Bazle

FIFA, IOC, F1 = same problem

...... or open a Thai bank account.

You are implying that you know that the owner of the bar reads the Pattaya forums. That narrows it down quite a lot.

You are fortunate. I had no luck when I just tried to use it.

A Thai girl I keep in contact with uses a dongle (sounds like a sex toy!) and has a notebook computer. That is adequate for her and me to have Skype calls, although often the connection is lost 2 or 3 times. (No 'phone involved.)

The food court in the basement of Central Festival Mall is great for Thai food (and, possibly, other varieties but I haven't tried them). For Thai food a bit different, try Yum & Tum on the 5th Floor of the same Mall.

Depends on the requirements of the destination country - see link I gave above http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/safetyenerg...isinsection.htm

I've done some research and I think the answers to my questions are as follows: * what is contained in the canisters (per Redwood13's post) D-phenothrin, which has lethal effects on domestic insect pests. It is used against mosquitoes, houseflies and cockroaches. and/or Permethrin, which is a broad spectrum insecticide used against a variety of pests. * the purpose of the spraying To stop the spread of malaria * who requires it to be done The UK * whether it happens on all routes out of LOS No * whether it happens on internal flights within LOS Seems unlikely My conclusions are based on this document: http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/safetyenerg...isinsection.htm Elsewhere (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1566499/pdf/envhper00513-0017-color.pdf), I have read that the US stopped requiring that inbound flights be disinsected (sprayed) in 1979 following a decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it was an ineffective method of preventing insect pests from being introduced from other countries, as well as a possible health risk for the people on board. That's not very re-assuring for those of us flying into the UK!

Thanks - interesting. As I read that item, it is the WHO which is causing the cabin to be sprayed. As far as I know, the WHO has no power to make laws, so I assume it is a country putting the WHO requirement into its own law. I believe that (for example) Australia has regulations requiring spraying of aircrafts arriving - at least from some destinations. So whose law is causing the aircrafts on the BKK to LHR route? As I asked in my OP, does spraying happen on all international routes out of Swampy? If so, it suggests that it is Thai law being enforced - rather magnanimous of the Thais to be so concerned!

I can sort of understand it if it happens when you are landing in a country but I do not understand why if it happens on departure.

On EVA bound for London happens every time.

My experiences have been that, just before departure from Swampy to London, the aeroplane cabin gets sprayed by some members of the cabin crew with whatever is contained in the aerosol canisters the cabin crew people walk down the aisles with. I don't take this personally but am curious about it. Does anyone know - * what is contained in the canisters * the purpose of the spraying * who requires it to be done * whether it happens on all routes out of LOS * whether it happens on internal flights within LOS Thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this.

The opposite appears to have been true today.

If you were the religious type, you shouldn't be contemplating sinning

The standard price around Beach Road/Second Road seems to be 300 Baht, so perhaps the OP can explain why anyone should go to a less convenient location and pay 33% more.

I'm not sure what this is all about. If you do "on-line" check-in, you will be asked for your passport details. If you subscribe to one of the "card protection" companies (e.g. Sentinel), it is sensible to register your passport as well as your bits of plastic. I can't think what else your family member could have had in mind. Of course, you could always ask him/her!

I have been a great fan of the Beer Garden. On previous trips, I've been there most days, sometimes twice. However, I'm just coming to the end of a 4 week trip and have visited only half a dozen times. Pete has still not managed to get the food service problem sorted - in fact, it has got worse IMHO. Food kept arriving almost cold. I got fed up with that and sent it back on two occasions. On another occasion, there was a huge gap between tilac's food arriving and mine arriving. She had almost finished her two dishes before my dish arrived - and if I had not reminded the staff, I suspect I'd still be waiting. It wasn't as if mine was anything complicated - it was the "selection of Thai treats", something which is surely ready prepared. Nor can the blame be placed upon the evening rush. Dishes were arriving almost cold in early afternoon when there were only a few customers. I really hope Pete can get things sorted because it is a great place when things go right.

..... and the first in the 3 weeks since I've been here. The consolation is watching the BBC and seeing the conditions in England again today!

Don't know about FLB, but the norm in other places seems to be that the staff are required to give up their next day off in lieu of not working on the holiday.

If you have any assets in Thailand and don't have a Thai Will, I think your assets go to the government upon your death (or maybe that is only if you don't have family in Thailand). You might consider making a Will in favour of the Fr Ray Foundation.

Don't they escape these things as they are classified as a hotel?

I have been told (reliably) that one large go-go in WS will be closed, so I guess they all will be.

Mick, that is very useful. Thank you. However, I need to be spoon fed! Where do you book and where does the bus leave from, please? Does the same bus go all the way to Khon Kaen or do you change buses at Korat?

How could you not love this city? Every day I see something to amaze me. In the last 12 hours, I have seen: - one of the bravest men in Pattaya, roller-blading amongst the traffic on Second Road (falang in his 20s) - a man obviously advised by Gok Wan. Falang about 6ft 3ins, slim, 20s, hand in hand with slinky lady-boy, and wearing low cut black T-shirt and what I thought initially was a long black skirt. However, when I got close, I realised it was very baggy trousers with the crutch about 3 inches from the ankles! - the weirdest couple. Asian (as in Oriental), about 5ft 2ins, hand in hand with lady-boy who was about 6ft tall in heels, looked like a man with long hair wearing a dress, also looked mentally retarded and was walking as if had one leg shorter than the other. I prefer to be amazed by scantily clad, fit, Russian blond females, but they are becoming so common place that the amazement factor is wearing off.

So, as with me, I suspect the last few days have not been the best!! I don't think double glazing would have made much difference.