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Daveuk

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Posts posted by Daveuk

  1. 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 “. The answer was to fuck girls and drink beer. In a micro second he replied “you need to go to Pattaya” following which he gave full instructions to complete the journey and reach paradise.

    The taxi pulled into Pats and the driver enquired “hotel” to which we replied words to the effect of “no have - you find” . He drove up Soi 7 with us looking google-eyed at the bars and girls but could not find a vacancy there but a couple of rooms were obtained nearby at the Little Duck Hotel  just off Second Road. Whilst checking In I remember cautiously enquiring about being able to be joined by our girlfriends as if we had already acquired them. The reply was positive so we embarked without unpacking for our first foray into the unknown ending up at the Tim Gogo, where said girlfriends were obtained. Our lives had been altered for ever and now 18 years later I still go to Pats but my pal only made a couple more visits, but we still talk about the fun we had long ago in 2001.

     

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  2. 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.

  3. 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 the equipment is poor.

  4. 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 bike seat and told me that the tax had not been paid. Fined 600 at Soi 9. This was re-imbursed by Direk Motots (Recommended) on Soi Buakhow who rented me the bike.

    3. Not having a drivers licence at Dolphin Roundabout. I showed them my UK licence but was told "No Good". Fined 400 baht payable at a kiosk.

     

    In 8 years I feel that this is OK and have no complaints. The snag about going to Soi 9 to pay fines is that there is sometimes a long wait.

  5. 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.

  6. During my last couple of trips I visited the NP several times for a drink in the Jane bar. It was usually in the early evening prior to proceeding up Soi Buakhow for an hour or three in Oasis or Club Blu. I liked the contrast - cheap beer and older girls and then more classy and sexy.

  7. My answer to the higher Nationwide charges and the fee from the Thai ATM's was to take the bulk of the money I anticipated spending in cash. I know this could be risky but during the outward journey I placed it in a secret pocket within my small backpack, which I had in my possession the whole time. On arrival in Pats the balance I did not immediately cash went into the safe to be cashed when required.

    Bit rediculous to have to use this method but I hate being ripped off by the various banks.

  8. I went to Jomtien yesterday intending to join the ride, but I just couldnt find the venue. Mentioned earler was Jomtien Condominium at the junction of the Beach Road and Soi 11. I couldnt see a Sports Bar there and nobody I asked knew about a bike shop. What does the Jomtien Condo look like ?. Can you give me precise directions for next time. Maybe I'm a bit slow !.

  9. I have hired motor-bikes for about 6 years now in Pattaya of the 125cc class.I just need transport and not the thrills of a big bike. Not had any problems so far (Am I tempting fate ?). I would just like to give these small items of advice to new bike riders.

     

    1. When hirring the bike check its condition and take a photo if there is any existing damage. This helps if they try to charge you when returning it. Important to have the tyre pressures checked and again each week. Make sure the helmet is not old and filthy as you can pick up head lice from previous users. Make sure you have a card with the phone number in case of problems.

    2. Take it very easy to begin with till you are familiar with the controls and the traffic. Do a little riding on quieter roads.

    3. Note exactly where you park the bke - there are hundreds like it - its not unknown for bikes to be "lost"

    4. Dont leave the key in the ignition - its easy to do and an invitation to have it stolen. Dont drop the key when you are near the kerb, as pattaya has a lot of slotted drain covers with horrble sludge underneath into which the key can fall. A key fob which will help to avoid the above.

    5. Dont "lend" your bike to your girlfriend - they will often ask to borrow it to go back to the loom.

    6. Wear sunglasses or goggles as the atmosphere on Pattaya's main routes is very poluted and sometimes dusty and it can irritate your eyes.

    7. Avoid Sukumvit Road with its fast traffic.

    8. Better to avoid riding in the rain or at night.

    9. If in front of the queue when waiting for the traffic lights to change, dont immediately accelerate away as many Thais run the lights when they are changing. Just hang back a little.

    10. Watch out for young farangs on powerfull bikes that they cannot control.

  10. Thanks guys for your replies

    I'm not sure about opening a Thai bank account - is this appropriate for just staying 4 weeks on holiday ?

    Say I bring £3000 in travellers cheques. These will cost me £3045 together with the 1.5% charge. Say I get 48 baht per £1 (maybe I'm being optimistic here). The £45 charge therefore costs me 2160 baht. This compares with 4500 baht for using ATM's. Can you get trav cheques cheaper than this in the UK ?. But what charges do you get for cashing the cheques in Pattaya and is the exchange rate the same as you get at an ATM ?.

    Makes me realise what a hell of a good deal the Nationwide Card was !.

  11. For some years I have been obtaining the bulk of my Thai Baht with my Nationwide card. However the advantage of using this card has been substantially reduced particularly from 1 November when both Nationwide and the Thai bank will make a charge.

    I am wondering taking enough sterling to change into baht to cover the majority of my month's cash requirement.

    I appreciate that there would be the risk of robbery or loss, but that would be relatively low as I would keep the money in my possession during the journey and whilst in Pats I would keep it in a room-safe.

    Say I need 150,000 baht for 4 weeks. My usual method would be to take this out with approx 15 ATM withdrawals, which would now cost me about 300 baht each, so 4500 baht in total.

    Assuming the ATM and Pound cash exchange rate is the same, this would be a reasonable saving.

    Any comments ?

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