Leadbelly

nidnoyham- Why don't you just call them ladies until you learn their names? God knows most of them put enough effort into trying to make themselves look like women... You'll know and they'll know it's not true, but what can it hurt? The girls who call out to me, "Hey sexy man...hansum man..." well, those girls and I know that's not true, but they're not gonna get me to stop in for a drink by being truthful.

Like BigDUSA said, the beer garden on soi 7 is good in the afternoon for freelancers. The infamous Thermae (bar/coffee shop) is another place, but think it now closes at 2 a.m. as well. Take a left as you're walking out from the Ambassador parking lot...its down just past the Clinton Plaza area of go-go's and bars. It's hit or miss at the Thermae as to quality (it's a late evening place). The Thermae is downstairs....upstairs on the 2nd floor is the Marble House. It's a good place to get a traditional Thai massage if you want to try and work out any discomfort from a long flight in. Also above the Thermae is the Rammauchatt Hotel (I know I've misspelled it....something like that though, so look for it as a landmark to where the Thermae is). One of my favorite places for freelancers is the Angel Disco, located in the Nana Hotel on soi 4, just across the street from NEP (Nana Entertainment Plaza, where a bunch of Go-Go's and beer bars are). Lots of girls roll in and out of there all night long. Take a seat in the Nana lobby and order a drink from the restaurant, and check it out. If you haven't hooked up by 2 a.m. and you're by the Nana hotel, stand by their exit doors....you won't be alone for long. Haven't been there in a couple of years, but the Grace Hotel coffee shop has reportedly picked up a lot as a late night pick up spot due to the early closing of bars and Go-Go's. It's on the other side of Sukhumvit Road from the Nana Hotel, on soi 3 I think it is. Same soi as Grace Hotel but on the other side is the Bamboo Bar, lots of pool tables with freelancers there as well...not all of them are freelancers, so scope them out first before making your move. There are girls all over the Sukhumvit area where you are staying...so you'll have a lot of fun. Just walking around Sukhumvit at night they are around the street. Be careful of agressive, "tall" ones, they're katoey's and have been know to pick a few pockets of drunk farangs (or worse....end up in their rooms). Almost forgot, on soi 7/1 (between soi 7 and 9) a bit down on the right is the Eden Club. It opens about 1 p.m. This is basically a short-time place with a twist, and a bar (but lingering over drinks is not encouraged by the management). The manager (Marc) would rather you make your choice of 2 girls (you have to take at least 2, damn, don't you hate that?!) for a porno-style 90 minutes upstairs. The girls are disappointed if they don't get your rocks off twice. You can keep going for as many times as you're capable until the 90 minute mark. If you go before the evening (I forget the exact cut-off time) it's 1600 baht per girl. No charge for the room, the 3200 baht (plus any drinks you bought) is paid at the bar on your way out. The girls are of course happy with a tip, but it's not required. In the evening, it rises to 1900 baht a girl. The girls are mostly 5's and 6's, but very uninhibited (yeah, that's a good word for them...) and also very good at what they do, both with you and with each other. If you pick 1 girl and let her pick her own partner, that usually makes for better girl-with-girl action. It's a bit expensive and not everyone's style, but if you were curious about seeing lesbian acts up close and personal (yes, it's probably acting, but if it looks real, what's the difference?) and having a threesome, it's a good place to check that fantasay off your list. Ask Marc for the menu which tells you what's available there, or have him explain how things work. I've been 3 times over the last couple of years, and have always had a fun 90 minutes. Have a great trip.

Hello Andy- Haven't stayed at the Ambassador in Bkk, but from what I've read on other boards there isn't a problem with guests...(although it seems I always read someone at just about every hotel will report they had a problem at one time or another with "guests"...makes me wonder who the hell they are trying to bring back to the room!). Since you booked a double (smart move...why worry about it?) you won't have a problem...if you do just point out that you booked a double. The last time I was in BKk (June) the large paved area in front of the Ambassador had a bandstand and live music in the evenings. I used to drop by for some dinner and a drink while listening to the music and checking out some freeelancers who would be scattered among the crowd. It's probably still going on...kind of a nice way to start your evening prowl. Also several internet cafes in that area with good rates per minute.

