Mr Conrad

Just a quick update, I departed at 08.30 hrs on the 1st April with Etihad to Abu Dhabi.

Arrived st airport just after 05.00 hrs (queues in mind), breezed through the online check-in counter, no luggage only carry-on.

Immigration, there were 5 desks open with about 10 people in each queue. Took about fifteen minutes to get through in total. Noticed no dedicated Thai Passport booths in operation. Several more officers were arriving to open up more desks all the time, after a good chin-wag with the officers already working.

Not a lot of smiling going on in the Airport of Smiles as they have re-branded it.

Regards

Just a quick update about departing.

I am siting in Emirates lounge just now waiting to depart swampy, although I managed to blag a fast track card at check-in, I had a quick look at the immigration hall behind check-in desks S-T. The queues were not too bad, at least you could get into the hall with about 7-8 people at each counter approximately. This was at 10.00 pm approximately on the 11th Feb.

Just a side note for any Emirates gold card travellers, the check-in staff hinted that fast-track depature cards might be available for gold members soon because of the delays at immigration.

Regards

Put Sieng Isaan Band into you tube and watch some of their clips.

There are links to their website under most clips, you can then see if they have any concerts close to you in the near future. You can use google translate in google chrome if you cannot read Thai.

Regards

We have 3BB as our internet service provider.

We are located in Nakhon Phanom and moved house within the city. Basically same day service with no problem at all, although it was 3 and a half years ago. Kept the same contract going, we do not have any deposit lying with 3BB so can't help with that part.

They still send the monthly bill sometimes to the old address, despite telling them numerous times to send it here, not a big problem really.

Regards

Mr Conrad

Left last night just before midnight, check in and thru immigration 20 minutes - cattle class...

I know that certain carriers provide the fast track service for free when you are using business or first class, but not all of them.

BR

JH

Some good news at last, which airline were you using Jebhead and what Immigration hall did u use ?

Thanks for the information.

Regards

Mr Conrad

Stayed in many many of the cheaper hotels i.e (under 1000 baht) around Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The best value one IMHO is the Thong Ta Resort, which is currently on Agoda for 689 baht. Nearly all these hotels do free pick-up and return to the Airport.

Regards

Mr Conrad

Had the same problem once as well, last year sometime. Been alright ever since.

Not sure what Isaan has to do with the problem ?

Maybe just an intermittent fault with them !!

Not even sure what it is I need.. hence the post.. but I guess N should be a criteria!

I am on a mac.. maybe I should go in the apple forum about airports. .

I am certainly no expert, there are a lot more knowledgeable people on here to answer your queries. I think N is the new standard for wireless components speaking to each other faster than the old g/b standard. All your components have to be N enabled to take advantage of the faster speeds which the N standard brings, I believe.

Probably would never notice the difference, but just think if its available no point in buying older stuff and then having to upgrade again later on.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

I wanted a 3BB wireless N router, so our daughter could get net access on her i-pod touch at home, also N standard for a bit of future proofing. Thought getting their own router would help if any problems arose when I was away working and the wife had to call for tech support.

I went into the office in Nakhon Phanom to ask for the above, I thought I had sprouted two heads with the blank stares I got. Turns out they only have g compatible routers here in Nakhon Phanom, anybody in the population centres know if a N-class 3BB router exists or not. Their current wired router works fine at present, just wanted to go wireless.

Sorry for the slight thread hijack.

Have you tried goggle for test results for wireless routers, most brands are available here I think.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Same here as barryofthailand, when they put their own line in about 6 months ago it was only outside the house, no internal alterations whatsoever, I'm located in Nakhon Phanom.

Regards

Mr Conrad

I'll second flying, a very good 25 and 10 mile time, looks like you were very handy on a bike being 1st cat as well.

I never quite managed to break the hour myself but got very close on a few occasions, perhaps if I went chasing fast courses on the best days I might have managed it. Much prefer to cycle just for fun and fitness these days, no pressure to improve.

Well done on getting back on the bike, no easy to do after a long layoff. Enjoy your cycling.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

I also recommend the Phadaeng Mansion, stayed there twice in the last three months. Good value for 500 baht and terrific service as well.

Do a search of this forum, brings up 11 different threads with places to stay in Ubon.

Phone number for Phadaeng if you wish to book is 045-254600, 045-263263. Not sure if they have a website or not, maybe MeMock will know for sure.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

I have used a mix of both airports about ten times in the last year or so.

Nok Air are now the carrier flying from Don Mueang, currently five flights a week to each airport, using ATR 72 type aircraft. No flights on a Tuesday or Saturday. The Sakon flight is in the morning with the Nakhon flight in the afternoon. Check out NokAir.com for pricing and times.

Not as good as PBAir, but still better than nothing and better than driving to Udon and flying from there.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Also its close to Sam Chai - i rate the best Thai breakfast in Ubon - try the "joke" (rice porridge with pork bits) or "Kai Gretaa" a hangover special (fried eggs in a pan with bits of pork)

Its on the same side as the Phaedeng on the next block down just before the park.

Think we ate there one morning, is it the place opposite the court building. We had the "Kai Gretaa" but without the hangover. Very good price wise think it was 84 baht for the two of us including two ice-coffees as well.

At the Phadaeng and it is fine for us.

As MrConrad said, the staff are really

friendly and helpful.

A wee touch they have is to ask where

you are from and fly your flag over the

front of the hotel. Full marks!

His saltire will be getting plenty of airing just now, looks like I will have to go back to Ubon again at the end of November, but only for one night this time. Staying at Phaedang again hopefully.

