Daveuk

Thanks Tom for your excellent advice. P.S. George has booked a few weeks ago but I was not sure of my commitments. We still owe you a drink from last time !!!!!!! Regards Emil - No the marathon is out this year - I'm still receovering from last year's half marathon !!!. I've put on a few pounds since then. Just a gentle job up and down Beach Road is the most I will manage (I wonder if the promenade is still full of holes)

I can see a window of opportunity opening for me to make a trip late July or early August. However prices Manchester > Bangkok seem very high (Around £700). Are they likely to come down a bit as we approach the period ? Anyone got any ideas ?

Chris - Arriving in 3 weeks ? My self and my pal George arrive 4 March. George is into seafishing and is also wondering about possibilities. I have already had some good advice from a member of this board (Hilly) which not favourable - i.e. the fishing is a bit sparse. However he has said that he will give me an update after a planned trip. Dave

Tom - Regarding the Sabai Inn. How did you make your reservation ?. I have checked their web-site and see that there is a form to complete with credit card etc. Also the site mentions a "Hot Deal" for which the rate quoted for a "double room" (what does that mean - aren't all rooms doubles ?) is 1120 including American Breakfast. Valuing the breakfast at say 120 baht the room price is 1000, although I'm sure we will not want to have breakfast there every day. I'm not so sure this price is "Hot". I'm a little reluctant to quote my credit card in this way. In the past I've made reservations

I've just been quoted: Manchester > Bangkok Out Thursday 3 March Back Sunday 20 March 1. With Thai Air via Heathrow £456 inc taxes etc Westeast Travel 2. Emirates via Dubai £518 inc taxes etc Airline Network Have book Emirates. Had good experience with them in the past. The break half way through the flight suits me better than the long London > Bangkok leg. Tom: Sounds like we are in town at the same time. I'm with George (A Pattaya Newbie). Are you staying at the Sabai Inn ? - we intend to make a reservation there. Dave

Tom Very interested in that fare you quote Qatar Air £348 + tax. About £400 ? Do I understand that you got this by telephoning them direct ? Their manchester number for reservations is stated as 0161-435-6058 on their site. I will try and sort my trip out in the next couple of days. Thanks Dave

I stayed in the Sabai Inn for nearly 3 weeks in July/August, and would certainly stay there again. I did not make a reservation but did a walk-in or should I say a "limp in" as I had just run the marathon on 18 July. I think the price was 800 with an extra 100 for the superior rooms. The porter showed me both types of room, which looked identical to me, and wispered in my ear "all room same", so I took the standard option. In July/August the price did include an afternoon cup of tea/coffee and a cake (I'm always one for a freeby !) My room was large and comfortable, with a window, and came wi

Thanks Wagger - Thats a hell of a good price. I've just checked them for March Manchester > Bkk at £421. May book it - need to talk to pal and also check holiday situation at work

Hi - I have travelled to Bkk via Dubai on a number of occasions, but have never heard of this lounge. All my trips have been in economy so I have not had access to any of the numerous lounges at this airport. I would say that Dubai is a very comfortable airport to wait for your connecting flight. There are several areas where you can find a reclining seat and have a snooze (I've always set my alarm to make sure I do not miss my flight). To buy drinks and meals etc you need to buy Dhirans, the currency of the Emirates, but you can buy small amounts quite cheaply. A 3 hour wait is not really a

I stayed there last year - Its OK for the money, but the extra you pay for one of the larger Soi7/8 is worth it. Mind you over Christmas/New Years things are different.

I've stayed at the Nana several times, but did not know there was a pool !. Must visit it next time to take in the scenery !.

