CheshireTom

mick, There is a geezer on craigslist doing a macbook pro at 30k baht that might be worth a look/price of a phone call. http://bangkok.craigslist.co.th/sys/1348119259.html Whatever you do, I'd be careful about the warranty - make sure it's international and not just local. It could be worth a quick trip to either KL or Singapore where the kit will probably be cheaper anyway.

I think Pete's experience was first hand, complete with a load of info - good or bad.

If you do a search, there's an excellent video by PattayaPete dedicated to the A380 on the BKK-DXB route.

More good news for the Dreamliner ......... Air Berlin says it may cancel its order for 25 Boeing 787s. Delays in the program are “everything but satisfactory,” CFO Ulf Huettmeyer says. “It’s no fun anymore.” Germany’s second-largest airline plans to make a decision in the next few months. The decision will be based not only on the program status, but also on its own long-haul strategy.

I've no recent experience of them and taking into account the airmiles, the price would have to be pretty special for me to consider them over any of the "Big 3" Gulf carriers.

I've not read of too many east coast US guys taking advantage of the flights via the Gulf states for their LOS trips. Is it a particularly taboo option? The flight times and fares look pretty good to me plus the aircraft are pretty good as well.

It's also worth noting that the armrests in those rows are fixed, so even if you are the only pax in the row you cannot raise the arm rests and stretch out.

It isn't - that's one good reason why I continue to maintain my eligibility. I'm equally grateful and can't fault the treatment they have given me over the years. I have to have the a procedure done every year or so and have had it done in the UK on the NHS many times and paid for the same procedure in LOS. The NHS service, for me, far exceeded that offered in BKK at both Bumrungrad and Vejthani.

Not half as refreshing to see that you've learned how to spell his name correctly. I thought it was just another tabloid these days. I think I pay 30% and my employer pays the remaining 70% of my private health insurance. My contribution comes out at about half of what I was paying to have my bin emptied on a weekly/fortnightly basis in UK. You buy into either a group or individual policy. If you're registered with the social security fund it provides basic cover. Of course, having done my homework and satisfying the requirements, I'm still entitled to free healthcare in the UK.

Oops! Not flavour of the month, it would seem. "An embarrassed Conservative Party leadership was forced to rebuke one of its MEPs yesterday after he spent the last week on a tour of the United States rubbishing the NHS in a series of interviews. Daniel Hannan, an outspoken and popular Conservative politician, gave a damning verdict on the British health service, telling American television viewers: “I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.” The Conservative MEP for South East England has appeared regularly on Fox News this year criticising the NHS but yesterday, after a popular backlash by the British public, the Tory leadership moved to distance itself from Mr Hannan. Andrew Lansley said the MEP was wrong to have labelled the NHS a bloated relic that would destroy the US economy and risk American lives if it was emulated. The Shadow Health Secretary said: "There are millions of people who are grateful for the care they have received from the NHS. "It does them and the NHS a disservice for Daniel Hannan to give Americans such a negative and partial view. That we can access health care free at point of use, based on need, is something others envy.”"

I like Air Asia ....... great value for money. The biggest pain previously was the rugby scrum for seats but they are allocated now. They have a sale on at the moment so you may be able to get your flights a bit cheaper.

There are 22 smokers' lounges in Zurich Airport. There's also an assisted suicide clinic near the airport for anybody who wants to speed things up a bit. grs, Thanks for the link. Interesting stuff.

Can you get a work permit for unlicensed activities?

You need to decide on what standard of biz class you are after. Nowadays, there are pretty much two levels (disregarding any airline that is still using the old reclining seats: Flat bed - the seat converts to a flat bed. The only non-stop carrier that offers this is BA. Downside - they are expensive but have the odd deal, particularly if there are two of you flying together. Indirect, Etihad is probably the best product that currently offers decent connections. That will change if Emirates gets more A380s on the BKK and LHR routes and can offer decent connection times on that particular aircraft type. Lie-flat - The seat reclines down to (Typical) 170 degrees. Thai, EVA and Qantas have these seats. Both Emirates and Qatar offer a combination of both seat types with decent connection times. As an earlier poster pointed out, it depends where you're flying from. If cash wasn't an issue, I'd opt for Singapore's A380 service.

Don't you have the Maya Maya place any more?

You have the Kum Punn pub outside the front door, all the bars in Sois 1, 2, 3 and 4, the three soapies, the Big C shopping centre, a multiplex cinema, a huge choice of restaurants etc etc probably within the same distance as it is from the Flipper to the top of Soi 8.

They fly via Istanbul.

Is that because so many Thai doctors do their medical training in Oz, or what?

I would have thought that Air Asia was the obvious choice. Cheap as chips and they fly to both Saigon and Hanoi. Best to decide if you are basing yourself in Saigon or Hanoi .......... they're not exactly next door to each other. Both destinations are typically around 2,500 Baht return - cheaper during promotions.

That's the same basic argument used by the construction companies. I started to read it and it was about some woman living in a Range Rover. I lived in Qatar before coming to LOS and witnessed loads of the Gulf building projects first hand. It's the construction companies that exploit the workers.

Far from it. Tomorrow lunchtime I'll be surrounded by a couple of thousand 18-22 year-old TGs, none of whom would dream of asking for payment. How about you?

For choice with reputable schools teaching motivated adults, it would probably be worth considering Vietnam. ILA, LLV and IH are worth checking out. If nothing else, you'd be able to get some decent croissants and baguettes and your French might come in handy.

It's a bit of a long article so you're going to have to be a bit more specific. Of course, if you're looking to educate me on the plight of construction workers in the Middle East you'll have to take a close look at some of the companies that employ them. Being from Ireland, many of them will be familiar to you. As an aside, whether paying someone 15 quid to shag them quite equates to treating them like a princess is another discussion entirely.

I actually came to Thailand via a stint in the Middle East so it wouldn't be at all difficult to explain to me. They work there because the "minimal wages" far exceed what they could make back home; just like your Isaan girls in Pattaya. As for working 12-14 hours a day; pretty much in line with your average BG who is "lucky" enough to get barfined.

They're as much slaves as the Isaan girls you chose to shag while the world turns a blind eye. Financially disadvantaged - yes, but not slaves.