dennismoore

Cheshire Tom's quote was from an article in the Bangkok Post on 20th June. Another article appeared on 26th June: THAI board to decide future of Nok Air Thai Airways International will decide the future of its loss-ridden low-cost airline Nok Air today, but will not increase its holding, THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said yesterday. At the same time, a Nok Air executive said the airline will not stop flying. Mr Apinan said the airline will be officially informed of today's decision at a Nok Air board meeting on July 4. THAI has a 39% stake in Nok Air, which has been hard hit by rising fuel costs and falling traffic. Some estimate the airline's losses at over one billion baht. However, Nok Air executive vice-president Sehapan Chumsai denied the accumulated loss is that high. The airline will keep flying, he said. Services and ticket sales will continue as normal. He said Nok Air management had tried to adjust the airline's operations to cope with rising fuel prices, as had other airlines. Nok Air had suffered losses only during the last four to five months. The airline would be able turn its business around eventually, he said. See http://www.bangkokpost.net/260608_News/26Jun2008_news10.php Like Cheshire Tom says, on friday 4 July THAI will advise NokAir about their future.. Maybe NokAir will continue to fly, maybe they will cease operation after October, maybe they will reduce the number of flight to/ from certain destinations, maybe they'll stop flying tomorrow. How knows! Maybe friday we'll know more. Maybe.... too many maybe's..

At the current rate (euro/ dollar) I consider that ($ 1300) a bargain too, considering you Americans have to fly across half the globe (even more than we Europeans). I come to Thailand twice a year (february/ march and september). 3 years ago a ticket was about 700 euro incl. tax. In february 2008 is was about 900 euro and when I looked at the price for next winter it's almost impossible to get anything cheaper than 1000 euro unless you've booked already. So I booked yesterday with Emirates for 820 euro, which was (apart from EVA Air) by far the cheapest fare I can find. Emirates is more flexibel with the conditions (being permitted to change date, cancel (all at a charge ofcourse)) Fuel surcharges and local taxes have made flying more expensive. Last year I flew China Airlines and paid 175 euro in taxes and surcharges. Now it is 350 euro!! So if you ask whether to book now or later, BOOK NOW! Like said before by others, prices will go up and will not come down in the next months (or even years)!!

Swan 4 (down Soi Nana) 800 baht. Nice cheap hotel, a little of walking is required (10 min.) or you can take motorbike taxi (20 baht) to Suk. Honey House soi 22; Honey House Inn 690 baht ("standard room"), Honey House Hotel (further down Soi 22 near the school) has bigger rooms ("superior") for 890 baht and up.

I've flown China Airlines several times. Better than KLM, same as EVA Air (those airlines fly AMS - BKK too). China Airlines' departure and arrival times are much better than EVA though. Service on board is very good, same same the meal(s). But truth be told: It is declining (at least in economy)! Just little things like the pre mail hot towel, the welcome drink (orange juice). No big thing. Amsterdam Airport is pretty good; good duty free, seveval restaurants and good lay out overall. You're never far from your gate. Never had problems with China Airlines departing from BKK. Yes, they're always late (by about 15 - 30 minutes) but make up during flight, so you arrive in Amsterdam on time. I would recommend China Airlines, but mainly because their price is good.

If booked through Sawadee (www.sawadee.com) the prices are (valid until 1 november 2008): 1050 baht for standard room 1250 baht for superior room Although there are many good hotels in Pattaya, at these rates I wouldn't even consider another hotel. Areca Lodge has, as mentioned before, 2 nice pools, location is good, good, clean spacious rooms and it's well managed and it is girlfriendly. It is, as you might have guessed, my choice of hotel when staying in Pattaya.

Stayed in Areca twice so far and aldeady booked for Feb. 08. Really nice hotel indeed. Overpopulated with middle aged Farangs? No, not as far as I'm concerned. Yep, there are some, but only a few. I would estimate al least 70 to 80 percent are man who are in Pattaya for sex. If "the look" or "walk of shame" is bordering you, there are many, many restaurants nearby where you can enjoy your breakfast, lunch of dinner. Anyway, hotel is recommended!

