LeoTex

ThomasDK, I will be staying at the Sandy Spring in April. In December I went by and had a look at the different rooms available. All the room are nice. I booked the suite only because of the excellant seaview as they are on the 7th and 8th floor. I'm also staying there in April is because of Songkran, and I will be away form all the water that I had last year when staying on Soi 8. It is a newer hotel and moderen compared to others. The main reason I'm staying their in April is because there are no beer bars in the area. The hotel is located on Soi 13 between Beach Rd and 2nd Rd, so all you have to do is walk a few meters for baht bus transportatin. I had a friend stay there in January and I have one there now, that I booked his room for in December. There is no joiner fee and the hotel is guess friendy. Like I said the place is newer and there isn't any A/C problems in the rooms. All the rooms I saw, had king size or double beds. There is construction going on next to the Dynasty, but there is a condo between the Sandy Spring and the construction, and both my friends have stated the hotel is very quiet. Check back with me after Songkran and I will give you a first hand report. Hope this helps, LeoTex

stiffler, I would always stay at the Grand Inn until I found the Dynasty. The place is OK and I would stay there again. They have about 24 rooms, 4 on each floor. They have 2 choices of rooms, one they call a standard with 2 twin beds for 1090 baht and one with a king bed for 1190 baht. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They have a little restaurant which is good for breakfast. A couple of the 'boys in brown' hang out in the restaurant at night, which was always a good feeling. The location is good, and you just needed to walk across Sukumvit to get to NEP or the Nana disco. One thing I liked about the location is you don't have to fight the crowd and stalls going to your room, like you have to do going the Dynasty past NEP. I also like the 990 baht for a queen size bed at the Dynasty. You can get a little price break at the Grand if you stay for a week. LeoTex

Sinbad, You can use Western Union. You need your girl's Thai first name and her family name. I think the charge is $22 to send up to $200. After sending the money, you would only need to give her the transaction number. Sometimes in addition to the number, she will need your first and last name to claim the money. Also after sending the money, she can pick it within minutes, unlike a bank wire transfers, which sometimes takes a few days. I didn't send money for the 'water buffalo', but to repair the brother's motorcycle that was wrecked, LOL LeoTex

I had 2 friends that stayed there over Christmas and New Years. The reason they booked the Intown was because they were having trouble making reservations at their regular hotel because of 'high season'. They both mentioned that they like the hotel and would book again in April. I went by to meet them one afternoon and the place looked good to me, and the price they were paying wasn't to bad either. I have to agree with some of the others, it hard to believe the place went down hill that fast in less than 2 weeks. I also notice that this is MAD_DOG1 first post to the board. Also the only person to agree with him, PORN_FUCKER, is also posting for the first time. That what I would do, join the FLB site just to complain about a hotel that most think is OK. LeoTex

Bacon, I have used a tailor on Soi 8 on a few trips. In the past I have had custom made Harley jackets made. A few week ago I had a suit made. I was very pleased with the quality and the price. I was measured and went back for two more fittings. The name of the shop is Tip Top Collection Co. It is located just past the side Soi between Soi 8 and Soi 7 on the left going up towards 2nd Rd on Soi 8. I had a cashmere suit, extra pants, 3 custome shirts and a tie made for about $125. It would have been less with silk fabric instead of the cashmere. I have a few more jackets and one more suit made when I return in April. LeoTex

PATFAN, I now stay at the Eastiny Inn, same owners as the Eastiny Place durning all my trips to Pattaya. Arrriving next week for the holidays, I was ask for a deposit for the first time there. I just made email reservation for April (Sonkran) and wasn't asked for a deposit. I was told by Mark, the manager, the deposit was only for the Christmas holidays. He said the number of 'no shows' is why the deposit in high season. Last year (Christmas) I didn't have to make deposits in Pattaya or Bangkok, because of the low number of travelers do to 'SARS' and the war. Bottom line, if you gave a confirmation from the Eastiny Place, don't worry, your room will be there for you. LeoTex

Ty, I have flown Northwest on all my trips to the LOS. The only thing I don't like, is the fact they get in at 11:45 PM at night and leave at 6:05 AM in the morning. I have found most of the time, they offer the best prices out of Houston, Texas, and get sucked in with all the miles. Have gotten 1 free trip to Bangkok, and several free domestic using miles. Here we go again about the Pattaya vs Bangkok while in the LOS. I prefer to spend the first 2 nights in Bangkok when arriving. I can clear the airport, get to the hotel, check in, clean up and still hit the Soi by 1:15 AM. When leaving to return home, I will spend my last 2 nights in Bangkok. I can still take advantage for a shag that last night. Get a 3:30 AM wake up call and head to the airport at 4:00 AM. I will spend my time in between, in Pattaya. Just my 2 baht worth. LeoTex

Traveler, I have stayed at the Eastiny Inn, owned by the same people. The Inn is across the Soi and a little further down toward Beach Rd. Both place have nice clean bright rooms. In the past I would stay at one of the Flippers, but I like the rooms at the Eastiny Inn, and will be staying there again in about 3 weeks. Peter_F, I don't think they have a website, but here is their email address 'eastinyinn@hotmail.com'. The manager of both places is named Mark. You can send him a email for reservations, and he will get back to you the next day. LeoTex

monkeyman, Look at the 'thread' af few back from yours titled Pete. Here is the quote below. Also check out the one titled Skippy missing. "Re: Pete,. « Reply #1 on: Nov 3rd, 2003, 8:36pm » Quote Modify -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have disabled the signature function. Long signatures were starting to make the threads look a bit messy." LeoTex

