tomcat76

Have used Cebu Pacific a couple of times - no real complaints (compared to other "discount" airlines). 'Haven't tried Tiger Air (yet).

Some proxy/anonymizer services have lots of servers set up around the world in many different countries, the idea being that on any particular day and for any particular session, which one you're bouncing off of is somewhat random. Sri Lanka. Amsterdam. Mumbai. Toronto. Russia. Anywhere. But again, servers keep logs of all their connections, those logs include datetime stamps & the incoming IP address, and the commercial services and ISPs are in many countries required to maintain those logs for some extended period of time in case law enforcement wants to grab them in support of something they think worthy of investigation (and in recent years that's included copyright infringement issues as well as the more serious crimes). As Joe points out, they don't do it because they choose to; they do it because they have to.

It IS possible to anonymize your IP address by going through a proxy server someplace. If you use one of these, then the only IP address they see at the other end of the conversation is the proxy's. There are free and pay anonymizer services. Such services will have to give up your real IP if hit with a subpoena or court order (at which point your service provider will also give YOU up if hit with subpoena/court order), but failing all that, (i.e., assuming you're not trying to do something illegal) the other end of the connection will not be able to tell where you're from - only where the proxy is (and that can even be dynamic, depending on the service).

Hey yeah. That would work.

Yeap - nice example of a compact WAP. 'Looks ideal for travel IF you're going to be using it with a laptop. However, the technical details say it's intended to connect to a laptop via USB for power, and you said you wouldn't have a PC with you. Does the iPad have a powered USB port? (I know the iPod can GET power via its USB connector, but I don't think it can PROVIDE it to another device.) I don't think this WAP comes with an AC adapter, which I think you'll need.

I think you're going to need to carry a compact WAP (google "compact wireless routers", or just pay a quick visit to Best Buy or Fry's) device with you if the hotel doesn't have wireless internet. You can do the configuration and test connectivity at home on both the WAP and the iPad before you leave. It's not rocket science - most WAPs these days have quick setup wizards and workable default settings that're fine if you don't need special bells & whistles. Make sure you TEST the connectivity at home to make sure it's all working. The WAP is a good idea anyway since it provides a significant degree of protection for your end device. (Most WAPs come with DHCP configured by default on the internet/wired interface which allows the WAP to pull its IP address from the host LAN without you're needing to know what it is or configure it. When you're doing the at-home configuration, don't mess with that, or if you DO need to configure it, just be sure it's set for DHCP or automated IP address on the internet interface.)

I've never gotten over my incredulity at the formation of the EU in the 1st place. The 13 colonies HAD to get together or the revolution would've never gotten off the ground, and even at that it was extraordinarily contentious, but the EU countries just did out of a sense it'd make them a more influential economic/trading block. Centralization of political power always seems to lead to back-breaking (or maybe I should say bank-breaking) abuse.

Yeah - I didn't think the departure card was actually for anybody but immigration on the way out. I used to fill it on along with the arrival card, but don't bother with it anymore (until getting ready for outbound immigration). I now think the ONLY folks that care about your having a return booking is the airline when checking in for the flight to Thailand (because they have some sort of responsibility for your backhaul - adequately addressed elsewhere here in the forums).

Oh, I don't know, the little kids playing with one (pic at the link) seemed to be having a pretty good time with it. (Kidding - I wouldn't have stuck around long enough to even KNOW what color it was! Snakes - yuk.)

This what you saw?

I wasn't even able to accomplish the membership. I emailed them about it, and I must admit they responded promptly and were apologetic and otherwise professional about it, so I made a reservation and got a prompt confirmation (via email). I'll be arriving fairly early in the morning, so I'm actually not going to be in a big hurry to get to Pattaya, but it is nice to know I have something definite. I've used the bus from Suvarnabhumi in the past, and it was cheap and dependable, but it drops you off on Sukhumvit, and then you then have to negotiate a ride with one of the baht bus guys - I'll probably not be spending that much more for this overall and getting dropped right at my hotel (even if it were just close I wouldn't care - I travel light).

After I booked my flight at their website, not having had any opportunity to choose a seat, I just called them and did it verbally. The lady I spoke to was nice & handled it in just a couple of minutes. I then checked my booking online later to make sure the request "took" (it had). So I don't think you can do it yourself, but they will cheerfully handle it for you on the phone.

Dr. No

Houdini

Some Like It Hot

Win7: Use Windows-key to open Start Menu. Start menu: Use keyboard cursor keys to navigate to Control Panel (hit Enter key to select) Control Panel: Use keyboard cursor keys (again) to select 'Personalization' (hit Enter) Personalization page: Use TAB key to switch between the different areas of the page and get the focus in the lefthand navigation bar (i.e., watch carefully until something in that bar is selected) " Use the keyboard cursor keys to select 'Ease of Access Center' (Enter) EOA Center Use keyboard cursor & Enter keys to select appropriate options & settings

Illegal, eh? And your point is?

That does sound cheap. Have you taken any yet?

I noticed the form is using PHP scripting. All I know about PHP is that it's a language for developing server-side scripts. I'm not knowledgeable of PHP, but I THINK it can be used with encryption. But lacking any evidence of security, I wouldn't even consider providing PII or credit card info over HTTP. Seeing that they're not using HTTPS, you have to wonder how secure the server they're using is in the first place... Even supposing your cc info gets there without being intercepted, what are the chances that the server, where all your data winds up (and gets stored?), gets compromised (or has been already!)? Can't you go through Agoda or some other hotel booking site?

In over 20yrs, arriving during the midnight rush in most of them, it's never really taken me all that long to get through immigration inbound. I DID wish I'd used the service for a departure last January when the outbound lines were severely backed-up and wrapped about halfway around the entire check-in counter area. People were begging to cut the line in order to make their flights (and with good reason).

Their website is f_d-up - 'submit' buttons don't work ('have to sign up and be a "member" in order to make a reservation).. If they can't put up a decent website, I'm not sure I trust them as a source of transportation...

Err, emm, oops - I meant wifi providers... WIFE providers are a whole different story!

Many years I've tried to make reservations online, been told they have nothing available, and then get there and check at the desk personally to find they DO have rooms (usually at a higher price than the ones seen during the online searching). I have little doubt the story would end the same this year, but have decided to just stay elsewhere. Always kind of liked the place, but was never THAT attached to it.

Since this is apparently a new type of establishment in Pattaya, "after-action" & pics should be very helpful...

'Not sure whether this will persuade anyone one way or the other concerning the use of free wife providers, but for what it's worth...