lemons

Mate, The main reason is that there are literally hundreds of hotels in town and the vast majority don't have a joiner fee. I usually choose Soi 13 due to its location. I've stayed at the Lek Hotel, the Dynasty Inn, Ma Maison, and the Haven. None of these charge for TG's. Let us know your budget, and I'm sure you'll get enough suggestions as to a good place to rest your weary bones. Cheers Lemons

Vikki, I dread pouring cold water on your plans, but I doubt there are many females, planning Pattaya holidays, who are using this board. If you haven't already, I'd consider posting elsewhere. All the best mate, Lemons

(O bids so far). I see he has a pos feedback of 44 on Ebay, BUT they're all from sellers, none from any buyers. Personally I can think of several different ways of spending usd5000 in Thailand, and none of them involve 10 days of longtiming Football Dave PS. His website has heaps of links, and I happily pinched a few. Lemons

Jnr, Here is the link for the Ma Maison: http://www.mamaison-hotel.com/e_index.html Low season 700thb & high season 900thb. Swiss run. About 30 rooms, all A/cond with in room safe. Pool and good location. Can add an A/B'fast for 50thb. I get on really well with the staff, and find the location super handy. Most of your fellow guests will be French or Swiss, but I always have a good time. Lemons

charlie298, Just saw this article on another board. Hopefully this new card will have enough visible validation on it, (like a hologram), to curb the current situation where I believe a fake ID can be got for thb2000. And they're kicking it off in the South ... now I wonder why? Thai citizens to have Smart ID card in June BANGKOK: -- The ministries of Interior and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) today agreed they would get their acts together in order to issue the pioneering 12 million smart ID cards for Thais by June, to meet the target of 26 million issued by end of 2005. The priority issue will go to Thai citizens in the three southern border provinces, who will be among the first to hold a new generation of ID card. Officials of the two ministries met today to sort out the missed deadline for the issue smart ID card, a new generation of citizen ID equipped with microchip containing personal data. Information and Communications Technology Minister Suwit Khunkitti told reporters that the delay – from January this year – is caused by technical glitches arisen from harmonising citizenship data held by the Interior Ministry. However, the first lot of 12 million cards can now be issued in June, and the meeting today has come up with guidelines to ensure smooth issue of yet another 14 million ID cards to Thais by end of this year. The new generation of ID card contains personal data relating to social security, health insurance and primary census data from the Department of Public Administration. There is some space left in the individual card chip to store additional information from other government agencies. The Cabinet will be informed of the new timeframe at its weekly meeting tomorrow --TNA 2005-05-02

Yep, guilty as charged. But if you are expecting a driver with your name on a board to be there - and there he is, well I cant see many fatigued travellers initiating a Q&A session with him to rule out a muck up. I am a wiser fellow now and it's unlikely I'll ever pre book transport again. Lemons

OMG - That was the company I had all the bother with. A Ms Arunee was the owner. OK, it's all falling into place. Lemons

These are extracts from a Pattaya city News story today. The link is below. “The Mayor of Pattaya, Khun Niran, is particularly concerned about this problem which will not be resolved until the rainy season beginsâ€â€¦. “He has now ordered Pattaya’s Fire Trucks to send water to the most needy communities and assures us that the worst affected areas will receive this free water service but it will take some timeâ€. Having just spent 4 days of Songkran here, I can’t help but wonder at the silliness of all this. I’m not saying that Songkran alone would ever empty the dams, but you’d have to agree a shitload of H2O does get tossed down the drain in this city alone. Water that is apparently now so precious that the fire brigade has to dole it out, and hotels have to buy it. Could this nation still celebrate their new year with the traditional ceremonies - and perhaps 1 day of uninhibited water tossing? I think so. (Can you imagine how weary and bored the Pamplona bulls would get, being asked to run down the streets goring idiots day after day?) IMHO the modern Songkran is an embarrassment that also kills hundreds of people, and panders to ‘lager lout’ farangs who emerge in their droves to play with water pistols. I know plenty of fellow members will probably disagree, but I am interested in all views on this. Cheers Lemons http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_27_04_48_2.htm

Have stayed in the old part of the Lek a couple of times, (these days I usually choose the Ma Maison at the other end of the Soi). One stand out irritant is that long serving twit of a doorman they have on in the evenings. I was amazed to see him still there on my last trip in March. I figure he must have a pic of the boss in bed with a labrador or something As there's no bargirl discussion on this forum, I'll refrain from going further. But I wouldn't be surprised if other members know the one I'm referring to, and would have their own opinions to offer. Otherwise it's not a bad place to stay, particularly with the good pool. Cheers, Lemons

Oops, I'll restart it in one of the members forums.

