Jan 3, 2015, 10:09 pm
Last edit by: aBroadAbroad
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Aug 25, 2016, 11:18 pm
#662
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: AY Platinum, UA Premier Platinum, OneWorld Emerald, VA Platinum
Posts: 558
Just a weather heads-up...
Maybe leave some extra time if departing BKK over the nest few days. We had a very, very heavy storm last night, which actually was even worse out toward BKK. Level 1 at the Suvarnabhumi terminal flooded for the first time.
http://www.thairath.co.th/content/701184
And many surface roads between town and the airport are hopelessly flooded, traffic has been at a standstill in many spots since last night and the BTS (also packed owing to earthquake tremors yesterday) is swamped. We are supposed to get some more storms for the next few days, and there is no where for the water to go.
The "authorities" have asked the press to stop using the word "flood" and refer to it as "water waiting to be drained".
Maybe leave some extra time if departing BKK over the nest few days. We had a very, very heavy storm last night, which actually was even worse out toward BKK. Level 1 at the Suvarnabhumi terminal flooded for the first time.
http://www.thairath.co.th/content/701184
And many surface roads between town and the airport are hopelessly flooded, traffic has been at a standstill in many spots since last night and the BTS (also packed owing to earthquake tremors yesterday) is swamped. We are supposed to get some more storms for the next few days, and there is no where for the water to go.
The "authorities" have asked the press to stop using the word "flood" and refer to it as "water waiting to be drained".
I was at Suvarnabhumi when the storm hit last night. Luckily we had just arrived at the airport from the city. That was one hell of a downpour. All the lights in the TG lounge went off and on a few times. Our flight was delayed 2 hours so no big deal for us but I would not have wanted to be out in the open.
Hope everyone who works there is safe and well.
Aug 26, 2016, 7:31 pm
#663
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
12 bottles of premium wine from Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania that are difficult if not impossible to find in the US would have resulted in a considerable tax bill had this service not been available, so it is a relative bargain to pay just over $1/day for this - well worth the time and trouble.
As you say, best to wait and see how things work out.
Wonder where they store your wine? Hopefully someplace with AC, or decent climate control, rather than ambient (up to 35 C) temps.
And how do you get this into the U.S.? Do you have to pay tax, duty? Isn't there some limit on alcohol volumes?
As you say, best to wait and see how things work out.
Wonder where they store your wine? Hopefully someplace with AC, or decent climate control, rather than ambient (up to 35 C) temps.
And how do you get this into the U.S.? Do you have to pay tax, duty? Isn't there some limit on alcohol volumes?
Aug 27, 2016, 2:49 am
#664
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,303
Bangkok mayor suspended over graft claims
including allegations that he is engaged to an under-age schoolgirl
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...-graft-claims/
including allegations that he is engaged to an under-age schoolgirl
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...-graft-claims/
Aug 27, 2016, 3:06 am
#665
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Bangkok mayor suspended over graft claims
including allegations that he is engaged to an under-age schoolgirl
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...-graft-claims/
including allegations that he is engaged to an under-age schoolgirl
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...-graft-claims/
Yes, the Governor of Bangkok has been "suspended" - whatever that means, using the Junta's all inclusive Article 44.
And yes, the mayor of Ban Phai Municipality near Khon Kaen, has also been sacked using Article 44. This mayor appears to fond of the younger women, and ordering pesky reporters who question his matrimonial intentions with said young women, to be be disrobed.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/...ayor-suspended
Aug 27, 2016, 8:40 pm
#667
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
...
The US situation is really nice these days. I bring in a case or two twice a year and just last month brought in 26 bottles of wine at a cost of over $2000 with only a polite smile and welcome home from customs. You must declare it and offer for inspection, but they assess based on the alcohol content and since wine is somewhere in the mid-teen percentage they would not be collecting much for the cost, time and trouble of paperwork and collection/processing. I asked CBP about this during my Global Entry interview a couple of years ago and they confirmed this policy. I was surprised in the value not impacting the assessment. Only hassle I had was EWR 3 years ago when they had me jumping around to different desks with confused agents in secondary screening who finally reached to a supervisor who explained the policy to the junior officer and sent me on my way. IAD, LAX, SFO, ORD - no problem - I don't fly EWR anymore for a number of reasons anyway.
