Butch

What did you think of the A380 Thai service Marleyboy?.

It's been in Manila for a while now and is very popular and some say even safer than the regular Taxis, but that's open to debate. It does offer a decent saving, as pretty much all the taxis I've used in Manila have had dodgy meters. It is very easy to use though, and as you say MM it offers a price guide and as many Taxis in Metro manila really don't like straying outside the CBD, it saves us getting 2 or 3 different cabs to get from Makati to deepest darkest Cavite. It seems to work better in the bigger cities due to higher numbers of drivers, but for anyone travelling to Manila then

I think that over the years I've seen every episode about 5 times, a majority of which in the Pig and Whistle. Interestingly there was a piece in a tabloid today about a "Final Episode" of Only Fools, to tie up all the loose ends of the characters, but the early passing of John Sullivan meant that the script never got finished.

Man in the high castle is another one similar to SS-GB isn't it? A dystopian future of the UK under Nazi rule. I've heard mixed reviews about it, but it's one I'll put on my list.

Hi MLC I saw some of Deutschland 83 which I enjoyed but it did get slightly boring as it went on, I jumped ship after the fourth episode. The music alone was pretty good though, brought back some memories!. +1 for Better Call Saul , I really enjoyed it, but season 3 seems to be taking forever to turn up, especially after the great final season episode and ending. I watched the latest episode of TWD and was massively disappointed, not even good enough to be a "filler" episode. Awful acting from the leader of the new group which has been introduced, just a really, really bad episode.

MLC what are your thoughts on Legion , worth a look?.

DHL. Speak to your local depot in your location, they have an office in Pattaya. For the sake of $25 over registered which is probably a few beers and a takeaway Pizza, it really does offer more peace of mind.

I agree Atlas, it actually gives a historical insight into how London really was back then. A good friend (and BM) is often eager to point out to me that the diet of the poor in London of that time was Gin and Oysters!. I suspect he can remember those days as well!. I'll have a scout around the local bookshops for a copy for you, I tend to spend a fair bit of time in them and they do have some eclectic and rare books at times.

Well I've just binge-watched 5 episodes of "Taboo", and it's like Dickens with attitude!. Tom Hardy does ham it up a little bit, but as a menacing and dark character he is excellent. Seems to be a few GOT actors here, noteably the previous "High Sparrow" and also the utterly lovely Oona Chaplin (Talisa Stark) and her on screen husband also had a smaller role in GOT. It's dark, moody and well produced , well worth a look. I also watched the first episode of SS-GB, a BBC adaptation of the Len Deighton novel. Again, not bad but the characters seem to mumble a bit, plus although I read the

As we have to wait what seems like an eternity for the return of Westworld (which I'm currently re watching and enjoying even more second time around), plus the last GOT season seemed to be too short and I've pretty much forgotten everything about it apart from Daenerys Targaryen's tits, maybe we need some suggestions to fill the entertainment void in our lives. The Walking Dead (TWD) made a welcome return this week, and in line with MM's fair policy of no spoilers, I'm not going to say anything apart from it was a very good mid season opening. Another new series hit UK screen this wee

There is a pick up option from the Post Office on Soi 13/2 (Next to Yamato) but I have no idea how to arrange it, and DHL do offer a "pick up" option from their offices (or at least have done in past years, but I have not used them in ages) which you will have to coordinate with the office from which you send it from. Basically you instruct them of the recipients details, send the package and they contact the consignee when it is available for collection. DHL can also deliver to premises without regular postal collection as well. Again , coordinate this with the local office. DHL while

Yep that's the better service, in fact the girl on the front page picture is the one that met me last trip!. Anyone reading my post, ignore my link as that service is more expensive, yours is much better GP. good find mate.

Good stuff fellas and thanks. They're currently coming in at less than 50% of what Cathay are and as I might be buying 3 tickets, that is a massive saving. We've used Cathay for years and years but their price point is becoming ridiculous now and has gone from being a premium to a disproportionate cost when compared to others. Emirates might be an option, I've used them before as well and don't mind them at all, but DXB is a bloody faff when transiting.

Hi Has anyone had any experience with them, either to and from BKK or elsewhere?. I'm probably going to be using them to MNL later this year as the fare is cracking and I'm a tightwad.

