maimeepom

6 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Isn't this the second Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry service to fail within the past 15 years ????

Yes, you are quite correct. But possibly in the 90's

There was fast ferry that operated Bangkok-Pattaya-Hua Hin. 

Hua Hin was was mainly a Thai weekend resort then, so the venture failed.

The vessel was transferred to the Phuket-Penang route,  which operated successfully for many years. 

6 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Isn't this the second Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry service to fail within the past 15 years ????

On 4/21/2020 at 6:12 AM, Matzzon said:

I am really sad that you have the utter disrespect to call this crowd of hungry and poor people in need for idiots. Actually that makes you look like one. Maybe you should try living under the circumstances they are doing right now. Lost their job, no income, family to feed and nothing to put on the table. Then I think that you also would be one of those that falls into a little bit of panic and trying to come as close to the handouts as quick as possible. Probably the only way for you to understand.

Actually the only thing I ask for, is that you use some common sense and understanding before you call them idiots. Would that be so hard?

Good news story.

The staff and friends from View Talay 6 -2nd road,next to Central , have been preparing and distributing food and water for the last week. The guards assist with social distancing.

 .

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-flights/russia-to-ground-international-flights-on-march-27-due-to-coronavirus-idUSKBN21D0HD

Reuters and other agencies are reporting that Russia will close all Airports to international flights from  Friday March the 27th.

With the exception of rescue flights.

On 10/24/2019 at 5:02 AM, Pilotman said:

My my, you have got in a tiss, over what I'm not so surer, unless you are feeling rather close minded.  Not everyone of intelligence knows about Pattaya, Walking Street or any other Street in that City.  In  fact the vast majority of the World's peoples know nothing about Pattaya, or any street in it, indeed many on this forum know little to nothing of Pattaya, so please don't be so dismissive and patronising.    

On 10/24/2019 at 10:31 AM, Pilotman said:

I have 'flown into Thailand' 3 times in the last 12 months and not once have I seen an in=flight video promoting Thailand, never mind Pattaya and as for it being promoted as a 'world class family resort', I don't think Walking Street adds anything to that laughable and frankly idiotic description of the place. 

Last time I walked through W.S., there was a tour leader organising her Chinese party for a group photo.

They were gathered outside the bar that has an aviation theme -mixing  with the  girls  that wear very  skimpy versions of cabin staff uniforms.

There were quite a lot of children in the party. I am sure their Grandads  will enjoy viewing their holiday  snaps  when they get home..

On 9/5/2019 at 1:20 PM, Senior Player said:

Thank you @tonbridgebrit for your kind words. As your alternative and hypothetical plan shows, it is possible to find another way of not using an SETV and staying for 60-days on two visa exemptions. I suppose it would all depend on how many times you'd already used this method in the same calendar year as to whether the IO would allow you back into Thailand without any fuss. Also, you have to factor in the cost comparisons of doing either one. An SETV will only cost you just £30, plus the postal fee, depending on how you intend on submitting it, which could take the total cost up to approx. £46. The traveling to Malaysia would obviously cost significantly more than this as you'd have to pay for a hotel, additional flights and taxis. Then there's also the upheaval of interrupting your holiday midway to go to and from the airport as well as leaving the country, etc.

 

The last time I did a visa run using a similar method, I stayed in Malaysia for 5-days as I knew that a one-night stopover tends to arouse suspicion with immigration that you aren't really a tourist but someone trying to play the system. For every person that tells you that they didn't have a problem doing a one-nighter in Malaysia and returning the next day, they'll be another telling you that they did. It's one of those grey areas depending on the mood of the IO and entry border, and your own travel history.

 

When all is said and done, the online application for an SETV really isn't all that bad for the genuine 60-day tourist. The only time-consuming part is getting all your documents together and formatting them to 200KB. As I showed in my own guide on page 1, it's not necessary to book and pay for any of your flights beforehand, as a quoted price from Thai Airways is sufficient enough. The same really applies to accommodation, as you can book a hotel for 2-nights and then cancel it after you've got your visa without having to pay a single penny. The main objective is getting a SETV in your hands. Once you have it, you can decide yourself where and when you want to travel, so long as it's within the 3-month remit of the visa.

Re Apiwan2..

I also have a few elderly friends intending to stay in the LOS this winter, for their  usual 60 day holiday.

They have decided that the new E-visa is far too complicated, and are intending to opt  for a 30 day visa exempt on arrival, plus a 30 extension at  Jomtien immigration.

I just wanted to confirm that this option is still available? 

What will they enter as  their length of stay, on the TM6 entry/departure card?

