Horizondave

Enjoyed your report until you slagged off Finnair's crappy plane lol To be honest for a 2.5 hour flight in business on an Airbus 321 connecting to a brand new business seat on the A350 sounds like a better deal than you possibly experienced on 3 of your legs. I probably would prefer to go non stop, if in business, or via the middle east if guaranteed an A380 but for cheap Charlies like me who can't afford the the more popular airlines, then Finnair works for me. My journey on Finnair was most enjoyable, but it was also the great lounge at Helsinki and a wonderful smaller sized airport departure area, that made my vacation special but then again I am only 68 lol My last trip on Qatar was not a great experience and the airport itself really didn't float my boat but yes, if the flights that you had booked actually had given you the customer service and product you had paid for, it might have given you a more positive experience. I get discounts on Qatar as they are part of IAG, but I would still prefer Finnair if and when I travel back to Thailand, probably not before summer 2025. Just wondering, also, what the comparable fares are for when booking business ex Thailand as opposed to booking the journey ex UK, is there a great difference. I used to use Gulf Air business when in Thailand as they were very competitive but the ex UK journey was way above my pay grade.

That's all well if you are calling person to person via an APP, but I think the OP wants to call a landline or business. Skype allows calls to genuine local landline or mobile numbers. If he was calling his mum at the home it may be that they only receive calls on landlines etc., not apps. Like you, I am in regular touch with my mate in Hua Hon in via Messenger or WhatsApp

Yes, I think both AIS and DTAC have relatively good costing schemes for calling abroad, just need to visit one of their shops to see what is best for you. My mate in Thailand just has money on his Skype account purely for the need of calling UK phone numbers. Think that works out very cheap and is still a way to call any number within the UK, rather than using an APP based function such as Line, What's App or Messenger. Obviously having good Wi-Fi is essential as well.

That I need to get to Wetherspoon early today as the 4.45pm kick off of England v Wales will fill up the pub. Probably be there about 2.45pm and meet the wife from work, probably out the door by the start of the game, not really an interest for me. Some nice brews on.

Very sad indeed and happens too often. seems the guy was alive when found but unable to give an account of what happened. There is a video on Newsflare of the guy, but with respect to you and the guy I won't post a link. It is not the first time somebody here has known a guy who has fallen, I remember another who was known by some here, who jumped from the 6th floor, survived and I believe, no one else was involved. It has been mentioned here before and above why people might take this extreme way out, just so sad and a great meaningless loss of life in a city which should be enjoyed. Some just can't cope with what is on offer.

I don't think you will have a problem as long as the 6am bus departs. I haven't been on a delayed bus and it should arrive after about 1.5 hours so around 7.30 (almost 3 hours before departure) The problem would be if the 6am doesn't depart (it has happened) although even an 8.30 arrival should be ok. Thing is the later bus might get caught up in Bangkok commuter traffic I usually take a taxi for an early flight, just to ensure I get my flight. Taxis can be organised in an agent or at many roadside taxi booking cabins across Pattaya. I also sometimes stay the night in Bangkok, near the airport if an early departure, a lot of the airport hotels have an airport shuttle service and operate extended hours to facilitate early departures/arrivals etc. My last flight was a 7.15 am departure and I stayed at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi airport which happens to be adjacent to the airport and is a 5 minute walk to check in. Only negative is, it is about £100 a night.

Love a bit of Bara Brith, last eaten at my cousins in Merthyr a few weeks back.

Welcome. I think if you use the search facility you may find a lot of info for your needs. Have a look at topic headings as well or write a few specific questions and somebody should have an update for you.

Yes, North Pattaya bus station is suitable for the 6am service. The service from the bus station at Jomtien starts at 7 am. I used the Jomtien service last time and took the 7am bus but my flight was midday. The station is near the corner of Thapraya and Thepprasit. Home - Airport Pattaya Bus

I watched a lot of the shows mentioned above but the one I remember most was Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. I watched this until it stopped in the early 70s; just watching Goldie Hawn was a good enough reason. Nowadays it might not be so funny or relevant but back 50 years ago it was brilliant. Used to upset my dad which made me smile.

Red Lion, Morriston (Wetherspoon). First time here but my fish and chips was delicious. Just fancied beans for a change. Really well cooked. Porn had the 10 oz gammon, part of the Tuesday steak club deal. All very nice. £23 for food and 2 alcoholic drinks.

