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Actually it is NOT a good deal. If you are never likely to travel again then it doesn't matter. But if you do plan to travel again then frequent flyer miles on a trip like LAX-BKK can really amount to something - it is something like 16000 miles. 60000 miles will get you a free trip. Another common measure is 1.5 cents per mile, and that adds up to $240. So, while Cathay is a good airline, I would suggest sticking with a good network like Star Alliance, and an honest airline that is not playing games with the FF miles. (Air New Zealand once refused to give me miles; Korean did not give the fu

If you do not use a credit card then many hotels will ask for a deposit to cover minibar/telephone costs. This is quite reasonable. They may also ask for the room rent in advance if you do not use a credit card. The Eastiny (Inn) did try to make me sign the blank credit card slip in advance one time, which I flatly refused to do. They backed down - but that is a totally unreasonable request from a hotel. It is like giving them a blank check.

You are leaving out the Sabai Lodge without good reason. I used to stay at the Eastiny, but on my last visit a couple/three weeks ago I chose the Sabai. You cannot escape the noise at the Eastiny. Also, they will charge you 300 baht for a second girl. The Sabai is quiet, the rooms are nice and big, and the in-room electronic safe is a big plus. You can walk to the German beer garden to look for freelancers. And rates for massage, laundry, etc. are cheaper in this vicinity. And the breakfast, for 120 baht, is far better at the Sabai. Maybe you should stay a night at the top 3 or 4 hotels in

Thanks ... can you tell me how to get to MBK?

I have used planetholiday.com to book rooms at the Bangkok Ambassador (a hotel I like despite some of its obvious scuffed heels). Now, so far I have been getting a pretty good rate by calling the hotel (and hotels in other countries) directly, but for December the Ambassador refused to include breakfast in the room rate. Their breakfast buffet is humungous - and costs 270 baht per person if you buy it. For the same room rate planetholiday included breakfast for TWO. This IS after the fact, since I have already made the bookings, but I want to be prepared for any surprises. Does anyone know i

My issue is a little different from this thread, but I will try anyway. I have an Ericsson 2218 (Cingular). I think it is dual band, but I am not sure. Does anyone know, or can tell me where to find out, if it will work in Thailand with the appropriate SIM card (if I buy one there)? Thanks.

Growler, how did you find out about the seat pitch? Is there a web site that provides the info? I ask because there is a web site that DOES provide info on the best seats in US airlines.

Pete, your point is well taken. It is my mistake in that I failed to clarify that the WHO assessment is not aimed at Thailand, but in general about the region, maybe even the world. Reporting in the US is very parochial, and this was simply an attempt to find out the views of people, including health officials, in other places. I am well aware SARS did not gain a toehold in LOS - I was there in July - and I hope it stays that way. Even if it doesn't I will be there again. However, I will take sensible precautions, such as getting a flu shot (which I do every year anyway). And any others tha

Has SARS been discussed at all in Thailand - in the newspapers or elsewhere? Many people here seem to think it will be back this winter - which is barely a month away. WHO is also advising flu vaccinations to keep down the incidence of SARS-type illnesses. Any special precautions being taken or recommended - short of wearing a face mask?

You have to watch out for one thing though - some of the rooms can be uncomfortably close to the building next door. Like measured in several feet. I saw some rooms on the landward side of the building (as opposed to the sea-side) and they were so close that I chose not to stay at the hotel. All the rooms overlooking the pool were booked at that time. Try to get a room on the pool-side if you can.

You should not lose your faith in people Ty_Stick! I know it doesn't feel that great when you get in at 1 a.m. after a 20-hour flight and the hotel has screwed up your reservation (as the Bangkok Dynasty Inn did to me once). But that doesn't mean you should take it out on every hotel. I stopped staying at the Dynasty - I didn't like their dungeon-flavor rooms anyway - but I still try to give hotels enough time if I have to cancel. Follow up with two or three messages to make sure the hotel has not misplaced your reservation, and even call them. That should take care of it.

Maybe it is an LA only policy. Until last year they pre-assigned seats - changed it sometime between then and July. I also checked with the airline directly and the agent confirmed it. I don't think it has anything to do with miles - I don't recall them having a premier membership, do they? They may change once they find people (some anyway) are staying away.

Cathay is a great airline, but you are right Jacksonj - no frequent flier miles takes away a lot. It's not a much of a deal after that. I am surprised, though, that you include JAL in your list of good airlines. Last time I was booking, in July, I was told JAL would not pre-assign seats - you had to go to the airport. I dropped that airline immediately. Same with Korean - I used them for years until last year they decided not to pre-assign seats - I won't touch them any more. Being stuck in the middle of a row for 20 hours or so is no fun. I am now sticking to the Star Alliance airlines - Tha

Thanks ... I think I did check it out in July and wasn't impressed for some reason. I may look at it again. Though this time I have booked at the Sabai - transport is so easy to get there is really no reason to stay in the midst of a dozen rock bands.

The Sunshine ... I am forgetting now, which one is that? Is that the one next to the older Eastiny? And what do they charge for a room?

I wouldn't give up ... a couple of days isn't that much. If you really want to stay there you could try calling them also (the main office, not the hotel) asking for a response. I had to do that with another hotel and since then they have been extremely prompt in returning email messages.

I have found that the standard answer from hotel staff is "no room". But if you go through the Flipper's web site there is a much greater likelihood you will get rooms. I have booked a room for November (I am going to cancel and stay in the Sabai Lodge instead) through the web site. Hotel staff had told me there was no vacancy for the same dates. Also, I asked for and got a discount over whatever they advertised on the site.

I have done a search on the net for info about Chiang Mai - specifically related to where to go for certain pressing needs/rates etc. - but haven't been too successful. Does anyone know of a web site that has this type of info ... and does Chiang Mai have a Nana or Walking Street equivalent? Thanks in advance ...

It IS owned by the Eastiny people. I looked at the rooms in July - they are newer than the two Eastiny's obviously. The view from Eastiny Inn is better, though Bella Vista was quoted at 50 or 100 baht less. Dont forget all the Easiny's charge 300 baht for a second girl - if you plan to build a temporary harem it might get expensive. Here's contact info: Tel: 6638 362132 bellahotel@hotmail.com

I plan to be in Pattaya late November and called the Flipper Lodge to ask how far ahead I should make a reservation. The woman at the desk said they were full until May! Is this really true? Or is it a miscommunication, or perhaps some sort of scam? Is there another way I should try making the reservation?