Emil

There was a new place on Soi LK Metro that was close to opening when I left last week, believe its called the Pasadena and is located across from the Cock and Bull. For those of you that need an in room safe, you can buy them at Carrefour starting at 700 baht.

It called Mansion 75, however that rate is the monthly rate so you need to be staying close to a month or more to be beneficial as the daily rate is I think 700. Its just off Pattaya Klang near Carrefour so your close to the baht bus route and an excellent market. There are hundreds of places to choose from in Pattaya with new ones opening every month. One just needs to do a little exploring to find places that are of better value.

I would disagree about the best value hotel in Pattaya as I believe where I stay is the best value. The RG is 1400 a night and where I stay it is 1500 a night. The RG has a kitchen but most punters hardly utilize this feature. The RG has a pool and my place doesn't. At 1500 a night my place would come with your choice of a BBG L/T (1000) + BF (200) and room cost of 300. But if your on holiday to swim then the RG is the best value but if your here to shag then where I stay is of better value.

I was notified of that deal by email and after looking at the term and conditions gave it a pass because you can't earn AA miles, only Air Asia. If you looking at price you have to take into account the FF programs and I believe that UA has one of the best. In 2005 I made 6 trips at an average cost of $600. In 2006 I made another 6 trips at an average cost of $400 and after 4 trips this year I'm averaging about $350 and that with the BKK departure tax now included in the ticket price.

Read his post a little closer before you come unglued. He is saying once you back out lodging of 10,000 baht which equals about 333 baht a day, your cost will be 2,000 baht.

I've seen the tuk tuk. Its not that far of a walk to Soi Buakaow where you can catch a baht bus. Once the new mall opens then you can cut through to 2nd Rd.

Looks like I'll just miss you as I return to Pattaya on the 8th. Stopped by the new place yesterday and asked some people who were working on the lobby and they said it would open in 2 weeks. The Natural Beach hotel has a sign hanging out front saying rooms 750. The Nautical Inn also has a sign stating rooms at 890 and includes a breakfast.

I head back to the states on the 11th, if I can get you any info prior I'll let you know.

Walked by today (Saturday) and didn't see anyone. I can tell you there is no pool but they do have a lift. The only thing that appears to be worked on is the reception area and with a good crew that could be finished by June 1st. Also down that soi is an Eastiny property.

The next time I walk by the place I'll stop and see if I can get you some more info.

There is a small new hotel that is about finished on the corner of Soi 10 and Beach Rd, might be finished in time for your sons arrival.

I just read my email a few minutes ago and the only negative is that you can only earn Air Asia miles on this deal.

Location should be much improved once the new mall is completed later this year as you'll then be able to cut through to 2nd Rd.

I've used a Pattaya based service for my past 24+ trips and have never had a problem even when my flight arrived 3 hours late at 3 AM. Cost is 1000 baht + tolls (60 baht) + parking (30 baht). If your interested I've posted contact info in the Cost Sharing area.

At an exchange rate of 34 to 1 that would work out to around 1470 USD. For 50,000 baht to equal 1700 USD the exchange rate would have to fall to about 29.4. Did you work for either Enron or Worldcom as an accountant?

I liked to just walk up, but if you go this route you should have a list of other options in case the place is full. If your going the walk up route your best if it isn't high season, if the place recently opened so that they don't have a dedicated following, and that your going to be staying for an extended period of time. You need to do this when the manager is on duty as the others won't negoiate with you. If the place already has posted weekly and monthly rates then don't expect a discount as they have already reduced the rates.

I had heard that those figures are on a sliding scale. That is if you have a monthly income of around 35,000 then you only needed about 400,000 in the bank.

I rank United as the tops when it comes to cost and that all I really care about. In 2005 I made 6 R/Ts to LOS from Sacramento at an average cost of $600. In 2006 I made another 6 R/Ts at an average cost of $400. This year I hope to do even better. I have to admit that their FAs are nothing to get excited about, but I've never been able to shag any of the FAs with Cathay Pacific or Singapore nor have I ever heard of any of our boardmembers getting lucky with them.

When I was in Pattaya last month I noticed a couple of condo projects that had "100% Foreign Ownership" on the large signs out in front of the construction project. I thought that this was strange but didn't check with the sales office as I wasn't interested in purchasing.

Located between the Inn House and Ma Masion is the Inn of the Golden Crab, they also have monthly rates.

The place is fresh as it was just recently remodeled and opened in Sep. Its a small hotel and has a dedicated following so if you want to stay there you had better let them know well in advance of your arrival.

The exchange rate in Pattaya on the 3rd was 34.6 which would equal $1445 for 50K baht, did you say you were an accountant? Also would you be getting laid as frequently in the US and by the same standard of looks?

Of course it would be cheaper. The point I was trying to make is that it is the only reason the punter goes the live in route. The live in will soon realize this and will more than likely jetison him as soon as she finds a better arrangement.

Met her in a bar 3 1/2 years ago and have been living together the past 2 1/2 years. No dramas and next to nothing in disagreements. I think these live in situations stand a better chance if your not doing it to save some baht. Many guys will go the live in route because they do a cost analysis and determine that its cheaper to get a live in than going out and barfining a BG and then paying her S/T/L/T.

Not if that amount includes 1 S/T a week for you.