SunnyValentine

Should not be a problem these days to find a condo with broadband, or at least the possibilty to have it installed. But definitely double-check on this before you sign a contract, as there are some areas in town where the available ASDL lines are already used up. Do a board search here also, this topichas been covered quite often! Sunny

I used to stay in Royal Asia quite often, but after they raised their prices from 890 to 1090 Baht (and did not bother to tell me upon my reservation or check in) I decided to leave them alone. The rooms are ok for the price, a little shabby but ok. Forget the restaurant. No problems with guests. I liked the location, and the 24 hour Tuktuk was a nice idea. It is about 10 Minutes Walking into the Soi. Now I stay most times at the Grottino. I love it! Perfect, although with 1700 Bt it is also in another price class! Sunny

Well, 40000 PST is definitely enough for the investment. But I suggest you first live here in Pattaya for at least half a Year, and only then decide if you want to do it. Talk to some barowners, try to also get some independent information from other sources, and then make up your mind. Sunny

Haven't checked the rates for a few days now, but with the following ballpoint figures you can't go wrong: 1 PST is 70 - 75 Bt (rather 70 now) 1 Euro is 49-51 Bt 1 US Dollar is around 40 Bt Sunny

Stayed there recently. It's ok, the rooms are a bit on the older side, but for around 1000 Bt ok. I like the restaurant, Breakfast quite good, and free wireless Internet thrown in was a definitive bonus for me. I will consider it again next time in Bangkok, but I rather try to get the Swiss Grottino. Sunny

And: Where do they play? Sunny

View Talay 1 is now over 5 Years old, and unfortunately you can see and feel that. VT2 was built later, and seems to be in a much better shape. But one can find nice Condos in both these Buildings. I rented studios and 1BR appartments in VT2 for 2 or 3 month last Year, and have to say I kind of liked it, although not to the extent of wanting to buy into it. It is quite easy to understand why there are so many available on the market: VT1 is 2 buildings, 14 floors each, and around 60 studio units in each floor. Makes around 840 studios, or maybe 600 individual units (as there are some 2 or

Suites in Grand President or the Novotel Lotus are ok for your purpose and within your budget. Maybe you also might want to consider Swiss Grottino (do a search on this forum and/or look it up in the Hotel reviews.) Great small hotel with excellent rooms for 1700 a night. Sunny

I have my doubts that any DVD player for sale in Thailand is not Multi-Region. That said, you should rather buy the small player here (shop around at the Soi Buakao Market, the Naklua Market, the Thepprasit Road market, and of course the big Supermarkets) in order to bring it back to the states than other way round. In general, the illegitimate DVDs are all region free, but most of them are PAl and not NTSC. (Exceptions to this rule are many, though). Most if not all DVD Players bought in Europe, Asia, Australia or elsewhere are capable of both the NTsc and the PAL format. Only in America (

You can buy one 1500 - 2000 Bt. (Carrefour, Big C, markets ...). Doesn´t make much sense to rent. Also makes a nice impression (Jai Dee Maak Maak) for your friend when you present her this gift on your last day ..... Sunny

When you rent a condo or house, you can have them install it for you. You need some papers from the landlord, and the installation fee is around 9000 Bt. (including 2000 Bt deposit that will be returned at the end of the equipment lease.) Minimum Period is I think 6 month (could even be less, I am not sure. I have just received UBC at my new bar, cheaper installation (promotion) and had to sign for 6 month minimum in order to get the promotion price.) Monthly costs around 1500 Bt. Check out more details at Ubc Homepage (in English) Sunny

Most internet cafes should allow you to plug in your Notebook. There are more and more Hotels and Guesthouses currently upgrading to WiFi or wired in-room Internet, some for free, some charge around 100 Bt. A Search in this forum will definitely help you find more info, as this topic comes up regularly here every month or so .... Sunny

Grand President was great value for the mini-suite two years ago for 1000 Bt when you stay more than one week. They doubled their prices since then ... forget it now. Grottino is my recommendation if the 1700 a night price is ok for you. Sunny

