Gonzo the Face

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I haven't been keeping track of the news about the new airport in BKK. Are all international and domestic flights now going in and out of there?

If so, does anyone have recommendations for an overnight hotel that is reasonable and not far from the new airport? We are leaving soon at just after 6am and returning near midnight so need a Bangkok hotel in both directions since we live in CM.

Thanks

I am just sitting at the Lounge in the new Bangkok airport.....

Came from CM yesterday by Air Asia.

Had a room at "Grand Bangkok Residence" just minutes from the Airport.

Have booked trough Travel Agency 1700 Baht per night incl. Breakfast.

Pickup complimentary, to Airport by Hotel Car 200 Baht.

New and clean place..... but nothing interesting around....

Tel. 66662 327 3876-7 [email protected]

AaaHaaaaa : Confucius saa ... when trav er ring in to new Bangkok Airport..... Bling lound interlist wit u

.... no b ronrey

Don't laff I used spell check

Oh, I HATE that tar and feather stuff. So messy.

Can't you just use a WW II era flamethrower and be done with it?

I gotta surplus one I could lend you.....

Thats step 3 , right after the old swag pony gets far enough out of town..

PS how about a rental ??? BBQ????

Currently there are 43,987 members on this forum...

Of that number, it is my opinion that 43,985 would take perstigious as a complimentary term....

Of that number 1 wouldn't !!!

Of that number 1 is now in a mental institution and does not have a vote.....

Now

I think The Duke's is the best all around restaurant in CM

I like David..... he is a great guy....

I want to congratulate him on the new award.....

I want him to have the best of success in the new location, and I know he will

Now

For anyone wishing to bad-mouth Dave, I want you to know we have a group around here with white sheets who have a barrel ot tar and a bag of feathers, and a slow pony...... need I say more

Mama Mia Bamboona

Can anyone tell me if a Myanmar National, with a valid Myanmar Passport and a valid Thai Visa to visit Thailand, upon returning to Myanmar may only enter through Yangon, or are other entry points permitted ?

The question seems a little strange, I know, but this same individual cannot cross into Myanmar via Mae Sai/Tachalek. Someone said that it was some gov't thing regarding taxes and all returnees had to re-enter thru Yangon...

It would be much more convenient for this returnee to enter in Mandalay. Does anyone know if that is permitted>

This is via air travel of course.

Now THAT is worth knowing.

I wonder how much time I've waited over the years!

Must have been worth it....... you're still alive

ooooohhhh I feel so Chaste-eyesed

Mentioning the name is giving them a break..... free advertising ok

Recently my husband and I spent a week in Chiang Mai, near the Night Markets. We stumbled upon a gem of a pub in O'Mallies and frequently went there for dinner. The service was always prompt, friendly and efficient. It was a relaxing atmosphere with a good variety on the menu and ample portions. The ribs were amazing but be sure to leave some room for his homemade desserts! Heard some rumors that the service was poor and want to reassure everyone that it is simply not true! I think the competition has a reason to be worried - O'Mallies has set the bar quite high. The owner is a former Canadian that prides himself

in the best customer service that he can provide. You can even order a beer and take it with you while

you have a massage nearby! Be sure to stop in if you are craving a bit of homestyle cooking- you won't be dissappointed! Or simply belly up to the bar for some conversation with an international flavor, or enjoy a friendly game of pool. Either way, you're sure to have a relaxing time and meet new friends. Thanks!

Corinne and Eric Clark, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The preceding has been a paid political announcement

P.S. Thanks Mom, but over here we spell it O'Malley's

P S S BlueNose..... lighten up a bit,,,,,, don't take it too serious, most of the posts are in a smiley joking vein when it comes to the good restaruants...

This rumor may have started a week or so ago when the Gov. of MHS Prov closed his border crossing because of a kidnapping, or a border fire fight in that area..... don't know if they are closed still or not... haven't read.... but at that time they did say that CR Prov was not closing Mae Sai crossing.....

I don't think it is closed unless something new happeed

There is a thread over in the general forum about an investor who was kidnapped in Thailand and one post seems to imply that it is the same guy who was helping David open the new branch of The Duke's.

I am told that The Duke's has been closed for several days with no sign or explanation and the phone is either broken or off the hook.

Anyone know anything?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1251415

He told police he had been involved in the oil and gas business in Texas

- Associated Press

Mark is a business man who was very successful in the oil and gas business in the USA and moved to Thailand to invest in the restaurant business here. To date he owns two restaurants in Phuket and is a partner in the Dukes in Chiang Mai. He was in the process of buying and opening another business and the funds had been brought in from overseas for that purpose. I understand from Mark that the main culprit in this plot is his house maid who was aware of his business activities and is married to one of the kidnappers.

Funny, when reading this the picture in my minds eye was of the old TV laugh-In , WWII German soldier played by Artie Johnson saying " Verrrreeeeee Interestinnnnng "

My vote for hoping it does not slow down the opening of the new place...

Gonzo

Hey you guys that braved the crowds, traffic, madness and WATER!!!

