Grandpollo

So it makes sense to leave your elephant at home when you go there and thus you will save 50% on your food costs.

Thanks Jacko the bank is giving me a chip card anyway as my ATM card is rather banana shaped after years in the wallet and the other bank doesn't put names on ATM cards at all so they just gave me a new one in a minute todsy.

Reasonable question where there's this type of alliance. The CA-4 countries Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador allow their citizens to travel among the 4 with only their cedula which is is their national voting card but in fact is the de facto ID. A similar thing is also done is for tourists. The entry card, which is basically a visa on arrival is valid for 90 days in all 4 countries regardless of where they first entered.

Same question as for Aussiechic are these credit cards e.g. visa and mastercard or debit cards where you are taking from your bank account? Sounds like credit cards. My main question is about using my ATM/ debit cards neither having a chip since the ATM cash machines here don't require them. It sounds like ATM cards with a stripe only and no chip work OK in Pattaya.

Credit card or ATM cards?

Thanks Joe. The machines are just becoming more common here with PIN , credit cards as well. And Europe it is the rule and I did not know if Thailand was closer to us or closer to Europe.

Yes, I am not worried about the bank , does the Wells Fargo card have a chip or no chip?

We have these chip and PIN cards here and credit cards as well. My two ATM cards and one of two VISA cards have no chips. Are the chips required? We have been slower than Europe in the whole chipping business. Another way to ask. Are you using ATM cards with no chip without hassle now?

I sent a note to Pattaya Limo and asked not about the fare but if the driver (they promote these 2 great drivers on their web page) spoke English and if they know where the RG is. Got a one sentence reply with the fare and asking for flight details. I just wrote to Mr. T. tonight and asked if he'd do it . If PL won't read what you write and reply to two simple questions, then the rest of the service is likely to disappoint. RG offered a pickup but want THB1900 which is higher than I have ever seen unless it is a sedan chair.

Aluminum foil

Does he (or whoever he sends) speak any English? Can you stop at a 7-11 etc., for something on the road ?

Except their site doesn't show the name in Thai. Has a map though, in English.

I think you need to find someone other than Photobucket for hosting the photos. They sure don't last long. Is the all you can eat ribs deal still on or is that photo from days gone by?

I think I will if I can save 1/2 the cost. They are a little dear on sending a car to the airport and returning there as well at THB 1900 to come down and THB 1700 to go back vis-a-vis Mr. T, etc. I wonder what 700 buys to justify that other than making a few bucks for the hotel which I guess is the main thing. Not sure if RG sends a taxi if that is more reliable in terms of finding me and the RG. I can't imagine Mr. T or Toom can't figure out where the RG is. Thanks for patiently answering questions with you being there it helps know things in advance. I travel a lot for busines

This is interesting since they ID you up the hoop at the checkin and security and again before boarding there is little doubt the person and the ticket are the same thing, makes you wonder what value added you achieve with looking at a credit card (also in the same name).

I'll say "I need to change some travellers cheques, eh?"

When the Hong Kong dollar gets there you will have a really dire situation.

Good to know and thank you.

Well it is a once in a lifetime change It is also $400 lower than Business Class and since I always fly Business Class it was an easy choice to save and get the whole caviar and pyjamas experience. I have nearly 400,000 AA miles so my next trip to BKK and Pattaya will be free (next 3 really) . See? I am assuming I am coming back already.

Valid points. I am used to both ends of the spectrum on laundry. My hotel in Managua charged $10 for as much as you brought them and that was at an outside laundry they used for towels and sheets. The Sutton Place in Vancouver charged $3 a pair for underwear and $2 for socks and I was on the road for 5 weeks of that kind of pricing. My Managua laundry budget would wash one day of clothes. Though they did send a houseboy to get the clothes and returned them to your room on hangers and in the case of underwear and socks in a box tied with a ribbon and bow. Can you smoke in the RG rooms or ju

In perhaps 120 international flights over the last 5 years I have never had any airline ask for the credit card I used for a ticket. And neither for domestic flights.

They have cider which is all I drink, two kinds which is great. And I like the menu so a place to eat and drink for sure.

Since I live here, the CAD is stronger and I'd lose 2 or 3% to buy US is it OK to change CAD dollar cheques at the change bureaux or banks? I pay no commission to buy them so just the cashing fee would be the only cost of using them, less than an ATM. And I should get 1% or more than for USD. My previous travels in Central America were US$ only, cash only (the banks will sell the cheques then spend an hour cashing one for 5% commission). No CAD, no GBP, no Euros. No money from the neigbouring countries either now that I think of it. Darn helpful.

What's pricey, in your view? Just need an idea of what you think is a lot. Where are the nearby laundries and what do they charge, by the piece, the pound , the bag? Are there balconies in the rooms?

The Queen Vic uses Thaiepay for credit card deposits but they wanted THB 10,500 in advance for the penthouse room and I have to say 5 days in advance is a hefty deposit. So businesses can accept Visa or MC for a deposit but my expectation is a night and if you no-show they keep the deposit and the trade off is they guarantee the room for later than the cutoff time, like 6 pm or whatever. And if you cancel a day or 3 before they don't charge the deposit. I am staying at RG as I want a pool as well as Wifi etc.