lemons

DJ. Your initial comments prompted me to go to the Skytracs site and sus out some passenger opinions re this 'airline'. What a fucking rock show this mob are! I cant wait to hear your tale. Here's the link and a few extracts from the comments: http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/uzbekistan.htm 1) Some other funny things: the plane was carrying a huge spare aircraft tire in the passenger cabin. The jet had it's auxillary power engine turned on, which is located under the fuselage, so when we ran from the terminal to the jet it was absolutely deafeningly loud - I mean so loud I had to stop running and cover my ears. But the plane didn't crash, so that's a positive aspect. 2) Very uncomfortable landings as it appears these former Russian pilots are not fully trained to fly the Boeing aircraft. All five landings hit the tarmac very hard. 3) There's also no assigned seating (at least on my Bukhara to Moscow flight). Result: everyone is paranoid about not getting a seat on the airplane. And there's a mad running dash from the terminal, across the tarmac to the parked airplane where flight attendants literally have to beat back the crowds of shoving people trying to get on board the huge IL-86 Russian jet. 4) Plane was dirty and unpleasant foul smell (urine) throughout the flight. Majority of cabin crew members did not smile and tone of voice was rude. Never will recommend my friends or family to take this airline. 5) You get off, are shepherded off the tarmac by a man with a machine gun, who then lets you back when the cart with the luggage is unloaded. your luggage tag is checked very thoroughly. Happy trails

I think the FF program is as good as the airline or alliance that is offering it. FOr the 1st time ever, I ammassed enough points on Singapore Airlines for a ret trip to LOS. The booking was easy. Murphy's law kicked in of course, and I had to postpone my ret trip by a week. Ended up having to buy a one way ticket at retail price, and then request a points refund for the unused f/f miles. S/airlines did give me the points back, less 25% for their trouble! And I regard them as one of the better carriers.

Yeah, sad to see them go. I had many a BBQ seafod night there on the beach. BTW your informant is a touch behind the times. I was there in early Nov, and they were well and truly demolished then.

I signed up for the email newsletter from Valueair a while back. It's a Singapore based carier aligned with Jetstar Asia. Fortunately I'm not a f/flyer points holder! Have a look at the email they've sent out, effectively cancelling the loyalty program on 14 days notice. Anyone like to rate a punters chances of redeeming points on a flight in the next 2 weeks - the busiest of the year? "To All Valupoints Users / Valuair Frequent Flyers, Valupoints Program Cessation We sincerely thank you for your loyal support to Valuair since our operations began in May 2004 and we look forward to your continued support in the future. However, we regret to inform you that we are ceasing our Valupoints program with effect from 13 January 2006 . For those who possess the required number of Valuair boarding passes, you may exchange them for a return at our Ticket Office no later than 13 January 2006 . For further information regarding use of your boarding passes to make the redemptions, please visit our website at www.valuair.com.sg/valupoints. Yours Sincerely, The Valuair Team"

Shit - you are absolutely right! I had a look at them yesterday for a friend, and there were rooms at the Hard Rock and 2 or 3 others. That's disapointing. Anyway, try this link. As of now this 'Thai Garden Resort' is showing 4 rooms available in Jan 01, out Jan 03. Good Luck. http://www.ratestogo.com/Hotel.asp?HotelID...-01-02&id=33106

Try this mob. They're currently showing 6 properties with room over the next week. http://www.latestays.com/pattaya/

Try this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g2...rt-Pattaya.html Not from a mongering point of view, but helpful anyway. Lemons

Thanks mate, will definatley check this out. And the Sin - Clark fares are really dropping. Even a reg fare for around $180 sing $!!!

