Tahoe_Bill

Funny, No one mentioned Sizzler or Benihana. Both located at the RGP mall. I haven’t tried either in Pattaya, although Benihana has very good Japanese steak here in the States. Last trip a good friend treated me and my TGF to dinner at the Lobster Pot on Walking Street. Not being a “seafood person†I ordered the steak. It was a very good steak which was a little bit surprising from a seafood place. I’m curious as to the opinion about which is the best of the Soi Dianna Steak Houses. As an afterthought with so many of the boardmember also being patrons of the Royal Gardens Hotel I was curious about the Captains Corner “all you can eat steak/BBQ†Buffet. Worth the money / trip or not, if not a hotel guest?

Emil, 3 for 4 myself (although if I wanted to stay an extra day on my June trip they could have accommodated me). I’ve always had to book over the phone and I have no problem with booking it this way. I booked my October award travel on the phone and the agent more than earned the $15 that I was charged (I spent 35 minutes on the phone as he kept trying itineraries). Ended up having to fly UA to LAX and on Singapore Air (SQ) from LAX-SIN-BKK on the outbound . I asked him to check the TG flight BKK- JFK but it came back as not being available for award travel. He told me that there is a TG flight arriving at NRT early morning connecting to UA in the late afternoon (9 hour layover). I asked him to check BKK-KIX-ORD (TG – UA) because there were usually seats available on these planes. So I ended up getting these flights on the return trip . I’m curious about your SQ / SIN airport experience. If you don’t have objections, I’ll PM you the couple of easy questions. Cheers , Bill

Sailfast, Just a thought. I’m on a similar itinerary in October. After 10 days in Pattaya I’m flying Bangkok Air from Pattaya U-Tapao Airport to Phuket. Cost: 2100 baht. 4 days later I’m booked on Nok Air in their equivalent of business class (Nok Plus I think) from Phuket to Bangkok. Cost: 1985 baht (I think economy was about 500 baht cheaper). I booked this itinerary because it is saving me from a 2 hour taxi trip from Pattaya to Bangkok @ about 800 – 900 baht. I booked on line at their web pages a couple of weeks ago so I don’t know if the fares have increased or not. URL: Bangkok Air: http://www.bangkokair.com/en/ Nok Air: https://www.nokair.com/ Cheers Bill

Flew AirAsia from Bangkok to Khon Kaen round trip in June. Flew on a B737.with leather seats. Flight crew was okay (much better on the return trip). From what I’ve read PM Toxin is a major stockholder so “no worriesâ€. Will fly with them in the future. Bill

Damn good to see that two of the most entertaining / respected posters are going head to head again. I tend to agree with Big D, but C .Tom has very well stated his opinion. I remember the first victory like it was yesterday, and 7 wins is amazing (with a little help “unproven†or not). Regardless Lance kicked ass on the bicycling opponents. IMHO.

Thanks guys. I’ve brought my “Citrus Listerine†with me on my last few LOS trips. It seems that my TGF and I go through quite a lot in 2 weeks. In Oct I’ll pack accordingly and buy it in Pattaya. Cheers Bill

Tom, (I had to post the quirky dictionary definitions). Any nonstop flight to BKK is a good thing, unfortunately I don’t expect to see it from Indianapolis (although we will be one of the 1st cities to see the FedEx A380 on a daily basis) or many other US Cities. Maybe the gods of the flight schedules will favor us with an ORD – BKK nonstop. I agree with everyone that has commented that A vs B is very objective. I have my own preferences on US domestic short haul / long haul as well as International short haul / long haul. It is about a draw (even). Although IMHO the B777 is far superior to any other aircraft currently in service. Kinda curious if the A380 will be profitable as I remember hearing in my youth that the 747 was “too big†and it would be a failure.

Okay now I’m confused: http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/chuffed Is “chuffed†pleased, displeased (or maybe ambivalent)? “Inquiring minds want to knowâ€.

Very limited UA contract lounge, agree Thai lounge is small and crowded (not sure about ANA or Singapore) If all you want is a shower before heading to the lounge. Take the airport train to the terminal center. About midway through the center terminal if you look at the shops / wall opposite the runway you will find the Massage / Shower facility. In 2004 the shower cost was $5 or $6 USD. There are limited showers available and I had to wait about 15 minutes on both of my stops. The showers were good with multiple shower heads that cover you in water from head to toe. This may help. http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/english/map/intgate.htm Bill I’m planning on using the showers on the way back to USA in October. Please let me know if anything is different that I posted. Cheers

Samsonite, Probably no such luck for Boeing. Excluding the current "cash crunch", the “Shrimp for Aircraft†deal will (or may) probably prevent TG from purchasing any 772LR from Boeing in the foreseeable future. Too bad, as I prefer the B777 to anything currently produced by Airbus although, the SQ and TG 345 cabin layouts are very customer friendly.

