Viandefraich

As the popular phrasing goes "Up to you". I have allowed the hotel to arrange pick up in the past, however, I usually book this while on the hotel website. This is nice as they are standing at the exit with a your name on a placard and you simply hop in and go. They already know where you are going  and the cars are usually quite nice and very clean in comparison to just any old taxi. The Taxis on the lower level are a less expensive option but some are quite worn out and held together with a prayer and some duct-tape. Then there is the train which is very inexpensive but kind of a chore as you must change to the BTS to further your journey. Even then you must either schlep with your bag/s down the street to your hotel or then get a taxi. The choice is yours of course. If you are not on a miserly budget I have found the hotel cars to be the least hassle and most pleasant experience thus far.

That's a very relevant point. Most don't realize when they buy a ticket on air Asia, Bangkok air, jet star etc. that these aircraft cabins are not configured like any US, Euro, Australian carrier cabins. I'm 5'10" and thin and without an empty seat next to mine it's an uncomfortable hour and a half.

It's apparently only relevant to those of us that are not short enough to fly coach. I am only 6'3" and the last time I tried to fly coach the person in front of me had to change seats as my knees were so solidly wedged into their back. My son ended up 6'7" due to the mix of genes, wife was 5'11" and the men in her Svensk/Norsk family started at 6'6" and went up from there. Think The Mountain from Game of Thrones type of lineage for the men on her side for a mental image. So I applaud those that can save by flying coach, however it is not in the cards for myself ever again.

Thanks to all for the great info on the Fast Track.  I just booked with BFS for this Friday at a cost of 1,600 baht for the Arrival Service with Electric Cart.  For the convenience and time saved regardless if it is 10 or 15 minutes, it is still worth the cost.  Last time I was in BKK, I had to wait over 30 minutes at the Immigration Que.  Like the old saying goes, "to each their own..."  It's your holiday so enjoy it. 

Sweet, be sure and report back on the experience please.

no, about 5'90''

That renders your declaration rather myopic. I stated I had attempted to fly coach in the past and found it tortuous. I even suggested those which were of lessor stature might find coach agreeable.  So there is in fact good cause for someone to choose business over coach.

AirAsia from DMK...1600 baht round trip. 1h 20 mins of flight

no see any reason to pay a business class 10k baht for only 1 hour trip...

Are you 6'3"? 

I just fly out of BKK when going to Phuket on Thai airways. It's usually about 10k baht round trip in business. If you are under 6' tall you can fly Thai or Bangkok Airways coach for far less. The caveat is if you are over 6' feet it is absolute torture, I tried it once and never will again.

can you imagine the disappointment, by the time I reached lower Suk everything had shut down and I fly back to Farangland tomorrow evening :(

That is truly heartbreaking! Make up for it and grab a pair for the night. Twice the fun!

It's just taken me an hour to clear immigration.

Your watch must be fast. We have already been informed it only takes 15 mins ad nauseam.... ;)

Now this is a tempting image! See ya soon!

from where ? What airline , I'm getting ready (or not ) lol to pay 2,900 from Fort Lauderdale premium Economy on Ana air ,, I'll be landing 27 of December have about 6 weeks to kill ,, who's got biz at that price and from where ! Thanks , before I book in next couple of days anybody know best from fll ?

2900 premium economy is very very high. PM me please as you can take a hop from FLL to JFK for less than 200 and then get EVA premium economy from JFK to BKK for about 1300 depending on dates. . 

scratch that....just looked at flights.......no chance at those prices  <_>

That bad eh? Funny that as prices from USA atm are dirt cheap. just booked Business class to for the Dec-Jan BKK trip for 2600 USD, extreme bargain. Seeing economy at just over 400 on some airlines. 

Never mind got what I needed elsewhere. Cheers

Get the Sagami .002 in Large size. They are pretty snug but the feeling compared to latex is night and day.

Anyone been to Fraser Suites? Am torn currently between booking into the Executive Suite at Majestic Grande or trying something new like Fraser Suites 1 bedroom unit. Since I had to skip my September trip due to family obligations I aim to make my Dec-Jan trip better than ever. I definitely want a balcony as I hate smoking in the room as I do not even smoke in my own house. I do not take girls that smoke and as they seem to always stay the night no matter it is only polite to not smoke indoors. Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

Thank you for this. I too had read Sticks article and was considering a stop in Udon to have a look around. You saved me a trip for now.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Visa-on-arrival-fee-to-double-from-Sept-27-30293284.html

Do we need a visa for Thailand now, I thought we were exempt for the first 30 days.?

All depends on country of passport issuance.

Okay the slice of Bleu did me in. Will have to break my rule of avoiding western food while in BKK just for you. :D

I wonder if it work both ways?

Chilli pussy?

Umm, Not if my last trip is any indicator. Pad kra pao moo phet mak mak. My date said it was too spicy for her to eat but I so enjoyed it and did DATY an hour later without complaint. 

Plan is for Dec 3rd 2016 - Jan 2nd 2017.

• BKK Dec 3rd - 7th
• Kamala Beach Dec 7th -11th Business to discuss
• Pattaya Dec 11th - 15th
• Chiang Mai Dec 16th - 24th Chiang Mai by train both directions. I truly enjoy the train and the private cabin lets you catch up on sleep.
• BKK Dec 25th - Jan 2nd

Sarcasm level = Blackadder

Such a high compliment was certainly unexpected but nonetheless sincerely appreciated, sir. ;) 

im quite confused why someone who would even consider this wouldnt spend more to get a direct flight?

 

you will pay $100 to avoid 15 minutes in line, but will put up with a 24-26 hour travel time?

 

im not 100% sure on the logistics from houston, may not be the easiest place, but would have to think you could fly to LA/NY and then to bangkok and have it be less then 24 hours total

 Perhaps to alleviate your confusion on my next trip I can let you plan my itinerary. Seeing as you are omniscient and have a far better grasp on my logistics it would take quite a load off my feeble mind. Math and geography are extremely difficult, insert quizzical look here, so I of course have not examined alternate routes to shorten my flight time.........

24-26 hours, I can see why you're looking at this. I'm getting past it after 15 hours so I am thinking this will be a nice treat to get me into the swing of things.

Aye, the Houston to Taipei leg is 16 hours of straight airtime. Then of course there is the Taipei airport which is absolute insanity at times. I am only in Thailand 4 times a year so my time is precious to me. Considering most spend 300-500 usd a day after hotel is paid it really is a pittance in comparison. Plus I have a few regular GoGo girls consistent at 2k longtime so I am saving elsewhere to balance things out. B) 

I flew EVA business last year and wasn't offered a fast track card either. Right before we landed I asked the flight attendant if I was supposed to get one and she said yes and then gave it to me. It seems like they weren't going to give it to me unless I asked. As far as I could tell they didn't freely hand them out to anyone else either.

Ahhh. Fair chance they are charged for each one used so like ketchup in the drive thru, you must ask to receive. Thanks man!

They have laundry service, which is quite good.

if that's too expensive, i am sure there are some places around that'll do to your laundry for a cheap price.

Yes and if you need them back fast the express is only a few hours max. However it is not for the budgeter. It was nearly 2k baht to have my companions and my clothes done express. There again it was two completely stuffed full laundry bags and required zero effort on my part. We went out to eat came back and clothes were hanging in wardrobe just as nice as can be.  :D