Emil

Roy, When I first read this I thought maybe they were talking about those apartments between your place and Susie's. That other hotel your talking about I'm sure that you mean between the Charming Inn on Soi 3 and Soi 4. I've never seen a name for that hotel. It was an uncompleted building for awhile before they got busy on it and opened the place about a year ago.

The Areca is a nice place and is about 3 years old. It is located on Soi Diana mid away between 2nd Rd and Soi Buakaow.

In the States the fares also go up during the summer as many of the Asian students and Asian families will travel home for their holiday. Are you planning to do the Pattaya marathon again this year?

Here's some more measurements if your interested: 1 Talang Wah = 4 square meters 1 Ngan ( 400 sq m) = 100 Talang Wahs 1 Rai (1600 sq m) = 4 Ngans 1 Hectare (10,000 sq m) = 6.25 Rais

This place is located near the corner of Soi Diana and Soi Buakaow in that new complex where Lolitias is also located. It only opened a few months back and I did take a quick look at the place. It has a pool and 5 different types of rooms with the largest a whopping 168 sq m. They did have good looking rates if your staying for an extended period with the lowest at 6 month and greater.

The exterior work on the project next to the Sunshine was nearly complete when I passed by last week. The interior work and landscaping should be finished by Oct. Thats not to say that another new project could begin on the vacant pice of land on the beach side of Sunshine by the time you arrive.

Some guys stay in these US hotels regardless of the posted price because they stay free. Many of these hotels have their own frequent stay program like the airlines. I have a friend who travel alot for his job and only stays at Marriotts. When he take his vacation with the wife they fly free, stay free and get rental car free. His wife told me they spend less money while on vacation than when their home.

Your in the 1000-1400 baht range which is above the cheap hotel range. When are you arriving and how long are you staying?

You have the US military in town for the Cobra Gold exercise.

Unless you really want to spend 2 nights at the Dynasty, head directly to your usual stomping grounds, the Welcome Plaza. Whether the Dynasty rate is 990 or 1200 your baht ahead paying for your ride and getting the lower rate for 2 nights without the hassle of moving. Also after having breakfast at the Boat and walking back to your hotel, take the first soi that heads right and walk down this soi for a few hundred meters and check out a new hotel that is scheduled to open in June. I've found that new hotels offer great rates until they become well known and if you like the place you might want to stay there on a future trip. Enjoy your trip, Emil

I have flown with JAL, ANA, UA and Thai Air from Tokyo to BKK as part of my flight itinerary from the States. I don't know what the cost would be for just Tokyo to BKK R/T, all my flights have ranged from $600 to $1,000 from Sacramento.

You now have two more options that weren't available last month and depending on when your going you might have a third. First is the Markland on Soi 1, next to it and currently being renovated is the Beach View which I guess should be ready this summer. Along Soi 2 are the Sabai Lodge and Sabai Inn. Between Soi 2 and 3 is the A-1 Cruise along with the just opened BJ Holiday Lodge. On Soi 3 you have the Sunshine Vista and the Welcome Inn. On Soi 4 you have the Bella Villa Prima, Mike's Orchid and Mike's Beach and opposite Soi 4 on 2nd Rd you have the just opened Sabai Resort.

Jimmy, Maybe the residents fo Green Bay will purchase Arsenal next.

Kevin, You do need to get out a bit more and check out a few other hotels.

I've never seen the new rooms, most definately better than the one that he put me in, that's why I moved.

How many of you and how much luggage. You might need a mini van if there are 3 in your party whioch will cost you around 1500.

They put me in the old wing and I checked out as soon as I had a room next door at the Eastiny Place. I thought the room was small and the bathroom only had a shower mounted on the wall and when you use it the whole place was soaked.

They began construction on this place in 1981 and it is pretty impressive with all the detailed wood carvings. They have a couple of pricing packages, I took the cheapest at 500 baht which gives you a guided tour and a seat at the dolphin show. I think it was worth the price, however our guide told us that they were thinking of not allowing tourists to take pictures inside. If they have implemented this policy then I would not recommend the tour. Some activities for an 11 year old would be swimming at either Pattaya Park or the Hard Rock pools. Movies at either the BigC or Royal Garden Mall and these places also have video games. Take her to one of the nicer salons and get her nails and hair done. If you go to the beach I would recommend that you take a day trip over to Koh Larn. At the beach you can ride the banana boat, go parasailing or rent a wave runner. There is also a few go kart tracks but maybe shes too young. I don't have any children so there are probably more things to do that other boardmembers can suggest. I forgot one activity that is very popular for a female of any age and that is shopping for clothes and jewelry.

I hope the west coast route is a success and draws paxs away from United. Hopefully UA will them drops their prices to be more attractive.

Jimmy, I just sent you a PM before reading this post. The worst time to find cheap fares is during the summer as the Asian students fly home to visit their families. For the past 3 years this is when I use my FF miles for a flight. rb, The military usually gets lower fares from the airlines because they provide them with money for cases of emergencies and they have contracts with certain airlines. I remeber flying from Sacramento to Dayton, Ohio 25 years ago on a TDY trip for the Air Force and the ticket was around $700, in todays dollars that would be close to $2,000. Southwest makes money because they realized along time ago that the only way for a plane to make money is for it to be full of passangers and flying and not sitting at the gate. Every time I've flown with them, they land passangers are quickly off the plane and a few minutes later they are boarding and out of the gate.

I have seen signs for hotel rooms, but none of the places looked very nice. This place is better suited for a day trip, the ferry takes about 40 minutes and has 7 depature and return times.

This place is relatively new (about 2 years) and is set back a little off of Soi Buakaow. There is now a small soi from if front of this location that will take you over to 2nd Rd. Besides the place that Tom mentioned there are at least another dozen small hotels in that area.

When are you planning to be there? The construction next door is almost finished.

Try the Bella Villa Prima on Soi 4. For about 2600 baht a night you get a nice room and a soappy every day at either Sabai Dee, Sabai Room, or SabaiLand.

Must have been one of the Thai ladyboys that Roland has broght home.