MisterBean

Nancy L like wow I could not count all your posts on this 4 of July Party really unbelievable

I agree, it's unbelievable how helpful one person can be. Shame really that there aren't more people here like NancyL. If you are having problems counting perhaps you should consult with a doctor, maybe something is wrong with you.

I like fora bee (.com) honey. They have a store in Chiang Mai Land and a store in front of the factory on superhighway south of the city. Many different products available, I like the longan honey.

You can reach Magic from inside the terminal building. From the departures level there is a corridor that leads to the office building. Take the corridor until it opens up to a large room, turn left and go to the corner of the room, there are elevators there. Go to the ground floor and the elevator opens onto the parking garage and you can see Magic to your right. If you are facing the terminal, the corridor is at the far left end of the building near the escalators.

Thanks for your replies.

The Star Alliance website is good, I took a look. I usually use Timatic through Delta

http://www.delta.com...ation/index.jsp

I didn't really believe they would ask for something like that, which is why I tried to call them. When that failed, I figured it would be easier just to get an answer here from someone who has done it, so thanks.

I am looking for options to go to the Philippines from BKK. Tiger Airways has the best flight times and price for me but, one thing on their website has me a little confused. None of the other airlines seem to have this requirement. Their website says:

Passengers travelling as tourists

Must have their return flight confirmed (not more than 1 (one) month), and must have an invitation letter/affidavit of support from a sponsor that is dry sealed and duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate office in a foreign country (original copy).

I tried to call them to inquire about this requirement but gave up after 20 minutes on hold. Has anyone that has used Tiger tell me what their experience was.

AirAsia is great. They have good promotions with lots of avalability at the advertised prices for people who can understand their website.

A quick check is showing avalability at the advertised price for the route you want on June 4,5,7,8,9,10,11.........

The deals are there, you just need to read carefully.

"Yeah, that fee is annoying too. But I think that there IS a way to avoid the fee - by using a specific credit card - but I've just been too lazy to sign up for that card." When I looked into it about 18 months ago, it was for Malaysian residence only to get their card. It is a hidden tax, how do you pay otherwise? I think that Singapore airport is the best in the world to 'kill' a few hours, not including any special lounges even. I could kill 8hrs in Changie easily. BKK is another story though.

There is a way for people in Thailand to avoid the fee:

I must admit it has been a couple of years since I made a booking that originated outside of Thailand and at the time I was unable to pay with my SCB account. It appears that since then they have changed their system to allow any AirAsia flight to be purchased in THB, which means you can pay directly from an SCB account. I tried a booking from PNH to BKK and they converted the USD amount to THB at a rate of 31.38 THB to the USD, I'm not sure if that is a good deal or not. If you have an SCB bank account, sign up for SCBEasy internet banking, it's free. Then you don't have to pay any booking fees You can pay directly from your SCB bank account and avoid the booking fees.

The example I gave earlier to decline the insurance was for a domestic Thailand flight and I noticed that the procedure to decline the insurance was different for flights between other countries, although I was still able to quickly decline the insurance.

If you don't want to buy the insurance, you don't have to. At the bottom of the paragraph offering the insurance, click on the word "cancel", a large window pops up, there are 2 buttons, "ok" and "cancel". When you click "cancel", it takes you back to the page and the box saying that you are declining the insurance is already checked, you just click "continue" and the insurance is removed from the booking.

If you have an SCB bank account, sign up for SCBEasy internet banking, it's free. Then you don't have to pay any booking fees for flights booked in THB (domestic or international round trips originating in Thailand). You can pay directly from your SCB bank account and avoid the booking fees.

tombkk, I apologize if I offended you for accusing you of being from the UK. You mentioned GBP and so I assumed that's where you were from.

Disclaimer: Begin tongue in cheek.

I should have guessed that you weren't from the UK since you wrote a quarter of a pound is 0.75 pennies. A quarter of a GBP is equal to 25 pennies. Unless of course I am mistaken once again and you are referring to something you copped on the high street that was 3 pence per pound. Did you score on the high street?

I would also like to apologize for the slip shod job I did in explaining nickels and dimes. I will try to do better, I'm working from memory, I'm not about to do any revision for this.

