carpediem

Thanks for these responses & commendations. I was looking for a stay of 3-4months and for my particular dates China, Swiss and BA came up with prices within £25 of each other. If one of them was more flexible or had a smaller penalty for a change of return date that would decide it for me. The next most important factor for me is space and likelihood of a less than jam-packed flight - but I suppose on these things too it'll be much of muchness vis a vis swiss and ba. Don't care about lcd screens etc - I read or listen on my ipod. Was wondering too with which other airlines China is affiliated for frequent flier miles? Thanks again

Thanks for that - Controller. I intend to open a local bank account when I get there next month, so I don't have specific a/c details for remittance yet. Nationwide require their money transfer to be downloaded, printed out and posted to them - which I'd have to from Thailand. I'm wondering if there are practical steps I can take now to do this better - at least for the initial payments I'll have to make to secure the condo. (I'm likely to choose a flat from one of the two developments I've identified on the internet, and woulld want to move quickly.) So Nationwide will have to make my cash available in Thailand to me or send to the developer asap. I don't have the 'sending to my gf' option.

Any views on this airline? New planes? Leg room? Flexibility and charges for changing return dates? In general? Is it average - above - below? Thanks

I intend to buy a condo and was looking into opening an account with a thai bank followed by a transfer of funds. On the former there's been a useful thread of recommended baks which will give me the necessary info. But on the transferring of money the relevant form of my bank, nationwide, requires that transfers to thailand need an explanation. I have noticed that some of you are with nationwide and wonder if you have inquired what this is about, whether it is just a formality, or whether there are important guidelines to follow in my reponse. Grateful for any enlightenment.

The price for end april or beginning may I'm finding (on opodo & govoyage) is 25% more (940 euros - ba via london) than I paid in february. Would be grateful for any tips from a traveller who travels from Paris.

Owen, thanks for the tip. Ok I won't bother him just yet. I've had enough commendation of Pty dental work to decide to postpone further such work in Paris until I've checked out Pty. All I really need now is for someone to confirm that the high quality of dentistry in Pty extends to putting/fitting crowns etc to implants. And secondly for someone to recommend the place where they had good implants done. Failing that I'll just pop into the international hospital in soi 4.

It seems clear that very good dental work is available. No-one has posted in regard to implants, but I'll assume that's done to a high standard too. I did try a search on this forum - I'll try again. But otherwize I was thinking of going along to the International Hospital in soi 4 as a safe bet. Thanks.

pattysteve, Thanks. Your info is very encouraging - and timely. I think I'll cancel my appointment tomorrow for the root canal work and also the implant work due later in the month and have it all done in Pty. Do you have a name you (or your friend) can recommend in Pty? Also I hope someone will reply with equally encouraging experience with implants done there.

Apologies if this is a bit of a repititious query (dentists etc). I'm in the middle of dental work involving 2 implants on one side and a bridge on the other. I intend to go to Pty in a few weeks and stay for around 3 months. By then, the implants will have been in for several months, the gums will have been reopened and the stem/stud whatever put on; and the tooth to hold the bridge will have had root canal work done. Therafter, as I understand it, it's a matter of making and fitting the crowns/teeth on implants and as bridge. Would there be the possibility of getting this done in Pattaya during the 3 months and to a european standard? ie a dentist totally familiar with such work who could simply take over where tghe french dentist left off. Obviously I have in mind saving myself a lot of money (vs France) and time, but not if it may be botched. If I can, is the International hospital on soi 4 my best bet? I recall once seeing a very helpful thread with even dentists contributing - but can't find it now. Hope to be equally lucky with responses now. Thanks a lot

Does someone have good advice (airlines/websites) for flights at decent prices from Paris end-april/beginning-may for a 3 month stay? My usual - opodo.fr - shows a big hike compared with my ticket price in february.

hi eric have you rented it? grateful if you'd let me know. if not i intend to be in pattaya on the 1st may.

For a hotel between soi 1 to walking street, with internet connexion to my laptop (wireless or not), possibilities suggested are eastiny res, vault and victoria inn. Is that it - nothing else? I'm planning a trip at end-may for up to 60 days. Never been in low season (& just once in high); would the best be to book at a familiar hotel for some days and look around/negotiate for the long term rate when here? would appreciate advice from experienced long-termers at that time of year.

Am not too technically knowledgeable, but on occasion have found that wifi doesn't work equally well - or at all - with my apple mac. would i encounter any such problem with the eastiny residence in soi 10? do they have a website? do they have a monthly rate (intend stay around 50 days)? billrussell, was your 1100 baht room (on 7th floor) with the internet connexion?

Hi, Would appreciate any info on: the internet connexion - speed, charge, suitable for apple/mac? size of rooms? well furnished? safe-box in room? cleaning, laundry et is daily? how long does it take to walk to walking street? did they estimate maximum amounts extra for electricity, water? would really appreciate comments from someone who'se stayed there. I'm looking for somewhere for 2 months starting in may sometime.