LeoTex

Ty_Stick, I failed to mention the same problem. The only draw back is getting in at 23:45 PM and having to leave at 6:00 AM for the return. It puts a damper on your first night and your last night in the LOS. Like I said, I flew EVA for the first time in April. It was great getting in at 11:45, had the whole afternoon and evening. The EVA flight also left Bangkok at 12:15 PM. You could enjoy your last night and have a relaxing morning before leaving for the airport. On the return home on EVA, it doesn't land in Houton until midnight, then have the 2 hour drive home after getting luggage. I guess you can't have both ways. LeoTex

Shilo, There must be two of us that don't have a problem with Northwest Airline. I have used them at least 12 times for R/T trips to the LOS in the last few years. My flights have been on time and the service has been good. I can only remember one trip where there was a problem with the sound system on the plane. Our row was the only row on the plane that the headsets wouldn't work on the long haul from the states to Toyko. I wrote a letter to Worldperks (miles) and me and my two friends got a $150 cash voucher each to be used on any type ticket. I just used it on Continental Airlines for a upcoming trip to South America. Up to this year I have had problems finding a flight using miles. I think the airlines suck you in with their miles program to keep you loyal and only use them. I have tried for the last few years to book a flight to Thailand using miles and could never find one. I mean looking at all dates going and coming and no free seats available. This all change a few months ago when searching for a trip this December for me and my friend. After finding seats for a high fare, I checked for a trip using miles, and it pops up for 105,000 miles coach. A little high, but for the Christmas holiday why not. I call my friend to reconfirm his dates, since he will be staying a week longer. I do a search using miles and I also get him a ticket, but at 120,000 miles. After booking both flights I do a check on using miles for flying business class and there are seats available, but for less miles than coach. I gave the Worldperks reservations a call and she tell me that there is only one seat available on the outbound flight and on my return for only 90,000 miles, so I have it changed and they deposit 15,000 miles back into my account. Since there was only one seat my friend will have to stay in coach, so sad, but my miles. I then check on his return flight and there are business seats avaiable, again at using lower miles, so I change his reservation and again they deposit 15,000 miles back into my account. Since I was on a roll and was at work I double checked the calendar when I could get away for my trip for the end of July. I wanted to make it back to Pattaya to attend Ben's birthday party again. Both the ticket price was high and no trips using miles, so I keep checking one day later at a time, and up comes a R/T for 120,000 miles in coach. I call Worldperks back again and got the same girl, and ask her about any buisness seats available using miles. After checking she finds one seat on a out bound flight from Houston. She said the only problem it is on a non stop from Houston to Toyko, flying first class on a Continental Airline 777, and then business from Toyko to Bangkok. She couldn't find a business seat on the return, but booked it for 105,000 miles. Finely I got to use some of my miles. When LBJ started this thread two weeks ago, I check on using a 'cash and miles' booking for a October trip, but the special didn't extend that far. Two days ago I got a email from Northwest about using 'cash and miles' for trips to Aisa. I checked it out and the special went thru October, so I did a search this morning and up pop a special for the dates I could travel. 20,000 Miles / $439.00 airfare Cash & Miles. I couldn't find a outbound and return together that I liked so I gave Workperks a call and she picked the outbound flight I wanted and then picked the return flight I liked and booked it. Durning the booking process, she said "you must work for a company that does alot of busniness in Thailand". I just said yes and didn't tell her what kind of business I was doing there. I have used other airlines, and I can't say the the flight and service was that much different than Northwest. My last trip in April was on EVA, and I will say the only difference were the flight attendents, there were nice to look at. I agree with the others, the Northwest flight attendents are a little over the hill. Norhtwest does make up for it on the Toyko to Bangkok leg of the trip, with both Thai and Japanese flight attendents. LeoTex

amphora, Only a charge if you take more than one, the same policy as the Dynasty in Bangkok. I like the Dynasty in Bangkok, because you can use the alley and avoid the lobby when going to your room in the back. LeoTex PS; like I said, I will give a update after staying there for two nights on July 31st.

