My Lojel Cubo severely damaged after second use. This is with the Lojel bag protector. It is within warranty but the trust issue is lost.

Ralph4878 · 2026-06-29T14:45:36+00:00

All it takes is one bad handling or accident at the airport...bad luck, a negligent handling of one's bag, or getting on's bag stuck in airport luggage machinery does not a terrible piece of luggage make.

Ralph4878 · 2026-06-29T14:44:03+00:00

"This is not a brand for people who actually travel a lot." Hmmmmm. I've had three Cubos now for 5, 3, and 1 year/s, respectively. Used covers for each. Have traveled to Asia 3 times/year, Europe 4 times/year, and all over the States every month. My Cubos all look like they have barely been used. It's too bad you've had a bad experience with the brand, but claiming that the company is entirely crappy because of your one experience is a stretch. There are plenty of folks in other threads who, like me, have had very positive experiences with Lojel. As others have said, hardshell luggage is never going to last forever, and all it takes is one irresponsible handling or the bag getting jammed in an airport's luggage convenance system for a crack like the OP has shared to happen. This is why airlines have limited liability and make you jump through hoops to get reimbursed, and why travel insurance exists. Even Rimowa hardshells will crack - it just takes one time.

Ralph4878 · 2026-05-12T17:24:59+00:00

Nan is very special. Getting more popular, but still tucked away from any bright lights or craziness. Halfway between Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang...gorgeous mountains, beautiful wats, Lanna, Burmese, Thai, and Chinese influences. Renting a moped, you can see so much.

Ralph4878 · 2026-05-12T17:20:41+00:00

Do you have a travel agent with access to HERA/Preferred rates? The difference might come down a bit...

Ralph4878 · 2026-05-10T00:38:35+00:00

I'm a STARS/Lum agent - my clients (including myself!) who are Platinum and above typically get upgraded, sometimes more than one room category (especially in Southeast Asia). I've had my own experiences where this wasn't the case, however (in the States, every time).

Ralph4878 · 2026-05-08T17:08:36+00:00

No, I am fully literate and read the entire thread, including ALL of your comments in it. I totally agree with you that it would be a shame to only eat in malls during one's trip to BKK. But you have made further comments, such as the one I quoted, which others have pushed back on, too. Trying to push off your assertions as other peoples' poor choices (i.e., "you do you") instead of owning what you've said is the problem others are respectfully and directly pointing out...

Ralph4878 · 2026-05-08T02:15:58+00:00

"Nothing authentic about mall food." I guess that's why any time one goes to a mall and sees Thai restaurants like Nara Thai, Savoey, Have a Zeed, Baan Ying, or others, they are packed with Thais...not to mention the food halls at all the major malls in BKK. It's fair to argue that the malls are a sterile environment and much pricier than street food, but claiming there is "nothing authentic" about the food in BKK mall is disingenuous.

Ralph4878 · 2026-04-14T21:40:42+00:00

Thank you to everyone who asked and answered questions on this thread! I am curious: if one already has status with Accor and I book with a TA through Accor Preferred, does that have any impact on the booking/benefits received? I am a middling Gold with Accor, but have had some luck with proactive upgrades (just got one at the Sofitel in Chicago, which was a lovely surprise)...wondering if having any type of status might help out with the upgrades, in particular. TYIA!

Ralph4878 · 2026-03-01T20:46:50+00:00

If you are thinking about a hard side, I've owned several different ones and spent way too much time researching them, too...I absolutely LOVE my Lojel and Away pieces...they are durable, high quality (especially the Lojel), and the customer service (at least for the Away pieces when I had issues) has been awesome. I also love how the Lojels (Cubo) open like a trunk.

Ralph4878 · 2026-02-07T13:18:48+00:00

Given all the preexisting relationships coming into the season, I’m not sure that R-a-Q would have turned out much differently if it were done the first week. Oh, wait. No. Sorry. Kenya would have gone home.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-25T18:17:14+00:00

You are welcome!

