rogerrhino

Classic case of putting all your eggs in one basket - or one and a half if you throw Indians into the mix! Watch out for contagious Delhi Belly!! It's going to be an uphill battle to woo back Western tourists who have been abandoned in the rush to encourage the masses from China/India.

What about Phuket International Airport??! Just as bad there. The other half nearly fainted after standing in the immigration queue for over an hour. Mind you, there were plenty of very smart looking supervisors wandering around in glitzy uniforms but otherwise doing sweet effay!!!

I usually will chat up a Thai will I'm getting my boarding pass. I'll ask them to take me through the Thai side with them. Has worked every time no problems.

They weren't having any of that this last time. Checking everybody very carefully as soooooo many Russians were trying it also.

I sympathise "prefabs". We left on Saturday and it took over an hour to clear passport control. The poor air-con and the swarms of ignorant, queue jumping Russians didn't help either! For a new airport, these arrangements are pathetic and would not encourage a repeat visit. Getting in wasn't quite so bad - only 45 minutes - and no Russian elbows to contend with!

I had a group of Russians trying the game of putting one person in each of several lines and then jumping back and forth when one line got the closest. There were 6 of them, split among 3 lines. They would even leave the line and then push to get back into the line they left at the same spot. Tried it on my line just as I was getting to the window. I wouldn't let them in and even said I'd yell for help. Everybody in my line agreed and started yelling at them also. They would have gained 1-2 spots by moving lines. Unreal. They were pissed and kept saying things at me in Russian. I did my best Russian back at them. "brosht prosht nyet da brosht prosht".

Good to have our experience confirmed by someone else. They ("the Russians") were trying something similar in our queue. They were a family of 6 who started off a couple of places behind us. One of them gradually weedled their way about 3 places ahead of us and during the course of the general shuffle forwards, they all contrived to join up with the first person. My friend's wife ended up having a "nose to nose" with some stroppy, young Russian woman - we're "senior citizens"!! - no respect for the elderly!!. Seriously though - it was not pleasant and not the way you would like to end your holiday.

Sorry "mstribling" but you must have been lucky, as in our experience, both this time and on previous visits to LOS over the last 3-4 years, they are not generally "nice people". I'll probably get edited or struck off for this but hey - just telling it like it is!

I sympathise "prefabs". We left on Saturday and it took over an hour to clear passport control. The poor air-con and the swarms of ignorant, queue jumping Russians didn't help either! For a new airport, these arrangements are pathetic and would not encourage a repeat visit. Getting in wasn't quite so bad - only 45 minutes - and no Russian elbows to contend with!

Having read that lot, I don't know who to take notice of. We're also off to Hua Hin next week for two weeks so will be there over the whole piece. The pity is we're introducing two friends to Thailand - not a great introduction to the LOS for them! Does anyone actually know where all these guys are going to be and will they be shouting at us or are we going to be keeping our heads down in the hotel for a fortnight?

Mind you, it could be drier there!

I really enjoyed afternoon tea in the Sofitel Gardens,beside the beach.

Many thanks to everyone who replied to my post - looks like things are slowing down now but there are probably enough ideas to keep us going for 4 weeks rather than 2 - that's in between "afternoon teas in the Sofitel Gardens" of course and maybe the odd massage or two!! Any more tips?!

HEAVEN!

the grape plantation/winemaking place if they are into wine. elephants same place.

a boat trip (big comfy boat) to monkey island, snorkeling. call jim for tickets 0811914627, or keith 0832201074

I'm new to this game - surprise, surprise - so I'm not quite sure what to expect from my post, or is it a thread?! Also I'm not too sure how to make things work or what I'm supposed to do or not do as the case may be!! Anyway, I'm chuffed to bits with the replies so far and look forward to getting more if there are any on offer.

Our friends will be delighted to discover that there's a vinyard/winery nearby - it means they can force a few samples of the local vintage down to give them the courage to get astride an elephant!

Basilic13 - thanks for the tip on the Wat Mongkhol and the Pala U waterfalls - it sounds like a nice trip. How heavy is the walking? They (our mates) aren't that great on their pins. Mind you, they could set themselves up in the coffee shop while the wife and I run up to the falls

Hello, there is many things to do in the Hua Hin area as most of the tuk-tuk drivers will have a plastic covered paper for many of the places to see. I have been to the palace and many of the temples, and there is a place to take a jungle rid on an elephant for about an hour with a show to see. The Thai boxing arena is open on Wednesday and Saturday nights, and there is a cinema inside the mall for a movie in the afternoon that has air conditioning. Walks on the beach or only to lay there and relax with a cool drink with a meal is a good choice, and there are canvas umbrellas to get out of the sun for rent. Talk with the tuk-tuk drivers to know more about where to go, and you should agree on a price before you go on the tuk-tuk. Cheers and have a good time.

