TheFiend

Well, I booked my September flights and, thanks to me logging in before searching my flights, Qatar were kind enough to email me a 5% discount voucher code whilst I was searching....

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!!!!

The perpetrator downvoted twice..... so not fat fingers!!!!

Phrae province is just north of Uttaradit...

It's what the app on my mobile was showing. Also bear in mind that Pattaya is on the coast, whereas Uttaradit is inland. Have just seen a facebook post showing it hit 43 DegC up there Monday afternoon. Up until 2016 Uttaradit held the record for the highest recorded temperature in Thailand @ 44.5 DegC (April 1960), until 2016 when Mae Hong Son recorded 44.6 DegC. I've experienced the temperature difference myself when I make trips down to Pattaya from up north.

You think that's brutal.... just been checking Uttaradit where I'm are heading in 3 weeks time.... it's 5 degrees hotter than Pattaya!!! And forecast to be hitting 40 degrees all next week...... Have been there when it hit 45 Degrees a few years ago Hope it's not that hot in 3 weeks time!!!

I've had both good and bad experiences booking through agents, but unfortunately the last issue I had with an agent with regards to dealing with a refund for a flight cancelled by an airline and moved the booking to another totally unsuitable flight left a sour taste.... The agent was of no help in chasing up the refund, so never got the refund. Dealing directly with airlines I've never had a problem that hasn't been sorted, including refunds and flight changes.

I landed on an Emirates flight the day the protest had kicked off..... Had no problems getting down to Pattaya and the it wasn't until going to Cherry Bar and Adam asking me when I got there did I find out about the airport had been closed by the protestors!!! I believe the Emirates flight was one of the last ones to land. Was on a 4 week long trip and the protest was over before I flew home, but met a few who were stuck in Thailand and having difficulty getting a flight home.

It's not reverse thrusters.... it's just the way the engine casings have been painted....

Happy Burpday Adam!!!!

In 15 years of driving on Thai roads I've been pulled in by the cops a grand total of one time. Every time we go through the police check points I always get waved through as soon as they see falang driving the car.