South

There is not much in it distance wise but play with the traffic in Surat or take the country route, tis up to you as they say.

Maenam

How many times does it have to be said the visa aspect of this club has never had an issue for its members from the start and through all the BS that has beset Thailand up to the present day.

I think that I will have to be said again and again (and again) (and...) till the Thailand Elite haters have enough savings to buy themselves a membership

25+ years with never a visa problem.

Some of these booking sites take a chunk of up to 20% from the hoteliers. Now this no small amount when spread over the year/s and could well be the deciding factor whether to redecorate/upgrade rooms etc etc.

All good for the traveler as they could be getting better prices. All good for the booking sites because they are getting their fees and commissions but the hotelier is the one losing out and that could be the reason why breakfast is not included or there is no free water or why the mini-bar prices are so high etc etc. Unfortunately though, because these sites are so convenient for those wanting to book somewhere from the comfort of their armchair or wherever, they are in fact a necessary evil for the actual hotel trade.

Just MHO.

Why not fly direct from Krabi? PG has a daily am flight if I remember correctly. A little more expensive but will save you quite a few hours traveling ..... and Chaweng is only a few minutes from USM too.

I use both the personal and cooperate sites. They are ok for basic stuff but anything more and it is a trip down to the branch. The service I get in the branch is excellent by the way.

That's a cool map --- opens up a lot of possibilities

for UK passport holders the British Antarctic Territories should be quite interesting

Was there in 1982 and 1988, very interesting actually but not a place I would like to live permanently, no 7/11s.

Anyway, back to the OP, Knynsa in South Africa is a spot I would seriously consider. Stunning lagoon/coastline, everything you need too and for SA, not too much crime.

Can't speak for Chaweng or Lamai but the waters in Maenam are fine. Agreed there is a brownish tinge at times but as far as I know, that is just the run off from the rivers which is mostly evident after there has been rain.

A farang guy and his wife versus cement truck. Cement truck won

RIP to both of you.

Excellent pics, same era when I first came to Samui. Can't remember the ring road being concreted though and I am only going back about 26 years.

And some say it is paradise now!

I am hearing reports of a dead foreigner washed up on a beach in Phuket this morning.

Does anyone know any more?

RIP to whoever you are.

Rarely post simply because too many threads get hijacked and then it's the start of a downward spiral - makes interesting reading sometimes.

'Ancient Siam' in Boran , close to Samut Prakan do full traditional Thai wedding packages in a stunning location with all the bells and whistles. Well worth looking into IMHO.

Half a mile down Maenam Soi 3 on the left, Only does coconut wood.

Rumour has it that Toyota are bringing out a brand new model early 2015, something to rival Ford and Mazda. Might just be worth waiting.

Thought about Langkawi at all? Only a boat ride to Satun and IMHO nicer than Penang. Thailand has more 'fun' and a sanuuk attitude but could be worth a look. Malaysia also has the MM2H scheme offering a long-term visa and better rights for expats which could be worth thinking about.

First set foot here in 1986/7. Totally unrecognizable now and today people call it a paradise island? Paradise lost maybe ..

Try that now ...

If it is for driving licence etc, I think it is HERE Should imagine it still is there. Haven't been for a few years.

Happens every year, makes the news every year.

Sygic is a good app, pay once and it's yours for life....

Does anybody have any old pic's from the 70's or 80's.

please post.

PKG

I have seen a picture of Patong from 40 years ago and there was nothing but palm trees from the beach back to the mountain. There was one building higher than the palm trees.

Patong approx 35 years ago .. the one buidling doubled from a restaurant to hotel.

how convienent that a piece of wood was nearby.and look at the smirk on the coppers face as he squeezes his arm.

That is not a policeman touching his arm.

Correct. Khoo pai, similar to police but yam or guards who help the police.