Hi, it's sounding good already - particularly the cool drink and the sun. Keep 'em coming. Thanks dale8.

An excellent massage can be found on the top floor of the hua hin shopping mall. The is a wonderul interesting women named Noi from the south she is in her late 40's/early 50's speaks excellent english. She used to have a shop down next to the blind massage.

The first time i went to her i had had a bad twinge in my arm that prevented me from lifting it with out pain but after two very painful one hour sessions she removed the problem to about 5%, now it is totally gone two years later.

Out of all my experiences in the land of lies i'd say she rates in the top 2. when i saw her at songkhran she was still charging 300bt for 1 hour, which i told her is ridiculous, if anyone does see her make sure your tip her as she works hard. It takes a toll on the body she told me she had to take months off due to trauma to her hands.

Cheers for that loser 1. I'll be visiting in October and will try your lady. Look out for the commission!

Does "Noi" do Thai oil massage as well - the traditional Thai heaving and stretching plays havoc with the old bones! I can't take it any more!! There are so many indifferent masseurs around, it sounds like you've discovered a "gem".

She'll do any type i suppose, i'm not a big fan of what i think she calls 'Royal thai' massage and i'm sure she told me that she is laying off it as it is really intensive on the hands. She has a good rep with the golf fraternity.

It is just a allround good experience. I should be on commission here.

An excellent massage can be found on the top floor of the hua hin shopping mall. The is a wonderul interesting women named Noi from the south she is in her late 40's/early 50's speaks excellent english. She used to have a shop down next to the blind massage.

The first time i went to her i had had a bad twinge in my arm that prevented me from lifting it with out pain but after two very painful one hour sessions she removed the problem to about 5%, now it is totally gone two years later.

Out of all my experiences in the land of lies i'd say she rates in the top 2. when i saw her at songkhran she was still charging 300bt for 1 hour, which i told her is ridiculous, if anyone does see her make sure your tip her as she works hard. It takes a toll on the body she told me she had to take months off due to trauma to her hands.

Cheers for that loser 1. I'll be visiting in October and will try your lady. Look out for the commission!

Does "Noi" do Thai oil massage as well - the traditional Thai heaving and stretching plays havoc with the old bones! I can't take it any more!! There are so many indifferent masseurs around, it sounds like you've discovered a "gem".

She'll do any type i suppose, i'm not a big fan of what i think she calls 'Royal thai' massage and i'm sure she told me that she is laying off it as it is really intensive on the hands. She has a good rep with the golf fraternity.

It is just a allround good experience. I should be on commission here.

An excellent massage can be found on the top floor of the hua hin shopping mall. The is a wonderul interesting women named Noi from the south she is in her late 40's/early 50's speaks excellent english. She used to have a shop down next to the blind massage.

The first time i went to her i had had a bad twinge in my arm that prevented me from lifting it with out pain but after two very painful one hour sessions she removed the problem to about 5%, now it is totally gone two years later.

Out of all my experiences in the land of lies i'd say she rates in the top 2. when i saw her at songkhran she was still charging 300bt for 1 hour, which i told her is ridiculous, if anyone does see her make sure your tip her as she works hard. It takes a toll on the body she told me she had to take months off due to trauma to her hands.

Does "Noi" do Thai oil massage as well - the traditional Thai heaving and stretching plays havoc with the old bones! I can't take it any more!! There are so many indifferent masseurs around, it sounds like you've discovered a "gem".

Hi

We're introducing two friends to LOS with 2 weeks in Hua Hin. They are getting a bit stiff in the joints so are not that mobile; neither are they into bunjy jumping etc. What "must do" or "must see" things whilst in H.H. would folk with experience of the place recommend?

All legitimate activities considered!

Hi

I was looking for a massage school in Chiang Mai to enroll on a short course and came across the Loikroh Massage School. They offer a course and treatments in a massage called Karsai Nei Tsang which may be what you are looking for. Haven't tried it myself (yet) but may on my next trip to CM!

Would be interested if anyone else has had a session. It sounds "legit" ie no happy stuff!