tommytouch

I know the main branch of Super Rich (Rajadamri) has slightly better buying rates for currency exchange, as it's stated on their website.

Does anyone know the difference in rates between the main branch and the others?

Also, I've heard there's a Phrom Phong branch, does anyone know where excactly?

Thanks

Hi

I'm considering flying to London from Bangkok for 3 weeks this December or maybe November. I'm interested to know whether anyone else is going at these times and if so what they're paying, or what the best price they've seen is for a direct flight.

The best price I've found so far - admittedly I haven't tried very hard - is with EVA Air for B32,645 (Hot e-Fare), the same price for both months.

Thanks for any input.

Go to any large hotel and they will change the $ no problems. You wont get much of an exchange rate for your $s

The OP stated they weren't interested in using a hotel for this service because - as you point out - they charge extortionate rates, but thanks anyway. (I've just split up with my girlfriend and need to change some Nigerian $$.ss)

HI

Does anyone know of any late night money changers / currency exchanges around Sukhumvit, I'm talking after 23:00, maybe 24 hours. I'm sure there are small independent places around Nana, Soi Arab probably (better rates than the banks too). I know hotels will (very) happily do it but I'm not that desperate.

Thanks

I'm a regular Leo drinker (at home). Can't say I've experienced any of the symptoms you've described. Seems strange.

As far as Michelin starred places go you won't find any here because Thailand is yet to be included in the guide, as an earlier post pointed out, however there certainly are places in Bangkok of that standard in my opinion.

Some examples off the top off my head (and yes I'm sorry but three are in hotels):

The Thai restaurant Nahm, sister restaurant of Michelin starred Nahm in London. Indian fine dining using molecular cooking techniques at Gaggan, Soi Langsuan (not in a hotel), run by an ex employee of the famous 3-starred El Bulli in Spain, voted best restaurant in the world an amazing five times. Sra Bua, the molecular based Thai restaurant run by the people behind Michelin starred Kiin Kiin in Copenhagen, Denmark. And D'Sens at the Dusit Thani, co-owned and overseen by the 3-starred Pourcel brothers from France.

A few examples hilighting the fact there undoubtably is fine dining available of Michelin star quality, and although maybe not the cheapest option prices are very resonable compared to having the same dining experience in a major Wetern capital city. Alternatively, as the OP is ExpatOilWorker and familiar with Soi Cowboy, perhaps a visit to Offshore Fish n Chips on soi 23 is more appropriate! As for Italian I too can vouch for Zanotti over on Saladaeng.

Good luck with your gastronomic adventures and enjoy

Should read "Newsflash... Thaksin's case to be reviewed... by Thaksin. He promises himself a fair trial."

I've heard some good reports about Isan House, down and off of Sukhumvit soi 4. I think they might have traditional dance shows as well if it's a special occasion and not just for lunch. Also Cafe de Laos over on Silom is a very nice looking place (with a website). Vientiane Kitchen and Hualamphong Food Station used to be popular places on Sukhumvit (soi 36 I think) but they've possibly closed or moved.

As far as cheap, authentic, rundown Isaan places go I'm sure there's a pretty long list, and everyone has their personal favourite.

Enjoy your somtam, laab, gai yaang, sticky rice etc.

I'm planning to take an Air Asia flight soon. The flight (hopefully) leaves at 11:35 and there won't be much time once I've arrived at the destination before my onward travel commences.

I'm interested in peoples experiences regarding Air Asia's stated departure times; whether they're pretty reliable in this department or whether flights are often delayed.

Thanks

Villa, Sukhumvit 33 have them. I've never tried them but they look right and that's what they're labled as. Good luck.

Yes I'll probably go to Fortune. I was just wondering if anyone could recommend a specific place / person (Pantip or Fortune), although I doubt there's a whole lot of difference in price or know-how between each place. (Can't wait to get it sorted so I can stop using this bloody internet cafe.)

Thanks

I've (very) broken the screen of my Toshiba computer. I went to a Toshiba dealership in Bangkok and was quoted a silly price and warned of a possible long wait to get it fixed, in fact the guy in the shop advised me to use a small independent place instead - no company loyalty there!

Can anyone recommend a reliable, reasonably priced shop to carry out the repairs in Bangkok? The Toshiba guy estimated the cost to be around B3000 - B4000.

Thanks for any help.

Why not do some traveling by train? This is a good site for train and (I think) bus travel in the region: http://www.seat61.com/Cambodia.htm

But I agree, you must be mad wanting to take a bus straight to Cambodia after a long flight! No thanks.

Enjoy your trip.

True BBQ is done over indirect heat and takes time to do.

Ypur version sounds like smoking. Which is done over indirect heat & takes time.

As an American I think of grilling steaks over a charcoal fire as "Bar-B-Q" & millions of Texans will agree with me. Mesquite wood smoked.

.....Plus quite a few Australians, British and many, many other nationalities....

Thanks. I've always intended to visit Mrs Balbirs.

