whizgig

Thanks for replying. I didn't see this board before so thank you moderator for moving my post as well, I can now see many other answers to questions I had, Skype records etc.

In having a look at other posts I think the main problem might be a reason to return, she has children and her Dad she gives money to but it's a bit weak. My girlfriend did also work in Taiwan and returned to Thailand willingly so hopefully that would balance her illegal stay in S. Korea.

Hello,

I am thinking of coming to BKK to help a girlfriend get a tourist visa to visit me in the UK.

I can provide all relevant documentation to show I can fully sponsor her, but:

a. Does she need to have funds in her account as well?

b. She did work illegally in S. Korea some years ago and was removed, is that going to make it pretty much impossible to get her into the UK?

I've looked on the UK border agency website and the UK Embassy in BKK website and can't really see answers to these questions.

I don't want to make all the expense of a trip over if she cannot ultimately get a visa to visit the UK.

If anyone can help it will be much appreciated.

I'm going to be in Phuket from Jan 01 to 07 and was thinking of then heading to Krabi for the remainder of my holiday, to Jan 14.

Is 7 days too long in Krabi, I've read its a bit quieter, but was thinking of going to see various islands from there. I'd probably want to stay near Ao Nang beach. Any hotel recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Just wanna say thanks for all the comments, got just over a week now before travelling.

Was a bit worried when those airport protests kicked off but seems I will be going now...cool.

Great tips about getting to Pattaya, I'll probably go via taxi but maybe not one on the hotel rank in Bangkok as suggested.

By the way I'll be in the Majestic Grande in Bangkok and the Tim Boutique Hotel in Pattaya if anyone has any thoughts on those choices.

After that I'll be heading to island beaches.

if you are going to koh samet---- the best one---- go by minivan or bus to ban phae then boat or speedboat

most of the travel agents in pattaya or jomtien can do inclusive trips from your hotel

Cool, thanks.

I'm not too fussed about getting the cheapest possible, I just want safety first and relaible service.

Will be travelling from Pattaya. If I go to the islands near Pattaya is that better by boat?

Just get a taxi meter from the rank. You pay the meter plus Bt50 airport surcharge. You pay the tolls as well, about Bt70 or so. Expect about Bt300-400 all in for lower to mid Sukhumvit.

I agree to print out a map of the hotel if you don't know it (as 1st timer you can't know) and still beware that as in most countries, taxis sometimes want to go the scenic route to add a little to the fare. They even try that with me on occasion until I start barking at them.

OK - thanks a lot. I'm arriving midday and didn't want to pay more for a hotel limo.

Will print out a map of where the hotel is. Some reviewers of the hotel (Majestic Grande) mentioned that their cab driver didn't know where it was.

Hi,

Sorry for what might sound like an obvious question:

Where do I go once arrived at BKK airport to get a taxi to the hotel i've booked. Never been before but I was told by someone whose been there many times (not in touch with him anymore) that I need to go downstairs or something to where you tell someone where you want to go and he calls the cab for you. Is there a special taxi area that is legit, not just asking the driver then get the runaround town?

How much should I expect to pay for a cab to Sukhumvit Rd. area?

Thanks.

Thaivisa Travel is located in Pattaya, we can surely help you out, just call me on 0861 450011 when you are here and I can talk to you and guide you to the office

Guy and team

That's cool.......thanks very much, I will do.

Hi,

I've sorted 3 nights in Bangkok then 4 in Pattaya around New Year, but after that I was going to see when I got there where to go next. I didn't want to arrange everything beforehand as I wanted to have a certain amount of flexibility. But how easy will it be to get flights and accommodation in places like Koh Samui or Phuket if I wait until I'm in Pattaya to sort out. I'll have another 2 weeks approx. to deal with.

Thanks.

Cool - that'll do nicely.

Hi all,

I've got 2.5 weeks in Thailand planned for early January, I have booked 3 nights in Bangkok and then looking at going to Pattaya for an initial 4 nights.

What's the best way to get there, someone said you could by cab but is that expensive?

Is going by train or coach better? ( I don't want to sit on a hot crowded bus ). I'm not on a strict budget so want relative comfort.

Thanks.

