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cyborg
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Hey guys, I have scoured these more recent threads and am not clear on a couple of points referring to domestic flights within LOS.
I am coming back in November for a month long stay. I will be travelling a bit more than usual. Several bros have suggested that you should arrange for your domestic flights after arriving. I guess it can be cheaper. Is this still a good idea in Nov early Dec time frame? That is peak tourism season right?
I would like to get the cheapest fares but also do not want to run into trouble because flights are booked up.
Suggestions?
Also I have looked at several flight schedules from a few of the airlines and do not see any direct flights from Chang Mai to Koh Samui....anyone know of an airline that covers that??
Cyborg
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:51 am on July 26, 2004
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BKK Banger
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If you want to go to Koh Samui then it is Bangkok Airways (Asia's Boutique Airline) as it is a private airfield and it will be expensive.
Best route is through Bangkok on Bangkok Airways (PG).
I have recently travelled on PG in a single class cabin and throughly enjoyed it, nice snack, good service, cold beer.
I have also travelled business class domestically on Thai and would not wish to do so again. Can I have a beer please? NO, we do not serve alcohol.
They stopped serving in 1997 to save money, screw the customer. Since then I have not given a hoot domestically, there is no full service airline domestically, they are all budget carriers, just some charge more.
Air Asia and the others are able to challenge Thai because Thai is crap. Why pay full service fare for a no service airline? What basis of competition does Thai think it is exploiting? And why did Thai pension off old airframes to Nok Air with a bird beak painted on the front? Has a 5 year old been working at No Cair? And why do No cair stewies have beige tights? Noa nswer to that one I suppose....
Sorry to ramble on but I got one stale pastry in business class this morning on Thai and the business lounge in Krabi was a voucher for a canned drink.
I also noticed my fellow passemgers who were Senators and MPs get a dedicated check-in and special service in a VIP room ordinary passengers do not see.
As to prices, if you fly on Thai all prices are controlled and you will get only one rate. But it is generally a flexible ticket. Note Thai are doing e-tickets now so no need to bother with getting real tickets.
The other airlines, particularly the budget carriers are more difficult. If you can book in advance on the Internet with your credit card ( the preferred marketing channel) they will give you a better price but you will not be able to change. Book later and they jack up the rate.
Many travel agents will not deal with Air Asia as they are forced to charge more than the Internet rate or have to put a healthy deposit with Air Asia for the pleasure. You will generally not get Air Asia tickets at a travel agent.
In a country where most people do not own a credit card this is nonsense and it is hurting Air Asia's business. Typical Toxin business, copied Western budget airlines without knowing what they were doing. It all looks so easy when you become rich through corruption.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 6:37 am on July 26, 2004
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black cats
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Despite the criticisms of Air Asia it is damn cheap. Sure maybe most Thais do not own credit cards, but then again most people who fly do.
I haven't flown them yet but I didn't hesitiate to buy a round trip ticket to Phuket for $35 US. How much service do you need for a one hour flight anyway? Take a nap for Christ's sake. A snack at an airport kiosk before the flight should suffice.
IMHO Air Asia is worth going blind on to save money and have the certainty of a reservation. Asking for more would be like asking for a free BBBJ in the air.
EDIT IN: What's more is I seriously doubt you will find anything cheaper then Air Asia once you get into town and like you said you may end up ass out because everything is booked. Just my 2 cents.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:05 pm on July 26, 2004
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youngexpat
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Flights are getting absurdly cheap in thailand. Samui is the only expensive destination but that is because of the private airport. I have never had trouble walking into the airport and hopping on a CM-bkk flight immediately and for cheap since the budget carriers started flying.
About a year ago the krabi airport was closed. Maybe for low season. I am pretty sure it has reopend.
good luck and I would wait so you can make your schedule as flexible as you want.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 1:40 pm on July 26, 2004
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BKK Banger
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Krabi is certainly open at the moment.
There is also a new terminal under construction opening 2005.
The point about Air Asia trying to flog tickets on the Internet and requiring flyers to have credit cards is that it is an appallingly badly thought out main marketing channel.
Most Thai people do not have credit cards, many do not have access to the Internet but it is growing. So how do you flog a service which will compete in value with train and air con bus services? (If you factor in a notional time value for the quicker service) Clearly crdit cards on teh Internet will treach only a small sector of your targeted population, those who want cheap no frills air travel.
To assume flyers have credit cards is a fundamental flaw in Air Asia's marketing.
They also use mainly Malaysian pilots without work permits so is an illegal operation as it is a domestic carrier. Why they are not closed down is debatable. Could it be because Toxin is involved????????
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:38 pm on July 27, 2004
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