My guess is that SA is “Star Alliance†or maybe I’m wrong and it is Singapore Air. Sommy, Star Alliance "Gold" status flyers (or someone flying in a class above peasant class) can access the lounges (however restrictions may apply at some lounges). As to where they are located at Narita (or elsewhere) try this URL: 1. http://www.staralliance.com/star_alliance/...me/main_10.html 2. Click the travel info tab. 3. Click on any Asian country (on the map). 4. Select the country of interest. 5. Select the airport city of interest 6. Select airports& lounges (left hand side of the page). 7. Select the terminal that you will be departing from. This will at a minimum inform you where the lounge is located.

The TG A345 aircraft have (electric) power at all of there seats. Between New York and Bangkok the cabin crew was having problems with the Video on Demand (VOD) system. I contemplated plugging in my portable DVD player. However when I looked at the plug and it looked like the standard British outlet (having a standard US/ Thai power cord) so I decided to sleep instead. Prior to takeoff from BKK on the return trip the guy sitting across the aisle from me asked the flight attendant “where can I plug in my laptopâ€? After she said she said the she didn’t know. I pointed out to the guy where the outlets were and I told him that I thought that an adapter would be needed. He promptly plugged in his computer (although since the receptacle was still a “virginâ€, he said “that it just took a little brute force). No current WIFI access on TG but the Communications screens of the VOD system states that it will be available in the future.

IMHO, as a fellow Star Gold member I agree that the UA lounge @ NRT is very good. Excluding my last flight nonstop JFK – BKK I usually go via Narita. I generally head back to the showers located towards the rear of the lounge (look for the signs). I hand them my boarding pass and they either assign me a shower room or give me a pager (so that they can inform me when the room is available). I have always enjoyed a nice shower @ Narita when traveling on my way from the states BKK, or to Narita after the trip from Pattaya to BKK and on to NRT. In the lounge there are Japanese snacks and beverages of your choice. I like the draft beer dispensers that automatically fills a beer glass with draft Japanese beer. BTW there is a smoking area in the lounge. As a footnote you can also use the Thai Air lounges at BKK, they have nice early morning muffins and coffee as well as some good ole spirits. Happy Travels!

My (somewhat) censored comments. I am very passionate about my sports and there are only two that really matter to me (excluding the Indianapolis 500 mile race) they are NFL Football and Formula 1. Having spent $150 (US) per seat to keep the usual turn 13 penthouse seats for this race I am (pissed off) (livid) (perplexed) and most of all (sad). I do not wish to offend someone that I have met and respect but frankly, Ferrari had nothing to do with the “chicken shit†“Michelin Teams†that probably took F1 away from the U.S ! When was the last time a F1A made a “major†modification on race day to allow â€censored†race course â€. Never! From many news reports on the race the only tire (tyre) failures occurred with the Toyota team which were reported to be due to runing (very) a low tire pressure. Maybe an early penalty for a tire change and at a minimum and an attempt at some points for the teams that withdrew would have reduced from the mockery that I sadly witnessed. Did I want to join the few that threw their bottles or cans on the track in protest? Yes! But I realized that punishing driver doing their (albeit multi millionaire) job was not appropriate was wrong. I was going to rant about the various early season Bridgestone failures, however they competed participated until they had to withdraw with total tire (destruction) failure. In the end I am afraid I have seen my favorite race stolen away from me in the future. My current car as well as most of my previous cars have been Michelin shod (my PREVIOUS tire of choice). I am due to replace my tires this winter and there is no way in hell that I will EVER buy a Michelin product again. Since we are in the “off topic forumâ€: Fuck Williams BMW Fuck Mcleran Mercedes Fuck the assholes at Sauber (I hope that Ferrari takes back your engines) Fuck BAR Honda Fuck Toyota (oops 1 lap would have got you a minimum of 2 championships points) Fuck Renault Fuck the other too obscure team to mention team (PS release Scott Speed from his contract and relinquish your sponsorship of other racing teams) because your “wings†don’t amount to shit! Most of all Fuck Michelin! If I seem to be over the top; either understand me or forgive me but I from the moment the mention of F1 in the US (especially in Indy my adopted hometown) I happy. From many published accounts there were negotiations for a second F1 race in Las Vegas in the near future. But that was of 18 June 2005 news. What does the future holds? I was talking with my best friend who also wasted $150 for yesterday’s race. I told him that F1/the Michelin Teams (not the speedway) should refund yesterday tickets and provide a free/reduced price tickets for the same 2006 USGP seats. I was told not to hold my breath. Rant over… I hope to see another USGP (?) Bill

