BobSJ

Hello Everyone - I just got my e-mail from NWA regarding Cash&Miles. Curently with NWA the going rate from SFO-BKK is $994.50 up $100.00 from a week ago. I tried going online to get my Cash&Miles online, but it would not accept it with the usual BS that it was not available. I then called their 1-800 number and was able to get my Cash&Miles trip set up along with my seating assignment. Total cost for this trip is 10K miles plus $599.50. If you cash in 20K the price is then $509.50. For me this is the best deal going at this time. I have had my share of problems with NWA and e-mailed their customer service with the usual "Canned Responses". Until I burn up the rest of my FF miles I will fly NWA. With all the bad experiences with NWA, I must admit my last trip was better than average. My return trip I had mostly an all asian crew, Japanese and Thai. I ended up scoring a few points for myself with one of the Thai Flight Attendants. She saw my Medic Alert Tag and was asking me about it. She then saw the second Tag behind my Medic Alert with a Picture of my TGF. I told her that she is the reason why I go to Thailand - She smiled and the guy next to me made a comment to which the Flight Attendant laughed. Other Good Deals From SFO to BKK - Expedia-$673.50 Delta/EVA. - Yahoo Travel $680.50 EVA 17/211 - Return 212/18. - Yahoo Travel - $682.50 PAL 105/730 Return - 731/104 The dates were for Sept / Oct 2004 Hope the info helps out BobSJ

Emil, I must be losing my touch - What is your secret!! - I plan on going back again in Sept or Oct. Thanks for the Info on Mike's Orchid - What did you think of the Girls working the front Desk!! BobSJ

Hello JB, My last trip was May/June and I stayed at Mike's Orchid (Near Bella Vista) The rooms are a good size with 1-single bed and 1-double bed. All rooms are the same in terms of lay out. They are currently adding on to the Hotel so make sure that you request a room facing Beach Rd. Currently the daily rate is 800b for Mike's Orchid and for Mike's Resort it is 1200b. Mike's Orchid does not have a pool at this time so if you want to swim you will need to walk on down to Mike's Resort. If money is not an issue here, I would suggest checking out Bella Villa next to Mike's Orchid. Looks very nice from the outside and is a new addition to Soi-4. I believe that they are asking $1000b a day. BobSJ

Ting Tong - They blew me off also - "No Show - and when i sent them an e-mail, they did not respond back. BobSJ

Follow Up on Transportation 1. Alex never returned my e-mail and I have heard that he has increased his prices. 2. Khrongfa - Made contact and confirm with them for pick up - Guess What - "NO SHOW and when I e-mailed them about the no show - there was no response back from them. Looks Like I will have to find a new Driver/Transportation BobSJ

Hello to all Board Members It appears that everyone has their favorite Transportation-Driver - It would be nice if we could put together a list of these people and agencies who provide good transportation at a reasonable rate. I know that their have been people who have written about their experiences - but what I am interested in is a list with contact info. so far in reading the posts their appears to be abouot 2-3 mention - Is their anymore to add to the list. BobSJ

Ting Tong Just read your post and I hope that does not happen to me - I've already committed myself and I will see what happens - When they called you and you explained what had happen - What was their response as to why their driver was not there. BobSJ

Big Kev Well like anything else - His Lost, That is probably why he has not responded back to me. I was very clear in my e-mail that I wanted him to verify his cost. His increase in price is not justifed for what he is offering. Only time will tell and we will see how others will respond to his increase along with other agencies who provide transportation. BobSJ

ALEX - I have used Alex in the past and at first the service was good, but the more I used Alex, services started going down hill - At first he would send other drivers - then he would not respond back in a timely manner to e-mails. The Last time I used his service (March-04) he sent a driver and his mini-van. The van sounded like it was on it last legs and the driver arrived with only 1/4 tank of petrol. He ended up calling Alex and asking if I would pay the driver up front so that he could fill the mini van with petrol. - no big deal, but as you can see the service was not up to par. I plan on visiting Pattaya again this May and again I sent Alex an e-mail on 6-May-04 requesting transportation. Today as I write this it is 10-May-04 here in the USA and I still have not received a reply from Alex. I sent an e-mail to khrongfa requesting transportation and recieved a reply the next morning. The price for a pvt car is 1205b not including the tip. I will do a follow up on this company and let everyone know how it went. At this time I can no longer give Alex a Thumbs-Up on his service - He needs to rethink how to improve his customer service. His base price is 1500b including toll fees. BobSJ -

A follow up to Steven365 Buying eyeware in Bkk or Pattaya is much more reasonable than back home and from what my daughter tells me - you can purchase a thinner plastic base lense than what can be purchased in the states. It is a plus to bring your own perscription when making a purchase overseas. The only problem I experienced was trying to find a good flex frame. I did not have any luck on my last vacation. Another advantage is the great looking ladies that work in optical shops. BobSJ

