kenandlat

While reading this week's Asia Bugle, I found the URL for a Pub/Restaurant in Bangkok that I just check out on our next trip to Thailand. It is the Witch Tavern on Soi Thonglor (ref. Soi 55) Sukhumvit, Bangkok. http://www.witch-tavern.com/about.html Be sure to have a look at their food and drink menu's. As most of you know, I don't drink so the bulk of my time is spent finding new restaurants that I can try. Seeings as how, Lat and I spend little time in Bangkok, we really do not know of the favorite eateries in the Big Mango. We DO plan to spend a little more time in Bangkok during our next vacation to LOS so would like to know if any of you have tried the Witch Tavern and your comments and if you have the time/inclination, please tell us your favorite Thai food and Expat food places in Bangkok. Ken and Rattana Bower San Antonio Texas USA

Won't it be great when Thai and other carriers get the new aircraft and can fly non-stop from LAX or SFO to BKK. It will be even nicer when they get the new airport completed, up and running. Where did you get the info on Thai starting the non stop flights to Thailand? We plan to do our next trip in Jan 2005. Ken/Lat Bower San Antonio Texas

My old computer crashed and burned. Now up with my new computer but I don't have the URL to install the Thai Fonts that allows for my wife's relatives to e-mail us in Thai. Currently when they do so, what we get looks like gibberish. Help please, Ken and Rattana Bower kenandlat@sbcglobal.net

Ken Bower here. I've lived in, worked in or visited Thailand since 1971. Made a total of 35 Round Trips there. Here is some information to consider B4 you book your next/first trip to Bangkok. #1 You can easily check out almost all the discounters on our webpage: http://homepage.mac.com/mgnewman/KenLat/ Just page down the convenient left hand subheadings column to Travel, then check out ALL the URL's listed there. You will probably find out that the one that simply is titled "to Bangkok" will be the one that offers you the cheapest flights to meet your needs from any major U.S. city about 90% of the time but check the others for your reassurance. Things I have learned to consider as most important when flying to Bangkok (or anywhere else) is arrival time. I personally find that arriving midday allows me to get to my hotel in Bangkok, Pattaya or anywhere else in Thailand in time for a mandatory clean up, good dinner, a few libations, and then a good nites sleep. Arriving in midday instead of near or after midnight always seems to get me over the jetlag problem much easier and in a much shorter period of time. China, EVA, Cathay Pacific ALL offer flights that will meet that need. I rarely ever promote ANY airline but for my $$$, I usually chose EVA Deluxe Class for my trips thesedays. EVA offers 4 classes of service from the west coast to Taipei. Their Deluxe Class offers private line checkin, wider seats (almost Business Class size) which are 8 accross instead of the 10 accross in coach, and added baggage allowance for only about $180-$200 round trip above their coach/economhy fares. Another thing to remember is that IF you chose Korean or Asiana airlines and fly into Seoul instead of Tokyo, Taipei, or Hong Kong, you are adding additional hours to your total travel time. Although their prices might be $50-$100 roundtrip less than other airline carriers, is it worth it to add yet more hours of flying time to an already very long trip? And for those who may want to split their vacation between Bangkok and other Asian cities, have a look under the URL for Cathay Pacific and check out their special Asia Pass that allows for visiting up to 17 different Asian destinations during a 3 week period. I personally would suggest it for those wanting to stop off a couple of days in Hong Kong, or for those who want to add say Viet Nam, Singapore or Bali to the trip. Remember, the Asia Pass is ONLY good for 3 weeks so keep this in the back of our minds for short trips only. I'd like to suggest that all who read this bookmark our homepage and refer back to it everytime they have some spare time. It includes a wealth of information on Travel Tips, Asia, Thailand, Bangkok, Pattaya Beach, other destinations in Thailand, Hotels, Photos, New Sources, and so much more. Hope I've been of some help, Ken/Lat Bower San Antonio Texas USA Visiting Pattaya Beach since 1971

I have used Korean Air and Asiana Air each once from the U.S. to Bangkok. Going to Seoul instead of Taipei, Tokyo, or Hong Kong ADDS hours to the total trip time which I am not willing to do. I usually always take EVA Deluxe Class these days because it gives you a wider seat at only about $180-$200 more than their economy class AND you get to Bangkok in midday, not around midnite or later. For me that alone is a requirement. Cathay Pacific, transiting Hong Kong will get you to Bangkok in midday as well. If you are planning on completing your next trip prior to May 31, have a look at this special out of LAX and SFO for $599. http://www.cathay-usa.com/dotm/dotm.asp IF further info is needed to make your decision, please bookmark our webpage: http://homepage.mac.com/mgnewman/KenLat/ Then use the handy sub-headings section on the left hand side and page down to topics of interest to you including Travel Tips, info on Asia, Thailand, Bangkok, Pattaya, Hotels, Photos and so much more. Also pass our Homepage to all your friends, family, neighbors. Ken/Lat Bower San Antonio Texas Visiting Pattaya since 1971

