js007

Has anyone seen a good discussion board on Cambodia? It might be fun to spend some time over there. J

Well, I'm already retired and have no real desire to go back to work, so in that regard, I can't see a problem. Whether I'm in the USA or Thailand, I'll be spending money. The only thing that makes me think twice is the stability of the currencies. Right now, the US dollar is doing OK. I suppose I could even handle 25 baht to the dollar if it were to go that low. On the other hand, there's enough financial fear mongering going on to make a person wonder. What if the world financial system collapses? What if the dollar becomes almost worthless? What if there's hyperinflation? Wo

This board has an accommodation section. Try emailing some places and see what they say. Or, do a search of the past posts. Some board members have condos and apartments for rent. Some board members have guest houses. Anyway, things shouldn't be too busy in May. J

I bet that in May you could find a guest house somewhere for about that much. J

Maybe he had a pension? That would work and make the deposit only $10k. J

http://www.gov.ph/faqs/retirement.asp I found that in about one minute with Google. Maybe it's current. J

Just to a Google search on Philippine retirement. Actually, the $10K bit must be a recent change. It used to be $40K. J

A340. I think that's the plane they use on the non-stop service from the USA. They've now discontinued the non-stop flights from NYC, although they still have them from Los Angeles. 18 hours or so to Bangkok. Anyway, the premium Economy seats are the way to go on that plane. A little more room. J

I'm sure you could do it, but why would you want to? Don't they sell scooters in the UK? I imagine you'd pay one hell of a shipping charge for an individual scooter. On the other hand, the people who import scooters to the UK probably do so by the container load. J

I'm going to have to check on the refundable prices. When I come back it'll be one way, but it's generally cheaper to buy a round trip and then get a refund on the second half of the ticket. Then again, maybe not. I just don't want to have trouble having not return ticket. J

Have you ever been there? I haven't stayed, but I did eat there a few times and it seemed like an OK place. The location is good. J

I've heard of apartments for less than 5000 baht, but you want one close to all the action, and that's your problem. The other day on YouTube I saw some Pattaya apartments that the guys said they rented for $180 US. That's about 6300 a month. Anyway, the apartments looked pretty good, but I think they are over on the other side of Sukhumvit somewhere near a Thai boxing training place. So you'd probably need a car or a motorbike. J

Unless things have changed, you have to go through the bar at the Metro Apartments. Maybe Robins Nest has some rooms. I think they have three places in the vicinity with rooms. Canterbury Tales might also work. J

I didn't think a 747 could fly that far without stopping? J

No, she knew I was from America. She just pointed out some guy across the room, said he was from England and that he was a disgusting prick and that she'd never go with another guy from England. I got the impression that maybe he didn't treat her so well. No offense to any guys from England. I'm just reporting what some girl said to me to illustrate the point that you never really know what's going on in their heads. J

I'm not Black, but I suspect there are certain aspects of the interactions with the girls that are the same for everyone. That is, you might not hit it off with every girl. For whatever reason. Maybe they only like old guys. Maybe they only like young guys. Maybe they don't go with any customer. Maybe they won't go with any guy from England (one girl actually told me that). Anyway, that's just the way it is. Fortunately, there are thousands of girls in Pattaya. J

Just bring a lot of money and you'll be fine. J

I wouldn't chose any of them unless I had money to burn. Instead, I'd look around for a good guesthouse like the Metro Apartments or the Pasadena Lodge or any of the others in the area. They should be about 800 baht or so. What's that? $25. That'll leave you some extra money for other activities. J

I used to use the Hong Kong Priceline for Bangkok hotels because you could immediately rebid. Anyway, the few times I used it, I got good deals on 5 star hotels. One time, I paid $60 a night for three nights at the JW Marriott. Another time I got the Sheraton Westin? for $70 a night. Otherwise, try Agoda. j

http://guide.2thebigmango.com/thailand/ban...vana-massage-1/

The last time I was there was probably 18 months ago. At the time, it seemed OK and was a little different from the typical beer bar or go go, with the outdoor atmosphere and the dancing girls. I didn't feel hassled by the girls, although I did end up buying a coupe of lady drinks. They seemed to have a good crowd. I'd say it might be worth a trip i you're in the area sometime. I wouldn't go to a lot of trouble to make a special trip, though. J

It sounds to me like it might be time to buy a new machine, if they still make them. Anyway, they probably don't cost too much. J

I've never heard of that kind of thing happening at Secrets any more than at any other bar in town. Two or three times I've barfined girls from there without much of a problem. They were just hostesses, though. In any event, there are thousands of girls in Pattaya. Why not try somewhere else if you think it would be better? J

As others have suggested, just get online and pay for your room up front. Try Agoda.com or sawasdee.com