game4shame

have you tried airasia?

not everyone's cup of tea (including me) but they sometimes throw up a bargain.

sounds like good advice - I wasn't aware that a joint bus could be booked TO the airport.

i wasnt aware either, but if you look at it, they have to get back to the airport when they drop off in lamai..

correct - and if there's money to be made in transport on samui.....it will be!!

I just didn't think there'd be the customer base like there is FROM the airport.

eg when flights arrive the buses fill quickly but when people are going to the airport, many will take a taxi or get a lift some other way.

if a bus is going round hotels doing pick-ups they'd have to bear in mind every passengers check-in time too.

it's worth cheking out though - just make sure the bus pick-up is in plenty of time!!

there's still people biting.

IT IS A PI55-TAKE!!!!

you can

*book a seat for a joint bus to the airport at a travel agency or at the hotel reception

*take a songtheow from Lamai via Chaweng to Bangrak (60/40 during day time) and from there a motorcycle taxi to the airport

*take a songtheow from Lamai via Chaweng to the crossroad on the way to Choeng Mon and walk from there 1,85 km to the airport

sounds like good advice - I wasn't aware that a joint bus could be booked TO the airport.

may be worth checking out faranguy.

it may be 60THB from lamai to nathon (although I'd expect it to be more) but lamai to airport is a good 30-45mins drive.

no matter what way you look at it, it will be a rip-off. as mentioned previously, a taxi will sting you approx 400THB. the taxi mafia in samui are responsible for the extortionate fares.

depending on your luggage you could try a motorbike taxi - if going for this you could chop the journey up a bit, maybe get a moto-taxi to chaweng which in the daytime should be reasonable enough (<100THB?), have a bit of a rest, then from chaweng to airport get another moto-taxi or songthaew.

it all depends on whether you can be bothered - you probably wont save that much money finding an alternative and - like I do - may just reluctantly pay the butt-raping taxi fare.

I wound up staying at the Holiday Park for 800 a night and am very happy there. Excellent pool.

I'm glad you liked it.

I have been stayng at holiday park when in samui for the past 6 years or so. it's a family run hotel and they're always pleased to see a returning customer. it's in a good location close to the centre of beach road and slightly off the road to remain reasonably quiet.

the staff are friendly and can be trusted with motorbike rentals etc - no 'you scratch bike....you pay 5000THB' scams.

you must've stayed in the older rooms for 800THB - thats what I do too. although they're older, they still have decent aircon, TV and are big and clean.

they have new deluxe rooms in the other block and I believe they charge 1000THB+ for them.

the new deluxe rooms and the pool were only built approx 3 years ago - there used to be a block of 300THB fan rooms where the pool was and that's where me and my mates stayed on our first times in samui.....those were good days!!

According to the the bus company "คนโง่" they are planning to build a bridge to Samui.

คนโง่ = fool ; idiot ; stupid person. Translation

april fool. you got a few people too OP.

there's always loads of russian, ahem, working ladies on the go - maybe they can help.

PS - you may want to reconsider posting your personal mobile number on here. perhaps ask to be PM'd instead.

vomit.

I was in krabi for the first time a few months ago.

I stayed in hotel on nopparathara beach about 2 mins motorbike from ao nang beach. I also went to railay for a day on a long tail boat - I can't remember exact cost but it wasn't anything extraordinary, THB100-200 return iirc.

both beaches are nice in their own way:

ao nang beach road is good for western comforts (if that's your thing) - mcdonalds, BK, pizza company etc, a few bars too but they're not really up to much.

I noticed alot of western couples on the go in ao nang, honeymoon types, and I think ao nang must be aimed at that type of customer.

the long tail boat to railay didn't take long - 20 mins or something. railay beach was nice but very quiet. I think railay must be aimed at scandinavians - I'd say the vast majority of people on the beach the day I went were scandinavian.

1 thing I'll never forget about railay beach was the unbelievable amount of scando talent - my eyes were popping out of my head.

just what we need - another 'big trouble in thailand' thread.

