Air Asia Thailand, You Suck!

I just spent a wonderful few days in Bangkok. I saw my amazing Niece Nong Ja and did a heap of shopping as well.

Today while wasting some time I thought I would try the Mobile Check In service Airasia offer. I tried to get it to work and send the barcode to my smart phone but it wouldn't work.

So then I did the Web Check In, then all I apparently had to do was drop my luggage off to the “Drop Off Counter.” We headed to the airport on the Airport Link (which is brilliant) and arrived at the airport about 5.30pm and slowly made our way to the check in counters. I headed over to Air Asia’s counter and asked where the baggage ‘drop off’ area was and was informed where to go. So we arrived there and waited in line.

While standing in line two lovely Air Asia staff came along holding signs, one for Ubon Ratchathani and the other Phuket. I was then directed across to another counter about 50mtrs away. I arrived there and waited for 5 guys to check in going to Phuket. I gave them my paperwork after a few minutes she handed me a boarding pass.

I had put the bags onto the scale to be weighed which she had done. I started to walk off and then the Air Asia girl called me back and told me to take our bags to the Y1 baggage. This is where all oversize baggage is scanned through. I arrived there and there was a group of guys with a heap of oversize gear being scanned through the x-ray machine.

I headed back to the counter and again asked the counter staff, if that was the right place to be. “Yes, and hurry up! Your plane is boarding, she said.”

I looked at the time and it was 6:25pm, I had been getting fuc#ed around for a good 20 minutes plus for sure already.

So I headed back to the Y1 area. I approached the lady at the x-ray machine and she motioned for me to wait. I then told her that our plane was apparently boarding. She so happily (no sarcasm at all) let me get our bags in between some of the large stuff being scanned.

So bags were done, I was a little worried as I had never had to do this before. But there was still plenty of time I thought.

We walked briskly toward the gate, B1B. Then a couple of Thai people came running past us, one I kid you not, was a monk in her bright orange robes.

We arrived at the check in desk and there was a line with about 20 people waiting to be ID checked and there ticket stub being ripped off.

We walked out to the waiting bus and hopped on with the other waiting sheep. And we waited and waited. You could see everybody looking back at the door to the terminal, all were silently cursing whoever was making us wait.

Finally a group of 4 came out, they boarded and we still waited. Then a lady came and she walked all the way to the bus with her phone glued to her ear. She got on the bus not too far from me and if looks could kill!

But we still waited. Finally the last two arrived, we I thought the last two. A woman and a mixed up guy who wants to be a woman made the dash to the bus.

They got on, the doors closed and we ferried out to the plane. We arrived at the plane and luggage was still being loaded onto the plane. We got to our seats and sat down ready for the trip home.

But we waited dome more. I knew straight away that there were more people on the way. Sure enough, a good ten minutes later a family of 5 or 6 got on, the door was immediately closed behind them and in no time we were being pushed off to taxi out to the runway.

We arrived in Ubon Ratchathani, got off the plane and went to wait for the luggage to come on the carousel. We waited and in no time the carousel stopped. I stood there with anger rising. I looked at one of the workers and asked, “Is that all the bags?” and the reply was “yes.”

I am pretty sure I said, “You have got to be fuc#ing kidding way too loud” but I was not a happy camper and it only got worse.

We were told to go to Airasia’s counter, which we did. We arrived and I spoke to the lady on duty and when she informed me that “I had apparently arrived late at Suvanambhol Airport” she was politely told that was a load of bullshit.

When she again said, ‘I had arrived late” I was starting to get really pissed off. I again went through exactly the time we arrived at the airport and then what we had done on the directions of Air Asia staff.

When she again mentioned being late to Kluay, talking to her and not even looking at me, as she was looking for a sympathetic ear, I gave her a mouthful.

“Do you think I am stupid? Do you think I don’t understand? Do you understand why we were supposedly late? Are you stupid?”

Then the poor lady got out a laminated piece of paper that had different types and styles of luggage on it. She then asked Kluay what did the two bits of luggage look like.

I am sorry but I had steam coming out my ears. I took the bit of paper, handed her my flight itinerary. That had the two stickers on it with the serial numbers that should match each other.

She looked at me, and then asked me to point out what each bag looked like. I let out a huge “fu#k me!” I couldn’t help it. I walked away as I was getting too frustrated. It was then I noticed a guy in like a soldier fatigue uniform, close by watching. I just let fly, “what the …. are you looking at?” But it got worse.

The lady finally said that the luggage would arrive the next day at 9am in the morning. I then enquired to “How they were going to deliver it?” She replied, “No, you have to pick it up!” I then said some very nasty things in Thai, I couldn’t help it. But it got worse.

I was waiting outside the terminal. We called a taxi and it was then it clicked that my house keys were in my bag, in Bangkok. I asked Kluay hoping she had her keys but they were also in her bag. This meant no keys for the house, motorbikes and all the locks.

I went back to the lady for another round. I informed her of the predicament (I am an idiot for leaving my keys in my checked luggage). I asked, “Will Airasia compensate me for a hotel room?” The answer was “No”.

So now I was really pissed. But it got worse. The taxi called and tolds me that he cannot come into the airport as they are not allowed; taxis and tuk-tuks are banned from picking up customers inside the airport grounds. They can drop people off only.