I just got back yesterday. New York Express TG 791 / TG 790. I agree it is the best way to go from the East Coast. I flew Premium Economy; nice seats, 30 movies to choose from etc. (full report forthcoming). Yes I received my UA FF miles from Thai a couple days after I arrived 8656 miles JFK to BKK, I’m anticipation the return trip miles to be posted in a day or two. A little off the topic: Thai will begin their nonstop BKK/LAX on Nov 7th via A340-500. 3 nonstops per week (Monday Thursday and Saturday), TG 794 / TG 795. My sources is the Star Alliance Electronic Timetable. This info may have been previously put out in another thread while I was in the LOS. Bill

Maybe this is the info you are looking for, hope that this helps: http://www.kart.thai.li/index_english.html Cheers Bill

Kev, Just curious; what is the price is premium economy in July (as opposed to the May – low season price of $1250)? Have a great trip! Bill

I paid $1250.00 + $15.00 for FedEx delivery (this fare isn’t currently e-ticketable). Economy was about $300.00 less. After making my reservation via phone, I had to fax credit card info, a copy of credit card as well as a copy of my drivers license (hopefully an e-ticket will be available once the route is well established). The prices quoted above are supposed to be introductory prices. I don’t know about pricing for Premium Economy in the future but I’m already planning my trip in October, and the price on thaiair.com for economy seems to be about the same. Jerry, I hope that BigD is right about the LAX- BKK nonstop (or even better for me the rumored ORD-BKK nonstop flight). Both airports would be much more convenient / less expensive for me to transit through. Hope this helps. Bill

Booked on TG 791 JFK - BKK; May 28th. I opted for the Premium Economy. I plan to walk back and check out the seats in Ecomomy during the flight (for future reference). I'll post my impressions etc. when I return in June. Cheers! Bill

Big D, IMHO, Some of these may(?) happen: # 1 and # 11 (same same). The health care is reported to be world class. Evidentially LOS is looking for “health tourists†to replace “sex touristsâ€. Logic dictates that many people fall into both of these categories. #5, 6, 13, and to an extend #15 are possible when the new Bangkok Airport opens (sometime in the future). Reportedly it is one of the largest airports in Asia as well as the rest of the World. On the downside in the past they have been reported to also be one of the most expensive airports for a foreign carrier to fly in & out of. As far as the others I don’t have a clue, although I have learned from my experiences in Korea that a little well applied technology can change everything (for both good and bad). PS Here is to Hub!

Thai Air press release: http://www.thaiair.com/About_Thai/Newsroom...s0405-wu127.htm

Amusing wire story http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/a...packers_or_jail Not to piss off the “Cheese Heads†on the board, but; Why do Wisconsin couples prefer doggie style? That way they can both watch the Packers’ game.

The Thai Air A340-500 & A340-600 aircraft will have a new livery. A340-500 photographed @ BKK last week (8 Apr) by Bangkok Post. Doesn’t seem too different with the exception of the Aft and tail sections. Will post photo as time permits, but it's the same as my avatar.

Many good points made in this thread. 1. A prearranged drive seems to work in most cases. 2. Joe had a good point about printing off your hotel info and giving it to the person manning the taxi stand booth outside the terminal (you’ll stand in line for a few minutes, but it moves quickly). As stated above the touts inside the terminal will point you much more expensive transportation. 3. If you aren’t comfortable with the above options you can contact Thai Air Limo or Image Limo and pay a lot more (maybe overpay). Not my 1st choice but I remember my 1st trip and a lot can be said for peace of mind.

dajan17; Welcome to the board! I’m not sure of your exact lodging specifications so before I post my Pattaya lodging preferences any additional info that you can provide will be appreciated. I’ve spent the last 5 trips in the same condo 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, full kitchen and a large living room. I pay about $22 USD per night (Studio apt. about $15 per night) inclusive of utilities and taxes. Best of luck in your search. PM me or post a reply I you would like more info. Have a great time, Cheers . Bill