My last 2 trips Sept-04 and April-04 I used Alex for my transports. This is only a update on his service. My last 4 transports Alex only transported me once, all the other transports were from his employees or contract drivers? No big deal, but just to let everyone know that he does use other drivers. The only other item I like to bring up is to verify that all toll charges are included with the fare and that the driver will be using the new toll road. At present, the current toll fare is slightly under 200b Currrent Prices: Airport to Bkk = 700b Bkk to Pattaya = 1500b to 1800b depending on the vehicle used Airport to Pattaya = 1500b Honda or Volvo, 1800b-MiniVan if requested. The Volvo gives the best ride and comfort. BobSJ

Sabai Lodge on Soi 2 now has in-room safes and their room rate currently is 950b for a superior room in the old wing. Next month the 950b rate should be around 850b BobSJ

Hello everyone, With the expansion of Sabai-Lodge, does anyone know the current asking rate for their rooms now?? 1. Superior - (Old Wing) 2. New Wing - ( 700's series rooms) I've heard rumors that they have increased their rates again. Thanks, BobSJ

Ramster, Your motorola star-tac will only work if it is a tri-band -(worldphone). I supect that your cell phone is not. You would be better off buying your cell phone in Thailand. If you wish to use your cell phone back in the states, you will then need to buy a tri-band phone which will probably set you back around 3500b for a used one.

I will be in Bkk staying on Soi-4. Anyone interested in sharing a ride from Bkk Soi-4 area to Pattaya. This will be for 4-March-2004 After 1200pm. Thanks, BobSJ

My last trip there was a yellow/Green metered cab with a lovely thai lady as the driver. I was not fast enough to get a ride from her, but she was great looking. I'm hoping that she is still around when I get back in 3-wks. BobSJ

When looking at the exchange rates from various different banks - What you are looking for is what the bank is "Buying Currency" at. It will be the lowest quote. BobSJ

W.Churchhill, Ok, I am interested in your thoughts on the Nana vs Royal Asia. Could you provide more info as to why you prefer the Nana over the Royal Asia Thanks, BobSJ

Stiffler, Many thanks to you and Sunny for your replies. I am looking forward to a nice stay in Bkk. I will be trying out their inhouse massage, I am hoping for a happy ending. Thanks Again, BobSJ

Sunny, Thank you for the reply. The only other questions is the hotel guest friendly - (No Joiner Fees) and how many people will the Tuk-Tuk hold. Also is it much of a walk from the hotel to Sukhumvit Rd? Would you recommend the standard rm or the jr. suite? Thanks again, BobSJ

The only one that comes to mind near the 3-major MP's and Soi-6 would be a Hotel located on Beach Rd @ Soi-2 "The Beach ???" can't remember the exact name.. It is a multi story Hotel next to the Boat House and has balconeys. I have a friend who always stays there and the rooms are a good size with an excellent view of the sea from the upper floors. BobSJ

Hello everyone - Need a little Help I plan on staying at the Royal Asia Lodge in Bkk for a few days and I have not seen any reviews on this place. Does any one have any info or experience staying at the Royal Asia Lodge in Bkk. Thanks in Advance BobSJ

Hello All I also have a Nokia 6610 that I purchased on my last trip to Pattaya at Big-C. I did a lot of homework before I made my purchase only because the last time I made a purchase the sales staff assured me that my mobile would work back home which it did not. It was a dual band only and they said that it was a tri-band. So if you plan on buying a tri-band, read the manual first to make sure what you are getting. I found it easier to buy my mobile in Thailand and use it back home. So far I have not had any problems with my Nokia-6610 back home. For the guy in Sacramento, once your contract is up with your current carrier, stay on with them on a month to month basis and ask other people in your area about the carrier they are using. I live in San Jose and I still do not have a clue who is better. Shop around for the best deal and see if they are willing to sign you up for a one year plan. What ever you decide do not sign up with anyone for their so call "International Plan", You will only be wasting your hard earned money. BobSJ

Hello to all who use NWA - I just wanted to echo what Mark has stated. When it comes to using your FFM, NWA makes it very difficult to use. They force you to use their "Rule Buster Rule" and force you to use double milage just to fly economy class. The best I've been able to do is 90,000 when they post a special. Some special - they still bilk you for another 30,000 instead of the normal 60,000 miles. I've been flying NWA since 1999 and I've only been able to fly Business Class once using my FFM. Their was another time when I paid for my ticket and about a month before I was to leave they ran another special reducing the orginal fare by $126.00. I called their 1-800 number to see if they would send me a voucher for the difference and all I got was the run around from their staff and a lot of excuses as to why they could not make the adjustment. What makes this even worse is that they now combine their flights at NRT. So now the Continetal flight and their other NWA flight out of Seattle or LA can't remember which makes for a very crowed flight. Sorry about the venting here - But NWA has lost a customer in myself and friends for any future flights. BobSJ

Hi, I usually fly NWA and had the same experience of reconfirming. What I did on my last trip was when I was departing from SFO, I asked the agent if they would reconfirm my return trip and seat assignment. I just explained that their was always a language problem when I tried to reconfirm my previous trips (72hr rule) BobSJ