TheFiend

TG have already announced their 6 A346's are being retired by the end of March and their 747's are meant to be going by June as they rationalise their fleet. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/National-airline-to-downsize-and-reduce-routes-30252743.html TG are also rationalising their flight schedule and LHR is dropping down from 2 to 1 daily flight, hence the move to an A380

A successful visa application is usually down to the quality of supporting evidence submitted with the application, not because of the efforts of these so called visa agents.. Most of the work in a visa application is providing the evidence and appropriate documents, which you have to do, not the agent, after that it is simply a case of completing the application form and submitting it. I did Mrs Fiends spouse visa, and also her Indefinite Leave to Remain visa after she had been in the UK for 2 years. Both applications were successful and I didn't use an agency. I also know some couples who have used agencies and their applications have gone wrong, including one whose wife had to leave the UK, or be deported, because of incorrect advice off an immigration lawyer.

On my last trip there was one of these fairs going on up in Uttaradit for a week whilst we were there. Had to suffer getting dragged around it by MrsFiend on 4 nights, and on a couple of nights had something to eat off the food stalls and watch the entertainment whilst enjoying a couple of cold ones.

I have to suffer a temple tour every trip.... guaranteed!!! Mrs Fiend will already be planning which temple to visit in May!!!

It was lucky that it missed the buildings. We fly Bangkok Airways up to Sukhothai on ATR-72's.... Mrs Fiend has seen the video and it hasn't put her off flying in them.

Finally got off my ass and booked my next trip..... Normally fly with Emirates but today they were quoting £600 for my usual flights and their cheapest deal was coming in at £500 each. Ended up booking with Qatar which came in at £425 each for MAN-BKK return, with the added bonus I get to sample one of the new Qatar A380's Doha to Bangkok!!!! The lowest price was £413 but flight times weren't as good. That is the cheapest deal I've managed in 10 years of flying to Thailand!!!!

Already got it set to record.

Sorry but why do Americans call it "Football" when the foot very rarely ever touches the ball and even when it does it requires a specialist kicker!!!

Just been checking prices for May from Manchester and some BKK tickets are coming in at under £450!! Also the evening Emirates flight (EK19/20) is switching to A380 between Feb 1st and March 28th. Wonder if that is an indication of a permanent switch to A380 at some point in the future on the Ek19/20 rota.

Although it is now nearly 6 years since I got out of the bar business, I enjoyed it while it lasted. But I think I made the right decision getting out when I did.

And Merry Xmas from me...

Amazing run yes, but sorry to be pedantic..... how can that be called "Football"? At no point in that play does the ball touch his foot!!!

Slightly less intimidating...... The Fijian Bati at last years RLWC

How about 2 for the price of one - Tonga V Samoa!!!

So close and yet so far!!! Last week England were robbed of victory by the video ref, Ryan Halls finger was on the ball before it bounced back up. Suffering withdrawal systems now the season is over, but did manage to get to the recent Scotland v Wales international which was played at my home-town ground, where I've also seen the Kangaroos and Kumuls play.

Watched the Kiwis v England thi morning and have to say England were unlucky to lose again for the second weekend in a row. Not much chance of Samoa beating the Kangaroos tomorrow so it looks like it will be a Kangaroos v Kiwis Four Nations final

Having been a team coach driver for both Union and League teams i can tell you Rugby League players are a lot better behaved!!!

Hmmmmm... the union players do seem to take the "male bonding" bit a bit too far. I once drove a coach load of RU players down to Twickenham for an International, it also turned to be a stag weekend. On the way back they all insisted on stripping off for the last 50 miles on the way back home.

One trip I lost a nose pad on my specs whilst on a trip up to Chiang Rai.... spotted a Top Charoen shop and went in to see if they could do anything with the specs. They replaced both nose pads whilst I waited and was out of the shop within 10 minutes.

Don't know if this has been posted before...... but I've got a compilation of Thai MP3 music in the car and this one is on it I wouldn't kick her out of my bed!!!

Excellent report RhinoTusk. Visited Chang Mai for a weekend last year and did the drive up to the temple on Doi Suthep.... Now that was an experience!!! Didn't get to sample the night-life, got dragged around the "Night Bazaar by Mrs Fiend instead.

Or beans!!!

Sorted.

Prices starting to drop......... just been checking for Songkran next year and Emirates are currently quoting above £900!!!