I've heard about a beer bar complex being built in Sihanoukville near Occheteal Beach. The developers are claiming that it will be OK for bargirls to operate from the bars - Thai style. From my travels in Cambodia, I would have thought this unlikely, but apparently some bars in P/Pehn have girls you can barfine. Has anyone heard of this? Lemons

Mr Dang CAUTION. I emailed Mr Dang for a quote, nothing more. Like a goose I included my name and flight details at his request on a return email - (he said these were needed to work out a quote). I ended up choosing another company to take me to Pattaya, and emailed Mr Dang a couple of days prior to say no thanks. Anyway at arrivals here is a guy right at the front with a card with my name on it. I PRESUMED it to be my chosen driver, but no - it turned out to be one of Mr Dang's mob. His car was an ancient debadged taxi, and although smelling a rat I was tired and got in anyway. About 10mins down the road my mobile goes. It's the legit drivers boss enquiring where I am as I've not met the driver at arrivals. I have nit noy Thai, so handed the phone to the driver. Turns out he told a pack of lies and said that we were well on our way to Pattaya and that I wanted to remain in his car. He then hung up and told me that the proper company had agreed to me going with him and all was OK. The phone rings again and this Thai guy is really pissed off. (Just what you need in your first 10 mins of a trip). Anyway I tell my driver to let me off at a Shell servo and tell the real driver over the phone where I am so I can be picked up. I give Mr Dang's pirate thb200 and off he goes. Unbeknownst to me, just to be a prick, he's told the real driver a completely wrong location! I sit in the April sun for over an hour trying to sort out the mess. Eventually I am totally over the whole situation and flag a cab. I get to my hotel 4 hours after landing and now thb1500 + tolls poorer. Does it end there ... NO. The company I hired is now super pissed off that they missed the business and begin to phone my hotel and my mobile every hour or so demanding payment for their driver. AAARRRGGGHHH! The best advice I get from long time locals is to make an offer and put the whole sorry mess behind me, before the police become involved. (BTW in any other country I know, this is a civil not criminal matter but TiT). The company owner turns up at my hotel with her husband and puts it on me for the thb1300 fare. After much discussion assisted by a Thai assistant manager from my hotel, we settle on thb400. So there it is, 2 days and about thb2000 later I have put this fuckup to bed. Thanks Mr Dang. Please dont stay awake nights waiting for my next booking. Cheers, Lemons

kuranda_bagman Thanks for the kind thoughts. That'll be good karma for me. It's amazing that Thai as the national carrier can be almost double their big Asian competitor at the same time of year .... to their own country?? Perhaps they will bring their fares down to at least be in the ballpark. I head out tomorrow on the SQ redeye, so hopefully by Fri arvo I'll be perched somewhere in Funtown with a Singha in hand. Cheers Lemons

lucky58 I've been to this great island a few times. At the southern end of W/sand Beach there is the Plaloma Cliff Resort. An a/cond room in the older wing was about thb1600 when I was there last Nov. It has a great pool, and overall good feel. The owner is a Swiss who can usually be found relaxing in the open plan foyer. As the name suggests, it's built on a cliff so no direct beach access. I've also stayed at Cookies guesthouse which is about in the middle of town. An a/cond bungalow right on the edge of the beach set me back thb1400 last June. Nothing flash but a great location. Their restaurant is pretty good and has nightly seafood BBQ's right on the beach. (BTW they have a newish 3 storey hotel opposite on the inland side if this is more to your liking). Try this link: http://www.kochanghotelsvr.com/hotelswhite...esandsbeach.htm One place I'll advise you to avoid is the White Sand Beach Resort. It's accessible via a long steep (REALLY steep) driveway at the top of the hill overlooking town, or by a 1km walk along the beach. A TG and I stayed there and were basically stranded for 2 days, except for the beach at low tide. The tap water was brown and we both ended up with infections. Enough said. Lastly, it's well worth your while to call in at the Blue Lagoon Bar almost opposite the Plaloma Cliff Resort. It's run by a Pom called Nigel and his Thai wife Noi. Had a ball there every time I've been, and the girls are great. Cheers Lemons

kuranda_bagman, Good stuff! It's always satisfying to snare a good deal. BTW - I didn't know the cheaper fares extended into May. All the best, Lemons