I have to agree, a day or two in bangkok with a girl as a guide looking at the rich culture the City has to offer. Lumpini Park is great, a few statues, some History and a nice venue for a picnic, then maybe watch a Muay Thai match in the Stadium. River boat tour (boring though) and the reclining buddah, palace etc etc. You can easily lose 2 or 3 days soaking up all Bangkok has to offer. Bus into Morchit, have a round robin on the Skytrain and go from there. Actually, while I've got you on the hook Evil, are there restaurants would you recommend Kratos (and me) in Bangkok?.

You could try cocktails at the Hilton, sitting on one of the comfy sofas watching the sunset, alone or in company. Not cheap cocktails though. Same goes for the buffet at the top, I've only done it once a while ago so someone here might be able to expand upon that. Mantra brunch again, not cheap but a good feed especially with the free flow wine option. Cabbages and Condoms evening meal in one of the good seats looking out to sea. One of the many Thai cooking schools in town. I'm lucky because my cooking teacher is arguably one of the finest! Depending upon your level of fitnes

I always fast track now regardless GP. Ever since it took me 55 mins to get through immigration once and then we hit the traffic coming out of BKK one Friday night, I've used it. I have never contacted them because I am fortunate enough to have a friend who arranges it all that end when I ask him to, however I think the website from outside LOS is this: https://www.limousine.in.th/fast-track-immigration.html Apologies if it is the wrong one, it is merely the result of a simple google search.

Good stuff chaps, thanks. Early check in is maybe a necessary evil, but for the sake of a few hundred baht it's not really a deal breaker, especially if I'm saving 200 quid over the next cheapest fare. The evening Thai flight for the same dates is 80 quid more, but the early flight will work a lot better for me on this occasion should I avail of it. Besides, Hotel rates in July are not too horrific.

Hi Watching Flightradar24, I counted 14 flights heading into Swampy between 0500 and 0630. That's over 3500 pax , possibly even 4000 if each flight is full (777's and A380's). Not ideal if your plane at the back of the queue. Has anyone had the misfortune to arrive at this time of the morning, the reason I ask is that the midday flight from LHR might be on the cards for me in the future, and while I will fast track through immigration, which isn't really an issue, that's an awful lot of people coming in in one hit I wondered how the traffic and how busy the arrival hall gets at that time.

I think he will get or apply for one in due course Jacko. Even if he doesn't he can lay the "ground work" (ID, deposit for room if needed) and as Bullfrog suggested, pick one guest house or bar and use that as an overnight base. Chances are it'll take just an email or call to book the room after that. We're going for a pint tonight so will have a chat about the replies here. He's not a Pattaya newbie, but like many of us I expect as soon as we step foot beyond third road it seems like "no mans land". Actually it seems fairly simple, rather than run the risks of travelling in the small

Yep, we discussed this, and it is actually an option, for example he could probably get a deal with a Chaiyapoon / Bukhao / Lengkee guest house for a few hundred baht per night, leave the scooter there, shower and return home in the late morning. It makes decent sense to me. I know some hotels ask for passports, but I wouldn't have thought a cheap guest house would?. There are some good options here, thanks fellas.

Hi, I've been asked by a friend if it's relatively easier these days to get from the darkside back to central and vice versa, but mostly how hard is it during the wee hours?. I told him honestly that I'm not 100% sure an MC Taxi will understand where he means (unless the address is written in Thai - even then it's hit and miss) or even be prepared to go that way , and private hire Baht bus or even local Taxi might be a safer option. He's on about renting a villa, long term, near the Lake. MC Taxis are fine for the local 5 minute trips, but I would probably shit myself crossing Sukhumvit o

+1 and Thanks nkped, I'll make a note of that. Tips like that can make all the difference during a stay. I always ask for rooms away from the lifts when I stay at the Sabai purely for the security / noise aspect.

As for Work Permit dodgers, I would imagine that immigration or whoever investigates this kind of thing is more interested in an easy snatch like catching any given farang "bar owner" / burmese construction worker/ Russian or African "tour guide" (of which there are loads on WS) instead of having to prove something that is behind a username, in the public domain and open to interpretation.

Lol that's a first world problem right there. Good to hear it's had some renovation. Any suggestions as to which is the better floor or area to ask for?. I might also consider using the RG again in my future trips. Last time I stayed there would have been around 02/03. I did actually like it there for the accessibility to Jomtien & never found it a problem getting home on a baht bus or motorsomchai. I also had a few stays at Mr Mac's just up the road, which is an ideal budget hotel.