paulsf

I leave for Bangkok tomorrow. I was thinking of going to Pattaya for a few days in a week or so. was checking hotel rates. They are as low as I have ever seen. So I think they must be hurting for customers.

I do have status. I fly over 100k miles a year an earn many perks. I find that the "I fly once a year person" complains less than most. They don't know what to expect and a so happy to be going somewhere. It's the people that fly a few times a year and high elites that complain the most. Coach is a tough place to be, but you can always move upfront for a few more $$. Fares are all over the place, but if Bangkok is $1500, I wait. Usually get it for under 1k. I'll be the first to admit flying is not perfect, but people wake up hating every moment of the day they are flying. In the grand seem of life, flying is hardly the worst thing we will deal with over a lifetime. At least we have notice canceling headphones so I don't have to listen to the guy next to me groaning all day about how miserable he is flying today.

I'm one of the few that enjoys air travel . I don't have the problems that most seem to have. Tomorrow I am flying to Bangkok from Boston. 24 hours of flying. I am more than happy with my bed in business class. I don't need 5 star dining . I'm more than happy with just the salad and appetizers they serve. The mid flight snacks a fine. I don't want to be weighted down on food on long flights . I don't drink, so wine list isn't important to me. I know this is important to most. While most are happy with what they serve, there are still those that aren't happy unless it's a $250.00 bottle. I'm happy that I can check in 3, 75-lb bags for free. I get to take a shower in the lounges and eat or drink more. I get all this for a $750.00 airfare. I find it a pretty good deal. That's what the fares were 25 years ago. These low fares allow me and a lot others to see the world. I'm not saying it's perfect by any means, but I think many people like to complain because thats what we do nowadays . So while many people are writing on flyertalk today about the miserable time they had, I'm finishing my packing and will happily take my seat tomorrow, and spend my time daydreaming about the 1000 boys in Bangkok just waiting for me to arrive.

I arrive in Bangkok next week. Word got out, because I have got so many messages on Line this week. Same story from all boys, no customers around, and they will make sure I have a good time. Sounds like I need to bring a lot of ATM cards.

When I retired a couple of years ago, I made sure I would have enough money so I would never have to work again. Then all my friends and family were all saying I should work part time to stay busy. I had to explain the the word "Retirement" Is short for "never working again". Everybody says, find hobby. I did. It's called Bangkok.

Calluna15 I'll be in Bangkok same time as you. I fly from the U.S. to Hong Kong on American Airlines. Then I connect to Bangkok on Cathay. I have been pretty lucky to be in business on all the Cathay flights. Last Feb I was doing my first time in coach. Only 3 hours so not the end of the world. I was in the Wing Lounge in Hong Kong and attendant found me and gave me new boarding pass for business class. Didn't ask why, was just happy to accept.

Vinapu your still a young guy. As you get older that excitement of having a boy next to you will still be there, but the excitement of getting a good nights sleep will be there to.

I'll be in Bangkok Sept.9 - Sept 30 A bit of reminder to anyone flying to Bangkok on Cathay Pacific for the next couple of months, check your reservations. They have cancelled a lot of flights due to fall of tourism from Hong Kong and China.

I'm headed back to Bangkok in a couple of weeks. I plan on putting plenty of these into circulation.

I've been talking to a couple of my friends that live there. They don't get much involved in politics, but this has got them really angry. I'm headed back in a couple of weeks. It will be interesting if this hurts tourism.

Close your eyes and think...Air India...then BA will seem a little better.

Since I discovered, and am very happy with, Airbnb, I have lost Gold status I have had for many years with Marriott. So far I only have 2 nights this year, so probably will lose any status this year. I used to pick up most of my nights in Thailand, but now the apartment is a much better deal for me. I'm still staying loyal to American for my mileage, but the end is on the horizon. I have 3 more trips to Bangkok booked for this year so that will push me over 100k flown to keep getting my Business Class upgrades for next year, after That I have doubts. Though I have a feeling after I do my first trip to Asia in coach, I'll be looking for status again.

Download the Ap. GPS will follow you everywhere. I was using it here in Ft.Lauderdale till they got kicked out this week, but as soon as I arrive in Bangkok, it knows I'm there.

Before I retired, I got 1 or 2 trips in for 10 days or so. Now with retirement I'll get 6 trips in this year. 2 for a month and 4 for 2 weeks. Next year it will be less trips but more time. Already have 2 months booked starting in Feb. then will probably do 2 or 3 months later in the year. I've thought about trying to stay for a year or 2, but I still miss home, so like to mix it up a bit.

12 hours...I would get a day rate at the Heathrow Hilton. You can walk from the terminal.

Same issue, different country. When I bought my Iphone6, I turned my IPhone 4 into my Thai phone. (I spend 4/5 months there) I had no problems getting SIM card and using 3G system.

I also don't like the amount of time most spend on the legs. They like to start with the feet and work their way up. But I've had good luck with asking them to spend very little time on the back of the legs. But I think it is the training.

Your regrets about not allowing enough time to see everything is a good problem. Now you have to plan on going back for more. Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures with us. Great reading.

There is a thread in the Thailand section of Flyer Talk that deals with Uber. Seems split decision. Some like the ease of just getting a taxi and some live off the beaten path where getting a taxi is more difficult. They like Uber because they can order and track car. Prices are higher than taxi, but at least you know what your going to pay upfront and can refuse if you want. My apt is on a very busy taxi street. I never wait more than 1 minute to get picked up. I use Uber in the U.S. And like it a lot .. When I get back to Bangkok in Sept, I'm going to try it a couple of times when I do longer cross city trips, just to check it out. There is also Grab Taxi, that works the same as Uber, but is S.E. Asia based. (Singapore?)

I have 2 friends that are in their 20's . Both really good looking, good jobs ext. I've asked them why they don't have boyfriends. They say they are not attracted to Asia guys. They like Westerners and they are hard to find for their age group. Abundance of us older guys, but they say the younger boyfriend material are usually just passing thru Bangkok.

Vinapu, your last sentence is exactly the way I would put it. I have been to Senso a few times with all very positive times. But the choices at Hero put it at the top of my list. I like Senso also for its convience. Sometimes I just don't want to cross town at rush hour.

He was hired to just be an occasional player on Teen Wolf last year. But he fit in so well with the featured actors, they greatly increased his role.

Or for us with AA ExPlat status, system wide upgrades are free. I've used all mine going to Bangkok this year, but living in So.Florida it's only an 8 hour flight and easy enough to do in coach with exit row seats.

You have been home for a week and don't have any plans made for next trip yet? What have you been doing in your spare time.? The Thai economy counts on you.

I have a 7-eleven across the street from my apartment in Bangkok and another one down the block. They both have only female employees, so no luck here. But I notice when I go in at 2am with bf, he gets a lot better service than me. Suppose it helps he speaks Thai.