Severn

Check again in the air asia fly to khon kaen. I believe that it is only Thai Smile on that route posted from my Samsung using Tapatalk 2.

They are using a 777 plane. Not sure if it will be more comfortable than their current planes. THe BKK > LHR leg seems a little long at 14 hours and the LHR>BKK a bit short at 10:15. Put them together at 24 hrs 15 mins seems more like the usual 12 hr each way hop. I shan't argue at £2 for each hour flight time.

Interesting Tom. This is my booking. Booked through Expedia.co.uk yesterday. Looking at todays prices for the same flight and it is now £847.00 ebookers had a similar deal but that is also around £850. I guess that you have to be quick.

British airways currently have a sale on. Expats may be interested to know that I have just booked bangkok london bangkok in april for 444 pounds. posted from my Samsung using Tapatalk 2.

I watched last night's program with interest. Did anyone notice him being offered an insect to eat and the woman in the background putting her hand to a mouth saying "good". I always find it a dilemma to visit a Thai family and being offered the delicacy of a live insect. posted from my Samsung using Tapatalk 2.

Copied from the Thai Consulate Website. http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads-and-visas.aspx Category “O” -------------------------- 1) Married to a Thai national. Evidence required: a) If married in Thailand: Copies of Original Thai Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport. If married in UK: Copies of Original UK Marriage Certificate, Copy of Thai Marriage Registration Certificate (this visa is only available to persons who register their marriage in Thailand otherwise they can apply only for the Tourist Visa) and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport. Either a single or multiple entry visa may be granted in these circumstances. or 2) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand. Evidence required a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship. Proof of having Legal Custody of the child. Please note that this document can be in Thai language if submitted to either the Royal Thai Consulate at Hull or the Royal Thai Embassy. Please note that a child ceases to be regarded as a child for these purposes when attaining 20 years of age. Either a single or multiple entry visa may be granted in these circumstances. or 3) Visiting non Thai family working and/or living in Thailand. Evidence required: a) Birth/Marriage Certificate to show relationship and date of birth (applicant must not be older than 20 years). Letter from relative in Thailand confirming they are in Thailand together with copy of page in their passport showing valid entry visa or a copy of their valid work permit. Either a single or multiple entry visa may be granted to applicant aged up to 20 years in these circumstances. If applicant is aged 21 or over they can be granted only a Tourist Visa with 1, 2 or 3 entries. or 4) Volunteer Work with NGO or Charity Organisation (not with Private Organisations). Evidence required: a) Sponsor Letter from volunteer/charity organisation which must be registered in Thailand. Only a single entry visa can be granted in these circumstances. Applicant will need to arrange Extension of Stay as necessary. Please check with volunteer/charity organisation for what extra documentation may be required by Thai Immigration to extend stay. or 5) Visiting Thailand as Pensioner aged 65 and over. Evidence required: a) Current “DWP Pension Statement” showing receipt of State Pension (no minimum necessary). Either a single or multiple entry visa may be granted in these circumstances. or 6) Visiting Thailand as Retired Person aged between 50 and 64 years Evidence required: a) Copy of Bank Statement showing income of minimum 65,000 baht per month or lump sum of minimum 800,000 baht. Statement must include name and address of visa applicant (address on statement must be same as “Present address” on Visa Application Form). Either a single or multiple entry visa may be granted in these circumstances. Abb 01.08.13

The only other one I can picture is the one at the Big C on second but I found this ....http://newpattaya.com/restaurants/ MK Restaurants. There are a total of 6 MK Restaurants in Pattaya. In Tesco South, Tesco North, Big C South, Big C Extra (used to be Carrefour), Big C North and Central Festival Pattaya Beach. MK is very popular among the thais. I highly recommend the duck and especially the souce that comes with the duck. and the sliced pickled ginger that comes with the duck. Sent from my GT-S6500 using Tapatalk 2

I have a friend in lives in thailand who uses slightly out of normal lenses. Most of the time he can find them in thailand but occasionally they are not available. He now in imports from europe because out cheaper. Bring enough of your own with you and check out the supply when you get here is my advice. Sent using Tapatalk 2

I have a few photographs and short videos on Flickr if you are interested http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEsYUbA

Excellent chillie and entertainment tonight Rocky. Thank you. Sent from my GT-S6500 using Tapatalk 2

And when were pension books last issued. Sent from my GT-S6500 using Tapatalk 2

Christmas Day in this part of Nong Khai and the electric power went at 10:00am. A check down the road and engineers were working on a PLANNED power outage which they said would last until 5pm. I came back shortly before.

Thank you for your update. It means that using the budget carriers is once again viable from Pattaya at low transfer costs using the various buses, although it looks as if the travel times with average connections will be around 3 hours. Unless there is a bus service from Pattaya to Don Muang direct?