I'm not sure this is the place I was told about though. The owner was a man who previously lived in the UK.

I remember Mrs Balbir's tv show back in the day. I've just learnt from the website that she's Malaysian.

Might have lunch at her Robinson food court outlet this coming week

Why not? Anyplace to get UK style balti?

Yes, another good example. Wouldn't mind one now

I suppose a good example would be somewhere that sells chicken tikka masala, as it's claimed to originate from the UK. Actually many of the Indian restaurants in the UK are run by Bangladeshis I believe.

I met a guy last year who told me there was a restaurant in the sub soi off soi 11(home to Cheap Charlie's, The Pickled Liver etc) that serves UK style Indian food.

I'm not sure if it's still the case but there was two Indian places next to each other in the corner of the soi. Unfortunately I can't remember which one he was referring to.

It sounded promising because apparently the owner had run Indian restaurants in the UK.

Does anyone have any experiences of this place?

My prefered recipe is pretty much the same as in the link from Totster, developed over time using trial and error.

However if you want to be a purist I imagine this is a truly authentic recipe (using beef). Don't be put off by the fact that the chef's a foreigner; to say he knows his stuff when it comes to Thai food is a serious understatement. Good luck (4th recipe down):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/sep/19/david-thompson-thai-recipes

I've seen galangal powder in Tops supermarket. I'm guessing finding the coconut block should also be possible. But sorry, I don't know of any specialist Indonesian stores. If you're really desperate try asking around the Indonesian embassy

Regardless of whether or not the whisky was counterfeit the unscrupulous cowards producing these fakes - food, drink and medicine - are truly evil. Regarding whisky the very least they could do is use an extremely cheap but harmless substitute. Sick. And as for producing fake medicine that actually harms people......

As earlier stated the Nok website is very easy to use and there are no hidden fares. I'm pretty sure the Orient Thai site is equally upfront. I also like Nok because you can choose to pay at 7/11 using a code given to you when booking.

I wouldn't worry about Don Muang, it's a far more pleasurable experience than Survanabumi. Once you're on the tollway you should be there within 30 minutes, no different to Survanabumi. It might take longer on a Friday afternoon though. The airport terminal is convieniently small and I think it's only used by Thai, Nok and Orient Thai, so there's never many people and it's highly unlikely your flight will be delayed.

Hi

Does anyone know of a barber shop around beach road, 2nd road or somewhere just out. I'm looking for a proper barber shop for a shave, not a salon (I'm sure I can find one of those!)

Thanks

There are actually 2 peers on Koh Larn where the ferries go. Naban and Twaen. (and they are 30 baht now)

I also don't believe the baht buses (song-taow) operate during the week. At least I didn't see any on the road but did see them all parked without drivers in a parking lot near the Naban peer. The only available transportation was motorbike either by Taxi or renting.

I stayed at http://www.paywadee.com/ when I went. They were nice and friendly and the rooms were new and clean. They start at 800 baht a night during the week. You can also rent a motorbike here and it is not far from the peer. They have about 16 different rooms and although completely booked on week-ends we and another guest were the only people there during the week.

The island is packed during the day but empties at night. I really recommend renting a motorbike and seeing all the beaches. The Island is very small but it would be grueling to try to walk especially with the mountains. And unless you are staying right at the beach you want to be at then it may be difficult to get a motorbike taxi from the small hotel/bungalows you stay at if you are there during the week.

Samae is very crowded during the day but has the most modern facilities .. consider this is you are picky about using the bathroom.

Thanks for that

Ok, so I'm thinking take the boat to Naban, maybe check in to Paywadee (have looked at their site and it's fine for our needs) then go exploring. Looking forward to it.

Not bothered about modern facilities or western comforts, ideally just an uncrowded, good quality beach - low prices a bonus of course! Might opt for somewhere other than Samae then?

Samae is boss.

It's the furthest & therefore quietest beach. There really is nothing there except a few small bars / restaurants (bamboo huts). There is a 'roof' of umbrellas at the back of the beach, with sun loungers in the open at the front. Bottled beers / Breezers are 100B & you have to try supping a 'mai tai' from a coconut; just make sure you watch them make it.

Food is cheap & tasty. I recommend the 'kai moo pet', or hot pork omelette; an ideal light meal for the beach.

Careful when entering the sea, as there is a 'carpet' of sharpish stones to traverse, which throws you off balance just enough to cripple yourself on one of the huge rocks.

Once in though, the water is clear & blue / green. If your lucky, you'll experience waves high enough to drown a Thai girl.

The ice-cream vendor is not pushy, but the massage lady can be on occasion.

From the pier, stock up on water & snacks at the 711 then walk to the end of the 'village', where you will find a baht bus for 20B to Samae. Don't take a motorbike unless you feel the need for speed.

Thanks, some great info, I'm pretty much sold.

Have you seen much accommodation there? And are you referring to Twaen or Naban pier?

Thanks again