On ‎10‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 9:05 AM, Kiwisailor said:

Be very prepared for a shock, in fact many shocks!!!! Was there 2 months ago and couldn't believe the changes made since ewe were there 10 months previously. Only Chinese oriented beach bars now open at the far end of the beach. The first 2-300 metres of beach from the wharf is a a wasteland. All bars and guesthouses gone.

Still some good bars on the beach on the RHS of the wharf but not sure for how much longer. Mick and Craigs, Monkey Republic and Big Easy the only big name guesthouses/bars still standing. Most places closed through lack of staff - most rentals for Cambodians now 4 to 5 times what they were a year ago.

Otres probably about a year away from the same process and yes roads are bad, tuk tuks will go there but want a lot more money now.

Koh Rong still the same but as you land you can see out to the left a new concrete wharf being built which means that vehicles and building products will be now be able to be landed so don't expect to see it remain as unaffected as it is now.

Kep seeing similar changes (but smaller and slower) and in Kampot there is a lot of talk of Chinese investment but little activity apart from up on Bokor Hill where the old abandoned casino has been fully restored and is back in business (Chinese visitors ONLY enforced by security staff) in less than 12 months.

Saw this video before going there and half of the buildings shown on Beach Rd are now gone.

Our spot of choice was the Beach Rd Hotel - still open but half has been demolished and prices tripled. They still have (or had, who knows now!) the pool open so you may be able to sort a price to use it.

Sadly this place is now off our must visit list.

Another documentary depicting the plight of the local Sihanoukville businesses, which are closing due to the recent Chinese take over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O57U3O-DeHA

I recently  tried the recently revamped "Indian Vegetarian" on Phratamnak road. Just south of where the Jomtien songthaews  depart from. (walking street side of the road)

I had the thali..  very good.

On ‎24‎/‎07‎/‎2015 at 10:42 AM, vickersvc10 said:

Being a dyed in the wool aviation nerd, I visited the Jomtien 747 this afternoon.It is easy to find. Going south on Sukhumvit pass Ambassador City then when you reach the large Honda showroom (about 250 meters after Ambo City) the 747 is almost exactly opposite.

In case anyone is interested (which I doubt very much but I will carry on anyway!), this 747/200 series first flew in November 1974. It was then delivered to the late Canadian Pacific Airways. 10 years later it was sold to Pakistan International, then a weird West African airline called Orange Air. It was finally sold to - you've guessed it- Orient Thai, though I don't think it ever flew with them. Our sad looking Jumbo was broken up at U-Tapao airport a couple of years ago, and then transported to its current gravesite. The locals hanging around it said that it is to become a restaurant. We'll see!

Any questions?

No sign of the tail plane, in the photos?

I understand the first 550 747's constructed, had depleted uranium in the tail.  This was to act as a counterweight.

I remember, that there was some consternation, when a 747 crashed into a residential block in Amsterdam.

Bangkok Bank-Central Festival, was the place the only place that would cash my Amex traveller's cheques last year.

Re visa London  visa applications.

A friend of mine was advised by the visa section, that they have a 3/4  week backlog.

This is  because of a last minute surge in applications for  the gratis single entry visa.

This  free offer   finished   at  of end  August. 

A lot of good suggestions contributed already.

I generally take Thai families to lunch, at the sea food restaurants at the south end of Jomtien beach. Avoid weekends when numerous coach parties show up.

For a romantic evening, the lush beachside resort of "Cabbages and Condoms" fits the bill. It was set up by Khun Meechai to finance HIV charities.

It is situated at the bottom of Pratumak Hill. thor 038 250557

I have just received a flyer fom Airline Network. com .(owned ny Thomas Cook)

They are offering London- Bangkok-London with Emirates. £428.

Which I think is pretty reasonable. Bookings have to be made by the 14th of January.

http://www.netflights.com/cheap-flights-to-australia-with-emirates-fs.aspx?RECIPIENT_ID=903166&utm_campaign=nfeshot20Dec14_emirates&utm_source=nfeshot&utm_medium=email&utm_content=body&utm_term=bkk+price

You could try the Yellow bus service, that stops at the Clock Tower in Hua Hin, en route to Sarat Thani.

It used to depart from Pattaya North bus station at 1800 eta Hua Hin 2230.

Best to check schedules and reservations on tel 081806 1050.

The original Wavepiecer service in the late 80s was excellent.

The vessel commenced the journey in Bangkok. A nice scenic trip up the Chaophraya to Pattaya, and then accross to Hua Hin.

The service was way ahead of it's time, as Hua Hin was mainly a weekend excursion venue for Bangkok residents.

