Emil

Likewise for those that insist on having an in room safe, those also can be purchased at outlets like Carrefour starting around 800 baht.

Not true, at least from my experience. In Aug 09 and again a few weeks ago I renewed my retirement visa and had the 800k in a term deposit. Unless you need the funds when the bank is closed it's no problem pulling any funds out early, you do lose some interest. I heard (not official source but it does make sense) that the immigration office actually prefers seeing the term deposit because they know that the applicant hasn't gone and borrowed some funds just for the purpose of getting the visa.

I'll answer in case he's not around. I've used him about 30 times, with the most recent on the 23rd of August. Private car is 1000 baht including parking and tolls from airport to Pattaya. Pattaya to airport is only 900 baht including tolls as there is no parking required and no waiting. If you want to use the mini bus ( which I would suggest if their are 3 or more in your group), then its 1600 baht total either way.

I've always liked lobster tail and then one time I got the whole lobster. After I got the shell off I noticed some greenish looking stuff on the lobster that I thought could be crap and I couldn't eat anymore of my dinner. I still enjoy lobster tail but no more whole lobsters for me.

Let me pull a BigD and put in a plug for Dr Darika. I first starting using her about 8 years ago when she was working at Pattaya International Hospital. A couple of years ago she had a child and when I went to PIH to make an appointment I was told that she no longer worked there and was living in Bangkok with her husband and children. I then switched to Dr Aree who I thought was just as competent as Dr Darika but didn't joke around afterward as much as Dr Darika (maybe because I hadn't know her long). A few month later as I was walking the back sois to my apartment when a car stopped and a Thai lady's head poped out. I first thought that she was going to hit on me and wanted a S/T and was about to say I only pay 500 baht S/T, but then I quickly realized it was Dr Darika. She told me that she works in Pattaya Thursdays and Fridays at Dental de Pattaya up on 2nd Rd between Tiffinanys and the roundabout. I switched back to her and the good thing is now that she not working for PIH her prices are lower.

Its a little ways out so you would need to have your own vehicle or hire one. Its located on the beach just outside the center of Bang Saray. Nice setting , reasonable prices and tasty food. Taking Sukhumvit south you would turn right just after you pass the turn to Noong Nooch Gardens.

Yes, but if Delta is like United it will only show you Delta's aircraft and not the other airlines Delta's is associated. For me to get access to all Star Alliance carriers I need to talk to a United agent who has access to the Singapore, Thai, ANA and Air Canada flights. When I do this, after I've been unsuccessful trying to book online with United, I do have to pay an additional $25 if I book the flight with the agent.

Agree, any dish can be prepared very hot to mild by telling them how much heat yor want. Also at the table they usually have the chili to add to your dish if its not hot enough. I usually walk every day around noon as I'm not a golfer if you know what I mean, and many time my TGF will ask me to stop and get her some som tom, sometime it phet and other times it phet, phet. When I do this I get a kick out of watching the faces of other Thai's eating or waiting for their order. In Issan som tom (papaya salad) is called dom bac koon (sic) poo is crab and pa laa is the small fish they use. So I'll walk up and say, "dom bac koon, poo pa laa, phet, phet" They'll start talking among themselves about falang and many will smile and ask if I eat the dish. I tell them its for my girlfriend but that I can eat except without the poo pa laa.

Isn't it south of the Oasis? I know its between Soi LK Metro and Soi Diana, but as many times that I've walk this area I can't remember if the Oasis is to the left or right when I exit Soi LK. For Thai food here's a few of my favorites: 1. Carrefour foodcourt. Many options, cheap, clean, A/C and quick. 2. Restaurant across from Foodland.. Only open for dinner around 5 or 6 PM until very late at night/early morning. 3. Thai foodcourt on the north side of the Alcazar parking lot. Can't give the exact restaurant as there are about a dozen, its about the 4th or 5th from the back. 4. A restaurant on Pattayaklang, North side between Buakaow and 3rd Rd. From the 3rd Rd intersection its just past a small soi that lead to some appartments. The place has been featured many times on Bangkok TV stations.