A nickel is 5 cents, but more accurately it is a 5 cent coin. They were originally made from nickel, which is where the name comes from. I feel dead silly for not mentioning that in the first place, I blame it on the trouble and strife with the loud telly and all. With this lot, it's a knees-up here all the time, and after a while I have to make a mad dash for the paracetamol.

If I had a nickel for every time I forgot something when I do the messages, I'd be rich. Thats an example of the phrase that I did not finish in my other post. You can fill the last part after "for every time" in with whatever suits the situation, in this case you can see what happens to me when I do the messages, and its always bread too, don't know why that is. It means that you have heard or done something so many times that if you had a nickel for each time, you would be rich. It is an expression that implies exaggeration, so it may not have actually happened that many times.

You don't hear the phrase double nickel much since most US states have raised the speed limits. Back in the 70's the truckers would use this expression on the double bars all the time. Smokey was a problem if you didn't keep it on the double nickel so the double bars helped to keep smokey from being on the down low.

A dime is 10 cents but again more accurately it is a 10 cent coin. Like I said stop on a dime means you have good brakes, I guess they use dime because the dime is so small, it wouldn't be as impressive if you said you could stop on a toonie.

I should also point out that with both nickels and dimes you may have a problem at the cash point. As far as I know all ABM's don't take nickels, even wooden ones (which you shouldn't be taking either). This isn't really news though, anyone who has used a bank machine should know you can't use nickels. Many years ago, I forgot one time at the insta-teller and I almost buggered it up. Lucky for me there was a bloke there to point out my epic fail.

I see the poster s bk disagrees with my definitions. Well then, I have a bone to pick with you. My use of the word something does not imply anything, as you have inferred. I did not say it refers to anything as that would be inaccurate. I might be willing to give anything for something, but I would not be willing to give something for anything. While I don't disagree that it is usually used in reference to drugs, it is not exclusive, which you seem to be aware of since you chose to use the word generally instead of the more convincing word exclusively. I stand by my albeit somewhat incomplete definition, that it refers to something costing $5 or $10.

As far as the expression nickel and dime me to death, while I agree with you that it is a result of many additional charges, they don't have to be hidden to be able to use this expression. if I went into a store for a biro and pop and they had signs stating there was a bag charge, an air-con charge, a refrigeration charge, and a twist off charge, I would still feel like I was being nickeled and dimed to death. I am not familiar with second meaning for the term "nickel and dime me to death' regarding cheapskates. Can anyone give me an example of its use in this context?

End tongue in cheek.

Regarding the plight of Mr Fuchs. While it is not a recommended method for spotting fakes due to the sophistication of some, rubbing a dry tissue on these copies would likely have revealed their authenticity. If you rub a real note you will see the color of the note on the tissue. Proper forgeries can not be detected this way. What I don't get is how he forged the foil strip, unless he didn't and they were really terrible copies.

You hear these words a lot in movies, songs and expressions. I guess because you are from the UK you couldn't make the connection as to what they mean.

Not even from the UK, I'm from a country that does not even use English as their main language. Thanks a lot for your explanation.

Nickel is 5. So a nickel is 5 cents, ...

Where does this come from? I though nickel was a metal.

Dime is 10.

Really? I though deca (not dime) was ten.

Nickel is a metal, but much like many words they can have more than one definition. Deca may mean ten but if you needed 10 cents, you would have better luck asking for a dime.

MANY years ago, I used to file pennies down to the size of dimes, buy something from a vending machine that cost $.15 and make $.03 plus the item. Then I lost it all by getting greedy and filing quarters down to the size of nickels. ;-)

A penny is GBP 0.01. What the heck is a dime?

A quarter of a Pound is 0.75 pennies, but what is a nickel? I mean, I know that nickel is a metal, but "a" nickel?

You hear these words a lot in movies, songs and expressions. I guess because you are from the UK you couldn't make the connection as to what they mean. Nickel is 5. So a nickel is 5 cents, a nickel bag is slang for something that costs $5, double nickel is slang for a 55mph speed limit. There is also the expression "if I had a nickel for every time.." again meaning 5 cents. There is also the combination expression of "nickel and dime me to death", meaning you think you are paying too much.