I would also be interested in knowing where you could buy a round the world ticket leaving from either Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, I have emailed STA travel before and as we are leaving from Asia and not the UK they could not help If anyone knows of any sites or places (i live in Samui) please PM me.

did you email UK? statravel.co.uk? try the bangkok branch: http://www.statravel.co.th/

they might be able to help.

Domestic departure has one.

Gerd

I think you're right - I believe there's a BK just before the A gates. iirc I saw one before a bangkok air flight to chiang mai.

Will all these bars being staying open ?

With the later games not starting until 1.30am (Thai time ) the big problem is finding a "late" bar with full commentary etc. prepared to stay open untill 3.30am plus

I am currently trying to find a decent bar for the Champions League games this week and its not easy !

I was in samui for the 2006 world cup in germany - never had a problem seeing games. curfews aren't as strict in samui as in some other parts of thailand, mainly due to the lack of police.

Mainly due to the BIB taking backhanders

correct. I was trying to be discreet but you've hit the nail on the head.

What's the matter?

Been proved to be wrong so you have to resort to insults because you've lost face?

I've been proved wrong?????

Yes you.

The guy that said

I use asiarooms where I can and ratestogo.com for last minute bookings.

I had a look at agoda but I noticed they had a few sneaky add-ons when confirming final cost - that's a big, big thumbs down in my book. saying that, by the looks of the previous posts on this thread, plenty of people must be falling for their sly tricks.

ratestogo.com are good for last minute rooms (within 28 days). some bargains to be had.

and recommends a company that adds on a previously undisclosed fee when making the final confirmation. Isn't that a sly trick eh

Whereas Agoda states up front that their prices exclude taxes and charges.

I assume you are referring to ratestogo? as I said, I primarily use asiarooms where I can and ratestogo for last minute bookings. I can't recall any add-ons with ratestogo but I would only use ratestogo for lastminute bookings as A they specialise in them and B their rates can be very very good. I use asiarooms in the main.

also see: you've desperately cherry-picked some example to compare (which iirc has been proven wrong) and have completely lost sight of the point.

AND on comparison to the 2 sites you recommend and claim are cheaper than Agoda we find that one of them is actually 20% more expensive than buying direct from the hotel and 16.5% more expensive than Agoda.

see: you've desperately cherry-picked some example to compare (which iirc has been proven wrong) and have completely lost sight of the point.

So I guess we can only conclude that you really don't know what you are talking about and you're not worth listening to in future.

see: PattayaParent = Agoda employee.

Edit: Did I mention that there's a 24 hour chat line connection on Agoda so you can talk to a representative if you have any queries or having trouble with the booking?

see: PattayaParent = Agoda employee.

reaffirms my previous points:

'PattayaParent = Agoda employee.'

'if PP genuinely has no business interests in agoda then I can only imagine he is one sad, sad desperate little man!!'

'you've desperately cherry-picked some example to compare (which iirc has been proven wrong) and have completely lost sight of the point.'

'I am an open-minded person who accepts other people's opinions - I just struggle to tolerate grown adults who can't accept differing views and persist on trying to prove a point when no opposing opinion could be defined as right or wrong.

the debate is in relation to consumer choices - I made the comment that I would not use agoda as they add charges at the end and dont offer the customer the full story from the outset. other members on this thread agreed, not all, but some. I accepted that everyone has their own views on the topic and can make their own consumer choices.

PP took offence to this and - for some unknown reason - kept pushing his point. however, in trying to push his point he started cherry picking examples, swaying way off topic and clutching at straws.'

your motive for sticking your nose in with your irrelevant comments like some premenstrual girl.

You really are obnoxious. Welcome to my ignore filter.

it's an honour.

Why would anyone get so up-tight about trying to argue against an internet company? It's hilarious.

good comeback - that's stumped me.

I am an open-minded person who accepts other people's opinions - I just struggle to tolerate grown adults who can't accept differing views and persist on trying to prove a point when no opposing opinion could be defined as right or wrong.

the debate is in relation to consumer choices - I made the comment that I would not use agoda as they add charges at the end and dont offer the customer the full story from the outset. other members on this thread agreed, not all, but some. I accepted that everyone has their own views on the topic and can make their own consumer choices.

