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Rocco

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Posts posted by Rocco

  2. Posted

    1 hour ago, CanadaVisitor said:

    Good tip about the mini bar, but at this point I'll just ignore the stuff in there as there was room enough in it to put my own supplies.  Condoms were one of the items you could buy, 200 baht for 1, lol...definitely only for the desperate! 

    Breakfast...the buffet is pretty good.  Not sure how much it costs as it was another perk from my status.  I find the buffets here in Thailand are exceptional compared to N.America ones. Fresh egg station, lots of western, and Asian choices. No coconut water though (that costs extra here), but lots of fresh fruit and the pastry section was pretty big.  I don't usually eat any bread or baking while I'm here though.

    Laundry service...I was putting all my dirty clothes together until I realized it was going to cost 2500 baht,  so screw that. I did let them dry clean my dress pants for the party tonight (400) and dropped the rest off at the laundry on the same alley as Cindy's (300).

    I'll review the gym next as it's overcast today and kinda cool outside to go for a swim.  I did go do some laps yesterday and was uninterrupted for over an hour as I did my thing.  I'm guessing the pool isn't heated, but the cold water shock quickly went away after I started.

     

    IMG_1368.gif

    CanadaVisitor reacted to this

  5. Posted

    On 11/16/2023 at 11:53 AM, abcdef said:

    Planning a trip in Jan next year with the family, apart from the shortterm room on top of the bars , does anyone know any good short time hotels around if i pick someone off the street?

    any help will be appreciated, thanks

    Asoke Place, just outside of Soi Cowboy

  8. Posted

    Are there any retired expats that can recommend what health insurance to buy? Mine is coming up for renewal, but price has gone up to almost 100,000 baht per year, due to my age. Current coverage is thru AIA.

    Everything I’ve read indicates health insurance is mandatory, but I’ve never been asked for proof of coverage when renewing my retirement visa.

    Thanks!

  9. Posted

    2 hours ago, Knobby said:

    Update.
    Booked with Air China.
    All the other airlines still to much for me.
    EVA dropped to £700 but still a high price.
    Air China £556 and the seat selection (4 seats) free!
    17 hours going , 20 back.
    Flight times work for getting the train both ways to Heathrow and back.


    Sent from my SM-A805F using Tapatalk
     

    Good luck, hope it doesn’t disappoint!

    Knobby reacted to this

  10. Posted

    Based on 20+ years of flying worldwide while I was still working, I can safely say there are no bigger pigs on a plane than Chinese people. Use Air China at your own risk! The comment about hacking and spitting are spot on.

    Knobby, Bimale75, katana57 and 1 other reacted to this

  11. Posted

    4 hours ago, SAGuy said:

    Background

    I was at Bangkok Hospital earlier this week and the doc was a very chatty fellow, with good English. He asked if I'd had the 'flu jab yet and I advised I had it in SA in March. It seems that they are expecting a much higher prevalence of 'flu this year in the LOS and have imported extra supplies. In the northern hemisphere the 'flu season is the winter, but in the LOS it coincides with the rainy season, which will start in the next few weeks. (He advised always get the 'flu jab between Jan-May each year, as it takes up to 4 weeks to become effective).

    The conversation then moved on to Covid-19 and he advised there had been a spike up to 1,000 new cases a day during Songkran and so they are also expecting an increase in the rainy season. He advised if you are 60+, haven't had a jab, or haven't been infected in 6+ months, then you should also get a booster.

    I did some Googling and found this article:

    https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40027083

    The Experience

    They are also running the same scheme at CentralWorld, but the times are 1500-2100. I decided that MBK would be a better option, as hopefully there would be less people during the day.

    MBK is very easy to get to from the 'Combat Zone'. Take the BTS to Siam. Change trains and take the train to National Stadium. Then follow the signs to MBK and there is a direct walkway which takes you onto the 2nd Floor. Take a lift or escalator to the 6th floor, which is spookily deserted. Walk to the far end and you will see the temporary vax centre.

    Present you passport. If you are a local or a resident visa holder its free. I was the only farang; but there were quite a few Asian tourists and they have to pay a nominal fee (THB 490? I'm not certain).