Dilbert- Since you were the one who supplied me with the email of the Thai language school, I thought you would be interested in their email they sent when I sent them one asking about their school. Here's their response: Dear Mr. -------- Many thanks for your above email, and we have pleasure in forwarding you our general school info relating to learning Thai;- Our school which is licensed by the Ministry of Education is located on Pattaya Central road, also known as Pattaya Klang road, and we are situated approx. 250 metres down the road from Foodland and on the same side. next door but one to Discount computer Outlet.( D C O.) The school is open from 0900 to 1900 hours Monday to Friday, and from 0900 to 1700 hours on a Saturday, all our rooms are air conditioned, and we try to give all students the time of day, and the days of the week they wish to learn, but of course it has to fit in with the teachers and room existing schedules. Most people wish to learn on a one to one basis with their teacher, and the cost is B.5000.00 per twenty hours. Discounts are given for long term students. We think most people require 60 hours to get a resonable proficient level for conversation, reading and writing, but of course it depends on ones own in take, we could charge like other schools do for 60 hours up front, but we charge in increments of 20 hours, believing satisfied customers will sign on for further hours, whilst giving people who find the going to hard the chance to drop without wasting their money. We do have larger classes, but they are harder to arrange, because as mentioned before most people want to learn on a"one to one" basis, and its hard to place people of different levels in the same class. We trust the above gives you the info you require, but if you have any further questions or queries, please dont hesitate to call us, email:- as above, Fax & phone:- 66 38 360 175, or phone:- 66 38 421819. Mobile 01 8630415 Yours sincerely, (it was from their "Managing Director") It works out to 250 baht an hour, a little more than the 200 baht I was paying, but think I'll check them out for 20 hours worth. I'll let you know how it goes, and thanks again Dilbert.

ps99- There is a Pattaya Park Resort in Jomtien Beach. I've never stayed there. If this is the one you are asking about, click on the link below for more information. http://www.directrooms-thailand.com/pattay...pattayapark.htm

Dilbert, thanks a lot for the tip. I'll contact them for more info.

Greg_B, Do you just fly Thai Air or is cost more important than the airline? In the S.F. Chronicle's Sunday "Travel" section, many travel offices have ads there. I'm sure it would be the same for the L.A. Times. In the Chronicle there is a travel office (M & K Travel) who have been advertising R.T. SF-BKK-SF for $529, not including taxes. It was on China Airlines, however, which some won't fly due to their safety record. If you haven't already, check out the Times since many of the travel offices work with airlines and oftentimes have good deals. I have no idea why Thai Air wanted you to wait before purchasing your ticket. Good luck!

Will be arriving shortly after noon (12:10 p.m.) at Bkk airport on Nov. 9th. I'm looking to share a ride with Thai limo. Anyone heading to Pattaya at that time?

ps99- The Marriott in Pattaya is on Second Road. That's the big road running parallel to Beach Road...Second is one street up from Beach Road. The Marriot is right next to the big Royal Garden shopping mall and next to Shenanigan's Restaurant as well. The Marriott can be entered from Beach Road too...you would go through the pool area to get to the lobby. I forget exactly where the Beach Road entrance is, but it would have to be from somewhere on the left-hand side of Royal Garden Plaza from Beach Road as you are facing the shopping center. You could just enter Royal Garden from Beach Road, walk to the other side of the mall, exit on the Second Road side, look left....and there it is.

Last trip I paid 200 baht per hour for several hourly lessons in Thai. The lessons were given by a nice, middle-aged Thai lady and it was money well spent. However, her English was a bit limited so I was wondering if any of you know of a good teacher who is fluent (or almost fluent) in English as well. Or possibly a class with a low student-to-teacher ratio that you have gone to that had good instruction. Also if the classes teach how to read Thai, that would be fine too. I've heard that's an important skill to have to really learn the language well. Will be in Pattaya for about 6 weeks over Nov.-Dec. There were a couple of ads placed in a Pattaya newspaper offering tutoring in Thai that I didn't call...do any of you know about these from first-hand experience? They both stated they had years of teaching experience, were college graduates, etc. The lady who taught me last time I just stumbled upon...it was a matter of me noticing a sign in the window of a travel agent which said they also offered instruction in Thai. Thanks in advance for any information you share. P.S.- have managed to pick up some Thai from the ladies, but was looking for a more structured, formal setting (and a place where I could "recharge" the old batteries...)

I've never stayed there, but if they do still charge 1000 baht for guests, maybe you could look into booking your room as double occupancy rather that single. That may be a way around the guest charge. They may charge you the same rate for either, or just a bit more for double. You could contact them and ask....good luck.

Hello jem23- here's some info about size and weight restrictions for carry on luggagae for U.S. airlines (from the internet...). You can always call to check if you're flying out of another country on a different airline, or check their web site. <<<U.S. airline Carry-on Restrictions NEW FAA Requirement : Please note that airlines will now only allow ONE carry-on bag and one personal item (Briefcase, purse, diaper bag etc.) Airline # pieces Max dimensions(") Max weight (lbs.) American 1 piece- 45 linear inches 40 lbs America West 1 piece- 45 linear inches 40 lbs Continental 1 piece- 22 x 14 x 9 40 lbs Delta 1 piece-22 x 14 x 9 40 lbs Northwest 1 piece- 22x14x9 40 lbs TWA 1 piece- 45 linear inches 40 lbs United 1 piece- 45 linear inches 50 lbs US Airways 1 piece- Max overhead size: 24 x 16 x 10 40 lbs All sizes in inches. Linear inches = Length + Height + Width We would generally recommend that your carry-on piece does not exceed the dimensions - 22" x 14" x 9" and does not exceed a weight of 40 lbs New Security Measure : No knives or cutting instruments of any kind are allowed on any carry-on baggage.>>>