Jim, I will let you know in about 3 weeks. I will spend my first two nights at the Dynasty in Bangkok and take the shuttle to the Dynasty on Soi 13 in Pattaya for two nights on July 31st before moving to Soi 8. I had reservations at the Sandy Spring that I made when I was there in April, but changed because of the construction next to them. I have a buddy that just returned home to Australia and sent me a email, because he stayed at the Sandy Spring this past week. He said that the major construction near there was reducted to minor construction with very little noise. He also told me that it looked like it would be alot of noise at the Dynasty, because of the construction next to it. So give me a few weeks and I will post here with a update. LeoTex

Ting Tong, I agree with you about Phnom Penh. Four of us took a side trip there this past December. 'N400', FLB member, had been once before and was helpfull on what to do and what not to do and what to see. We did the same thing with hiring a taxi/guide for both the daytime and eveings. Seeing the killing fields and tourture prison was very depressing. I will go back to Cambodia again, but it will to Siem Reap. I also felt alot safer in Siem Reap than Phnom Penh. I believe you were the one that gave me the information for my April trip for the hotels and Sam Sen for the taxi. He did take good care of us. The brown envelopes at the desk to be used as your safe box was a little scarry to say the least. They had the same set up in Phnom Penh, but never had any problems. Taking small US bills is a must. Starting with a $20 for your visa at the airport and then again a $20 for a exit permit to get out of the country at the airport when you leave. The need for $1s and $5s is a must for two reasons. First they don't have change (say they don't) and second you get your change back in the local curency, which I used for tips. Everywhere you go the prices are stated in US dollars. LeoTex

eddydb, N400 and I made a side trip to Siem Reap this past April for a few days. I did a search for Siem Reap Hotels. The hotel we stayed was 'Mekong Angkor Palace'. The rooms were nice and had A/C and I think we paid $30 per night. The price encluded breakfast and free pick up at the airport. Most of the hotels we checked on didn't take a credit card and we paid with US dollars. Infact everything was paid in US dollars even the girls. The hotel was in the middle of everything from Angkor Wat to the restaurants and night life. The hotel taxi driver that picked us up also offered to be our guide and taxi during our stay, but I already made arrangements for a taxi and guide by email by one that was recomended by a FLB board member. His name was Sen Sam and his email is senangkor@yahoo.com. It took him a few days to get back with me by email. I hope this helps. LeoTex

crazy, I just received a email from a friend (a fellow countryman of yours) that just arrived in Pattaya and had reservations at the Sandy Spring. As he arrived to check in, the work was in progress and he went in and cancelled his reservations and moved over to the Soi 7 and 8 area. We both stayed there in April during Songkran when the contruction was at a standstill and like the hotel. I had already cancelled my reservaton for the end of this month. I will go by and take a look the first week of August and if it looks like the major pile driving will finished by Christmas will book a room for then. LeoTex

Roland, Thanks for the update. I was do to stay there for 9 days starting on July 31st and have cancelled my reservations and will move them to Soi 8. I don't have a problem with the 'beerbar' noise on Soi 8, but do have a problem with construction noise. I stayed at the Sandy Spring for a week in April during Songkran and all the construction was idle. jimmac, I will go by the Sandy Spring before I leave in August and if all looks good for my December trip I will book and give a update. Like Roland said, its hard to figure that far out on any construction project in Thailand. LeoTex

Its been awhile since I have done this, but let me give it a try. First after logging in, go to the top of the page and click on My Controls. When this opens up scroll down to Personal Profile then click on Edit Avatar Settings. Next scroll down to Upload a new image. Your stored pictures on your harddrive should open. Double click on your selected image and your should have it uploaded. The information on the file size and actual size of the avatar is also shown. If the file is too large you may have to upload it to your Gallary to reduce it, or reduce the file size with any photo edit software. Hope this helps. LeoTex