Another great source for all the info you'll even need on Thailand, Bangkok, Pattaya Beach, Asia, Travel Tips, Photos of Asia, Hotels and so much more, check out our webpage: http://homepage.mac.com/mgnewman/KenLat/ Just use the handy subheadings on the left hand side to page down to subheadings of interest to you, then click on all the URL's under that subheading. Ken/Lat Bower San Antono Texas USA Visiting Thailand since 1971

http://www.pbase.com/search?q=Thailand&x=30&y=12 Next time you have a "rainy day" real or imagined, just take the time to look at all 500 photos listed here and then just let your mind take you "back in the day" to your last visit to the Land of Smiles. Ken Bower San Antonio Texas Thailand Visitor since 1971 http://homepage.mac.com/mgnewman/KenLat/

Howdy, 32 members of the U-Tapao Group (counting friends) will be in Pattaya Beach at the Nova Lodge between Oct 19-Nov 1 for the U-Tapao Group's First Int'l Reunion. The events schedule has not been completed yet but we all plan to be at the FLB each Wed/Sun nites at 8PM and would like any/all members who can be in Pattaya during that timeframe to stop by at the FLB or the Nova Lodge to say hello. My wife Rattana, my cousin Gene Kendall and I will be staying on in Pattaya after the group returns to the U.S. We may continue to stay at the Nova Lodge or may move to another property. We WILL leave word with the front desk personnel if we change hotels. We will be attending my wife's sisters wedding in Banglamung o/a 11 Nov and then relocate to Chiayaphum Village II for the blessing/reception. My wife's father is now the elder/senior/head monk of their village. On 13 Nov, we will relocate again to the Honey Hotel on Soi 19 Sukhumvit until Nov 17. We have planned a pay your own way meeting at the Lone Star in Washington Square at 8PM on Nov 13 and hope all the members of this forum will join us there if possible. Ken and Rattana (Lat) Bower Gene Kendall

HELP! My wife's sister is marrying her Brit B'friend of 10+ years in Nov. I was wondering how many months it might take AFTER the wedding and visa application for the process to be completed and for her to travel to England. Lat and I want to plan a vacation in Liverpool once she is there. Ken and Rattana Bower San Antonio Texas

This post was first posted on another forum by the owner of the G Spot. Certainly worth reading. I dug up this message from one of the forums I belong to. I think it is the best written posting I've seen on why NOT to go into the bar business in Thailand or the Philippines etc. Income items: Sale of drinks Sale of Cigarettes Barfines Pool table fees (if any) Sale of bar T-shirts/hats etc. Expense items Beverages Wholesale cigarettes Ice Napkins Toothpicks Ashtrays Trash cans Glasses (15 varieties) Coasters Bottle condoms Bartender salaries Waitress salaries Cashier salaries Mamasan salary Bargirl salaries Rent Electricity "Key money" "Protection money" (aka police contributions) Water (for toilets) Music system CD's Furniture Fans Air conditioners Toilet paper Locks Keys Cash register Calculator Dishwashing soap Brooms Corporate tax on profits Employee withholding taxes VAT taxes Social fund matching contributions Light bulbs Swizzle sticks Portaits of King Paper clips Credit card machine Bank account charges Cost for printing of bank checks Postage Daily tamboon flowers and offerings Business cards Advertising Drink menus Hammer Wrench Screwdriver Scissors Paring knives Cutting board Telephone (instrument) Telephone installation charge Base monthly phone charge Telephone call unit charges TV set Cable installation charge Monthly cable charge Salt shakers Salt Spoons Coffee maker Coffee Sugar Milk/cream Tea Blender Check-bin cups Check-bin checks Stapler Staples Incense joss sticks Matches Pool table Pool balls Pool cues Pool high “bridge” (rake) Pool low “bridge” (rake) Pool chalk Talcum powder Talcum powder dish Whiteboard Whiteboard markers Chalkboard Chalk Vacuum cleaner Pool table brush Olives Limes Maraschino cherries Corkscrew Ice tongs Straws and a million other things - literally. There are very definite limits for what can bring you income, but there are almost no limits on what expenses can emerge to bleed you white. And the above does not include the actual costs of company formation, work permit registration, etc. Anyone still interested in getting into the bar business??

