tornado40

Just been chatting with the appointed Mayor of Samui - aka Crusty who has just been transferred to BKK hospital via Bangkok Airways from Samui as his pace maker is playing up

He believes they are taking the biscuit charging 50,000 baht (that does include the Doctor)

Get well soon mate

RIP.

Can somebody confirm if this is Screaming Eagle, thx.

I am 99% sure that it is

On my regular visits to the island I knew Kevin very well - and so did my Brother who lives on the island. He emailed me this morning UK time

Very sad and sorely missed

RIP

Thank you all very much - I've a good idea what to do now

I use a AIS Aircard dongle... I was lucky to get a package 10 months 60 HR a month for THB about 3000 but you can get a pay as you go PREPAID (for 109 THB you get 20 Hrs, about 200THB will get about 50 Hrs)

and DTAC has a similiar dongle that you have to pay about 1300THB for the dongle and PREPAID .. However the speeds are slow they are using EDGE which is about 150 - 200 Kbs.. OK for email, forum and general web surfing..NOT good for YOUTUBE or downloading or uploading large files so maybe take ol mates advice and look into CAT CDMA? or whatever was suggested..

Keep in mind the AIS aircard even slow works most places including some areas of Koh Phangnan and if you are in BKK you will probably get up near the 3 Mbs ( it has 7mbs written on dongle) so you might get that up near BKK not sure.

Hope that helps.. Faranglaw

Thank you also for your reply

Where did you purchase the AIS Aircard. I could you this at home and for more 'heavy duty' stuff may head down to the IT Complex in Lamai

A dongle is possible but is relatively slow.

Not neccessarily so

I have just upgraded to the CAT CDMA dongle and it is very quick. I can average nearly 2MBS most places. Even with the mobile EDGE system as long as you don't need to down load large files then it is fine. It is also a pay as you go system which would be better if you are only here occasionally. Most places that have Wi-Fi tend to have cheap routers that tend to limit the transmission to 54kbs though I have been in a couple that have 1MB.

If you need to down load a big file just go to a high speed internet shop with your laptop and plug the ethernet cable directly into your computer.

Thank you very much H20Dunc - very usefull information

I have a place in Bophut that I visit 3 times a year (not long for the next visit)

I work via the internet whilst in Samui using a Sony Net Book with wireless

I connect to our main computer via Cisco and Putty and wonder if anyone could let me know answers to:

1. The best place for Wifi connection on the Island (preferably near Bophut)

2. Is it possible to connect via a 'dongle' to the systems above

I do not wish to put an internet connection to my home as I do not stay there enough at the moment (one day!)

Thank you in anticipation

If you are into wines, you may try to join the SWINES (Samui Winetasting Society) on one of their outings. They usually head for a picturesque part of the island at midday, each one bringing a secretly wrapped bottle of red and conduct a blind winetasting with scoresheets.Usually held once a fortnight, it is by invitation only and they have a website www.samuiyachtclubregatta.com click on "Grapevine" They usually invite a bar or massage parlour to join them which has helped many working girls see a different side of Samui.

sounds posh

Posh is not a word that I would use - but from my experiences - just great fun

Bangkok Airways to Reopen Samui Airport @ 19:30

??? perhaps !

Really appreciate all the updates

I'm due to land in Samui on Thursday at 12 noon for my usual visit to my home in Bophut

Maybe I'll have to stay a couple of days in Patters on the way down

I had said that I would like to attend - however, I have to change my travel plans from the UK - forward to July

Thought I would make you aware so that you can establish the numbers

Have a great time

I look forward to being there - providing the airport does not get closed by the reds/yellows for my flights 10 June - 1 July

I think I know your dog - when I come over next week I'll keep an eye out

Hope it did not get caught behind my new wall! - could be worth a look

Good luck

Do not use the big Honda shop by the Bophut traffic lights, despite a hassle free sales process I have still not received the ownership book (6 months now) for my 2nd hand Honda Click, everytime I go in they are extremely rude, girlfriend even walked out because they were disrespectful so much, then they lost copies of passport/WP etc..

