force5

I've stayed here many times. For me it's the location and easy access to SC or Nana, also to shops, BTS, Metro etc. good quality but the price has been slowly increasing over the last few years and is not the steal it used to be. Still very good service and always recommend it.

Thanks for that. That was my thought, have a number of consultations and see how they stack up and which feels the best. I'd lean towards a hospital based clinic rather than a separate clinic, just for piece of mind. I'll see what she does.

Has anyone had any experience with cosmetic surgery in Bangkok? The lady friend has started asking questions about getting some work done to her nose, not a major re-working but just a bit of shaping. Any recommendations on hospital/doctor or idea of prices. I've heard a wide range range of prices varying from only 10,000 baht to almost 100,000. I've trod to do some research but most of the information on the Internet seems to be aimed at western medical tourists whereas this would be for a thai local.

Another higher end chain hotel option is the Westin on Soi 19 just opposite Terminal 21 shopping centre. Just a block from the Asoke corner and Cowboy.

Hi Woodman. I'm a big fan of your working life. I'm in Krabi at the moment and it is quite nice. It's a bit tourist focus but less intense than Phuket. Also has easy access to some of the islands like Koh Pi Pi for swimming, diving or just relaxing on island time. About south of Krabi is also Ko Lanta. The railway runs down the middle of the Thai peninsula so you would ned to organise a bus or hire car pick up.

Has anyone any experience of going on one of the more modern style dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya river? Earlier this year I went on the Loy Nava dinner cruise. It's a bit of a tourist thing to do but I wanted to have the experience and have a nice meal out but not be stuck inside a restaurant. Loy Nava run two cruises each night, one at 6pm and one at 8pm. I'd originally booked on the 6pm cruise, which is said to be a sunset type cruise, but is was cancelled due to maintenance issues with the boat. My booking was moved to 8pm and I was given two free bottles of wine because of the change. Loy Nava leave from the ferry stop next to the Royal Orchid Sheraton. It was fairly easy to get to by getting a taxi to the Sheraton. All of the hotel staff knew about the cruise as passengers regularly wait in the lobby lounge and we then walked next door. The boat is an old teak style rice barge. I'd chosen this trip because it seemed to have more character and was smaller than the larger and more modern boats run by other cruise operators. Inside there were 2 rows of tables down each side. Food was Thai and was a set menu brought to the table. While the food was quite nice it was a little bland. As the majority of customers are foreign tourists the food is dumbed down to Western tastes, with not much chilli, herbs etc. In my mind they went a bit too safe and it was a little bland and tastless. They provided a handout guide of the sights along the river and there were short displays of Thai dancing by two girls in traditional costumes. The cruise went for about 2 - 2.5 hours and was a nice way to see the river and City at night. I paid just over 2,000 baht which was their Superior package and included a drinks package as well. I'm thinking about trying one of the larger cruise boats but if they are just booze cruises then I'd probably give it a miss. Any one try them?

Question for those people that have been to Samui before. How long do most people stay? While I don't mind a couple of days sitting on the beach, maybe a day out on a boat trip and 1 or 2 days sightseeing is that enough to get a feel for the place? Just trying to work out how long to stay when I go in June, which will be my first time to Samui.

I second the food court area near Tops underneath Robinsons. Good range and mst things 60 baht or less. Also agree that Terminal 21 has a good selection if you're looking to spend a bit more and want a nicer environment.

I did half that trip one time just to give the airport train a go, although only got the train to Makkasan and then a taxi from there. Depends on how much time you have and how much you value convenience. After landing at around 9pm at night I waited maybe 10 minutes for the train which then took only 15 minutes or so to Makkasan. However I then waited 20 minutes for a taxi to get from Makkasan and then 5 minutes to my hotel in Soi 15 off Sukhumvit. I've had taxis from the airport door to door in that time, so while it can be quicker on the train you need to then factor in the end parts to see if it meets your needs.

Thanks for that. Who makes the app? I'm looking for something like that but I'll need iOS instead of Android.