Soi7, that's a very good price you got on JAL out of S.F. I've been on JAL out of S.F. before, and like that airlines. For the next trip in Nov., I went through M & K Travel based in S.F. They are offering R.T. S.F.-Bkk-S.F. for $529, but this is not including taxes, etc. And it's with China Airlines...they don't have a great safety record. They stop in Taipei, and the layovers are in the 2-3 hour range. I flew them once before, and they don't measure up to JAL, IMO. In fact, the air conditioner wasn't working as we were getting ready to depart Bkk to Taipei....we sat on the tarmack for about an hour until finally we were told to get off the plane. After another hour and a half, we got back on because they had fixed it. But in the meantime, a large Chinese tour group had gotten fed up, and demanded another flight with another airlines. The upshot was the plane now held about 1/4 the passengers as before, so everyone got to move around and get seats with nobody around them. I stretched out on the middle section and slept off-and-on. Also they had so much extra food they were asking, "Would you like the chicken, beef, or both dinners?" I went for both, of course... The delay caused the 3 U.S. people on board to miss our connecting flight. The other two guys decided to get a flight to Los Angeles that night, then would get an L.A. to S.F. (their luggage was lost when we got to Taipei, it had been off-loaded along with the large tour groups luggage in Bkk..I wasn't affected because had just 1 carry-on piece). China Airlines put me up for free at an airport hotel in Taipei, plus they gave free food vouchers for the hotel restaurant. The best part was they bumped me up to 1st class on the way back to S.F. from Taipei (so that's how the other half lives!)....so all-in-all it worked out fine. Hope to try EVA in a future trip, have heard good things about them. If anyone is interested, M & K Travel can be reached at 1-800-578-9885, or from the Bay Area the # is 415-392-7772. Their office is at 870 Market St., Suite 350 in S.F., 94102. They advertise in the Travel Section of the Sunday San Francisco Chronicle.

for fixing it!

I agree, Daveuk, the Eastiny Place does have a nice pool with a comfortable "kick-back on the chaise lounge" area around it (with bar). Also good, clean, all-tile rooms with a pretty decent western-style breakfast to be had at the restaurant on the ground floor. The front desk has the safety deposit boxes (no safe in room). I'm pretty sure it was 750 baht back in Nov.-dec. of 2001. The manager said he'd come up with a better rate when he found out I'd be back in May-June of 2002, but never checked him out on it as I went to RG instead. They were asking for the girl's I.D.'s at the front desk, but this doesn't bother me. If you settled on one girl after awhile, I imagine the desk could easily be persuaded to forget about this with a word to them, as they seemed very friendly and agreeable. It's kind of confusing to have an Eastiny Place hotel and an Eastiny Inn hotel both on soi 8... Others have posted on various boards good things about Eastiny Inn as well....I've never stayed there...the location of the Eastiny Inn, surrounded by beer bars, kind of psyched me out. :-/

aj- Yes, the Eastiny Place is very close to 2nd Road. The Eastiny Inn is further down the soi, closer to Beach Rd. right in the middle of all the beer bars. It's right next to a 24 hour AM-PM/7-Eleven type market. I looked at one room at the Eastiny Inn and one at Eastiny Place, and liked EP room better than EI. All tile, fairly new looking inside. Can't remember the room number I was in, but it was the top floor, end unit closest to Soi 8. It's far enough from the beer bars as to not be too noisy at night. It gives you a look at part of the Soi from your balcony, and also overlooks a rather nice pool that's on the 4th (?) floor. The wing I stayed in was the one closest to Second Road...never was in the wing opposite from this one, but think the one I was in was the newer one. Can't remember for sure what the room price was (this was last Nov.-Dec.) but think it was 750 baht. They serve a fairly decent western-style breakfast at their downstairs restaurant (should you be getting up before noon!). When the manager heard I'd be back for a month in May-June (low season), he said to contact him and he'd give me a better rate for the next stay, but ended up at the Residence Garden instead, which I really enjoyed. At the EP they took the girl's I.D.'s at the front desk, but if that bothers you, maybe they would skip it if you asked them not to. If you have any more EP questions, ask away. If I don't know the answers, for sure someone else here will...Have a great trip!

....a review I did about The Residence Garden was recently added. The review at the beginning says "Ib the owner" and when you click it, it gives out the email address to The Residence Garden. Somehow I ended up putting that information in the wrong place (no computer genius here...) It makes the review look like it was written by Ib, which wasn't the case at all. Reading the review it's easy to tell he didn't write it, but in that space it should be the handle of "Leadbelly" there instead, with my email of Lead_belly48@hotmail.com. My apologies all around for yet another computer mistake (and not the last one, for sure....)