Flying Clog

Thanks for the info!

Will remind the gardener to shift them instead of killing them. 

(searched for the old snake ID thread but couldn't find it, sorry)

Found this snake in the garden today (Laguna Phuket area), unfortunately the gardener got to it before I could carry out a rescue plan.

Any idea on what it is and if it's poisonous? Measured about 50cm in length and about 1.5cm in diameter. Assuming it was a youngster...

Thx, FC

Does anyone have the contact details of a competent farang guy who services a/c units in the Laguna/North/Central area of phuket. Our friend used him a few times and he did and excellent job, for a price of course, but we'd rather use him than the usual cowboy squad. Unfortunately our friend has lost the contact details for said a/c servicing company.

Thanks, FC

Yup, running a pool pump, and one a/c unit downstairs during the day and two a/c's upstairs at night sets us back about 12-14,000 baht per month.

9 hours ago, Lamkyong said:

employ thais ??

Indeed. You will be completely amazed by their work ethic.

OK, I'm going to throw a cat amongst the pigeons here...

Where the hell did "Foo-ket" come from? Who uses that term as opposed to "Poo-ket"?

I blame the septics myself.

I've always had good results streaming UK tv (itv etc) and bbc iplayer with Express VPN.

Hello,

Has anyone been 'done' by the speed cameras on the bypass between the Thep and Central Festival? Bit worried since I've only just noticed them and pretty sure I've been through them a few times going a bit faster than the posted limit. What's the process if you have been caught?

Thanks,

FC

(I realise this topic has come up before, but since Phuket airport is in a constant state of change...)

Morning All,

I'm flying out this afternoon and decided to take the scooter to the airport this time. Can anyone point me in the right direction for the most convenient scooter parking for international departures? 

If anyone's really keen; a google maps pic showing where it is and how to get in? From the domestic side I seem to recall?

I have seen scooter parking next to (south side) of the international multi story car park, but I'm guessing this is staff scooter parking....

Many Thanks,

The Flying Clog

Jimi007,

Domestically, when I go through Bangkok I use Bangkok Airways and Thai, who are both excellent. Nok and Air Asia? Fill your boots! Just pull a number and take your chances. Not for me after 2 major scares with Air Asia in the last couple of years.

Internationally, Thai and Dragonair to Hong Kong. Both excellent.

Beyond HKG, Cathay!

Wow, what's a pay phone?!?

Just buy a prepaid sim from one of the many shops in the arrival hall and away you go. The sim will probably be cheaper than a few minutes on one of these pay phones you speak of anyway!

Clearly a mishandled approach/go around. You pay peanuts, and you get monkeys. End of. It's really that simple.

But, of course, everyone wants cheap tickets, so you get what you pay for. I personally don't fly with Air Asia anymore after a few scares, and being in the airline industry, I know full well how they run their operation. History speaks for itself.

Again, cheap tickets equals crap safety standards and, most importantly, crap pilots who won't speak up with regards safety/fatigue/management and make a stand when they need to or take the initiative/be professional. Or simply don't have the experience to handle these situations. After all, cheap tickets means low costs mean lousy pay for the pilots. So only the desperate Captains will work for them, and First Officers entering the industry with zero experience. Not a good combo.

Notable exceptions are Southwest, easyJet and Ryanair. They're of extremely high standards because they ran the low cost model correctly. All these other copy cats cherry pick the low-cost model and cut corners where necessary to compete. That means an accident is inevitable. Thanks to the bean counters, and ignorant punters.

Interesting to read many of your misinformed comments above! PhuketSarah is particularly way off the mark!

Before I get flamed, I'm a Boeing 747 Captain with one of the world's safest, most reputable airlines, who commutes to Phuket on his days off...

FC

What xyplophone and SooKee said... spot on.

It gets worse I'm afraid...

For the last two years I've gone back to the UK to get my multi-entry O visa from Hull in the UK. But I've just been told they've put a stop to that as well. No more multi-entry (unlimited entry) O visas. Period.

Well done Thailand - I'll go spend my expat dollars somewhere that actually welcomes me, bye.

LIK - All you're missing is a live web feed of the lines at arrivals immigration.

Without that, all bets are off, they could take 10 mins from disembarking the airplane to curbside, or 90 minutes. 

I fly in and out once a week and usually you can tell how bad immigration is going to be by looking at the phuket airport arrivals board online. But that doesn't even work sometimes as some of the Russian charters seem to come in under the radar and show up unannounced, like an unwanted relative at a wedding.

Does anyone have a name for someone at the main Ford dealer in Phuket town who has reasonable English?

Looking at buying a new Ford and have a few questions and would rather not struggle too much with sign language etc. 

Thanks in advance!

FC

What's the frequency Kenneth? 

(frequency not mentioned in the newspaper article either... weird)

I use the 'meter taxi' at the stand on the right as you walk out of terminal around 4 times per month.

The vehicles and the drivers are ok I suppose (relatively speaking to the general state of vehicles and drivers in general in Thailand). I've never had a bad experience yet. 

They ALWAYS use the meter. It's the fare plus 100 (airport surcharge), so about 400 to Chergntalay area all up for a 20 minute ride. I guess that's not cheap, but it's as cheap as it's going to get.

My local 'driver' who, admittedly, uses an SUV, charges 600-700 for the same journey. We only use him if we've loads of luggage.

FC

Regarding using devices on airplanes - plenty of the more progressive airlines, BA, Cathay, Dragonair, allow you to use devices ALL the time. In airplane mode of course from engine start to shutdown. Just no laptops for take off and landing as they're bulky and would get in the way of an evacuation. But iPads and phones, fill your boots on the takeoff roll!

Then you fly with AirAsia or similar, and they're bloody nazis about it.

The mostest crowded area of phuket?

The airport I'd say.

" Australia I used to travel miles to catch a feed of fresh crabs. Boat, equipment, fuel, all very expensive.

This morning we caught one in our yard. Free!"

I don't usually have to go any further than the bar at the bottom of my road to catch crabs. Sometimes they're free, sometimes they're not.

Yup, Mission Hills is the place to go if you want the coastal experience. Highly recommended.

Laguna, my local, has been recently redesigned and is superb.

Blue Canyon, Red Mountain etc awesome.

All the golf in Phuket is seriously expensive. Typically more than 5000 baht for 18 holes, which is IMHO, mental!

The only way to get around this is to be a resident of one of the courses (like Laguna), or staying at one of their hotels. Or to have a Thai driver's license (Thai resident), or to play with a member.

In all the above 3 scenarios, you're looking at a 50% discount. Still expensive at 2500 baht plus plus, plus the caddy!

Oh, sorry, did I mention it's a crap time of year for outdoor activity here? There's a good chance you'll get a bit damp on your round.

Many thanks for all the info. Think we'll go to Hong Kong to have it done.

Rgds,

FC

As per the title... anyone have any idea how much the above mentioned hospital charges for an MRI brain scan?

Thanks,

FC

Do any of the experts out there recognise this little guy? Anything to be worried about? He was in our house uninvited!

Thx,

FC