Emil

BK, I would recommend signing up with United Airlines and American Airlines at least. They don't cost anything to join. United Airlines is part of Star Alliance and American is part of One World Alliance. As an example when I fly Cathay Pacific or JAL, I earn American Airline miles. American doesn't fly into Bangkok but they let me redeem AA miles to fly on Cathay Pacific. Cathay requires 70K miles for a free flight to LOS, but in the past they have had promotions that only required 45K. United requires 60K for a free flight but BigD told me that they have had promotions that only required 40K. Once your a member of these mileage programs you'll find out that there are numerous other ways to earn miles, i.e. credit cards, phone service and even breakfast cereal to name a few. These are good programs to take advantage of as I get 1 free flight to LOS a year. Emil

pat, The bahtbus map is the best I've seen, but they haven't updated that area. They still show the Pink Lady restaurant in that location, but it was torn out a year ago when they put in those beer bars that are in an "L" shape from Beach Rd to Soi 8. Emil

I'm not sure about it's exact location , but "We Are The World" or something similiar is nearby. Emil

Ed, I received their email yesterday and on it they quoted $699 from NYC. mrt, On their website your should see special deals, the deal of the month should be there. One negative on this promotion is that you don't earn any AA miles. Emil

Max, It appears your a member, ask this same question under the "Newbie" area. Emil

Jack, I'm not familiar with the airlines that fly out of Europe, but in the US, I've never seen a low fare where length of stay was a factor, usually its the time of year your flying and the days that you want to fly. Emil

I don't know what you consider near, but there are many internet shops on 2nd Rd, I've used one near the Royal Garden Mall at 1 baht a minute. Even cheaper at 1/2 baht a minute if you want to walk over to Soi Buakaow. Emil

Derek, The only thing that was taking place when I went by this past month was next to the recently opened Dynasty Inn. Emil

If I were you I wouldn't commit to a long stay there just in case the noise from the construction next door of the new hotel is too much. Emil

If you like that area and the Areca is booked, try the Opey De Place located a little over 100 meters from the Areca on the other side of Soi Buakaow. website: www.geocities.com/opeydeplace Emil

Fonz, I didn't ask to see a room once they told me that their pool was no longer open. The Marine is an excellent hotel especially for it's price. Opened this past January with large rooms and nice view and balcony. Emil

Fonz, I stopped in there last spring and they quoted me a price of 600. I wasn't interested once they told me they didn't have a pool. A much nicer hotel at 700 a night and also without a pool is the Marine Yensabai Mansion. Emil

Jimmy, Thanks for the heads up on Aung Kam. I thought this place was strictly a school and not a restaurant. On my next trip I'm going to check out 2 new places to stay that are not to far from there and will give it a try. Emil

Hoffa disappeared in the mid 70's, so if it was the Kennedy's it was Ted or one of the sister. abcd, I've never looked into it, but I saw an ad for a Thai cooking class in Pattaya. School is located on 3rd Rd next to the Pattaya driving range. phone: 038-370-877. Emil

Steve, Should we be on the lookout for another name change. What a horrible finish to what started out as a very promising season. Emil

ramster, Like the others have pointed out it's located on the 1st Soi 13 after Soi 12, and to make it even more confussing ??? some maps show 5 Soi 13's and when you get there you will see signs 13, 13/1 (Yamoto), 13/2 (Post Office), 13/3(Pattayaland 1), and 13/4(Pattayaland 2). Emil

Personally I don't see the big deal about ID's being taken at the front desk as long as the front desk isn't making an issue of it. Most of the time when I'm returning with a TG she is getting her ID out of her purse as we walk up to get the key. I pick up my key, she hands over ID and off to room. In the morning she does have to sign the book to retrieve ID. If she's staying more than 1 day then the process is even smoother. Also when staying more than 1 day if her ID is on file she can come and go without you having to be with her or having her wait to get you on the line. Emil

I think FLB origianlly was an acronym for Freelancer Bar but now it's just the name of the bar, otherwise you have Freelancer Bar Bar. Emil

Good informative post Pat. I wish Pete had a review section on restaurants like he does with hotels on this site. Another place you might want to try, which would be on the cheaper list, is the MK at the Big C (they also have one at the new mall on Central Rd). They have duck and soup. Your table has this pot of water on the table and you order all the meat and vegatables items that you want to throw into the pot and cook it yourself. The TG's like the place and you can take your tilac and a few of her friends there and it won't set you back much. Emil

A place that looked like alot of potential is the View Talay Villas in Jomtien. These have their own private pool for your friend to have his own private party with a few TG's. Emil

Jimmy, I hope you weren't refering to me about shaving the price and to tell the truth I've never negotiated on a room price. When I'm in Pattaya and looking for a room, (I'll already have one for a few days) I find a place that I like and walk up and ask for their rate, after I get a quote then I ask them what is their rate for a longer stay and either they or sometimes they have to ask the manager and I always get a quote significantly less. If I like the quote then I ask to see the room and if the room is acceptable, I book. Emil

jimmy, Some of the apartments include all those things you mentioned and I don't really understand why they don't call themselves a hotel instead of a serviced apartment. Emil

Big D, Check out the places that just recently opened or are scheduled to open prior to your trip. Most people aren't even aware of their existence so your chances of finding a vacancy are good. Emil

Two things that factor in when your getting a rate from the hotel are time of year and length of stay. As an example on my last trip this past month I was paying 600 baht per night for a 30 day stay which I had received from an email, when my friend arrived about 10 days later and walked up they quoted him 1300 a night. Another thing that might have factored in on my lower rate is that I had stayed there in June and Sep for shorter stays but at the same 600 rate. Look for the hotels that have just recently opened and are likely to have some good deals. Emil

cnx, White Rose: tel: 038 713280 fax: 66 38 713281 email: whiterosemansion@yahoo.com Marine Yensabai: tel: 038 411544 fax: 038 414640 email: none, unless they got it after my last stay. I've only stayed at the Marine and never contacted them prior, just showed up. I took the above info off their business cards. Emil