TheFiend

The departure times for the cheaper Qatar flight options aren't ideal for us due to our connection in Bangkok,and also I don't book the lowest fare bracket for the flights coming back cos I know we'll have 30Kg in each suitcase. I also like pre-booking seats, so even at the lower fare level it adds on to the cost. Been flying with Qatar for 10 years now and more than happy to stick with them, especially with the frequent flyer perks we get.

Congrats on the 20 years.... And it was great meeting and enjoying a drink with the legendary Monkeyman at Cherry Bar!!!

I'm currently thinking of booking a 3 week trip flying out to Thailand on 26th September and MAN-BKK currently about £900 return with Qatar for my dates, and that's with 25KG going and 30KG coming back....

I flew with Qatar Airways MAN-DOH-BKK on 11th April and then BKK-DOH-MAN on 2nd May and on all 4 flights there wasn't many empty seats, but they were running fewer flights which probably caused the higher load factors.

When I'm in Thailand I use my mobile phone as a hotspot for WiFi..... Works good enough to watch streamed HD TV.... I have an AIS SIM and when we land I get a month unlimited data plan from the AIS booth at the airport..... Perhaps just buy a cheap 5G mobile and use it as a hotspot in your condo.

The reason I initially booked it was because it was sort of midway between my favourite GC and Soi Diana/LK Metro. But, after thinking about it, the shorter drunken stagger back to Soi Honey from Soi Diana played a big role in me picking the place on Soi Honey.

I booked a room there once but ended up cancelling and booked a place on Soi Honey instead....

Wow, business must be bad if Indian tailors have taken to spamming Pattaya forums!!!

I'm Silver status with Qatar Airlines and get lounge access at MAN, the Silver lounge at DOH and Miracle lounge at BKK....Another perk with my status is priority check-in, can use the priority line through security at MAN and priority boarding on all the flights.... One advantage of sticking with one airline is the frequent flyer programs and it's perks...... I use the air-miles balance to get discounts our flight costs by using the cash+miles option.

To convert Mrs Fiends ILR to a No Time Limit eVisa was a simple process, the application was done online and required a scan of her passport and ILR vignette. It also required her having her biometrics done which required us to travel over to Newcastle..... Once that was completed it took 3 months for it to get processed!!!

I'm another one that will be arriving in Thailand before it comes in.... When we return to the UK from our trip it'll be Mrs Fiends first time travelling on her eVisa for the UK, which is supposed to remove the need for her to carry her old passport that has her ILR in it....

I hate Songkran and on the occasions where I've been in Thailand for Songkran I've avoided being in Pattaya for it...... This year I've booked to arrive on the 20th April, so I've manage to avoid it again!!! Next year planning on being in Thailand for Songkran but will be up north and trying to avoid getting wet!!!

So did you find alternative accomodation?

There's plenty, not all bars play nightclub rubbish.

I had come to my senses and realised I was crap at it and wasn't going to enter a team this time......... but in a moment of madness I did!!! Looking forward to another mediocre score and being bottom of the league again!!!!