puaa

Anybody know where all the Mehkong went?

where's Maxie's?

Warning about Eastiny on soi 8. The older part of the hotel is cheaper, but as of a couple of years ago, was in bad shape. I spent one night there and could not sleep. Noise from the street, lack of insulation, AC that didn't work. At 5:30 in the morning, I took a walk down soi 8 to Beach Road, Soi 7, 2nd road and back down Soi 8. Counted 15 bars still open, playing music and punters still drinking. To the hotel's credit, they moved me to a much quieter room (away from the soi) where the AC was good. Chokdee

amazing! well done on the trainer and the trainee.

In Thai, the word for boring (no idea how to spell this) is 'bueh'. Sounds like the act of vomiting.

Have you tried Kiss Food and Drink? Second Road at Soi Diana Inn. Good food for cheap. Portions are a bit small.

A couple of suggestions: There's a short soi that runs between soi 7 and soi 8. On the soi 8 corner is a German cafe with authentic German fare, called something like WonderCat. I love the Bauern Fruestuck (Farmer's Breakfast)... served all day long. Its fried, sliced potatoes, scrambled with some eggs and a little bit of meat (bacon or ham). At the soi 7 corner is a Scandinavian place called something like Ohlala. Good breakfast at reasonable prices. People watching is good at both places.

Pool? Security? Pics?

For me, an umbrella suffices. Also, think about your footwear. In a downpour, some streets can be more than a foot deep. You are going to get wet. If its threatening, I wear rubber shoes of some kind. Best advice, step into a bar or a massage shop and wait it out.

I was at Mike's in April and it was going strong. Reasonable price. I think it was 80 baht for the whole day. I could be wrong. Looked clean. A fair crowd, but not too crowded. Some hotels without pools have an arrangement with one that does. One is on or near LK Metro, but I don't know the name.

Very funny. I LOL.

Another vote for pon taxi (e-mail above). Been using them for years. Always early. Always 1000baht plus 50b for motorway tolls. Good cars, good drivers, anytime day or night. Never got lost. Going back from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi is only 800b plus toll. Good luck.

I love Pattaya Beer Garden. Usually I have a nice dinner with the sunset. I guess I'm part of the problem. Too bad about that. In the meantime, good luck.

Perfect. Very clever.

How do you spend your time

I think I've seen one, but can't remember where it is. Thanks for the help.

Bringing women to Thailand? Carrying coals to Newcastle...

While you're thinking about what to do with your shop, remember that an essential element to your success is your knowledge and understanding of the product or service you offer. Ask yourself, "What do I know really well?" Do something you (or your friend) know a lot about. Choc dee.

Sabang mentioned the Jazz Pitt. It is on Soi 5, about half way between Beach Rd and Second Rd. The Jazz Pitt is actually a music venue. The attached restaurant is called PIC Kitchen (which stands for Pattaya International Clinic which is just behind it). The restaurant is my favorite in Pattaya, for the food - Thai, the service - excellent and the atmosphere - traditional, rustic. Reservations are recommended. The Jazz Club features mostly European musicians of top quality. Last few times I was there, there was a Russian keyboard and computer guy, an Austrian guitarist and a Filipina singer - all great! I think they start about 8pm. Weekends they have more musicians and often people sit in. I heard a Brit there last year who sounded EXACTLY like Frank Sinatra. I strongly recommend the kitchen and the pitt. Its a 'must visit' for every time I come to Pattaya.

I usually stay a month, and in hotels on or near the baht bus routes. Even still, I find there are times when it becomes difficult. Late night walks down Soi 5 after an evening in the Jazz Pitt, for example. I took Thai classes in a little soi near the bus station and had a long walk down the dusty track. Then two or sometimes 3 baht busses to get back. I hate the motorbike taxis and rarely use one. Wouldn't want to drive a rental car - risk too high. No way out that I can see.

Hope you gents can help me. I was in LOS from 4 thru 30 April 2007. I'm planning on coming back for 30 days in October, 2007. Will they let me in? Also, I was planning on coming for 90 days in 2008, specifically the months of April, May and June. Will that be a problem? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

mai pen lai khap

Thanks for your info. How is the extension done? A visa run out of country or a visit to Thai Immigration?

I've spent many months in LOS over the past 6 or 7 years, but always 30 days at a time. I would like to stay 90 days next time. I looked on the Los Angeles Consulate web-site. The only 90 day option they note is the Non-Immigrant Visa. But they specifically say, "Non-immigrant visas will not be issued for such purposes as tourism, seeking employment opportunities, looking for a school for teaching or studying purposes, etc." However, they also say, "The Consulate will consider the application on a case-by-case basis and may ask for additional documents." Does anyone have experience getting and using this type of Visa? If so, what did you say was the purpose of your trip?

I was sitting in a bar one morning (drinking OJ) and watched a cop pull over a dozen or more people on helmet violations. He had 6 or 7 lined up at any given time. I was about 3 or 4 meters away, but from where I sat, he wanted cash without writing tickets. Farang who didn't offer cash immediately were sent away to sit on the curb until the cash customers were taken care of. One Scandinavian guy argued and was the last let go. He stopped one Thai man while I was there and this one's penalty was 10 push-ups. An East Indian couple was pulled over and immediately payed with a coin. I assume it was 10baht. They didn't show any ID or even get off the bike.