Dime is 10, so a dime is 10 cents. Brother can you spare a dime? is the name of a song, It's a beggar asking for 10 cents. Stop on a dime, that's an expression that means you have good brakes on your motor so you won't damage your bonnet because you can't stop in time for the tailback on the motorway. A dime bag is slang for something that costs $10, a dime a dozen is an expression that means something is common.

They were both a lot more common in America years ago, (and American movies) but because of inflation they're not so common. For many years a bottle of fizzy drink in the states cost a nickel. And for a long time the phone box cost a dime, which I think is where the expression "its your dime" comes from.

The main branch of SCB (tha pae) has added hundreds of new safety deposit boxes. If anyone wants one now it should be no problem. I have had one there for a few years and the price has gone up a lot. I was paying 1000b a year and it is now 1500 a year, for the smallest size box. I'm not sure about other banks but many of the SCB branches don't have boxes so you have to go to the main branch.

Last time I looked at the exchange for pesos in swampy it was total crap. If you have US$ wait until you get there. There is a currency exchange booth at the airport in Angeles.

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You forgot the tater tots

I am looking to replace Skype too so I am trying out Google voice. Might work for you for the paid calls to landlines, but not for free call to other users like Skype allows.

You probably already thought of this but I'll mention it just in case. Get their passport details from them before they come here and fill out landing cards for them and give them to the Fast Track representative to have when they greet them at the plane.

SCB direct debit works great but it would not work in the OP's case. The flight has to originate in Thailand for the SCB option to appear. If you book a flight originating in Malaysia, then it would be Malaysian banks that show up under the direct debit banner.

There are 2 AA sales offices in CM that I know of, one next to Starbucks near Tha Pae gate and the other in Carrefour on Superhighway. I never dealt with either of them though, I always buy online. Maybe that is how the neighbour was able to use their debit card. If their card does work online then log on to your account book the ticket use your neighbour's card to pay and give them the cash.

If you have an SCB account then you can pay directly from your account for any flights originating in Thailand. It also works with international flights from Thailand if you book the round trip on the same ticket. You save the 50b per flight convenience fee as well. I have purchased many tickets this way. When you get to the payment page on the Airasia website select "direct debit" and you will see the link to SCB. It is the only bank in Thailand that AirAsia does this with right now. I have to enter the same user name and password that I use for SCB easynet internet banking when the SCB window opens when booking the ticket.

I manged to get the phone to connect but not using the software that came with the cable. It might be better to go online to Samsung and download the program for your phone from there rather than using the disk. I bought this phone in Canada and it turns out that it uses a program called New PC Studio. Once I installed it, the phone connected right away.

I am pretty sure you could get some generic version of the in ear type without spending a fortune on a name brand. Once they are in your ear they won't move no matter how much you sweat.

Good to know MB, thx for that. With the USB cable, does it allow you to download pics from the phone to your computer? Something I'll be on the lookout to get for the missus' phone.

I was hemming and hawing over the Shure phones myself. Very nice and highly rated from what I'd read. Ended up buying a set of Klipsch phones. Haven't tried them yet though, as they're waiting for me in the US when I get there for an upcoming visit.

The cable came with software you install before you connect the phone. After you install it you can update the software over the net. It is called Samsung studio 3. I haven't been able to connect to their software. It maybe a driver problem, I have not spent any time trying to figure out why it won't connect. I don't know if all Samsung phones are the same but mine gives the option when the USB cable is connected to run the Samsung studio or connect the phone as an external USB drive. I have been using it this way. You can transfer any files, photos or music, whatever but it only lets me access the memory card I put in the phone, not the phone's internal memory. So if you wanted to download a photo you would have to save it to the memory card first.

I have a Samsung with the flat connector too. I went to a mobile shop just to the left as you walk in the north doors to the Big C on Hang Dong Road, they had the adapter to convert to 3.5mm headphone jack. I think it was 100or 200b. The also had the USB cable too for 200b, which means I don't have to remove the memory card to change the music.