Brains SA. Wetherspoon Red Lion pub, Morriston near Swansea. Lovely. Also had a pint of the Fire Island Buffalo. Spicy so not a session ale. Kept away from the 0ld Empire at 5.7%.

Just noticed the EVA flight hanging over Essex, due now at 2042, but that is 1 hour 22 mins late landing. In fact probably landing even later as 6 or 7 aircraft still to land ahead. Probably a late departure for those flying out and Boydeste might be staying overnight London. Edit. Finally landed 2052 (92 mins late). Not a good advert for flying EVA.

Rhymney Scrum 5, a nice drop. Might try the Thunderbird next. Waiting for Porn to finish Zumba.

Had a breakfast there last trip and was not impressed, It was far removed from a proper English and was quite poor in presentation, quality and quantity. Wouldn't go back except, maybe for a beer, and watch the world go by..

It took me a second to realise you were not meaning you were in the Rockhouse. Then again, they did have a good chef, pre Covid, who did cook up good food.

Especially nice when you get a table close to the sea; been a few times when busy and ended up close to the kitchen.

Those pictures remind me of a wonderful trip I did in 1967 through Italy. My mum, brother and I took a coach trip from Victoria bus station to Manston airport, then flew on an Invicta Airways Viking to Ostend, where we again picked up a coach that took 2 days to travel to Lido De Jesolo, near Venice. The journey was on a non aircon bus which we slept on and only stopped to eat at various points on the way. One place we stopped was Cortina D'Ampezzo which was so awesome for a 12 year old. We also stopped at Longarone, which was famous for a flood disaster, caused by the overflow of the Vajont dam by 50m cubic meters of water after a landslide. The Dolomites are stunning and well worth a visit.

Excellent movie, watched it on my HDPrime yesterday. Would have been special to watch on a big screen.

Goat is very tasty, the traditional Philippine dish kaldereta (caldereta) can be cooked with goat. Used to make it often when in Sabang, Puerta Galera. For a recipe just look up Kaldereta Kambing. I have a few caldereta paste packets (Mama Sita) at home but usually use pork or beef in Wales when cooking. Best to make your own paste, if you can, as the packet ones do have high salt content.

Then I would see it as an unusual event and not something that would concern me when deciding to live long term in Thailand. Go with the flow, enjoy your life and if something bothers you then just move on. Pattaya itself bothered me and that is the reason I moved to Hua Hin. Perfect for me and I hope one day to lay my hat there again.

Love to know where the smog is coming from as they tend to have different weather systems to Pattaya. I was born in London, lived in London, went to school and worked in London and I was probably assaulted every day with the fumes from cars etc., yet it never was never something I thought about. Carrying on oblivious to issues, some beyond our control, is just living for me. I lived in Pattaya for 10 years and Hua Hin for nearly 5 yet these posts are the first posts that are letting me know about smog etc. From time to time I read about smog or air pollution in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, maybe even Pattaya but it has never been something I worry about. I read they are burning fires in Indonesia etc., yet next week there is something else to worry about. Maybe I don't have the interest in air quality that some have. Same as I know my prostate is ok but I have no idea what my count is or my other levels etc. I just know my doctor has told me I am fine and carry on. For me, the possibility of smog in Hua Hin has never been an issue and I would go back to Hua Hin tomorrow. If I then, suddenly experienced, a sudden understanding that smog has affected my home life, I might then do something about it. Did 15 years in Thailand, 5 in Philippines and 2 in Malaysia and smog was never anything I remotely worried about. Can't wait to get back to Thailand one day. I know many of my friends who would

Not a bad day on my walk today, chilly but enjoyable 2 hour walk.

I hear you but it would not stop me going to live in Hua Hin. Never was an issue when I lived there even though something may have changed since. There are so many issues with living in the UK that smog in Hua Hin is not going to make me stop and think twice. People adapt, stay in, put a mask on or put up with it. I don't suffer chest problems and my mate is there presently and yet, has never mentioned smog. Like everywhere, you do your background checks, you add up the pros and cons and you make your decision. Not seen anything major that would see me choose a different location for living in Thailand.

That would be a minor negative compared to the benefits of the humidity, the warmer air etc. I suffer from psoriasis and dry skin. The weather is very conducive to my better health, I was told long ago as a teenager that living in a warmer climate was good for me. My choice of Hua Hin would also be a better option than perhaps Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc., never seen air pollution in Hua Hin as a problem.