JayBee, I also have stayed at both the Flippers and the Eastiny Inn. About 2 years ago I tried to make reservations for Christmas at one of the Flippers and they were both booked, so I tried the Eastiny Inn and have been staying there ever since. I think both the Flippers are fine for the price and I would favor the Flipper Lodge because of the Ocean View rooms. After giving the Eastiny a try I feel the rooms are a little nicer and brighter and now stay there most of the time. I also like the staff at the Eastiny a little better, with the restaurants at the Flippers better. I have just cancelled my Sandy Spring reservation for July 31st because of the construction and made new reservations at the Eastiny Inn for that week. I found both the Eastiny and Flipper takes about 2 days to answer emails for reservations and didn't have any problems with reservations made at either hotel group when arriving. LeoTex

Ty_Stick, Not a stupid question. I can't tell about about Pattaya to the airport on a weekday, but going from the airport to Pattaya did take a little more time than on a weekend. I also know going from my hotel in Pattaya to the hotel in Bangkok on a weekday take about 30 minutes longer than the weekend, so I would alow a little extra time to get to the airport LeoTex

wbill, This was covered by Pete on a previous threat. Everyone has a 'warning grid', but no one else can see yours but you. If you look at all the postings you can't see the others warning only your own. This isn't a flame, but can you see any other ones except your own, even if they are a newbie? If you post something that Pete feels is wrong he will give you a waring and your '0' will rise. They are there and can't go away. Behave and it will stay a '0'. LeoTex

hoppalong, Just spend a week at the Sandy Spring for the first time mid April. In the past I have always stayed on Soi 7 or 8, but wanted to get away from the water durning Songkran. I had a 2 room suite on the 8th floor overlooking the bay. Great room and view. The hotel is very guess friendly and the staff at the front desk very helpful. The location on Soi 13 avoided most of the water and is easy access to Second Road or Beach Road and down to Walking Street. I plan to stay there again in the near future. Also had a couple of buddies there at the same time and they say its there new place to stay in Pattaya. LeoTex

I now stay at the Bangkok Dynasty Inn while in Bangkok for the last few years. I always try to get a room in the back section and you can enter without going thru the lobby if you like. I will agree the rooms are a little dark with the dark panel, but the room are nice. Easy to make reservation by email and my room has always been ready when I have arrived. I spend my first 2 and last 2 nights there with staying in Pattaya in between. I just made reservations for July 29th, and again for December 15th. I also take the Dynasty taxi to Pattaya for 1500 baht, includes all the tolls and no tip is expected. The driver will also stop half way for a break. I try to find someone elso going to share the fare. This past April I had the taxi come down to Pattaya to pick us up and return back to the Dynasty. You can't beat the location near all the Nana action. Close to the toll way going and coming from the airport. The resturant is OK and you can order drinks and beer 24/7 at the little bar in the lobby/resturant. LeoTex

marketinsider, On your last leg to Bangkok, they will pass out your 'visa' and 'customes' forms to be filled out before arriving at Immigrations. The 'visa' if good for up to 30 days. You put the number of days you will be staying in the LOS. I always put down 28 or 30 days, even if I will only be there a couple weeks. You will have no problems if you understay your visa. The trouble starts when you overstay. When you over stay and make it back to the airport to leave, no problem, just pay the small fee and your out of the country. Getting stopped with a expired visa before making it back to the airport is where the trouble starts. Once you overstay your visa, you have broken Thai law. There is no charged for the visa and the amount of time you get it for (up to 30 days). So just add a few extra days and your home safe. I hope this helps. LeoTex

I arrive back in Bangkok April 12th from Cambodia, and will leave the Dynasty Hotel on Soi 4 the morning of Tuesday the 13th of April for Pattaya. Anyone wanting to share a ride please let me know by email, PM or post here. Thanks, LeoTex

Ben, What I did a couple years ago on one of my trip was to go to MBK in Bangkok and purchased a used phone. I got the '1 2 call' system and with the phone sim card with number and a little time. When the time runs down you can recharged the phone. I think I paid a total of 2,000 baht for the phone and the first sim card. It wasn't the most fancy phone you can get, but served the purpose. The trouble I was running into, was letting the time expire and had to get a new number when coming back to the LOS. What I did this past December is buy extra time and wen I return in April, I will have the same number. It come in handy with the girls, you can call them or give them your number to call you. Also was good with keeping up with my friends that were in Thailand at the same time by calling or using text message. I give the number to my work and friends back home, and they can give me a call. LeoTex