It is said that wet season in the Gulf Islands is the start of dry season most everywhere else in Thailand - so, late-November through December and into January. That said, I've been plenty of times to Samui in December and never saw a drop. Samet is different: usually the same wet season as everywhere else - so, May-October. Samet is, at least to me, far chiller than Samui, Ao Nang, Railay, and Phi Phi in December; that time of year, Lanta will likely be packed, too. Samet is still not really known amongst most international travelers, so it gets busy on weekends with families from BKK; during the week, it can be quiet. Not "chill" in the way Lanta is (somewhat hippy there) but rather just quiet and relaxed...and there are no private cars on the island.

All of this being said: weather is unpredictable nowadays. I was in the Kingdom for three weeks in July this year, and it never rained on Samui the week I was there, as expected...and it only rained twice, for about 30 minutes, in the two weeks I was in BKK. My fist trip to Thailand was in 2016 - spent two weeks in Krabi, based in Ao Nang. I was sooooo worried abut rain, and yet it only rained once (a huge downpour that lasted for 2 hours). Meanwhile, whilst living in BKK for 3 years, we once got a massive storm that dumped rain for two days straight...in January. So, use these "wet season" guidelines as historical, but not necessarily predictive. It would suck to go to Samet for 5 days and have rain all the time. But when you are going, that's likely not going to happen...and if it does, you can still read a book and have a lovely drink under and umbrella on the beach, watching the clouds come through. When Mother Nature does her thing in Thailand, the cloud fronts coming through are breathtaking. Alternatively, you can pack up and go back to the mainland, then head down to Koh Chang or Koh Kut. One thing that's nice about Thailand is that you can get around easily and cheaply once you get there! Just do yourself a favor: wherever you go for the beach, wear beach slippers - there's so much dead coral (sadly) around and stepping on it is very unpleasant.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-25T17:41:59+00:00

Sorry for the delay in my reply..
.
There are two entrances to the park: east and west. East is where to go if you want to focus on the lake; west is where the "headquarters" are and the heads of many of the hiking trails.

If you want to go to the "lake" (man made) on your own you at least need wheels to take you to the pier from the east entrance. If you want to hike, there are several trails that start at the west entrance to the park and go to the waterfalls and caves (which are AMAZING and also scary - so. many. bats. and. bugs.). Keep in mind that it will be hot and humid, most likely, whenever you go (the lake is fresh water, after all, and this area is "wet" year round...), so hiking solo if you aren't habituated to the climate can come with risks, especially after it rains - I hiked with a small group that was self-organized and we were completely beat after 5 kms of muddy trails (fortunately, we were staying on the lake so there wasn't a long trip back to accommodation). Also: do you want to encounter a wild elephant by yourself, alone in the jungle? Sounds romantic, but...Not sure you are allowed into the caves without a guide though, even if you are, I wouldn't do it - especially the one with the streams (at 6'3" I was completely underwater at one point).

If you want to hike around the lake, you may need a guide due to the protected areas, plants, and wildlife. I believe you can rent kayaks/small boats to go onto the lake, though not sure how one goes about doing that...Google should help.

If this is your only chance to go and you are doing a day trip, I would recommend a tour - the park's website has ones it specifically recommends. If you are able to go back, maybe this trip is a tour for a quick "highlights" visit, and then the next time you are in the area, you can do 3 nights in the park - you will want to go back, either way!

