Robbie Dye

Bring it on...lets see 72 baht to the pound again..or more

With the dependence on tourism I have no doubt we will get to 70 at least!

Hi

I like to buy an air ticket for my son, who wants to visit me in Thailand. I phoned few agencies and nobody can sell ticket London-Bangkok-London. Any ideas?

Thaivisa Travel CAN! Just email us at [email protected] with the dates

a bus which has enough booze for the trip.

and this is the sales catch!

I was thinking that people who want to drink can simply bring their own.

once your seated, we will chain you to your seat, confiscate your booze and resell it to you...after all I learned how to make business around here.....

I'm sure we could have a bar facitility on the bus.......

A bra facility might also make it more fun! TG flights up and back are THB 4380 all in and Air Asia cheaper

A cynic might say that that as Thailand does not have a war to fight, this is Mother Natures way of culling the population. I read today also that the Interior Minsiter is considering banning alcohol at Songkran next year, that would make it like a 7 day election and kiss goodbye to even more tourists. Let's face it, whatever we say or think, nothing will change because the Thais seem to LIKE risking their own lives and that of others with lunatic behaviour. I feel truly sorry for the loss of life incurred thus fare and for what is still to come. Happy Songkran, stay at home!

It doesn't say that we are forbidden to consume alcohol. It only says no alcohol will be "served" or "sold".

This means it is okay to drink our own alcohol, and to drink it regardless of the location.

It's a bit like the time-of-day restriction on alcohol sales. You can't buy alcohol before 11am or between 2pm and 5pm, but you can consume it any time of the day.

If we had left bottles of whisky with our name on it at a bar or club that were purchased on a date prior to the 14th of December 2007, can we consume them?

Would any bars or clubs allow BYO?

Possible answer is for a bar to do a "bin" for a packet of fags but issue a beer instead! Saw this before. The whole thing is a farce

Hope they use cotton, it should be a bit cooler than those polyester things.

Does it allow for more space for tea money I wonder??

I have seen this immigration boss at a few parties around Mabprachan, suggest nobody invites him any more coz clearly he is using his time to think of ideas to make everyones lives even harder.

I have found Air Asia to be exactly what they are, a budget carrier. I find their inflexability sometimes very bad business ethics though. I had seven family members booked on two legs a few weeks ago. Khon Kaen to Bangkok and then Bangkok to Krabi.

There was 90 minutes to transfer at Bangkok which although was a bit tight it certainly should have been "do-able". Unfortunately my wife and I couldnt make it and I was OK with forfeiting our fares, the other 5 people took off from Khon Kaen 45 minutes late and were told that they would have to re purchase tickets in Bangkok for the Krabi flight.

All appeals to the companies sense of responsibility fell on deaf ears even though it was their delay and they were pre paid Air Asia flights etc. The party of 5 made the second leg with minutes to spare but there luggage went AWOL. Not much help there either, costs for a taxi back to the airport the next day along with 5 baggage tickets etc were a hassle and another case of "not our fault"

I feel they should carry more responsibility for their own flight delays and the consequences of those delays, even if only for an onward Air Asia flight. personally I think they tend to be very business and not consumer driven.

One leg may be ok but why should you have to allow at least 3 hours between flights to allow for Air Asias late departures.

You get what you pay for I guess

Khun Andy

I met the Air Asia sales team the other day, they have just recruited a guy ex Ryan Air for those of us from UK who know this market leader in no frills travel, and things will change for the better, BUT my own experiences with Air Asia since they got Suvarnabhumi almost to themselves now in that corner of the departures have been great, on time flights, even early occasioanlly. Correct bottom line is you get what you pay for.

She will need to show a return ticket to enter Oz on a tourist visa.

thanks for the reply do you know where that information can be confirmed because i have just checked the immigration website and the only requiremnts that they say are a valid visa and completed incomming passanger card.

