Emil

potmehut, As your heading north on 2nd Rd, take a right prior to Soi 6 (Bangkok Bank on corner). It's around 250 meters from 2nd Rd and another 350 from 2nd Rd to Beach Rd. Someone posted a review not to long ago, the lower rates are for the long term visitors. Rates probably depend on how many vacancies they have at the time. Emil

Alan, I'm currently in the process of having a root canal. I don't know too much about dental procedures, but I was told I needed a triple root canal. This is on one tooth so I guess they have to work on 3 roots of the same tooth. I was quoted a price of 7,000 baht. On my last trip this past May-June, my first visit for the work to be done was a little over an hour and they charged me 1/2 of the cost, went back about 2 week latter for another hour and paid 1/4, and on my unpcoming trip this month I will go back to finish the root canal and pay the balance. Work is being done at PIH and is not being done by my regular dentist, but by a specialist. Emil

Check out Nova Park. Ignore the rates on the website. When I was in Pattaya this past June they were advertising the studio for 15K per month on TV. www.novaparkpattaya.com Emil

Taxi, Here I thought I was finally going to get someone to share a ride to Pattaya. Keep the boys out of trouble over in A C.

As of the 1st of this year my regular dentist is Dr Darka (Thai lady with small hands) at Pattaya International Hospital. They are higher than most of the dentists in Pattaya by a few hundred baht, but along with medical care, this is one area I don't look for the best deal. They have a website so you can ask for a price quote. Emil

I just received a quote from the Flipper House on Soi 7 for a weeks stay at 770 baht per night in the new wing. Regarding the distance from Beach Rd to 2nd Rd, Sunny numbers are right, the closer to Walking St the shorter the distance. Emil

Will be arriving on United at 10:50 PM (2250) Should be finished with immigration and customs around 11:30 PM. Anyone interested in sharing a ride? Emil

spike, Thai Limo in the past ran a mini bus service that departed at noon for 200 baht. Someone had posted that they thought this service had been discontinued but if this appeals to you, stop by their desk and inquire. Emil

Sgt BigD, Even back then you were getting more bang for the buck than me. Sgt Emil, tank commander, was stationed in Germany at that time facing off against the Warsaw Pact along the Iron Curtain and paying the frauliens 40 marks for a S/T (4 marks to a $1). Emil

I had always been under the impression that the ATM rates fell somewhere between cash and TC's. Two trips back I decided to take note of the cash and TC's rates when I used the ATM. Once I got back home and received my statement and did the math I was surprised that the ATM rate was less than cash and TC's. Still because of convience and safety I continue to use them. Emil

I visited Saigon in 99 and if you think crossing 2nd Rd by the Big C is an adventure wait till you try crossing the main road in downtown Saigon. I've never seen so many motorbikes on a road at one time. Unlike LOS where the hawkers will leave after a polite no thanks or shake your head, they do not take no as easily, especially in Hanoi. Emil

BigD, Thanks for the info. The domestic portion of my trip is only 90 miles with only 1 type of seating. If they convert those to miles in my account that will help get my next free trip. Emil

BigD, I just started flying exclusively with UA this year and was wondering if you can explain how those 4-500 mile upgrades we receive for every 10K miles flown are used. Can I accumulate these over 2 years and then cash in 16K's worth for an upgrade to business on any economy ticket? Emil

I don't think Dave broke the record, but from the sound of things I think he's going for a personal best. Emil

Zeus, Funny you should mention about the new airport. I just looked at their website a few hours ago and they are still planning on opening end of sep 2005. Emil

Zeus, Did you check to see if they would be adding an additional flight once they changed to the smaller aircraft? Emil

Shilo, The biggest negative of switching over would be that until you hit premier status with UA (25K) you won't receive the 25 % bonus miles and premier executive takes (50K) and will give you a 100 % bonus. So if your earning bonus miles with NWA these would be lost until you flew those miles within a calander year. What I like about UA is once your premier they put you in economy plus which gives you 5 additional inches of legroom. The free upgrades that Joop mentioned are also good for travel within North America, Hawaii and the Caribbean but you must be on a full fare economy ticket. They also give you 4 - 500 mile upgrade credits for every 10 K flown. I have only redeemed twice for a free LOS ticket (60K) and had no problems. The first time last year they put me on Thai Air on the way over and this time I'm on Thai air on the return trip. I fly out of Sacramento and get into Bangkok at 10:30 PM. departure from Bangkok is 7:00 AM Emil

I thought I read a few days ago where they had secured a loan and all of the major US airlines are in financial trouble. When they first announced they were in financial trouble they said their frequent flyer miles program was one of the few divisions making money. They sell those miles to many different companies for around 1.4 cents per mile. I have only tried twice to redeem for a free trip to LOS and had no trouble, with the last being last week for a mid August departure. Emil

Tom, There is also another hotel being built on Soi 1 across from the Markland, one next to the Charming Inn and the completetion of the Mike's Orchard in that area. The A-One Cruise expansion should also be finished nearly tripling there old hotel capacity, although mostly tour groups. On my last trip I didn't see any activity at the old Pattaya Palace, but I did see some at that hotel nearby that has stood unfinished since I began visiting Pattaya In 2001.

bouncer, You might get a more accurate answer if you included the dates as that is a factor with most hotels. It also depends on how busy they are, if you walk up and half the rooms are empty, more than likely you'll pay less than their posted rates. Emil

No Jimmy, but if your shagging a few hours a days, and I don't mean laying on your back and letting your TG do all the work, that would be a good workout. Emil

Bazzap, That's what I thought when I had checked out the area back in early June for the board. Latter someone had posted that they were doing pile driving there to build another hotel. I was quite surprised as that area is very narrow to build another hotel, maybe a small expansion to one of the existing properties. Emil

From the Ma Maisson photos, I don't see any construction on any new hotel taking place between the Ma Maisson and the Golden Grab as previously reported. Emil

I go along with the Pieman and ask after the first of the year. Besides this current project, Roland posted a few weeks back that those bars across the street from this project may be razed and another hotel constructed. Emil

A few days ago I called United for a free flight in mid August because all their flights were over a grand during that timeframe. I'm retired so I'm very flexible on dates and fly out of Sacramento thru SFO. I first asked for a Monday departure because I've always heard that weekday departures and arrivals were the easiest to obtain. I was told no problem but I would have to fly out of SFO because all the Sacramento to SFO (90 miles) flights were full. She then looked at leaving Sunday and they had openings so I booked. The morning Sacramento to SFO flights were full I believe because many people that work in San Francisco comute to their jobs from the Sacramento area. Emil