I didn't do it this year and would appreciate some fotos of those dancing wet bodies....so please post um here for us dry old foggies.

For the Old Foggies

Now remember j d g you asked for it

even tho this was not at temple, it might be banned''''

Coyote Bee U Tee Fulll

The way to put a stop to all this water throwing maddness

Donnyboy

Did you fail to read the forum rules.

56) Anyone making posts on the subject of Coyote Dancers without an accompanying photograph will be banned.

.......................

Nice knowing ya.

Gee LP ..... give the poor guy a break..... they were Coyote Dancers and I am sure he came home with cameras with broken lens'

I knew Hugh. He did like a drink.

What did he do for a living? He was always off to different places and always seemed to have cash to support his Thai life style.

He was involved in film making...... I know a few years ago he was off to Madagaskar to film some exotic and little known rare cat.....then it was off to the Amazon to go a zillion miles upriver on a filming expedition...Not for sure but I think some of the things were on or by or for National Geo....

Not too mention his world reknown fishing club south of town...... a couple years ago when the Mae Ping flooding was so bad , according to him, the river rose to a level as to flood his ponds and all his giant catfish swam away....

Those knowing Hugh a little at least, can realize his stories had a percentage of truth in them..... what that percentage was is for each to judge...

He was one of the CM Falang Fixtures, and I know for one,,,, I feel sadened by his passing...

Gonzo

This won't make many of you happy. I'm certainly disappointed. Several months ago I heard that the tourism authority is planning a handicrafts exhibit on the Royal Flora grounds from Nov 2009 to Jan 2010. I guess the good news is that there is nothing planned for the next two winters.

Has anyone else heard anything about the handicrafts show?

You are correct.... doesn't make me happy..... but on the upside, we now know what happens when they do a busy season Expo... by experience .... and can now plan accordingly... some options would be 1]closing during the busy season and considering the low season as the new busy season..... or 2] maybe getting a job driving a Taxi Meter at the airport.....

On a more serious side , I think by having the experience of knowing the problem, it may not be eliminated , but somewhat eased by readjusting and advance planning..... maybe

Last night [sunday] about 9:30 - 10 PM, around the Rama IX bridge, there must have been at least 20 vehicles with sirens running up and down Rattanakosin and Doi Saket Gao.... I was a bit out of it to go and chase them, but it sounded like something very serious.....I thought first thing , it was another bus smash up....

Anybody know what it was all about ??

Gonzo

I'm not surprised that taxi's are charging a flat fee during the holidays. It's not right but this kind of thing happens just about everywhere at holidays times.

Last time I used a blue and yellow was from the airport to get us home. When we got to our house the driver bashfully said he'd "forgotten" to switch the meter on! Well we said not a problem and told him the fare was 100 baht as that was the fare last time we used the taxi from the airport................ and thats what we paid him. His little face was a real picture (He didn't get a tip either, although I could have given him a verbal one).

Some posts here mention you have the choice of saying yes or no, but its not that simple for a lot of people who live outside of the city. I cant remember when I last saw a tuk tuk out my way and songtaels are few and far between. Lets also not forget people who cannot drive............or maybe they have a disability or a chronic health condition etc, these people do not have a choice.

So Gonzo it is good you bring this issue up here and perhaps there is a way over charging by way of flat fees in a metered taxi can be stopped.

While it is not a big thing to those of us who have the ability to brush it off, you have to admit that it is another piece in the puzzle of keeping tourists away from CM. I try and advise all who are coming to CM of what they should expect to pay for transport from the Airport , Bus and train stations. .... and I am not shorting the drivers with the quoted rates, but not gouging the incoming guests either......

I am sure they get some no and some yes... You guys represent the no... But the 'yes' has been the easiest way for them, so why should they care what is being said here? I can't see this as making one bit of difference.

Well Ajarn, sorry to disagree , but with all due respect , if posting here keeps one person from getting ripped off, then I think it does make a difference. and if we all stick our head in the sand, then guess what ,,,,, we become the same as the Thai's and the mai pen rai...

Jeezze No...... I was just talking with Abe 2 days ago and he brought up the Hugh's Name......

I hope that there is some mistake, but if there are some out there who know the name, but not the face, or know the face but not the name, this is Hugh....... on one of his better days.

Because we open kinda early and late for him..... he would occassionally stop in for some homemade tomato juice with a little morning eye opener

If its true, I'll really miss him....... and have to sneak in a one little one for him..... RIP

PS Does anyone know where his Rover is parked......

Taxi Bandits strike again..

It would seem to me that the Taxi bandits are somewhat unionizing.......

I have had two [seperate] guests arrive today with the story that the Taxi Meters, are refusing to use the meters and saying to the customer that the fee [normal 70B meter] is a flat 300B.... They are telling the customer that it is because of the holiday.

Why, Why, Why do the absolute pea brained crooks not see that just because they can make a few more baht today, the maybe tomorrow they may not have any tourist to rip off ...!!!

Why ? I'll tell you why ,,,,, because one in the hand is worth two in the bush and to most people here, there is no tomorrow.....

