CheshireTom

What is the list meant to represent? It indicates that there is only one halal restaurant in Narathiwat. Likewise in Satun. Got to admit that I prefer MFC to KFC but the local KFCs do a roaring trade with the muslim population. I'll take a trip out later and find out exactly what the score is.

Funnily enough, we also have wild Salmon in Scotland. It was/is a very productive sideline for the artillery guys based in Benbecula who would ship it back to mainland UK and Germany. Are all KFCs in Thailand halal?

Funnily enough, we have salmon in Scotland. Besides, I think it's easier to secure a threesome with a couple of transexual midgets than it is to find decent salmon in Thailand. On second thoughts, that's not quite true - the Nissui factory is about 15 minutes from where I live.

Nowt wrong with that. If the contaminated farmed salmon doesn't get you, the contaminated farmed prawns will.

Good value for a couple of hundred Baht though. Any recommendations from you?

I recommend Sizzler because I reckon it's consistently good value for money - certainly the branches in Thailand operated by Minor Food. Was at the branch in Hat Yai during the week and the salad/starter bar was huge (tom yum gai was pretty good, the salad items were fresh and plentiful), the place was spotless and the staff were great. I had the salmon and baked-potato main-course and it was tasty and filling - to be fair though, I never eat the toast stuff they give you. The place always seems to be packed, so they must be doing something right.

I'm not likely to fly long-haul in economy with any carrier - and Thai's business class holds no attractions for me (just as easy for me to travel with MH or SQ).

That may have been the case many years ago, but not nowadays (at least for the major carriers). You'll find that there are only a few senior staff authorised (as in being able to change the booking class in the CRS) at the "station". Even then, each upgrade has to be fully justified.

I think there was a discussion a while back about the open source "office" products - something about Libre Office being the best offering.

+1 for the iMac. Expensive - yes, but less than the cost of a year's ciggies. At least that's how I looked at it. Trying to get my hands on a new 27" model at the moment but they seem to be in short supply in Thailand.

As a bit of an update, the flights are available for as little as other folk posted - lots of choice re dates/times as well.

Unless they've been refurbished in economy.

He didn't apologise to Emma O'Reilly, Betsy Arndreu, David Walsh, Greg Lemond, Paul Kimmage, etc etc etc. USADA has made it pretty clear what he has to do before they'll consider any reduction in the length of his ban. The ball's firmly in his court.

I think the yield management systems operated by the airlines are a bit more sophisticated that what you make out.

Here you go, Mr Mook ... I'm told that the lying, cheating and bullying are side effects of losing a knacker ...

Have you tried Emma?

That must be frustrating for you in Thailand. Anyway, I did say, "except for a few specialised fields" ... The point of the article wasn't that the locals were suddenly top-drawer, but that the expats were more likely to be Asian nowadays. The construction of Suvarnabhumi and the proposed construction of the high-speed rail network are prime examples.

A more accurate summary of the changing face of the expat in Asia ... the days of the locals hunting down the paleface and paying him silly money are long gone - except for a couple of specialised fields. The situation in the Asean nations won't get any better.

You're the one that admits to being completely ignorant of the contents of the relevant Employment Act. That'll require you to familiarise yourself with the laws before you can suggest a way around them. Have you ever set foot in a Thai Labor Department? But you saw fit to recommend employment in the hospitality industry. That's what I responded to. Since I am an expat in Asia, there's a fair chance I might just realise that. Funnily enough, The Alien Employment Act pertains to Employment, not Immigration. You might have at least realised

I was following on from the person, i.e. you, that suggested a job in the hospitality industry was the way to go. I am aware of what sort of management level you need to be in to satisfy the requirements laid down in the Alien Employment Act and how that translates to the hospitality industry i.e. free scoff and lodging is irrelevant as far as securing a work permit goes. How about you? Have you ever taken the time to actually read the Act?

By the time you complete a 4-year degree course in hotel management or whatever, AEC will be in place - that'll mean the 600 million ASEAN nationals will be in front of of you for any jobs.

If you're only booking a scheduled flight, IATA is irrelevant. Crystal is ATOL registered, part of Moresand Ltd.

The Easter school holidays.

It's worth noting that your Thai licence is now valid throughout ASEAN (from last month) without the need for an IDP to support it.

I thought the consensus was that Java is a bit of a security disaster and it is best to disable it completely.