NanLaew

THAI are using A340's on the LHR route. I wasn't aware until I checked in last Wednesday night and they made a quick change to my seat assignment. Much nicer flying experience than the older 747's IMHO. Still no lie-flat seats at the front of the bus but Coach seating looked more roomy when I wandered back to have a look. That, combined with a relatively easy immigration, security and terminal change at LHR makes me think I will use them again.

The doctor at BPH who did my post-annual medical debrief recommended that I should get myself some Albendazole although the results of the stool sample didn't indicate any infestation. The curious thing was the Upper GI abdominal barium meal examination. Usually this is over in about 10 minutes with minimal fuss. However, this year the operator had me moving about while she took loads more 'pictures' of my abdomen and eventually I was referred back to the x-ray department for an abdominal x-ray.

The final analysis indicated the following impression, "Complete intestinal malrotation with spiral appearance of 2nd part of duodenum (probably volvulus) and high position of cecum in the right side of abdomen. No intestinal obstruction is seen." This apparently isn't cause for concern but I was surprised that I was recommended to take a course of Abendazole after the fact. Was this because they were unsure of what was observed or, maybe it's because they reckon after 18 years in Thailand, I must be eating the local food so better make sure?

Anyway, the upshot is that I will get rid of the excess middle-aged spread since it probably didn't help with the GI scan. Reading up on intestinal malrotation indicates that this is something that happens in the womb so how they 'missed' it in every other medical exam I have had both here and overseas is a bit of a mystery. Anyone diagnosed with the Intestinal Malrotation care to contribute their experiences?

The news has been full of the huge delays being encountered by just about everyone arriving at Heathrow. I was reading an older article about the automated ePassport gates that had been set up for those with the 'chipped' passports that have the biometrics electronically encoded. Did these ever get introduced? It would appear from the news that regardless of passport, everyone has to do a face-to-face with a border guard. I may be headed to LHR soon and wonder if the media spin is making things worse than they appear and there are channels, albeit maybe only marginally quicker than the conga lines, that may make for a shorter queue. I normally enter at Aberdeen direct from Amsterdam and the bag is usually on the delivery conveyor by the time all the passengers clear the two border guards.

There's a Vietnamese Consulate in Khon Kaen. I was wondering if anyone has applied for a visa there.

I normally get one on-line but the arrival dates need to be set in stone for those whereas the timing of my meetings early next month is a bit nebulous. Thus wondering if getting a visa on KK is easy enough so I can apply now, not be 'locked in' to set travel dates and can get on with my holiday.

I live in Udon and don't fancy a trip to Bangkok to get the visa as I have just finished a few months work in the Big Mango and not in a big rush to go back until it is time to leave for work in Vietnam.

Mods. I placed this thread originally in the SE Asia travel forum but maybe more chance of a hit here than there? Delete as appropriate.

There's a Vietnamese Consulate in Khon Kaen. I was wondering if anyone has applied for a visa there.

I normally get one on-line but the arrival dates need to be set in stone for those whereas the timing of my meetings early next month is a bit nebulous. Thus wondering if getting a visa on KK is easy enough so I can apply now, not be 'locked in' to set travel dates and can get on with my holiday.

I live in Udon and don't fancy a trip to Bangkok to get the visa as I have just finished a few months work in the Big Mango and not in a big rush to go back until it is time to leave for work in Vietnam.