DrPat

During my October trip I used the Bangkok Bank ATM in Big C (to the right of the supermarket entrance) and there was a 180 Baht ATM fee.

Note that the 150 Baht ATM charge is now 180 Baht with some Thai banks, although Aeon and Citibank still don't have any additional fees for using their ATMs.

I have always used credit cards – but you have to have the right cards. At the moment the best UK card is the Halifax Clarity Card. There is no foreign exchange charge and no cash advance charge. The only additional cost is you pay interest from the day of the cash advance until it is paid off in full, but the charge is around 12% per year and you can set a timed payment before you leave the UK or pay by internet banking whilst in LOS. Worst case, you end up paying about 1% if you leave it for a month. If you use the same card to pay for hotels etc, spending over £300 a month results in a £5 ‘reward’, which often offsets any interest charges. If you use Aeon or CitiBank ATMs (easy in BKK, not so easy in Pattaya) you can avoid the (now) 180 baht surcharge. You can also avoid the surcharge by going inside a bank with your card and passport. On October 9 I got a rate of 49.98 Baht per £. Check out my post #74 on http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/topic/61708-thai-baht-losing-against-western-currencies/page-3

Today I have discovered two pieces of information: 1) There is a Pattaya United. 2) Soon there will be no Pattaya United.

A quick update on actual exchange rates. In BKK, using my UK Halifax Clarity credit card (no loading for foreign currency & no cash advance fees), on 9 October 20,000 baht cost 400.16 GBP - to save you that pesky arithmetic, that's 49.98 Baht per £. This was using a Citibank ATM on the corner of Asok and Sukhumvit. The following day (10 October - again, saving you the arithmetic) I got a rate of 49.79 using the Aeon ATM in the basement of the Terminal 21 shopping mall, which is less than 200 yards from the aforementioned Citibank. Neither of these banks charge the traditional 150 baht fee. It is also worth noting that the Citibank ATMs only require you to swipe your card, so there is no chance of the card being eaten by the machine. Just curious to know if anyone changed cash on those days. If so, what was the rate? Edit: To get that pesky '£' sign to show. (Alt + 0 1 6 3).

Excellent! I think that FinnellyPaul may have missed a trick in the OP. If he had said something along the lines of: “Free pussy!! First come first served!!” He would have had punters queuing around the block – me included. PS although I’m not a cat lover (pussy – yes, cat – no) I agree that this is a noble cause and deserves support.

I drink very little these days – I tend to spill most of it.

Thanks for the replies. I’m a bit wary ‘just turning up option’. I’d hate to arrive with my suitcases, canoe, snooker table, pole-vaulting equipment (it’s a long story), etc, etc, to be told “No room at the inn”. In previous years the same hotel (Sabai Wing) has replied more or less straight away, but for some reason, not this time. I did (briefly) consider the ‘phone option, but if it came to that I’d just book a different hotel on-line. I have never had a problem in the past, only this time. It’s also my custom and practise to email the hotel after my return home to thank them. During each visit I generally check out one or two other hotels for future ref, but, probably like most people, once I find a place I like I generally stick with it – until they upset me or raise the price unreasonably. As I say, same hotel in the past no problem. This time… My regular BKK hotel is part of an international group, so I do the on-line credit card details etc. They have a ‘give us 48-hours notice and there is no charge’ cancellation policy. Sabai Wing’s cancellation policy for on-line booking is fully pre-pay and no refunds for cancellation. In fact I have never given advance credit card details to any Pattaya hotel. Anyway, after all that, the story has a happy ending! I sent original enquiry email on 9 September, followed by two nudges. Got a reply on 16 September. Sent a firm booking on 18 September and, only one nudge later, I received a confirmation on 24 September – a mere 15 days in total. Next time I’ll put more email stamps on my original enquiry.

Welcome aboard and sorry that (so far) you’ve had no takers. I’m there in October, so that’s no use to you whatsoever. In the event that you end up wingman-less I'm sure you’ll be fine, because, if memory serves me correctly, the ladies are very friendly during November. Have a good ‘un!

Now I’ve been struck down with this syndrome! Despite a couple of hiccups, I generally sing the praises of Sabai Wing. However it took three emails spread over a week to get any sort of reply, and after sending a definite booking last Wednesday, nothing. Business must be good if they can afford to ignore regulars.

I enjoyed the Thai interpretation of Pink’s song ‘Try’ playing in the background. How wrong was I to think that the original couldn’t be improved upon?