Well, Burger King is definitely cheaper, so for the Cheap Charlies the verdict is clear! Sunny

Few Days ago I decided to try the Bourbon Street Hotel in Bangkok for a few Days. I mailed them my reservation, and that"s what I got back: Dear Mr. Valentine, Thank you very much for choosing at Bourbon St. We have room available as your inquiry dates and booked your reservation on Aug 4-6, 2005. Would you like to confirm you reservation? Kindly please send us your credit card number (Only Visa or MasterCard), name, and expiration date of credit card to confirm your reservation via e-mail, telephone(662-259-0328) or Fax.(662-259-4318) May we know your arriving time to chec

I drive past it almost every day on my way from Jomtien to South Pattaya. I never see any light, or open doors, looks rather closed to me. It is located on Pratamnak Road, near Soi Marine Plaza, so the location is quite alright for those who want to stay close to Walking Street. I have seen it offered for sale at an incredible high price some month ago in some ads. Sunny

Be very careful in comparing these figures. The deal with BUPA here in Thailand is that they are your only medical insurance, as opposed to a travel insurance upgrade for your already existing insurance back home. So, those of you who consider a loooong holiday in Thailand, while still keeping their house, insurance and tax responsibility valid back home, a travel insurance from a company back home is the way to go. Those of us who decide to live permanently in LOS and therefore loose the medical insurance cover from back home, should take a look at BUPA Thailand. Sunny

You should be ok with that, no need to reregister; unless of course the TG cancels the registration. (Don't know if this is possible; I guess she can declare the SIM stolen or lost, though.) Sunny

Policies like the ones offered by BUPA make sense only when you have no insurance in your home country, i.e. for expatriates. For those who come here on a long trip, but still have valid health insurance at home, there are other possibilities like travel insurance with world wide cover, as Shit happens has stated correctly. Wether you pay upfront and get reimbured later, or the insurance hadles everything first hand, is depending on a lot of issues, including the hospital. This might happen with all kinds of insurance .... Sunny

There are several insurance policiea available for farangs in Thailand. BUPA-Blue cross is probably the best known, a 1 Year contract will cost you between 15000 and 50000 Bt a Year, depending on your age, condition, and maximal amount of coverage. here's their Webpage with Details. Sunny

Well, right now there's the expected confusion all over town about this. When you buy a new (Thai provider) Sim Card, you are supposed to be asked for ID card. For foreigners, a Passport should do it. Well, that's theory. In practise you might find shops that sell you a SIM when you promise them to come back to them to register once they got the forms. Others ask you to write down your Passport data on a piece of papers. Others tell you to come back next week ..... In case you already have a Thai Sim Card you are supposed to register until the end of this year as long as you promise not to u

Just checked my Sophon channels: No english speaking Sports, but 1 arabian, 1 chinese and one thai. Enjoy! :frustrated Sunny

Very hard (but not totally impossible) to find what you're looking for in your price bracket and location. No problem to find a nice 2BR or 3BR house West of Sukhumvit for 10000 or so, but I fully agree with your feeling about the problems with that area (also the biggest water shortage problems there, I keep hearing.) A 1 BR condo for 12000 is hard to find, you might be lucky at Majestic Condo or some other not-too-fancy buildings between Jomtien Beach Road and Sukhumvit; or find a Thai style Condo (upgraded BG retreat) in one of the Sois between Walking Street and Pratunam. These Condos ar

Matador, I too prefer to deal on the board rather than by PM ..... When someone posts an entry named "Roof Garden Inn is the best I found", I would expect him to have actually stayed there and reports what he has seen and experienced. By reading you post (difficult, as you had the caps on ...) I found out that you have never been there, just had some 2nd hand information. Now, I myself have never stayed at Roof Garden Inn, but some friends did, and they reported much more mixed feelings. The location is a bit out of the way, fine for someone who is familiar with Pattaya, but definitely

Also weird that he tries to pimp the Roof Garden Hotel and then admits never ever been there ...... Troll