IslandHopper

Expat67: Yes, coach is 2-4-2 and prem economy is 2-3-2

Anyone know anythingabout this new opening? $84 -- Brand-New 5-Star Hotel in Bangkok * Bangkok, Thailand Travel dates: November-December Top 20 deal - sells out quickly! Celebrating the opening of the 5-Star Grand Sukhumvit by Sofitel, Expedia has an amazing promotional rate of just $83.62 per night. Best of all, this special is valid during peak season from Nov. 1-Dec. 31. Other luxury properties in Thailand's capital go for well over $200(!) The Grand Sukhumvit recently opened it's doors in May of 2006. It's conveniently located in the popular shopping and entertainment district and just steps from the Nana BTS Skytrain. Each guestroom is equipped with satellite/cable LCD TVs, high-speed Internet, and seperate shower & tub.

No way Thai is $4k for JFK-BKK. Just checked and found $1006. This is the best flight around.

Most of the fares from the US for the holiday months (June 15 through August) are high. Wait till Sept and they will drop again.

The Quality of this video is not great, but very funny! http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/IHo...dWhorehouse.flv

Just came across this bit: Airlines skeptical of airport’s launch date By Lan Anh Nguyen 16 March 2006 21:29 Despite repeated assurances from Airports of Thailand (AoT) officials that Suvarnabhumi International Airport will be operational in June, executives of international airlines said the multibillion-dollar airport is more likely to open by the end of the year. Contractors have yet to complete construction work at the new airport, while systems administration still requires vigorous testing before it will be ready for the opening, said Brian Sinclair-Thompson, president of the Board of Airline Representatives, which represents nearly 60 airlines operating in Thailand. “I think it is going to open by the end of this year,†said Sinclair-Thompson, who visited Suvarnabhumi recently. “My feeling is that it would take some time. There is a lot of work [that] needs to done, especially system testing, to make sure it is fully functional before the opening.†AoT officials have recently dodged questions about the opening date, saying that they are trying to ready the airport by the end of June. AoT announced yesterday that a portion of the west runway would be cut and resurfaced as part of a new taxiway project connecting the first and third runways. AoT officials insisted that this has nothing to do with the alleged crack on the runway that stirred controversies about mismanagement and corruption a few months ago. “We are just trying to resurface the runway to ensure smoothness between the runway and the taxiway,†said Surajit Surapolchai, AoT’s senior vice president in charge of project management. “The area is only 10 centimeters [in] length.†According to Somchai Sawasdeepon, the airport director, AoT is trying to outsource the management of various services, including airport security, cleaning, transportation and budgeting. The bidding process is likely to take more time than expected and might affect the opening. “We are trying to meet the schedule and finish everything in June, but with a megaproject like this, many problems could emerge,†Somchai said. Surajit said that most of the construction work would be completed by the end of this month. AoT previously said construction work would be finished by the end of 2005. Meanwhile, international airlines have maintained that Thailand should conduct intensive tests and training before the airport opening to avoid the kind of systems disasters that occurred at other airports in the region like Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok. “We still have a lot of concerns, a lot of issues need to be [resolved] to make sure this is a world-class airport,†Sinclair-Thompson said. The airlines have insisted that Thailand start building a midfield terminal and add more contact gates at Suvarnabhumi to avoid the inevitable congestion, Sinclair-Thompson said. The airport, which will accommodate 45 million passengers a year, is supposed to solve the traffic problem at Don Muang International Airport. But airlines have warned that Suvarnabhumi will be facing traffic problems as soon as it reaches full passenger capacity at the end of this year. Most foreign airlines do not welcome the plan to keep Don Muang as a supplement to Suvarnabhumi, saying this should only be a last resort. They add that both airports should collect equal fees and charges. They have opposed the AoT’s plan to set Suvarnabhumi fees at levels 15-percent higher than Don Muang’s, but AoT and BAR’s members have agreed to discuss the matter.

I agree with Jballstate. CP is a wonderful airline if you are in Biz class or better. The economy seats are built for Asians and are tight, both in their 747's and newer Airbuses. I opt for Thai Air direct flights to/from JFK/BKK as the seats are better and the flight shorter.

Billing Currency: BHT 750 Standard - (Pay on check-out) Billing Curr New Building: BHT 1200 (Pay on check-out) Billing Currency: Deluxe BHT 1800

I agree with Dungheap. You would be in transit for 2 hours each way to get to Ban Phe plus an hour each way on the ferry (unless you hire a speedboat), plus a half hour on a sawngthaw each way to the beach, so you would be in a vehicle for 7 hours. Not really worth it.

PartyAnimal: Good advice (assuming the upgrade price is still $199 each way). Only problem I foresee is that it appears from the seat map selection that they are assigning row 44 in advance. I know most American airlines block off the bulhead row until the day of departure, but judging by the map of when I am flying, it appears that they are giving these seats out way before departure day?

For those of you who, like me, have gotten used to the Premium Economy Seats on the Direct flights 791/790 from JFK to BKK and return: I was just quoted $1705 by Thai Air. This is a jump from $1400-$1500 that I paid for a trip this November. This will put me back into economy where the price is steady at $1073 including taxes.