Mate, you know your capabilities better than anyone. All I can add is that, for a very modest fee you should be able to get any assistance you need from the Thai people - particularly the women. "If you never never go - you'll never never know"

Re: "... I might be able to tell if he is smoking, taking or licking them ..." Well, licking them would be the preferred method IMHO Funny shit

Lilwilly, I really dont think your hotel would have any problem with checking on you say twice a day. Could be managed same as a reminder call - they'd just ring at an arranged time to confirm all is well. Alternatively, you wouldn't have a problem finding a nearby Thai, (say a massage lady) to help you out here for a modest fee. Say come to the room twice per day for 100baht - win win I'd reckon. Finally, why not bring your mobile, get a Thai sim with say 300baht credit and program in a few numbers to call if you get into bother. Cheers Lemons

No. there is an entry/exit just up from the r/rant bar area if that sort of thing bothers you.

Brewmaster, For the price the suites aren't bad. Some have mirrors on the ceiling, which I find distubing Till Nov 01: 900baht High Season: 1100baht As with all the rooms there, they could do with better, (more), lighting, but overall I find it a good place to stay - in a great location. lemons

Mate, here's the link, the email is within: http://www.mamaison-hotel.com/e_index.html lemons

And I bet next weeks pay that he got 'Hello Hansum Man - Weelcum' all the way down the street!

Mate have stayed at Dynasty Inn once, and Ma Maison many times. Haven't stayed at Sandy Springs. Dynasty is a typical place for its size and price range. Rooms are a bit dark and the pool is really tiny. Otherwise OK. Guest friendly with ID left at the desk. Ma Maison is a much smaller place - about 24 rooms I think. The high season rate is 900baht for a room and 1100baht for a suite I think. I prefer a smaller hotel because of the usually friendlier staff. Rooms can be a bit underlit, and occasionally musty, but otherwise I like the place. Rafael is the current manager. He is a nice guy from Costa Rica who speaks, Spanish, French, English as well as a smattering of Thai. Cheers, Lemons

Gabor has a place in Jomtien. Maybe PM him? Lemons

Fucking hilarious! Lemons

Thanks mate. I will definately check this out! Lemons

Thanks Mate, I will follow those up. Lemons

Hi locals, I'm keen to have 'the snip' and was wondering if this can be doen in BKK or Pattaya at a reputable hospital. Of course I can get one here in Australia, but even with private insurance it will cost about baht 12000. I realise this isn't a Kings ransom, but if I can get one in LOS for less, I'd seriously consider it. (At the end of a trip of course - dont want to contemplate watching TV with a bag of frozen peas on the ol fella at any other time! ) Cheers, Lemons

Owen, You sound like you know what you're doing. One big advantage with buying an existing condo (1 year +), is that you can sus out what the management is like and the value you'd get for your body corporate fees - called something else in LOS I think? Good to look at the maintenance standards; all those little repair jobs that if left unnattended can make a building turn to shit. Remember the adage: How many Thais does it take to change a lightbulb? Unknown, as it's never been attempted. Lemons

One of Big D's conquests from the 70's? lemons

Warning - SHAMELESS PLUG Guys, we'd love to see you all at my Guesthouse in Sihanoukville Cambodia: http://ochheutealguesthouse.com/ Perhaps next time you need to do a run, you could extend your schedule and make it down to this interesting seaside town. My manager Doe can pick you up from the boat and give you all the advice etc you need while in town. Rooms are dirt cheap - usd$15 for an a/cond room with h/water, fridge and cable - less in low season! Some of the features of Snooky: A far more relaxed town than Pattaya, (perhaps Pattaya circa 1970?) 24hr trading - and at least 1 bar in town never shuts. P4P scene with Khmer and Viet ladies for approx 1/2 Pattaya prices At least 1 casino open in town at any time White sand beaches Ridiculously cheap grog and smokes, eg: 1l of J/Walker black for $18 and a carton of Marlboro Lights for $6. (Thats baht 740 & 248 respectively. And thats retail from the supermarket!!) To get here, Had Lek (the Thai border post) is about 4hrs south of Pattaya. The boat leaves each morning from Koh Kong and takes about 4hrs as well. Food for thought? Cheers, Lemons