mardhi

Somewhere that is very easy to find. Been there many times with Thai LB's and their sense of geography is pretty poor. So as a cautionary rule, I'd make it somewhere like a big hotel that is very easy to find. probably the open terrace/coffee shop at the Landmark Hotel would be my preference.

The Park Hyatt will almost certainly be owned by Central via a property subsidiary and operated by Hyatt on their behalf. Surprising move as Central have been switching their 3rd party managed hotels to their in house Centara brand. Anyhow the sign reads mid 2016 when I walked past it on Saturday.

The most likely to open, let alone be the first to open is the new PARK HYATT located above the Central Embassy shopping mall. This is aside Ploenchit and Wireless Road and is the land sold off by the British Embassy a few years ago. Excellent location and 5 minute walk from Nana without any of the seediness. Opening mid 2016 according to the signs. There is also signage now up at the corner of soi 13 Sukhumvit for a new HYATT REGENCY in the space that was originally going to be the Regent Bangkok. The developers have a chequered history hence my cynicism as to a) whether it will open and b) if it will still be a Hyatt by then. Looks far from finished.

Been using AIS since I moved here but as like many have been switched onto new 4g. package when I bought new phone. This service by what we are used to is simply awesome. I plumped for 899b month deal which gives 12 gb of 4g use. I speed checked it as a 58 mbps download and 5 mbps upload. I am seriously impressed with this service. I use it with the newish Samsung J7 phone.

You don't sign contract as you pay up front month by month. So long as you top up the account you can use it. So good for 6 months,1 month or forever.

Just remembered I took a photo of the resi its. It was actually 9 mbps upload.

When I bought the phone I called AIS and said I wanted the best 4G package and they talked me through some setup on the phone and then activated the service one minute later. I use prepaid service so I keep my phone accounts well topped up.

My home 15 mbps service has been crap this week. So I tethered the phone using the charger cable into one of the usb slots. Pulled out the LAN cable and pc switched to the phone internet. Just googled on my laptop speed test and chose Opeda. The speed test showed AIS as the network provider. No idea if there is a speed test app as also had never thought to do it.

Good update and timing. Not been in there since it changed hands. Looks like the burger has improved from that pic.

The easiest option is to go to the Clap clinic in the Soi 11 restaurant alley and I'd imagine he'd happily issue the prescription and sell you the drugs all day long. Key is, you probably have to buy the medicine at his inflated prices. Only other option is one of the big hospitals where the markup on drugs is likely even higher.

This is often an emotive subject with many complaining about huge amount of Fatality's on bus travel. This is just what I have observed over the last year of using some of the bus services. The first thing to take into account is the question of all the accidents. From what I have seen, these accidents seem to be a mix of local charter buses and regional bus services. The services I am talking about are the intercity services that link the main points. There are like Qantas with a South American crop dusting plane. Basically chalk and cheese. For a start, I cannot recall reading about a serious crash involving these coaches in the 13 years I have lived here. There are however different levels of service/seat even within the same company/route. VIP services are considered as the best. Typically 24 or 32 seats per bus, depending upon single or double decker bus. Different brands all have different but similar offerings. Seating is normally 3 abreast in single and double seat plan. Seats are big with lot of legroom and a serious recline. Basically comparable to an airline business class long haul seat before they switched to lie flat beds.

4 killed, 19 hurt when bus hits truck in Korat Bad news. This bus is owned by one of the companies I described. 1st Incident I can recall with one of the big inter-province buses. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/902792/4-killed-19-hurt-when-bus-hits-truck-in-korat

Yes, two people, one applying for life Insurance and medical Insurance and one for a mortgage with life Insurance. Those 2 then discovered when they started asking around, that they knew of others where the same thing had occurred. The common issue is Insurers do not like the risk profile of ladyboys. In the 2 examples I am most aware of, both were using agents/brokers for the Insurance company. Maybe you can apply online, but it will probably just mean they send someone to go and see you. The first example the agent was adamant ladyboys can be insured, then the answer came though that she had been declined for coverage. 2nd was similar. I don't think they ever discuss it publicly, but the evidence I have seen it is very difficult, or nigh on impossible to obtain. I am sure there are a handful of ladyboys who do have coverage though. That way the Insurance company can get around the discrimination rule by claiming they do have ladyboys Insured. Probably the easiest way to get some form of coverage is via a bank debit card. I know mine has some low level cover that you pay something like 200b a year for and is built into the price of the debit card. No idea what the cover is in any detail though.

Insurance companies have to be very careful now. It's illegal to discriminate, hence they go through the process of applying and then fail for some undisclosed reason. Having said that, in the UK 10 years ago it was nigh on impossible for a gay guy to get life insurance/mortgage for a house purchase, so its not exactly unique to Thailand.

I have never met a LB yet who was able to get private healthcare Insurance, dental included or not. It seems to be similar to life Insurance in so far as none of them pass the acceptance stage and obtain coverage.

I can only surmise that Toyota has now fitted ESP (extra sensory perception) as standard on all minibus models. It can be the only way to explain why these drivers can see round blind corners, over the tops of hills and through huge trucks while they sit on it's tailgate all of 2 meters ahead. They are for the most part, hair raising trips and the road to Hua Hin is one of the worst roads for 'unexpected situations' to arise (like someone pushing a cart over the highway while cars are flying along at 140khm on the said highway.)

ANA do, or at least did, fly their own metal between Tokyo and Los Angeles. You might need to juggle the connections being offered but they deffo flew it themselves and also code shared with United. I used it a few times and connections were good, something like 2 hour connecting time one to another.

