PeterRS

I agree that most airlines have improved the business class product to the point where there is little difference with first class, apart from first having more space and slightly better F&B. Hardly surprising since it is business class that produces the most revenue for the legacy carriers. I recently flew long distance in premium economy and was not impressed. It seemed much more like the economy of the old days (25+ years ago). The only major difference was seating being 8 abreast rather than 10. I find it quite interesting that most long-haul airlines have gone from 2 classes, to 3, now to 4, and back to 3 again for those where first disappears. But as airlines continue attempts to maximize revenues, I can see 4 classes becoming the norm. Business will be the new First. Premium Economy will be upgraded, and there will be yet another enhanced Economy section. That's because there

In that case, i'm sorry. I had assumed when content is freely available, then it's quotable even without attribution. In future I'll be more specific. I'm glad you would not have been bothered by the noise . My reaction would have been like travelerjim and those who posted on gaybuttonthai. But then I was not there! Your posts were not in the slightest offensive. I appreciate the give and take that goes on on this Board without all the backstabbing common on some others.

I am not worked up about it. Anyway I was not there. The site I quoted from was gaybuttonthai.com and the poster was named Doug. Since that site can be accessed and read by anyone, I'm not sure that anyone can claim the poster might be upset. When I post here, I know that the world can read my contribution. Do I expect to be credited if anyone finds my words remotely worth quoting? Not at all. If Doug reads this Board and is upset, then I'll say sorry to him. I have no idea how many farang were at the party. I don't even know if there were any Thai there. The issue, as far as I can see, is that one gay establishment took absolutely no account of what was happening just a few yards away. That happening was supported by 36 other gay venues. If the owner is so insensitive, then I want no part of his business. Do I care about that? Not in the slightest. Does he? I doubt it. Of course other bars play muusic. But the whole point is that this was not just another bar playing music. It was an "excruciating loud noise all evening". That is not what I call a normal evening in Sunee. I wonder how you and the other GT members would have felt if it had happened during your party? I think that was held very near at Yaya's. I did notice that you left in the bar name. But why would you edit it out, when it is all over other Boards? It's no secret. "If it is a gay owned business, I'd still go there and support them. If it is not gay owned, then if they have sexy guys I'd still go and support them." That's perfectly fine. I decided I will not. WE agree to differ.

I found the name quite openly on another site. It was a host bar named What Else. A lot of posters have echoed travelerjim's comments. The bar decided to have its opening night on the same day as the fund raiser. They were apparently well aware that the fund raiser had been planned for a long time. This was one comment - "They placed a very, very loud karaoke stage right next to Corner Bar and blasted Issan music at deafening levels throughout Sunee Plaza." I will now ensure that I never visit it.

Why not? If I read correctly, you were not there. travelerjim was and he describes the music as "excruciatingly loud". I read somewhere else that the bar was asked to turn down the music, but did not do so - or did in such an infinitessimal way that it was not noticeable. 36 venues participated. Why should one bad apple get away with creating such a disturbance and annoying those attending such a major community function? I don't want ever to go to that bar and would like to know its name please. I think others would also like to know it.

You're right. It's NOT true! After 5 trouble-free years with my Mac desktop, the battery inside finally gave up the ghost. Steve Jobs - you have a lot to answer for

Can someone please NAME AND SHAME the bar who chose to play such excruciating loud music? I hope everyone will make a note of the name and ensure they never patronise that bar.

Yes, there was a 747 forward cargo door failure as you point out. Most people tend to associate such a failure with the DC10 Paris crash because it resulted in 345 deaths and was definitely a design fault in the aft cargo door. I believe it also featured in that Air Crash programme, which I do watch when I can.

Not sure what security is like there now, but it certainly used to be quite easy to grab one that had just dropped off it passengers.

Not inconvenient. The hotel has a shuttle boat that links it with River City and the Skytrain at Saphan Thaksin. When it stops around midnight, you can always get a taxi back as the traffic is very light.

It sure was a fatal crash. Outside Paris in the mid 1970s. But it was the McDonnell Douglas DC10, not a Boeing! The DC10 did not have a very distinguished record. In early 1979 an engine flew off an American AIrlines flight on take off at Chicago's O'Hare airport. The aircraft banked steeply and crashed with all passengers killed. All DC10s were then grounded for a while. In the same year, though, another flew into an iceberg off New Zealand. Its successor, the MD11, corrected a lot of the design faults, but it always seemed tainted by its association with the DC10.

There is a lot of choice, it depends on when you will be in Bangkok and your definition of "upper class". The Hilton is offering great rates for weekends next month. I agree you'll have no problem with a younger friend. agoda has rates there around US$120 for weekend nights next month. Lebua State Tower has rates $150 - 170. The Mandarin Oriental is over double that.

Interesting discussion. I

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza. Great hotel and had a great time. No problem at all with joiners. It's just a short walk up the hill to Blue Boy. If that's too much, the monorail has a stop right at the hotel and gets you there in one stop. It's good because you also get the monorail from the airport train.

Hundreds of gay guys from many ASian countries attend the full moon parties. Not sure if there are any dedicated gay areas, but since many guys go in groups, they tend to gravitate towards each other during the night. Don't worry. You'll have a blast.