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 use to go on the bargain Wednesdays (was 80 baht, but now 100), but found the larger crowds made it less fun (and harder to fall asleep :). Anyway, give it chance and lower expectations of all movies these days. I have the classics on DVD, but two afternoons or early evenings away from other Pattaya entertainment options is a good routine for me. Enjoy and sabai. P.S. Whenever my ex- and I would see a movie together, she would sit across the theater in case I fell asleep :)

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 available elsewhere.

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 and Beach Road. For Jomtien and Darkside visits, I use my bicycle. I'd have to agree with Frosty in using the local shower facilities wherever they may be. I often take multiple showers during one walk in various ST rooms :) At the very least, most bar girls bring out the wet towelette and wipe you down nicely while you enjoy your drink. I got this all the time in the USA; Not! :)

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 reading the newspapers or talking with other expats. In CA, when my kids were young they did spend more time in the ocean water boogie boarding, but only for a few minutes at a time as although the air temperatures were in the 80's F. the water was chilly so they would wear wetsuits when they started surfing. When my adult children are visiting me here in Pattaya and want to swim or have some beach time, we make a trip to Mike's Shopping Mall or Koh Larn island beach. Yes, Pattaya is not perfect for everyone, but the total package and price is right for me at this time. Analyze and share your insights, criticize and reveal your preferences, enjoy and never regret.

"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 except for my Thai wife as she feels she doesn't get value as she is happier with the street foods :)

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, then just tell the truth :)

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. Oh well, my points are with cheap USA motels so I'll never have this problem :) P.S. Since I'll probably never stay there, I'll ask them the next time I go by the front desk.

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 motorcyclist, but may not be as open to posers or RUBs (unless they were a RUB club :) I appreciate the sharing of experiences, but I think an open mind without prejudice is often a good way to view others. Even at the Hells Angels headquarters in Oakland, I was able to safely park my Honda cruiser motorcycle and later leave without incident :) My sense of humor sometimes gets the better of me :) Take care, chill, mai pen rai, enjoy...

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 swimming pool (use Mike's Shopping Mall pool) or gym :) Since most of these 'do not' have a website (can be expected for the 500 baht price range as most of the guesthouses only have a dozen rooms or less) you'll have to go door-to-door with your luggage in tow and just ask to see a room before moving in. You should also be able to get a discount for every 5-7 days you stay. It's sort of nice to stay in different areas to learn more in-depth about the different parts of Pattaya. If I were you, I'd first 'walk-in' to the place you originally wanted to stay and see if they have a room (i.e. cancellation or no-show). Ok, 'mai pen rai' as so many options available especially this time of year. Take care.

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 figure 8 with a bicycle in a parking lot... you'd be surprised :). For helmets, they are really cheap here and yes, they are designed for the Asian head shapes, but brands seem to shape their helmets differently. For instance in the USA, I can wear a Shoei and Bell, but not an Arai. For helmets, I still remember what my motorcycle mechanic and old-time rider once told me. Cover the parts of your head you want to keep. A half-helmet will cover your skull; a 3/4 helmet will cover your skull and down past your ears; and a full-face helmet will cover, well... you get the picture :) In the states, I have a separate full-face helmet for each of my motorcycles and bought a couple that you can flip up the front as well - Shoei ($350+) and Zeus ($150) - that are really great for while waiting at a signal light or chatting in the parking lot. The speeds we ride here don't make it much different, but in the States, I have different helmets for each bike as the aerodynamics are different on each bike and wind noise can become an issue. I did bring one of my full-face flip-up helmets here to Thailand and although I was concerned about the heat, I have found it very comfortable all-year round. It has never even closely approached the heat I encountered riding through CA Death Valley during the middle of a hot summer day wearing my full-face helmet and riding gear :) I know I lost a few brain cells on that day! Well, keep the rubber side down and remember the "right of way" here is very different... yeah, there is none :) (or it's the merging traffic rather than the ongoing traffic has the right of way :). While riding motorcycles in the USA, my mantra was I am in the middle of a video game where all the cars and trucks are trying to kill me for points, but they can't see me. Here in Thailand, my mantra is every car, truck and motorbike is being driven by dead zombies and they can see me and will try to hit me every chance they get so they can make you crash and eat you or collect 20k baht :) ! Yeah! Take care and enjoy your moments of happiness (Buddhist thought) here in LOS.

