Travel Announcements Only (No questions or comments please)

[Dinghy]

They don't seem to care about the departure ticket. They just log you in and send you on your way (that's for 'Murcans, Canucks and "major" Europeans, though - no idea about "others") I mean it's a bit difficult to check "DEPARTURE TICKET" AT LAND CROSSINGS - particularly if it's ELECTRONIC.

Just so you understand - you are allowed up to 30 days on the "on arrival" visa. If you leave for 1 day or 1 hour or whatever and come back, you can then stay for 30 MORE days. Then you can repeat it again for a total of 90 days - BUT THEN YOU NEED TO LEAVE AND STAY OUT UNTIL THE 180 DAYS FROM THE FIRST ARRIVAL HAVE ELAPSED. You are allowed 90 days in country out of each 180 days. So...IF you are "in" for 30, "out" 30, in 30, out 30... YOU CAN ESSENTIALLY DO THAT FOREVER WITHOUT BUYING A LONGER TERM VISA. It CAN get a bit "difficult" if you make a mistake.

[Bluegreen]

You will get a 30 day visa on arrival. When you leave and come back you will get another 30 days. At least that's what I get when I transit in BKK on my way to and from India and I have a US passport.

Thanks for the advice. Do they make a fuss about checking that you have a departure ticket? I'm beginning to think it's just nerves and I'm fussing over something that is no real problem.

[Duniawala]

I'm travelling to the LOS from the UK on Aug 29 = 4 days in KL, then to BKK.. and then Oct 27 back to KL for another 4 day stop-over before returning home to the UK.

I understand I get a free(?) tourist visa for 30 days in Thailand, but have to pay extra for up to 60 days? Is this cheap & easy to do on arrival, or is it worth pre-booking a few days in PP/Cambodia mid-trip so I have the flights and can show I won't be in Thailand for more than 30 consecutive days? I want to go to Cambodia during my holiday anyway (or Penang, or both), but hoped I could be a bit more flexible and arrange it when I'm in Thailand.

I've been RTFF for over a year now, so I hope that's not too much of a naive question.

Thanks in advance.

You will get a 30 day visa on arrival. When you leave and come back you will get another 30 days. At least that's what I get when I transit in BKK on my way to and from India and I have a US passport.

One thing you might do is to have a single ticket with UK- Cambodia as a RT and BKK as a interim/change/stopover destination. This way you should have no hassle.

However, the above is from my experience. Others may have more ideas/experience.

[Bluegreen]

I'm travelling to the LOS from the UK on Aug 29 = 4 days in KL, then to BKK.. and then Oct 27 back to KL for another 4 day stop-over before returning home to the UK.

I understand I get a free(?) tourist visa for 30 days in Thailand, but have to pay extra for up to 60 days? Is this cheap & easy to do on arrival, or is it worth pre-booking a few days in PP/Cambodia mid-trip so I have the flights and can show I won't be in Thailand for more than 30 consecutive days? I want to go to Cambodia during my holiday anyway (or Penang, or both), but hoped I could be a bit more flexible and arrange it when I'm in Thailand.

I've been RTFF for over a year now, so I hope that's not too much of a naive question.

Thanks in advance.

[Duniawala]

Just a heads up on this topic.

Its also a god idea to get fare alerts from Fare Compare and check the Mileage Run posts on Flyertalk.

The airlines often make mistkes when filing fares and there is usually a short window of opportunity to get the tickets. I was sweating out the high fares for my trip to LOS next month and scored on a mistake fare that CI filed last saturday, it was around for about 12 hours before they pulled it.

The fare was $50.00 round trip LAX-TPE-PNH, with all the taxes and fuel surcharges= $302.00. Add Air Asia $90.00 all in from PNH-BKK-PNH, the total cost was $392.00. I bought four roundtrips.

Cheers,
Sean

Hey Sean and others, when you find such deals why not post it so that we all can have a shot at it. Much appreciated and congrats on your coup.

[Sean_Double]

To Daddy

It is better to shop around for international airfare , I always get the best fare from tour operater and whole sale travel agent it is correct online company like orbitz and cheap ticket only have good price on domestic airfare in the US only but not international .

I just check air fare on Cathay pacific SFO to Bangkok with stop over in Hong kong for 930 usd on end of Aug from a travel agent in chinatown , they have a package with 5 night 4 star hotel with airfare for 1195 usd per person base on double occupany with tour and airport transfer.

Fast eddie 48

Just a heads up on this topic.

Its also a god idea to get fare alerts from Fare Compare and check the Mileage Run posts on Flyertalk.

The airlines often make mistkes when filing fares and there is usually a short window of opportunity to get the tickets. I was sweating out the high fares for my trip to LOS next month and scored on a mistake fare that CI filed last saturday, it was around for about 12 hours before they pulled it.