Another thing! The entrance/reception for Sabai Wing is quite near the top of Soi 1, so you can get your friendly baht bus driver to drop you on the corner of Second Road and Soi 1 and it’s about a 50-yard stumble to the door. When leaving the hotel you can walk under cover (although there are some steps involved) from Sabai Wing to the entrance1 of Sabai Lodge which is about half way down Soi 2, ready to flag down any friendly baht bus drivers who ply their trade there. You can also make use of the covered car park in case of inclement weather. 1 Please note what I describe as an ‘entrance’ in this instance is actually being used as an exit.

Never stayed at the S Lodge, only the S Wing. In my experience Sabai Wing receptionist / security staff always ask for the ladies’ ID cards, although personally I’m in favour of this ancient Thai custom. Many thanks once again, Teelack - for the hotel and supplementary info. Special thanks for the tip off re the old ‘good looking hello girls’ trick! I’ve been caught that way before. I’ll email my room request now – how many email stamps do I currently need for Pattaya?

Sabai Wing certainly has elevators. I think that there is a step (or two) to get in the main entrance on Soi 1, then you are right by reception and the elevator - to the new part of Sabai Wing. The original elevator to the ‘old’ part of the hotel is through the door that leads to the pool. I’ll check out the access and elevator situation for you for both Sabai Loge and Wing during my visit next month.

Check out the ‘Hotel and Accommodation Questions’ section of this forum – many suggestions there.

I thought that I had invented a new game on my last visit to Pattaya, although it’s just possible someone else though of it first. When I’m in close proximity to, for example, one of our Indian brethren filming (usually on Walking street) I give him a broad smile and, as we pass, I say something amusing into the camera – well, something I find amusing anyway. The idea being that the videographer won’t be able to hear my comments above the WS noise... until he plays the recording.

Once again, I’m thinking of staying at Sabai Wing (adjacent to Sabai Lodge) for my October pilgrimage. Is the construction work at the top of Soi 2 still going on? For a company called PreBuilt there seemed to be a lot of 'finishing work' involved. Any other building work or issues (i.e. problems) in the Soi 1 & 2 area? As usual, any info will be gratefully received.

And another thing! More September 2013 broadcasts on Pick TV (UK Freeview channel 11) of the Sky TV series Ladyboys: Tue 3 10:00pm Fri 6 9.00pm Sun 8 0:00am (midnight Saturday) Sun 8 9:00pm Tue 10 10:00pm Fri 13 9:00pm Enjoy!

Apparently it is on again next Sunday at 9pm. Last nights episode wasn’t the one advertised on the Pick TV web site which I mentioned in my post, however the electronic programme guide got it right – it was ‘Men who love ladyboys’. Pity, as I was really looking forward to seeing Pattaya, a once sleepy Thai fishing village. Although it has to be said, you can still experience the smell of fish to this very day. I liked David’s comment at the beginning of the programme, “I defy any man to look at a ladyboy and not feel attracted”. Please form an orderly queue. It is possible he said, “I defy any man to look at a ladyboy and not feel attractive”. I have to admit that I feel very attractive when I look at most of Pattaya's ladyboys – I’m gorgeous by comparison. Next Sunday it is (allegedly) going back to the first of the six programmes made.

An episode from this series is being shown tonight (1 September 9:00pm) on Pick TV, UK Freeview Channel 11. So any cheapskates (like myself) who don’t have Sky TV can see: Episode 4 “An exploration of the ladyboy shows in Pattaya, a once sleepy Thai fishing village that is now the ladyboy capital of the world. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at the running of Alcazar, a popular transgender cabaret venue, to which acts flock in search of fame and fortune.” Personally, I think ladyboys can leave a nasty taste in the mouth.

Like most BBC3 programmes, it’s repeated later in the week and also in the early hours of tomorrow (Tuesday) - just after midnight and again at 3am. The 3am transmission has sign language - just in case you are on yaba.

In that case take yourself to Soi 6. You’ll soon find a new love there – but make it a short-time love and don't forget to post some pictures (of your wallet).

I’m a big fan of ‘Food Wave’ on the top floor of Royal Garden Plaza, but I’ll certainly be checking out MK on my next trip. I’ll try to refrain from joining in with the dancing, but can’t promise. Thanks for the top-notch report.

Sorry to hear you have had problems with your SIM. I have been using a TrueMove pay-as-you-go SIM, mostly for calls back to Europe, for quite a while with no problem at all. I’m guessing that this piece of information will be of absolutely no consolation to you.

Going back to the OP, you don’t have to have psychic powers to deduce that it’s just possible that MM is having toilet trouble and is, perhaps, making an ironic comment with regard to the low literacy levels of some of his patrons. Is there a prize here for the correct answer? Re the: A mate of mine had the same job in the UK, but he gave it up after two years because the foreman had bad breath.