losgrad

Nice!! The cost of 'personal services' here in SEA makes living like a king affordable. I've only had 3 ladies working on me at the same time in Nha Trang, Vietnam. It was $1 for each lady plus tip. Of course, after 9 pm, sometimes there are other services available in the back room, but I took two of them out to dinner instead :) I'll have to take a 'look/see' at the shop on Pattaya Klang across from Tops. Although I have a regular shop on Soi Buakow (70 baht haircuts), trying new things and changing routines keeps life interesting. Thanks for the reference.

I'd recommend broadening the sample size. Most weeks I see two movies, one English language and one Thai. I have seen some nice Thai movies and some crappy ones from the USA and visa versa. I try to avoid the Thai ghost or horror movies as they utilize the same tactics (white faced ghosts wearing white nightgowns and a few other cliches), just like I avoid the H. Potter or Vampire series that scare me into taking a good nap with the time. IMHO. It's so inexpensive here to see a movie at 120 baht x 2 plus large popcorn at 85 baht, that it's cheap entertainment or a good nap :) I

This place on Pattaya Klang, across the street and just east of the old Carrefour (now Big C Extra) has a great selection of safes. I bought one from "Pinky" across the street where they sell furniture and safes, but later saw this place with a greater selection and better prices.

That's some funny shit! :) This is the first time I've read your reports so from now on, I'll try to keep up. Thank you.

Excellent points.

I've used something similar for my laptops and valuables (Credit Cards, Passports, etc..) especially if I suspect the room safe can be more easily tampered or easily opened by any staff. I also use the referenced "PacSafe" products. A large variety of travel security items from small caches to lockable backpacks. These are especially useful when traveling in overnight trains or those rooms barely qualified as guesthouses. Take the precautions that make travel comfortable for you, but be prepared for losses by keeping vital information off your computer and copy of CC and passports avail

Yes, but my information is a little dated. Last summer, I stopped in before they closed (not sure why they open/close frequently; I'll ask my expat friends who use to visit there frequently). Anyway, they have a half dozen nice ladies and the Mamasan is a draw as she is a very entertaining character. A few friends who had become regulars invited me to stop by and see. It's not large, but well decorated, good AC with a very relaxed atmosphere; sort of a hostess lounge. P.S. Good to know of another 'walker.' I frequently walk from old Carrefour (BCE) to Big C, Soi 6, Walking Street

Just a comment about beaches. Having lived in a beach city tourist area in Central California for 25 years, I find it interesting that some think that swimming in the sea is a high priority. Over those two decades plus near the CA beaches, I can count the number of times I went swimming in the salty and sandy ocean waters. Unless your boogie boarding or surfing, it's not as enjoyable to me as just lying near the water looking over the horizon, enjoying the ocean breezes, relaxing or reading a book. Now, I sit in an air-conditioned coffee shop looking through the palm trees over the ocean r

"Before" it was if your monthly electric bill was less than 200 baht, they would not bill you, but I have recently heard, this is no longer the practice.

Yes, they do and yes, it is pricey. At the Pattaya Marriott's the variety is outstanding, the omelets made to order, variety of breads and muffins, fruits, fruit juices, etc... but to me the tastes were a little bland. Perhaps, if I was to add seasonings myself. I would describe the dinner buffet similarly with the wide assortment and variety, but maybe my tastes have become accustomed to the spicy Thai flavors. However, the Marriott's breakfast buffet in Bangkok is outstanding in tastes, freshness and assortments. When in Bangkok, I take family and friends there as it's very special e

Jomtien is a good change of traffic pace from Pattaya. Periodically, I ride my bicycle to the bicycle shops on Therapasit Road and then cruise down to the very end of the beach road as it's very low traffic with nice warm ocean winds. On the way back, Soi 6 has some nice massage places to shower and get oiled up. If I still have energy, I can divert to Rioja, Kinaree Club, Jade House or any number of beer bars in the area. After that, it's a downhill ride home to Pattaya. Variety can spice up your life. Take care and enjoy.

