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Will arrive about midnight on 11 May. Share taxi? Roy

Maybe the airlines should designate a "Fatties Section." That way they could sit next to each other so they can share diet information. Roy

Don't worry about it. So it rains....hell, its only water! Pattaya doesn't get the full effect of the monsoon season as Pattaya is SE of BKK. The monsoon tracks from the SW (which includes Phuket) and heads NW. The lower edge catches BKK, so you will hear of flooding there. The monsoon soaks the NE which is the main rice growing area of Thailand. Pattaya may have rain for an hour or two each day, but its no big deal. So you get stuck in a bar. Thats bad? So you get wet going back to the hotel. You are going to shower anyway. Mai pan rai. Roy

This time of year there should be no problem by just walking in. However, if you arrive a 2:00 AM or so you might not be able to negotiate as well. Usually the night staff people have even less command of English, and the manager is not there for serious negotiation. If you are a late arrival, I suggest that you do as suggested above and reserve a room for the first night or two. That way you can do a search at your leisure. Roy

Sorry, Babe... I guess I was more affected by the smart-ass comments and so reacted. Entertainment? Not for me. Why did Gibson make it? Well....he sure seems to be making money on it. Supposedly he was motivated by his past, and when you have the dough you can make any kind of money you like. As it turns out the public thinks it's a winner. Roy

I just re-checked the postings in this thread. Nope....NOBODY posting has seen the film. It damn sure is making a ton of money, though. Roy

Lots of talk, but....has anybody actually seen the film? Not me. I'm not into that stuff. Roy

The short answer is.....yes. Most places will also accept the blade type plug.

You come to Pattaya for the view of the beach? If so, go to the beach and sit under an umbrella for awhile. Works for me. Roy

Every year someone panics because of "Cobra Gold" or "the Navy's coming to town." Really, its no big deal! The young guys have a ball with the little money they have to spend. They have all been cautioned by their commanders concerning behavior. Buy them a beer or so. They will be some of the nicest young people you have ever met. Roy

You could go to someplace like the Big C and buy a hot plate. But you better hide it when you leave your room. I suspect the management might object if they knew you had it. And when you leave you could just make a present of it to your current tirac. I used a "hot pot" a few times just so I could make coffee, tea, or soup in the room. Worked out great. Roy

Yes, the signing of that "piece of paper" has signalled the end of many a good relationship. But.....there I go being cynical again. Roy

"Once bitten, twice shy." I damn sure can relate to that! How about, " Twice bitten, all fucked up!" My Thai lady is the best thing that has happened to me, but....... I am afraid that getting married will just complicate things. I have two daughters in the US, and grandchildren. I don't want to complicate things for them legally upon my death. Have discussed all that with my tirac and there is no problem. I have a Thai will which leaves my assets in Thailand to my Thai "wife". Due to the scars I have from my failed marriages, this also gives me a way out if things with my Thai wife go bad. We have been together now for over two years. So far things just get better and better. In all due respect to her, however, women are weird! They often change. I pray that does not happen here, but because of the memory I have of what happened before, I need to know I have a way to end things without being ruined financially. Yes, I am still carrying some scars from what happened before. Maybe one day the scars will heal....? Roy

It worked for me! And now my intelligence is exceeded only by my modesty!

Not a problem. In fact the work on the addition is almost completed. The addition was added to the east end of the property where the tailor shops, Sunny's Travel and Internet, and the foot massage place was. The old building was torn down last year I agree the Sabai Lodge is a great place. I stayed there for five trips to Pattaya before getting my little condo. Roy

It's good to see that some have had good experiences with real estate agents. But be VERY careful. Many are sharks or barracudas. Be especially careful if buying land, with or without a house on it. You can't own it in your name. The Thai law makes it complicated.....so be damn sure you have someone reliable, and then still double check. Roy

Jack, why don't you just lock your valuable in your suitcase? My checked luggage is a hardside suitcase with a key lock as well as a combination lock. I have never had a problem in nearly 11 years of coming to Thailand. Roy

Concerning the work on Soi 4, at first I thought the new construction was for yet another hotel. But no. Looks like the Mike Orchid Resort will be triple the size of the original building alone. No pile drivers as the pilings are being poured, not driven, thank God. The noise will start when the cement work is finished and the interior work begins. The contractor is VERY slow, so look for about a year and a half before the project is finished. GREAT location, however. The finished part of the "Resort" is very attractive, but have not seen the rooms. And they are renting. Don't know the cost. Roy

The only hotel that tried the fee on me was the Nova Lodge. So I paid in cash. Had a gold shop try it once also. Often, if you ask for the "fee" to be itemized on the bill they will refuse. Frankly, I don't want the hassle when I go home dealing with the CC card company to get charges removed. Roy

Looks like a good price. I last stayed there two years ago and paid 800 B. I forgot to mention in my earlier post that the manager told me an exercise room, or "Spa" was to be included in the expansion. Roy

It has been said the place is fully booked. Sure does not look like it. I guess they are having growing pains. The Mike Orchid Resort has rented out a few rooms as I have seen farangs with luggage going in and out. I don't think the swimming pool is finished, though. The "Mike" people are building yet another hotel, this one right next door to the Bella Villa whatever. Not much noise yet...but wait a bit. They are pouring cement for pilings now, with heavy construction soon. Looks like a big one! I walk by there almost every day as my condo is on Soi 4. Fortunately I will be insulated from the noise as I am on the beach side of the condo. A big reason for the tour buses on Soi 4, particularly in the evening, is that the Chinese tour groups pack the Alcazare joint every evening. When the shows are over the buses fill up and take off! Soi 4 is a convenient cut-through for the buses to get to Beach Rd. Roy

No problem...just stay in the older section. The Lodge is expanding toward 2nd Rd. The new area is far enough away from the original section that I am sure there are no problems. The new part of the hotel took the place of the two tailor shops, Sunny's Internet, and the foot massage shop. Tore down the old, and building back new. Roy

Sorry, DDawg, but I don't agree. If you have a problem here then.....leave?

Yes. still one way. According to the newspapers it will stay that way. A new FREE bus service has just started, however, and it goes AGAINST the one way(?) traffic from the Dolphin circle to Pattaya Klang. The bus then goes to Beach Rd, then down to South Pattya RD., turns north on 2nd Rd and goes to the Dolphin circle where it turns up North Pattaya Rd. At some point it makes a U turn near City Hall and returns to Dolphin Circle. It's a "real" bus with airconditioning. And FREE...at least for now. I haven't worked out where the hell the bus stops are, though. Will give it a try tomorrow. The new service was started on the 14th. Only in Thailand. A bus, allowed to go the "wrong" way against the traffic on second rd. How long before a head on crash do you think? No changes on Beach Rd. Only closed to traffic on Walking Street, and then only at night. Roy

Don't waste your time. They are expensive, don't smile, and are not looking for a "boyfriend experience." Thai ladies are GREAT! Roy