The_Fat_Controller

Very few Russians at the Areca Lodge right now and they have a promotion for stays of 5 days or more. Two nice pools with shallow areas for kids. http://www.arecalodge.com/

Correct, the 790 Baht is for the ACE Club, membership of which gives you various discounts as detailed here http://www.arecalodge.com/member/

I am a regular customer at this hotel, so I thought I would share their promotional offers for the Low Season 2014. Discounts of 15 to 20 percent are on offer for dates between 1st May and 30th September. If you join the ACE Club for 790 Baht per year, the discounts are even better and the joining fee pays for itself if you stay more than 4 nights

I do not know enough of the facts about MH370. However, there are 8765 posts here speculating about what might have happened http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/535538-malaysian-airlines-mh370-contact-lost.html My bet would be on the "pilot suicide" theory rather than a catastrophic failure of the aircraft.

Grandpollo, it is not Air China (Chinese) it is with China Airlines (Taiwanese). The AMS-BKK is on the Airbus A340-300. The Boeing 747-400 was withdrawn over a year ago on this route. There is no Premium Economy with this airline, only Business or Economy. There are 30 seats in Business. I flew back yesterday and the service, as usual was excellent in that cabin. I cannot comment on the Economy cabin. The minimum connection time recommended at AMS is 1 hour.

Benjamit, in Soi Bua Khao market area. It is on the market side of the shops that run along the main road, about 100m from market entrance in Soi Bua Khao nearest to Pattaya Tai.

My last day here, best rate has consistently been the money changer in Soi Diana between the Orn Bars and the big beer bar complex on the left side heading towards Papagayo, outside the Little Home and Family Mart. Rate for UK £ is 51.30 today. The also accept Scottish notes for a slightly lower rate, thinks it is between 0.3 and 0.4 less.

If you have certain Nationwide current accounts, as I and probably pattaya_mad do, this makes you eligible for their SELECT VISA card which does not incur any charges on foreign PURCHASES. The conversion rate is available here http://www.visaeurope.com/en/cardholders/exchange_rates.aspx If you use it for cash advances then there are charges, but cannot remember what they.

As of right now, 1230 in Pattaya, the UK Pound will get you TT Money Changer = 50.60 Bangkok Bank Cash rate = 50.14 BB TC rate = 50.44 BB TT rate = 50.5725 Visa Europe CC rate = 50.614972 So, as long as you pay with a CC that makes no charges at an outlet that does not pass on charges, that is the your best bet. Cash at the independent money changers, like TT, is second best. My hotel, Areca Lodge, does not make any charges as long as you pay in Baht, they offer the option for Dynamic Currency Conversion to your own currency, but that incurs a charge from the i

For UK travellers, cash is now king as the money exchange booths are giving more than the Thai TT transfer rate. For comparison, Bangkok Bank would give you 50.4475 last Friday (TT Rate), whereas the money changers in Soi Diana were giving 50.5 for cash. For direct transfers there are charges at the Thai bank of up to 500 Baht or so and most UK banks charge a fee, Nationwide is now £25 TC rates are lower than cash and transfers and there is a charge per cheque to change them and possibly fees to buy them. I used my Nationwide CC to pay the hotel bill and the rate was almost exa

Allowed at some, prohibited at others. I only drive when I have a Thai with me, so she reads the signs and tells me what I can do.

Be honest with yourself ! She has sex for money with anyone who will pay 1500 Baht. She takes big risks by not using protection. Cut all contact, do not send her money and put it down to experience. You are not the first and will not be the last who falls for a Thai prostitute, they are experts at telling you what you want to hear. Move on and try to forget it.

Loy Krathong is delayed ! http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/376755/loy-krathong-festivities-delayed I wonder if TAT is going to compensate anyone......

Right main gear bogie failure suspected, good pics here. http://avherald.com/h?article=4681fccd&opt=0

The runway orientation is as follows 280 magnetic, 297 true Info is here http://airnav.com/airport/KSFO

Occupancy in June was nowhere near 100%, some days it was less than 70%. Most of the repeat customers, like myself, are fully aware of what is going on regarding the construction and I did not get any special discount and I did not hear of any being given to others.

Most APPROACHES are made using the autopilot, following the Instrument Landing System. Normally the autopilot would be disconnected at around 1000 feet and the landing made manually. Unless the weather conditions dictate (fog, very low cloud etc), the ILS will not be "protected" where vehicles and aircraft are limited as to where they can move and wait on the airfield. Therefore the pilot cannot rely on a successful autoland as the ILS signal may be disrupted, this is how airfields operate in good weather.

The only 2 sector options from Glasgow are KLM, KLM/China and Emirates. Having used all 3, the best cabin service has always been CAL on the AMS-BKK-AMS sectors. As for pricing, up until now I have had my 3 trips per year with KLM/China for the price of 2 with the other carriers. Prices from the others for the same dates in Feb/Mar are KLM £2382 and Emirates £3059, hardly "slightly more" than the £1684 I have just paid. CAL are currently using the A340-300 on the Amsterdam service, with a 63 inch seat pitch and a lovely wide seat at 30 inches, not lie-flat but I find them v

Just booked CAL Business Class for Feb 2014, leaving from Glasgow via Amsterdam. Price was £1684 My travel agent advised me that from next week CAL are increasing their prices by around £500 ! If you want to get a reasonably priced flight, do it soon. I use Gazelle Travel in Durham who have provided excellent service during the 10+ years I have been booking with them.

Maleez/Eat Well is still there. http://www.maleezlodge.com/ You can get chicken, fish, lamb and vegetarian curries along with the usual Indian appetisers and Tandoori dishes. I ate there last night and thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Onion Bhaji 80 Baht Chicken Tikka Tawa Masala 180 Baht (Served bubbling on a hot plate) Saffron Rice 40 Baht Leo Beer 50 Baht Trip Advisor review here http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g293919-d3859025-Reviews-Eat_Well-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html

The building work behind the rooms in the Areca has now reached Floor 4 level, so no view apart from construction workers, there are 8 floors planned. The building next to the Evergreen is now 7 floors high and there is a big screen fence up by the Blue Ocean pool. Noise is not too bad according to friends who overlook the site.

As a recipient of the gift, you are NOT liable to pay any tax other than that accrued on any interest you may receive on the money. It is not the bank's responsibility to advise you of the tax position of gifts as there is no tax to pay. They do have anti money-laundering considerations, but that is all.

Last day in Pattaya. Just taken a walk along Soi 15. Lots of heavy trucks moving dirt out and concrete in to the two sites behind the Areca Lodge and Pattaya Bay Resort. It was VERY dusty and this is noticeable at the Areca pool too. Water is being continuously pumped out of the site behind the Areca into the drains on Soi 15. Not much noise disturbance right now, but I certainly would not want to be in a room overlooking the site myself.

email changthong_house@hotmail.com phone numbers 038 421334, 038 410907 From their business card which I picked up on the way past at 2330 tonight.

I just walked past this place, about 3 buildings along from the Areca Lodge, on the same side going towards Soi Bua Khao. Looks to be in business and there is a Pink Lady Restaurant on the ground floor.