MickeyM

comparing with HongKong is utterly stupid. HK is a fast world country. Installing such massive elevated train as such is very appreciable and i'm sure Thai's will soon figure it out.

wait and see, we will start to enjoy this service very soon.

It is worth pointing out that at the end of the line of the Airport Express at Hong Kong station most people grab a taxi to their final destination and although there is a link to the MTR it is quite a walk and relatively few take it.

The Kowlon Station for the Airport train provides free bus shuttle service to most major hotels.

At 2AM yesterday there were 8 days with appointments available - by 8AM they were all taken.

Anyone know exactly what the physical link between Phayathai and the airlink station is particularly for someone with a suitcase

how far to walk, crossing roads, stairs, escalators?

AFIK makkasan is useless in that respect unless you hop a taxi but is that a convenient way to get to ekkamai?

A "bridge" is just being built and looks like it could be finished any moment now. Might as well be open tomorrow.

Basically you just take escalator/elevator down from BTS platform to the floor with ticket counters, and walk pass the bridge, and you're on the ticket counter floor of Airport Express.

Total distance to walk between getting off one train and getting into another is 100-150m. Escalators and lifts on both sides.

Hope this helps.

Airport Link and BTS at Phayathai have no DOWN escalators; Lift is very small - about large enough for two passengers and luggage.

I believe there is now access to the Novotel via the new Airport Link underground station.

Lub D Guest House

http://www.lubd.com/siam/index.html

Closest Hotel to Phayathai:BTS: Florida Hotel

Petchburi Road Soi 11 (7 minute walk) has 3 hotels: Lemonseed, Opera, and Dream Town

All around 1000b/night or less;

Better hotel (4 Star): Siam City Hotel on Si Ayuttaya Road.

Why not August 12, which is an auspicious date.

Why not now, so I can use it when I arrive to Bkk 31 July.

I can't find accurate schedule till before commercial operation. Does anyone know what the limited schedule is presently?

7AM-10AM and 4PM-7PM M-F.only

Bang Po area (Pratch Rat Sai 1 / Soi 24) has many teak furniture shops and most take custom orders as well.

I live nearby - no problems.

If you prefer wood molding, go to Bang Po - Thanon Pratch Rat Sai 1 / Soi 24; many shops and they have every type of wood molding imaginable.

Thanks, I will try them!

Not 5* hotels, but you should give them a try:

Minibar Royale

Crepes & co

In my opinion, the breakfast buffet at Minibar is very limited (caters to the ajoining hotel guests); however, their Brunch selection from a menu is very tasty, but begins at 10:30AM.

Quite a comprehensive list and reviews here:

ThaisClub

It is my understanding that books are supposed to be duty free; however, don't mix other items with the shipment or you may pay duty on the entire shipment. I have never paid duty on books ordered from Amazon, but including a DVD in the shipment resulted in a charge.

Related to the first part of your question; Nok and AirAsia flights/airports are as you stated; One-Two-Go airlines also operates a flight two days per week (via Don Mueng) serving NST

Lord Jim's Lunch Buffet at Oriental Hotel

Try Bang Po area - Pratchrat Sai 1 / Soi 24; a long soi full of reasonably priced wood furniture.

Does anyone have any recent information about the day trip to Lo Wu (Shenzhen) in terms of a visa (for Lo Wu, not a China visa). I read a lot of conflicting stuff on the web. Best information seems to be that you can get it at Lo Wu for 190 RMB (must be paid in China currency). I have UK passport, other half has Thai passport. We could of course get a China visa at the embassy in Chiang Mai, but from what I read other's have had problems with a "China visa" as Shenzhen requires a specal Shenzhen visa (sounds like corrupt officials).

Shenzhen visa- can get it at Lo Wu, valid for 5 days, can't leave Shenzhen economic zone. cost HK$150

Is this visa good for Americans at that price? Regular China Visa fees for Americans are exceptionally high.

I got absolutely leathered at some street at mid levels with a dozen bars and (seemed like) thousands of expats. No idea where it was.

Possibly Lan Kwai Fong area

Charged me 1400b to check a bag at the counter as I had neglected to so specify when making my booking.

I don't remember the name, but there is a good one directly under Rachatevee BTS station, across the street from the Asia Hotel. If coming on the BTS, get off at Rachatevee and use the exit opposite the Asia Hotel entrance. Walk down the stairs and look for a restaurant with greenish/gold paint and a sign in thai script. There is a motorcycle taxi stand next to it.

The name is 'TS Southern Thai'; they recently moved due to the block they were in being demolished, but only 50 meters away inside the 'Coco Walk' Complex (Walk down the center aisle of Coco Walk and it is the 2nd or 3rd business on the left). Excellent food.

And did he pay for his 1st class ticket??

I called a prominent 5-star hotel (on Asoke near Suk.) today to book a reservation for their Christmas Day buffet; they asked for a credit card number to guarantee the table - otherwise no reservation. Am I wrong to assume this is opportunistic greed on their part? I refused and booked elsewhere. I have never been asked for a CC number for a meal reservation before.

Anyone had experience with using a foreign currency savings account (US$, etc) in a Thai bank to meet the 800K requirement?

A major cost issue on Domestic flights: Crew overnight stays after a one hour flight. (Possibly a Union issue, but extravagant).

Money Changer Shop on Phayathai (West side 1/2 block North of Rama I - - Near MBK)