Cheap bus transfers from Kuala Lumpur’s LCCT
November 10, 2009 at 00:03 | In Gay Kuala Lumpur, Hotels and transport, Mack's advisories, Mack's directions | 6 Comments
This is one of those blogposts where, to some readers, I am only saying the obvious. But, hey, it was a discovery for me and I reckon that for others who do not travel to Kuala Lumpur regularly, it may be useful infomation. So, please bear with me.
Very often, Air Asia gives excellent deals for travelling to Malaysia. In fact, I don’t recall ever using any other airline between Bangkok and the Malaysian capital.
However, Air Asia does not use the main terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA); it uses the Low Cost Carrier Terminal – LCCT for short. As you can see from the diagram at right, the LCCT is on the opposite side of the aircraft parking apron from the main terminal. This means that the express rail link – the fastest way to get downtown – is out of reach since it connects only to the main terminal. There is a shuttle bus from the LCCT to the main terminal, but I think it leaves only every half hour and the distance (by road) appears to be about 12 – 15 km judging from satellite images. Continue reading Cheap bus transfers from Kuala Lumpur’s LCCT…
Glitz added to Tarntawan corner
October 9, 2009 at 00:03 | In Gay Bangkok, Hotels and transport, Mack's advisories | 10 CommentsTags: Glitz Hotel Bkk
September 2009:
The run-down building at the corner of Surawong Road and Soi Tarntawan has been tarted up and brought back to life. It now houses a new Japanese restaurant named Baru-za, and a boutique hotel called Glitz. The hotel opened on 17 September 2009.
There’s nothing obviously gay about it, but being so close to the ever-popular Tawan Bar, I can’t see how it can be gay-unfriendly. Continue reading Glitz added to Tarntawan corner…
Silom sidewalk vendors cleared out
September 23, 2009 at 00:40 | In Gay Bangkok, Hotels and transport, Mack's musings | 9 CommentsSeptember 2009:
The multitude of stalls pitched on the sidewalk of Silom Road every evening has disappeared. The vendors have been cleared out. One can actually walk on that stretch now, not like in the old days.
Anyone who’s been on Silom Road in the vicinity of Sois 2, 4 and Patpong would know what I am referring to: A sidewalk sclerosed by vendors pitching their stalls on both the shopfront and the road sides, leaving a path just one metre wide for pedestrian traffic. That one metre had to serve people going in both directions coming into conflict with each other and with others stopping to browse merchandise. You also have to look down while walking, for there may be missing stones underfoot, treacherous to your ankles, toddlers (merchants’ kids), and legless beggars dragging themselves on the ground. Continue reading Silom sidewalk vendors cleared out…
What’s on the other side of the river?
August 16, 2009 at 22:34 | In Gay Bangkok, Hotels and transport, Mack's reports | 7 CommentsJuly 2009:
Buying a ticket for the Skytrain one day, I noticed that the Silom line had been extended across the Chao Phraya river to Thonburi. It used to end at Saphan Taksin station, but now, two more stations have been added, with the line terminating at Wongwian Yai.
There is very little reason for a tourist to go to Thonburi. I think I’ve been across the river just twice: once, to get to the Southern Bus Terminal, and another time to check out a sauna. I think it was called Orion. Does it still exist? I don’t know.
Now, Thonburi is a very large place, and I was pretty sure I had never been to Wongwian Yai. So, instead of going where I had originally planned to go, I chose instead to ride to the new end of the line for a look-see. Continue reading What’s on the other side of the river?…
Airport taxi complaints form
August 10, 2009 at 20:37 | In Gay Bangkok, Hotels and transport, Mack's advisories | 4 CommentsJuly 2009:
I’ve had all manner of experiences with Bangkok taxi drivers, but so far, no trouble from those from the airport. Yet, from time to time, I come across people saying they were taken for a ride.
Now, I don’t know where they hailed the taxi, but there is really only one official spot to get one. It is at the far left (as you face the driveway) of the Arrivals floor. If you hail a taxi from some other part of the airport, or use the services of a tout in the Arrivals public area itself, the taxi driver may take advantage of you. Does this happen often or only rarely? I have no way of knowing. Continue reading Airport taxi complaints form…
Thai tourism 50 percent down
July 21, 2009 at 21:24 | In Gay Bangkok, Hotels and transport, Mack's musings | 9 CommentsTags: Suvarnabhumi Airport Bkk
July 2009:
This is what Suvarnabhumi airport’s Arrivals Immigration hall now looks like:
It’s a far cry from the days when at least half the counters were open and each operating counter had a queue of 20 – 30 people before it. Now, only one in ten counters are open, and even then, it has just 2 – 3 persons. Continue reading Thai tourism 50 percent down…
Overnight train to Chiang Mai
July 1, 2009 at 20:05 | In Gay Bangkok, Gay Chiang Mai, Hotels and transport, Mack's advisories, Mack's reports | 5 CommentsLike most people, I usually fly to Chiang Mai. I think there was only one time, decades ago when, young enough to backpack, I took an overnight bus.
Then, this trip, I had this crazy idea that I would take the train from Bangkok up north. My frontal cortex dismissed it, but the idea kept coming back. Finally, I succumbed.
Having done it, I can say there is a lot to recommend it.
—
For 821 baht, one-way, I got a second-class lower-bunk sleeper. The train departs Bangkok 22:00 h daily, and arrives Chiang Mai 12:45 the following day. Continue reading Overnight train to Chiang Mai…
How to get from Bangkok to Pattaya?
June 16, 2009 at 11:05 | In Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Hotels and transport, Mack's advisories, Mack's directions | 3 CommentsTags: Bell Travel Service
I said in the post Many readers of this blog may be Asian that I should try to provide a few money-saving tips, especially for those who don’t travel to Thailand frequently.
Then I also said that Pattaya and nearby Jomtien beach may be worth a visit in Where is the gay beach in Jomtien?
But is there a convenient and cost-effective way to get from Bangkok to Pattaya? Continue reading How to get from Bangkok to Pattaya?…
Two Guys Guest House is great value
June 2, 2009 at 00:03 | In Gay Pattaya, Hotels and transport, Mack's advisories, Mack's reports | Leave a CommentTags: Two Guys Guest House Pty
April 2009:
Many places nowadays call themselves “guest houses” but aim to maintain hotel standards of furnishings, daily changes of bedlinen, etc. While without doubt, guests appreciate these, we should be sensible enough to know that these add to the running cost.
The great thing about Two Guys in Pattaya is that it is it lives up in all ways to its category. It’s clean, functional, straightforward without being fussy about decor, or over-providing services we don’t actually need.
Two Guys is located a little beyond the Sunnee area, but via Saisong Soi 16, it was just a 10-minute stroll to Second Road where songtaews await passengers heading towards Jomtien beach. Continue reading Two Guys Guest House is great value…
Government bus service to Pattaya
May 13, 2009 at 23:45 | In Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Hotels and transport, Mack's advisories | Leave a CommentTags: Bell Travel Service
March 2009:
These two photos were taken at Suvarnabhumi airport, in the public area on the arrivals floor. I passed by the counter on my way to the taxi queue.
This service is by a different operator from the Bell Travel Service that I wrote about in earlier posts – Express bus from Suvarnabhumi airport to Pattaya and Bell bus lost my booking. It has fewer departures, but does not deliver you to the door of your hotel in Pattaya. Still, it’s good to know of alternatives. Continue reading Government bus service to Pattaya…
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