js007

I guess I never thought about it much. I sort of like sitting around the airport before I leave, just watching all the people. The plane rides usually suck, though. But once I'm there, I try to have fun and relax. The memorable moments can't be planned, they just happen.

There are a few little places on Soi Lengkee that have a good breakfast, if anyone is over that way. The names escape me right now, but the food was decent.

I sometimes nap a little, but that's about it. I don't take sleeping pills, though, so I've never tried that. Some people seem to think Melatonin works. Anyway, I usually just watch movies or read or eat. It's torture on the 13 or 18 hour flights, but I survive.

The Sabai Lodge has a parking lot. From what I could see, guests can use it. Edit: I guess that's not South Pattaya, though.

Go to the manufacturer's web site. Poke around.

OK. So long as your computer is wired to your modem and your wi-fi is off, I can't image that having the Roku would add any danger. I use WI-Fi all the time for banking and the like and I've never had a problem. I think bank account pages are somehow secure. Also, I'm not even sure the neighbors would be able to pick up my signal, as I'm on a large lot. My brokerage account has an onscreen keyboard for my password. I guess they're somewhat paranoid.

I see. But your computer is near the modem and hard-wired, right? Can you turn the wi-fi on and off from your computer? If so, do that when you pay your bills, if you're paranoid.

I'm not sure what you're trying to do. I have a Sony Blu-ray player that is wired to my cable modem via an ethernet cable. Using the Blu-Ray player, I can access Netflix and other internet content. Since the Blu-Ray player is hard wired to the TV, I could throw away my wireless router and still get Netflix. Still, I use the wireless router for my IMac and my Macbook Air, and I use an Airport Express to stream music from my Imac to an amplifier that is connected to the Airport Express. I also have a couple of Apple TVs set up. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about anyone trying to hack into my system. If you're worried about your computer and wireless access, why not just wire it to the modem and turn off the wi-fi?

Wow. That rant must have taken you a while to write. Why do you care? Do you have a business there?

Practical suggestions? Don't bring to Thailand anything you can't afford to lose. Perhaps, buy some insurance that will cover laptops, cameras, and the like. Use ATMs if you must, and pay the charges to you home bank. Use travelers checks, not cash.

Most of the guys here will probably tell you to head straight to Pattaya via taxi. Usually, I like to stay in Bangkok for a few days to have some fun there and so that I can recuperate from the flight. Then, I go to Pattaya. I guess it might depend, though, on how long you plan on being in Thailand. I'm usually there for months at a time, so a few days doesn't matter much one way or the other.

However all this turns out, one thing seems obvious to me: don't keep that kind of money in a room safe. It takes all of about 15 minutes to open a Thai bank account. Then, you deposit your money and you're out the door with a new ATM card. I usually have a laptop and camera and so on, but I usually have those items insured. Anyway, I've always been lucky, I guess. Nothing ever taken from my room.

The Coffee Club in Royal Garden Plaza (if it's still there) is good. What about the Blue Parrot for Mexican food? The pool bar at the Windy Inn has decent Thai food.

Wi-Fi? Maybe you mean 3G?

I'm not sure how it works with UK banks, but with my US bank, I have the option of sending Thai Baht or US dollars. I think it works out better if I send US dollars - I get a better rate from the Thai banks. It costs me $40 every time I send dollars to my Thai account, so it pays to send as much as possible. Once the money is in my Thai bank, the fee for using the Thai ATM is little or nothing. Using the ATM with my US debit card can be a real rip off, so I don't do it that way.

I looked into it once. It's easy to get quotes online. The bigger problem is Thai customs. You need to pay off those guys. Anyway, a 20" container shouldn't cost too much from a US port to Bangkok. Maybe 2500 dollars?

There are a lot of good restaurants in that place. The girls like MK? Something like that. There's also a good Japanese restaurant and a few good noodle restaurants.

Too Young, Nat King Cole.

Last January, I was scanned by one of the full body scanners. The whole process took about 15 seconds. Then, I was on my way. What's the fuss?

Last time I looked, they had several different types of 1 2 Call sim cards. Each had a different set of rules. Just be sure to ask what the current promotions are before you buy. You can probably find out what's what on their web site.

I've never had the problem, but I realize the risk. Anyway, I always try to book an aisle seat so that I can get up and walk around once in a while, without making a pest of myself.

Don't forget to check for flights going to Newark. You can get there from Manhattan just as easy as you can get to JFK. I think Continental has flights in and out of Newark.

Yesterday, I read an article by some guy who was of the opinion that the dollar was in a longer term uptrend. Today, I read that the dollar may again benefit from renewed problems with the PIIGS. Ireland, in particular. So, who knows? I wouldn't bet heavily against the dollar right now. Too many people are of the mindset that the dollar is toast.

Why would a falling pound lead to good deals on condos? British owners having to sell? I can see buying a condo now rather than later, if your home currency is headed down. Otherwise, prices still seem pretty high to me. Or, maybe it's just the asking prices that seem high.

I've stayed in the Sabai Lodge three or four times. I guess a total of three or four months. It's a good place. Laid back, with a good location. Big C is down at the corner, as well as three soapy massage places. The baht buses come by right in front. Just don't pay too much.