From experience you would be VERY UNWISE to try and get her in on a one way ticket. Whilst the website may say one thing, Oz immigration are a tough bunch and they do not like Thai ladies coming in on one ways. In any case it is cheaper to buy a return from BKK than to buy 2 one ways tickets so i dont see why you need to worry.

Hi

I need to fly to England in February (2008) for a few weeks.

I can fly from Bangkok, KL, Singapore to anywhere in the UK. I just want a cheap flight.

What's happened to all the 300 quid fares!?

Does anyone know of the cheapest airlines at the moment?

Cheers

Call a good travel agent or email him!! The days of 300 quids are LONG gone, the lowest ever now is about 29000 Baht, of which 10,000 is fuel surcharges and taxes so the main reason fares have gone up is the extras, NOT the fare. Kuwait are about 22000 plus the taxes so same as most, I can offer Qatar which is a much superior airline for around the same. It MIGHT alos be worth waiting as many start sales after Christmas and Feb is not a busy month. Hope that helps

You have to realise that apart from the airlines own websites, top rank booking agents like lastminute, expedia, ebookers etc. the rest of the product is just advertising.

I live in Pattaya and every week a travel agent plasters a whole page of the Pattaya Mail with fares but they could just be made up as they are not guaranteed.

Another anomaly is Emirates / Etihad. Etihad offers lower fares but has higher taxes whereas Emirates has higher fares but lower taxes (both BKK-LON).

The reality with these agents is that hey have not invested or cannot invest in online instant booking agencies and are just the same as the old telephone and ask agents of 20 years ago.

Sorry, that is a complete load of TOSH. Many of us agents, including myself here in Pattaya, have invested in our own websites which we update with special offers from the airlines, we make it possible for you to email and ask, get free online consultation about all the availability and airlines who go where you want to go, book on email, get your itinerary on email, pay securely online or by bank transfer and get your ticket electronically so we can earn for a miserly sum in commission. I am not aware you could do that 20 years ago. I agree that the large page in the Pattaya Mail is a load of ... but you need to know that the owner of that company is rather closely related to the owner of the publication so i dont think he pays a lot for his adverts. I spent money in it last year and it was waste of space, whereas inernet marketing to expats really DOES work. Lastly we all have last minute seat availability on our airline systems, and if there is a seat in the booking class I need to get you the best rate then I can and will guarantee the price...as long as you pay me on time!

This is definately one of those cases where I've done a little research before posting here :-)

I'm in LOS from Dec 22nd - Jan 11. I've got the first few days in BKK arranged and then the rest of the week before NYE in Phuket taken care of but I'm running into some problems trying to book anything for Pattaya for Jan 7 - 11. I've been to BKK and Phuket several times in the past but I've finally caved into peer presure and decided to check out Pattaya.

I've tried most of the recommended hotels on TV and some other sites but everyone is booked solid. I was wondering if anyone had any advice.

I've looked at the following:

Areca Lodge

Sandy Springs

Sabai Inn

Sabai Lodge

Sabai Resort

I'm willing to go up to about $100 US a night. That means I've ruled out places like the Marriott, Hard Rock, Dusit, Amari, etc.

I need:

a. Close to nightlife

b. Guest friendly attitude

c. Nice, clean, decent hotel

Nice to have:

a. Wireless or in-room broadband

b. In-room safe

c. Pool

Don't care about:

a. Meals (usually don't get up early enough for the included breakfast anyway)

b. Noise (I tend to sleep like a rock)

I've been trying to find a site that books for the Flipper hotel group because I went to their site and they wanted you to make reservations on a non-SSL webpage. Uh, if you can't even set up SSL I highly doubt that you take any precautions when that webform emails you my credit card info. Same deal at the Sabai chain but I found a third party that books for them.

Looks like Siam Bayshore/view have rooms available but I thought I read a few posts saying that they are not guest friendly.

So considering the dire booking situation, if anyone has any advice on places that can actually confirm your reservation in real-time that would be fantastic. Nothing like waiting 48 hours to be told that no rooms are available.

