MickeyM

I did an extension 40 days ahead last month at CW. No problem.

Yes, I have had consistently the same problem for the past 3 days.

Yes - traveled with a British friend 2 weeks ago; no visa required.

You folks that are defending this restaurant are not judging by what is really going on here. It is analogous to the jewelry store rip-offs. Taxi drivers are compensated to bring unsuspecting tourists to these places. There is a similar scam going on at another nearby seafood restaurant, known as Somboon Dee (at Phayathai BTS Station). The name is an obvious ploy to redirect unsuspecting tourists who are looking for Somboon Seafood (a reputable chain with an International reputation). The taxis / tuk-tuks assure the tourists that Somboon Dee is the place they are looking for. The real Somboon would charge about 50% of that bill for better quality food. I fell for the Somboon Dee scam (once) about 15 years ago, knew immediately that I was scammed, but they are still in business.

May I introduce a different perspective; Given that the application fee is non-refundable, I would like to see VFS point out any flaws in my application prior to submission to the Embassy. A minor oversight might cause a rejection and a new application would incur a second fee.

The application fee is paid online before you go to VFS.

That is a mute point - if the application gets forwarded to the Embassy and is missing critical documents, you start over and pay the fee again.

http://www.pacificcrosshealth.com/

Yes, but that's assuming they are competent enough to carry out a triage check on the application and the supporting documents, which they're not.

They use a checklist and that's about as far as their skills go.

I have to say that my girlfriend hasn't had any issues with their staff when she's submitted her applications over the years, but I'm pretty sure that if a document was left out at their suggestion and a visa application is subsequently unsuccessful, and it happens, there would be no recourse.

But the checklist covers a lot of points many submitters overlook. A valuable approach if followed consistently. Polite suggestions by VFS staff can avoid many rejections - they are aware of many conditions as to why there are rejections.

May I introduce a different perspective; Given that the application fee is non-refundable, I would like to see VFS point out any flaws in my application prior to submission to the Embassy. A minor oversight might cause a rejection and a new application would incur a second fee.

Bought an S6 at a Samsung Branded shop (actually run by Jaymart) - was unlocked.

It takes 3-4 days so they can institute a higher charge for expedited processing. The only reason.

Just this week I called the '1111' number and was on hold for 40 minutes - they kept suggesting to use e-mail as an alternative. I eventually gave up and tried the email approach. Took 3 days to get a reply, at which time the reply was irrelevant as I had cancelled the flight in question and booked another airline.

Best non-stop to Heathrow is EVA (IMHO).

Yong He Duo Jiang - near Chong Nosi BTS - 50 meters West of Dean & Delucca.

I am of the same opinion as the OP. About 50% of my recent flights have had significant delays.

On another non-related issue, whey do TG flight crews on a 60 minute domestic flight then stay overnight at the destination? Must be costly.

Perhaps they are working the first flight back in the morning?

Not that simple - It appears to occur for every flight; I took a 7AM flight to Surat Thani and the crew was in the same hotel as mine until the following day. Don't you notice that all Thai domestic cabin crews have luggage?

I would imagine EVA has also grabbed a good share of the LHR-BKK market with their non-stop. Just flew them last week and they were great.

Also, I have just booked a RT to Copenhagen on SAS, which happens to be a code-share flight on a TG plane; price was cheaper than booking with TG directly. Amazing.

On another non-related issue, whey do TG flight crews on a 60 minute domestic flight then stay overnight at the destination? Must be costly.

Used them for several years - Good, but they were terrible at keeping on schedule; often 45-60 minutes behind.

What about the 2% transfer tax (Land Dept.); Do you have to pay that also?

Dee's Cookhouse and cafe:

https://www.facebook.com/deescookhouse11

Not recent, but 'Bangkok Then and Now' by Steve Van Beek.

http://www.amazon.com/Bangkok-Then-Now-Steve-Beek/dp/9748761606/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387661037&sr=1-1&keywords=bangkok+then+and+now

Should you be attracted by the much hyped recent announcements by CitiBank, offering 'fee free Global Banking', I suggest you ask a lot of questions. It may not be what you think it is.

A grass-roots effort which may be of assistance:

https://www.facebook.com/Bribespot.th

http://bribespot.com/

See:

https://online.citibank.com/US/JRS/pands/detail.do?ID=OnlineBankingOverview

I opened an account with them on this site (from Bangkok); I am US citizen and have a US mailing address (as I recall, both are possibly required). Singapore was also willing to remotely open an account for me.

I have a Citi Gold account in Bangkok, after having lost HSBC service here; in comparison to HSBC, their service is deplorable.

Related to potential cost savings, I have always wondered why Thai Cabin crew and pilots do overnight stays domestic flights.

I was once on a one hour (early morning) flight to Surat Thani; the crew was in my hotel that day/night, flying back the next day.

(Probably a union issue).

Many years ago there was a Los Angeles based airline that flew only on the West Coast; when advertising for cabin crew positions, their ad always said "Fly with us and sleep at home every night". They had it right.

I have bought Chinese versions at Pantip with very good reliabilty experience; 4th floor shop that sells nothing but power supplies; near rear of Main section, on right wall as you enter from Petchburi, About 600b as I recall.