Emil

There are 3 rather new hotels on Soi 18 ( aka soi Yensabai). Koenig Mansion, White Rose, & Marine Yensabai at around 600 baht a night. White Rose is the only one currently with a pool, the owner of the Koenig says he'll have one in a few months. The Marine is the closest to Walking St, a little over 200 meters and has rooms that I would consider a little better than the Eastiny Place. Emil

Koenig has safe deposit boxes in lobby. Emil

Guys, Small restaurant, but I haven't tried it. About the safety, I feel safe walking to the room. This street has many little Thai shops, larger 7-11 would be on South Pattaya Rd ( approx 100 meters) or Phratamnak Rd (approx 200 metters). Koenig is a small place, I think about 24 rooms. The Marine Yensabi is a much larger place and when finished will have a disco on site. The 665 rate applies to stays of at least 2 weeks, again no pool, but balcony and large bathroom with tub.

I'm staying here now. I have one of the corner rooms and paid 600 a night for a week. A few things not mentioned is there is no pool and the bathroom only has a shower with no curtains. That the only negative, everything is new and they have the large refrigerators in the room. Another option closer to Phratamnak Rd is the Marine Yensabai Mansion. It's only 1 month old and I got a rate of 665 for 3 weeks. Have to go now and check out a few Go-gos. Emil

Tweety, Although I'm only going to be in the Koenig 1 week, I'm staying in Pattaya until 14 Mar and won't be able to write a review until after I return. If you do decide to book a room make sure you ask for a room with a large bed. If you look at their floor plans, most show twin beds. I'm pretty sure the place is guest friendly for at least 1 companion. You could always inquire in your email to them regarding 2. Emil

Tweety, This place only opened this past November. I'm giving it a try on my next trip for a week and will be there on the 13th. When I return I'll post a review in the hotel section. Emil

duece, If my earlier post is not feasible and since the time between trips is only a few months, leave some of your clothing that you won't need back home with a friend in Pattaya, either Thai or an expat. If Thai, preferably not a BG because she might be visiting family or on a L/T barfine when you return, and give them some baht for their trouble. If an expat, don't give them any baht because he is your friend, but since your return trip you'll be traveling light, you'll have room to bring him his favorite smokes, booze or any other item that he can't get in Pattaya. Emil

duece, You should have no trouble bringing back the shirts if your going to be in Pattaya twice, bring back 6 each trip if necessary. You could carry them on the aircraft in a small bag, myself I usually have more room in my suitcase on the return trip than going to Pattaya. Emil

RayW From your post it seems your airmiles are valued more than mine. 1900 miles wouldn't get you squat in the FF programs that I'm with in US. I need 50,000 miles for a R/T to Europe in coach and 60,000 to Asia. I would guess that maybe it's alot more difficult for you to earn your miles. ??? Emil

Tom, I've only read a little about the programs, but United claimes that their FF program division was their only profitable one. I can't remember exactly, but it was either 1.2 or 1.4 cents that United is reimbursed for each mile that these different companies are giving the public. While that seems low, the airlines are getting this revenue now while the miles are redemed much latter and probably some never. With only limited facts, I don't know if this business practice it truely a profitable one for the airlines or if it will catch up with them down the road. Emil

Tom, I'm just curious, but do you UK folks have the opportunity to earn miles besides flying with the airline. In the US flying is becoming almost a 2nd means to earn miles. Examples: sign up with a specific credit card company get 15-20K miles plus 1 mile for every $1 spent, sign up with a specific long distance carrier get 6K miles plus 5 miles for every $1, sign up for a specific ISP get 10K, list your house with specific real estate company get 1000 miles for every $3000 in selling price, and the list goes on and on. Emil

Skate, The Sabai is located on Soi 2 near the middle of Beach and 2nd Rd. If your a light sleeper you will like it because its not in the middle of any bars. Emil

akr, I believe the buses don't begin departing for Pattaya until 6 AM, so your only options are taxi or limo. Taxi cheaper but limos more reliable. Emil

The name of the airline would have kept me from flying with them. Emil

monkeyman, Although I don't have any data, I disagree with your assumption about the STD risk being greater with a beer bar girl as opposed to a go-go girl. I would think it would be dependent upon the amount of customers and whether any protection was being used. Some of the very popular girls may have 30+ customers in a month while others maybe 5. While some of the places require the girls to get a regular check-up, we've all heard how thorough these are and even if they were thorough the only way you could be sure your safe, is if your were the 1st person after the check up. Emil

If you haven't already purchased your LOS ticket the Cathay Pacific all- asia ticket might work for you. Cost is $999 + taxes/fees. You must return by 15 May and your total time in Asia must not exceed 21 days from the time you arrive in Hong Kong. Departure site are NYC, SFO, LAX, Vancover & Toronto. Your trip would look like this: arrive Hong Kong, to BKK, back to Hong Kong, to Manilla, back to Hong Kong, then home. Emil

Will be arriving on United Airlines Feb 12th 11:50 PM, should be finished with immigration and customs between 12:30-1:00 AM Feb 13th. Anyone wanting to share taxi/limo to Pattaya? Emil

akr100, I've never been out looking at 5 AM but 1 time I departed my hotel on Soi 8 for the airport at that time and it was pretty dead. If your that anxious to find someone so soon after arriving in Thailand I would suggest staying in Bangkok otherwise get a good sleep in Pattaya upon checking in at your hotel and begin your quest in the early afternoon. Emil

Papa, If one were to visit Nong Khai, should you bring a GF or are they easy to find there. ??? ??? Emil

You have to remember that his activities will be somewhat limited on this trip (he has his young daughter with him) and who is #2 on his all time list. Emil

BigDUSA, I would have thought on your first day back to FLB, that you would be spending your time in the S/T room getting reaquainted with Mok. ;D ;D Emil

Baz, Have you ever checked out Cathay Pacific flights? One negative would be that you would have to go through Hong Kong, but all the coach seat have the personal TV's with 4 or 5 movies in the mother tongue. Plenty of food (meal about 2 hours after takeoff and another 2 hours before landing) snacks whenever you want them. Don't know about the seat pitch, but so far I've always manged to get the seats with no one in front of me. Emil

thaidane, I agree, price seems high for that time of year and length of stay. I only stayed at the Sunshine 1 time and they put me in the old part of the hotel and the room was crap. ( I've heard the new wing is good) I went next door to the Eastiny Place and was able to get a much better room for less. Went back and checked out without even sleeping there. If you can't get a place at either one of the Flippers, try one of the Eastiny's or the new little hotel the Bella Vista. Emil

BigDUSA, That should definately get you out of any hot water with her. Your off to a roaring start for 2003, you'll be in Thailand for the first 4 months, will you be trying for all 12 this year? Emil

BigDUSA, Ernie Banks would be proud of you. This also looks like the perfect way out of your problem with the Eden Alumna, tell her the first trip is a father-daughter bonding trip and you'll only be able to get away from your daughter for short periods of time when she is asleep. But because you feel so bad about not be able to spend more time with her (Eden) your coming back. Emil