Lastly, if all else fails, any suggestions on where I might want to get away for a few days that has some nightlife and I have a chance of actually booking a room? Even if I have to pick up a flight to get there?

Can help you with Tim Boutique Hotel, Soi 14, THB 3450 all in and great rooftop pool.

I don't plan on going for several months yet but when I checked the local fares I was shocked. I always had a way to get a deal in the US through consolidators when the fares were so high, but I don't know how to do that here. I think I might do better waiting until a few months out.

I am afraid it is a fact that fares from here to USA and indeed to Europe are often higher than from the other end. This can be for many reasons, many carriers hub via Taipei and thus have clients from Japan and places with more money than Thailand and they want to maximise their revenue, and also the number of business class passengers commencing their journies from BKK is minimal and so they jack up the economy rates to compensate. You WILL get deals occasionally BUT you have to remember that taxes/fuel surcharges and security charges are now 10000 baht to all intents and purposes. Waiting will do you not a lot of good although we would expect "winter sales" after Christmas, maybe 2000 baht off a USA ticket.

I will try to respond to your question, if I may? If I am wrong, experts please free to correct me..

Thai Visa Travel is a new adventure and although the 'potential' customers are out there...it will take quite a few hundreds or even thousands of bookings to secure a rock bottom price on certain airlines...the most established seller/s of seats will secure a lower price than their new competitors.

Advertising fares at the lowest price excluding the additonal taxes is common place throughout the world..and the lowest fare probably only applies to the first 50 or 60 passengers who actually book and pay for the fare subject to availability at that particular moment in time.

The 'special fares' that you mention are NOT Thaivisa's own special fares...they are 'special' fares that the airline/s are advertising.

I hope this has answered your question

Thanks for the reply

I understand the airline system quiote well (I think) and am a seasoned traveller back to the UK usually annually. I won't ask the same question again as I now understand the part regarding the new venture. However, I can assure you that the 50-60 seat rule has never yet been an obstacle for me in obtaining an excellent price including taxes (far cheaper than Thai Visa's advertised fares) especially with Emirates and Qatar.

Good luck to Thai Visa Travel.

Cheers

Having been working ihis industry for a long time I would advise that there is in fact a level playing field out there since all we agencies buy in from a choice of ticketing agents or consolidators depending on the airline involved. The NET fares are the same to all agents, and on those that still pay commission this is netted down so effectively buying a ticket at the airline provided lowest level and then we all pay a ticketing fee which is the ticket provider/consolidators margin. Really BIg users of an airline may get also an additonal override ie more money from that specified airline but most always kept by the consolidator either for pormotions to its agencies or to make up for the highly competitive ticketing fee which is not going to make it rich quickly. In defence of TVT this is a very price responsive market, the fare can be 20000 plus taxes one day but up to 25000 the next as yield management is now practiced by nearly all the airlines.

I changed cars and got a dark tint and have not paid any tea money for 3 months

I am thinking of having a visit to the Philipines next month....

I am in Chiang Mai....so I know I have to go to BK,KL first..possibly Singapore?

Can enyone suggest airlines and routes and approx costs ??

I would recommend that you use Air Asia from CNX to BKK as they will take you in to Suvarnabhumi and not Don Mueang, this rate fluctuates wildly depending on day of the week, the time and how full the plane is. BKK to Maila on Philippine Airlines is the best because prices are very good and times are also civilized, a 14 day ticket starts at about THB 4500 plus taxes etc of 3200 or so.

I am sure this is a common problem but after searching both this site and various on line travel agents in the UK and Thailand cannot seem to find a solution.

My G/F has been to the UK twice before and each time has used BA (because I can pay on line in the UK and it’s a direct flight)

When I go to Thailand, I usually fly with EVA, it’s a good price and its direct.

Early next year I want to fly out and when I return she wants to fly back with me and return to Thailand about a month later.

I can get flights with EVA for around the £450 mark for me but her ticket everywhere I have looked comes in at about 43,000 baht (£650).It has to be a direct flight because she is worried about changing planes without me there. I have tried playing with dates as we are fairly flexible but keep hitting this 43/44000 baht mark which seems to be a bit over the top compared with the prices I can get for my own flights.

