Airbus717

Do they know that the EU is boycotting Russia?

More like Russia is boycotting EU products.

The US and EU sanctions have forced Russia to look around the world for a solution and Thailand have seen an opportunity to make some dosh. I hope the US and EU point out to Thailand that they are supporting a bunch of murdering bastards!

Russia banned the import of meat/pork/fruits etc from EU and the USA, not the other way around.

Can anyone confirm that AIS 3G is availabe around Sukhumvit Soi 31, near Phrom Phong station and beyond? Because when i called to AIS call center they said "3G is everywhere in Bangkok" but my phone only can connect to Edge around this area, but in other areas like Rama 4 i can use 3G, also there is no 3G after On Nut station, only edge..Is it only me or AIS 3G is far from everywhere in Bangkok?

The coverage map for Bangkok shows the blue cloud ending ~ Phra Khanong. Sukhumvit Soi 31 looks 'covered'.

They announced 1,340 base stations in Bangkok. TOT and True have ~ 550-ish each and seem to have broader coverage. Maybe AIS has not turned up all 1,340 yet?

I called AIS customer service about 3G in this area and this is what they answer to me via sms: Regarding 3G problem in Soi 31 area our engineer has checked and inform that we haven't provided 3G through this area, but we're planing to provide it in the future"...

Assuming the OP has 900 Mhz 3G equipment, has an AIS SIM, has configured the equipment properly (APN) and has a 3G data plan then one would expect coverage in those areas which AIS has advertised. There is no 3G coverage at Sukhumvit Soi 102, where that may be. Coverage appears to start in the Phra Kanong area in bound on Sukhumvit.

That confirmed what I was saying: major failed if then can't even cover the major areas of bangkok especially when they pretend to be #1 operator.

I'm totally agree, AIS 3G: major failed if its stay the way it is now. No 3G at all in MBK? No 3G around Phrom Phong BTS (even its covered in the map), no 3G beyond Phra Khanong...

Can anyone confirm that AIS 3G is availabe around Sukhumvit Soi 31, near Phrom Phong station and beyond? Because when i called to AIS call center they said "3G is everywhere in Bangkok" but my phone only can connect to Edge around this area, but in other areas like Rama 4 i can use 3G, also there is no 3G after On Nut station, only edge..Is it only me or AIS 3G is far from everywhere in Bangkok?

Don't buy anything at Winner, they used to be good but now they sell phones unreasonably expensive. Last week i went there to check how much is iPhone 3GS and its 29,000 when u can get it for 26215 at True shop and Blackberry Storm 2 they sell for 23000 when anywhere else in MBK its 18000. Anyway today i bought Nexus One at another shop in MBK for 24500, shop name is Platinum.

I've seen today Iphone 3GS in MBK, 35000 baht from USA. But no unlock yet..

But there are plenty of oil-dollared up Russians, not to mention Chinese and Indians to replace the lesser numbers of westerners, and they are all in newly emerging middle classes who tend to spend and enjoy their newly discovered wealth rather than think of savings and gloom and doom. A changing market rather thana drying up one if Thailand can reap the benefit, which it probably will short of the odd civil war or two.

If recession takes hold in west, china's exports plummet. Without FX generated from western customers, building demand weakens in China and less demand for resources like oil., cement. India's boom will fizzle too as markets for Indian goods and services wither. Russias oil reserves are what? 17 years or so? Again, if west hits recession, europe's demand for russian gas wanes. Leaves us back at the old reliable maket, the west. Unfortunately, the geniuses at TAT assumed they could replace westerners with others. Long term mistake. Should be trying to keep some of the westerners instead of driving them off.

Westerners tend to be less discerning than asians when it comes to visiting countries in chaos. The Chinese and Indians that appreciate the danger of chaos, will steer clear.

Many hotels in Thailand now wants Russian tourists because they stay longer (usually 14 days) and spend more money in hotel than westerners. And oil money goes to government so and has nothing to do with Russian tourists.

I never understand why people post something they can NOT confirm with real facts....

Russians stay 13,26 days versus average 15,26 for total Europeans but MOST Europeans stay more than 16 days !

Also, Russians do NOT spend a lot more than other Westerners; the difference between SOME countries is peanuts and certainly not the way you describe it.

Have a look for yourself:

Table_Summary_2007.xls

THAILAND_stay_1_5.XLS

LaoPo

Well I've been working more than 10 years in a travel agency in Bangkok and my facts based on arrival from our company and what sales people in hotels says. Most of western tourists in our company book 4-7 days hotel accommodations when Russian tourists book for 10-14 days.. And based on what hotels says is that western tourist usually spend money outside of hotel when russians spend inside the hotel.

But there are plenty of oil-dollared up Russians, not to mention Chinese and Indians to replace the lesser numbers of westerners, and they are all in newly emerging middle classes who tend to spend and enjoy their newly discovered wealth rather than think of savings and gloom and doom. A changing market rather thana drying up one if Thailand can reap the benefit, which it probably will short of the odd civil war or two.

If recession takes hold in west, china's exports plummet. Without FX generated from western customers, building demand weakens in China and less demand for resources like oil., cement. India's boom will fizzle too as markets for Indian goods and services wither. Russias oil reserves are what? 17 years or so? Again, if west hits recession, europe's demand for russian gas wanes. Leaves us back at the old reliable maket, the west. Unfortunately, the geniuses at TAT assumed they could replace westerners with others. Long term mistake. Should be trying to keep some of the westerners instead of driving them off.

Westerners tend to be less discerning than asians when it comes to visiting countries in chaos. The Chinese and Indians that appreciate the danger of chaos, will steer clear.

Many hotels in Thailand now wants Russian tourists because they stay longer (usually 14 days) and spend more money in hotel than westerners. And oil money goes to government so and has nothing to do with Russian tourists.

It doesnt matter what country the iphone comes from ONCE the 3g unlock is out, which it isnt. However, certain countries are selling Iphones unlocked at a much higher price right now. In Japan they are selling iphones unlocked for about 25,000 baht from what it says on the web.

Hughden did you use a mac computer to unlock your old iphone with 2.0 firmware? I just found THIS:

http://sleepers.net/news/2008/07/20/pwnage...-windows-users/

Which is for windows users to unlock the 2.0 firmware. Its a little complicated for some people but Im going to try it.

As far as I know three countries sell legally unlocked iPhones, Hong Kong, Italy and Belgium and for sure its better to buy iPhone from one of those countries because when new firmware comes you don't need to wait for unlock, just upgrade with itunes and its will work..

P.S. I have a Mac if you still need.

Was just at MBK and was offered a 3G iPhone for 29.000, so it seems like the price is going down.

Did you ask from what country iPhone come? If its from the states you can't use it anyway..

any idea which shop?

If you go on the phone floor heading toward all the dvd shops at the end, on the right hand side as you pass the car accessories shop theres a guy there sells them for 17,500 just on the corner as it opens out into a wider space, most down will quote between 17,500 and 18,500.

There is no way you get new iPhone in MBK for 17,000-18,000. Price range for 1st gen. iPhone now 24,000 -28,000.

Winner telecom has one unit of iPhone 3G 16MB...59,000 baht.. From Hong Kong.

Travel Agency in Bangkok seeks for Operation Manager, Thai National to organaze guides job and transport

Apply by PM