traveller123

Post by Kokopelli ---- Posted 04 August 2016 - 04:13 PM I did arrive at BKK the other day. After the long walk/walkway you will pass the first Immigration Station, on your left, where most people head for; further along you will arrive at the Second Immigration Station, on your left. The Premium/Priority entrance is between these two on the left. It is easy to pass by especially if on the moving walkway which I was on. So had to exit the walkway and walk back a bit. For Seniors the age is 70 yo. Departing the aircraft (I was in Biz Class) I was given one of those "passes" for this Premium Lane and the Immigration agent did make a point of collecting it from me. Perhaps if a flight arrives at the other end of the terminal the entrances to Immigration would be on the right.

Is there a Priority Immigration gate at Dom Muang?

Numazu has been asked by many contibutors for his reports. Please, if you only want to read about Thailand, do not read his current reports. The geat majority of us enjoy them and look forward to the next instalment.

Reading those statistics I will be a long time waiting for the GBP/Baht exchange rate getting back to 50 and 70 is fantasy land

Good to see you back and Happy New Year

See the last paragraph of the Bangkok Post article.

OK I know I am a boring old fart, and I'm in a different place to the majority of members. I'm 70 and have been with my partner for nine years and neither of us play away (although I drool at the boy next door type photos) We live in Isaan and on our infrequent visits to Bangkok or Pattaya we get a lot of enjoyment eating good food in nice surroundings. The restaurant has got to have a nice vibe, we don't like stuffy places. We do sometimes pay as a couple includiing wine 5000/5500 baht, Cafe Des Amis in Pattaya is a particular favourite. If you compare this with a long time off and the attendant expenses and a few drinks and inexpensive eating I guess there is not a great deal of difference. In addition my 35 yo partner scrubs up remarkably well and always makes me feel incredibly proud to be out with him. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody - we will be spending it in Chiang Mai, Pai and Chiang Rai

We always caught the bus by the 711 at the corner of the main road and the walkway to the gay beach and never had to wait long

My partner and I stayed there last Christmas and enjoyed our stay. The staff were friendly, several were gay. Saw other Farangs with different boys on different mornings so obviously no problem with guests. Breakfast was ok but nothing special - no sign of bacon on the five mornings we were there.(Perhaps they have improved breakfast as Travellerdave is saying it was great) We will definately stay there again.

I recommend Smoking Pug in Bangkok. Short menu,good beer, great tasting smoked food and very good atmosphere. (I'm British but really enjoy a meal at this place when we are in Bkk)

RIP Lurker We can only hope, as seems the case, that you were happy during your final days spent in Thailand.

I can't comment from first hand experience but Siam Roads tour guide Woody seems to be a recommended tour guide

We will be going by taxi from Koh Samed Pier to Don Muang on 25th December, Christmas Day morning, makes you wonder how much time we need to allow

Im a pretty poor swimmer but enjoy going in the sea for a splash. I wouldn't go in the sea in Pattaya, might risk a paddle in Jomtien My Thai partner really doesn't enjoy the sea or a pool but I will try to entice him into the sea at Koh Samed where we are going for a few days at Christmas. (It is about 10 or 11 years since I was last on Koh Samed, it will be interesting to see if the sea is as clean as it was then)

I concur with Vinapu, I had a problem with US notes supplied by Bangkok Bank in Thailand being not pristine and being unacceptable. Damaged also includes any writing or marking on the notes. Enjoy Siem Reap and Ankor, the temples are mind blowing, I also enjoyed a trip to the Fisherman's Village I found it to be very atmospheric

Thanks Vinapu for all the time and trouble spent writing your amazing and informative reports. Have a safe journey home and I hope the clouds on the horizon do not make a storm and keep you away from Thailand

Totally agree, but unfortunately rural Thais have a totally different view of animals to most of us, I despair at the state of SOME of the dogs in our village (the majority although allowed to roam free are in good health). There are several houses in the village with fighting cocks in the large basket kept outside of houses. I am the only foreigner in our village, the locals are very friendly but I do remember I am a guest in their country and although I forcefully tell my partner what I think about the treatment of animals I know expressing my views outside of our house would make me unpopular Even if the Central Government banned cock fighting I am 100% sure it would continue in the villages

I have spoken to him this morning and I think he was quite lucky. He arrived there about 10pm last night and got out about 10am this morning Fortunately he had taken a plastic poncho as he said while waiting there was heavy rain but only for 30 minutes

My partner is travelling up from Isaan today to pay his respects to the late King Bhumibol. His bus will arrive in Bangkok at 9 this evening when he is going to go and join the queue for tomorrows admission, he currently thinks his turn for admission could be late afternoon. It is beyond my understanding but I do admire his devotion to the late King

My partner and I have booked our flights for a holiday in Viet Nam next April flying into Hanoi and out of Da Nang. I am planning to hire a tour guide in Hanoi for one day and perhaps one evening. Has any member used a guide they would recommend in Hanoi (gay or straight)? I noticed Moses/Siam Roads have a guide in Hanoi called Lee but there is only one comment on the website

What I do not understand is that some of the culprits often post articulate, useful posts and then it is as if they can't resist throwing in nasty comments - are they drunk when they do this. Please offenders just stop doing it.

Last Christmas my partner and I stayed in a Crystal Room, which is the entry level room, and were very happy with it.

The Circle Pub I have always enjoyed an evening there when visiting Chiang Mai. Always with my better half so I have never spent quality time with the lads there, had to limit myself to dreaming We will be in CM at Christmas but we are going with staight friends and I know it wont be there kind of place so unfortunately we will have to give it a miss

DivineMadman, Thanks for your reply. Do you mind telling me the name of the hotel you stayed at while you were in Hanoi. I had thought about Dalat but I couldn't find an easy way to go on from Dalat to Hoi An Looking at the temperature charts for the begining of April there is every chance that it will be a lot pleasanter in Hoi An/Hue than the hot and humid weather we will be having in my part of Isan.

I have booked flights with my partner 3rd April 2018 to Hanoi, returning from Da Nang 13th April (thanks Air Asia sale) My initial thoughts are on the 4/5th take an overnight boat trip to Halong Bay which reading the reports above I had better splurge on a high end trip 6th sightsee in Hanoi 7th take either the overnight train or a flight and spend 2 nights in Hue 9th to 13th in Hoi An Has anyone got any up to date reports or any suggestions?