Lorin

Thank, I will try again.

I used to call outside Thailand through 009 for few years already, but unable to do so from my AIS last few days...Anyone knows what is going on? Any other cheap and reliable alternatives?

Does the Asoke branch always run out of hand towels in the afternoon, or do they simply not have them anymore? I brought it up with the manager since they had run out around 6PM and he motioned towards the reception area saying to contact the HQ. Shouldn't it be his job to bring up with HQ any issues that customers have? I told him it was pretty nasty that the place was packed full of sweaty smelly people and not one of them had a towel to wipe down the equipment or themselves. I didn't even get the Thai smile response for that one, just an odd stare before he walked away. It's all about customer service!

I didn't expect much since it's been obvious for a while now that they're on their way out, but I'm just wondering if I should buy hand towels to bring with me for as long as the place remains open, or if this just happens every once in a while.

Fitness First Gyms (which are much more expensive than CW) don't supply any towels at all.

I think CW can last another 1 to 2 years before tanking.

You are wrong, Fitness First Platinum supply towels and even tshirt and training every time you going there.

"less of the traditional hourglass shape" you must be kidding me, Thai women and hourglass shape...:-)

Insurance is much more expensive, but with new BMW for example you will have no trouble at all, as service and repairs are free for 3 years.

I'm looking for person with mechanical and electrical skills and tools to assemble some machines, plus change electricity in some of them from 110v to 220v. The job is urgent and well paid. Please contact by PM.

If those ppl vote Dems in the next elections, money well spent..

Thanks for the answer any more locations?

Hi guys, I'm traveling down to Pattaya today to see my gf and wonder where I can buy flowers for the Valentines, I know some shop on the Central road not far from Foodland on the opposite side, but it rather small and I suspect they will run out of the flower till I get there. Your help appreciated.

Talking about flowers for tomorrow, where is the good place to buy flowers in central BKK? I know that place on soi 33 Sukhumvit, but I think its gonna be crazy tomorrow morning there. Any more good places?

Ever heard of "advanced planning" ?? Hey maybe you are Thai?

Yes, seems to me I become Thai after few years spent here, but help me instead of pointing out my mistakes..:-)

Talking about flowers for tomorrow, where is the good place to buy flowers in central BKK? I know that place on soi 33 Sukhumvit, but I think its gonna be crazy tomorrow morning there. Any more good places?

At least someone thinking ahead and preparing for the impact of the crisis, so Un-Thai behavior...:-0

Over the last 6 years i have gone through so many changing opinions on the OP post

From hating it - to humoring it - to becoming a victim of it - to accepting it - to finally realise that:

It aint so black and white!

there are a lots of evil stereotypes and good reason too - BUT...

I guess its depending on who you are, whom you have attracted and where in the whole Thailand wonderland experience your at today.

Thailand is just a ride, so many predictable twists and turns -

but always the unexpected ass tickler to give you whiplash!

Thesedays i live by the following rules...

I call it the 'THAI ACID LOVE TEST'

If it was a bar girl making a finacial plea:

i would certainly decline in sending money - why?

Cos theres a 90% she is full of crap and has another 10 guys doing the exact same thing and is probably richer than me anyway

(anyone one dares to tell me otherwise - can just go stand in the corner while i call your parents - live here long enough and do the calculations - bar girls never lie)

id rather gamble on better odds than that....

If i knew the girl was genuine and i trusted her more than average

I would certainly consider sending her money - but not so that she would grow dependant and lazy on it, or worse - learning that repeating this act can be a good way to earn a living for all the other wet tissues flying in. I would just provide a one off payment to help her out and reduce the chances of her becoming a corrupted deviant.

(As i would hope someone would do for me in a similar situation)

If it was my wife...

haha - id be doomed not too - hence i wont be marrying a Thai to become the farang sponser to all her family back home and a slave to wants that become requests.

Does that sound jaded, miserly or cruel? or perhaps KI NIAW?

Well, unless you can honestly trust your wife 100% (im not quite there yet)

why complicate matters with money and expectations from the whole family? and risk further maniplulations down the line.

The way i see it is - If she leaves you as a result - well thats a great THAI ACID LOVE TEST' in my opinion.

You have probably done yourself a great favor in finding out earlier - what your dellusions and inflated ego could never dechipher here in wonderland.

Rules of exception

If i had actually visited her family whom were old, retired, struggling, clearly in the proverbial.

If i felt i could do some good without it being DEMANDED or culturally EXPECTED or whatever...

Then i would request their bank details and send cash directly to them - yes i would consider a monthly salary too if i could afford it and if it was certain it wasnt going to the monthly lottery syndicate.

Nowdays however, to avoid becoming a miserly jaded farang

I find it much more fullfilling to give a few thousand baht to the poor Cambodians on the border with no arms or legs, or the same poor suffering victims you see walking around the street half dead or selling crap at the traffic lights and sucking in black soot all day.