The fare was $50.00 round trip LAX-TPE-PNH, with all the taxes and fuel surcharges= $302.00. Add Air Asia $90.00 all in from PNH-BKK-PNH, the total cost was $392.00. I bought four roundtrips.

Cheers,
Sean

[Member #3428]

Will be going solo for some work items during 9/2 till 9/8 with splitting time in Chonburi and Bangkok if anyone is around and wants to head out or get a meal or whatever. Just let me know.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Be sure to go directly to the Thai Airways web site at http://thaiairways.com/ for the best deals. I checked with Orbitz, Kayak, Cheap Tickets, Travelocity, and other agency services who's prices were all sustantially higher than dealing directly with the airline. I noticed that the prices between now and October are about $1,269, so it appears that you must book about 3 months in advance to get the best deal.

Good luck,

Daddy

To Daddy

It is better to shop around for international airfare , I always get the best fare from tour operater and whole sale travel agent it is correct online company like orbitz and cheap ticket only have good price on domestic airfare in the US only but not international .

I just check air fare on Cathay pacific SFO to Bangkok with stop over in Hong kong for 930 usd on end of Aug from a travel agent in chinatown , they have a package with 5 night 4 star hotel with airfare for 1195 usd per person base on double occupany with tour and airport transfer.

Fast eddie 48

[Thrasher613]

I am heading back to the LOS July 19th after a five year hiatus. I will be spending most of my two week trip in BKK. So, if anyone wants to get together to share a pint, exchange war stories and/or hunt down the perfect spinner, PM me.

I have spent the last five years mongering my way thru St. Petersburg, Rio, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, so I have plenty of stories to share.

[MadNomad]

Just booked my flight to phuket. Leaving feb 19 arriving 21st. Staying 2 weeks. Total cost 1305. 00. From Boston.

[Daddy07]

That's a tremendous deal! Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately, when I went to the thaiair.com site and plugged in the dates I needed (out on 12/19/07 and returning 1/7/08) I got the usual $1,700 fare

Anyone that has ideas on whom to call for a better priced HIGH SEASON ticket let me know. I am sure there are some tricks that I am not aware of out there.

Be sure to go directly to the Thai Airways web site at http://thaiairways.com/ for the best deals. I checked with Orbitz, Kayak, Cheap Tickets, Travelocity, and other agency services who's prices were all sustantially higher than dealing directly with the airline. I noticed that the prices between now and October are about $1,269, so it appears that you must book about 3 months in advance to get the best deal.

Good luck,

Daddy

[Almotu]

I just booked a Thai Airways flight this morning from JFK to BKK on 10/13/07 returning 4/10/08 -- a non-stop 17 hour flight for only $1,083. I think it's a good deal.

Daddy

That's a tremendous deal! Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately, when I went to the thaiair.com site and plugged in the dates I needed (out on 12/19/07 and returning 1/7/08) I got the usual $1,700 fare
Anyone that has ideas on whom to call for a better priced HIGH SEASON ticket let me know. I am sure there are some tricks that I am not aware of out there.

[Thor93]

I need some help on a place to stay on Koh Tao. Did a search and not much turns up. I figure there is someone here that might offer some advice.

My Thai GF has suggested that we go there during my next trip in August for a long weekend. I have been looking at the hotel web sites for a decent hotel, but it is often hard to judge what is good from those sites.

I am looking for a decent place with a/c, TV in the room (TGF requirement), and internet access perferably in the room. Clean and comfortable with a big bed is most important. I would like to spend no more than $100US per night. Cheaper is better though.

Location should be near a decent beach or within walking distance of restaurants and other things. I have had my fill of 5 star hotels out away from everything.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Since the TGF is accompanying, nightlife there is not on the agenda.

[Monkey1818]

I'm a world traveling monger that's had my s.hare of German FKKs, Prague and Amsterdam girls but is going to Pattaya for the first time Aug 5-10th... Was wondering if there was anyone going to be out there at the same time that could show me the ropes of how things worked out in Pattaya?

Please PM me.

Thank you

[Sean_Double]

Or you could send her a pre paid debit card that way she can only spend what is on it.

The best way I've found to do this is to open a CitiBank online checking account. It's easy to do over the internet (and at times you can get 20000 or so American miles for opening the account). You can fund this for as little as you want and make sure it is not set up for overdrafts or tied to any other account.You can make transfers over the internet.
Citi sends you an ATM wich you can send her and there are no fees at any of it's ATM's or at ATM's in 7/11's in Thailand. Don't overfund the account and if things don't work out, close it or report the card stolen.
Cheers,
Sean