CheshireTom

That didn't answer anything either.

Qatar is 26/27k Baht plus tax. For any of the Gulf carriers I would book via their website and just send sis-in-law the e-ticket. Could save a lot of drama with travel agents.

Err, you didn't answer the question. Just want to know when the subject of your thread is going to fly. There doesn't seem to be a lot of information around at the moment other than Boeing is doing an update at the end of the first week of September. Personally, I hope that Boeing doesn't have any delays (slippages as they are now referred to by Boeing That said, I'm quite sure if there are any delays to the 787 programme you won't find the Euro boardies coming out with the same jingoistic, xenophobic nonsense that your good self and others have come out with in relation to Airbus. There's a good book out now ........ "Boeing v Airbus". You should have a read of it sometime.

That is very true ............. unfortunately, for the time being, the big bird is stuck on the ground. So, BigD, when's the first one going to fly? Don't worry ................. it's of zero interest to the UK boardies since most of them will be travelling to LOS on A380s within the next couple of years (Thai, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar and Qantas all have LHR and BKK pencilled in for it). Talking of predictions .................. I was just having a read through the thread ............. next is Scallie's bet (prediction?) that the A380 won't get delivered/enter commercial service this year.

Has Denny got it wrong again? From the first post in the thread ........................

Yep. jealous as fuck. I really wish I could be stuck in Philly rather than spending my weekends on Samila Beach.

Emil, I think the chances of BigD paying six months rent to live at some some place for a couple of weeks two or three times over 6 month period are nil, zero, zilch. He's just having one of those Walter Mitty moments like he did with his plans to buy into Northshore.

Are you seriously considering renting a house and then leaving it unoccupied with all your stuff in it whilst you go back to the US for weeks/months at a time?

................ and less fare-paying passengers, less revenue earning freight, double the costs in landing fees, twice as many crews etc, etc. That aside, Thai economy is straight out of the 1980s and BA/Qantas have shitty legroom. That only leaves EVA that has a decent product (in comparison to the competition). Can't see a lot changing until Qantas get their A380s on the route.

I thought you were relocating this December to Pattaya or Udon? I'd just rent a suite somewhere until I was sure what was going on. Far too many potential pitfalls for both you and any sub-leesee to be going down that track.

There's a guy called Alex .........

So, you're asking someone to sub-let from you for the period Mar-Aug?

Depends how many pics you want on one card and what your quality settings are. As a rule of thumb, allow 3.5mb for each pic at the highest setting on the Canon 300D/Rebel.

If you are travelling Qatar biz class it's worth originating the flight in BKK rather the UK end. Generally available at around 76k Baht and 66k Baht (incl taxes) on some dates. Book on their website ...... ticket is an e-ticket so no problem with addresses/residency.

If someone, as the OP says, is about to offer him a job he'll have to bugger off somewhere to pick up a "B" Type visa anyway. The multi-entry O and B are quite specific ......... utilise it within a year. Remember it ain't the visa but the stamp at the port of entry which allows you to stay in the Kingdom. The visa only allows you to enter.

Your ticket will only show the baggage allowance for whatever class you're booked in (20 kg in economy) for the simple reason that your card could have expired (or you could have attained the next level) by the time you fly. As for membership ..... The membership rules changed earlier this year to a Qpoint system to determine your membership level and Qmiles to redeem for free flights/upgrades. What you will have received so far is a temporary card. When you make your first return flight (presumably UK-BKK return) you will accumulate 80 Qpoints and 13K+ Qmiles. It is the Qpoints that you earn that will gain you Burgundy membership (You need to accumulate 50 Qpoints in a calendar year to attain and retain Burgundy membership). It is only after you have attained Burgundy membership that you will then be entitled to the benefit of 10kg additional baggage allowance.

It excludes more big companies than it checks ........ Travelmood and Trailfinders are just two of the majors that it misses out on.

Better off up the Soi at one of the Sabai properties nowadays IMHO.

Do you want the good news or the bad news ........... http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews...141416020070721 Britain has suspended Iranian airline Mahan Air's operating permit on safety grounds, a Department of Transport spokesman said on Saturday. In June, Mahan Air increased the regularity of its flights from Tehran to Manchester to five times a week. "We suspended the operating permit of Mahan Air on Friday night as it's not able to operate safely," said a Department of Transport spokesman. "It has been involved in a number of recent incidents which suggests a poor level of operational control, planning and safety management," he said.

All that has happened is that Lufthansa bought Swiss and is consolidating it's routes, particularly to/from Munich/Zurich since they are so close. Since the Chairman of BAR and the regional manager of LH/LX is one and the same guy you would think he would be aware of such things.

He, he. It's a bit like Terry Waite saying he was just nipping to Beirut for the weekend.

Not in Pattaya, but the flag shops in the area behind Wat Bowon (Niwet) in Bangkok will knock up any kind of flag you want in whatever quantity you want.

Mirky, You should book your flights to start in BKK. Cuts out all the hassle of expensive fares during the summer and xmas school holiday periods.

MM, The title of the thread is why you like living in Thailand, not why you like living in Pattaya. I said one of the reasons I like living where I do is because there are no Ronnie Macs, Tescos, Starbucks etc i.e. the place still has its own character. If you chose to interpret that as people like living in Pattaya for Big Macs/Starbucks then fine. But please don't try and imply that I suggested that was the case. If you can't get your head round the difference then you need to get out a bit more.

MM, No Martin, not being thick. The very fact that there are international restaurant and hotel chains in town is one of the things that attract people from Europe/US to the place. Joe, No, Songkhla City.