Phuket

Bonny · #1 23-07-2007, 10:07

G'day boys, I have just recently returned from living inbetween Bkk and Phuket. Am still in contact with the bird I lived with there, and posted most recently about. Anyway, I have pretty much made up my mind here, but wanted to hear what u all thought about this offer. An old Irish mate, has offered me a new job working out in the mines in W.A. It is on a 4 week on 2 week off rotation, and the coin is quite good...better than I have ever earnt infact. I am 30, and now have the option of taking it up, and basing myself out of Bkk. Would you blokes take this chance, it allows for me to earn good $$, and lying from Perth back to Bangkok every month for 2 weeks will be cheaper than living and paying rent here, when I won't even be in it...I figure I can just get a cheapish joint in Bangkok, and furnish out nice..plasma bla bla bla. Anyway, can I do all this with the new visa rules, and what do u all think?? Good opportunity I reckon, and who knows the contacts I'll make?? Oilrigs in the Gulf of Thailand look out!!!!!!555555

LivinLOS · #2 23-07-2007, 10:25

4 and 2 would be a tough nut.. Dont forget with transit times etc your 2 would probably cut down to 10 days incountry.. Plus if your not based in WA will the company pick up your hotel nights rriving and leaving ??

I would work contract if I was looking.. Lots of my mates are in the oil trades or similar and do 4 and 4 or others.

Bonny · #3 23-07-2007, 10:35

Point taken mate, but they way I am at the moment, 10 will do me... plus it gives me time to stack the coin away...only to blow it on down time I guess.5555, but anyway, just looking for comments and alike inorder for me to get some fresh views on the situation. I think I am on a good thing here, but still haven't committed. Any other opinions will be appreciated? Anyone doing anything similar??
They will fly me from the site to Perth, and from Perth back to the site, so I'm responsible for the ticket from Perth to Bkk and return, only 700 odd bucks.

Bello Uomo · #4 23-07-2007, 11:29

Why not fly out of Darwin instead of Perth if you're going to try this caper?

Bonny · #5 23-07-2007, 11:41

The reason for flying from Perth instead of Darwin is simply that the company will fly me to the nearest Capital city, in this case, Perth...from there it is up to me what to do...

fredgsanford · #6 23-07-2007, 11:41

Sounds like a good way to sock away some good cash, and still keep in freequent touch with LOS. Alot of blokes would be in heaven to have a once a month trip to LOS built into their schedule. I could think of a lot worse dilemnas - why not give it a try.

Good luck whatever your decision might be.

LivinLOS · #7 23-07-2007, 13:17

Doesnt darwin have super cheap Tiger flights ?? Worth thinking if its your own cash !!

Minder · #8 23-07-2007, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonny

They will fly me from the site to Perth, and from Perth back to the site, so I'm responsible for the ticket from Perth to Bkk and return, only 700 odd bucks.

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Bonny,

In your situation I would go for it. Nothing to lose, plenty to gain and a chance to be with the TGF full time (sort of).

Transits thru Perth will be a small hassle to start with but it won't take long to find a mate whose place you camp at as required - not more than 1 night - meanwhile a $60 overnight at a cheap motel on Great Eastern Highway won't break the budget - probably cheaper than the taxi to and fro.

Do the math on this - I'd consider joining the Thai airways Royal Orchid club for cheap food and drink and a way to kill a few inevitable hours waiting at Perth airport - fly BKK to Perth and return and NOT Perth to BKK and return and you might make the $700 (19,000 baht) budget you have in mind once you add the reward flights that points will give you - flights with Thai are direct so no stuffing around at Singapore budget terminal waiting to squeeze back into a Tiger airways seat (I like Tiger but not for a run like this every two weeks!).

Transits through Darwin won't work out cheaper as you would have to fly Perth to Darwin and back with "pang maak maak" Qantas - not much change out of $A600 there.

Okay, there's my thoughts for the last sixty seconds since I read your post - the visa status in Thailand might need a closer look but where there is a will there is a way. Enjoy.

Minder · #9 24-07-2007, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonny

They will fly me from the site to Perth, and from Perth back to the site, so I'm responsible for the ticket from Perth to Bkk and return, only 700 odd bucks.

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Another option for travel is BKK to Sing with any budget carrier you like -Air Asia, Jet Star Asia, Tiger and then fly Sing to Perth and return with Qantas...yeah Qantas...bit of a price war with Tiger for Sing to Perth and return $A560 with taxes for a 12 month ticket...

.that leaves you $A140 (3800 baht) for BKK to Sing and return to be within your budget.....again the Frequent Flyer points with Qantas will give you one free flight one-way for each 5 one-way flights taken.

No, I don't have too much time on my hands, just the experience of trying to find the cheapest way to LOS from Perth for nearly 10 years. Enjoy.

MrDK · #10 24-07-2007, 12:06

Whether it would cost a few bucks more or less; I would jump on an opportunity like this in a heartbeat. Remember, I you get tired of the commute after some time you can always stop of go every 2nd time-off period.
You should be able to to this on the visa waiver program as you will be spending 2 weeks every 6 weeks. That would been just shy of 9 weeks every 26-week period, where you are allowed almost 13. (90 days in any 180-day period).