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 most part, if a 'working girl' asked me for money for xxxx reason, I may or may not give her something (just as I don't trust money put into those donation boxes going to the causes indicated or an obscene % going to admin costs), but if I do, it will be with little regard to the reasons she is telling me. It'll be a donation or tip. My other assumption (or possibly a hypothesis) is that 100% of the bargirls (less the newbies) have at least one sponsor. So, if I were to give a bargirl money w/o receiving services, then it'd be a donation. Yeah, it's 'rose colored' glasses for some and assumptions of b.s. for others. It gets complicated when we mix p4p with 'relationships.'

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 customer. I would reinforce the positive that these girls are just "REALLY GOOD" at what they do and knowing what we want. I would not describe most of them as malicious in convincing adult males to 'voluntarily' contribute to them through their sad stories of poverty or circumstance as I am sure these mature men also feel some satisfaction (real or imagined) in believing they have assisted a single-working mother trying to make her way in a developing country who is obligated to make a better life for her child/children and support her family in rising above the dirt-floor family home (or some who are only supporting their habits - drugs, gambling, shopping or Thai boyfriends). In my apt building, wealthy Thai men from Bangkok have 'mia nois' residing and being supported. During the afternoon in any Bangkok shopping mall, you can also see many University-aged girls shopping with their "Pa" (papa) supporter. So, it's not just us farangs participating in a quid pro quo relationship. Well, I appreciate the sentiments in your post and hope it will eventually gather more attention than your numerical projections. Take care.

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 cards and paying a 150 baht ATM fee for every $300-600 plus any International conversion charges. I frequently use my HSBC online account to transfer funds to Bangkok Bank for a fee that is dependent upon the amount transferred (for $2000 HSBC charges me $5 and then Bangkok Bank charges me 150 baht). I know another USA/Thai bank charges a little less, but it wasn't significant to me. For large amounts, I know many guys use Western Union as the charges can be significantly different, but you'll have to weigh the convenience factor. For my regular periodic transfers, doing it online and then getting an SMS text message on my Thai cellphone in 3-4 days informing me my funds transfer has been received by Bangkok Bank is exceptionally convenient. For having the standard ATM card, most of the banks (I have accounts at Bangkok, Ayudhya and Kasikorn) charge me a 200 baht annual fee (automatically debited) assuming a minimum balance for just having the basic ATM accounts. There are other account types that may charge different amounts. In regards to opening accounts, Bangkok Bank can be one of the most stringent in requiring something other than a Tourist Visa and semi-permenant address, however the branch on 2nd Road across from Soi 6 has been known to be more lenient. Ayudhya and Kasikorn banks often require only the minimum of a passport, any address and some baht. The initial ATM card fee (to pay for the actual ATM card and account) is around 300-700 depending on the account types and if there are any promotions (during a special promotion, I opened my Kasikorn account and got an ATM card with my picture and only paid 300 baht in fees to open the account plus 500 minimum deposit). Well, it's sure nice to avoid those 150 baht semi-weekly charges (sometimes daily) to my USA ATM cards. I also feel safer using the Thai ATM cards as they are somewhat easier to get replaced - file a police report, take copy to the bank with your bank book and passport and they'll give you a new card after canceling your old card. Yes, there have been reports of guys losing their funds in Thai banks from non-use, fraud or misappropriation; but I haven't heard these reports first hand. Soon, I may look into the credit cards such as those referenced in this thread or one of those Thai CitiBank Credit Cards heavily promoted at Central Festival and other malls (have a USA one). I'm especially interested in the liability limits compared with our USA credit cards. My HSBC card has no international conversion fees, but I still avoid using it except at airlines and such. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

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, eat and hang out. This promotion sounds like a good opportunity for many of the beach girls to sit at a bar rather than stand (on beach road) as well as at least make some food money during the time of day when few mongers are in search of their girlfriend for the night. Some beach girls need to work on their face paint as the lighting in PBG is a lot better than on Beach Road, but I guess this doesn't matter for the afternoons (maybe that's why some don't come out during the daylight hours, but as indicated in other posts, there's someone for everyone and some of us are lucky we have money).