neilri2001

Many thanks for that FBF. May be tempted to stretch my budget and principles a bit and stick with EVA. China Airlines is incredible value but in the three times i've used them ( albeit not in the past seven or eight years ) i always used to have problems with my luggage making the connecting flight at Schipol. It would get delivered by courier a day or so later but on the Thailand legs the lock would generally be missing and the contents thoroughly checked through for valubles

I'm looking for a decent business class fare for March ex London. I have used Flight Centre a few times many years ago but in recent years whenever i have tried to book one of their headline fares advertised in the papers / shop window it has never been available. I am a big fan of EVA Business but for March i haven't seen it below £2.3 to £2.4 k. The product is very good but £2k is my personal limit

It's been 18 months since my last visit to Pattaya and it was noticeable that quite a few of the Tailor shops have gone out of business. The price advantage for Europeans has narrowed considerably and the hoards of Chinese favour designer labels or high end made to measure. I visited four shops. two at random and NINI and Siam international from recommendations on this thread. It transpires that NINI and Siam are both owned by the same extended family but run as separate businesses. My first port of call was NINI but they were about to go on holiday to Canada and were reluctant to take on

Some confusion ahead of my trip as i asked for a return quote up North but was quoted a one way price. The trip itself passed off flawlessly. Six separate journeys completed with no problems whatsoever, four different drivers three of whom i had met on previous trips.I have used The Limopattaya exclusively for several years now and am still happy to recommend them to board members

I purchased a couple of suits from Yes Boss a few years back after being lured in by the postcard routine. They literally fell apart after being worn a handful of times. One of the pockets came away from the suit at a wedding which was a bit embarrassing at the time

Thanks for the replies gents. I've just spoken to someone on the phone and sent the email for a third ( and final ) time. I've used the Limopattaya many times in the past and have song their praises on the forums. My trip this time is a little more complicated involving 5 separate journeys but nothing too taxing for someone in the transport business. I will report whether i get a satisfactory outcome or not in due course

Has anyone used the limopattaya.com over the past couple of months? I have used them without problem for many years now but have had two emails go unanswered over a period of several days . Failing that recommendations greatly appreciated for similar companies as have several trips to Bangkok, airport and Isaan to arrange. Thanks Neil

I was about to pose a similar question to the original poster. On my last visit around 18 months ago i used Kris's Tailor in soi 5-6 and was happy with them but i understand that they have now moved. I saw a couple of reviews online for NINI on second Rd near Royal garden and was considering trying them. With regard to AMA i thought that 11000 was quite steep for a suit shirt and tie. Last time i paid around 7500 for a three piece suit although i did order four of them

I considered Finnair a couple of years ago and the general consensus was not to bother unless they are very cheap. I was told that the European leg to / from Helsinki would probably be using economy size seats too even if they were branded business class. If the most recent sale hasn't finished you should be able to get BA business class for a couple of hundred pounds more

Its been a few years back now but i found that with tight connection times in Amsterdam my luggage didn't always make the connecting flight. The luggage always turned up at my home or hotel 24 hours later by courier but it was one of the reasons ( along with China steadily increasing their prices) that i stopped using the KLM / China option

I've booked Eva's new business class for my upcoming flight in November. Based on the experience of a friend and the onsite videos its a dramatic improvement on the previous offering although this is reflected in the price and you will struggle to get a return from LHR for less than £2k, so 78,000 baht to AMS represents a fair price i think. As others have pointed out a 1-2-1 seating formation with a seat width of 26 inches ( compared to 20 inches on Thai's 777's which is little more than many economy carriers)

Another vote from me for The Limopattaya.com. I used them four times on my last trip without any problems. Two male and two female drivers. My only slight criticism was that they were a little slow in answering emails

I like to stay in North Pattaya but prefer something a little more comfortable than the Sabai group these days. In recent years i have found a happy home at Baboona Beach front living but have recently read that they have now introduced a joiner fee. I'm considering between Hotel Vista and Discovery Beach. Both are rated as four star and both have reasonable rates on agoda and both appear to be guest friendly as long as you book a Double room. Experiences of board members at either or both of these hotels would be very much appreciated. Thanks Neil

Thanks for the replies gents. Someone messaged me privately to say that Helsinki to Bangkok leg is fine but that Manchester or London to Helsinki is still all 3x3 economy seating with the middle seat left empty in " business " class. As someone who prefers a wider seat and bigger pitch over in flight service this would be a bit of a deal breaker for me.

Do any members have any first hand experience of Finnair business class? Online reviews are mixed and a friend had a fairly poor experience in economy. Flights from the UK to BKK in September are showing at about £1400 on Finnair which is about £700 cheaper than Thai / EVA and over £1000 cheaper than BA. Thanks Neil

Used them four times during my recent 10 day trip to Thailand ( Airport - Pattaya, Pattaya - central Bangkok, Central Bangkok - Pattaya , Pattaya - Airport ) and received a near flawless service with all pick ups on time or early. Four different drivers, two male and two female but all with decent English. Cars were Camry, Accord and a people carrier. Initial contact was via email but once in Thailand all confirmations and re confirmations were made directly by phone or text with Eve on + 66 85 7394949. My only slight criticism would be that they were a little bit slow in responding to my init

Just returned from Thailand and so as promised i will share my thoughts on Baboona Beach. I had two four night stays sandwiched around a stay in Bangkok the first in a standard sea view on the third floor and the second in a deluxe sea view on the sixth ( Top ) floor. The rooms were almost identical but the sea view was obviously superior from the higher floor and i spent a fair bit of time on the spacious balcony watching the world go by on Beach Road. For me the location was ideal, right on beach Road near the junction with soi 4 about 5 minutes walk from the Dusit hotel. I walked down S

Hi Seanss, I suspect that you would only have to pay rack rates over Christmas and the new year period. You can almost always find it at a discount on Agoda and other sites. I'm paying £35GBP per night for a superior sea view room with breakfast for 2 included

Thanks for the replies gents. I've decided to give it a go and will report back on my return Neil

I'm returning to Pattaya for the first time in a few years and am considering staying at The Baboona Beach resort on Beach Rd and would appreciate feedback from members who may have stayed there. I like the beach rd area and historically have stayed mainly at the Flipper / Sabai lodge. Thanks Neil

Why not try an open jaw with someone like qatar. Fly into Shanghai and Back from Bangkok. Should cost no more than a return to Shanghai. Just leaves you with a single from Shanghai to BKK to pay for yourself. Neil

Anyone had any first hand experience of business class on Kuwait Airlines. They're at least a third cheaper than anyone other than China Airlines for the dates i plan to travel. From a personal point of view i'm more interested in seat width and pitch and ease of transfer than food or IFE. Thanks in advance Neil

I stayed there last year and was initially reluctant to send them the 50% deposit but i did and was glad i did. If they have space they tend to upgrade you to the category above what you paid for. Very good rooms and friendly service. Guest friendly but not an out and out mongering hotel. I checked in alone but was given breakfast vouchers for two. Mixture of asian and western guests. Neil

Anyone flown with Jet Airways via India. Reviews on the various airline rating sites seem to vary quite widely. They're pushing their business and first class product in the UK at the moment but no pricing? Neil

i had the same connection time a year or so ago and posed a similar question. If your flight arrives into Doha on time you will be ok My flight took off 40 minutes late but arrived on schedule so either there was a strong wind assisting us or aq fair degree of flexability built into the the flight schedule. Judging from the private mails i received it appears to be a bit hit and miss. An hour or more and you will make it but others faced an overnight in a doha hotel. Sometimes they will hold connecting flights although i guess this depends on the number of passengers involved. I have to