I visit my house in Samui 3 times a year - so thought Ok I'll buy a second hand click - easy done and green book obtained

from a dealer who now for some reason only sells cars

Fancied having a top box fitted - so went along to the Honda shop by the Bophut traffic lights and got great service. Fitted it free and were not rude at all

I did ask them to look at the mileometer which was stuck at 4000 - they simply took the speedo apart and with the help of some wd40 it works again - however, they could have changed the number no problem if I had asked!

If you are like me and a regular returning 'guest' to the island - it is useful to have a foot pump - as the tyres seem to go flat after 3 months. So far though - it has always started on the electric start

Been travelling to Thailand from UK three times per year for the past twelve years

That time has gone quick - however

Agree about Thai airways - I'm sure they still have the same planes that I used in 1997/8

Etihad is great but they now only fly from Heathrow - and Gatwick is so much better for me

My last trip in Oct 09 Emirates from Gatwick - and very pleased with the check in/transfer/plane etc.

Also gave me the first flight with the A380

Looking forward to being with them again in Feb

I see they have set up in readiness in Bophut, at the traffic lights. I asked in the Cooler Bar thinking it was about helmets but he said no, it's for drink driving over the new year.

Knowing what I'm like on the piss, I say it will be taxi time tonight!

They have been there for years and ive never seen them stop anybody!!!

I was told they are just watching???

We came of a moped right in front of them and all they did was laugh!!!

I was in Samui back in October - on my click with helmet at one in the morning - got stopped at a checkpoint set up at the Bophut lights

I thought I'm in for it now - was asked ' where are you going' I said ' to a club' answered with ' have a nice evening'

Impressed by how polite they were

See what happens in February when I come back!

Good luck Nick - sorry can't be with you tonight but I'm not back on Samui till Feb

Best wishes from a returning Spurs fan

I switched from Thai Air to Etihad due to the age of the Thai aircraft and the cost

I was concerned about the stop over at Abu Dhabi

Now I enjoy good prices with Etihad and the planes are new and the service is very good

I like the stop over which is only about an hour and a half - gives a chance to have a walk around etc.

My house in Samui (if the upload works!)

Please please make it between 29 May and 15 June so I can be there!

And dont be put off by the "nothing is selling no one wants second hand property etc etc brigade"

Agreed- I am in the interesting situation where a Thai neighbour wishes to buy my house which I purchased in Samui 6 years ago

Thing is is that this is my holiday home to allow a regular escape from the UK and have turned him down

Still friends though!

Democracy Let the people vote and he and his party will be out in the blink of an eye that's why he wont hold a General election he knows what will happen

No democracy in Thailand right now

Same as the UK with McBrown?

u need a thai person who signs the papers..

I have a thai person to sign the papers if needed. Thanks

No, you don't need a Thai to sign any papers, you can do it yourself.

I know the Honda dealers will let you use Visa, but only up to a certain ammount, then you have to pay the balance in cash.

I have just purchased a second hand Honda Click - over the road from Big C - just this week

Visit several time a year on tourist visa for one month at a time. Went to imigration to get document to register the green book in my name - 500 baht no problem

Hope this helps

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even at today's exchange rate that would be ~ 75.000.000 Baht must be some HOUSE!

50.000 p.M. rents quite a decent place these days this would make it only 18.000.000 Baht... for 30 years you would be 79 by then...120 years of rental would still bring it only to 72.000.000... got to be an Oyster of a house!

Sorry Samuian - I stand corrected - 1.75m Baht - woops!

even at today's exchange rate that would be ~ 75.000.000 Baht must be some HOUSE!

50.000 p.M. rents quite a decent place these days this would make it only 18.000.000 Baht... for 30 years you would be 79 by then...120 years of rental would still bring it only to 72.000.000... got to be an Oyster of a house!

Samuian - I think you will see the difference if you notice the 1. infront of the 75m!

I would be interested in your recalculation!

Just noticed on the Bloomberg ticker that Thai Airways are looking to delay the delivery of the Airbus A380 due to cash shortage

I wonder how long we will have to put up with the old 747's that run LHR-BKK

Hi Tornado40,

Were did you get that price ticket?

I bought the ticket 3 days ago from the Asda Travel website - I think the price has gone up a bit now, but still good value with short stop over