Any help would be appreciated as the £200 difference will make a lot of difference in the amounts she(my wallet) has for clothes shopping.

Thanks

If I understand you right there is NO solution. Prices ex UK are always or nearly always cheaper than from Thailand on the nonstop carriers. Eva are forced to toe the line in the UK to remain competitive, whereas from here they can always get more money. The only solution is for both of you nto fly Etihad or Qatar or more obscure airlines like Turkish or someone!

Sign me up please

Interesting question, however, I cannot find any evidence that HK Express fly to Thailand, they seem to concentrate on secondary Chinese cities ???? Can Music Travel please confirm

www.hongkongexpress.com is the website but I cannot see any online facility as yet which is weird. They are NOT on our GDS airline booking system, they purport to have a General sales Agenct office on BKK on 02 634 3792. Weird schedule, no flight tomorrow but then daily with 2 on Sunday and 2 next Tuesday BKK HKG. I too shall try and call this GSA. Guy

Experience tells me that BA seldom make the special offers from BKK that they do ex LHR, occasionall in Premium Economy they will drop the price a bit, but the specials at the mo run out in April. You would be wsie to book as soon as possible to get their lowest fare BUT you also have to pay within 5 days

I had a challenge trying to use a Thai travel agent to book a hotel room in New York. It appears there's no way for Thai agents to get instant availability, or at least the dozen or so we tried couldn't offer it.

That's crazy, and GDS system can give instant availability but noy always the best prices for a huge choice of hotels in all cities worldwide. Maybe that agewnt not have an on-line reservations system!

Hi, got a problem! My Thai g/f is coming to hopefully visit me in UK, however she has not flown by herself out of TL before, so i want to fly to BKK to meet her then next day fly back together to UK..after her visit she would be fine to fly back herself to TL. Now how do i go about booking my flight here in UK so that my return flight from BKK is the same as her outbound flight to UK?? she doesnt know how to book a flight also, so big problem getting everything in sync! Also how then would I even attempt to get seats together so she is not on her her for my flight back and her flight put?? Any ideas on this problem anyone?? Can I book mine and her flights all in UK? Many thanks!

Easy, just get me to check availability for her and you, then u buy UK BKK return over there and Thai agency does equiv for her and can match up seats, not impossible by any means, and seats can always be reallocated at check in

Hi, got a problem! My Thai g/f is coming to hopefully visit me in UK, however she has not flown by herself out of TL before, so i want to fly to BKK to meet her then next day fly back together to UK..after her visit she would be fine to fly back herself to TL. Now how do i go about booking my flight here in UK so that my return flight from BKK is the same as her outbound flight to UK?? she doesnt know how to book a flight also, so big problem getting everything in sync! Also how then would I even attempt to get seats together so she is not on her her for my flight back and her flight put?? Any ideas on this problem anyone?? Can I book mine and her flights all in UK? Many thanks!

Easy, just get me to check availability for her and you, then u buy UK BKK return over there and Thai agency does equiv for her and can match up seats, not impossible by any means, and seats can always be reallocated at check in

Any advice, Iam going to have to travel to Toronto in the not to distant future,my question is which route to take.Anybody done / does this route please help.I will be flying business class so any advice which airline is best in this class also a great help.I've been looking at BA to Heathrow then Heathrow to Toronto or fly to Hong Kong and Air Canada from their to Toronto.

Await your help ???

Might look at Etihad via Abu Dhabi, great connections, have a look at their website for details on business class, [email protected] can help you.

which airline?

most give at least partial refunds up to 28 days before flying.

looks like this one should be avoided whoever they be/

Question is if he is trying to sell the unused part of a ticket since a HALF used ticket cannot be refunded unless it is at a yearly full fare in which case 1 50% refund would be normal, don't blame the airlines, caveat emptor as they say! There is absolutely NO way you can change names on a ticket.