Prakanong

I have been upgraded about 5+ times on Thai now - all returning to Europe and never out. When going out I use my airmiles or the vouchers we received two years ago or birthday upgrades for Gold Card members. I was upgraded once on a Silver Thai ROP card but I think that was exceptional due to Thai offloading many passengers on the Saturday flights to get a Thai sports team to Europe - I flew on the Monday and they were still playing catch-up so putting the higher tier members up a grade to release economy seats for the delayed. The Gold Card upgrades are different and they seem to ask the supervisor a lot more often. As an example in my last 4 flights September 05 - upgraded to Biz as I was missing my connecting flight in Europe due to a 45 minute delay - the upgrade was to say sorry Nov 05 - no upgrade and nothing said Jan 06 - no aisle seat so check in staff asked supervisor but last seat in Biz gone - I smiled and thanked her for trying Mar 06 - I asked if I could pay for an upgrade and she said , "No need to go to ticket office I will upgrade you here" I have had pretty good luck with upgrades and what with airmiles, vouchers and re-newing Gold I am in Biz quite a bit but I might just be coming to an end of Gold status in Sept 08 after the next 2 year renewal. As for all the other tips I have heard nobody has convinced me yet they have worked - the only other guy I know who it works for a lot is an Embassy guy with a Diplomatic passport and up from Biz to First The highest level loyalty card is the best according to all the sources I have read.

Rodeeo Are you sure its 50% to upgrade and not 50% off the cost in airmiles of a free ticket? I thought it was 50% off the cost of an upgrade but when I checked it was the cost of a free flight. ie it is 32,000 instead of 65000 for a free Economy from LHR,MUC,FRA,CDG

I stay at the Sabai Wing and can reccomend the place. As said above the staff are attentive and excellent. Some even came to my wifes hen night and they bought us a present.

I stayed at the Baan Chiang last year a couple of times. I was paying 1300THB a night but it was booked by a local Thai which can sometimes push up the price (yes Thai's can get the double pricing) Definately guest friendly with pool and gym etc - good wine cellar

Hi Get the DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Polio Booster Twinrix (Hep A and shots at day 0, month 1 and month 3 but even if you have only two before you go you will be over 90% covered (you never get to 100% anyway) Owen raises some interesting points and indeed differetn studies have different results. It is generally accepted the Hep A is for life now but previously it was thought only 10 years. It can not be stated specifically though as one study in a certain sample seems to show differently but it is thought that is down to bad study design or execution - there are other studies which obvioulsy have to be long term to get over the 10 years etc that look likely to prove the lifetime cover.

LOL I have never heard of the smelly pussy one. My wifes pussy smells just fine and she is addicted to the stuff ;-) The parasires are easy to get rid of but most of them do not know anything about it. Not wanting to put anyone off but intestinal worms are pretty big in Thailand ;-) Just look at how many boxes of worming tablets phamacists sell - dark blue box with pics of various worms on them. A course of Flagyl is a good idea after a stay in Thailand

When I was in Pattaya 5 weeks ago it was either Big C or Carerefour where I saw a DVD player for 1250THB By one and give it to the girl at the end of the trip.

I am pretty certain you can get a nurse from one of the hospitals to attend to you as an outcall. This is certainly available in Bangkok.

Som Tam Puu (the one with the raw crab) can be very bad for parasites that are in the crab causing liver problems in a fair % of the population up in Isaan. Thailand has a very high % of liver disease but the lliver fluke / parasite is easily cured but not many get treatment for it. The fermented fish (Pla Raa)is also a source of the liver flukes esp in the North East and Laos - the following is info from a site about Laos but given the similarities in the diet with Isaan it is relevant "The tendency to eat fish raw or partly preserved, predisposes the Lao people to parasitic disease such as liver flukes. Whilst little information is currently available, indications from preliminary surveys suggest widespread infection from liver flukes. This may be exacerbated by the lack of latrines and capture of fish from rice paddies and ponds in rural areas." This report is a bit old from Mahidol which if not the best medical school in Thailand it is in the top 2 and the best for tropical medicine http://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/en/annual/tmnutri97.htm Som Tum, Pla Ra and Liver Flukes

Cheers for the straight answers and even the sarcy ones were slightly funnier than some of the other boards. Two days till I fly and as for holidays in the UK this will be my third trip to Thailand since June without going backto the UK

Hi I am back in Pattaya next week and am in desparate need of a good indian place who has curry's like we have back in the UK. I live out of the UK now and its 5 months since I was back so need a good curry. I can get excellent Indian food where I am buts its good stuff wheras I have a desire for the common or garden English variety ;-)