With an eticket, you only have to present your passport at checkin. They will access their computer to pull the seating info. Sometimes they request that they look at your itinerary (copy of the eticket) just to confirm your return leg.

I concur. The visa is suppossedly very tough there days. I have had excellent success dealing with World Travel Service at http://www.wts-thailand.com/ for tickets (international and domestic) for flights originating in Thailand. Good Luck!

The biggest attraction is the night market, so I would suggest you stay within walking distance. The other areas of interest such as Doi Suthep and shopping on San Kampaeng Rd all require motorized transport and are easily arranged. There is a new system of sawnthaews on the streets in Chiang Mai. I havent seen yet, but maybe the fellow board members can advise.

It depends on what you are looking for. Chang is basically undeveloped, a nature lover's paradise. Samui is extremely well developed. The construction ongoing is amazing, yet the island remains wonderful with many entertainment options. Much more to do if you so desire. I would caution you however......Samui suffered terribly from flooding in December and the pictures were bad. A lot of damage. Those who live on Samui were unable to even get out to eat. Check for damage before you decide on a hotelr or ask board members who might have visited Samui since the floods.

I usually book hotels (outside of Pattaya) through a travel agent (for the discount) and I book for two people. The extra expense is almost nothing and it has prevented many "joiner fees". If you want to bring back more than one TG to an upmarket hotel you may run into problems.

You must go thru BKK. As far as I know, Bangkok Air is the only carrier for the BKK Siam Reap run.

I have stayed at several hotels on Samui, but my favorite is Coral Bay Resort. See http://www.coralbay.net/aboutus.htm You can get discounted rates from some travel agents. Restaurant is top notch. My TGF also loves the place.

I think the Chiang Mai Plaza is a great value for the money. Get a Deluxe Room. Last time in CM I splurged and stayed at Tamarind Village. The place is very cute, the staff nice, but we got some of those bitch looks from Western House Frau when they saw my TG with me.

Try the Lek Hotel?

Not speaking from experience, but I reseached for my upcoming Sept trip. These two were my choices. The Cha-Am Methavalai Hotel Gems Cha-Am Hotel

If I remember correctly, the left luggage is downstairs at the Domestic terminal. I dont believe (correct me if I am wrong) that there is any at the International Terminals.

I cant speak for the Dynasty, but I stayed at the Lek last year and it was fine. Location was excellent. I booked a Deluxe room. Am not sure it was worth the extra money, but it was so reasonable that I didnt feel the extra was a big deal. In the Deluxe room, there is a large stand up shower as well as a tub if that answers your question.

Just a question, Tom. How can the plane be getting better fuel efficiency flying eastward when the Thai Air JFK-BKK-JFK flights both fly to the East, or at least Northeast?

Just got back from flying this flight. I dont know if anyone else has put in their two cents, but in my opinion this flight is wonderful. I was lucky to have a FF freebie in biz class due to USAir miles. Thai Air is telling everyone you need to show up three hours before takeoff, but in my humble opinion, most passenegers showed 1.5 to 2 hrs ahead. They share biz class lounge with Swiss Air at JFK and it sucks. Club hasnt been cleaned in ages. Flight took off basically on time. New Airbus biz class seats are wonderful. Food was terrific. Opted for the Thai options and wasnt dissappointed. Wine selections could use some improvement, but ....who really cares? Flight does Not follow Singapore Air's flight path as previously discussed. Instead, it goes up over Quebec, Iceland, Greenland, the Arctic and comes down near Moscow, S Asia and into BKK arriving on time at about 1610. Note that this flight arrives and departs into and from Terminal 2. Everyone in BKK will try to tell you that TG flights are ALL in Terminal 1, but they are wrong. Luckily, there are big signs approaching Terminal 1 telling you to check into Teminal 2 for the BKK-New York Express. The return flight was equally as painless. I arrived at the airport 1 hour 50 min before departure and didnt have a problem. Late due to not wanting to leave the Tirak not due to traffic.....there is none at this hour (0040 departure). I booked my hotel for an extra night so that I could shower for the fourth time before changing into Western clothing for the flight. In general, this, gentlemen, is the way to go from the east coast. For those who have travelled through LAX, Hong Kong or NRT, this flight cuts out hours in the travel days and allows you to arrive in BKK to meet someone, have a great meal, party a littkle bit and be oriented to Thai time by the first morning. On return, the midnight departure means you are ready to sleep after the first meal and frankly, after 8 hours of sleep. I arrived reasonably refreshed and actually got quite a bit of work done the same day. I would also suggest to those it is available, I trained in on NJ Transit from Trenton to NYC, Penn Station. Easy transfer to LIRR, and a 15 minute ride to Jamaica Station. From there, you can cab to an airport hotel if you arrive the night before or if its the same day as departure, you just walk upstairs at Jamaica Station to the AirTrain and for $5 you can be delivered directly to Terminal 4 in about 10 mins. This service makes JFK almost pleasant.