js007

One time on a plane back to Los Angeles, I sat next to a guy who was on his way back from a month in Thailand. Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Chang. He said he had the best time on Koh Chang.

Great pics!

Looks good. Last time I was in Pattaya that place had an ad on Pattaya TV every five minutes.

Hardly any lost bags? Unbelievable. Until a few years ago, I had never flown on a Delta flight where they DIDN'T lose my bags. Seriously. It's not much fun arriving somewhere at midnight with no suitcase. They always find it in a day or two, to be sure. Anyway, I've pretty much determined just to travel with a carry on from now on.

Are the Delta seats what would otherwise be known as "Premium Economy"? If so, I wonder how those would compare to the Premium Economy seats on the old direct flight from the USA to BKK on the A340-500? I used to think those were a good deal. As for Delta? They usually lose my bags for a day or two. Almost always.

Sure, they make money off of this. Still, if you go to the movies often enough, why not? What's the minimum top-up?

I used to like the A340-500s they flew nonstop from the USA to BKK. The Premium Economy seats were a pretty good deal. Unfortunately, they stopped those routes, and now I'd have to take whatever they use to fly to Tokyo and then on to BKK. A long time ago they used 747s. Not sure if that's still the case.

I second the recommendation of some of the Sabai places. Sabai Lodge, Sabai Inn, Sabai resort, etc. They're all down near Big C and you should be able to get a room for less than 2000 baht.

In my case, I don't think it has anything to do with the air-conditioning or the heat. They have both in Phuket and I never get sick there. Only in Pattaya. Every single time I go to Pattaya, I get sick. I suppose I could blame it all on some sort of very strange coincidence....

I've pretty much decided not to check any luggage next time I travel. They always seem to lose it anyway.

It's easy enough to get a booster Whooping Cough shot. Most of us got the shot as a kid, but apparently, the effectiveness wears off after 10 years or so. Before my next trip to Pattaya, I'm going to get updated on my shots.

I'll have to remind myself never to fly UAL.

Gary, If you had a really serious health problem, couldn't you just hop on a plane back to the states and be treated there under Medicare?

Now I'm hungry.

Anything is possible, but I think she was telling me the truth, She had a whole big book of graduation pictures, pictures of her boyfriend who was in school with her and also graduated, etc. She was just a temporary cashier in a Soi 6 bar. Some guys tried to barfine her, but she wouldn't have any of that. I'm not sure how she ended up as a cashier in Pattaya, though. Maybe she knew someone?

I remember once talking to a cashier on Soi 6 who had just graduated with an MBA. I think the year was 2007. She was getting ready to start a new job in Bangkok and was just working for a month or so before the start of the job. She showed me her graduation pictures, etc. Anyway, she seemed proud to have landed a job starting at 12,000 baht a month.

The Fuji in Phuket, Patong Beach, is also good.

You'll probably want a monthly income of as much as possible, like anywhere else in the world! Thai immigration wants you to have a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht, for purposes of a retirement type visa. And that's probably at the low end of what you would want to have. From personal experience, I'd say it's not hard to go through 120,000 to 150,000 baht a month, and I'm sure many guys do just that.

I don't know how any of you guys are in the mood to do much of anything when you first arrive. I always just stay in Bangkok for the first few days to recuperate from the 27 hour travel time from the USA. By the time I get to Thailand, I'm worthless. I tried to go out immediately, the first time I went to Thailand, but it didn't go so well. Almost pick pocketed by a ladyboy and then when I finally did barfine a girl, I was too tired to do much of anything. In any event, I can't imagine a situation in Pattaya where you couldn't find a girl at any hour of the day or night. Or, what about hiring one of the limosine serves that are run by some of the bars? Not only can you order a limo, you can order a girl or two for company. They'll prick you up at the airport.

Last time I was there, I think there was a small clinic right there almost across from Secrets. I can't say whether they're any good, though. The only doctor I ever used in Pattaya was Dr. Olivier. http://www.dr-olivier-clinic.com

Queen Victoria on Soi 6 used to have a Sunday brunch type deal. Sort of expensive, but not too bad.

Last time I flew out on Delta they checked my carry-on at the gate. I don't remember about the shoes.

You would think Thailand would want all the tourists it could handle. Instead, they're making it difficult.

I'm not sure about buses from the main terminal, but from the low cost carrier terminal there are frequent busses running to central Kuala Lumpur. The cost is 9 ring it, I believe. Something like that. The trip takes about 1/2 hour.

A dehumidifier in Thailand? That thing would be running 24/7.