CheshireTom

Your link is to a US-based online retailer. They also deliver to Thailand. The Mac prices I posted are what you'll pay at a Mac Authorised reseller in the UK or Thailand.

Unless you compare like for like with IT products, it's difficult to make a viable comparison. One exception to the rule though is Macs. Much cheaper in Thailand and the VAT is reclaimable if you're a tourist taking it out by air. Also, no worries about the OS ...

Lots of restaurants charging well in excess of what the government calls the "fair price" are full of Thais. Thais tend to vote with their feet as far as restaurants go, so if a restaurant is full of Thais there's usually a good reason why. Likewise, if it is devoid of customers. The real cheap places start cutting back by opting for the cheapest broken rice and it goes on from there. Guys who aren't quite sure about what's what in the food stakes, could do a lot worse than starting off in the food courts you find at the likes of Tops and employ a bit of trial and error to see what they like/don't like (and they'll be paying local prices).

Again, just taking what's currently available in Tesco Lotus, both Samsung and Sharp 32" flatscreen TVs are available for under 10k Baht (200 quid) and Alpha for under 7k Baht (+/- 145 quid).

As Valerie Singleton would have said, "Here's one I made earlier". As a bonus, it also saves you staring aimlessly into space whilst you're waiting on your minestrone soup!

Is that true? Things like toothpaste (Sensodyne), blades (Gilette Mach 3), shampoo (Head and Shoulders), mouthwash (Listerine) all seem to be currently cheaper in Tesco Lotus than they are in UK supermarkets. Likewise the Samsung EH5000 LED TV is 14k Baht in Tesco Lotus and 300 quid upwards in UK - those aren't selected items, simply what I was able to price without going to the shops. I'm sure there are lots of individual items that are more expensive in Thailand but I'm not convinced that it's true, one way or the other, across a whole range of goods. The car/truck market and flight tickets are obvious exceptions. One thing I have noticed is that KFCs in tourist areas tend to be (a lot) more expensive in tourist areas than in locations aimed at the local market.

I've found that if you cut out random A4-sized sheets from the front page of the Bangkok Post and take them to any copy shop, they'll laminate them for a couple of baht. You can make 6 place settings for less than 2 USD.

You should try the Jungle Line for a bit of a change. I'm setting off on the BKK - Sungai Kolok Express later this morning ... I'll let you know how it goes.

Much appreciated!

It's a pretty standard dress code - no sandals, shorts, t-shirts for guys. No need to wear a suit.

Looking forward to Ascot ... Frankel returns today in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. 2/5 is available for anyone who fancies his chances of making it a perfect 10. Meanwhile, one of Black Caviar's likely opponents at Ascot, Krypton Factor, goes in the SQ Sprint at Kranji tomorrow.

I blamed the chillies for making my eyes water! BTW, I really enjoy your BKK reports - it's good to see something other than Nana and Cowboy.

Great pics. Thanks. Did you eat in the restaurant?

Not in the style of Hardy, but it suits my needs.

I pretty much agree with all that although, out of the new kids on the block, I reckon Paul Lambert is probably better suited to the job (and, more importantly, the peripherals that go with it). I suppose it's best to see how the Aston Villa thing turns out first. Big games tomorrow though .... Munich v Chelsea, Blackpool v West Ham, Hearts v Hibs

So, who's going to replace Dalglish? I'm surprised that anybody, other than the most desperate, would want the job. I think that Pardew, Martinez and Rodgers would be better off reinforcing their credentials where they are - maybe take a tip from the blue side of Merseyside.

The 222 was the first boutique hotel that I stayed at in BKK - I think the 5* properties on Priceline had jumped up in price relative to the exchange rates and I was looking around for a bit of value. I had a regular girl staying with me so I wasn't looking for mongering nightlife. The rooms/hotel can't be faulted IMHO and the restaurant is in a great location for some afternoon viewing of, as one BM described it, 'the opera of the street'. Lots of fond memories for me.

The base fare is 102 Baht for 2nd Class. The various supplements are what add up.

Some do, some don't. Look for the signs!

I think that only one of the dozen or so daily trains that run between BKK and Hua Hin is totally non-aircon (3rd class). Unfortunately, time-wise, it's the most convenient.

And an absolute bargain at just over 100 Baht o/w!

The thing that I find funny is the whole sporting spectacle that we witnessed yesterday will be totally lost on Vic.

He will have done if he gets rid of the pair of them in the summer. They're both liabilities. RVP to replace the 2 idiots at City ... what do you reckon?

Good call by Khun Thaksin to get the ball rolling, as it were! I noticed he was getting the royal treatment at the City v United game. I can't get over Barton though - to say he's got a screw loose is a gross understatement. Who the fuck in their right mind would want to head-butt Vincent Kompany ... ?

Everything you could possibly want to know about train travel in LOS ..... Dave Bernstein's Guide is easily the best reference document that I've come across. Simply choose to download, tell your printer what pages you want and away you go. Online - The Man in Seat 61 Dave Bernstein's Guide to download (pdf)