tokachinter

Hi,

Rayong City has been my second home for about five years, now.

Pros:

SHOPPING

1/ Laemtong Shopping Centre - They opened a new upmarket wing last year. Combined with what was already there you have a department store, BigC, all the fast food and family restaurant franchises, Strabucks, etc plus a bowling alley and multiplex cinema - gets crowded on weekends!

2/Large Home Pro DIY store opened two years ago.

3/Star Computer Centre - currently expanding and full of small electronics shops

4/Tesco Lotus with comprehensive night market next door

TRANSPORTATION

Nakornchai Air Terminal plus two public bus terminals (No2 just opened in the East) provide easy access to BKK, Pattaya, Trat, etc

No taxis - 10b by songthau gets you around town

ENVIRONMENT

As previous posters have mentioned, nightlife and tourism are almost non-existant, which makes for a largely crime-free and quiet neighbourhood

where I am

As elsewhere along the coast cool seabreezes in the afternoon are the norm.

(personally haven't experienced any fallout from the Mapthaput Industrial Complex next door)

LEISURE

As mentioned beaches are average, best to head further along the coast for a dip

Dining especially seafood is great with some upmarket restaurants down by the river

Currently the area's buffet restaurants are having a price war. You can now enjoy all you can eat for 99b. One place was even cooking great steaks for that - went back for seconds!

Cons:

Current building boom have heralded a rise in land prices and rent

Mapthaput (see above)

I tried to book a flight but after the first page it does nothing, you are meant to click on the dates again, but nothing happens, you cannot go to book the flights.

I booked my GMG flight through AsiaTravel.com

Hi,

I would probably use Air Asia or a similar commuter airline to fly BBK-KUL, but last Sunday my circumstances (travelling on w/end, lots of luggage) dictated that I have a good look at alternatives (about two weeks before flying).

Best deal I found on AsiaTravel.com was GMG Airlines (one-way total of b3945 v's b4385 for AA). Who?! Well, I googled and discoverd the airline was established 10 years ago by two Bangladeshi conglomerates. Over the years I have flown with many lesser known airlines (Birman, Air India, Air Egypt et al) with Garuda being the only one on my never-to-fly-with again list (and that was before they started falling from the sky regularly), so I quickly signed up for this 'unknown' GMG flight, without high expectations.

On arrival at Subvarnabhumi, (worthless trivia: for the first time in my life I couldn't remember the name of the airline I was going to fly on!), I went to Information to locate the GMG check-in row. This was after being unable to locate the flight on the departures board - not a good start! Nor was the fact that the information person had to refer to a list to locate the airline's check-in very encouraging! So, dear readers, are you now expecting to read about the flight from hel_l?.....Well, sadly you'll be disappointed, as from here on things generally worked out better than I had expected, my summary follows:

CHECK-IN: Walked straight up to the counter (no queue!). Friendly, efficient Thai Air ground staff. Total weight of check-in luggage was 24.5kgs consisting of suitcase plus one fragile, oversize piece - no problem! Requested aisle seat - no problem. So far, so good! Informed flight was delayed 30mins (actually told 2 hours, which didn't make sense). A later second check of the board showed the flight's scheduled departure of 1840hrs, though my ticket (purchased two weeks earlier) stated 2000hrs, no wonder I couldn't find it earlier!

A TIT moment, perhaps?

BOARDING & DEPARTURE: Both, on (amended) time

FLIGHT: Plane was an MD-80, which conjured up unpleasant memories of sitting with my chin on my knees during a 2-hour full, domestic flight in Japan, 20 years ago! Fortunately, this flight was less than half-full and seat placement provided normal legroom. Interior was generally clean and attractive. Fight attendants wore elegant saris as uniform, spoke English well and were pleasant & efficient (also attractive!). Meal service was a fresh chicken and salad sandwhich on wholemeal bread and a packaged custard-filled cake. Drink service was lemonade and water (repeated without request). No strange noises or smoke in the cabin detected, take-off and landing were smooth (pilot or co-pilot was an Australian).

ARRIVAL: On (amended) time

CRITICISM & CONCLUSION: If I was being picky, I would have mentioned above that I noticed the windows were dirty (on the inside) and a seat arm was broken (not mine). Also, the fasten seat belt light never came on before takeoff, therefore never extinguished resulting in some passengers getting up before the plane had finished its ascent!

Overall, based on the above experience, I wouldn't hesitate to fly GMG again.

And with AA gradually sliding up its prices (see other posts) so that you have to book 6 months in advance and travel late on a Tuesday night with max. 15kgs of luggage to get a cheap ticket, I'll probably be using regular airlines like GMG over the commuters more often in the future.

Comments, anyone?

Ross

I'm surprised that no-one here has made the obvious connection.

Hint: one of this man's aliases is Tony.

OK, TV super sleuths get to it and put the whole scenario of what really happened together!

Can't seen to find a 'tongue-in-cheek' smiley anywhere.......

