Baritone47

Hi - Any board members currently in Pattaya or LOS from Southern California possibly returning home before June 18??? If so I could use a favor - I need a Thai SIM card before June 18 and while I know that I can purchase one on-line, the cost is inflated and the delivery time uncertain. I have a paypal account and would gladly send funds to anyone who falls into this category who is willing to pick up a card for me and I would either meet them or pay for postage to have it mailed to me from their home to mine. It's a long story and I know where to get them in LOS but in this case I

Dear Fellow Board Members, Anyone on the board rented a car at the airport within the last year? If so, did you have to make any special arrangements if your flight arrived in the late evening? And has anyone used a GPS in Bangkok or Pattaya or going between these two locations? I am trying to sort out if I am comfortable doing this - not because of the driving as I have driven in LOS but because I will be taking a route I have never taken before and I have never rented a car at the new airport. Any info or help would be appreciated.

In light of a very recent positive experience with China Air, I felt a response was appropriate: First, some background info: I was a China Air gold card member for years. Just about every other flight to LOS from Los Angeles, they would upgrade me to business class on at least the long leg from LA to Taipei. At least at that time, their Business class was by my own experience just about the best for this route. Their standard of service was extremely high. However when EVA started pricing their Evergreen Deluxe fare just above China Air's coach, and Thai air started its direct fli

Six of the suits in my closet have been made in Thailand. From 4 different shops. There's nothing like a custom-fitted suit unless you happen to have a physique that fills out an off the rack suit perfectly, and that's not many of us. Alterations on a store-bought suit, more than the length of trousers or sleeves and perhaps the waist, can leave the suit looking and feeling off. Yes, tailors can take in the legs and the jacket sides, etc, but every part of the suit has been cut to a pattern and when you change only one part, the remainder isn't the same. This being said, not on

I am considering a suite at the Residence Garden for later in the year. The facility seems an excellent value. However, I am used to staying on one of the active soi's - where I am within easy walking distance of bars, massage, shopping. I enjoy walking and for example when staying at the Queen Vic, would walk almost to walking street every morning for great coffee and breakfast at Tops. When alone, walking is my preferred mode of transportation. Residence Garden is on a very busy soi, and during my last visit the roads were under major construction, making access and egress quite dif

First, if you can get an EVA economy from LAX to Bangkok, regardless of stop-overs, for under $900.00 and you are comfortable toughing it out in coach, you best grab it. I am a long-time EVA customer, tried my best to find an EVA flight LAX-BKK towards the end of June for under $1000.00 and couldn't find a thing. I've booked the Premium Economy direct flight on Thai airways, but almost double what you think you can pay for economy. So probably not what you are looking for. I am one of those who also question why the prices have gone nuts, but the airlines will tell you its due to the

Anyone want to share a good car or perhaps a limo just after noon on October 16th? I've used Mr. Toom from Pattaya to the airport and was pleased with the service but the car wasn't much, and I figure two of us could hire a better car and have a faster more comfortable trip. I arrive on EVA from Taipei, 12 something. Let me know, Mark

Having heard so much about the new 777, I arranged my long leg from Los Angeles to Taipei on the 777, just a few weeks ago. (both evergreen deluxe) On my return, it was the 747. The new elite seats are crap even for a small guy like myself, with less recline, less lower leg/feet support, and very narrow. For a short haul, I think they're great because you've got a better entertainment system. But for sleeping, it's an entirely different story, with no way to turn to the side, etc. The newest upgrade in the evergreen 777 is the lack of restrooms. There were only two in the entir

I thought I would add my 10 cents, as I recently used Mr. Toom, and have a fair amount of experience with alternatives: I arranged for an airport pickup last month by email. He responded promptly to my email, and also provided me with his phone number should any problems arise. I had a change of plans, had to cancel his pickup, and again, he responded in a timely manner. I got to Pattaya through the kindness of a friend who picked me up. However, when it came time to get to the airport and home, I was concerned as it was a monday morning flight, and I knew traffic could be heavy. I calle

Sorry gents that my original post was unclear. I am in Pattaya now, heading back to Bangkok July 16 or 17. If anyone is going into Bangkok July 16, (not the airport) I would be interested in sharing a car. If anyone is leaving Pattaya noon or so on July 17, going to Don Muang, I might be interested in sharing a taxi. (by splitting a taxi from Pattaya, I get some extra cash that translates into an hour of fun or so, therefore I'm open on options) Write if anyone is interested. Thanks, Mark

Any fellow board members heading into BKK or to Don Muang 7/16 or 7/17, interested in splitting a taxi? I have a flight out on 7/17, but might also go into BKK on 7/16. If interested, post a response. I'll be in FLB this weekend, Mark

Just thought I would check again - I'm arriving July 7, just before noon, have arranged Mr. Toom for a pickup and drive to Pattaya. Any board members interesting in sharing a taxi, send me an email or post a response. Mark

I'm arriving just after noon on July 7, anyone interested in sharing a ride to Pattaya? Mark

I'm arriving around noon on Dec 20 from the US, looking for someone to share a car/cab/limo to Pattaya. Anyone interested, please write to mbritowich@sbcglobal.net

I have done this early morning northwest flight several times and done it both ways - gone into BK for that last night so not to worry as traffic is light at 5am - and I have arranged a middle of the taxi from Pattaya to the airport beforehand and again, making it to the airport was no hassle. Personally, I found that you lose too much time doing the overnight in BK - you have to get there the day before and driving into BK during the day takes forever, check in to a hotel and unpack in a hotel, using up several hours - if you stay in Pattaya you can enjoy that last night, doing a bar cra

I have thousands of miles with NWA that I cannot seem to use. Are there any NWA frequent flyer board members who would find that 10,000 miles would put them into a decent free trip or class upgrade and would be willing to pay a reasonable amount for these miles? (NWA charges to transfer these miles and I would like some compensation as well) If so, please write me directly and we can discuss specifics. Baritone47 email: mbritowich@sbcglobal.net

Dave, I would book now. I live in Los Angeles and make the trip every 90-120 days so am usually very pleased with fares these last few years (and your being in England probably doesnt change the computation very much in terms of airline activity or costs) - through the summer fares are still low, but I just tried to find a discounted business class fare for Xmas, and prices are out the roof, AND, several airlines with whom I have mileage have already sold out their upgrade seats, China Air in fact has sold out its coach seats for the dates I want. I booked the best possible fare I coul

Fellow Boardies: Your feedback has been enormously helpful. Redwood, your reference to the IRS documents shows me exactly how I will or will not qualify for the exemption, and everyone else, your suggestions have been extremely valuable! Nice to know that there are members who can discuss matters other than barcrawls, barfines, TGs and the like! ( and still of course think about those things) Mark

Any boardies out there who are American, working in LOS? I am considering a move to Bangkok next summer, and realize that I don't know if my earnings will need to be reported to the IRS or not. Any help would be very appreciated as I need to figure out my budget. Also, any info on collecting Social Security while there, similarly very appreciated. (no, I am not in any way connected to government agencies, just an oldtimer on FLB and LOS) Mark