There is a AIS outlet at the (new) airport. Hopefully I remembered it well if I say it's on the arrival floor. It's next to the DTAC-outlet :-). Otherwise, go to Pantip or MBK and you'll surely find what you're looking for....

BKK: Royal Asia Lodge: Not quality, but good location (at the end of soi 8), close to Lolita's, NEP and Soi Cowboy (all within walking distance). Large, clean rooms, but outdated. No breakfast. Girlfriendly. Roomrate @ 1300 (www.sawadee.com) I support Jackjones' choice: Centre Point Petchburi: Will need taxi to Suk (50 - 60 baht), but location is good and hotel is absolutely fantastic. Great pool, great breakfast, girlfriendly. At 2085 baht (http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/bangkok/centre_point_service_apartment_petchburi.html) just over your budget, but please reconsider! My choice when staying in BKK. Rooms als spacious (46 m3), kingsize bed, balcony, in-room internet (LAN, no wifi. Wifi only in hotel lobby), TV, DVD, Radio + CD.

Today's Bangkok Post reports that THAI has decided to continue the non-stop flights to BKK from NY and La http://www.bangkokpost.net/Business/27Mar2007_biz39.php

He's sending his orders to InterActive Brokers. He uses Amibroker for his trades. My friend says he needs to download a lot of (real time) data from eSignal. He sends his orders 1 hour after the NYSE opens and buy his trades then. His system uses "stoporders" (??), which are sent later in the day. I'm not really familair with Amibroker, eSignal nor Interactive Brokers, but he always stresses a good and fast internet connection is a must.

Hi all! A friend of mine plans on staying in Pattaya in september. He needs a high speed internet connection in order to send his orders to his stock broker. Many condo's for rent offer 1024/ 512 (down/ up) internet access, but he rather has something quicker than that. Maybe 4096/1024 but not sure if that possible in Pattaya. Anyone know a View Talay-like condo with good, fast, reliable internet? Much appriciated!

Ok, didn't fly with them from US, but from Amsterdam, but it's same company and same aircrafts... Wasn't impresses at all. Can't comment on US carriers, but compared to KLM they weren't as good as others claim. Seatpitch is 32 inches in economy (KLM has 31 inch), but seats were old and not comfortable. The thingy you can put your feet on during flight was a nightmare in both up and down position, really making it impossible to find the right position to sit comfortable in your chair. Service level is good. Better than farang crew. But hey, I rather sit comfortable for 12 hours than having a girl smile at me while giving me my meal (which is twice during the flight). Also the departure and arrival times of China Air are not perfect (at least in my situation).

I agree prices have gone up, or at least the number of seat for the "cheap" tickets has come down. I just booked a 670 euro ticket (incl. all taxes, surcharges etc) with THAI, departing Frankfurt (germany). THAI has 2 scheduled daily flights to and from Frankfurt. I think it's a good deal. KLM also have 650 euro tickets (departing Amsterdam). I think you can still get some good deals with China Airlines, EVA and Thai

Areca Lodge "official" rate is 1150 baht for standard room (which is basicly same as superior room, but without the coffee/ tea making facilities). I stayed in Areca mid february and can only recommend this hotel! Absolutly well managed, nice pools, good breakfast buffet (although restaurant can get a bit crowded around 9 am), nice staff. At 1000 baht/ night (incl. all taxes and breakfast) a no-brainer for me: BOOK! I did so for my upcoming september visit to Pattaya. Also no problem with bringing guests. Guest has to leave ID at front desk, you sign voucher/ waiver, guest presents voucher when leaving and gets ID card back. No charge, no hassle. Rooms are spacious, everything works well, good tv reception, in room safe. location close to 2nd Road and Beach Road. Even on Soi Diana and Soi LK there are beerbars en gogo bars.

I requested 2 rooms for a short stay in february 2007. Areca Lodge responded within 24 hours, confirming my booking and requesting 6000 baht deposit (3000 baht/ room). Room rate 1090 baht per night, incl. breakfast. Initially tried to book Flipper Lodge, but they claimed to be full. Could be true since my stay in Pattaya is during the Chinese New Year and I guess that will be high season for Pattaya (and Bangkok etc.).

My question (to them) was if I could bring guests and if so, if they charged extra for (overnight) guest..... The answer was "to contact the receptionist first"...