    You fill out a form, in English (that was impressive) and then walk in. You take a seat and then called to another room and get jabbed. Then on the way out you have to hand in the form and are directed to a "recovery room" for 30 minutes. Don't skip this, as I was tempted to. This is where they print and give you the certificate.

    I visited today and it was a 50 minutes process - 20 minutes for the actual execution and 30 minutes for the 'recovery'.

    I deliberately chose 10.30 to avoid crowds, and it was not busy.

    The vax is intended as a booster and is the Moderna version with the Omicron strain. All of my previous 3 Pfizers were for the previous strain, hence why I went.

    I'd recommend doing this if you believe in the vaccination route and the process was well organised and ran smoothly. They are geared up for large volumes, so it was a pleasure today.

    They are running this daily until Friday 12 May, 0900-1500 and then for the 2 weekends after the election. If you have a full time job, CentralWorld is doing the same days, but 1500-2100, so that may fit better for you.

    Cheers

    SAG

     Thanks for this!! I’m heading there tomorrow for my 4th jab.

    SAGuy reacted to this

  12. Posted

    7 hours ago, Victortheo said:

    Visiting Bangkok again but this time with a set of folks. Can obviously visit CIB but if I like to try some FL, which are good options for ST- there used to be a PB hotel earlier?

    Is it still operating? Any others? Thanks for the help.

    Also have seen Agoda offer by the hour bookings. Anyone tried that? Not for all hotels obviously.

     

    Yes, PB is still open

    Victortheo reacted to this

  13. Posted

    17 minutes ago, gainsbarre said:

    Come to Belgium
    Not so many LB but the best fries you can get anywhere in the world.

    Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A536B met Tapatalk
     

    I’ve had them there before (in Brussels), and agree that they are amazing.

    gainsbarre reacted to this

  14. Posted

    On 1/27/2023 at 1:33 PM, Bwana_LB said:

    On the topic of burgers, just 10 yards from from Bang Bang Burgers is Artisan Craft Burgers. They are pricier, but the burgers are terrific, as are the fries.

    https://www.artisancraftburger.com

    Tried Artisan today for the first time, and they are indeed fantastic. The fries were some of the best I’ve ever had too. Will be back for sure!

    Bwana_LB reacted to this

  15. Posted

    38 minutes ago, Knobby said:

    Update,

    I have called Cathay twice.

    1st time was to ask about any covid restrictions and if need to go through any security. I was told no restrictions apart from wearing a mask and showing proof of covid injections.

    2nd time was to ask about my flights, I got an e-mail saying one flight the times have changed. 

    It was, CX 252 going at 11.15 and land 0700 at HKG  but now it's 11.15 take off and land 0740

    Now is where it gets interesting, the next flight from HKG to BKK is CX705, which takes off at 0830.

    The dude says Cathay recommends 50 mins to transit from one flight to another. I will have 45 mins.  I have been looking at a map of terminal 1 and as far as I can tell I just have to go from one floor to the next and then to the right gate. I think I can do it as long as there is no need to go through security or any other hold-ups. 

    I am only taking hand luggage which is a bonus.

    So, have any of you used that airport before? Do you think I can do it in 45 mins?

    Also, the flights coming back have changed meaning I have less transit time at HKG again.

    But then the dude says that if one flight is late taking off from LHR going or from BKK coming back then the next flight will have to wait. 

    So then I wonder why he was eager to sell me another flight a few moments ago. If the LHR to HKG flight is late taking off and let's face it LHR aint the best airport by far, then I got nothing to worry about. The next flight based on what he said will have to wait. 

    45 minutes should be more than enough in my opinion. I’m guessing crowds are small now, so navigating your way to your gate should be no problem. Hopefully your first flight is either right on time, or if you’re really lucky, early.

    Knobby reacted to this

  16. Posted

    I love Cathay and the HK airport. Never had any issues there, but haven’t flown thru there since before Covid, so am guessing any delays are related to that. Perhaps they’re short staffed, like many other carriers?

    good luck

    oliver17 reacted to this
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