– by Ambrose Bittner
I’m currently in Bangkok en route to Nepal. The newspapers here are abuzz with speculation that a military coup will be staged soon against the current government. One paper is speculating that something might happen between February 4th and 14th:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Observers-Coup-t334953.html
0 Comment » The protesters at the Bangkok airports are shutting down an entire country. They’ve trapped 350,000 foreign travelers who are becoming angrier by the day. Business losses are mounting and will total in the tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars. The orchid industry alone estimates that it will lose US$23 million if Suvarnabhumi Airport remains closed until December 10. Without a doubt, tens of millions will be lost by the tourism and hospitality industry.
But this conflict is being handled in an unprecedented way. In most countries, including the US, force would have been used to clear out protesters and open up the lanes of commerce. Remember the 1999 WTO Riots in Seattle? Police clashed with rioters just for the heck of it. Nothing was resolved, yet a lot of businesses were disrupted. But in Thailand, the police and army are not going in with their with tanks and guns.
Why? The current prime minister, Somchai, does not have the support of the King or the army, and that matters in Thailand. Also, everyone seems to be waiting for the results of an electoral fraud case against the ruling coalition parties that is being heard by the Thai Constitutional Court. On Tuesday, the Court will hear closing arguments and a ruling could come as early as sometime this week.
If found guilty, the ruling coalition parties would be dissolved and a new government formed–achieving the objectives of the protesters. The protesters would disappear and life would return to normal, although divisions between the rural and urban districts within Thailand will intensify.
What if the ruling coalition parties are found innocent? If Somchai doesn’t resign from the pressure of the protesters, expect more turmoil, and perhaps new elections.
If you travel to Thailand in the near future, you’ll be sure to get an education on how a country can use restraint and still solve problems. The country is worth a visit sometime during your lifetime…but if you go in the near future, be sure to buy travel insurance!!!
P.S. My next posting will be about travel insurance and whether events like this and the attacks in Mumbai would be covered.
While the US-based airlines have begun charging for checked luggage, Asia-based airlines have not yet gone to the that extreme. However, the local airlines may have more restrictive luggage allowances for their domestic flights than the internationial flights you take to and from the US to get there. The most typical restriction on domestic flights in Asia is 20 Kilograms (44 lbs.) per person, compared to a 2-bag, 32 kg. (70 lbs.) for international flights to get to Asian gateway cities from the US and Canada.
Here’s a breakdown of the domestic luggage allowances for different airlines in Asia:
China:
All Domestic Airlines
Carry-on baggage
The maximum Carry-on baggage allowance for each economy class passenger is 5kg. First class passengers can have 2 pieces of carry on luggage. All other passengers can carry on only one piece. The size may not exceed 20×40x55cm. Carry on baggage in excess of the limit is subject to an excess baggage fee and must be carried as checked baggage.
Check-in Baggage
Adults and children are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance of 40kg, for first class, 30kg, for business class, and 20kg, for economy class while traveling on domestic airlines in China. No free baggage allowance is granted to infants. Groups traveling together are able to combine their baggage allowance if they check in together.
SE Asia:
Thai Airways (luggage restrictions)
Checked Baggage:
Economy Class passengers: 20 kg. (44 lbs.)
Royal Executive Class passengers: 30 kg. (66 lbs.)
Royal First Class passengers: 40 kg. (88 lbs.)
Royal Orchid Plus Gold Card members are entitled to check an additional 20 kg. (44 lbs.). Royal Orchid Plus Silver Card members can check an additional 10 kg. (22 lbs.) of luggage.
Infants (not occupying a seat) are allowed 10 kg. (22 lbs.) excluding one fully-collapsible child stroller, pushchair, or infant-carrying basket.
Cabin Baggage: Maximum weight is 7 Kg. (15.4 lbs).
Bangkok Air (and Siem Reap Airways) (luggage restrctions)
Checked Baggage: Maximum weight is 20 kg. for adult and child / 10 kg. for an infant
Cabin Baggage: Maximum weight is 5 kg. (11 lbs).
Vietnam Airlines (luggage restrictions)
Checked Baggage:
Business Class: maximum 30 kg. of checked baggage (number of bags isn’t regulated).
Economy Class: maximum 20 kg. of checked baggage (number of bags isn’t regulated).
Cabin Baggage: 1 piece, 7 Kg. (15.4 lbs) in economy class; 2 pieces, 7 kg. (15.4 lbs) each piece.
Bhutan:
Druk Air
Checked Baggage:
Economy: maximum 20 Kg. (44 lbs) subject to 2 suitcase-sized pieces per passenger.
Executive: maximum 30 Kg. (66 lbs) subject to 2 suitcase-sized pieces per passenger.
Cabin Baggage: 1 bag, the weight of which is included in the overall weight restrictions.
