General Reports

[QUOTE=Tiger 888]I made an enquiry to Thai airlines last week to find out if I can get an extra piece for my gold membership. They said yes, and the weight limit is 23/32 Kg. When I asked what that means they said that the weight can be either 23 or 32 (Thai logic) at present, but as soon as IATA approves the new rule it will be reduced to 23 Kg.[/QUOTE]

Some pats of thai airline site already tell you 23 kg which makes sense as most legacy carriers are going to the 50 lb limitation away from the 70 lb limitations as an effort to reduce fuel consumption. You will get a greater leaway with your status, flying without status will get a total different answer and it's like this with a few carriers right now not just Thai. In august on Thai there was one weight limit out of the mainland and another out of BKK even though I was on the same class of ticket so go figure.

As far as IATA goes... and not busting chops here just FYI, IATA doesn't implement rules, it suggests and tries to work as a conduit between all the different airlines and freight companies to get a standard going but they will never set any rules as they are really powerless. One item I have is an IATA agency.

Thai Australia web site already says you can only have the 23 kg over the 32 kg so it depends your market and makes it difficult for agents....

[url]http://www.thaiairways.com.au/thai_luggage_child.asp?id=3[/url]

4 tee shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, 2 long paint, 3 polo shirts. What more do you need. Take out all your old cloths leave them out there and buy new.

If you are flying on from BKK, Air asia has a 15kg limit! Cebu Pacific is 20KG.

Not sure about tiger not flown them for some time!

With long haul flight I generally fly mid week. Mostly empty, I either ask for Emergency exit (I try to get there 4 hour before check in) or just as doors shut, I scout out a empty row and lay down. Out of 12 flights was successfull about 8 times. Last time I flue with Oasis airline £315 return from london. I think bussines was £1000 more. That gets a lot of pussy in Pattaya!

[QUOTE=Member #2041]This is something I know alot about. The best quality copies can be found in the stands that set up at Patpong 1 at night. I recently picked up a few very high quality copies of a Vacheron Constantin, a Jaeger LeCoultre, a Breguet, and a Patek Phillippe there. You have to ask to see the really good copies, as most of the stands will not have their best copies out for public viewing. My experience is that they will start out asking between 3500 and 4200 baht for the good copies, and will take between 1600 and 1800. Everyone has Breitling, Omega, & Rolex copies of varying quality, and usually some lousy Patek Phillippes. Lange & Sohne and IWC copies are also easy to find. The good ones of the brands I bought are much tougher to get than these.

FYI, in addition to the stands at Sukhumvit, I have also checked out the night markets at Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, and MBK and Sun Luam Night Bazaar in Bangkok. Several of the Patpong vendors have the best variety of the best quality fakes among the vast quantities of mediocre fake watches that you will find, although a few of the vendors at MBK have some high quality fakes as well, if you ask them to show you them (they are not displayed among their general wares). The Sun Luam vendors, as well as those on Sukhumvit, were almost uniformly selling crap, with the exception of some decent Rolex and Breitling fakes if that's what you want.

But, I would observe, if you have near term plans to go to Beijing, Saigon, or Shanghai, those cities have more better copies, generally available for less.[/QUOTE]Member #2041,

Thanks, many good hints, but as long as a don't have a fix adress, it's still difficult. Do you have the skill to distinguish between the good and bad ones? Do you ask the seller to open the back of the watch to see the clock work?

Most carrier ( Coach ) U.S., 2 checkin's 50lbs a piece 1 carry-on but like most carrier it is inconsistent since it is never enforced consistently so passenger take what they want until someone stops them. This is just a general comment based on my experience working at the airport International like (Eva) 2 pieces ( Coach ) 70 lbs each and 1 carry-on 15lbs limit. In SFO they do check surprise! On my last trip in coach I have a Executive card they told me this card allows me to check in 3 pieces and the use of their club. This was a nice touch since it save me $15.00, didn't have to buy food prior to departure.

Airlines like Thai, are trying to regroup because of higher fuel cost. The more weight the more gas they need to burn. When it comes to weight and balance on a aircraft they have it down to how many cans of coke is on the aircraft right down to the bar of soap. They are going to nickel and dime the passenger in coach and give extra to those in Business and First. So depending how much you have and how much you travel it is surely more privileges in Business and up!