I've just seen a special April price from Singapore Airlines, that's pasted below. As you can see, I've used the example of a Bne - Bkk route with a transit in S/pore. I reckon the fare inc tax of $852 is pretty bloody good. I've always found SQ the best airline around, in terms of service, seats, food and schedules. BTW, for fellow Q/landers, they also have a daily redeye heading out at midnight that gets you to the Don Muang arrivals hall at about 10.30am the following morning - a great time of day should you want to head straight for Pattaya. Things to note - you need to book online, there are NO frequent flyer points granted for this fare, and departure needs to be between April 01 & 24th for a max stay of 35 days. Here it is: http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/app/saa?hi...hidTopicArea=au Total Price AUD 852.40 Adult ticket AUD 679.00 (679.00 x 1) Child ticket AUD 0.00 Adult taxes/Surcharges AUD 173.40 (173.40 x 1) Child taxes/Surcharges AUD 0.00 The fare quoted above is only valid for bookings made on www.singaporeair.com. Please note that taxes, surcharges and fees for some airports are collected during check-in or prior to departure by local authorities. Your Itinerary Date From To Carrier Flight 01 Apr, Fri Brisbane(BNE) 10:15 Singapore(SIN) 16:10 Singapore Airlines SQ256 Economy Class Non-Stop 01 Apr, Fri Singapore(SIN) 18:30 Bangkok(BKK) 19:55 Singapore Airlines SQ68 Economy Class Non-Stop 15 Apr, Fri Bangkok(BKK) 16:00 Singapore(SIN) 19:25 Singapore Airlines SQ67 Economy Class Non-Stop 15 Apr, Fri Singapore(SIN) 21:10 Brisbane(BNE) 06:30 (Arrive 16 Apr) Singapore Airlines SQ235 Economy Class Non-Stop Go for it Lemons

I spoke to the boss at Ma Maison yesterday as I'm staying there this coming weekend. Apparently the construction between here and the Golden Crab 2 doors up is, as some posters have reported - bad for a few days and then quiet for a few. To orientate those not familar with Soi 13, Ma Maison is opposite the Haven, about 40m inland from Beach Rd, and therefore definately at one end of this Soi. The Lek and Dynasty are at the 2nd road end, about 100-150 metres further inland. So it's the number of construction projects happening together in this street that make it all a bit of a lottery. Too bad, as I've always found Soi 13 an excellent part of town to stay in, and have lodged in 5 of the places here. (As I said, I'm planning to stay at Ma Maison this weekend, but if the piledrivers bounce me out of bed - it'll be up stumps ) One thing about Pattaya - whatever your budget, there's no shortage of room choice at most times of the year. Cheers, Lemons

Bigmike, Yeah, Thats around the price I saw when I checked out MAS late last year. Also I see you were in for a 5 hour ordeal at KL airport each way I recall once being stranded there for 9 hours with about usd$8 in my pocket. It is an experience I'll remember for all time. Seems to me that now more than ever, it's a case of doing research and probably ignoring loyalty to one carrier, f/flyer points or not. Lemons

Ashboy, That is a GREAT fare. I'm sort of clinging to SQ and TG until I get the points for a free ret ticket, (This trip will do it :), but I feel bad paying 1.2k for a SQ return ticket having seen your deal + the Emerates deal also noted above. Lemons

No Worries, See you both in funtown

Guys, You'll have to deal me out of this one - sorry. By the time I reach Bkk I've been travelling about 19hrs, and want to get going on the last leg ASAP. I've booked a car for 10.30am to Fun Town @ THB1300 + tolls. KIWILAD if you want to join me you're welcome, or if you'd prefer the extra sleep in, I'd recommend hooking up with aldprt that arvo. BTW I've used this car mob before and they have been reliable: khrongfa@ego.co.th Perhaps we could hook up in Pattaya for a beer or 3? My Thai number is: 06 1445653 Cheers, Lemons

Here's another site that gives good info on seats + food and the airlines themselves; http://www.airlinequality.com/index.htm Cheers, Lemons

I've thrown my hand in with SQ (Singapore Airlines) for my last 4 trips, and have booked with them again for April 1st from Bne. Got it for $1202 inc taxes which is a bit higher than I've paid in the past. I really like the 23:50 redeye out of Bne that connects with a Sin/Bkk flight, arriving in LOS at 10.30am. Pattaya by 2pm and straight into it :) A friend who works in finance for Qantas tells me that the ongoing high prices for jet fuel are about to cause a continuing round of rises across the long haul board. All airlines hedge their fuel costs by buying/selling avgas futures, but as the raised prices have persisted for around a year now, the benefits of this are now pretty well used up at current fares. Apparently loads of carriers are all set up to raise either their base fares, or more likely increase their existing fuel levies, but int air travel is so competitive that they are all waiting for someone to be the first to jump. After this happens, watch the stampede of airlines upping the fares! My friend says that the likely scenario will be 2 or even 3 incremental rises over the next 12 months of about usd$10-20 per sector, eg LAX-HKK or SYD-BKK. He predicts that the major carriers will offer some sort of loyalty discount with say 1 fuel levy only per trip, regardless of sectors travelled. SOOO, perhaps book a fair bit ahead if you can, or accept that oil prices will add a bit to your costs. Still worth going - OF COURSE! Cheers Lemons

Hi Kiwilad, Like aldprt, I'm flying in on the 1st - however I'll be in arrivals at about 10.30am, looking to head to Pattaya. Let me know if you want to share. Cheers, Lemons

Hi all, Will be arriving at BKK airport about 10.30am Fri April 1st. Heading to fun town. Anyone want to share? Cheers, Lemons