Dungheap

Excuse me guys if this is somewhat off-topic but what do you have to do to avoid these demeaning visa runs once every three months? Retirement visa? O visa? Student visa? What else? Must be one mega pain in the arse having to play 'crim on the run' and crossing your fingers they'll let you back in when you likely spend more in one month than many Thais spend in a year.

My two satangs worth: Many pundits, myself included, think the Thai property market is now entering another bubble and will pop in the next few years. If you buy a condo with ocean views in a good location, I can't see you losing much, but if it's just another condo in the back of Chomtien or toward Sukhumvit Rd., there's still plenty of room for expansion. There's so many condos up for rent in Pattaya. Can't see you making much on your investment but your money would be all tied up. Keep your cash for a rainy day. Currencies tend to go in waves and I can't see the baht remaining

Pool out of 10? 8 Basic rectangle shape, little privacy for a hand start (Pool bar gets an 11 for the coldest beer in town!) Bedrooms out of 10? 7 Clean but small Bathrooms out of 10? 6 Small Cleanliness out of 10? 8s Instead of a garden view room you may want to ask what's the price difference to get an ocean view. That will put you on a higher, quieter floor. As for them being guest friendly, no problems at all unless Doris is wearing little more than her birthday suit. Anyone gives you grief, just tell them you want to talk to the manager in the morning. Enjoy.

Arrive July 20. Five days between Catz Open and Rideher? I may have to make a few day trips from Tokyo ...

And 500 for the caddy that carries your clubs when you win Dodgie's dosh!!!

200-300 is the normal range. Some Phoenix caddies offer the bar girl experience.

Interesting read Gabor, but when was the last time a real estate report from someone inside said, "the market is expected to decline"??? Not a flame amigo, but these reports are self-serving from an agent's perspective. Almost everyone I know who owns property in Patts forecast eternal growth, i.e. rainbows leading to gold, while observers say the market is saturated. I favor the later, especially when quality new condos with ocean views cost $3-400,000 to buy, but can be rented for a mere $1200-1500 a month. Each to their own.

Hua Hin

With all due respect, the Landmark is an overpriced mid-range hotel, I...M...H...O..., even with stay three days, next free deal. If you're up to splashing that sort of cash, you'd be better off booking the Marriott through Priceline (don't bid, contact their help desk) which will cost you around 3k a night. Alternatively, if you're only after a bed, book a room in the new wing of the Nana Hotel Resort and Spa. Mid-range hotels in LOS are a let down. Go ***** or flop house.

Apart from an afternoon of worship at the temples on Soi 6 , hard to beat a boat trip to Ko Larn. Clean beaches, fine food, cold beer, heaven. Jump the ferry (only 20 baht one way) or charter your own boat (around 1500).

Sa-teef you forgotten to mention that all-important sales clincher. How many miles on the cock? and does he do airport pick-ups?

Moby, the flight time out of BKK sucks! PM me if you're up for a sherbet.

Spot on!

For a day trip you're better off just going to Ko Larn as you'll spend too much time just getting to Samet. Ferry to Ko Larn only costs 20 baht each way or you can charter a speed boat. Join the member's section and do a search, plenty of info and pics.

Only Dodgie could kill a man with a putt!

OK, but　how many minutes is short time??? Please try the search function.

Just watching the Aussies spank them South Africans now here in Tokyo through the Net. The Willow TV site offers Net broadcasts of all major international cricket events. Prices work out at about $50-60 a series. A few bars I know rig them up to the TVs throught the Net and apart from the odd bit of buffering are great! Encourage a few bar owners to sign up. Good luck!

Don't tell me you've taken some of your own advice mate and finally picked up a golf club?

Guys, 5 star hotels are not in the habit of pissing off their guests. The Marriott built a hotel a stone's throw from Nana Plaza so that should tell you something. Just walk in like you own the joint and there shouldn't be a problem. Of all the stories I've heard of getting asked for joiner fees, the culprit is usually the guard looking to squeeze out a few bob from the naive newbie. Ignore him or befriend the guy early in your trip. A 100 baht tip can go a heck of a long way with some of these guys. If any of the front desk staff gives you grief, politely express your displeasure and

Bunple, the best beaches are on the islands and the most accessible one is Koh Larn. You can catch a ferry for 20 baht or charter a speed boat for about 1500. A speed boat takes about 15-20 minutes, the ferry 30-40. Chomtien, 10 minutes from Pattaya by baht bus, used to be a decent beach while Pattaya Beach itself was a virtual sewer. Recently they've cleaned Pattaya up and Chomtien has gone to turds. TIT I wouldn't swim at Chomtien now. Broken glass, bags, food sticks. A bloody mess. There's also a few private beaches between Pattas and Chomtien that are pretty good but not as

Well said but US$250,000 for a condo is hardly petty cash. Danger, danger, danger

Owen, rent for a while and see what pans out. You may hate Pattas after a year or someone may offer you a great deal on some second-hand joint that's virtually new. There are scores of empty condos around Pattas. Everyone who has bought one tips that their investment will double in 10 years. Those who have held off predict another crash. Time will tell though I favor the latter, but quality joints will always retain their value. There are some high-class condos along the water toward Chomtien and I could live in one tomorrow but apart from the top end stuff the big question with anythi

Good news daddy! Solar did a great job of running the November golf program, although the chairman needs to practice a bit more. Hard to beat Thailand as a golf destination: perfect climate, great variety of courses, unbeatable prices and cute caddies. If only I could get there a bit more. In time mate ...

Hub, "David Bowie" might have some info. Ping him. Thailand needs more weekly condo/house rentals. There's plenty of houses on golf courses but most are long term and look pretty lonely. Let me know how you go as that's my preferred form of accommodation.

Always good to see a well-backed runner firm in the betting. Keep us posted and how about a few swing analysis pics?