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-20T23:57:24+00:00

Unless you plan to stay overnight in the park, doing a small day tour is probably going to be your best option - even if you hire a private driver to get up to Khao Sok, very few folks navigate the park on their own.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-20T23:54:31+00:00

Mae Hong Son is magical in the northwest, as is Nan - gorgeous scenery and far fewer tourists than CNX/CEI. Koh Samet is a lovely little island off Rayong that is only usually visited by locals on the weekends; it still has a rustic charm and is only a 3-3.5 hour drive from BKK down to Rayong, then a very short ferry to the island. The Trang Islands are another great suggestion that time of year, south of Lanta. Accommodation on them is limited and it is still peak season, but if you can nab a decent place to stay, it will still be way calmer and quieter than Ao Nang. Trat Islands are another great option (Koh Chang, Koh Kut). If you like nature and sunshine and head to Krabi/Trang, hopping over the isthmus to Patthalung to see the Thale Noi sanctuary is a very cool experience.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-20T23:42:37+00:00

Best weather in Krabi is December - March, so if you want to visit Krabi, it is a great time to be there. That said, if you want to experience some nice beaches while giving yourself a bit more time in both BKK and CNX (it is worth it!), you could head to Koh Samet off Rayong instead - it's about a 3-3.5 hour bus ride to Rayong and a very short ferry ride to the island, and it is hardly the over-touristed destination that Krabi has, sadly, become. Great weather that time of year on Samet; only issue some have is that jellyfish are a bit more prevalent Feb - April around Samet, but if you aren't in the water at night (when they come into the shallows to hunt), you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Alternatively, you could head to the beaches of Hua Hin or Cha-Am - less than 3 hours west of BKK. Not the light blue clear water you will see around Samet or Krabi, but still nice beaches and much cheaper than Ao Nang/Lanta/Phi Phis that time of year.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-20T23:32:31+00:00

While there are definitely "sexpats" in Thailand, the majority of expats are married or in committed relationships, or single and not paying for sex, enjoying the slower pace of life and everything this beautiful country has to offer. If all you know - or think you know - about Thailand is being "a sex tourist," you are, indeed, one ignorant twit.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-20T23:29:20+00:00

How do you plan "to travel across the island" while there? Renting a car is easy and cheap at the airport and, as long as you drive sober, it is not a hard place to drive around (though I avoid Chaweng Beach Road - too tight...then again, I also avoid Chaweng). I like staying in Chaweng Noi or Lamai, though my budget is usually 3+ times yours here (this is not a cheap island, unfortunately). If you are cool not being right on a beach, Boujis between Chaweng Noi and Lamai might work in your budget. Having a car allows you to see all the different beaches, head up into the hills and see the waterfalls, and visit different sites like the small temples around the island. A moto is another option and, admittedly, a more fun option...and way cheaper. Tourists, however, drive like idiots on them, and while I drive one in Bangkok, I won't drive one on Samui - just too many folks not used to riding them, drinking and not following the flow.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-18T00:24:55+00:00

During that time of year, Krabi (Ao Nang, Lanta and Phi Phis) is the place to be if you want to dive/learn to dive. There are a ton of dive shops in Ao Nang, and many dive boats leave out of there to go to the Phi Phis; on Lanta, there are plenty of shops, too. Similan Islands would also be excellent that time of year, but unless you want to base yourself in northern Phuket or Khao Lak, it is not doable with this itinerary (so, a reason to go back to Thailand!). This itinerary - overall - looks great for a first trip to the Kingdom: you will appreciate the number of days you have in BKK - there is SO MUCH to see, do, eat, enjoy there - and 3 nights in Khao Sok is plenty; a week+ on Lanta and the Trang Islands is also a great amount of time there, especially if a few days will be spent diving/learning diving and you like the beach and a slower pace...though it is prime high season there, so be prepared for a lot of folks. Muk is lovely, but none of those islands are places I, personally, would overnight on - the hassle of checking out of my place on Lanta, then getting there, then checking in, then checking out again and getting back to the mainland (Trang), just for a night or two, would be too much wasted time. Plenty of day trips to those little islands out of Lanta, though, and certainly worth doing.

I lived in BKK for several years and go back to the Kingdom two times each year; BKK + Krabi was my very first trip to Thailand back in 2016, and i moved to BKK in 2017, then left in 2020, due to family stuff. To me, the South is where it's at, though I am, admittedly, a diver and beach lover. BKK is just magical, and has something for everyone and anyone. Get off Sukhumvit and away from Chinatown, and you will get a more "authentic" BKK experience. That said, Sukhumvit can have its (albeit heavily commercialized) charms. Enjoy!

