm fine with flying but don't like being the passenger in a thai taxicab on a two lane road. Going from Kanchanaburi to BKK scared the shit out of me. There;s be slow moving vehicle you gotta pass but head on colisons are not my thing.

bump and if anyone has flown would u please let me know how full the plane was? thnx

I removed Jing's contact info as my ticket is V class even though she told me 5 times it was Q class and on her proposal email it said Q. V class only gets half the Q class FF miles. Confronted her on the phone today and she did what Thais do when confronted/embarrased which is laugh. She said I could have a refuns but as prices have gone up quite a bit taht'd be stupid. I told her she should give me 100 bucks. She said she send me a check for $30 and I said I'll pick it up at her office. Don't want a misunderstanding of the wrong address. She should have offered 30 bucks plus a blowjob. I'd much rather have 8600 star alliance miles than 30 bucks. Her contact info has been removed. Hey Jing

another way to book is to fly to bali with a stop in bangkok. I did this and my stop was 5 weeks. the whole trip from USA was 60K star alliance miles, the same cost if i just did bangkok or bali. could have substituted the PI for Bali.

Big D, did u take the non-stop to JFK? if so, how full was the plane? are the armrests removable?

Hey Mook, Sametville Resort looks nice and relaxing but am a bit concerned that my girl will get bored since it's so isolated. Did you go around to the other beaches or stay put on Ao Wai? The website looks good. How nice are the rooms? I asssume their would not be too many farangs with with Thai girls there?

Thanks Taffy! Did you generally book in advance or wait till the last minute?

Hey Taffy, I was thinking about Sai Kaew Villa. Do you have any idea of the real differences between the different types of rooms, hard to tell from the website? Waiting to hear from the Chancoy, but not responding to inquiries, maybe no speak English. http://www.chancoy.com/service.html

Not the best location.

Want to bring a girl to Ko Samet and want to stay on Had Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach) in the best possible accomodations. My first choice, Sai Kaew Beach Resort is all booked up. Anyone have a good alternative for that beach?

That's the ticket! Then look at every place Soi 7 has reviewed, walk around and pop into places and after looking at 25-30 places you should have found a few diamonds in the rough.

You can stay the first night for free at this joint, see there guarantee, and walk around to find a better place for day 2. This hotel is not in an ideal location. http://sunhill-phuket.com/

Flying the JFK-BKK non-stop on Thai. Sailfast reported a cutback in service which implies these planes are not being filled to capacity. Are the armrests removable? Will affect my seating strategy. Thanks!

I should rent out my apartment while I'm in the LOS; would pay for my trip!

Will be arriving on the Thai Airway non-stop from JFK. Will be arranging for cheap car service. If anyone wants to share, give a holler. At 16:00 (NOT 17;00)

You can PM me too. I live in Manhattan and work in Jersey City. If you're going to spring for 350 a night, it should be for a place like W-Union Square, Morgan's, or the Royalton. There will be lots of shitholes at that price. Surprisngly the very top end such as the Sherry Netherland and Pierre are not that expensive compared to the shitholes. Also depends what you want to do in New York re hotel location. if you're going to a Broadway show my recomendation is Ave Q. I'm a cheap charlie, so if I were visiting NYC, I'd stay at Hotel 17. Some of their rooms have shared bathrooms, I think. If you are seriously considering this hotel, let me know and I'll check it out for you, I live a few blocks away. Caveat: As a New yorker, i don't stay in New York hotels and am much more knowlegeable about pattaya hotels. And bars!

You can stay in the Courtyard-Marriot in Jersey ity which is a 30 second walk to PATH station which is a 10 minute subway type train to Greenwich Village, and 15 minutes to 33th Street (end of line). It's a 2.5 star Jersey City zone if you're bidding on Priceline. Comments on biddingfortravel.com (for priceline) seem to indicate that the New York and adjacent Jersey City hotel markets are much more expensive now than a few months ago.

I did a quick search on some websites and was astonished at the prices some shitholes are charging. For example the Hotel Pennsylvania is a shithole and wanted 350 a night. But for only about 50 bucks extra one could get morgan's which is an extremely nice hotel. Think occupancy is so tight now, that the low end hotels are raising rates sky-high.