teelack

Now you tell me! I have just paid a premium to fly with Thai.They have the only direct service between NZ and Bangkok.

OK, I admit to being half pisses but I pissed myself even more with this response, LOL

Dozens of times in Bangkok and none in Khaosan Road. My fault but as it is always sold as a back packers paradise and in fairness back packers tend to fuck other back packers and on this basis alone I have given the place a miss. I hope I am not being too harsh.

The other night after a few drinks I got onto the Internet and booked at ridiculously low prices a return trip to Chiang Mai using Bangkok Air and even cheaper accommodation at the Pornping hotel. Thanks for getting me out of my rut and getting me out of Pattaya for a break.

Thanks for the explanation. This clears it up for me. Who said that the EU was all bad!!!

Excellent. Thanks

Hi there. I really want to commit to Chiang Mai next trip to Thailand and intend to book hotel and airfares. I have at this stage decided on staying at the Pornping Towers. From what I can read it is in the thick of things and it is a reasonable price. Has anyone stayed there and have a recommendation. Does it have a joiner fee?

Thanks Jacko. I think that this is the crux of the problem. I would imagine that every country has different conditions. I have never been offered the opportunity of paying in local currency but I guess that coming from a small country our levels of competition are that much less. Irrespective of the above at least the topic got me looking at the costs that I pay (astro-bloody-nomical) I rang my bank and asked them for better ways to handle the issue. Thanks for the various responses for this topic as I have at least started the process of looking for a better deal.

Thanks for the response Dr Pat. Very interesting but I fear that there is a lot of homework ahead for me checking terms and conditions of credit cards. One other issue that I didnt quite understand. I didnt understand the final paragraph. I would have assumed that once you had your money in your hand at a pre determined exchange rate that it was fixed in concrete what your charges would be. I am also unsure how to pay with local currency. If I borrow for example $1000 to buy some baht surely I need to pay that in the currency of my credit card? How do I pay it off in baht?

I recall getting caught in a massage place in Soi Buakhao a couple of years ago. Poor me! The point is that the waters rose very quickly and left with the same rate of knots. I never see rain as being an issue in Pattaya and it has never stopped me going out. Having said that I did a bit of a Walter Raleigh some years ago and carried a lady across a rain filled street and fell into a hole dropping her and ripping my trousers. I still know the girl and only wear shorts now!

Dr Pat. Let me see if I understand this. What you are saying is that you go into the bank with CREDIT card and passport and ask for 15000 baht. They in turn debit your credit card in the UK for the value of the 15000 baht in pounds sterling and without any fees. By putting money in your credit card account the following day the fees are minimal. It sounds like a great deal but please confirm that neither your bank or the Thai bank charge any fees other than the 24 hours interest on the advance.

I suppose eating carrots will do that to a guy.

I have found a new way to handle this and it best suits me. I have a debit card from home and I load it as needed. Take it in to any bank (The one with the best exchange rate) with your passport and tell the teller what you want. In two minutes you are walking out with your money in your pocket without having to worry if the machine swallows your card or who is behind you in the queue.Sure I still have an ATM card for the small withdrawals but since I started using the above method I am much happier getting larger withdrawals. As far as I am aware the amount you can withdraw is only limited to the amount that you have in credit in your account.

Good one.

Thanks yet again. I am planning a trip there in June. Any comments on the weather then? One thing that I have sussed. I went on line and checked the Pornping Hotel. The hotels own site is almost double the price than I am being quoted on a couple of the major booking sites for exactly the same rooms.

No I don't but if I wanted to my hotel would do it for nix.

FFS, why worry with Nana? I had two copies laminated at home for $3!

I too would suggest that you pre order with Mt T who will confirm and give you a price all at the same time.

Always used Air Asia and as the flight is so quick the food and drink isnt worth worrying about. One other aspect is that I think the Air Asia is now out of Don Muang. This could make a difference depending on where you are coming from or going to.

Interesting. It was the following that caught my eye. I for one get startled every time I am approached by an armed man. If a search is considered necessary, such as in a case where a foreigner appears to be “startled” by the presence of police

Whilst on the subject, the Phantom Negger even felt that he had to neg my trip report. That's a first in being mean spirited as far as I can recall. My TR's may be boring, lack lustre or even repetative but they are a personal reflection of a day in Pattaya from one travellers point of view.No one need read them but I am aware that some enjoy being kept up to date on the trivia that is part of the Pattaya experience.

Well aware Atlas and I also try to put things right wherever possible. (and have just done so)

As pointed out in a recent TR Palmers has moved across the street.

True but remember that you are signing legal documents relating to the loss and the SIM ownership.I am also not sure what would have happened if I didnt get close to the security questions.