Here's a few things that I've noticed since I began frequenting LOS in 2001. Busy times of the year. 1. Christmas - New Years 2. Chinese New Year 3. Summer months when schools out. Not only are familes taking their vacation but Asian students are flying home until the next school year starts. Best days to fly. 1. Tuesday - Thursday Not convient for those that are still working as they would lose a few days in LOS by not using the weekends to lengthen their holiday. 2. Also on certain holidays as most people fly just before or after the holiday. Here's a couple of recent experiences I've had. 1. Back in June I wanted to book a freebie departing the states after the 4th of July since I was invited to a 4th of July get together with some long times school friends. Didn't have any success for the 5th through the 9th but the 4th was available so I booked it and told my friends I was off to hunt down bin laden in LOS and would miss the good eats and company. 2. While in LOS on that trip I went on line and was looking to book a follow on trip. I entered the dates 8 Sep (Wed) and 21 Oct (Thur). The lowest price was around $1250 + taxes/fees, however if I choose to return on Wed the 20th the price was only $890 + taxes/fees. I decided to shorten the trip by 1 day. I think a large part of my success with getting the freebies at the lower savers award is my frequent flyer program. Not so much United Airlines but that they are part of the Star Alliance program. Out of all my freebies I've only had 3 where the entire trip was flown on United Airlines aircraft. The others had legs where I've been on Singapore, Thai, ANA and Air Canada, so United had more options available.

The reason I asked this question is that I had about 25K miles with Northwest which for some reason didn't have an expiration date. After the merger with Delta the miles expire in 18 months. I also received info about a credit card that would give me I think 30K miles for signing up plus 1 miles for each dollar spent so I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to get the creit card and use it awhile to reach 60K miles for a free flight to LOS. From the replies it appears that it would be highly unlikely that I could get a flight. Currently I'm with United. Free flights are 65K (were only 60K prior to 2009) and have received about 16 freebies to LOS since 2004. I've only failed once when trying to get a freebie and that was my fault because I waited until about 2 weeks prior to the trip which was last summer. I'm retired so I do have the luxury of selecting low load days of the week.

I bought a cheap one ($34) in the states about 6 years ago and it was set up to run on 220 and 110 back then. I think today almost all new electronic s like cell phone chargers, laptops and DVDs are designed to run on both. Back to the original thread, a friend of mine bought one at Carrefour a few months back for about 700 baht, it even could take the USB sticks. They are small enough to haul back home or sell to a 2nd hand shop after your trip or have a friend store it for you until your next trip. I agree why watch movies on a short holiday unless they are XXX rated and you want to use it as a training film for your TGF for the night.

Also regarding difficulty in getting flights for 60K, did that problem happen after the Northwest merger?

I've heard of some getting a small studio at Nirun for 5K a month. You would have to get the interet on your dime. One good thing about going the condo route intead of a monthly deal at a hotel/apartment is that you would be able to get the electric in your name and only get charged about 3.4 baht a unit instead of the 6-10 baht cost which many of the others charge.

Thanks for the info. For the guys that stated that they had trouble getting these flights, were you looking for departures dates that were on Friday to Sundays only or any day?

How many miles are needed for a free R/T flight to LOS from California? TIA, Emil

Best fireworks shows that I've ever seen, lasted nearly 2 hours. Had a great seat right in front of one of the barges about 250 meters away at the Chang Beer seating area as a Thai family saw me and my TGF standing nearby and offered up a couple of seats at their table along with some beer and food. They were happy when I ordered a pitcher of beer later in the show. The entire beach area was packed as many Thais came from out of town to watch the show.

Same with me on my 5th of July arrival. Was finished 1 hour earlier than what I had told Mr. T on my email, yet his driver was waiting at door number 3 for me.

Construction going on next door. Heard it was going to be a new wing and they are currently at the fondation stage.

I walked by today and its open. It sits behind the other part of the new Vogue development and is 8 floor and about 240 rooms. Talk to the manager about any deals for a monthly stay as they don't empower the worker bees to make them. In front of the hotel a French Bakery opened along with a guesthouse so you can also check them out if your looking for something along that line.

I only have a week left before I head back to the states, I'll try to stop by before I leave and see if I can get you an answer.

A new hotel called the Vogue is scheduled to open in the general area soon. Its located between Buakaow and 3rd RD off of Soi Lengkee. About 250 rooms with pool, don't know the price but would imagine if they want to fill up the ir rooms they will be competive with the other places nearby.

I booked a flight the other day from Sacramento to BKK. When I first put in my travel dates I was departing the states on Sep 8th (Wed) and returning Oct 21st (Thur). Cost was about $1250 plus taxes and fees. I changed the return date to Oct 20th and the price dropped to $890 plus taxes and fees. I was surprised by large percent of decrease from changing from Thursday to Wednesday.

Went to Moon River Pub last week with a group of friends and they made a 2 drink mistake on my bill. My TGF had them correct it with no problem and I paid about an additional 250 baht as they had originally undercharged me.

I got my retirement visa Sep 2006 and have never done a 90 day report as I fly out of BKK before the 90 days is up. I did go down there this past Dec for my change of address when I moved into my condo and was told that was no longer a requirement as it would now be done on the 90 day report. So far extending my visa has been very simple. First day maybe 30 minutes at the office and the following day to pick it up maybe 5 minutes. I know some of our BMs enjoy going to the Immigration office as they like visiting the Yellow House afterwards and having a massage done by Tammy.