coolxten

Thanks. I'll give them a call.

I'm surprised I haven't read anything about it here considering the number of questions on long layovers.

I was on the "sleeping in airports" website and I found the below for the Suvarnabhumi airport. I've been to the airport many times, and don't recall seeing signs to an on site hotel. I have a 6 hour stop over and would love access to a gym and showers, especially for only $15.

Is it still $15 current and correct? Has anyone tried it? Reviews? Directions? Weblink?

Tried googling, but with the weak description I had no luck. Is this the Novotel hotel?

----

Quick Reference Airport Guide

Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date info:

• rows of plastic bucket seats or metal benches
  
• there are a few padded seats are available are available at the arrivals area
  
• the airport hotel has a pool, locker, shower, gym access and pool loungers that you can use for $15. Closes at 10PM
  
• food is overpriced and "nasty"
  
• Day rooms are available for a shocking $ 112 for 8 hours
  
• Massages
  
• internet kiosks
  
• luggage office is available
  

For house design ideas...take a camera and a walk out in different neighbourhoods. Take pictures of designs you like.

I dont like to put a price on health. Thats not why I go to Suan Dok. I wrote my experience earlier, so no need to go into it. But, here are some comparative costs based on my own experience. Sorry, its not a great comparison, but should give an idea. The prices seem to fluctuate sometimes, so ill need to take a more careful look at why there are differences.

All Lab tests are thyroid level tests. Both Ultrasounds were to check the thyroid as I developed a resistant goiter, to rule anything more sinister out.

But I understand why Bumrungrad charges so much. I was so impressed by the decor I might book my wedding there....

I've gotten my hair cut at "Monique", it's in the Central Mall in the hall way to sports world. There are two guys that have both cut my hair and have done a great job. They follow instructions very well, but one speaks English a lot better than the other. You should speak slowly and point with your hands.... I've given them instructions like, "don't cut the corners too short cuz i'm balding", or "Clean up the back with a bit of a slide". Shampoo and cut cost 180 baht.

Thanks, for the input. I didn't want it to get awkward if they offered to sell me one since I would prefer a new one. I might ask them if I can't find one.

Tried several.....no luck.

I was staying in a hotel in Bangkok, and they had these amazing white cotton blankets made out of towel. Perfect for the hot weather. Does anyone know where in Chiang Mai, or even Bangkok where I can buy a couple? Are they common? Are they expensive? I would get a queen size.

Thanks!

The cafe was around the night market area. I'm pretty sure the lady wasn't the owner. The cafe was western style and would be considered farang. Everyone in the cafe was Caucasian.

I was at a western style cafe in the touristy area where the service was OK. Nothing special. The only complaint was that I stood there for a min. as the staff did behind the counter stuff until i asked for a menu. I ordered a meal and coffee which was nothing special either. My order was 190 Baht.

After my meal I went to the counter to pay, the lady kept my 10 baht change without asking. I just stood there until she said "Yes?", and I told her I gave her 200 baht, and asked her how much my meal was. She said 190 baht and reached in the cash register and gave my change.

So i'm a bit torn. I felt that it was rude of her to do that.....Do you agree? or Should I have just smiled and went on my way? Obviously it's not about the money.

Why not start out small? Sell the baked goods at the evening food market in front of Cental or the Sunday market a few times to get feedback to see what exactly people like. That way you can find out what makes the most money and how you can maxiumize.

Business it tricky.....if you mass sell right away and certain things bomb. Your vendors are going to be less likely to sell your stuff again as you try to make changes to improve.

Also remember that Marketing is key. How the bake goods looks and is packaged has a lot to do with how much people are welling to pay.....

Good luck!

I think it's also important to see the amount Thailand has donated in the past to other countries.....

$50000 USD to Vietnamese typhoon victims

$100,000 FOR TYPHOON FRANK VICTIMS (Philippines)

100,000 US dollars and rice for people affected by earthquakes in Indonesia

US $25,000 for Hurricane Dean Reconstruction (Jamaica)

$20,000 to Haiti seems in-line with Thailands "usual" donation amounts. It's a pitty that Thailand is more of a taker than a giver considering how much Thailand depends on the internationl community.....

Thanks for the reply.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is by loading up your credit card with a negative balance, then using your credit card's cash advance feature is better then using your debit card.

With your comment on the $3150, it looks like you still get charged by the Thai bank for using the ATM.

I think there are more advances to using your credit card this way over your debit...

- You can withdraw larger amounts.

- Credit Card cash advance fees are lower than debit fees

- More ATMs in Thailand accept credit card than the different international debit features (eg. PLUS, Cirus,...)

From my understanding, when you use your credit card for a cash advance you get charged 18% or whatever interest rate is on your card until you pay it back the balance of your card. Plus the $1 banking fee your Canadian credit card company charges for cash advances......