LBM

[QUOTE=Bold Focker] I think bussines was £1000 more. That gets a lot of pussy in Pattaya![/QUOTE]

In fact, well over 100 pussies if you shop on price.

[QUOTE=Bamboo Pete]Member #2041,

Thanks, many good hints, but as long as a don't have a fix adress, it's still difficult. Do you have the skill to distinguish between the good and bad ones? Do you ask the seller to open the back of the watch to see the clock work?[/QUOTE]

The good ones almost invariably have a clear back so that you can see the movement. And I can't give you a fixed address - it's a bazaar, with something like 100 booths along the Patpong 1 street, perhaps a quarter of which sell mainly watches. Perhaps 1/4 of those booths had access to the better stuff - usually hidden somewhere out of sight - and shown only when you asked for something specific that they don't have out for showing. As for being able to tell the good from the bad, you are on your own - however, here's some hints - look for reasonably thin, mechanical (as opposed to quartz) watches with a clear back that you can see the movement. And look for very upscale brands - i.e. MORE upscale than Rolex, Tag/Heuer, Omega, and Breitling. Some will be automatic, some will be manual wind. Hence the ones I bought: Patek Phillippe, Vacheron Constentin, Breguet, Jaeger LeCoultre. The real things of those brands sell for $8K to $20K each.

Oh, BTW, the quartz movement watches work fine and are reliable, and thin - they are just not convincing counterfeits of the name brands.

It looks like all the Wise Travellers have invaded this section with Airline rubbish, I was not aware ISG also offered Travel agency services.

Can someone book a flight for me then? or can we go back to some more Appropriate conversations?

I believe if you are looking for "Air" advices, the net is not short of Airline specific Forums that can help you better.

[QUOTE=Member #2041]The good ones almost invariably have a clear back so that you can see the movement. And I can't give you a fixed address - it's a bazaar, with something like 100 booths along the Patpong 1 street, perhaps a quarter of which sell mainly watches. Perhaps 1/4 of those booths had access to the better stuff - usually hidden somewhere out of sight - and shown only when you asked for something specific that they don't have out for showing. As for being able to tell the good from the bad, you are on your own - however, here's some hints - look for reasonably thin, mechanical (as opposed to quartz) watches with a clear back that you can see the movement. And look for very upscale brands - i.e. MORE upscale than Rolex, Tag/Heuer, Omega, and Breitling. Some will be automatic, some will be manual wind. Hence the ones I bought: Patek Phillippe, Vacheron Constentin, Breguet, Jaeger LeCoultre. The real things of those brands sell for $8K to $20K each.

Oh, BTW, the quartz movement watches work fine and are reliable, and thin - they are just not convincing counterfeits of the name brands.[/QUOTE]Thanks , Member 2041 ,

I'm still hesitating , but will go for it on my next Bangkok trip. I'll be in Philippines in March , would that be a better place to buy (I don't think so).

You mentioned good Rolex immitations in Sukhumvit . Around which soi should I look? Do they also have a clear back?

Hello everyone! A few minutes ago, I looked at Bangkok's current weather as well as 5 day forecast and am stunned to see that the city apparently is. And will be. Scorching under unusually high temps. For December. If you are reading this and are currently there or are considering going, I am curious to know what your thoughts are about this? I am on the verge of canceling my vacation to Bangkok. With a few days in Pattaya. Because I would hate to see what the weather might have in store for me in early-mid Feb. 2008.

Sincerely,

Michael
Hoboken, NJ resident

[QUOTE=Member #2041]The good ones almost invariably have a clear back so that you can see the movement. And I can't give you a fixed address - it's a bazaar, with something like 100 booths along the Patpong 1 street, perhaps a quarter of which sell mainly watches. Perhaps 1/4 of those booths had access to the better stuff - usually hidden somewhere out of sight - and shown only when you asked for something specific that they don't have out for showing. As for being able to tell the good from the bad, you are on your own - however, here's some hints - look for reasonably thin, mechanical (as opposed to quartz) watches with a clear back that you can see the movement. And look for very upscale brands - i.e. MORE upscale than Rolex, Tag/Heuer, Omega, and Breitling. Some will be automatic, some will be manual wind. Hence the ones I bought: Patek Phillippe, Vacheron Constentin, Breguet, Jaeger LeCoultre. The real things of those brands sell for $8K to $20K each.