These poor souls are genuinely on borrowed time - if i could help one of those i would truly feel it was worth it and an investment well spent...

Ask yourself how many THais do you see giving poor folks money?

ive never seen one - dont tell me they dont have money, they dish it out to the temple repairs every month to buy good karma and fortune back for themselves,

(nothing is done without expectation) just as they expect kind foreigners to provide for them too. But just how many Thais will help strangers?

There are millions of GENUINE cases for you to give charity for...

Millions who really do need just a few hundred baht a day to live modestly and with dignity

So when your next playmate or wifey starts her predictable demands - just think about the 'Thai Acid Love Test'

so go ahead - have some fun!

Very good post, and regarding myself i think its still sickens me cause I dont need to send money to girl to be with me(maybe just yet, lets talk in 10 years)..:-)

23 ppl entered one room in very "Thai" hotel, so what they expect to happen? I believe the staff suspected a drug party and send the cops upstairs. Get a private house next time...:-)

I believe they will appeal and drag it through the courts for 10 years...till then nobody will remember what happened...

Why Chiang Mai? Seems to me BKK or Chonburi with all the industry and traffic should be more polluted?

A little note I just sent off to THAI:

Dear Thai Airways Executives:

You may or may not be aware that Thai Airways International (THAI) is truly taking a beating in the international press as well as many popular online travel sites regarding substandard service and overpricing. I am not in the travel industry nor am I an economist however it appears to this former frequent flyer that your airline is being poorly mismanaged and customer service is becoming nonexistent. I simply want to make you aware that the perception of THAI service and value is now comparable to Thailand in general. THAI seems to see no value in meeting the needs of its customer base or improving traveler perception of a once great airline.

By way of example I would like you to read the running dialog in the Bangkok Post Opinion Section, Letters to the Editor, for the past week. I think you will be embarrassed about how the Business Class traveler perceives your airline. The overall theme of the opinions is that your service is in steep decline with no end in sight. The running joke around the world for years has been what is called “Thai Economics”. This proven theory outlines the fact that if the customer base and revenue decline a Thai business simply needs to increase prices to make up for the shortfall. This theory almost never works but is practiced until executives come to their collective senses of the business fails. The hotels and resorts in Thailand are starting to get it by halving their prices to save their businesses and keep employees on the job. Even THAI’s competition have all cut fares to stay in business while THAI cuts routes and services while holding the line on ticket prices.

You should have become aware by now that there is a global economic crisis that is affecting your bottom line. I did see that THAI is requesting a multi-billion Baht stimulus package from the government but without a specific plan to spend the giveaway. THAI recently announced that the direct flight to Los Angeles may have to be scrapped because of declining load factors. My advice would be to cut fares to be at the very least within sight of your competition. It is pure hubris to expect travelers to pay tens of thousands of Baht more to fly THAI especially when cabin service has gotten worse in recent years.

Finally, I just want to you and your staff to take a look at references to THAI online. Social networking and information sharing on the web is having a negative impact on your business in general. You need to Google yourself and see just what is out there. First impressions are the ones that people remember for a long time and what they see online will turn them off forever. One site: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Airways...at-t237126.html is widely read around the world. If it were me I would immediately get the appropriate management teams involved to stem the bleeding of your public relations nightmare. “Crisis Management Intervention” is wildly used in business and someone who went to school in the West will know the precepts or at least the concepts that could begin save your sinking ship.

I realize my criticism sounds harsh but many believe THAI is in crisis and prompt action is required to get passengers flying again. These problems are not going away soon or by themselves. Competent and strong leadership will be required to reverse the decline. I for one hope someday to return to the fold and fly THAI in the near future.

Sincerely, (grantbkk)

grant, the only correspondence that Thai airways people will read is one that's brief and flattering, or at least a commendation of their services.

If within the 1st or 2nd sentence, they detect any hint that the letter is non-flattering, they'll probably chuck it in the waste bin. This is particularly true if the letter is in a language other than Thai.

Have you ever tried making a mention to an employee/manager of a Thai biz - on how they might improve their services or products? If it's a mention of not praising their biz, they'll either walk away or get annoyed/defensive. At best, they'll give an indication of acknowledgment, then walk away with a confused look on their faces. Improvements won't come forth from mentions/complaints from farang.

I don't know how you can be so cynical of your fellow man and Thai Airways. This morning I got this response from THAI and all should be peachy after their next staff meeting. Right?

Dear (grantbkk),

Thank you for your e-mail written concerning your suggestion about THAI Airways International.

We really appreciated receiving your interesting comments and thank you for taking the time to write. We would like to assure you that letters such as yours are always acted upon, in our continual striving to achieve the best possible service at every level of our organization, and for this reason we truly value your comments.

We trust that we shall have further opportunities to welcome you on board THAI Airways International's Royal Orchid Service during your future travels. Until such time we send you our best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Weraluck Bhensuwan

for Ton Loharjun

Department Manager

Customer Relations Service Department

Wow, unbelievable they actually answered...:-)

I will come if its gonna be in BKK.