Also there very few hotels in Hua Hin , prior to much of the old wooden town burning down.

I understand the operators polled the loss making service, and transferred the vessel to the Phuket- Penang route.

The Uk Times today, reported that Michael Tzouvanni was a regulay visitor to Phuket.

He had phoned his older Brother and a friend from the disco, saying " I am in the fire, there is no wayout"..

Mr Tzouvanni was a university graduate , and along with his 5 Brothers , were directors of his Father's property company.

His Father had arrived from Cyprus aged 11, and built up a property empire worth £20 million.

R.I.P.

Just to advise you that Sri Lanka has intoduced a $20 visa fee from 1 January 2012.

This electronic Authorization visa has to be purchased online , and replaces the free Visa on arrival system.

It does not apply to transit passengers.

I am not really sure if this will apply to your overnight stay. Best to check it out I think.

Bon Voyage

www.srilankahighcomission.co.uk

I was bitten silly last time I was in Thailand, dozens of bites, especially to my legs, they even bit through thick denim jeans, they bite your back through your shirts, its a plague and the Thais dont get bit at all.

So if the Thais are getting bit, I think I will stay away from Thailand for a little while until well into the middle of 2012, I dont fancy being eaten alive.

I have tried (Autan), (Jungle Formula), (Citroenella) everything, still get bit, apparantly mosquitos prefer blood type (A+) to other blood types and can smell and detect your blood type before they bite. I belive there is an injection you can get from your Doctors in the UK, which camoflages your blood types as to appear less attractive and so you get but less.

Some years back ,I read an article in a travel mag. Where a Doctor said she always uses "Avon-skin So Soft spray" to repel mosquitoes.

I was some what sceptical. However we tried it out for day time use only, as we had previously had a case of Dengue Fever in the house.

I have to report that it did work, and we have been using the product ever since.

We still use Deet based products in the evening, but at least you are not absorbing them 24 hours a day.

Declaration. I am not an "Avon Lady".....

You could be right.

Change of routing would be filed by Air Traffic Control,and they would be prepared in advance

I just checked the latest NOTAMS for VTBS Suvarnabhumi.(Notice to Airmen)

Nothing out of the ordinary there.

Just some ATC measures to speed things up on the ground. Which you would expect with the extra traffic they are handling ex Don Muang.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21527

20/06/2011

3 Pagoda Pass

Irawaddy news reports that villagers have fled the area, and that Government troops and karen rebels are in conflict.

the reason given to me,many years ago why one had to leave los every 90 days,was for tax purposes??????,something about the tax laws,urban myth,true,pom mia lua.tit

Not quite urban myth.

You have just reminded me that in the late 70s early 80s, you had to report to a tax office at BKK Airport, prior to departure.

This tax was levied, if you had been in Thailand for an extended period of time, possibly over 90 days, I can't quite remember.

The tax was calculated, on how many days you had resided in the LOS.

The office was situated was on the ground floor, adjacent to the main entrance.

It certainly looks nice, I wonder which route it will be used on.

Like you, William, I was a tad disappointed with the 32 inch seat pitich, I recently flew on the Emirates A380 and was impressed with their economy seats, on checking I note that they are also 32 inch, so maybe it will be ok. Could always use a couple of extra inches though.

I read somewhere, that London LHR- Bangkok will be one of the inaugural routes.

The steerage class screens, would appear to be much smaller than those installed on Emirate's 380s.

THAI will use retired pilots for the airฌline and will source cabin crew and staffs from outsource company Wind Span Co - like most other lowcost carriers.

Do retired pilots come cheaper?

In a word yes.

Many traditional airlines still maintain a relatively low mandatory retirement age of 55.

Whereas low cost airlines are willing to employ pilots up to the cessation of their comercial pilots licence at 65. Subject to the usual medical and competancy tests.

The pilots already have the financial cusion of their company pensions, so are willing to fly at reduced rates.

The longevity of marraiges in the aviation sector is poor..

This means that many aviators who have been cleaned out in expensive divorce settlements, are still putting their kids from subsequent marraiges, through university in the twilight of their careers.

So this arrangement suits both parties. Experienced and well trained aviators for the low cost airlines, and a bit of extra dosh for the pilots.

.

1. The SIMs are not stolen but rather obtained for free 2. Check with the operator on other plans that they have using True and DTAC; one time top up last for 1 year though local calls are slightly more expensive

I have been using the DTAC "SIMPLE" promotion for a year now. As you say., Everytime I top up, I get credit for one year.

Calls are indeed more expensive. But it is ideal for light usage , or you if are out of Thailand for lengthy periods.

Details of the promotion are on the DTAC website.