Howdy, How do you access the FLB Special Price for Online Booking of the Residence Garden??? CRS setting in. Need a vacation in LOS. Ken Bower San Antonio Texas USA kenandlat@sbcglobal.net http://homepage.mac.com/mgnewman/KenLat/

Wizard, You can almost always find a game of darts at the Rising Sun Pub on Soi Yamato. Good eats there also. Ken and Rattana Bower http://homepage/mac.com/mgnewman/KenLat/

Good site Gabor, but also try this webpage: http://homepage.mac.com/mgnewman/KenLat/ Ken and Rattana Bower San Antonio Texas USA

I would love to see a Hungarian Restaurant in Pattaya and in San Antonio Texas as well. IF it is up and running by Oct/Nov, we will stop in for sure. Keep us posted. Also would love a Chek Restaurant both places. Ken and Rattana Bower San Antonio Texas USA

Thanks Gona, I have stayed at the Lek about 30 or the 35 trips to Pattaya. But the last time was in Oct 2000. I'll give them another try. Ken and Rattana Bower San Antonio Texas

Any member here stayed at the old or new wing of the Lek Hotel lately? I have stayed there on 29 of my 35 trips but just wondered if the new rooms are worth the extra baht and if they are still maintaining the old wing or are letting it degrade and putting all attention into the new wing? IF you have stayed there recently you can post your answer here or e-mail me bc. We are coming back to town Oct 19th but will be in Pattaya for the U-Tapao Group's First International Reunion which takes place in Pattaya and at U-Tapao RTNAB. We'll be staying at the Nova Lodge (which was one of only three hotels in Pattaya when most of our group were stationed with the US Military at U-Tapao "back in the day". It was the Nipa Lodge back then. When the group returns to the states, Lat and I and my cousin Gene Kendall plan to stay on for 17 more days and we thought we'd move back to the Lek if it is still maintained well. IF NOT, perhaps someone can recommend one of the new hotels that's up and running that has rooms under 700 baht/nite. We had an offer for a free room at Giligan's if they have vacancies on Nov 1-17 but do not want to count on staying there only to find they are ALL booked up for Nov. Ken and Rattana Bower kenandlat@sbcglobal.net

Pull up my webpage: http://www.geocities.com/armyairlift/Kenan...ndLat/links.htm There are about 200 Books on Thailand listed. I espacially enjoyed: TIPPAWAN: THE JOY OF MATH and AFTERMATH both by Jesse F. Gump. (Math is the lead female character in his books) Also always enjoyed Dean Barrett's works. He is a long time expat who has lived more years in Bangkok and Hong Kong that most members here have lived. You can buy his books at: http://www.archer-books.com/webcart/prod6.htm Ken Bower kenandlat@sbcglobal.net

Check our my webpage for listings of a couple of hundred good books. Most written about Thailand and other locations in Asia. http://www.geocities.com/armyairlift/Kenan...ndLat/links.htm IF you are interested on books about Pattaya try: TIPPAWAN: The Joy of Math and AFTERMATH Both are written by Jesse Gump. Math is the female lead charactor in these two books. Ken Bower kenandlat@sbcglobal.net

Sorry, the Ken and Lat's Thailand webpage URL is: http://www.geocities.com/armyairlift/Kenan...ndLat/links.htm

For those travelling from anywhere in the U.S. to Bangkok check out this URL. http://search.travel.yahoo.com/bin/search/...?dc=BKK&intl=us We have found it to be the cheapest fares there are on several searches. IF you want more Travel Info, check out our webpage: http://www.geocities.com.armyairlift/Kenan...ndLat/links.htm and then surf down past the Books on Asia part to the Travel Tips section. For those interested, if you scan down even more you will find a Favorite Websites section that might have some URL's of interest to you. I apologize in advance that there ARE some broken links and some misspellings that make it impossible to pull up a small percentage of the links but a friend put the webpage up for me and as he does it for a living, he doesn't have time to make corrections, additions, or deletions. Just trying to pass on all the info I have. Ken Bower kenandlat@sbcglobal.net

As a retired Army Sergeant, I enjoy being in town during Cobra Gold, Carat, and any other exercises or just when the "Fleet is in". Guess I share a bond with all military troops that some of the "punters" wouldn't understand. I'd rather break bread or have a drink with someone who is serving his country than someone who has never served I guess. I look forward to being in Pattaya all during this year's Cobra Gold. kenandlat@aol.com

We are confirmed at the Honey Hotel, Soi 19 Sukhumvit Rd. in Bangkok for our upcoming May trip. Was wondering if any of the group here have stayed there recently. Is it a good choice with me travelling with my wife? kenandlat

Am I the only one who really hates the new "improved" format. Oh how I miss the OLD format and the long threads that could be easily read to conclusion. Sure would like to hear from others that share my grief/beliefs that the OLD format was better. It may NOT change back even if we all agreed, but at least we could make sure our preference was acknowledged. Are you with me???? kenandlat@aol.com :'(