Oh, BTW, the quartz movement watches work fine and are reliable, and thin - they are just not convincing counterfeits of the name brands.[/QUOTE]2041,

Of the brands that you mentioned "Patek Phillippe, Vacheron Constentin, Breguet, Jaeger LeCoultre" do they have much selection. I was looking at the Breguet TOURBILLON MARINE, damn that is a sweet watch, would they have something like that? What are the names of the watches that you have seen there?

Thanks

[QUOTE=NicFrenchy]It looks like all the Wise Travellers have invaded this section with Airline rubbish, I was not aware ISG also offered Travel agency services.

Can someone book a flight for me then? or can we go back to some more Appropriate conversations?

I believe if you are looking for "Air" advices, the net is not short of Airline specific Forums that can help you better.[/QUOTE]I believe there is a Travel Plans and Announcements thread at this site for the cuntry of Thailand. Perhaps that would be more appropriate for the topic? BTW, I will assume by the A word that weddings and halloween parties are excluded, but rear end reports are always welcome. Speaking more generally from BKK, my ass was sore last week but feels ok now.

Jackson has made it quite clear in various forums in response to various posts of the type you've written below, that the intent of this forum is also to provide travel information. Good travel information is a critical part of the hobby. This would also include photographs not directly connected to girls.



[QUOTE=NicFrenchy]It looks like all the Wise Travellers have invaded this section with Airline rubbish, I was not aware ISG also offered Travel agency services.

Can someone book a flight for me then? or can we go back to some more Appropriate conversations?

I believe if you are looking for "Air" advices, the net is not short of Airline specific Forums that can help you better.[/QUOTE]

As a tourist, can you buy Prepaid SIMs in Thailand for cash, i.e. without a local bank account or local address?

What are the denominations?

How much is a local call to a mobile?

Where are the SIM sold?

Reason for asking is, that in some countries in Europe, one needs a bank account and an address, in order to purchase the first one, i.e. the phone number. (Before someone flames me, I do know that there are workarounds, but they are bothersome)

[QUOTE=Bamboo Pete]Thanks , Member 2041 ,

I'm still hesitating , but will go for it on my next Bangkok trip. I'll be in Philippines in March , would that be a better place to buy (I don't think so).

You mentioned good Rolex immitations in Sukhumvit . Around which soi should I look? Do they also have a clear back?[/QUOTE]

I have no experience with the Philippines, so I can't help you there. As far as decent Rolex copies - Rolex copies are all over the place. Which ones are good and which ones are bad varies - and I haven't shopped for fake Rolexes in over a year - so I can't offer you any specifics. I can say that there are more vendors with more stock in Patpong than anywhere else, so the odds of finding the better copies are higher there - but a range of fake Rolexes of varying quality can be found pretty much anywhere. But, again, you need to know what you are looking for.

[QUOTE=Tansak KTV]Not all airlines and routes are the same. In some parts of the world and on some carriers, Biz Class is only a little higher then a full fare,
I think many folks would pay that difference to fly up front over the back and I don't think it's a waste at all.[/QUOTE]I agree for 100% with you, specially on the so called multiple city combination or " around the world " ticket. If you check out several Buss. Class pricing you always find good deals. Long time ago when I started my business I was searching always for the cheapest economy ticket to fly to US or Asia, arrived most of the time there like a wreck after a long flight between the smokers etc. Stupid me but that was at the beginning. When I checked my company tax bill on profit at the end of the year I quickly changed over to Buss. Class and afterwards the tax men was paying my B. C. Tickets and I arrived always in good shape.

The advantage is also that you earn so much miles that you fly on a free or on a upgrade ticket when going on holiday.

Buss. C. Ticket are much cheaper when buying in BK, I recently came back from BK to London on Ethiad Airlines on a one way ticket, I paid only 52300 Thb for a B. C. Ticket include 2% for paying by Amex. , great flat bed seat like first class, they leave in the morning and arr. The same day at evening with cutting the 12h difference, price is just a bit more than some economy tickets, it all depends on how much time you spend to figure it out and your travel agent his market position.

Another advantage, no hassle with overweight or surcharge for your golf bag or heavy hand luggage, not talking about the extra service and priority’s everywhere.

John Euro