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Surely you don't mean that Pattaya beach is a quiet holiday by the sea, at least a quality one. It's gotten better over the years, brown water to actual green water, but I wouldn't put a foot in that water. Sure, go out to the islands and nice, Phuket is nicer and more expensive for the non-monger folks and mongers also too some extent. If a non-monger couple stays in Pattaya, the husband will either be disqusted or pretend to be, because the wife won't like the eye candy. As I said, first time American tourist usually don't like it except for the shopping they can do in BKK better.

Thanks, don't laugh too hard, but where is this place or did I not get the joke? Thanks

Have to agree, Pattaya is still a favorite of mine, as you say, a shithole with smelly sewers and may I add thieving/ scamming capital of Thailand, still love the buzz but I have been spending less time there as the years go by. I have much more fun running around Isaan, but you need to know some Thai most of the time. When I run into first time tourists that need help with directions in Pattaya, they are usually shocked and sweating their asses off (disappointed) in Pattaya. Then they asked me where I am from, I tell them Hawaii and they simply don't understand and say, what (figurati

I would agree with what you are saying. Certainly don't have as many stories as residents have, but have seen and heard enough from my TGF to know that you are right on! It seems that Torgue is living in a different world then most, surprising, since he supposedly has traveled the world and seen it all. I don't suppose he would accept an application to join Spanky and Alfalfa of the Little Rascals to join the "He Man Woman Hater's Club"?

Be even better if he mentioned the airline (United?) and maybe the cities?

My TGF's family has had parties for the dead and they usually need 9 monks at about 1000 baht each. What I saw when I visit the villlage was when some of the village folks would go to the little houses they set up for family spirits to pray and make merit, it usually went like this. The village women would buy all the fruit and drinks to leave at the little house, they would go to the houses and do their ceremonys. Some of the older men from the village would go too and sit in the back. The old men knew a good thing when they saw it. Well, the women would leave and old guys

I always go to the used book shop on the second floor of Tops, it's very convenient. Never been to Canterbury Tales Cafe, but will have to give that a try also.

I wouldn't pay it all up front either, just make some excuse that you only have enough baht to pay for 2 days, will pay the rest later and you don't use a credit card. I've never had a problem doing this in Pattaya. You don't say when you are going, just got back from Pats the end of July and Flipper on Soi 8 was the only hotel on Soi 8 that had their summer special signs out, something like pay for 4 nights get one free and so on. I would check that out. Stayed at the Eastiny Place last month, changed a little since I last stayed there years ago, some good, but mostly bad, so I am goin

I think England wanted to play Germany all along, that's why they finished second in their group. Unless England wakes up, I fear it will be 2-1 Germany.

Actually, Friedel and Keller are probably both still better then Howard, even though they are long retired from international competion and in the twilight of their careers. That would make our #3 GK the star. So who is it going to be in game 2, Hart or James?i

I'm sure you will want to forget the game regardless, embarrasing after all the build up on how good England is supposed to be. Man of the match has to be the English keeper. Expect to see that kind of mistake from an 8 year old, not a WC keeper. Certainly a wake up call for England, surely they will advance, but not sure how far they will go, after seeing their opening game.

I've been using China Airlines for over 10 years and they usually have the cheapest fares and best schedules to BKK from the west coast. As stated, their FF program has become shit this year and you will probably have trouble getting gold status and staying there. UAL is much better in this respect. The nice thing with CAL, is that you can change your return trip without a penalty. Used to be that CAL had high prices in the summer and lowered them in the middle of September until Novemeber, but this year is different. I check CAL's web site regularly and it seems they are offering p

BJ's is a decent location, but the rooms I saw had the Asian bathroom (small, you sit and shit and shower in the same space). Are all the rooms like that?

Thai websites back up? My TGF says that the Thai Rath (sp) website had an article about Thaksin being treated for cancer in Dubai. I haven't heard anything, anybody else? With all the activity going on, he has been kind of quiet lately.

DJ, thanks for clearing that up. I was last there in February and didn't hear any jack hammering, but can well imagine the noise would carry and echo very loudly. On my last visit there, the AC in the room they gave me was terrible. The room just stunk and they needed to clean the AC, but they wouldn't do a freakin thing and since they were booked, couldn't move me. I put up with it, since it was only a few days, but too bad about their attitude, they wouldn't do a thing. Sorry I can't be of any help to find another hotel, seems I have stayed at the same ones you listed. I can

Are you saying there was something wrong with the AC at the Sandy Springs, if so what? Maybe they will be done with whatever was causing the noise at the Sandy Springs, so not an issue? I will be interested to see what other hotels come up to meet the requirements you have.

I don't know if anyone can predict what is going to happen in Thailand in June with the Red Shirts, but if I was you, I would book the trip and head straight to Pattaya. I wouldn't think there would be any trouble down there. Other then being low season, a bit warm...well hot and maybe rainy, should be fine. There are no Thai holidays in June, so bars will be open every day. I'd say England shutting out the USA would be your biggest concern!

Some nice looking ladies, something for everyone! I haven't been in since it changed ownership either, will have to give it a visit and see. Good Luck and keep posting pictures! We can expect to see a bit more at the bar, right, or has it become a coyote type bar?

Just found out the nice 14 hour flight we have had on China Airlines from Honolulu to BKK is being cancelled after March 25th, so it's going to be back to the old 21 hour flight with a long layover in Taipei, also means higher prices going through Japan, lucky us. Sure hope they bring it back in the fall! I asked China Airlines what happened and was told they needed that plane for the new London to BKK flight starting March 28th and they didn't have any extra planes that could make the flight, so they cancelled the Honolulu flight. Does that make sense?

Haven't stayed there for a few years and never in the low rise, but from what I heard it wasn't all that great. They are probably going upscale market, now that the Central Festival is up and running next door. Do you really think the upscale Russians will stay there?

I've flown China Airlines many times RT from Honolulu to Bkk and no complaints. It's decent, the schedule is great, price is right and the flight attendants are not bad. Sounds like a good deal from LA for business class. I think they have two flights from LA. The one that leaves around midnight would be my choice, but is usually booked first. Have a good trip, whatever you decide.

Dr Mick, glad to hear you enjoy life up north, rainy season started yet? As far as using lemon grass, have you tried rubbing it on your skin like was posted? The Thai lemon grass we use is very sharp and will cut you (paper cuts) very easily! You have to be careful handling it. It does make excellent ice tea though!

That sounds like my buddy Gabor, not a bar girl.

--- Golf Poem In My Hand I Hold A Ball, White And Dimpled, Rather Small. Oh, How Bland It Does Appear, This Harmless Looking Little Sphere. By It's Size I Could Not Guess, The Awesome Strength It Does Possess. But Since I Fell Beneath Its Spell, I've Wandered Through The Fires Of Hell. My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same, Since I Chose To Play This Stupid Game. It Rules My Mind For Hours On End, A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend. It Has Made Me Yell, Curse And Cry, I Hate Myself And Want To Die. It Promises A Thing Called Par, If I Can Hit It Straight And Far. To

That would explain it. Also when I have looked at booking from BKK round trip to the USA, the fees and taxes in Thailand are over 5000 baht more then when booking the reverse.