CheshireTom

No you won't. There are no commercial airlines that currently service Korat. The airfares to/from Phuket are no higher in the high season than they are in the low season. The seats just get booked quicker, that's all. Given the dire predictions for the forthcoming tourist season in Phuket it is highly likely that you'll be able to pick up some hotel bargains in March. The hot, sweltering clothes market that is Pratunam is a nightmare and has long since been replaced by the aircon luxury of Platinum shopping mall on Petchburi as the place for Thais to pick up cheap fashion clothing. The Sky Bar is at Lebua State Tower, the rooftop bar at the Banyan Tree is called the Moon Bar. Reservations are only required for the adjoining Vertigo restaurant. She'll think that you're an idiot for paying 1,200 Baht ++ for a bowl of somtam. There is no such bar as the Jazz Bar at the Shangri La. Apart from that, all good advice, whilliam.

jacko, Yes, you'll need a visa for Vietnam. I would think one of the better, more established agents in Pattaya would be able to organise it for you. There does seem to be an online option but some of the sites providing the service don't instill a lot of confidence. I agree about HK. I was looking to take in the horse racing at Sha Tin this weekend but the hotel availability and prices were a joke.

Depends what you're after; sightseeing or partying (or both). Luang Prabang (Laos) with BKK Airways or Hanoi and Halong Bay with Air Asia would be my two choices.

The whole fiasco should come as no surprise. Over two years ago I predicted exactly the problems that they were likely to encounter.

Bangkok Airways is currently running some decent promotions ..... particularly for those guys considering a side trip to Luang Prabang or Siem Reap.

Apparently government subsidies are the way to go nowadays.

A picture's worth a thousand words ...............

The seat pitch (not to be confused with legroom) is between 32-34 inches depending on which row you're seated in. The problem is that their seats are all of early 90s design and materials which means that the actual legroom is no better than some airlines that offer a 32" seat pitch. They offer a 36" seat pitch in economy on the A340-500s.

Good news if you can get on the A340-500. More legroom and individual IFE.

Anyone any idea whatever happened to the despicable Airbus "subsidies"? It seems to have gone a bit quiet on the question of taxpayers being shafted by industrial conglomerates.

There's just one obvious drawback ..................

You could argue that simply means you don't reduce your prices in low season.

It's on the return journey (BKK=MAN) that the timings are crap on certain days (M,W,F).

It was reported that many of the bigger hotels are running promos aimed at the Thai domestic market. Whether or not that only applied to BKK, I have no idea.

Chivas, I don't understand what your argument is. It is a fact that all Israeli nationals need clearance to enter Malaysia and Grant is/was an Israeli national. His dual nationality was/is irrelevant. Having Israeli stamps in your passport isn't an issue for the Malaysian immigration authorities.

Grant, as with all Israeli nationals, was required to gain special permission to enter Malaysia because of his nationality (Israeli), not because of entry stamps in his Dutch passport. Malaysia gives okay to Israeli pair Chelsea's Israeli boss Avram Grant will be allowed into Malaysia despite a lack of diplomatic relations [AFP] Malaysia will lift a travel ban on Israelis to allow Chelsea coach Avram Grant and midfielder Tal Ben Haim to travel to the South East Asian nation in July as part of the English Premier League club's pre-season mini-Asian tour. Rais Yatim, foreign minister said that "although we don't have diplomatic relations with Israel or direct trade with the country, we don't have objections over their visit." "They are a sports team with two Israeli members. "We don't see it as something wrong," Rais was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency. Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and its citizens must obtain special permission to travel to the country.

I wonder how the insurance companies/airlines are treating it. The general exclusions of UK travel insurance usually contains a clause similar to this (issued by Legal and General) ....... For the purpose of this exclusion terrorist activity means an act, or acts, of any person, or group(s) of persons, committed for political, religious, ideological or similar purposes with the intention to influence any government and/or to put the public, or any section of the public, in fear. Terrorist activity can include, but not be limited to, the use of force or violence and/or the threat thereof. Furthermore, the perpetrators of terrorist activity can either be acting alone, or on behalf of, or in connection with any organisation(s) or government(s). Also excluded hereon is any loss or expense of whatsoever nature directly or indirectly caused by, resulting from or in connection with any action taken in controlling, preventing, or suppressing any, or all, of the above incidents. The advice offered by the British embassy seems to be next to useless for those folk that are caught up in the closure. I would imagine that at some point the embassy has to start taking responsibility for it's nationals since there must be a considerable backlog of passengers now that aren't going to be able to be rebooked on the next flight ........ Major political demonstrations have been taking place in Bangkok, with outbreaks of violence. A large number of demonstrators at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport have forced the closure of the airport. Departures have been suspended and arrivals are being diverted to other airports. Please check with your airline or tour operator if you intend to travel via Suvarnabhumi.

There's no problem entering Malaysia with Israeli stamps, only Israeli passports.

I think I saw on their website that they are starting Guangzhou and Bali from BKK.

I priced it up earlier tonight and was getting 198 quid incl tax from UK. The premium economy seats they are showing on the website are the same recliners as those used on the Oz routes which are configured 2-3-2 but 30 seats would seem to indicate 5 rows of 6 (2-2-2). If they are just recliners then China Airlines ex Amsterdam is probably just as good, if not better.

Brown1950, The timings vary depending on the day of the week .......... which gives you a few options if you are looking to connect onwards from KL.

Brown1950, A flatbed seat for a grand sounds like an absolute bargain.

I spoke to the owner earlier this year and the discount on offer (low season only) was buy 6 nights get one free or buy 24 get 4 free for longer term). Whichever way you look at it, 20k plus per month (assuming 850 Baht per night for the large rooms) gives you an awful lot of options in Pattaya. The sensible thing to do would be to book for a few nights and have a look at what's available elsewhere before parting with your cash up front. That would apply to any hotel you've not stayed at, not just the SkyTop.