...
Cheers,
-Cyborg
The US situation is really nice these days. I bring in a case or two twice a year and just last month brought in 26 bottles of wine at a cost of over $2000 with only a polite smile and welcome home from customs. You must declare it and offer for inspection, but they assess based on the alcohol content and since wine is somewhere in the mid-teen percentage they would not be collecting much for the cost, time and trouble of paperwork and collection/processing. I asked CBP about this during my Global Entry interview a couple of years ago and they confirmed this policy. I was surprised in the value not impacting the assessment. Only hassle I had was EWR 3 years ago when they had me jumping around to different desks with confused agents in secondary screening who finally reached to a supervisor who explained the policy to the junior officer and sent me on my way. IAD, LAX, SFO, ORD - no problem - I don't fly EWR anymore for a number of reasons anyway.
...
Cheers,
-Cyborg
Aug 27, 2016, 10:16 pm
#668
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,745
Maybe leave some extra time if departing BKK over the nest few days. We had a very, very heavy storm last night, which actually was even worse out toward BKK. Level 1 at the Suvarnabhumi terminal flooded for the first time. ... And many surface roads between town and the airport are hopelessly flooded, traffic has been at a standstill in many spots since last night and the BTS (also packed owing to earthquake tremors yesterday) is swamped. We are supposed to get some more storms for the next few days, and there is no where for the water to go.
Aug 28, 2016, 2:58 am
#669
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,303
The article I quoted kind of merged both incidents. But thanks for alerting the authorities.
I'll post this one without any comment ...
AoT commits to expanding Suvarnabhumi
Three contracts worth B14.9bn signed off
http://www.bangkokpost.com/most-recent/1071824
-David
Last edited by LIH Prem; Aug 28, 2016 at 3:30 am
Aug 29, 2016, 2:46 am
#670
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
PM Prayut orders clampdown on “zero-coin" tours
BANGKOK, 28 August 2016 — The Prime Minister has ordered a total clampdown on “zero-coin” tours for their adverse impact on Thailand’s tourism industry.
Maj. Gen. Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office, said that after PM Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed the Tourism Ministry, the Tourist Police and related agencies to join forces to find firm solutions to the problem of “zero-coin” tours, there have been arrests of owners of at least two travel companies involved in such a business practice.
Maj. Gen. Sunsern said that both companies have allegedly brought in travelers but all revenue had been sent back to China through their proxies and they are facing legal action for using Thai I.D. cards in registering their business licenses while being involved in mafia activities.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en...C5908280010006
BANGKOK, 28 August 2016 — The Prime Minister has ordered a total clampdown on “zero-coin” tours for their adverse impact on Thailand’s tourism industry.
Maj. Gen. Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office, said that after PM Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed the Tourism Ministry, the Tourist Police and related agencies to join forces to find firm solutions to the problem of “zero-coin” tours, there have been arrests of owners of at least two travel companies involved in such a business practice.
Maj. Gen. Sunsern said that both companies have allegedly brought in travelers but all revenue had been sent back to China through their proxies and they are facing legal action for using Thai I.D. cards in registering their business licenses while being involved in mafia activities.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en...C5908280010006
Aug 30, 2016, 6:24 am
#672
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,303
Let's see who I can insult today ...
Malaysia agrees to sign border fence pact
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asea...der-fence-pact
I wonder if the Trump Organization will be bidding on the contract.
-David
Malaysia agrees to sign border fence pact
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asea...der-fence-pact
I wonder if the Trump Organization will be bidding on the contract.
-David
Aug 30, 2016, 8:56 am
#673
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Let's see who I can insult today ...
Malaysia agrees to sign border fence pact
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asea...der-fence-pact
I wonder if the Trump Organization will be bidding on the contract.
-David
Malaysia agrees to sign border fence pact
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asea...der-fence-pact
I wonder if the Trump Organization will be bidding on the contract.
-David
"Too farang."
Aug 31, 2016, 7:02 am
#675
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