Kittichai Saisa-ard, chief of PAD guards, said 47 protesters were sent to the Ramathibodi Hospital, and four of them were severely injured. He said two other protesters were sent to Phra Mongkut Hospital and another to Vajira Hospital.

Very sad to hear of these injuries. I hope all have a successful recovery

The bomb, believed by the PAD to be an M79 grenade, exploded just 200 metres away from the PAD's main stage inside the Government House. It was fired outside the rally ground from a similar direction of the recent attack at the site.

Suriyasai Katasila said guards saw a flash from the direction of the Benjamabophit Hospital so it was believed the grenade was launched from the direction.

PAD guards checked and concluded that the assailant fired the grenade from a building inside the Rajamangala Technology University.

Not that I am in the market for one, but where are they sold in Thailand and would expect the cost of grenade and launcher to be? The point I am trying to make is that who would have access to these sorts of weapons and the training in how to use them??

Here's a link to what four guys are currently undertaking, mostly it is the reverse of what you are planning.

http://www.crazyjourney.com/

Please note the name of their website and good luck!!

I heard it will be based on Mae Rim, approx 11kms north of Chiang Mai city.

The service park is usually in a primary school playground.

FWIW, here's the rally website.

The home page has been updated, but no evemt details for 2008.

http://www.thailandf2rally.com/index.html

Yo bro,

I shall be leaving BKK tomorrow early morning heading down to Hatyai first. Will spend a night there before i continue my journey back to KL. Will post a complete process involves when crossing the Southern border. Stau tuned and wish me luck!

Good luck, fw!

Thanx in advance for detailing the whole process.

I plan to be driving my car all the way to JB later in the year.

What is the cost of the ATA Carnet?

Cheers

IIRC, it was less than USD200, but this may depend on each country's Chamber of Commerce.

I also provided a statement of employment to my CoC. Some may require a bond for a first time carnet issued to an individual. Also the cost may be dependent on the number of actual carnet sheets.

Mine was a multiple as I realised that although it was valid for 12 months, Thailand only allows vehicle temporary import for a maximum of six months. So I ordered enough sheets to do Thailand-Malaysia-Thailand (one visa run) thus I could keep the car here for a year.

After a year the car must be exported to its home country, no extensions possible.

I believe the AIT/FIA Carnet (issued by motoring orgs.) does allow extensions, but as LivinLOS pointed out Thailand is not a signatory to the international agreement that permits its use.

might I be so bold as to suggest addition of these events to the ThaiVisa online calendar?

Good idea!

Err, just volunteered myself

Please post details as you know them. There are a number of closet petrol heads here including a couple of red names.

I know I shouldn't be but I am surprised that less than 1 month out from the event you do not know the details of the proposed course.

TIT!

However, I have managed to find some more details and dates for rallies and races in the Kiingdom, this year.

Please refer to my post on the Sports Forum.

I found this information on the Thailand Rally Championship website (link, below).

It lists dates of races and rallies for most categories including 4x4 and karts.

However it omits the dates for the Thailand F2 Rally Championship (for non-turbo, 2-litre front-wheel drive cars), which are:

Thailand F2 Rally Championship

29~30 March Chiang Mai

03~04 May Lampang

26~27 July TBA

27~28 September TBA

20~21 December TBA

I have rally cars (Honda & Toyota) with English-speaking co-drivers available for rent for these and the five Thai Rally Championship rallies. An RAAT competition licence or one issued by an Asian ASN is required.

Pleae PM for more details.

Ross

http://www.thailandrally.com/rally/motorsp...news/index.html

I've been trying to get info about the Thai rallies for some time now. Can always find details about which day but never anything about routes or spectator viewing. Probably something in the Thai mags. but I don't read Thai! Looking at the link from Bangkok Post http://www.thailandrally.com I got to http://www.thailandrally.com/home/rallytha...eraryTRCr23.htm which details the times of this weekends rally. Still nothing about actual route or spectator provision. I'm not sure where these places are but remember about the same time last year I was sitting at a bar at Maprachan lake in the evening when quite a few rally cars came past heading towards Pattaya.

This link seems to have the most info but nothing for spectators http://www.thailandrally.com/home/rallythailand/index.html

Please let us know if you find any more info?

Pete

Pete (and other rally fans),

I just posted this on the Motor section of the Forum, HIH.

Rd1 of Thai Rally Ch'ship is on 22/23 March - no venue listed, but usually in Chonburi district.

Website is http://www.thailandrally.com/rally/thailan...ally/index.html

Also, Rd1 of Thai F2 Rally Ch'ship is on 29/30 March in Chiang Mai - most rounds are held in northern region.

F2 is for FWD, 2-litre non-turbo cars, so no Evo/WRX's allowed!

Website is http://www.thailandf2rally.com/

(not updated, regularly)

As we are competing in Thai rallies again this year, I should be able to advise venues and spectating opportunities as I learn them. PM me, with any q's.