According to Matrix software, ANA has one stop connection over Tokyo into BKK from LAX for $2787 round trip in April. United is actually a bit cheaper. http://matrix.itasoftware.com/#view-flights:research=LAXBKK-BKKLAX That would be undercutting China Southern by $300 or so. I find this software very handy at times. Can't book on it but it pulls fare inventory and is surprisingly accurate. Problem is you then have to find where to buy the tickets (airline website normally best bet in the times I have used it).

They were the front runner (of Chinese airlines) when I worked in the industry more than 15 years ago. I have though never flown them (through need, not desire). I'd give them a try in April (but not Sept/Oct/Nov during Typhoon season) if I were travelling business or above and on a recently acquired aircraft at a huge discount to other airlines. My gut feel always still comes back to Cathay's refusal to allow Chinese to be Captains. But that aside, I'd still prefer and pay for Cathay or JAL just for peace of mind. Having said that I'd be equally happy with EVA and even Korean airlines on that routing. For what it's worth, I used to rate ANA higher than JAL having flown them both numerous times over the Pacific.

I don't think any guests clocked she was anything but a GG (guests were mostly foreigners when we stayed). As to the staff, well she was taught how to make a Kratong by the elderly owner of the hotel who is sort of in this photo, so presumably they had no LB issue. The staff were all good though. Few more pics of the reason for staying here - the beach.

You might want to consider the Verandah Lodge then which is more in tune with your budget. It is about 500m further along the beach and is another family owned and operated small resort. http://www.verandalodge.com/ Upside is it is still absolute beachfront, downside it is a fair walk and you'd be more likely to need a tuk tuk which is easy enough. Deluxe rooms are in modern block at the back and have no view to speak off. Nicely kitted out rooms, quite small but well done. The only room with sea view is the most expensive bungalow - its a tad on the expensive side though. You can just chill in the beachside bar & restaurant and get the same view as the bungalow. I have stayed here and would stay again if need be. The only thing that puts me off is the walking distance and having to rely on tuk tuks.

Look here for my trip report:- http://www.bangkokladyboys.net/forum/index.php?/topic/6975-hua-hin-baan-laksasubha-resort/ . I'd go again and found it to be an excellent hotel with the most perfect location on Hua Hin beach. Beachfront hotels are NOT cheap though, but this is one of the best value hotels on the beach. Still be looking at 4000b night in the cheapest studio room. Having stayed there, I'd use the studios again as the more expensive rooms did not have anything much better other than terraces/balcony from what I could see but were much more expensive. Very, very easy walk into Hua Hin restaurant area. The absolute centre is at the Hilton Hotel. So that would be the most centrally located. Centara Grande is in between the Laksasubha and the Hilton. Both tend to be much more expensive unless you book long time in advance, on non refundable rates. Oh and if you do go, book a breakfast Inclusive rate. Breakfast is lovely on the sea terrace and very well done (considering its essentially free, B&B v R.O rate is like 100b difference I found). Your question has got me thinking about making return trip now !!

Drove in from the Airport last Friday and landed at 15.30 after flying in from Singapore. Got through immigration fairly quickly as used business class priority passes for both of us and our bags were nearly first out. Immigration chap seemed to be intent on causing problems for the missus. The thought of a Lao LB using a Business Class express pass and actually being on a valid visa with re-entry permits caught him off guard. I corrected him on his presumably deliberate visa error and he relented and stamped her in to the full validity of her visa extension. Driver was waiting with the stretch 7 series limo and following quick smoking break, we were in car heading downtown at 4pm. I'd expect gridlock at that time given it being a Friday and the start of Chinese New Year. Hit static traffic as soon as on the main highway where the airport traffic hits the number 7 motorway traffic which can be normal almost anytime of the day. As usual that cleared in a few minutes and the road opened up. Used the toll for Rama9 expressway but spotted well backed up traffic in the distance and the driver managed to slip off at the Rama9 free road off ramp. Made good progress along Rama 9 side roads and he took the Asoke turn and then an almost immediate right onto Petchburi Road. As luck would have it, very light traffic and it all kept moving. Turned into soi 3 and all clear down to Bumrungrad where it stacked back. Took left into the little soi where the PB hotel is and cut through to Soi 11. The driver knew all the cut through and was amazed I did as well !! That is what living in BKK with a car for 6 years does to you lol. Checking in at the Grand President at 16.30. An hour from touchdown to checking in. I was amazed and delighted how quick we did the whole thing. The more I think about it, the more I am going to use this route in the future. The off ramp at Soi 1 Ploenchit is a nightmare these days. I can only guess it is because Krung Thai Bank HQ staff can now turn right onto Sukhumvit and block the traffic that is coming off the expressway ramp. Few pics of the limo and the missus wearing her anti-travel sick wrist bands !!!

In all the years I have lived here - I have always found BKK to be sadly lacking (at least compared to Pattaya) in the provision of a semi decent breakfast at a reasonable price. However I think I have found a suitable option and it hits the buttons for value, quantity and selection. The BUS STOP is a institution known to many for the hello girls wearing Singapore Airlines uniforms. They also serve a very reasonable breakfast. Its 115b and includes tea/coffee and a typically watery glass of ice with a splash of orange squash. The juice is about the worst thing but I never even drink it. The coffee is fresh and good. The "American breakfast" set comprises 2 eggs, 2 rashers streaky bacon, miniture Pork Hot dog/sausage, Hash brown, Grilled Tomato & Baked beans along with 2 slices of wholemeal toast. Its now my default breakfast venue of choice - its nothing fancy, its not expensive and service is fast and food well prepared. Compared to other places on Soi 4 its about the best I have found. Cheers Mardhi

I have taken Jay there before on a number of occasions, albeit 5+ years ago. However, I also have hardly ever seen any LB's there and suspect they have to be accompanied in. If you get there before 10pm and/or eat, there are no security on the door so could just walk straight in. Pizza's are good from memory,cooked in wood fired oven.