Rhoel, I stay there most of my trips. Here is there email address eastinyinn@hotmail.com The manager of both the Eastiny Inn and Place is named Mark. After I sent in a request for a reservation, most of the time he will email me back the next day. Hope this helps, LeoTex

Songkhran (Thai New Year) is April 13, 14 and 15 each year. This year while in Pattaya I think it started several days before the 13th. It felt like it went on for a week. It (the water) let up a little on the 16th, and then on Saturday the 19th in Pattaya it (the water) started all over again. I remember the year before, I was in Bangkok for Songkhran and after the 15th it was over. Next year with the 15th being on a Thursday I sure there will not be much of a let up, in Pattaya, going into that Saturday the 17th of April. In Pattaya if you don't like getting wet or staying wet all day and evening, stay away. LeoTex

kingfisher, I found out about the new Pattaya Dynasty on my ride down to Pattaya from Bangkok from the Dynasty taxi driver. I told him I already had a room at the Eastiny ad would check it out. I went by to check it out and look at one of the rooms one morning. Yes there is alot of construction going on next to the hotel. There were using pile drivers and while checking out the room I could hear all the construction work going on. The girl at the desk said the noise starts at about 7:30 AM and goes on all day. When it over, I think I will start staying there, as I like the Dynasty in Bangkok and now stay there all the time. The good deal is the free taxi ride from the Dynasty in BKK to the one in Pattaya, if you are staying in both. LeoTex

Hi All, I just left the LOS, on Oct 8th and the 'airport departure tax' was still 500 baht. The first thing I do when I arrive and exchange my first money at the airport is slip 500 baht for the 'airport departure tax' and about 300 for the taxi (BKK to the airport) in my passport. I remember on one of my first trips, getting ready to leave the hotel at 4:00 AM going to the ariport and not having enought baht left to get our of the country. Try to exchange money at that time of the morning. LeoTex

Emil, I didn't even notice the date. Not only was posted in Febuary, but a year ago Febuary in 2002. JAULS had to dig way down to get this one back to the top. Thank, LeoTex

Spooky, I now stay at the Eastiny hotel instead of the Flipper's because the room are a little newer. I can't belive the hotels in Pattaya are filling up that fast for March. Here is the email for the Eastiny Inn. eatinyinn@hotmail.com The manager name is Mark Nookham, and I have always made my reservation by email. They get back with you in about 2 days. The only time I had to pay a deposit is for this Christmas/New Years. Even with a confirmed email, I always give them a call a few days before I leave, just to make sure they have the reservation current. LeoTex

I believe the dates of the conference are October 17th thru the 22nd. As far as a effect on Pattaya, it already has, with no shows and no skin showing in the Gogos. I'm sure there will be a little increase in tourist in Pattaya from the summit. But don't tell the Prime Minister, because he is trying to protect the APEC delegates from seeing that way of life or think that Thailand is a 'p4p' kind of place. I think they are going to put ankle braclets on all the delegates so they won't be tempted to stray. LeoTex

Emil, You have to understand that BigD has a thing for one of the 'massage' girls at the Flipper Lodge. I guess she could make house calls somewhere else, lol. LeoTex

This has worked twice in the past, so I will try it again. I will be arriving in Bangkok late on September 30th and will spend my first 2 nights at the Dynasty Inn on Soi 4. I would like to head down to Pattaya aroung 10:00 AM Thursday the 2nd, at about 10:00 AM. If anyone is interested in sharing a taxi, please let me know by posting here or sending me a PM. I will be staying at the Eastiny Inn on Soi 8, but the Dynasty taxi will make multi dropoffs in Pattaya. LeoTex

TURBO I have reservations at the Dynasty Inn in about 2 weeks. If its the same one, and I have stayed there before, is located down Soi 4 Past NEP. Are we talking about the same place? I would like to know so I can cancel my stay and find somewhere without all the noise. Thanks, LeoTex

The person that was attacked wasn't by chance named 'fishingtime'? He has disappeared and I'm sure a lot of us are worried about him.

jmac06, Here is the email address for the Bella Vista; bellahotel@hotmail.com phone number 38 362132 and fax number 38 362141 I checked out one of the room back in December when I wanted to stay a few day longer in Pattaya and my hotel was booked. Lucky for me someone checked out early and I got to stay. The hotel is new and very clean and looked like a nice place to stay. LeoTex

fruitti88, I have checked the prices in Bangkok at Pantip Plaza, and find they are the same or a little highter than the states. Also they are not the 'Olympus' brand, but a clone like the 'sandisk' smartmedia cards. I find the best prices in the states on ebay. LeoTex

landy2a, We just got lucky this time. The last trip I didn't get any hits, and deleted the 'thread after arriving in Thailand. I do think that some will PM or email and not post back on the topic. LeoTex

upena, Thanks for the reply. I just sent you a email. I will be staying at the Dynasty and would like to leave for Pattaya about 9:30 to 10:00 AM on the 20th. I agree about the 'mini bus', and was thinking about taking a taxi for the trip. I will be staying at the Eastiny Inn on Soi 8 in Pattaya. Anyone else interested, let us know. Thanks Larry

Also, no problems with 'credit cards'. I will be staying there again on July 20th. What I like, I just send them a email and they confirm my room without any deposit. You guys are right about the restaurant, but its ok in the morning for having breakfast with your new best friend, before she goes on her way. LeoTex