2 alternatives for the bus Airport > Pattaya 1. Take the airport bus to Sukumvit Road and get off at Ekamai Bus Station.. From there you can get a bus to Pattaya from 6 am to about 9 pm. They run very frequently and are reasonable comfortable. Say 1 hour airport > Ekamai and 2.5 hours Ekamai > Pattaya. Fates are about 200 baht in total. 2. Take Taxi from Airport to Morchit bus station. Its much closer than Ekamai. Then bus to Pattaya. Say 200 taxi and 100 for bus. Hours of operation are not quite as extensive as Ekamai. In both cases when you arrive at Pattaya bus station

I thought it was Chang Mai. i.e. Bangkok, Korat, Chang Mai

I stayed at the Apex for a few days last year. I assure you the extra 200 baht to stay at for example the Eastiny Place Soi 8 is very much money well spent compared with the 500 baht for the Apex Room. You can of course eat in the restaurant whereever you stay.

Olympic Size ?. Is this 50 metres in length like the one for the games in Athens ? Nothing like this in Pattaya as far as I know. Not many in the world for that matter. Pattaya Park is probably the largest pool in the area, but is an irregular shape not suited for excercise swimming. The best hotel pool for swimming lengths as opposed to just splashing around IMO is the one at the Eastiny Place hotel (Soi 8). Its about 20 m and rectangular in shape so is good for keeping fit. I have stayed there a few times and most mornings I made a habit of swimming for about half an hour, then returning

Most INTERESTING ways in my opinion in order of preference are:- 1. Take taxi from airport to Morchit bus station (about 100 baht) then bus to Pattaya (about 90 baht) Then baht bus to your hotel. No Problems and very cheap. Maybe 3.5 hours. Usually lots of girls on the bus - try to chat to them !. 2. Take A3 airport bus to Ekamai bus station (100 baht). then bus to Pattaya (95 baht then baht bus to hotel. Rather longer than 1., but you have the option of staying overnight in the Suk road area, enjoying the nightlife and travelling next day to Pty. Ekamai is on the rapid transit system

Best place is a shop called Candy on second road opposite Thai Military Bank. Its next to a travel agent as I recall. I bought a load of the new red England shirts in April. Low price and good quality.

Carl - I dont understand what you are trying to say !. I ran the half marathon then participated FULLY in the normal Pattaya recreations - see my race report. Now up to 12 LT and 10 ST. "Snickers" - whats that ? Chocolate Bar ?

There is a gym at the Royal Garden with aircon and plenty of equipment. Its a high class place and rather more expensive than the Universal.

Well I finished but it was a bit of a struggle !. The first few miles were Ok but the heat got to me and I slowed down badly along the Jontien seafront and up the hill into Pattaya. It was rather a strange experience running along walking street past FLB at 7 am !. My time was just over 2 hours. My run was not helped my some hassle prior to the race from a TG who wants to marry me and who I terminated. Oh well - all part of the Thailand Experience I was impressed by the race organisation - easy registration, which included a tee shirt and bag. Timing was by microchip and there was plenty of

Yep I',m here - I've entered at the City Hall 1000 baht !. Pick up number and tee shirt tomorrow at Royal Garden. I've been out for a training run this morning and was tired at 8 Km due to the heat, so how I will complete 21 Km I'm not sure, although I have a young lady in support on the course. It starts early Sunday morning so no beer for me tomorrow night. If any of you guys like to see suffering - just watch the marathon !. I will write a report if and when I finish.

Thanks Cyber - The River Kwai event looks possible for me !. Right - where's my kit - I need to get out for some training, or the pattaya half may be a disaster. You finished the full marathon 4 times ? Thats impressive !. What happened in the 2 you dnf ?

Thanks cybers1b for that link, which gave me the information I needed. It looks like I will be able to enter the day I arrive - 14 July. If I am able to finish I think it will have added a new dimension to my appreciation of Pattaya. If things get really tough a mid-race massage maybe possible.

Ebookers have KLM at £511 depart 7/9/04 Return 28/9/04 Try www.ebookers.co.uk www.expedia.co.uk

I've stayed at the Apex. The cost was about 500. IMO the extra 250 or so to stay at say the Flippers, Eastiny, Eastiny Place is well worth it !.