Emil

Dave, For the same cost you could have reduced your travel time well over an hour and maybe 2 if you went to the Mochit terminal. Taxi to the Mochit terminal takes about 10 minutes and cost around 100 baht eliminating the waiting time for the A3 bus and reducing the travel time to Ekamai terminal. Buses also depart there every 30 minutes to Pattaya so depending at what time you arrive at the bus terminal you could wait anywhere from a few minutes to 30. Anyway, in 18 months if there are no delays, travel from the new airport to Pattaya will be a breeze. Emil

They opened that wing a few months back. Haven't stayed there, only walked by last December. I did notice last week a construction crane in that area as I was walking along 2RD, so there could be another project going on along with some noise. Emil

SoCal and Jack, I hope you guys didn't get confussed by my post. I paid 650 on my 3 stays in 2002 when the Eastiny was about a year old. All 3 times I sent them an email, the first time asking for a quote and they responded with 650. The next 2 times I asked for the same rate and they agreed. My stays are for 30 days and I was there Feb, August and November that year. When I couldn't get that rate in 2003 I looked elsewhere and found what I consider better rooms for an even lower rate. Emil

I wonder how many actually died from sex. The article stated 148 Brits died in Thailand of which 13 were suicide which would take the number down to 135. The most common cause was car and motorbike accidents. They also mentioned drowings. Of the ones that died in bed especially after taking Viagra or other sexual performance enhancing drugs without a prescription or ignoring the warnings on the medications and doctors, would the cause of death be sex or stupidity. But I would guess that listing "Sex" in the article would help sell more papers. Emil

Just ate there on the 17th where I met up for the first time with the infamous jimmybb and his sweet TG. Jimmy had just finished getting a fitting at the tailors for a custom fitted cheesehead. Emil

They also provide return service from their office on 3rd Rd to the airport 3 times a day for 200 baht. Emil

This might be the case where you win the battle but lose the war. I agree with you if I where paying the published price and all the room were the same, but in Pattaya the room rates will vary between customers at the same time of the year. When I stayed at the Eastiny Place I always stayed on one of the upper floors facing the pool and not the back of the Sunshine hotel. Also I was only paying 650 a night when others were paying 800 so I didn't mind paying the additional 20 baht a night. I find that if you maintain a good relationship with management they will look after you, as an example this past September I was paying 600 a night at another hotel but when a fellow board member inquired about a room they quoted him 800 and this past December when I was staying at the same hotel again paying only 600 a night a friend of mine came into town and asked about a room and they quoted him 1100 a night. Emil

This might be outdated information as I stayed there 3 times in 2002 but haven't stayed since because they wanted more than what they charged me in the past. The price you pay for giving them good reviews and making the place popular. When I stayed I gave them my credit card upon arrival and they took the info, when I checked out is when I paid the bill which include mini bar and restaurant and at that time they charged me an additional 3% for using a credit card. Emil

I'm currently staying at Mike's Beach on soi 4 and I hear more construction noise from another project thats going on behind the expansion of the cruise ships on Soi 2. Fortunately it doesn't start until around 9 AM. Emil

B-Man, Your getting a little lazy if you consider Nova Park off the path, you've been around the TG's too much ;D its less than a 5 minute walk to 2nd Rd and the ass end of the Big C. Also in the same area as Nova Park they have just completed another apartment complex. Capt, I fogot to mention the Inn House has a good monthly rate and its located between 2nd Rd and Beach Rd. Emil

Fonz, If you do decide to stay, make sure they don't hit you up for any joiner fees. Emil

Capt, The Natana Garden View is about 6 months old, has a pool , in room safe and costs 10k/month + utilities. Location is off the beaten path as its located between S.S. Villa and 3rd road, north of Centeral Rd. I think you would be best off to stay in a hotel for 2 days and check out some of the places referred to you before you commit for 2 months. Emil

Do you require a pool and what's your price range? Emil

Just because they'll have the capability to fly non stop with the new planes, unless they can fill them up with paxs to fly to LOS on a regular basis, they will continue to fly into the current hubs. Emil

Since you didn't mention a pool, I would recommend the Marine Yensabai Mansion on Soi Yensabai (Soi 18). It's less than a 5 minute walk to FLB. Cost is 700 a night with a small discount if you stay for 2 weeks. Hotel is just over a year old. Emil

Roy, I can imagine someone on one of the side sois approaching 2nd Rd seeing a break in traffic and turning onto 2nd Rd and into the path of the bus going the opposite direction. Emil

It was still one way on Dec 18th. Emil

I was in Pattaya last year in August and it was at least 10 degrees F cooler that than where I live. ;D Now the humidity was a different story. Emil

There are 2 AAs on Soi 13 and both are guest friendly. The older AA is located next to Beach Rd and the newer AA Residence is nearer 2nd Rd. The rates vary depending on high/low season and length of stay. Emil

Big D, What's the trick to getting double miles with United. I'm aware that I'll get them once I fly 50K with them in a calender year for the balance of that year and through the end of Feb the following year, but it sounds like you get them all the time. Emil

I've never been there but I've worked with ex Air Force guys who were stationed there. The US had an Air Force base there during the war, but I never heard it being mentioned as an R & R destination. Emil

Zeus, One of the reasons given for the justification of building the new airport was that Thailand wanted to attract other airlines to make it a hub. The current airport was considered to small to accomplish this so I'm hoping once the new airport is open we'll see some non stops from the west coast. Emil

I don't know about pigtails, but the Classroom on Pattayaland 2 have the girls in school type outfits on most days. You can get to their website by going to links at the top of this page and then open Pattaya go-gos. Emil

Fonz, I just want to let you know that the rooms at Mike's Beach don't have bedside lighting. One thing to consider is if they are going to build 2 more buildings, will be the noise factor when they start the pile driving. This new construction will be between Mike's Orchard and the Bella Villa. The room I saw at the Bella Villa for 1050 a night looked far superior to the room in these photos. Emil

I also would choose to have the surgery done at home if only because when I'm in Thailand I don't want to have any downtime recovering from surgery. However in my case I have a health plan and I wouldn't have any out of pocket expenses. If I didn't have health insurance or had one that only paid a small percentage of the cost then I would consider Thailand because I've heard stories that US costs are in the thousands and the savings could pay for the trip to LOS. Emil