torrenova

Airlines don't store excessive fuel as the inventory cost is too high. What some, but not all, do is hedge against the future fuel price fluctuations using commodity and financial derivatives. Simply, if oil is USD30 per barrel and rising, the airline may buy an option to purchase XYZ amount of oil at USD 35 in 6 months time. The cost for that "insurance" may be USD 2 per barrel. So if the price goes up to USD 40 per barrel, the airline is financially compensated above USD 35 per barrel for XYZ number of barrels. Much more complex structures are used but let us say that you cannot hedg

I see the european flights to LOS coming around the usual price mark, give or take an increase for fuel surcharges over the last 6 months. Then again, a lot of the US airlines are pretty well fucked bankruptcy way so they may have pulled planes to reduce costs.

You've got to realise as well that on some of the prepaid bookings, you don't get either the reward points or the tier points for the particular hotel. This may or may not be important but a lengthy stay would upgrade you and likely give you enough points for a weekend away somewhere free.

Don't think I'd want to stay on Soi 6 probably for the same reasons as I would rather avoid the hotels on Sois 7 & 8.

How about restoring your computer to a previous date ? This would not affect any files and can be undone. Basically, it is a "time machine". Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore is the path. I find it a good idea to regularly set restore points at least once a month.

You'd be amazed and probably scared shitless if you knew some of the equipment still being used by many of the big names. Pecent addition, Phuket Air using Boeing 747s. Last manufactured in 1991 (http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/pf/pf_classic_back.html) but most worryingly, it was made as a "convertible" !

Some ATMs are Bt20,000 or 20 notes. bangkok bank's are 25 notes so Bt25,000. The maximum amount you can withdraw will depend upon your bank. HSBC allows me GBP 5000 per day from the machine anywhere in the world. So theoretically, I could get out Bt365,000 or stupidly VND 138,750,000 ! My Bangkok Bank card allows Bt500,000 per day.

Get yourself a map with the hotels listed on it and trail around. I suggest also trying some from 2nd road to Soi Bukhaow. Try and get into town early and have a mobile which works.

GSm i.e new phones. All European phones do and most tri-band US phones work. You may need to unlock your phone from your home network (can be done in LOS for circa Bt300). Buying a SIM card is easy. I recommend Happy DPrompt (DTAC) which has happy hours and means that you are not putting money in the hands of the thieving bastard Toxin.

I've known Peter (Anna's husband) who owns this place at the top of Soi 7 for a couple of years. He's a decent guy and has been in town for a few years. I haven't seen the rooms but as they state on their website ( http://annajet.co.uk ), it is not an hotel and lacks 24 hour security. No change of linen or towels although this can be arranged for Bt50. Probably not somewhere I'd stay but as low end budget levels, it is another alternative.

If I remember correctly, BigD was going to invest (or stated that he did / was going to have some interest in the hotel) and then told us he had not done so for whatever reason. Unless I have missed something, I think he is in the clear on this one.

OK Eric, I'll hold your hand and tell you it can't happen. There, there, sleep easy now.

Curry houses in Pattaya ? What the fuck for, don't you get plenty on a Friday night after a skin full of lager ? I can see it now: "24 pints of lager, 48 poppadums, 3 lamb bhunas, 1 chicken vindaloo and a prawn phal to go. Hoy, don't forget that fucking mint sauce thing for the poppadums either Abdul. Hoy, and chuck in a keema nan and an Issan bar girl. Thanks."

Your problem is the duration of your stay. Hotels want maximum occupancy and really want people to come say 20th to 27th, 28th to 4th or 20th to 4th. Selling a room for 24/25/26 means that room may be empty for 20-24 and or 26-28. So not in their interest really. You'll have to contact the hotels directly as there are no instant booking confirmations for the hotels in Pattaya, except the Marriott website (perhaps one or two others but not in the price range). I'd suggest trying: Welcome Plaza http://www.welcome.co.th/wplaza.htm Royal Palace / Royal Twins http://www.royalpalace

Sure, some of the more popular hotels will be booked solid by this time but there'll still be some room. There are hundreds of hotels and only a fraction would be regarded as unfriendly towards guests. Budget, location, dates ? All important.

I can't think of any hotel just as good for half the price in the same location. And who says that people staying there are using their money for hotels and cannot afford to party like its the end of the world ? YMMV. I've got regular customers who stay in the Royal Cliff and a couple who could likely buy Pattaya.

Shithole

I am a great fan of Marriott's and in particular the Royal Garden conversions in Bangkok and Pattaya, largely because of their pool and poolside area. Their rates are not cheap I'll credit you but they are top notch. The poolside ambiance at the one in Pattaya defies belief when you consider it is between Beach road and 2nd road. To gain maximum benefit though, you have to be prepared to use the facilities such as the pool and if you want a beer, a Heineken is Bt150++ which equals Bt177. Occasionally, there can be some reasonable rates at Don Muang for the Marriott. Rates for Novem

Sort of came in last week. Some closed at 1am, some music off at 1am but open till 2am. We'll find out over the next week or so what the medium term situation is.

Are you for real ? You normally get a ring and then ask the girl to marry you. Perhaps more often these days you get her to choose after you ask her. Whatever way, you don't send it in the post or with a friend nor do you give her some cash to buy it herself. Particularly not a Thai girl ! I've seen Thai girls with farangs wearing engagement rings but I don't think I've seen any married Thais with such.

Its because nobody wants to be told when to go home and staying out late is what europeans do in general and on holiday in particular. Getting too pissed to go to work the next day (don't have to) is another one of life's little pleasures. We don't like to be told what to do. The Nanny State that is the UK does enough of that. Those who want to be tuicked up in bed before midnight can do so, whatever time the bars close.

I got this from that amazing google thingy IN TOWN HOLIDAY HOTEL 506/159 Soi 10, Second Road Moo 10 +66(38) 420-696, 420701, 427103 +66(38) 420-681 (fax) Room Rate 450-450 Thai Baht Rooms 116 Some pictures http://www.holidaycheck.de/hotel.php?bildN...ahlVer=0&anz=ap looks like you'll have to give them a call.

Hotels not taking a deposit are liable to find that some guys don't turn up. Many on this board openly admitted just not cancelling reservations, having reservations at more than one place etc. We often hear of guys who couldn't get into where they wanted and yet hear of guys on the street who got into the same hotel on the same dates. Most likely another no show. The bad thing about this though is that it raises hotel prices as they lose out with empty rooms and need to recover the lost revenue. Not clever at all.

You could get the train ( http://www.railway.co.th/httpEng/ ). The fare ranges from around Bt100 to over Bt1000 for a 1st class sleeper compartment. The bus goes from the southern bus terminal which is called Sai Thai Mai. I don't know the cost.

I get mine done in Pattaya at the Kodak (or whatever) shop on South Pattaya road, between 2nd Road and Beach ROad / Walking Street gates. Its just up from the Explorer internet cafe. They do all kinds of things there. Also, I got a new 256 card for Bt300 less than Big C or anywhere else.