VoxVader

Same me and even born in Urbana. Illinois probably has the best shot of any single team to win it all, but it's still probably only about a 35% chance. -Vox

If they say they cannot sell it, just bribe them to sell it. -Vox

MM and Pete, Just curious if the forum software has an "ignore user" feature and if you might consider allowing it as an option if there is. -Vox

One solution is to use a CC that you know you will never use abroad and call the credit card and say that you wish to bar any charges from outside your home country withthe exception of a one-time charge to Dynasty (or whatever hotel). You might not even have to authorize the one-time charge because I think they just keep the number, not put a pending charge on it. In this case you could probably just give them a fake one... -Vox

I have a sanukmaps map of Ratchada from 2001 that does NOT list it as guest friendly. Might want to give them a call to clarify their policy. Sorry no better info. -Vox

http://www.bangkokhospital.com/english/lasik/lasik.asp Another link. Sorry I'm too lazy to hyperlink it. -Vox

I once got the mini-van from Nana. You book through the tour desk and you do not have to be a guest. I may have just had an unlucky experience. I assumed that the mini-bus would take us all the way to Pattaya, but I was wrong. First you have to wait for the mini-van to show up. If you are lucky you'll be the last one it picks up and you wont have to pick up anyone else. The mini-van then took us to the edge of Bangkok where we had to get out and wait for a big-bus. We waited for about an hour in this bus station and then got put onto some big bus that was mostly filled already.

As Greg suggested, one option is doing a night in Bangkok first. I've never gone directly to Pattaya, in large part because I love Bangkok, but also because the last thing I want to do after travelling for 30 hours is sit in a can for another 2 hours. Taxi to a hotel in Bangkok should be about 200-250 including tolls or about 150 if you skip the toll road. The next day or two you have several options to go down to Pattaya 1) take a taxi off the street (price 800-1200 baht) 2) take a car from the hotel (price 1200-1600 baht) 3) have the hotel travel office arrange a cheap "mini

Do you mean DSL? If so Sandy Springs is news to me. If you just mean dial up, you can get a dial-up package at most 7-11's that you can use from your hotel. -Vox

I don't see any advantage that Dynasty has over Nana other than the free travel to Pattaya. If you like a pool, Dynasty Bkk does not have one. -Vox

You could also just aske them to hold your bags fora few hours after check-out if you don't need to take a shower, nap or get one last shag. -Vox

This thread just made me realize something. I've never had a wank in Pattaya... -Vox

There's Buddhist sect that does not eat beef. I believe it is mostly practiced by a few of the Chinese-Thais but you occasionally run into a BG that will not eat beef. I'm very ignorant of it, but I believe that it revolves around either A) some spiritual leader from the past is supposed to be continually reincarneted as a cow and you don't want to eat him or there's too good a chance your anscestors were reincarnated as a cow and you don't want to eat one. How was that for an ignorant and unhelpful post? -Vox

Only a certain number of the American troops are allowed on leave at any given time, they don't all flood in at the end. You don't really have to worry about it. -Vox

This is hard to answer without knowing what you think of as 'good' If you want a place right on the beach where you can look down on sunbathers then there are not any really. If you want a place where you can sit on your balcony and look out over the gulf and see the boats (and on a clear day some islands) there are plenty. If you want as just described with absolutley no obstructions, your list will get shorter again. I was pretty happy with a 'sea view' room at Inn House. Back a 1/4 mile from the beach and a building which obscures the view if you look SE but mostly was nice and I

You can also get a two-month visa from the Thai embassy or a Thai consulate before leaving the U.S. If you can get some one in Thailand (a company/university/doctor) to write a letter saying you have business/research/medical purposes for being in Thailand a lot over the year you can get a 12-month visa but have to leave and re-enter at least once every three months. -Vox

I found Bobby Raja to be fine. Great for shirts and pants, mediocre for suits. I'm really happy with the silk shirts and linen pants I got there. -Vox

The legal process of getting married is pretty simple. You go to an amphur's office and sign papers. However, you should get in touch with the embassy and ask what will be necessary to have the marriage recognized by the UK. If it is anythign like the U.S. process you will have to have documents translated and jump through a few other hoops. Good luck and best wishes, Vox

A laptop lock costs US$20. What's the problem? You could also get a pac-safe that you can lock to the pipes in the bathroom or something. BTW, I've had safes that could easily accommidate my laptop. The standard electronic lock ones typically can. -Vox

Blue cross Thailand seems very reasonable: http://www.bupathailand.com/personal.asp# -Vox

Appologies if you already know this. Keep in mind when you use the return portion back to LOS you will need to show a work permit or another ticket outward from Thailand or they may not let you board. -Vox

Groovy Maps puts out a map of Pattaya/Jomtein that should have all you need. You can buy them at a lot of 7-11's or book stores in Thailand or order one from their website. -Vox

You can take the sky train directly from the Nana station to MBK. The phone shops are on the upper floors. Phone will come with a charger. -Vox

Absolutely. I bought a Nokia phone in MBK for 2000-3000 (I saw phones under 1500 though) and got a "1-2-call" sim for 400 baht (includes 100baht of airtime). I got a local number that I had no problems with in Bangkok or Pattaya. It is very easy to do. Go to MBK (or whatever place sells phones--MBK has a HUGE selection). Buy a SIM first. You get to pick your number. There are VIP numbers that contain "lucky" digits that cost more. Just get a regular one unless you want to impress the BG's with all the 7's in your number. Next look around for the phone you want. When you find it

Your old Startek most likely will not work as it probably is not a GSM phone. Keep in mind that the United States is years behind Thailand (and the rest of the world) in mobile phone technology. If it is GSM you will have to have it unlocked so that a new SIM chip can be used in it. This can be done in LOS. You can pick up a used phone in Thailand for as little as 1500 baht. A SIM for pre-paid service costs 400 Baht and then you can buy more airtime at any convienence store. -Vox