lamejane

Many thanks for that first hand information voracious. I'm flying in into Suvarnabhumi very early this Friday morning and hope to get a taxi to Pattaya without flood problems. I know things can change, but it's super nice to know the way is open at the moment. I'm doing the return trip only 5 days later, but calling home to say "Sorry, cant come back to work now because the airport is flooded" strangely isn't as alarming as not getting there in the first place!

I think that would be highly unlikely.

It was over a POOL GAME that happened 4 YEARS AGO! Now that's funny!!!

I would also like to add this incident all seemed highly out of character for a place like the Stagshead. It not in any way a rough looking establishment. It's a clean well run business with a really decent menu with normally peaceful clientele. I will and have gone back there for breakfast without hesitation. Fights can and will break out in Pattaya anywhere.

By the way TTT, you only just missed the fight yourself. You were in there when we arrived. My Aussie friend had a chat with you. We were going to go on your Ban Chang crawl that afternoon but pulled out at last minute (and yes we were quite sorry to do that to you - it must happen all the time and get very tiresome). Anyway, we explained we were hung over badly and you kindly advised my friend to get a hangover/stomach remedy from your bar after breakfast - then you left. The fight started maybe 20 minutes later. ps - your remedy worked a treat thank you.

I can confirm this happened firsthand. I was there having breakfast in Stagshead on Aug 9th with two friends (an Aussie mate and his Thai girlfriend). I had the 130bht medium breakfast with a side order of a two round farang boxing match. It didn't go down that well. It happened pretty much as Norflox said, but I will add that the guy only SEEMED to come back later with a gun, but it was actually just his hand mimicking a pistol shape down his jeans. I WILL say however it was f'ing scary when you first saw him come in like that without knowing what it really was in his hand that was obscured by his jeans. But I guess that's the reason he did it, a little parlor trick to strike fear in people. Sure worked on me for a few moments. The staff in Stagshead did try to call the BIB but only at the very end of the second fight. The guy rode off on his scooter soon after, so I think they hung up before getting though to make the actual call. The threat of the call did the job well enough. I felt sorry for the older guy, he just looked so frightened. His nose was a bit of a mess afterwards and he's sure to have some nasty bruises. I'm a bit ashamed to say I didn't do anything to help, but if you met me you'd know why - I only weight 61kg and have prescription glasses. Long ago I found out the only valid policy for me in fights is to run. The breakfast is normally very good in Stagshead by the way. Anything can happen in Pattaya... and often does!

Yes, interesting article Evil. But from personal experience I found the service quite useful on my last trip. Used it from Suvarnabhumi Airport to connect to Phaya Thai Sky train station (the City Line with regular stops) - it cost 45 bht which didn't seem too bad at all. Then I took the regular Sky train from there to my hotel in Sukhumvit Rd. All up the trip cost 85 bht and took less than an hour. From memory the AE3 bus I usually take from the airport costs 200bht and it definitely takes longer due to Sukhumvit Rd area regularly being subject to bad traffic congestion. I also used the same service on the way back with much the same result - however, this time I do remember waiting 20 boring minutes for the next Airport link train when connecting from Phaya Thai. Still, I would happily use it again. Moderately priced, air-conditioned, relatively quick and gets to where I want to go. Then again maybe you have a better method to get to and from BKK Airport. Please kindly enlighten me if you do. Cheers lj PS - Oh yes, I do also remember the doors closing shut with a tremendous thud, but that happens on most trains in my home city so I'm rather used to it.

LOL After all that, the only problem with the Drunken Duck is it's going to be full!!

I'm certain Boots Pharmacies will have them. There is a Boots Pharmacy in the Big C shopping center (Big C Pattaya, Unit 112, Ground Fl., BigC Supercenter). There are probably other stores around Patts, but that's the one I know. Not sure about the cost, but as I understand the Thai health system, at lease you don't need a script.

I stayed there last August. It wasn't flash by any means, but quite reasonable for the price (I paid ~1100bht/night online). That was low-season, so it might be a higher price now. What I can remember - in point form; The room was comfortable but quite aged. The staff and service were reasonably friendly. The free breakfast buffet was very nice. The lobby area was quite flash. The location was great (for me anyway). The view out the window was horrid (but I didn't get a room for it's view, so I didn't care at all!). I overheard another guest bring in some company at reception - and he was charged 500bht extra! The 'picture' (and I use the term loosely) on the room wall looked like a piece of carpet. In short - not too bad if you plan on a quick mid-budget one night stay with no 'extra' guests - otherwise avoid. I'll try and dig up a little pic... found it.. Now I remember the two single beds, I guess that was a hint about the guest policy!