So.....Say your credit card balance is $0, but you make a payment of $100 anyways, so that you have a $100 credit balance on your card. You then travel to Thailand and make a cash advance say for $100. In this case would the interest on your cash advance be $0. I know that credit cards give lower exchange rates. Do you still have to pay the 150 Baht ATM fee? Is this case correct/possible?

I ask because if you are withdrawing small amounts say $100 using the PLUS feature on your debit card, you get charged $5 plus 150Baht, plus a weak exchange rate, so really the cost is around 10%.

In the above case with the credit card, the cost would be about 1% ($1 your credit card company charges), plus a weak exchange rate which is unavoidable in both cases. It looks like using your credit card this way is more favourable.

Can someone comment??

You wont be allowed to. You're not Thai. Also dont have work permit. And work permits dont allow competition with Thais in this sector ( crafts). However perhaps you can befriend one vendor and rent part of his stall. Be careful of inspectors though..... Might screw up your visa!!!!

What you're saying makes sense. Although a few Sundays ago I say a non-thai person selling glass pipes and bongs. Maybe he was just sitting there, but he had a fanny pack and gave off the impression he owned the stand.

Where is fitness Thailand? Google maps didn't show location and this doesn't help.

On Huay Kaew coming from Nimman turn left (North) at the moat (Hussadhisawee Rd.). Turn right on the next street (Maneepoparat Soi 3), you'll past a school, and the first high rise building you see on your right is where Fitness Thailand is - 7th floor. You'll see a fried chicken stand in front of the entrance.

I was confused as well since the website looked so nice, but the actual building looks run down. Although very happy with the gym; has everything I need and price is great.

Great there goes my diet....

another pizza thread!

edit: wjmark has a point. go to any Pizza Company (not Pizza Hut) and buy their 2 for 1 pizza deal card. I think its THB199. Buy whatever Pizza and get another one for free. Thats the cheapest deal me thinks.

I've never been to Pizza Company.....what's this "deal card". Is it a coupon you trade in? or do you mean it's a deal they advertise on a card. Please explain. Thanks.

There are these salads I've only seen in Chiang Mai. I've seen them sold at the Sanpakoi Market, and at the airport plaza mall where they have those food stands in front of McD. The salads are sold in clear acetate bags and has iceberg lettuce; corn; cooked taro, squash and oats; shredded carrots, and sometimes eggs and tomatoes. Nothing special except the dressing is heavenly. There are two kinds I've yellow and white dressing (tied up in a bag along with the salad). The yellow is tangy, and taste a bit like mustard, although I'm not sure if there is mustard in it. The white dressing taste a little milky and sweet, maybe made from condensed milk.

Anyways, I was wondering if there is a specific Thai name for this salad, as I would like to know if I can get it back home in North America - my city sometimes holds Thai food gatherings and I'd like to ask for it by name. I also want to know what's in it, and if it's healthy (most likely only the yellow) to eat regularly (or everyday!).

I hope someone knows what I'm talking about....

Thanks

There's also the Orchid holtel (Basic, but nice pool and powerful showers B1200/month), and there is also a gym in the Kad Suan Mall which looked pretty well equiped, but very busy at times with mostly students.

Thanks I'll check the places out. I shop at second hand places because of the cool selection, many from different parts of he world. I also think it's great for the environment.... Thanks again.

I've seen lots of second hand clothing shops all around Thailand, but few good ones. Most of them seem to sell T-shirts, shoes or vintage military clothing.

I was wondering if anyone here could recommend one in CM. I'm not really looking for extremely high end stuff or rare vintage clothing since I find that out of my price range. I’ve come across a few items I’ve like and paid about 300 to 400 baht for nice dress shirts. But I’d like to find more. I would be looking for mostly casual button down shirts, sport jackets, jackets, and sweaters. Saw a few stands at the Sunday Market with some neat stuff, maybe this weekend I’ll ask if they have a shop.

Thanks

Just wanted to recommend Sripat as well. Went in for strep throat and was in and out in about 20 mins. Total visit cost 495 baht; 200 baht of which was for the actual check-up, the rest was for the medication. After registration the "stewardess" accompanied me up to the doctor's front desk to pass me off to the nurse which was nice.

Don't forget your can grow your own....I'm sure you can grow lots of veggies within 2 years. I found this link awhile back researching a town called Phrao - 1.5 hours away from Chiang mai. Maybe worth visiting...

http://www.phraoorganic.com/index.html

Was wondering how many of you sent gifts back home (to North America) this xmas. I sent my on Dec 19th to Montreal, Quebec....i know, not a lot of time before xmas. I didn't expect it to arrive on time. It's now Jan 1, it still hasn't arrived. I know it can take 30 days, but wanted to see what others experienced this xmas.

If you sent a package in December (09) ...... Where, When and how many days did it take?

Also, there was a bit of a miscommunication at the post office. I was asking for a declaration sticker, but instead the guy charged me something that cost 55 bhat extra. Is that the cost of tracking? Tried to use the tracking number but it didn't look exactly like the instructions, and the result was not found. The number I tried began with "RE 9 digits TH". Does anyone know what I was charged for?