bart

shilo, manracer, I have to agree with most of what captcraig says Unfortunately the trouble is, if you're in your fifties, those last days are not necessarily FEW. There could be another thirty bloody years or more of the fuckers coming at you Shit, I'm starting to sound like Owen Look on the bright side. Maybe that tsunami will get you early

In Britain Thailand does not figure in the news much at all. Week-to-week I'd like to hear more news about Thailand because I'm interested. But as far as being a monger goes, it's probably a good thing not much is too newsworthy. Don't worry

Thanks Regyai - yes, that's the one. Wow, cheaper than I remember! You said in your other post "OK but you can get a lot better for little more baht". Where were you thinking of? I must say I'd prefer somewhere a little more central. bart

When I was in Pattaya earlier in the year I kept seeing Aromdee Apartments advertised in the Pattaya newspapers. The apartments were pretty cheap. I understand they are basically for long-term letting. Anyone ever stayed there? What are the apartments like? Thanks, bart

And that includes fixing damage to you as well as the bike?

Yes, forget the trappings and trimmings of Thai banks' online systems. The bottomline is indeed SECURITY. And IF MY MONEY MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARS, WILL YOU THE THAI BANK CARE AT ALL? My gut instinct, completely untried and untested, is to trust - guardedly - only Bangkok Bank and SCM.

Walk up Soi LK Metro to Soi Buakhao. Turn left (north). There is a branch of SCB about 200 yards along Soi Buakhao on the right.

I haven't even found out yet whether there is an equivalent of our alphabetical order (a, b, c etc which is the order in which kids learn it). I suppose there must be a Thai equivalent. So I was wondering whether the order of the characters on the computer keyboard would do the same job. Ah, just found the 44 consonants in alphabetical order on page 239 of 'Thai for beginners'!!! Now then, where are they on the keyboard.....

Thanks everyone for your replies I've got Thai script stickers on my computer keys. But getting started with them is not proving easy! Thanks for reminding me about this website. I'll have another look.

Does anyone have any experience of learning Thai script purely by typing it (on a computer) – rather than learning to write it by hand? Is typing it a good way to learn? Or is there no substitute for writing it by hand? And does anyone know of a language school/teacher in Pattaya that teaches written Thai on computer rather than by hand? Thanks, bart

Sorry, health insurance time again What is the experience of BMs with the Pattaya Expats Club health insurance? As a Brit (51) in pretty good health who so far has just used the British NHS (National Health Service) I am not used to thinking about health insurance. I know a little about this policy. If I’m correct it is basically like getting a policy direct with Thai Health except that there is a good discount on the price. I know pre-existing conditions are not covered. Bottomline: when you need it, does it pay up?

On what grounds, pray tell? Did they argue it was a pre-exisitng condition?

ginseng, interesting, thanks for that. When you click Add and choose Thai, Windows XP (home edition) offers 4 keyboard layout options: Thai Kedmanee Thai Kedmanee (non shift-lock) Thai Pattachote Thai Pattachote (non shift-lock) Can you explain the difference between these? Thanks again for your help. bart

I have heard both of these banks have good online banking systems. AND I believe, more importantly, they are the only two really reputable Thai banks. I'm with Bangkok Bank (though I haven't used their online banking yet) but would probably be equally happy with Siam Commercial. My experience is very limited, but at the moment I would not trust my money with any other Thai bank. I've heard at other banks when money gets "lost" it doesn't get chased up

Me too. Me too.

Or is it just me?

I've booked him for my first ever trip to Pattaya. I have faith. He's taken the trouble to respond here on this forum to the criticism. He sounds a reliable man. Things do go wrong sometimes!

So your driver was not Mr Toom himself? Do you know the name of this driver? I am thinking of trying Mr Toom's services.

www.atsiam.com lists 54 Pattaya hotels. Unfortunately quite a lot of the ones that get mentioned in these forums don't seem to be included. But this website does look like a secure way to book and pay for a hotel online if you're worried about giving your credit card details directly to a hotel. Their rates might be a bit cheaper than going to the hotels direct too. I've tried them for the first time today - I'll let you know if I get any problems. All credit to BritMonkey for pointing this service out in another forum.

Ah, yes.. Even more than the lovely girls, that's what I need. I really hope you're right.

Thank you, Soi Unwise (good name, if you don't mind me saying), that's very reassuring. Markytee's comment had got me a little worried. I hadn't realised that all the beer bars are out of doors - although I realise there are other places which are indoors and have aircon and where you can enjoy .. lovely company.

Cowboy, we may all owe you a VERY big thank you.

There's a secondhand bookshop too. That's good to know, however filthy it is.

Markytee, do you mean even with aircon everywhere is like a sauna? Every time I mention to seasoned travellers that I'm going to Thailand they say "God, it'll be hot". Gets me a bit worried. I'm still going to go though!

Ben, sorting out my clothing is next on my list. I will go into M&S and check their linen stuff out - thanks for mentioning it. I suppose you've got your oral rehydration tablets already? But what about the 50% Deet mosquito spray? Had your jabs? Which ones? The preparation goes on and on.... boring, boring, but all part of the thrill. Goddamnit I haven't been as excited as this in ... years and years.