Big_Brian

At least she won't have to send much money home - no father or brothers.

I booked with Etihad through WestEast, I emailed them about the new tax and got this; Further to your enquiry, we are pleased to inform you that you are not liable for the tax increase as your ticket was issued on the 6th December 2006. Etihad has advised us of the following: Any tickets issued on or before the 18th of December 2006 will not be levied the new tax increase. Tickets issued after will be charged with the new APD taxes A result for me, for this trip at least. That's £20 more that will find it's way to Issan.

How many days later was that? Rates vary over time, for the comparison to be valid you'd have to check prices on the same day. I usually change money where and when I feel safe doing so. Like NOT next to a moto rank! If a few baht here or there made that much difference I wouldn't be going on holiday.

I had tears running down my face. Two of those genuises were even removing bags from the FRONT of the cart! The brightest one there is just hanging about.

My flight is London-Bangkok (11-12 hours direct), my first few had short hops to the continent, then a long trip to Bangkok or a long leg to Singapore, then a short hop to Bangkok. Those have all the disadvantages of a layover AND of a direct flight. Later on I went direct, which was faster, but being cooped up in a small seat was very tiring. Last trip I went with Etihad via Abu Dhabi, so I had a 2-3 hour layover both ways. It was MUCH better IMO, especially because Abu Dhabi is such a small airport - the time could be used, not just spent getting to the next gate. I've booked the same again.

I had the same experience and went to look in November - was looking for somewhere for my next trip (in 3 weeks ). The rooms are cheap and looked it, the whole place looked more Eastern European than Thai. However, they must be doing something right because they were fully booked for February and March even then. Oh, and the lift by reception overloaded with only me and a receptionist in it. I know I'm big, but that was ridiculous - funny but ridiculous.

Never mind, I re-sent the email and Mr Toom answered in 4 hours. It was just an email hiccup. All booked now.

Have booked with them twice now. Trust them.

Mr Toom, I booked with you in October and was happy with the service. I sent an email to toom39@msm.com to book you for my next trip but it was returned "address.invalid". What is your current email addres please?

You don't buy golf balls, you only rent them. New balls are similar price to the UK but "pre-owned" are readily available. If you can, don't buy at the course, on the way to most of them are roadside stalls selling balls, tees, and oddments of other stuff much cheaper than on the course. And the next time you pass they might just sell you the balls you lost last time.

Substitute almost any nationality who's native language isn't English and the joke works. Funny, not racist IMO.

On my first few trips I bought the cheapest possible tickets which usually meant a short hop to the continent, then a long leg to Bangkok, or a long leg to Singapore then a short hop to Bangkok. I didn't enjoy them much so, once I could afford it, I started going direct. I used Thai, BA, Quantas & Eva, all were OK but I always got off of the plane knackered. Last trip I tried Etihad as a lot of boardies seem to recommend them. Great! The stop half way was what made the difference, getting off for a walk around helped me no end and I slept much better before and after. The planes were fine, Abu Dhabi is the best transfer airport I've seen and all the staff were efficient. I've booked them again for my next trip. Even at the same price as direct I think I'd use Etihad again, I felt that much better after the flight - of course I'm overweight so sitting in one place for a long time affects me more than most.

I golf a lot so, on a golf day, 08:30 is fine with me. On a non-golf day, I'd prefer 12:00. I usually discuss that before paying the BF. What I do insist on is morning action. If that doesn't happen then she gets ST money.

I've been reading some of the Budget, this bit doesn't really make sense unless they are intending the increase to reduce the number of travellers, and hence flights; 7.82 In the light of this, the Government recognises the role that air passenger duty can play in tackling the climate change impact of aviation. The Government will therefore increase air passenger duty rates (APD) with effect from 1 February 2007. The intra-EU economy rate will rise from £5 to £10 and the non-economy rate from £10 to £20. The long-haul economy rate will rise from £20 to £40 and the non-economy rate from £40 to £80. This will deliver carbon savings of around 0.3 MtC a year by 2010-11. When the effect of non-carbon dioxide emissions is taken into account this has a climate change impact equivalent to saving around 0.75 MtC per year by 2010-11. To ensure consistency within the air passenger duty system, the scope of the European rates of air passenger duty will also be widened to include all of the signatories to the European Common Aviation Area Agreement, with effect from 1 February 2007. Any other interpretations?

No, it's on flights originating in the UK. Yes, it's on flights originating in the UK.

Ooooohhhhh yes! It's quite possible to make the mistake (?) in broad daylight, in a dark bar in Soi 6 it's easy - or so I'm told.

It seems to be down to dates of travel, not the date you buy your ticket. I bought one this Tuesday for February and I'm expecting the travel agent to demand more money soon.

I'm in town now and looking for somewhere for my next trip so I'll happily have a look but I need something to go on. Address? Website?

Thanks, that's just the sort of thing I'm looking for.

I’ll be over in a week and staying at the RG, that’s sorted. What I want is a change for my next trip, cheaper, with softer bed, somewhere in the Soi Diana/Soi Buakaow/Soi LK Metro area or thereabouts - possibly a condo. I’m planning to be there for 4 weeks from mid-February to Mid-March. I’m hoping that BMs can give me a few places that I can look at while I’m there in November, that’s got to beat booking unseen over the net. Also it should fill a day or so and get me out of my normal drink-shag-drink-shag-sleep cycle on non-golf days. What I’m looking for (and won’t consider a place without) is; 1,000 Baht a night absolute max – a monthly rate will probably help with that - but preferably cheaper. A relatively quiet place, no all-night karaoke next door! And NOT on any Soi like 7 or 8 that’s noisy late at night. Bed at least Queen size. A lift (elevator to you folk from the other side of the pond). Preferably an in-room safe, if not then a safety deposit at reception is a must. A shower that ISN’T over the bath - those are too dangerous. A large, comfortable seat/couch - I’m a BIG bloke. Reasonable TV - channel choice and screen size. I’d like (but not essential); Balcony. A view. A pool. Chambermaids in those little black dresses (oops, cold shower time again never mind). I HAVE gone through the forum - and on the “other” board as well - but I’ve only got 3 possibilities, there must be a lot more, hence this post. If I end up at the RG again it won’t be disastrous, I just fancy a change and, coming over twice this winter, cheaper would definitely help!!! Also, I’m coming more and more to like the Soi Diana/Buakaow area. Any suggestions?

Count me in please. I'll be at the RG again.

Yes.

farangmaikwai Read it again, it's "cannot recommend this place enough". Means he likes it.

I used Biman once. Never, ever, EVER again. If they did tickets at £1 I wouldn't use them. Dirty plane, outside and in, loose seat trays and toilet fittings all made me question the maintenance - if the interior is like that, what are the important bits like! The transfer at Dhaka airport was a nightmare, the Thais can be awkward and disorganised, these guys seemed to have a policy to actively make life hard for foreigners. The locals. They WILL NOT queue, they just push in (physically) and completely ignore you when you say anything. On the plane they were about as well behaved as your average uneducated hill farmer, even the stewardess couldn't control them. The flight to Bangkok was held up for 90 minutes waiting for a connecting flight to arrive, I didn't think they could do that, what with schedules and all that. On the plus side - yes, there was one - the food was the tastiest I've ever had on a plane (although some of the locals didn't agree, they THREW theirs on the floor). And the stewardesses were friendly and helpfully. I asked mine if all passengers were as badly behaved and she said "yes, they are very low class persons", I said "but aren't you Bangladeshi?", she said she was from a better part of Bangladesh. Lastly, I had 3 seats to myself on all legs. Still, never, ever, EVER, again.