Songpong

Intersting list. The only problem is proving it. Proving that men in uniform have appoited their friends in state enterprises and have breached the trust of their sharholders is much easier. How about trippling the economic growth? Or having been able to reduce the death of infants in half? Having been able to reduce the tea money that the friends of the couptakers asked for a place in university or demonstration schools? having supplies the poor with microcredit (not a bad thing given the nobel prize this year), or having been able to help out the poor when their was a disaster (Have not yet seen a hirake in uniform this time, maybe they were too busy). Or what about having reduced the number of children addicted to drugs. And did Thaksin not get his satellite license from the last military government, as well the mobile phone license? Some people must have profitted? It is so easy to make a list, substantiating is much more of a headache.

Wait till that other general Chavalit makes a list about those other generals, that would be more fun.

By the way what happened with the freedom of speech, that Sondhi could use to criticize Thaksin? Why aren't we treated with the same courtesy?

Just wondering

I'd really be quite interested to know what this idiot is rambling on about. Is there any substance behind it or not? References to more information on any of the points mentioned would be interesting. Without such references I take it that he is just making it up for whatever reason makes him tick. Particularly interesting is the comment that supplying the poor with microcredit is in some way linked to receiving a nobel prize. I want to see that. And just what is that wonderful fellow Chavalit up to these days?

Well, I was there 23-26 Dec. Went through lots of stress trying to book on line.. ya at the last minute. Booking agents are scammers just as I suspected. Namely Agoda is the worst. They charged my credit card one full day (threatened to charge for the full period) just to tell me if there was a vacancy or not, and whether or not I still wanted the reservation by the time they responded. Very misleading wording on their website, such as calling it a booking request, and stating that they would be confirming with me after they confirmed availability - Flat out lie! I'm going to war! I booked another room at Nai Yang resort. Only to discover that the picture (which i see after the fact is a computer simulation) is quite deceptive, and there is hardly anything worth going to Nai Yang Beach for. The only nice place there is the resort it's self, and that is a bad value for money. Miles from anywhere, and traffic can be a real problem even if you do get a taxi out of there.

Went to Koh Phi Phi and stayed for a day. My advice is never try to stay overnight on Koh Phi Phi. Accommodation is a very poor and very expensive. Lot of deceptive tactics and lies there too. I see that there are some snorkeling day trips that are probably a good value though.

Back to Karen Beach the next day, and that was Beautiful. No booking, just talked to the cab driver on the way from the docks and he called a friend who found a room for us at a real nice hotel for a good price, 5 min. walk off the beach. He took us strait too there, no looking around at all. It was great! Gave that driver a good tip and called him later to drive us to the lookout and then back to the airport.

Don't think I'll ever try booking online again, I never have in the past either, but if you have direct contact info for the place you want to stay and book directly then that is great. Otherwise usually no real problems finding a room, but I'll definitely try to avoid this time of year in the future.

It seems to me that this is more posturing in order to push for measures that will discourage budget tourists, and possibly encourage the spending of government money to further develop the reagon. Can't blame them for that actually, but there must be more effort to see that competent services are offered without scams.

Well, I will add my 2 cents worth as I have done the trip 4 times. I have never paid more than 250 bhat for the mini-van trip from Hatyai to Chullia St. Penang, and I have tried unsuccessfully to bargain the price down. I have paid 20 RM for the trip back to Hatyai every time. I always take the VIP bus down to Hatyai from Bangkok. If you are lucky, you can get a VIP 24 type with the air cushion seats for 960 bhat from Southern bus terminal number 1. (Note: Be wary of the various agents outside of the main bus terminals and try to by your tickets in the main terminal if possible.) The VIP busses leave at 7pm and 8pm approximately and arrive in Hatyai about 11 hours latter. This leaves time to actually make it to the Thai Consulate that morning, but there are no mini-vans until 9 a.m. and the trip usually takes 4hrs. If you want to make it there the same morning you need to take a taxi.

There is a shared taxi that leaves from in front of a major hotel (for Hatyai) in what appeared to be about the centre of town. This costs 350. (I should have written down the exact info.) You will have of course have to get there from the bus station. A 50 baht motorcycle ride should do it. Ask at the travel agents near the bus station. These travel agents tried to charge me 450 bhat, but when I arrived at the hotel I saw the sign clearly stating 350 bhat. (But they did not charge me anything for the ride to the hotel.) However, there where no other passengers at that hour of the morning so the driver agreed to take me strait the Thai Consulate in Penang for 600 baht. (He  was eager to make it in time to get passengers arriving at noon at the airport in Butterworth and wishing to go to Hatyai.)

I strongly recommend staying on Chullia St - cheap guest houses (17-25RM), no real need to spend money on taxis (But you can easily wait an over an hour for the bus.), and lots of good cheap Indian food nearby, lots of places to choose form if you want to drink in the evening (Although much more subdued that Thailand and a bit more expensive.) and with in walking distance from the main city bus terminal and a huge shopping complex. Hotels in Penang are not nearly as good a value as in Thailand. Prepared food is also more expensive, but consumer goods are often cheaper. 1 RM = 11 baht is a good ratio to keep in mind.

As for getting the bus back to Bangkok from Hatyai there are no VIP 24 in the evening. You have to make do with the VIP 36 style and the cost is 640 baht.

The first time I went I got a 1 Year Non-B Multiple Entry. I did mention that I was married to a Thai and I might have shown him the certificate briefly. I know I took it with me. Not a Thai certificate but one from Canada. Since then I have not mentioned that I am/was married to a Thai and I have asked every time for a 1 Year Non-B and every time I have been given a 3 Month Single Entry and told to get a work permit.

Batu Ferringhi is an alright beach but far from great. You should definitely take the tram up to the Penang Hill Summit, and visit the Botanical Gardens during your stay there. Ask the locals about how to get to these places. Enjoy your trip and hope you catch some shuteye on the bus.