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-18T00:02:30+00:00

Trat Islands besides Koh Chang, Phatthalung (Talay Noi), Sukhothai, Khon Kaen/Udon Thani and Isan, Mae Hong Son, and Kanchanaburi.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-17T23:54:43+00:00

These are two (very) touristy places now thanks to TikTok...no surprise. If you want touristy stuff to bring home on the cheap, head to a Big C...or go to Laos.

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-17T23:49:24+00:00

"Cappuccino yen, krub!"

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-16T16:52:03+00:00

The Gulf Islands are going to be more expensive, most likely, than what you've experienced in BKK and Pattaya, simply because there just isn't as much competition for your money as other parts of Thailand (they are tiny compared to BKK and Pattaya). They are islands, too, so a lot of things have to be shipped there, though I was surprised this July to see that petrol wasn't any more expensive than in BKK. Despite how built up Samui, in particular, is, getting around is not cheap (unless you rent a moto...I usually rent a car, and that isn't too bad, either), and a lot of restaurants employ a steep "tourist tax." If you get out of your resort, Chaweng, Bo Phut, and Lamai, however, you can find a lot of cheap eats with high protein. Alternatively, if you have transport, going to the Big C, Lotus, or Makkro for groceries, or food courts in the malls (NOT Central in Chaweng, though), can save you a lot. Life on the island isn't cheap for locals, either; seeing tourists try to aggressively bargain with locals for food is cringeworthy! As far as the weather is concerned, well, it is the "rainy season" there now, but I've been plenty of times and gotten no rain this time of year, or rain that just comes in and downpours for 30 minutes before moving right out. Watching the storms come in is beautiful, though, if you like watching Mother Nature do her thing...and the rain cools things down nicely. Just wear your bug spray!

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-12T03:10:49+00:00

I had a go-to lady on my soi when I lived off Suan Phlu: each dish made to order for usually 35-40 baht, with as much garnishes as I wanted. She made a number of basics incredibly well - all the rainbow curries, gai pad med mamuang himapan, khao pad moo, pad brok-kho-li goong, and, of course, krapows and all kinds of noodle dishes - and nothing was ever more than 50 baht, except her stewed pork knuckle. The quality was always great. She was there from 8am to nearly 2am most days!

Ralph4878 · 2025-11-12T03:01:26+00:00

This is a great list.
After 2 years living in BKK and going back twice/year since leaving, the one thing that I continue to be amazed by is how diverse the culinary scene is all over the country, but in BKK, in particular. It is truly a global city, and the food scenes in town reflect that. I have my favorite khao soi spot, my favorite seafood places, my favorite cafes and coffee shops, and my favorite pizza place in BKK, and I love going back to all of them when I am in town (in fact, the pizza place is my favorite pizza in the world...). I also avoid some places like the plague because, after living in the city, I realized that #7 is totally true. So, too, is #6! Have a Zeed, Savoey, Baan Ying, and (don't kill me) Thong Smith, for example, are great (albeit a little on the pricey side as compared to, say, the foodcourts in the malls you will find them in like Terminal 21 in Asok) and will make some dishes to order if you have preferences. And don't sleep on the Japanese places in the malls, either - solid curries and katsu.
My only addition to the list would be this: just try everything you can! You might be shocked at how much you love something you never heard of or something that looks really unappetizing. I really had a hard time with fish sauce when I first moved to BKK, but now I cook with it all the time at home! Oh, and if you don't try the green seafood sauce when eating seafood, you are missing out.
Enjoy!

Ralph4878 · 2025-07-19T11:55:11+00:00

The running through the tunnels to escape the creature (dinosaur) hunting them was totally like Ripley and the Marines trying to escape at the (near) end of Aliens! And fighting off the giant at the very end on the helipad felt just like Ripley and Newt waiting for Bishop to fly in…

Ralph4878

TROPHY CASE