Daveuk

My first visit to Pats was in 2001 with a pal who I had previously visited Spanish resorts - ie Benidorm, Lloret etc. We had heard rumours of Thailand and the Thai girls so on one fateful evening in a pub we decided to give it a go and booked flights on British Airways from Manchester to Bangkok via Heathrow. On the plane we got chatting to a guy who we gathered was an experienced monger and who obviously could see our inexperience. He enquired as to where we were heading for. This was before the internet was in full operation. We told him “Bangkok” to which he asked “what are you going for “

When in Thailand I read The Times 7 days a week on my IPad for which I pay a very reasonable online subscription. It’s available to download at about 10 am and have pretty well the same content as the paper edition.

Very funny Seriously I have in the past enjoyed cycling around the countryside from Pattaya. Where can bikes be hired ?

I arrive in Pats next week I have been told the place is very busy. Is this true ?

Spent 2 weeks at Areca . Check out 1 September. Stayed in the Corona building. Some noise after 8 am but not too bad. Was not an issue for me. Two nice pools and a small gym. Good 4* hotel.

Yes the boat trip to Koh Larn is a good option with a girl. However this time of year there is the risk of rain storms and rough sea. Girls from Isaan have no sea legs and sea sickness is torture for them. Very nice in good weather however, particularly if they wear a skimpy bikini.

Rooms are large and very plain but everything works. Aircon, efficient electric shower. Tv. Cleaning good. Wifi weak at times Good location near bars and Gogol, yet no noise in rooms. Small pool I would stay there again. Reservation advisable in high season.

Opposite the entrance to the Big Buddha area is a rudimentary gym used by the motor bike taxi men. In addition to wights they also have a Couple of punch bags. This area is possibly te best area for running in Pattaya having a circuit of about 1.4 Km which is traffic free. It benefits from being shaded by the trees and sometimes has a cooling breeze. I have run there at all times of the day although its practically deserted until about 4 pm. I try to do 6 laps in under an hour.

I think this must be the fitness trail in the park on pratumak hill where is situated the Big Budha. There is a series of apparatus where you can exercise in various ways such as sit ups and pull ups. Also in the evenings you see quite a few joggers running round the trails.

Yes but Manchester > Bangkok always seems to involve a long wait in Doha !

I've just had a quote for 3 implants from my dentist here in England - £5000 i.e. 80,000 baht each.

Some people like the bus as they believe it is safer. I must say I have been in Thai taxis going at 85 mph about 5 feet from the vehicle ahead, no functioning seat belt and only a few buddha images to protect me.

I paid about 2000 baht for 2 weeks at Tony's Sportworld - which I felt was rather expensive bearing in mind they offer one years membership for about 7000. However its a very good gym with excellent equipment and you do get the use of the swimming pool. After my 2 weeks with Tony I went regularly to the Universe on Sukumvit Road. This only costs 80 baht a visit and as a gym its nearly as good as Tonys. I did have a motor-bike so the trip to Universe was not a problem, but by baht bus it might be a little awkward. Dont bother with the Tony Gym on Soi Buakow - its has no air-conditioning and t

I've hired motor bikes many times in Pattaya during my regular trips and have been stopped by the cops 3 times:- 1. Going wrong way down Soi 2 - thats very tempting as the alternative is to Beach Road and then back up on Soi 3. Cop took my keys and said I would have to go to Soi 9 to pay the fine - 300 baht. As an alternative he offered to settle for 600 with a motor-bike taxi man taking the fine. This I accepted. Soi 2 / Soi3 is a happy hunting ground for one particular cop - he never fails to collect a few fines very day. 2. Stopped on Beach Road. Cops examined the details under the bi

You will see the large Jomtien Condominium from the Beach Road, maybe half a mile from the turn left at the police station, approximately Soi 11. There are barriers but the attendants give vistors passes. Timbo's and the Sports Bar are close together on the ground floor and are part of a row of bars, shops and restaurants.