Emil

Eric, Why don't you become a member, that way you can pretty much post anything you desire. Emil

Roly, I'm shocked, you now pimping a hotel, what next a taxi service? "Good English food" Emil

I've never been asked to show my return ticket and I leave blank the info on the departure card regarding my return flight until the day I fly home. I wouldn't think that one must have a return ticket that is within their visa, otherwise why do they allow you with relative ease to get an extension at the immigration office. Also some of the young and adventurous travelers land in Bangkok and spend a week, then head up around the Chang Mai area for awhile. After that over to Laos, then Viet Nam, over to the Angkor ruins and back to Thailand and the islands before they fly back home. All this by surface transportation and much longer than the 30 day stamp they receive when they land. Emil

Babe, That is an exaggeration, it only took me 1 1/2 trips (25k) to LOS before I was at premier status and earning the 25% bonus miles and setting in the seats with the additional legroom. Only 3 trips to LOS and I qualify as premier elite which allows me to earn 100% bonus miles and I live on the West Coast. Other members that live on the East Coast have mentioned that they only need 2 R/T to qualify for premier elite. What makes it even better is your status carries over to the following year so your first and second trips you are still earning that bonus. So let me beark this down for you, 2 trips @ an average cost of $700 = $1400 or an effective cost of $467 when you consider the 3rd trip is free and these are in seats that are much more confortable than your usual economy. Emil

I'm not that familiar with UA program and Star Alliance. I know that you can fly on one of the member airlines and get credit on your UA account but if you fly on one of these member airlines would you still get double miles if your elite status is with United? Also when you fly on these member airlines do those miles count in qualifying you for premier or elite status with United? I had assumed that the qualifing and bonus miles only applied with United flights but if that is wrong that will give me more options. Emil

Hub, I agree it's a good deal and Cathay is my favorite airline. I was just trying to make a point that if your traveling multiple times within a calendar year, certain FF programs are much better than others and your better off sticking with one instead of bouncing around. While Cathay has it all over United on arrival/departure times, food, in flight entertainment and cute flight attendants, they can't touch United on legroom when your in economy plus or cost. Emil

I'm not familair with Cathay's frequent flyer program to compare it to others, but I firmly believe that if you fly frequently within a calander year you are better off to stay with one program. This is important not only for the benefits that trvlr mentioned, but in programs like United once you hit premier they give you a 25% bonus on your miles when you fly and 100% when you hit premier elite. On top of that, last year (my first year) they gave me some miles as a thank you for only flying twice to LOS. One more feature that is nice is they put you in Economy Plus which gives you an additional 5" of leg room and will try to seat you in an asile or window seat that has a center seat that isn't occupied. Emil

Leo, Beside the work that is in progress, Roland reported that they might demolish those beer bars and build another hotel, so keep that in mind. Emil

I thought the Portugal team lost because their players couldn't concentrate or stay focused on the ball. They were constantly looking over their shoulders to see where those Greek boys were. Emil

PenName, Here you go and make sure its Mike's Beach Resort and not Mike's Orchard down the Soi where construction is still taking place. Both owned by Mikes Mall group. Phone: 66 38 420625-6 Fax: 66 38 423951 Email: mikebeachresort@hotmail.com If that email doesn't work let me know as I have another one. The one thing that might turn some off on this hotel is its funky furnishings. Other than that, good location, quiet, good size pool for laps and friendly staff. I just tried to add this contact info into the reviews area without any success, any suggestions. Emil

I'm probably the wrong person to ask, as I'm the one who did the reviews. If you can get a rate near what I paid, I would say yes. Also the rooms with a view are the ones on the upper floors and facing Soi 4. Emil

travlling, I really can't say because that was my first time staying there. After 1 week I moved up to Soi 4 and stayed at my regular hotel, Mike's Beach, which had a much larger room and view of the bay. Emil

travlling, I stayed there this past May in the new wing and thought the room was very good for what I paid (630). Maid service every day and safes are behind the front desk. The pool is located on the top of the hotel and is average in size. I thought my room was small as I hit my leg on the bedframe a few times. Check out the hotel reviews, there's some photos and a website. Emil

Neither charges a joiner fee. They are building another hotel next to the Sunshine Vista so you might have a noise problem if you like to sleep in. Emil

From my 2003 annual report, Boeing doesn't show any -300 on order, only about 800 on backorder of the others. Don't know when they stopped the production of the -300's, but they built over 1100 of them. Emil

If your willing to pay up to 3000 you have many options especially during July when hotels have many vacancies. Did you check out the "hotel reviews section", many reviews posted by members with photos and websites. Based on what your willing to spend, check out the Hard Rock or Marriotts. Emil

cybers1b, The Boeing 737-300 has been around for 20 years. Boeing is currently producing the -600,-700,-800, and -900 models. But I wouldn't worry to much about the age of these airplanes as long as they have routine maintenance and upgrades. The US Air Force is still flying the B-52's and the last one to come off the production line was in 1962. Emil

Ian, I believe the Greenhouse complex is located on 2nd Rd between Soi 7 and Central Pattaya Rd. Emil

R/T LA to Singapore for $27 is one hell of a deal, where do I get that fare? Emil

As a general rule, the hotels that are less than 1000 baht a night are geared towards us and don't charge a joiner fee. I looked at the website and if you open map you can see where it's located. Emil

Mark, When I was there last August, they were only charging for utilities on monthly stays. I asked for a seaview deluxe (4500), they didn't have any vacancies so they put me in a seaview suite but shut off the adjoining room which was the living area and bathroom. In other words the suite is just 2 rooms with an adjoining door. I thought it was an ok room, about the size of the Eastiny Place, the reason I only stayed for a week instead of a month was because they didn't have a pool. Emil

Steve, I thought you told me that you had a seaview suite. Anyway if you can get the same rate that will be good because on the rate sheet I have the prices jump on October. Between the noise and other hotels coming on line, you should get a good rate. Emil

Cathay Pacific flies out of Toronto. Check their website for fares. They have an All Asia promotion that costs $999 USD if you don't stay over 21 days. Emil

jml, I haven't been to the elephant village, but once your in Pattaya go to one of the numerous travel agencies and they will take care of you. Besides the elephant village you might be interested in visiting Nong Nooch tropical gardens, the Million Year Stone Park and Crocodile farm, and the Sirach Tiger Zoo. Emil