Just got my new wheels few days ago and I'm very happy with it. Still havent sold the Mazda, but you cant compare those 2...:-) Do anyone knows where I can make some fixes/tunning to the car? Starting with enabling build in GPS that is not working by default from what agent told me, then to chip that adds hp and torque and then changing exhaust pipe and spoilers? Me in BKK.

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease run flat tyres are a joke, ridiculously priced and throw them away when punctured, maybe in Thailand they will repair them but the buggers wont in the UK apart from one brand I believe?. Ive changed all mine to NON run flats, we'll ignore the run flats concrete like ride qualities too!! Tin of tyreweld if punctured fixes the no spare problem.

My run flats are absolutely fine. Smooth ride and very comfortable.

I've had one puncture - very early on when I hit a massive pot hole. I was very glad I had run flats as I wouldn't have even known I had a puncture if the computer hadn't signalled. I actually ran the car for couple of days before getting it replaced - yes expensive - around 9,000 Baht.

It is a great safety feature: if I get a blow out at speed, I will be perfectly OK, and it is very reassuring when I am up country to know I will be able to carry on driving to the nearest town/dealer.

I've been running my car for nearly 6 months now with not a whisper of a problem of any kind. If you read back through this thread you will see that I did test drive a Honda Accord, and I thought it was a very nice car. But it just isn't in the same class as the BM.

I actually read a review on BMW service/tyres in Motoring section of Bangkok Post. They mentioned to replace on cost 19000 baht, its good to know that it can get cheaper with your been "only" 9000..:-)

Thanks for details, can I ask you if the motor is loud when its in neutral? I test drive 520D before and it was sounds like a a diesel Fortuner to me...

I used to own a diesel Fortuner, and IMO there is no comparison with the noise. It is really quiet.

Top Gear did a test drive of a 520D and Clarkson, who has always hated diesels, became an instant convert. They did a noise test and compared it to the BMW petrol equivalent, and found that the 520D was quieter.

These are diesels like you gave never experienced before, and are very economical, provided you don't drive like a maniac, but even then, it still does better than my 3 litre Fortuner diesel.

BTW the latest 3 series models are roomier than earlier versions, and I have had 3 'largish' adults in the back with minimal discomfort. But it's still compact enough to park in small spaces and get through busy, narrow sois. The ideal size for driving in Thailand.

Do a test drive and see what you think. Right now I reckon the salesmen will be falling over themselves to make a sale.

I will do test drive tomorrow, they have few demos available from what I know, so maybe will make up my mind tomorrow.

With the possible exception of a 328i convertible I used to own in the UK, this is one of the best cars I have ever driven.

I have no idea whether a Mazda3 would overtake me, but so far nothing has come even close. I cruise down the outside lane at a whisper-quiet 180kms/hr and it is truly a pleasure to drive. The brakes are magic.

If you have Bangkok plates and darkened windows, everyone gets out of you way as they think you are someone important. I drove with red plates for over 5 months, at night, upcountry, Bangkok, everywhere, and never got stopped once.

Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi: 45 Minutes. Pattaya to Bangkok, Sukhumvit, Soi 19: 65 Minutes.

There is a semi manual gear option (7 speeds) and it goes like shit in this mode. Very useful for getting ahead of slow moving "traffic clumps" and safely overtaking on the narrow roads of East Pattaya.

They tried to persuade me to put some factory built modifications on the body, but I think it looks beautiful the way it is, and it was one of the first to have the very latest styling, with great rims as standard.

I was contacted by a gentleman who offered to get a chip for my car, so I thought "Why Not?" I met him in Pattaya and it was duly installed. This was just after I took delivery, so I can't say how much the performance has been improved by the chip, but it sure goes well now.

I suppose you know there is a 3 year unlimited warranty (except for tyres and battery), and BMW will rescue you form any location in Thailand, should you break down. The run flat tyres are also a reassurance if you are driving up country.

I have never regretted forking out for this motor. It is one of my greatest pleasures.

But each to his own - it is all a matter of personal preference.

Thanks for details, can I ask you if the motor is loud when its in neutral? I test drive 520D before and it was sounds like a a diesel Fortuner to me...

I picked it up last Tuesday and it's been raining ever since. Below is a rare occasion when the car was clean. It bucketed down about five minutes after I took the pics.

It is a wonderful piece of machinery and I have no regrets.

It's absolutely packed with "bits and bobs and toys' and it will take me a year to get to know them all.

Cool car, hoping to get one for myself soon as well. Have you done any modifications/additions?

I haven't seen any line/service in Thailand that will give you more than 40kb/s upload to server/machine that located outside the country, even on CAT lines. Inside Thailand it will go up to 50-60kb/s connecting to torrents/smtp/ftp.

Been there yesterday, a bit depressing with big brand not showing at all: BMW, Benz, Lexus. I think it not make financial sense for them to rent an expensive place and not to make good sales. Time for discounts?