Try it! It'll give you something to talk about besides what part of Isaan she came from, how long she has worked bar (on this trip back to Pattaya) or why she no like Thai man, etc.... She'll ask you about your wife, where is the wife, why wife not with you, what your wife looks like, how old is the wife, etc... If she is really confident, she'll want to meet your wife or at least go to your room, condo or house to make sure she can leave little hints about her visit when she has left you. It's a game. Play it, but be prepared. Or if your intention is to avoid a LTR, t

Yes, interesting how things may have gone differently with David Carradine under different hotels guest policies... Anyway, I haven't stayed in the rooms at the Hilton at Central Festival Pattaya, but I have accompanied different ladies past the front desk and through the lobby into the elevators to go up to the restaurant or rooftop bar. No hotel staff questioned or intercepted me, but maybe if they recognized me as a registered hotel guest...? Hmmm, I guess if the front desk or hotel lobby personnel question you, you could always go to the rooftop bar first and then go to your room.

Are they really a 'gang' (involved in criminal activities) or are they just a motorcycle club? Some clothing worn by motorcyclists is for protection from road rash and other apparel may be for club identification. I've always ridden solo, but encountered many clubs and gangs in my rides throughout the USA and Canada. At the big motorcycle rallys in Sturgis, South Dakota (500k riders); Laughlin, Nevada; Hollister, California; etc... I shared drink, food and time with both clubs and gangs. Most were somewhat friendly sharing road stories and campground information to just another motorc

Don't worry too much. I've also stayed on Soi 12 many times and loved the lack of through traffic and location except when it flooded during rains, but when I use to visit here on holiday, most of the times whether high season or low season, I didn't have a room reservation. There are dozens of guesthouses on: + Soi Buakow + LK Metro + sois between 2nd Road/Soi Buakow + sois between Soi Buakow/3rd Road If you want one between Beach and 2nd Road, then Soi 6 has many rooms too (not just the ST rooms :) in that price range with Air Cond, some with in-room safes, etc... but no sw

In regards to the 'mini-bike,' I have found even with the fatter tires, the much smaller tire diameters, insufficient suspension, handlebars, engine response, overall design, etc.. make them very unstable compared to a regular off-road 'motorcycle' (not a motorbike). So, if safety and handling is your concern, then rent a 'dirt-bike' motorcycle and ride it off-road. They come in small sizes that are exceptionally easy for an inexperienced rider (I've trained a dozen of my kids friends to ride on our CA ranch. Make sure you know how to STOP before you go and be coordinated enough to do a fig

I'd agree with that. I assume most people don't tell the truth about how they use their earnings - bargirls, USA strippers, bankers, CEO's, politicians, plumbers, co-workers, mongers, etc... When my USA stripper 'friends' needed rent money, car payments, etc.., I wasn't going to just give it to them (after they had just paid hundreds for another new outfit and 9 inch heel shoes or their boyfriend had just blown his money). I'd negotiate what I'd pay for so many days/nights with them. If they changed the amount or didn't provide the services, then it's a different story. For the

Torque, I agree with your sentiments in your first paragraph, but as others have analyzed your conclusions to the probabilities, etc... are disputable, but a good first attempt. Mongers visiting Pattaya should be informed (although many are told, read books and forums; yet still succumb), especially those that have minimal experience outside of one hour AMPs in the States or even longer-term 'relationships' with professional providers as the ladies here (and in the Philippines) are "VERY GOOD" at what they do and at convincing you that they are different and you are more than just a

Yes, whenever you use your Thai bank ATM in a province different than where you opened the account (Pattaya vs. Bangkok vs. Chiang Mai, etc..), there will be a small fee of about 10 baht for ATM use or deposits. Bangkok Bank, Bank of Ayudhya and Kasikorn Banks, etc.. all do this. You can also use your Thai bank ATM card at most other other Thai bank ATM machines and they will charge you 35 baht, i.e. using your Kasikorn ATM at a Bangkok Bank ATM (unless you have one of those special security/smart accounts that do not permit this). It's still the way to go rather than using my USA ATM

Some of the Freelancers I have seen in Bkk have ongoing sponsors. The girls tell me they are at their sponsors beck and call so when their sponsors are scheduled to be in-country, they will not be available, otherwise I can see them. So, sponsors get first priority. That's fine with me since I am not a sponsor. Anyway, I stop in and check out PBG regularly during my stay in Pattaya. So far, I have only picked up FL from the beach, but I am sure it'll change eventually. I have chatted with Pete and although a different vibe than Bkk BG, his place is nice to walk through, have a drink,