I have stayed at both many times. I like the 'Lodge' because being near the beach and a good view if you can get a 'seaview' room on a higher floor. The only drawback I have there, is walking all the way down Soi 8 with a GF after getting off the baht bus on 2nd Rd. The reason I like the Flipper House is because of not having the longer 'walk of shame' and nearer 2nd Rd on Soi 7. Both hotels about the same as to the rooms, staff and restaurant, and priced the same. LeoTex

I agree with the otheres don't give money to her mother. Your GF would be the best source of information on how to behave. I would ask her about getting a small gift, not money to give to the family members. If there is expense involved for the mother to travel to see you, then I would give the money to your GF to give to her mother. All of the above IMHO. LeoTex

Just go to the Thai Limo desk in the terminal and tell them you would like the bus to Pattaya. They will collect your money and give you a receipt. In terminal 1 the waiting area is next to the counter. You can't miss their sign and they are located along the wall in the center by the doors going outside. LeoTex

I have stayed at the Eastiny Inn on the last 5 or 6 trips. They have the same owner as the Eastiny Place. They take the credit card information when you check in, and ask for no deposit or to prepay the room. When I checked out I have them run the credit card for the room and any extras. I have never been charged a fee to use my credit card there. In fact I have never been asked or charged a fee to use my credit card for hotels in Thailand. After receiving my credit card statement for one of my trips last year, the charged was a few dollars less because of the exchange rate. They will always run the card using 'baht' and not dollars. LeoTex

In December we were coming back to Bangkok from Cambodia and checked with the Thai Limo service. They were asking that day, 3,500 for a car to Pattaya. We told them that was to much and they suggested their bus service to Pattaya at 200 baht each. Since it was schedule to leave in about a half hour we paid and got our receipt. The bus arrived about 15 minutes late and we all boared. Someone asked if the bus took the tollway and we were told no, because of the toll fee. The guy that was taking our receipts told us that if the toll was paid by the passengers, the driver would take the tollway. Everyone on the bus paid about 30 baht extra and gave it to the driver and off we went. Why they don't just charge a extra 50 baht and take the tollway anyway, TIT. After arriving in Pattaya they make one stop and everyone gets off the bus and catches one of the baht buses to the hotels for 50 baht each. Still not a bad deal for a total of 280 baht, and the trip took right at 2 hours. There was a little hold up when getting on the different baht buses. A couple of guys who didn't know to much English wouldn't pay the baht bus driver because they said the bus fare from Bangkok encluded being taken to the hotel. They gave in and paid and we were on our way. LeoTex

Mike, Thanks, I just emailed them again and asked for a suite on the 7th floor if the 'membership' price wasn't honored on the 8th floor. I agree about the rooms as I looked at a few when I went by in December to make my reservation and pay a deposit for April. Both the 7th and 8th floors have a great view of the bay. Thanks again, LeoTex

The following is a email I just received from the Sandy Spring with the latest on their 'membership' and price of the rooms. "Dear sir Thank you for your e-mail. We do have the membership. The member fee is 350 baht/year. Normal rate Member rate Standard room 1200 baht/room 990 baht/room Deluxe room 1300 baht/room 1200 baht/room Suite room 2500 baht/room 1990 baht/room Sandy suit room on the 8th floor is 2500 baht/room/night We have only 2 deluxe rooms on the 8th floor. We can't garuntee to reserve the deluxe room on the 8th floor for you. Please, confirm your reservation and your check in time. We are looking foward to serve you. Best regards Nuansri Phanichphakdee" I'm reading that the Suites on the 8th floor will not have the special 'membership' prices. Either way I have booked for April 13th. LeoTex

Fun, Here is the email address for the Eastiny Inn, the same guy (Mark) is the managager of both places, eastinyinn@hotmail.com One of the previous posters stated he had problems with reservation. I have stayed there on my past 5 or 6 trips and they have always taken my reservation by email and I haven't had a problems. Sometime it may take the second day before they get back to you. The only thing different was this past December. I had to do a depostit for the first night because of high season. The rooms are larger than how they look in the photos. I will stay there again on future trips. LeoTex