Then one of the security guards out the front, dressed in black has obviously heard me talking to the taxi driver on the phone asking him why he couldn’t come to pick us up. This guy then tells me in Thai that taxis cannot come into the airport. I blew up!

I asked him, “Why?” He kept saying, “Mar Mai Dai, cannot come” So I kept asking, “why?” and each time I did it a little more stronger.

I then asked him in Thai, “who said taxis cannot pick up people? Is it the police, army, mafia, who?” I asked this 4 or 5 times and it was met with “Mar Mai Dai”

So we walked to the front gate, pissed off in an understatement. I arrived home, walked around to the neighbour’s house. Borrowed his big bolt cutters and but the lock to the front door. I then used a screw driver to break the other lock on the front door. I was in my house.

Thankfully my spare key to my motorbike was not in my safe as that is locked in my cupboard. I went off to Big C and bought a new padlock and door lock. My neighbour, god bless him then fixed the new door lock into place.

Air Asia, I said “I am not going to fly Air Asia anymore when you announced that you were moving back to Don Mueng”. Now, that is a certainty. A lot of the expats have said the same as well though. Why fly to Don Mueng? It is a pain in the arse.

So, thank you Air Asia, for screwing up a great three days in Bangkok with total and utter uselessness.

Brunty

Pratunam Park Hotel Bankok Thailand

This is the Pratunam Park Hotel in Bangkok.
I chose this hotel after looking through many reviews on Agoda and also Trip Advisor.
It is funny reading reviews as everybody has different expectations and standards. The reception area is very nice and the staff for the entire stay have been fantastic and very helpful. I have been able to speak English with most of them. A few are a little weak in English but there are also others who can speak and understand English well. The dining room was spotless. I was surprised when we came home from shopping in the evening and Gluay had bought some somtam. The doorman informed us that we could eat the somtam and deep fried chicken and pork in the dining room. I was a little perplexed at first but then speaking to the Room Manager, Miss Ornuma. She that was fine and to use the plates and cutlery. So we sat in the restaurant with another family nearby who were doing the exact same thing, but eating much more western style food. When I read the reviews there were less than enthusiastic reviews about the breakfast. My breakfast came with the room as would most others who eat breakfast. What do people expect? I will take pictures tomorrow of the breakfast but there was toast, cereal, some Thai dishes, fried eggs, small sausages, ham and a few other things as well as cakes. I think these people are thinking they are staying in one of the 5 star hotels.
I booked a deluxe room and it is large and absolutely spotless. No smell that some people had complained about in some reviews. I booked a non smoking room and there was not a hint of a mouldy smell some had said. The bath has been a huge winner for me. I have had many baths to help sooth aching muscles after walking and walking through the markets and shopping centres all so close by. The water pressure is excellent. The hotel is in a great location for me. Off the main busy road but just a few minutes’ walk to the wholesale markets, Pantip Plaza, Pratunam Fashion Mall and so many more great shopping places. It doesn’t take long in a taxi to get to Silom or other places and the BTS is a ten minute walk at the most. Quiet, so quiet up here on the 11th floor. I have not heard the toot of a car horn or revving engine of a tuk-tuk. I will definitely be staying here again and do recommend it for anyone wanting to stay in the Pratunam area. Also the Room Manager Miss Ornuma told me that they will be renovating all the rooms starting in October. The rooms do have old décor but my room is spotlessly clean. If you have any questions then email her at ptnpark@loxinfo.co.th or go the their website http://pratunamparkhotel.com/. Brunty

Visiting Nong Ja in Bangkok Thailand

I was off to see Nong Ja today. I was very excited as I have not seen her for about 4 months. I speak to her on the phone usually two times a week but getting to give her a cuddle and a kiss I was so looking forward to. This concrete truck was spewing water from its hose. I don’t think he would have much left in the tank when he arrived wherever he was going. Sorry about this terrible picture but I took it hastily at the last moment before jumping out of the taxi. We travelled 13.4klms in 18 minutes and it cost 101 baht or around $3.35 Australian dollars. So cheap!
My little girl, as beautiful as ever and eating some fish sticks from KFC. It felt so good when she ran across and I got to give her the biggest hug for a good few minutes.
Ja now lives with her uncle Pae, so she has someone to play with all the time at home.
Ja is very healthy and put on a couple of kilos since I last saw her. Still so bloody cute, and I am biased but I don’t care. We were then off for Ja and Pae to play some games and of course I joined in as well.
The time flew by and Ja was tired before I knew it. She even said to me that she wanted to go to sleep. When I spoke to her earlier in the morning she wanted to go swimming. She used to love swimming. It was only a few hours but I cherished them and cannot wait for October when I am back in Bangkok for 10 days and I will spend most of that time with her.

Pratunam Market, Bangkok.

The flight was quicker than the taxi ride from BTS station. Could have walked to the hotel faster. Baiyoke Sky next door. Really happy with the hotel. Very clean and no complaints to date. Huge bath that has been well used already. The hotel warns visitors of the scams and scumbags that are around the Pratunam area. I have never had a problem all the times I have been here as long as you keep your wits and use your brain. Doesn't look like much, but just over 9,000 baht bought a lot of gear in a few hours. Brunty

One Sleep to Go.

Cannot wait for tomorrow when I see my amazing little girl again.

Brunty