Eneukman

I could do with using a few of them as well. However, I doubt if you'll be able to use them elsewhere as they're a gif. file and are therefore unlikely to be recognised by any other software. Of course, someone who's more technologically minded than I am may prove me wrong. Alan

tangent's spot on with his comments. I've stayed there 4 times and the only reason I won't be back again is that I now have my own condo in View Talay. Having said that the traffic last Friday and Saturday was even worse than usual and it was a snail's pace from before the RG to South Pattaya Road. Alan

Danny, One thought - have you tried clicking the "refresh" button? This can also be done, I think, by pressing the F5 buttion. Alan

Another link that may be helpful, though it is for 2A (where I am) rather than for 2B - I'm sure they can forward your message on to the B building. http://www.apartment-pattaya.com/rates.php Any reason you want 2B specifically? I don't think there's any difference between 2A and 2B? Alan

As others have said, you'll be able to enjoy a very comfortable life style on US $5,000 per month. In fact, you'll have more spendable income than a very large number of ex-pats living here, myself included and I'm not exactly on the bread line. I reckon on spending around 80,000/90,000 baht per month of which 20,000 baht is taken up by rent. I should still have sufficient left over to pay for holidays every year or visits to the likes of Chiang Mai etc. Alan

So far, there haven't been any problems with the water supply in View Talay, where I now stay. However, in the main areas of Pataya, you can see water trucks delivering water supplies to bars, go-gos etc just about anywhere. The source of some of the water is a bit dubious to say the least. You should never drink the tap water and stick always to bottled water. Not sure what the hotel in question was doing but any reputable hotel would never serve other than bottled water to guests. The local MP has apparently discussed the situation with the prime minister personally, so all problems will be solved within a matter of days (not ). The rainfall last month was apparently higher than normal and whilst that has helped an even wetter August is required (and September, October, November, December etc). I wouldn't let the current water shortage stop you coming over, but be prepared to take dry showers etc Alan

doolish, I think the maximum that the Thai ATM's will pay out in any one transaction is 10,000 baht. If I need more, I just out the card in a 2nd time and daw out another 10,000 baht or whatever. Alan

Got one of these from Hull. Now I just need to convert it to a retirement visa. One of the crazy things about airline tickets is that it was cheaper for me to buy a return ticket to Bangkok from Edinburgh for the end of August rather than a single! So, I bought the return ticket - I just won't be checking in for the return journey back to the UK! Alan

Talking about the Old Course, I put my 2nd on the par 5 5th into one of these pot bunkers. I got into it and all I could see was sand, the bunker face and sky. I got out in one but I swear that the ball went further in an upward direction than it did in a forward direction. My 4th shot ended up just short of the green and fortunately I read the line of the putt spot on as if it had not struck the pin it would have gone about 12 feet past. As a high handicap duffer, getting a 6 on a par 5 after being in a pot bunker was bloody good! Alan

Just a few, Brian Actually, Doug Sanders and I have something in common - we both 3 putted the 18th on the Old Course AND we both went into the Swilken Burn on the 1st. (Sanders did it in his 1st round). I prefer to remember getting down in 2 from a bit over 90 feet on the 8th hole - albeit for a bogey. Alan

I went to the Nokia shop in Big C yesterday to try and register my new phone but when I said register all that happend was the girl repeated the word "register" with a blank stare. If they're selling mobiles, you would think they were aware of the need for the sim card to be registered, but appaerntly not! So today it was on to Telewiz at Carrefour and as Jacko said it took less than a minute. At least if I get cut off, I won't be alone as there were people queuing up to fill in the registraton sheet. Alan

You're lucky Griffo. Most flights I'm on are almost full with very few spare (if any) spare seats! I always make a point of getting an aisle seat as far forward in the cabin as possible and when I get off, I walk fast to Immigration passing as many people as possible in the process. Alan

There was a little rain yesterday morning, but nowhere near enough to help alleviate the water shortages. Just now the temperature's about 90, humidity 75%. It's also mainly cloudy though I can see one very small bit of blue sky. Alan

Correct, aqua I've just spent 2 days in the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital (I'll go into more details in a different post at a later date) which ended up costing me around 32,000 baht. I had to pay this up front and will have to reclaim it from my travel insurance when I return home (for a mere 2 weeks). I now need to get some permanent health insurance set up here and I will certainly be checkoing out what BUPA has to offer. Alan

Right now, it's hot and sunny in Pattaya though there was some very heavy rain in the early hours. There have been a number of torrential downpours over the last week but none have lasted much more than about 20 minutes or so (apart from some in the early hours, which may have gone on a bit longer) Alan

Now, why doesn't that surprise me Alan

Pandering to Michael Schumacher and Ferrari again, no doubt!!!!! Alan

I think you're being a bit optimistic there, ferocious ............. though the cricketers perhaps have a better chance than their rugby playing compatriots. Alan

I bought a new mobile in the Big C yesterday and when I enquired about registering it, all I got was blank stares Alan

I had heard that all SIM cards had to be registered by 1st July - though from some of the above comments that seems to be incorrect. I'm on the lookout for a Thai mobile phone so I'll try to post an update in a day or two. Alan

Sounds as though there's an extra zero been put on the end - or its the fare for flying 1st class? Certainly no way I would pay anything remotely close to that for cattle class. Alan

I've got to go along with mister handy here. A 6 month delay on a project of this type is pretty good. Whilst the plane will theoretically be able to carry around 800 passengers, I don't see many airlines carrying much more than around 550 or so. The real money is made from 1st and business class passengers (except when you manage to wangle a free upgrade as I did with QANTAS few years back ). BA's economy plus is pretty good and only £300 or so more expensive than cattle class. OK - you get the same hold baggage allowance but double the hand baggage allowance - and the food's the same crap as they offer in cattle class. I flew this way last November and I found the 7 inches extra leg room sp much more comfortable. By the way, I ain't exactly tall at 5ft 6in but I have problems with my knees seizing up from time to time. I'm treating myself to a once in a lifetime flight in 1st in a few days time. I'm expecting (at least) a nice sirloin steak (well done) with a pepper sauce and a bottle of Bollinger to wash it down for the price I'm paying! Alan

Exactly my own thinking, Floyd. Last trip I flew in BA's economy plus class so once the 1st Class and Club Class passengers were off, I was one of the first to get off. I can walk pretty fast so I soon overtook most of those off before me and for the first time ever, found relatively short queues at Immigration. Alan

Thanks leemo. I arrive on the evening of 15th June and will begin my search for somewhere to live the following Monday. Need to buy a new mobile and get a couple of other things sorted out first! Stress levels are beginning to climb. Need a few soon. Alan

leemo, where in Pattaya do you live? I'll be there in a matter of weeks and at present am considering View Talay as one option. Also, would an external modem be acceptable? Thanks, Alan