anonsailor

In a single word "Tariff", each country sets the tariff for such things. Thailand's tariff structure is most likely high, similar to Canada, which is near 100%

Here's another thought, not sure about Thailand, but in the Philippines, DNA testing will not help you as they tend to ignore the results, it was one of the points of contention during the base renewal talks.

looks like they are catering to the new Asians with money crowd...

I think Owen has a nice accounting of costs, but I do wonder if that is really taken into account fully, as I see far too many "retired" guys in LOS with limited means and a lousy health outlook. I can think of at least one individual I know that is in LOS on a "retirement" visa, but I note that he leaves the country every 90 days or so and returns after 90 days...hmmmm Again, back to my point of means...if you can not afford to leave your medical (and other) benefits in you home country, it's not worth the risk for going to a country where you WILL drop down on the health scale as a result. I see far too many retirees siting at open bars at 9-10 AM and leaving late in the day...this is NOT a privilege of retirement or "part of LOS experience..", it's an abuse of ones health status...

My sister and her husband had looked into retiring in Costa Rica, but due to her husband's declining health (read self-inflicted here), they are looking to stay in the US, the underlying theme here is STAY in good health, most of the stuff I read on the board here are mostly self-inflicted health issues, left's start with being grossly overweight, smoking, and far too much drinking (read I start at 10 AM and stagger home about 6 PM)...or as one board member here made the excuse of..."part of the LOS experience", in reference to drinking until passed out! Guys, grow up! That's why the Thais have changed the visa rules, too remove just this sort of problem, now look at the total impact on all involved and tell me the Thai government is wrong on this front...

You're quite welcome!

If it is an A340, get the window side seats as they are only 2 up, if you are taking a B747, ask for seats 59+ A or B, starting at row 59 back to about 68 they are two up only. If you are not a Dynasty Gold card member, you can pick your seats only within 24 hours and then from the web site, when you book your ticket on the CA site, ask for window/aisle at that time. If you are planning on traveling a lot on CA, sign up for the flight miles program, well worth it. The airport in Taipei as a lounge with a shower, always nice after a long flight.

Nice place, family and foreigner oriented, NOT BG friendly, in fact BG hostile

Yep, true but Dells are he one's virtually exploding, not just catching on fire...Apple recalled the CG Chem batteries in a number of PowerBook 12" and 15" for a SUSPECTED problem and then only as a precaution to the Dell issues. Dell ignored the problem for months until someone pointed out they a liability problem at hand... quit picking up free lancers...

and the batteries are on fire...Hmmmmm!

My choice would be a Apple MacBook Pro or MacBook, I prefer and use the MacBook Pro 15", I'm using it on the road, gave my company PC back as the thing weights far too much, mostly from all the bits and pieces required. On the MacBook Pro I carry it in an Oakley vertical style bag with the small power brick, Bluetooth mouse, and a small portable 100 Gb firewire hard drive...the unit is very thin with a large screen...work fine lasts a long time...better better life than my company supplied PC. I'm running Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Apple Aperture (photo management app).

CI is just following the rules...unlike most US carriers which allow you to carry-on your car

Interesting, I got the same flight for a total of $713 late May also.

The EVA fare you saw does not include taxes, which when added makes it a $765 fare

try www.cheaptickets.com and then cross check the low fare airlines on their own site. I did this for a flight in May, got a $150 savings by going direct to the airline site (China Air).