India
Jet AirwaysChecked Baggage:
Economy: 25 kg. (55 lbs) per person, largest bag no more than 32 Kg. (70.4 lbs)
Premiere: 35 kg. (77 lbs) per person, largest bag no more than 32 Kg. (70.4 lbs)
Cabin Baggage:
1 hand bag, 7 kg. (15 lbs.), plus 1 laptop bag or purse
Kingfisher Airlines
Checked Baggage:
Kingfisher First: 35 kg/77 lb
Kingfisher Class: 25 kg/55 lb
Kingfisher Red: 15 kg/33 lb
Cabin Baggage:
1 hand bag, 7 kg. (15 lbs.), plus 1 laptop bag or purse
Indian Airlines
| Flights operated with following type of Aircraft | Class | Adult/child | Infant |
| Jet Aircraft e.g. A-330 / A-321 / A-320 / A-319 / B-737 |
Executive | 40 kgs. | 10 kgs. |
| Economy | 30 kgs. | 10 kgs. | |
| CRJ | Economy | 30 kgs. | 10 kgs |
| ATR | Economy | 15 kgs. | Nil |
| Dornier | Economy | 10 kgs. | Nil |
Myanmar
All domestic airlines:
Maximum Baggage Allowance: 20 Kg. (44 lbs) per person
I just got back from the Thailand Tourism Forum in Bangkok. I had just enough free time, 2 days, to visit a tailor to have a custom suit made. Bangkok and many other Asian cities are great places to visit a tailor for custom made suits, shirts, sports coats, and other clothing at a great value. But it’s best to be prepared and understand the process before jumping in and taking advantage of that $99 offer. Here’s a quick guide on what to expect.
In almost any big Asian city, shop after shop of souvenir sellers, t-shirt vendors, jewelers, and tailors beckon you to come in and “just look.” But beware, don’t go in unless you really want a suit and are willing to spend $300 and up for a two piece suit with a decent quality fabric. Anything less than that and you may as well get one off the rack at K-Mart.
Most shops are small, but some may be part of a larger chain. It doesn’t really matter for your purposes. All are just sales outlets with bolts of fabric that can take your measurements and send them to a factory for the actual cutting and sewing. Some may even be quite high-tech now. They will store your measurements in a database, and you will be able to order new suits or shirts or pants by email and credit card.
The Negotiation
The manager or owner (whoever has the authority to negotiate) will ask you what you are looking for. You tell him a suit or a sports jacket but that you’re just looking for now. He’ll engage you and be quite friendly and offer you a cold beer. He’ll ask you to sit down and show you a photo book of models wearing different styles of suits to find out which ones you are interested in. If you engage, you’re hooked and well on your way to a new suit.
Once you select a style (1, 2, or 3 buttons, double or single-breasted, collar type, back-center or side splits, etc.), he’ll talk to you about the fabrics. He’ll show you the difference between real cashmere wool and fake cashmere wool fabrics (also known as polyester) by burning a small sample with a lighter and then proceeding to assure you that he only wants the best fabric for you and that the $99 price is based on the polyester fabric. You’ll succumb and agree that you really want the real wool fabric.
Note that these guys are not paragons of style and don’t do a good job advising you of the right style of suit or jacket for your purposes. But they are good at leading you to make some decisions.
During this preliminary process of discovery, the tailor will avoid giving you a price, but once you decide on how many suits, shirts, ties, etc. He will finally put together a package price for you. This is finally when the negotiation begins. Bargain hard and be firm and be willing to walk away., he may throw in extra shirts or ties to finally seal the deal.
Measurements and First Fitting
Once you agree to a price, the tailor will take your measurements. You need a minimum of 2 days for the process, but 3 is better. Within the first day, you will have your first fitting. You will return to the shop to meet the real tailor who will have a rough cut of the major pieces. They will check to ensure that the breadth and length are working properly and chalk and pin the exact spots for the final assembly. You’ll come back to the shop the next day for a next fitting.
The Second Fitting
At the second fitting the suite is complete and the tailor or shop owner will do their best to convince you that it fits correctly when you try it on. But, here’s where it’s a good idea to have someone with you to validate your concerns with too tight shoulders, too long sleeves, or whatever the problem might be. Be firm and thell them what you want done and they will acquiese. However, if the suit really does fit at this point then you’re done!
The Final Fitting
After the final alterations are made, the tailor will likely want to deliver it to your hotel. This helps reduce the possibility that you might reject it. He may even send someone who doesn’t speak very good English, so if something is wrong you will have a hard time articulating it. However, if it still doesn’t fit right be firm and request more alterations. It may require a visit to the shop one more time.
Lessons Learned:
My Tailor – Max’s Fashions
This article is based on my experience at Max’s Fashions in Bangkok. Located at No. 1/3 Soi 3 Sukhumvit Rd. Max can be contacted by email at maxs.fashions@yahoo.com or by mobile phone at +66 (089)-4020775.