sailingbill

Ergodyne, one on one teaching is the way to go. I was taking lessons with a teacher based in Bangkok via skype. I can recommend her. Cost about 15usd/hour . Pimsluer is a good start for basic vocab.

Thanks Frosty, no i have the cd's. Used them for the past year. Doubt they would get any takers from the local thrift shop. I would be willing to give them to an interested Bm , just didnt' want to pack them for no reason. Tracked your package, should arrive Monday or Tues my time. Will catch up with you late next week in Patts. Bill

The 15 cd /30 lesson course. Im in Pattaya next week.

The security desk by the elevator usually has quite a few Thai girl id card's on top. You get a snappy salute from the guard as you return with your girl. I wouldn't stay again since i prefer the Soi Diana area but had no complaints at all. Still ended up taking a BB to Walking Street. They did call ahead to the Marriott Waterside in BKK to make sure my TG would be welcomed there. You might want to consider using points in Bangkok where the hotels are more expensive. But if you have a lot af points to burn-good choice.

They are open, Im booked in May but didn't realize it was such a haul to get there. Some one did post pics on another thread recently.

There are other areas I should look at but the short answer is yes that is my plan

I'm booked in May and there was a recent report that indicated a good stay. Normally stay across the Soi in lk but thought I'd give the evergreen a go. Will update May

Thanks Mick, i need a ride from KK to Kalasin in May, will pm for recommendation when it gets closer. Bill

Stayed at an Eastiny on Soi 8 nearer to 2cd road . Reservation was made months in advance with no prepayment. No in room safe had me moving after a couple days.

Got hit with this couple of years ago. Credit union said no problem when i called to let them know i would be in Thailand and Japan. Sure enough blocked. When i finally was able to talk with them. 'Use of card not allowed in Thailand". They later rescinded this. I opened a Thai account at SCB which seems to be the best backup. Bill

Stayed a couple of times. Heavens Above is one of my favorites and just a stumble up to home. Rooms are small. I stayed a Secrets a few weeks ago, thought it a much better value for the same price but i know some just dont care for Secrets. One thing Villa, you may care about the noise. It's well after dawn when i finish my night so the noise from the club is not a problem but reception can be a bit during the day. Ask for a room at the end of the hall.

Thanks for the inspiration, i plan exactly that. Just walked, stumbled, up my 1000ft driveway to drive my car to work overnight. Im in Maryland, will catch a picture in the am. Just set your pic as my computer background for the night to remind me why im here. Bill.

I'm in for April. They escort me through arrivals and departure, provide a taxi to my hotel in BKK on arrival. Later I return from Songkran in the sticks from Khon Khaen at 9p .And they park me in the business class lounge until my return flight at 12mid. Package D 3,900 baht. Thanks Smelly Bill

Druids post is sound advice. I like to take a break from beer but ordering a rum and tonic w/lime is a real contest of language. Again the Daiquiris were a nice change. Met the owners wife, nice lady, best of luck to them.

After a couple of dozen Singha's a day, the Daiquri"s were a nice change. Played that box game and had to buy some LD's but good fun. The problem was like prev poster, i was in during the day and the machine took a long time to crank the drinks out. The location is going to be a problem, i only found them because of the posting here. A nice change.

Lbj, I am so heartily tired of the taxi question I'm paying over the top for Secrets to pick me up this week.who do you use?

To many strikes on this fellow ,and a shame as his business model is good

My LT was able to finance a new Toyota truck for 4 years. So your friend could probably sign for you.

Just to add mine. Stayed at RG last year. The day after Loy Krathong sent the laundry off. The following day a girl knocks on the my door with the laundry and the several thousand Baht i left my jeans pocket. Yes, i took good care of her. Bill

In December i arrive on Wed and leave the following Tues so i miss the FLB crawls. Do you do this on specific days? How soon to you want a call for a first week December crawl. I saw the pictures,i want to go.

Since i'm trying my first 3 or 4 way in Dec. thought i might get a Cat Scan screen for heart and lungs. I contacted Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and they came back with these prices CT brain 9350 CT coronary 17,900 (12,000 special until Dec31) Not clear if thats 64 slice or EBT. CT chest abd 31,200 Seems a little high. Any recommendations. I'll only be in Bkk for 1 night so would prefer Pattaya Also when customs asks why i went to Thailand again i can answer Medical.

"If a Pattaya based driver doesn't know BKK and a BKK based driver doesn't know Pattaya, how do folks get between hotels in BKK and Pattaya? " Tom ,you stop and ask the motorcy guys. Had to do that Airport to Patts. and later to the find the Waterside Marriott in Bkk. I mention this for the newbs stuck in this situation. Don't let the driver just meander about. Didn't tip them but looking back it probably would have been a good idea. They may guide you in. Bill

Steve, the problem i had with the the airport taxi is that he didnt know his way around Pattaya to find my hotel. Another BM complained of driviing around Patt's for an hour. I also used Jan and never paid attention to the ride into the city. The USA flights get in at midnite or i would use Bell's. After following the many threads on this i'm going to use Mr.T. on Diana. Edit to answer your question- I got jacked up to 1400 , was tired and didn't argue.

One consideration for me is an in room safe. I showed up at 0100 at the Eastiny on Soi8 near second road. Was told no in room safe, and the reception safes were not available a night -no keys. I had USD, Baht, TC , Thai bank book, atm card and US and Thai phones, all of which i could carry with me or leave in the room. I told the desk i'll find another hotel for the night and of course a key was found. If i stay in the area again The Eastiny on Soi 7 looks good. They have a pretty good websit for comparisons.

I have never been in Secrets Bar ,have seen good reviews of the hotel. i am aware of stairs issue, no problem. Passed by the Grand last trip seemed ok. Any thoughts between the two?