Now I'll email all my incoming guest not to take the meter taxi bandits.....

I thought there was some official control at the airport.???? Like in Bangkok where they give you a card with the Cab # on it.......

My g/f said that it was reported on television last night that a farang drowned in the moat during festivities yesterday but I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere. Anyone know about this????

I just logged on to ask the very same quesion.... I was told also that it was on Thai TV news last evening....

Binterested infndig out more if anyone knows

gonzo

Another unexplainable is where are all the travelers who made up the 38% increase in air travel to and from CM over the past 12 months.

I think it is a past government figure... need I say more..... probably from the TAT from a boss who was reading a Playboy Mag. at the time....... that number is thrown around in the mag quite frequently

Time for me to stick my 2 cents back in.....

I have to partially agree and partially disagree with UG and some of the others.

Good or bad, up of down, may really depend on what segment of the hosp/tourist business you are in....It may also depend on what level of that segment you are in...

I am in the hospitality/tourist business.... Guest House, Bar, Restaurant. I do get a lot of back packers and I do get a lot of those a little above the backpacker set. Our income is generated not only from rooms, food, beverage, but revenue to a large degree is generated from tours, treks, massage and the like or ancillary services.

The Royal Flora , good or bad....

Strangely, I found it both good and bad....

November, and December were very good for the room accommodation end...

January was the best month in 10 years, for rooms, both in revenue and room nights.... January is normally the best month of the year, but as I said , this January was the best on record.....

Now to the make up of the room rentals...... traditionally we run approximately 90% expat, 10% Thai...

This past period [Royal Flora] the Thai % age was slightly more than 20%.... the falang %age was made up of the slightly better economic level category.... I think this was probably the push down effect.....the mid price hotel rooms were taken up pretty much by the Bangkok Thai going to the Flora, and this left the mid range customer either to move up and in most cases out of the price affordability or to move downward into a guest house at a lower price.... and these rooms were hard to find as they were occupied by more of the Thai's who could not afford the upper levels of cost rooms, but still HAD to go to the RFE..

Room rentals was great...... now as the younger folks might say, the restaurant and bar business during this period SUCKED !!!

Not only were the better heeled falangs going out to better restaurants as they were now saving money on room costs, so they could splurge a little, but the Thai's in house were all on-the-street-eaters, who wanted to bring back their food and use my plates, glasses, etc. Which they did not once they found there was a corkage fee for their use.

Neither of these two economic groups were into the touring, trekking etc..... another it SUCKED for this segment of business.

Now with literally hundreds of the huge painted double-decker tour busses jamming up the streets about 18 -20 hours per day, the fast majority of the local food and drink business went to Hel*.....

The Royal Flora type of exhibition I think is a good thing and would like to see more of it...... but definitely not in what is the SEASON , when we are already usually full of tourists...... This Exhib. at this time of the year is the most idiotic scheduling thing I have ever seen...... In the low season it would be great........ in the high season its a disaster for the majority of tourism/hospitality related business other than maybe transport ..

Now we have [after flora] the myriad of smaller problems, as well as the overall world not being in the safest travel times, adding to the numbers that are definitely down ... now .... and for the year to date compared with past years....... date for date..... year for year....

But as Shakespeare said "The Sun Don't Shine On One Dogs Azz Forever" [that was Jimmy Bob Shakespeare]

OMHO maybe it was 3 cents worth..... Kataut

I'm glad [or not so glad as the case may be] to see that many other of the longer stay people seem to agree that the season has been slower with fewer tourists than usual..

The hospitality business to which I am closest, indicates a 25 to 30 % shortfall from last year... that comes to me both as in revenue and in numbers of guest/customers.... This is calendar year 2007 vs 2006 year to date.

I would guesstimate that a very small fraction of this is due to the new immig regs....... My opinion is that it is a accummulation of things.

Some small amount due to the change in governments........ a larger portion due to the perceived danger of coming to Northeren Thailand and trying to breathe..... some small portion to the South Thailand Problems......and a very large part to the media coverage that today can and is flashed around the world almost instantly.....

Most of the seasoned travelers have enough common sense to check things out locally before venturing off, and of course all the travelers from last year , would not be coming back to Thailand again this year anyhow...... I think it is the new, first timers to

Thailand who are summing up all the difficulties and just plain deciding that "maybe Thailand, with all the difficulties I have read about, best be put off til another year, and besides my money will go further in........ wherever...

But this too shall Pass.......

Gonzo

Being close to the Chiang Mai business community, it would seem from all that I have seen to date, that this year the tourism industry and related hospitality industry numbers are greatly lower than that of the past several years...

Would some others out there who are connected with business in the area care to comment on whether their business annual numbers are up or down ??

Right now on Songkran Friday it seems that there are a lot fewer foreigners in town than usual.....

Sincere comments appreciated.

Gonzo

Well it appears that the good Mr. Samak may have done a Don Imus......

Has been convicted of Defamation of Charactor and has been sentenced to 2 years making little rocks out of big ones....

But maybe he can get assigned to the Prison Kitchen, where the good Gov., can show off his Pad Thai recipe.