CheshireTom

I saw the machines in my apartment block but still bought the 5 ltr bottles from 7-11. Well, I did until on one occasion I needed water and couldn't be arsed getting on the bike to go to a 7-11. Went downstairs and done a couple of 5 ltr fills for 5 baht a piece. I don't save any money though because around the same time I discovered Chang Lemon and Lime Soda and now drink gallons of the stuff at 96 Baht for a dozen small bottles.

LOL. I wonder if they'll adopt a similar attitude when they get the A380s.

Which Sheraton are you talking about?

Aren't the 747s due a retrofit?

I seem to have lost the option to determine the default number of posts/threads per page - I used to set it at 40. I think it used to be hidden away under subscription options within your profile, but that whole chunk seems to have disappeared.

59k Baht p.p. including taxes.

I don't think it's meant to be just any baby. It looks like Evil's Chucky to me ...

Thai is quite specific in stating that it is combining flights. They don't blame the floods, but refer to the flood situation, and couldn't really be much clearer than they have been. From their website ... THAI Information for Flood Situation in Thailand Thai Airways flights to and from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport continue to operate as normal. Some flights may be combined in which customers booked will be duly informed and re-accomodated on alternative flight.

Likewise. If I remember correctly the deal was 4 nights in BKK and 9 nights in Pattaya at the Asia Hotels and Philippine Airways done the flights. I had never heard of Pattaya, nor did I have any inkling of what it was all about. I liked the Asia hotel even if it wasn't guest friendly and made a lot of friends there. Some of the staff from the 80s still work there.

I'm on my third Thai landlord (don't really have much choice where I live) - never had any major problems at all (touch wood) with any of them so far. I still keep in touch with the first two ... you never know when you may want to do business with them again. That said, I've had lots of conversations with potential landlords where I've opted not to pursue the deal simply because it 'didn't feel right'.

Is that a local thing? Without knowing what items you are talking about it's difficult to make a comparison. I bought Red Cup Coffee, CoffeeMate and Fanta at my local Big C yesterday - all at prices I would expect to pay normally. I do agree that there were lots of empty shelves (although we do have plentiful supplies of Nam Thip), but our three Tops supermarkets seem to be coping pretty well. As an aside, don't despair - water is on its way north ....

The Kuoni deals have been around since the early 80s and still are - except that they have pretty much abandoned the single traveller for obvious reasons. You had a choice, buy one, get one free (based on two sharing a room), or no single supplement for the duration of your stay (low season, generally 1 May- 31October) - but not both. In the late 80s/early 90s, it would knock you back around 800 quid at 35 Baht to the pound for a couple of weeks at the Dusit, now it is 1,025 quid at 48.50 Baht to the pound. So the actual base price has risen a whopping 25 % in 20 years in UKP terms. During the same period, LT with a bargirl was still down to the legendary purple persuader (500 Baht or 14 quid in real money), now you're looking at, for the sake of argument, 1,250 Baht (around 25 quid in real money), so an increase to the punter of just under 80% over 20 years.

There's room for bargaining - more so than when they are constrained by the corporate policies at the upper end of the business. Remember, it's not only about price per se ... the extras like a couple of breakfasts thrown in (or removed), late check-out/early check in, internet access, bulk laundry etc etc all mount up and can affect how you perceive your stay. Main thing to remember ... keep smiling.

There are several sites where you can book ahead without paying any more than a booking fee up front - ratestogo is an example. If you then want to leave earlier it's just a case of giving 24 hours notice to avoid any cancellation fees. As an aside, the price shown in the initial search includes service and tax - not the case with Agoda and, I must admit, that irritates the shit out of me. As a rule of thumb, I'm happy to use an agent to get a decent discount for 4/5* places, but tend to deal direct with the hotel for 3* joints.

Presumably they're sending her along just for a shag. Frankel is down to run over 8-10 furlongs at Royal Ascot 2012. Black Caviar is aimed at a 6 furlong race.

No problem. Just present your ciggies together with your import permit from the Excise Department to the Customs guy. If the paperwork isn't in order - again, no problem. Just pay the 4675 Baht fine per slab of 200 and be prepared to leave the airport without your cigarettes.

I bought a Blue Clean from the same company. I think I paid around 8 grand in a sale/promotion at HomePro - money well spent IMO.

Here you go - the make is Zinsano, made by Sing Sanguan. For the accessories, see their website ... the home page has links to service and support. The accessories can certainly be ordered through HomePro. Zinsano Caribbean

Mick, I think they jumped the gun a bit and decided on the name before doing any research. www.thaismile.com is already taken by a supermarket in UK. A bit like No care. (Nok Air).

A lot can happen between now and then, but possibly good news for any boardies travelling to/from Khon Kaen (or the other destinations on their facebook page). Thai Smile Airways

The process is very simple and easy to follow. Step 1. Buy your stuff from a retailer displaying the VAT refund sticker - you'll need your passport. Step 2. Make sure the retailer gives you a receipt and a PP10 (the form needed for the refund). Step 3. Before check-in at the Airport, present the goods, PP10 and receipt(s) and get the PP10 stamped at the Customs Office. (Near to Entrance Door 4 at Suvarnabhumi). Step 4. After Immigration, go to the VAT Refund Office. Present the paperwork (and, in some cases, the goods) to get your refund. Cash in Thai Baht. More detailed instructions ...

Often cheaper. Considerably so if you can claim the VAT refund when you leave the country - the iPad 2 was a prime example.

The northern route seems the best bet. I'm sure that I've read of folk doing the southern route - maybe on bikes(?)

You need to address your question to Bob Bentley. He's the Australian responsible for the IFHA rankings.

I fixed that for you before the resident, internal discipline enforcer gets a peek ... Fuckin' newbies! Should've guessed that lovepup's outburst of "humour" wasn't exactly down to original thought. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3pmwrtlDaY