Just come back from a five night stay at Phadaeng Mansion in Ubon. A couple of nights longer than planned due to circumstances.

Asked about family rooms for CelticBhoy whilst there, the owner showed me a couple of photos with two double beds in one room and another with three double beds in it. Price was 800 baht for either, so they sort of have family rooms.

It was well worth the 500 baht/per night for myself. Really good rooms and the place is in a great central location. The owner and staff could not have been more obliging during our stay, really really helpful and genuine people.

They have a couple of channels with True Vision Satellite TV, you can phone reception and ask them to change to whatever you fancy. There was a falang staying there with a couple of kids and the cartoon channels appeared quite often, great for the kids. They also supply free coffee at breakfast time, I also seemed to be given the Thai patongo breakfast snack for free as well, much appreciated. The owner is really into his classic art and the walls are adorned with Michel Angelo and Van Gogh paintings. Good free WiFi available in the rooms, also a couple of computers free to use in the lobby areas.

All in, very happy to recommend the Phadaeng Mansion in Ubon, and will definitely be my accommodation of choice if I end up in Ubon again.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

That Farang was me and I have to say that it is probably as good a hotel as you will get for the price. Plus it it staggering distance from the Wrongway. Jim

Think I exited the hotel one morning with you Jim, I was the farang with the dark blue vigo.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

I'm seriously not a gamer or a biker, but the best 1.79 UK that I have spent in the app store has to be on MotoGp 2010. Great fun and very addictive.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Just come back from a five night stay at Phadaeng Mansion in Ubon. A couple of nights longer than planned due to circumstances.

Asked about family rooms for CelticBhoy whilst there, the owner showed me a couple of photos with two double beds in one room and another with three double beds in it. Price was 800 baht for either, so they sort of have family rooms.

It was well worth the 500 baht/per night for myself. Really good rooms and the place is in a great central location. The owner and staff could not have been more obliging during our stay, really really helpful and genuine people.

They have a couple of channels with True Vision Satellite TV, you can phone reception and ask them to change to whatever you fancy. There was a falang staying there with a couple of kids and the cartoon channels appeared quite often, great for the kids. They also supply free coffee at breakfast time, I also seemed to be given the Thai patongo breakfast snack for free as well, much appreciated. The owner is really into his classic art and the walls are adorned with Michel Angelo and Van Gogh paintings. Good free WiFi available in the rooms, also a couple of computers free to use in the lobby areas.

All in, very happy to recommend the Phadaeng Mansion in Ubon, and will definitely be my accommodation of choice if I end up in Ubon again.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Great pity they could not make it work business wise.

Really good service over the years, ah well have to start looking at the alternatives seriously.

Anybody recommend any good alternatives that they are currently using ?

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Elwood's directions are spot on,there is a big red Trek banner outside the shop can't miss it. If you are coming from the Yasothon direction take the small slip road on the left instead of the main dual carriageway.

I'm just visiting Ubon for a few days and am a keen road cyclist so dropped in to visit today. He stocks mostly Trek road bikes with a few other brands as well, has funkier clothing as well. Young guy is the owner, taken over from his father, speaks reasonable English as well. As you would expect everything is Thai sized in the shop, with the biggest road frame 53 cm's.

Worth a look think he may be able to fix you up with what you require.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Thanks, pretty sure I have it sorted now.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Hi,

I am staying at the Phadaeng Mansion for three nights later this week, although only staying with my wife, I could ask about family rooms for you, if you want.

We are paying 500 baht/night for the bigger bed in the room.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Thanks for the information MeMock, I presume that is the mall attached to the Sunee Grand Hotel ? I will check it out.

Thanks again

Mr Conrad

Hi,

I will be visiting Ubon for the first time for three days from the 23rd September. Where, if any, is the best place to buy software for a Mac computer in Ubon.

I will be driving down from Nakhon Phanom, so will have my own transport to get around the city. Software for the Mac is non-existent here in Nakhon Phanom.

I posted this in the Isaan forum rather than the computer forum, thinking most of the locals would check this section more frequently than the other.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

Hi Bluedan,

Very nice bikes, which of the two do you prefer to ride ?

I have just finished building nearly the exact same Giant in the UK. Full TCR carbon in Once colours, nine speed dura-ace groupset, krysium elite wheels and ritchie wet look bars and stem. Had the components for quite a few years now only just got round to building it, still have not ridden the Giant, as travelled to Nakhon Phanom a few days after finishing it. It is nearly a retro classic already and just built, but surprised myself just how light it built up.

Still have to decided whether to take the Giant to Thailand with me or my trusty old Trek 2300 road bike. Hopefully will get my act together for my next trip in November.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

As the oldgit says you get an extra 5 kilos taking the allowance from 15 to 20.

It is a saving of 50 baht if your wife has the full 20 kilos, or you could have paid the 50 baht per kilo charge if your wife doesn't have the full 20.

Bit late now, but for future reference.

Best Regards

Mr Conrad

I just spent a few hours (first time) last week at UTN and walked around outside waiting for my flight ... Is there some 'mission critical' reason why you have to leave your new car at the airport? ... for the price of any secure parking other than in the open area you could probably arrange a ride and leave your car in a safe place at home ... unless that is not a safe place either.

Maybe the original poster has a long way to travel to reach Udon.

I travel down from Nakhon Phanom about three and a half hours driving, when the local Nok Air flights do not fit my schedule. I leave the car in the secure parking just for peace of mind.

Not everybody that uses Udon Airport stays in Udon.

Regards

Mr Conrad