Ross

Re: temporary import of personal car into Thailand, the best way is by using an ATA Carnet. It's valid for 12 months and obtainable from the Chamber of Commerce in your home country where you may have to lodge a bond. No bond is required by Thai customs, though you'll have to take it for a 'visa run' before six months expires. Of course, you will also have to buy Thai compulsory insurance for it if you intend to drive on public roads, here.

Sorry but bullshit.

Thailand does not adhere to the global Carnet de Passage system your describing...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnet_de_Passage

I'll excuse your hasty reply and merely point out that Wikipedia is referring to the AIT/FIA Carnet de Passage which is exclusively for personal vehicles, wheras the ATA Carnet is for many products including vehicles. Thailand accepts (-ed) the ATA Carnet but not the AIT/FIA Carnet.

sorry, it popped up now.

are there any ralles or major motorsports going on in or around bkk?

Yep! Rd1 of Thai Rally Ch'ship is on 22/23 March - no venue listed, but usually in Chonburi district.

Website is http://www.thailandrally.com/rally/thailan...ally/index.html

Also, Rd1 of Thai F2 Rally Ch'ship is on 29/30 March in Chiang Mai - most rounds are held in northern region.

F2 is for FWD, 2-litre non-turbo cars, so no Evo/WRX's allowed!

Website is http://www.thailandf2rally.com/

Re: temporary import of personal car into Thailand, the best way is by using an ATA Carnet. It's valid for 12 months and obtainable from the Chamber of Commerce in your home country where you may have to lodge a bond. No bond is required by Thai customs, though you'll have to take it for a 'visa run' before six months expires. Of course, you will also have to buy Thai compulsory insurance for it if you intend to drive on public roads, here.

I just noticed that the link to ATA carnet info on the Thai Customs website is broken...mmm...

[quote

CHANGE OF DATE

Just heard from the organiser (Mr Bodyshop) that the March 16 rally has been postponed until March 29th. It starts in the Mae Rim area and spectating should be easy.

The May 4 event is based in Lampang.

Thanks for the update - planning to be there

Hey everyone...

i just need to find out a couple of things. First of all, I'll be arriving at Subharvanumi airport at around midnight. And the plan is to hand around the airport till the first bus to Pattaya departs.

1)Is it safe to do that?

2)Would anyone with prior experience recommend to take a bus from the airport's transport centre? OR take a bus to ekkamai station and then to pattaya?

Would really be glad if you could reason out why. Eg cost, time, etc factor.

Thanks You in advance!

Ditto everyone's advice about the cold air-conditioning.

I usually find a quiet (like near the massage centre) place for a couple of hours sleep.

I then catch the free shuttle to the transportation centre, buy some breakfast at the 7-11 and wait on the seats outside for the ticket office to open (abt 50 metres from 7-11). This is normally 30mins before the first bus or you can buy from the bus conductor. I think Pattaya buses leave from bus stop 4 (written on sign in English), right outside 7-11. I catch the first one to Rayong from stop 3 at 5:40am.

Yes, it is safe.

Some stores are closed after midnight, but some stores are open 24 hours.

And a lot of people is haning around the airport in early morning, too.

Maybe it's good to carry additional jacket or something like that.

Anyone caught a cab in Uttaradit, lately?

Last year I saw three working taxis, there.

All were Datsun Bluebirds (P410?) circa 1963.

Love to see what was on their odometers

Also, last month driving north of Rayong (near the lakes) spotted a red Lotus Espirit under a tree (had been there a loooong time!).

usually it is the airlines that <deleted> you up. They alwasy love to quote - the carrier is responsible for return airfare etc...

Hit the nail on the head, there. Over 30 trips to LoS from Japan on various carriers, mostly with one-way ticket & toursist visa. Queried many times by check-in staff, though never refused boarding.

One airline always requireds me to fill out an indemnity form stating they won't be responsible if I'm refused entry, just to cover their a**e.

'course never ever been asked to show a return tkt upon arrival.

Conclusion: Airline/travel agency policy based on myth!

I am going to be taking EVA from the USA in a few months. I figure I will be totally exhausted by the time I get to LOS. I wonder if it would make sense to stop in Taiwan for a few days to take a rest and see Taiwan. Is Taiwan just outrageously expensive now, or would it be a fun place to spend a few days?

I've stopped over in Taipei a few times and enjoyed seeing the sights.

EVA occupies one terminal, which is therefore never crowded - I've never had to queue for more than five minutes.

Catch the airport shuttle (head hard right after exiting customs) bus to outside Centre? Station

where you get an intercity train or subway to wherever you want to go.  There's also a tourist info counter just inside the entrance with lots of English language info on Taipei and Taiwan.

I found an inexpensive hotel (USD30) three stations away from Centre in the cinema area (can't remember the name, sorry).

BTW, EVA is my favourite airline at the moment - can`t beat the service and the new 777's are great, too

-Ross