I use a pair of Shure earphones, I think they call them in ear monitors. I loop the cord over the top of my ears and they fit pretty snug. They come with a bunch of sleeves so you can pick the ones that fit your ears best. They aren't cheap but they do sound great.

Are you sure you are flying with AirAsia? There is no free check in bags included with the fare. The "usual" amount of baggage is whatever you want to pay for, 15, 20, 25, or 30kg. it is up to you. Usually if you have 15kg of bags then that is what you would pay for. If you have 30kg of bags then you should pay for that much. You can weigh your suitcase and then you will know how much to pay for.

Carry on is one bag, weighing 7kg or less. I suppose if it was overweight you could transfer it to the other bag you aren't allowed as carry on since you are only allowed one carry on bag. If you bring more than one carry one bag or if it weighs more than 7kg then maybe nothing will happen, or maybe they will weigh it and make you check it.

They are pretty lax about the carry on but why take a chance. This is not Thai Airways, its a budget airline, they make money on the extras.

I think either you are booked on another airline, or whoever booked your ticket already prepaid for 15 kg of baggage

Pre book your baggage online at least 2 days before the flight. You pay by weight, not by the number of cases. Anything over 30kg and you have to pay by the kg and it is expensive. It is WAY cheaper than just showing up at the airport and paying. If you know you are bringing check in bags, pay online first or if you wait until you get to the airport you will be back here complaining about what a crappy airline they are.

Carry on is 7kg, rarely enforced but why take a chance.

I just got back from Yangon as well so I will throw in my 2 cents. I flew AirAsia and they handed out arrival/departure cards on the plane but not the visa application. I noticed some people on the plane had them already and were filling them out. I filled one out at the counter and it did slow the process a little but overall it went smoothly. The visa is good for 4 weeks. If you only have large bills use one for the visa, they will give you your change in new US bills. I stayed at the Thamada hotel and booked it online through AirAsiago for 800THB a night including breakfast. The AirAsia office is in the swanky Park Royal hotel next door, I had dinner there one night for $12, they only took perfect US bills and gave my change in the same way. The Thamada hotel is in a good location, a ten minute walk to the train station and Scott market. The food was not so great there but I found a restaurant nearby called Santino cafe that was good. When you walk down the street between the two hotels towards the Scott market, you turn right at the same side street that you would turn left to get to the footbridge to the market. Santino was on the right about 50metres from the corner. They had a storefront selling bakery items too but if follow my directions you see they have a restaurant as well.

I was able to change money at Scott market. I was quoted between 850 (Thamada hotel) and 1050 kyats to the dollar. I changed mine with a jeweler who gave me a rate of 950, and clean notes. It was a very honest transaction. I had read of some money exchange scams so I was careful but it went smoothly. I did not spend much there in spite of coming back with a pile of stuff, prices were very good although I am almost afraid to try my 60B bottle of whisky. I was at one stall and there was a Thai cop (jacket) next to me buying something with Thai Baht. I took the circle train around Yangon for $1. You have to go to platform 7 and go to the ticket booth on the platform. Once there you have to go inside and give your passport in order to buy a ticket. There is a train in the morning the leaves around 8:20 and they escorted me to the train and sat me in the same car as the flagman. I don't know if roping off the end of the car was for his benefit or mine but he did allow people to cross the rope and sit next to me. I love trains and so I enjoyed it but you don't really see that much during the three hour trip so unless you love trains don't bother.

The humidity was a real problem for me and there are no 7-11's or anything really to pop into for a little cooling. I brought a fan and a couple packages of wet towels with me and they were a lifesaver.

AirAsia have a promotion on for flights leaving now, or close to now. As always it isn't all flights, but you can get a round trip from BKK (leaving Aug 23, and coming back on the 28 for example) including checking a bag for 2500B.

I'm not suggesting you fly down to BKK but I did see some today in swampy at the royal project store in the domestic area just before the entrance to concourses A and B. I don't know if they were sweetened but I did pick up the package and I think they were grape tomatoes and they were 58b for a good size container. They were not packed in oil, just dry packed. They were next to the strawberries, which is why I was there, I love em.

Maybe they are new and will become available up here.