PP took offence to this and - for some unknown reason - kept pushing his point. however, in trying to push his point he started cherry picking examples, swaying way off topic and clutching at straws.

he also had the odd piece of nonsense added in eg the claim re ALL airlines omitting surcharges.

PP made a few bitey remarks too so I don't know why you're trying to make me public enemy #1.

anyway, what's your motive? have I offended your bf?

My motive? A motive for what, having an opinion?

your motive for sticking your nose in with your irrelevant comments like some premenstrual girl.

sta travel specialise in this type of thing:

STA Travel

the foodland store is handy and the bar is good for quick and cheap food. however, it's always too busy during the day and the scabs fighting over seats - usually arabs - can be slightly off-putting.

FYI I made the comments you are referring to AFTER trying, and failing, to keep the peace. I suggested agreeing to disagree on a number of occasions and added genuine smiley faces but PP just couldn't accept another point of view. other members have tried to get the point across too.

You suggested agreeing to disagree? But then you got upset when another member continued to post comments supporting his opinions? You didn't seem to mind people who agreed with you continuing to post, but rather only those who had a differing opinion. I'm sorry to break it to you, but you don't get to decide when other people should stop posting. Practice what you preach...you are not a mod either.

I got upset? now that is good.

I have been pi55in' myself laughing for the majority of this topic. why would anyone get so up-tight trying to defend an internet company if they genuinely have no business interest??? it's hilarious.

I tried to offer a reasonable solution to our disagreement but PP continued to argue his case with me and others.

anyway, what's your motive? have I offended your bf?

Game4shame, are these comments (of yours) your idea of remaining "diplomatic?":

"PattayaParent is like some yappy little dog who keeps biting away at someones heels, no matter how many times he gets booted in the face!! "

"if PP genuinely has no business interests in agoda then I can only imagine he is one sad, sad desperate little man!! "

"you're clearly not going to take your medicine so I now suggest you go get yourself laid - providing you can find a mate. it'll put things in perspective."

"PattayaParent has got a bee in his bonnet and just can't take his medicine."

After reading this thread again, it seems that PattayaParent has been the more "diplomatic" one who clearly stated his ideas instead of resorting to insults to make himself feel better. You, on the other hand, cannot say the same.

I thought that personal attacks were not allowed on these forums?

FYI I made the comments you are referring to AFTER trying, and failing, to keep the peace. I suggested agreeing to disagree on a number of occasions and added genuine smiley faces but PP just couldn't accept another point of view. other members have tried to get the point across too.

and I actually requested this thread be closed prior to those comments as I could see the way it was deteriorating.

besides - if you are not PP in disguise - you are not a mod or admin so.........do the honourable thing.......

What's the matter?

Been proved to be wrong so you have to resort to insults because you've lost face?

I've been proved wrong????? you're getting so desperate now I actually feel sorry for you.

myself, and others, have remained diplomatic and explained ourselves clearly to you, but you still come back for more punishment like some punch-drunk boxer!!

lost face? there's only 1 person making a complete fool of themselves.

you've desperately cherry-picked some example to compare (which iirc has been proven wrong) and have completely lost sight of the point.

good day to you PattayaParent - Im off to get laid.

PattayaParent is like some yappy little dog who keeps biting away at someones heels, no matter how many times he gets booted in the face!!

if PP genuinely has no business interests in agoda then I can only imagine he is one sad, sad desperate little man!!

you're clearly not going to take your medicine so I now suggest you go get yourself laid - providing you can find a mate. it'll put things in perspective.

Worked fine for me... See attached screen shot...

honestly mate, don't waste your time on this thread. PattayaParent has got a bee in his bonnet and just can't take his medicine.

....or......possibly......

PattayaParent = Agoda employee.

My opinion is that they are not bad, but way overpriced. The Duke's in Chiang Mai sell an enormous meal that is too big to finish with a salad, potatoes and cornbread for about 200 baht and the ribs are of similar quality.

I've been to that dukes place - you're right re portion size........holy 5hit - I thought I could handle a big meal but the portion's in that place are unbelievable.