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Chinese New Year is a good time to be in Pattaya! Parades, Dragons, firecrackers, drums, cymbals,.....noisy but fun. Lots of vendors in town and along Beach Road...many from northern Thailand. Big crowds, but good humored. I always look forward to the celebrations. The Thai-Chinese really enjoy the festivities, and as long as you like crowds...you will too! Roy

So.....what's the problem with Holiday Mansion? I have stayed there twice and had no problems. Roy

Emil, the Charming Inn has had the exterior painted...the same lousy color. Haven't been inside. I hope they are doing a decent renovation as the hotel was a bit....um....dated. The new hotel or whatever going up behind it has a loooong way to go. Poor construction materials and tortoise slow workers. The Mike Orchid Hotel addition is coming along nicely, though it will be some time before it is finished. Haven't quite finished closing it in yet, and the interior work will take some time, but it looks like it will match the first section, and that is good. I am sure good introductory prices will be offered when it does open. I would guess it will be late in'05 before it opens. Gonzo, the nearest Soi going from Beach Rd. to Second Rd. is Soi 3. Frankly, most taxis don't pay much attention to the one-way signs, and I am sure your taxi guy knows how to get there. Roy

Ah yes, fond memories...... Haven't stayed there in three years...since I met my Pattaya lady, but......oh the memories! Not fancy in those days, but always clean and with plenty of hot water. The breakfasts were great! I hope the coffee shop is still the good deal it used to be. Roy

Sabai Lodge is very good. And Khun Care is the manager. She and the entire staff are very helpful. My advice is to take the room. If you don't like it change to another as others become available. About Mike Beach Resort on Soi 4. Yes, it's a good hotel. HOWEVER, the derelict skeleton of a hotel adjacent has finally been taken over by a company that is busy finishing it as a condominium. The noise is terrible for those in the Mike Beach Hotel. I am in a condo on the other side of Soi 4 so am not bothered. I feel sorry for those in the hotel. And the noise continues into the night. Roy

Good prices. Awkward location unless you have wheels....which I don't recommend. The furnishings are unpredictable as they are furnished to the owners taste, or lack of it. If you are looking for long term rental, the prices can be quite attractive. Roy

I have mine done at the Konica shop in the Big C shopping mall. Have had good service...even when making enlargements. And they have the "camera cards." Roy

Don't worry about the rain. No monsoon in Pattaya. Sure, it might rain a bit each day but it's no big deal. And usually by Nov. 1 some God or other turns the rain switch to the OFF position And, after all, it's only water! Roy

I have today booked a trip from Washington DC roundtrip from Oct. 4 to Dec. 2 for $845. I also booked a trip from Jan. 4 '05 to April 3 for the same price. That price is cheaper than my last trip which was $920. All prices included tax. If some agent is jumping the price on you...you need a new agent. Roy

That's Mike Orchid, not Orchard. Looks like a nice place. The Mike Beach Resort is an up-dated and modernized version of the old "U" Hotel which was poorly run by the owner, a real ass-hole of a Japanese guy. I stayed there for several trips until his manager moved on and the owner decided he could manage it and save the salary of a manager. Nearly came to blows with that guy. Was glad to hear he lost the hotel and the Mike people bought it. They really did a good job with the renovation, but it sounde like the bathrooms didn't have much done. Good sized rooms and a great location. Last I heard they were getting 600 Baht. I think a good buy. Ah yes, great memories of staying there, until the manager moved on..... Roy

I agree that no shots are necessary. Tetanus shot is good to have even in your home country. I have met several newly married couples and one couple on their honeymoon here. The guys smiled a lot, and the ladies said, "Big mistake!" But if you have been here before you should know where to go and where not to go. And if your wife has a sense of humor and adventure you should have a good time. Roy

Yes, become a member. This is a subject I will reply to. Roy

Yeah, you have to get up too damn early. I think I will stay in the air-conditioning and have a horizontal marathon....whenever I wake up. Roy

Thanks, Shellman, for straightening me out on this one. Goes to show you what can happen when you just repeat what you have heard from others but have had no first hand info. Thankfully I don't have to contend with the bureaucracy where a job is concerned. I don't have one! And I will keep it that way. Work. Just another four-letter word! Roy

I can't help you find a job, but want to caution you to get a work permit promptly when you do find the job. If you are discovered working without the permit, you go to jail, then you are deported and blacklisted so you cannot return. Harsh? Maybe so. But that's reality in Thailand. Roy

Keith, that's a bull shit program designed only to lighten your wallet. It will create blood circulation problems big time just for starters. Diet and exercise....its the only healthy way. Roy

A short time rental for 165 B a night? I don't think I would want to stay there, and I have been known to be more adventurous than most. Jan, just get here and then have a look around. There are cheap rooms advertised all along Soi Buakow. Some of the buildings look pretty grim, however. Good luck! Roy

This subject comes up every few months. The best advice is: DON'T RIDE A BIKE IN PATTAYA! I have ridden all over the US, but had an accident in Pattaya. Had to go to a hospital for stitches on the head and an elbow. The drivers are nuts! No matter how good you think you are, there are idiots out there. In my case it was a Thai gal driving a BMW and not paying attention to what was going on around her. Roy

JML, there are tons of excellant restaurants here. I suggest you ask him where he would like to go. I am sure he knows by now all the good ones. And it will guarantee a good experience for you and your guy also. The seafood here is outstanding! Roy

A good place to stay, and good location. BUT...major construction almost next door. Will probably be going on for a year. If you can get a room on the Second Rd. side you probably would be OK. Just don't pay in advance so you can have options if the noise is objectionable. Roy

Pattaya is the place for newbies. If you don't like it you can always move to Jomtien. It is quieter there. You came to Thailand for quiet? Good advice above. A compromise hotel to the Flipper hotels would be my favorite, the Sabai Lodge on Soi2. Great pool, helpful staff, near beer bars and soapies and the Big C for shopping. But by comparison to anything on Sois 7 and 8 it is quiet. Also, take a look in the Hotel Reviews section. A ton of info there. Roy

Are you asking about Pattaya Centre Hotel on Soi 12? If so, please check Hotel Reviews. I stayed there several years ago with no problem, but I understand a new owner took over since then. Chinese tour groups also use the hotel. Roy

How about "Black Magic Woman"?

Here's one for the farang women: "I got along before I met you, I can get along without you now." Roy

The prices for any place to live are driven by amenities and location. For what I paid for my studio condo where I can walk to the beach, shopping, and "stuff" I could have bought a three bedroom 2 bath house away from town. Of course then you have to deal with transportation to the beach, shopping, and "stuff." The same principle is true for rentals. Have a look in the classified section of the Pattayamail.com website. You will find some rentals are being handled by their owners. When you get here pick up a copy of the Pattaya Trader which is full of info. It's OK to deal with a real estate office, though I agree you need to do some homework first. Those people, after all, are the ones with the most listings. Besides, talk is cheap, so go into a few offices and pick their brains. Roy