Ok, so it's not in Pattaya, but since (most of us) all stay in BKK as well on our trips to LOS: Anyone ever stayed in House by the Pond on Soi 22? What's the overall impression? ?It looks good to me on their website, but 2500 baht/ night for a 2-bedroom serviced appartment sounds a bit too good to be true... Or is it a real bargain? I emailed them about bringing guest and their answer wasn't really helpful. So is it guestfriendly or not? Tnkx! Dennis

Hi, Which hotel in Pattaya offers in-room wifi internet?? Very important to me 'cause I've to go on the internet everyday. Internetcafe's won't do! I prefer wifi, but eventually a normal highspeed internetconnection will do as well (but again no internetcafe!)

Just read this in my morningpaper: "Anna Kournikova will play a match with thai tennisplayer Tamarine Tanasugarn in November to promote the city of Pattaya. Anna can also be seen in the video "Unseen Thailand", that will show the viewer less known places in and around Pattaya" Don't you just love Pattaya? And Anna ofcourse!! [smiley=1luvu.gif] Cool man, guess where I'll be in November...

Hi all, My travelagent has offered me a good package deal (flight, 2 nites BKK hotel, tours, transfers and 10 days in Pattaya). The hotel in Pattaya (actually Jomtien) is the Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel. Gathered some info on the internet; pictures look nice. BUT: Has any FLB-member actually stayed here? Is it guestfriendly? How's the hotel overall?

Flew KLM on several occasion to USA. No problems, friendly staff, food ok etc. "Second class citizen"?? Come on! The Time Thing: If you live in Amsterdam, Rotterdam of The Hague ("Randstad"), then the evening flight leaves you hanging around all day. But it gives you time to pack your suitcase of go to a cinema or whatever. If you, like many, don't live in the "Randstad"-area, you have to get up in the middle of the night to catch the 12.25 Eva flight (check in 2 to 3 hours before departure). Also, EVA arrives in BKK at 5.00 in the morning! You wanna be in Pattaya at 7 am? I agree departure and arrival time of China is best of all. Also KLM is, at least in Holland, much more expensive than China or EVA. For me, living close to German border, I fly Emirates from Dusseldorf to BKK for only 472 euro (incl. Tax) (337 pound sterling). Amsterdam Schiphol Airport or Dusseldorf is same distance, so i save at least 200 euro by flying Emirates. 1 negative thing; 4 hrs. stopover in Dubai, but i don't care about that.

Despite SARS, airlines in Europe don't seem to be lowering their prices Found this deal from Austrian Airlines; Amsterdam - Bangkok (via Vienna) for just € 499 + tax Austrian flies a Boeing 777 on the Vienna - BKK leg of the trip. Also good departure and arrivaltimes.

Jimmybb, Thanks for this update! Last June when I was staying there, there weren't much guests staying at the Promenade Hotel. Still the lady from reception couldn't remember me and the room I was staying in (maybe all Farang look the same to her). I was with the same TG all the time. I stayed there 5 nights. It was obvious that once the Promenade must have been a decent place to stay. Maybe even 4-star hotel. Think it was part of Best Western. My opinion is that the rooms need some new carpets, new bathroom, new TV, new beds. Well, just about everything. Stayed in Pattaya Apex after that and was much more happier with the Apex. I like the Promenade's location; just off Sukhumvit in quiet soi, beergarden nearby and a short pleasant walk to BTS and NEP

Hi all, Stayed at Promenade last June (see my review in the hotel section on this website). Sorry, but I didn't like the Promenade; rundown, staff didn't care much about their guest etc. Stable Lodge looked better on the outside, but I only ate there once. I agree the beergarden on Soi 8 is very good and reasonably prices. Maybe the Promenade has undergone an upgrade? Can anyone give me un update on the rooms? Is everything working, are the sheets clean etc. One good thing about Promenade: Cleaning staff was nice and good.

Hi Pete, I have a problem with some videos from the FLB video section in the member area. Normally no problem, but I downloaded the staff's trip to Koh Chang (?)-video and I got flickering green bars on my screen. Any idea how to solve this? I'm using MS Media player 7.1. Thanks! Dennis