Be warned, this is the busiest time of the year and seat availability between Bangkok and the south of Thailand may be very limited.

That is good advice as well.

I had the same issue, we wanted to get to Surat a couple of days after Christmas, and there was no bus, train, plane, or even hire car until about the 10th of January when all the Thais who head 'home' for the Christmas break head back to Bangkok.

Be careful of Minibuses... they are very cramped compared to VIP Government Buses, the drivers are maniacs and often drugged up... The Government VIP Buses really are the safe and sane method to get around.

How about Bus BKK - HKT - Bus HKT - Surat or Chumpon - Ferry Surat to Samui or Chumpon to Koh Tao - Ferry Samui to Surat, Overnight Train Surat to BKK.

You should seriously consider skipping Pattaya and extending your stay in either Samui or Phuket.

Cheers,

Daewoo

THanks for the advice regards coach booking to PHU from BKK. I might try to do that in the next few weeks then.

Why do you say I should skip Pattaya?

I've got 4 nights on PHU booked ( 4 - 8 Jan )then I've currently got 3 nights on Samui booked (8 - 10 Jan.) so I can't really stay longer on PHU. If I don't like the accomm. on KS I'll move but was thinking of staying on Samui for about 1 week. I was going to book an open ended flight on BKK Airways from KS to Pat. so I could leave when I want before coming home. My return flight is on 20 Jan so I thought I'd head up to Pattaya on about 14 Jan. from there I'd get a taxi to BKK airport on the 20th rather then spending more money on an expensive hotel in BKK on 19th before flying back.

Should I also book the flight from KS to Pat. earlier or wait until I get there? If it turned out there was more on PHU I wanted to see/do then I suppose I could go back but not if I book a flight up to Pat. from KS before I go.

Thanks a lot everyone. The coach looks like a good idea as its a direct journey. I'm in BK for 3 nights so I'll book the coach my first full day there.

I'd normally prefer a train but as I'd then have to get the bus from Surit Thani to Phuket I might as well go the direct way on the coach, then I don't have to go between Surit Thani and Phuket twice when moving on to KS.

Getting to Samui then looks good with the shared mini-bus/boat combo. Seems it will save money and let me see more of the country. Probably spend 5/6 days in Samui then up to Pattaya for my last week before heading back home.

I wasn't going to book anywhere in Pattaya before getting there. Will it be ok to get half decent 3star accommodation with a pool if I just turn up in the 3rd week in Jan?

Unless you're a train junkie or totally skint, skip the slow rails.. why not take the VIP bus from Bangkok straight to Phuket ?

They have full reclining chairs, blankets, pillows etc.. and there's an attendant on board serving hot drinks and snacks (they stop regularly also)

I joined this service at Hua Hin once. very comfortable and hassle free

and it aint gonna break the bank either..

my choice (if i didn't have the car) everytime

Hey, that looks like a good idea - do you know where in BKK I'd need to get onboard.

Also how long does that take?

Once you are in Surat Thani, I also think it is better to start in Samui, than to take the busride twice. I find 3+ hours busrides a big pain in the ass, not literally only

I also agree, plane tickets are cheaper from Phuket to fly to BKK( but cost be important to you).

Well trouble is I've booked the hotel in Phuket already and the one on Samui was fully booked any earlier. I initially thought of Phuket as I really wanted to see the Andaman coast and go kayaking in Ag Phang Nga bay (sp?). The difference between flying from Phu or Samui to BKK I think isn't really important, its all about hotel bookings and availability. I really don't like turning up somewhere with nowhere to stay so I booked the place in Phuket for 4 days and then started thinking about Samui. Maybe I should just fly to Samui? I kind of thought it would be nice to arrive by boat though.

Hi all - newbie here,

I have 3 weeks booked for a first time trip to Thailand and have 4 nights in Phuket booked. I was thinking of getting overnight sleeper to Surit Thani then a bus to Phuket. The bus is a 6 hour trip.

I am then looking at going to Koh Samui, but quite like the idea of getting there by boat from Surit Thani. This means getting back on the bus. Anyone done this or have an idea whether it would be a real pain to do that trip twice?

From Koh Samui I'd fly back to Bangkok, although I might use my last week to have a look at Pattaya.

Thanks for any useful comments.