On Sunday 2nd December I flew from London Heathrow to Bangkok using Oman Air via Muscat and thought that perhaps I should give a brief update to those booked or considering using this route. Oman Air check in at Heathrow was a reasonably fast and pleasant experience but security screening was detailed and slow. The Oman air 30 kg Baggage allowance was good. I had already reserved my seat on all four legs and had chosen seat 23D. The AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A333 seating in economy was 2-4-2 with no “C” seats so 23D was a centre-aisle seat towards the front of of the economy section slightly forward of the wing. On the first leg the seat next to me was unoccupied and on the second leg there were 3 British Indians on their first trip to Pattaya. They were looking forward to the visit and had done 'some' homework but had rented a “Villa” near the 1 million Stone Park and were being charged 2500 for a Toyota Camray pickup from the Airport. The flight was by no means dry and as an aperitif when I asked if they had Whiskey I was presented with a tumbler full, red wine was served with the meal and alcoholic drinks served on request . All of the Oman planes were WiFi enabled and mobile phones could be used on board at a reasonable charge. For computers without WiFi a USB internet connection was available near to the TV screen. There was no electrical boxes under any of the seats as far as I could ascertain giving room to stretch out your legs unhindered. Seating was comfortable and seat pitch good considering it was economy. Muscat Airport appeared to be tired and all embarkation was via bus, the airport having no stands. There was little to do at the airport other than to peruse the extensive duty free section, but a word of warning that the outbound gates are opened early but once inside there is literally nothing to do and no toilet facilities, so don't go in too early. I was only at the Airport for 90 minutes so not really a problem. The negatives that I found were personal, but on both legs a meal was served 90 minutes after being airborne and again 90 minutes before landing giving about 3 hour period for sleep. I did miss the 9 hour sleep period on the direct flights but at more than £300 cost savings this small sacrifice was acceptable. Food served was adequate but I have had better. Entertainment systems were good. We landed shortly before 7:30 pm in Bangkok at a gate not far from immigration and although the queues there seemed long the lines moved fast and I soon had my 90 day non-imm O stamp. Baggage was on the belt and I was able to get downstairs and onto the 8pm Airport bus to Jomtien beach. Less than 30 minutes from landing to bus is impressive by any Airport standard and this without any “fast-track” service. I arrived in Jomtien shortly before 10pm, tired but all in all having had a reasonable journey.

I have just noticed that the company that provides the Airport Link bus from Jomtien, Thappraya Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport has started a service from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin. I guess that by getting the right connection it is possible to go to the Airport for 134 Baht and from there to Hua Hin for a further 305 Baht. 439 Baht seems a good price for this journey although perhaps for 4 people or more a taxi fare could be negotiated. http://www.airporthuahinbus.com/

If you are talking of good coffee............

I have just read through the money saving expert forum and done a sample flight booking on fly.co.uk. Prices look to be similar to other search engines and show the airfare, taxes and price on the first screen No doubt there is a credit card surcharge as is normal. Only one guy on money saving expert seems to have had a problem with his CC bill being £30.00 more than he expected but did he not see the taxes and cc surcharge? In another instance the site asked for proof of identity but this was a pretty standard request. Its a European company and bound by European consumer law. Wouldn't use it though as it only gives prices for one of the four direct carriers from Heathrow to Bangkok.

You might want to take a look at this Thread which was live for much of August. It may give you some ideas. Money Transfers from UK to Thailand. Topping up a Thai bank account http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/topic/59137-money-transfers-from-uk-to-thailand-topping-up-a-thai-bank-account/page__hl__severn

I quite like the Kasicorn Bank approach of sending a code via SMS to your mobile. You have to enter that one-time only code to confirm most banking transactions other than viewing your balance. It means keeping a Thai SIM active in your phone when you are overseas and want to transfer funds.

I wish you a full and speed recovery Mick.

Tesco Lotus prices in Thailand are similar to Tesco UK prices for many household items including bedding, towels etc. Why carry the extra bulk?

We have confirmation that gratuities in the US go to the employer to subsidise low wages. Would you not be better to stop tipping automatically and let the employer pay the staff for the work that he employs them for. You can then make a small contribution should you receive "Exceptional service"................ Surely no-one could disagree that it is bad practice to export this low pay ethic to other countries; habitually 'tipping' for normal service levels arguably encourages employers to reduce pay thus making the server reliant on gratuities as per the above example.

If you are using Windows right click and choose "Paste as plain text" However I am also intrigued by the addresses and look forward to learning how they work. PS. Cheshire Tom posted his response as I made my original reply and has confirmed that addressing in Thailand is an art in itself, however thanks for the reply Tom.

I have virtually stopped visiting the USA because 'the price you see is not the price you pay" as it is in most other countries. Sales tax, State tax and having to subsidise the staff wages with "tips" are additional costs that have to be factored into every purchase causing confusion to tourists. I once had my tip thrown back at me in a San Francisco bar and I am still not sure why, I could not believe the rudeness. I hope that our American friends will not encourage this concept in other places. Legend has it, the word "tip" itself came years ago from a pub owner who used the acronym on a box "To Insure Promptness." In that spirit, tipping should be thought of first and foremost as an extra reward for especially prompt and attentive service and not as a hidden expectancy.