JohnnyK

No joiner fees at Apex. They would go broke if there were. Take a night at Apex and then look around the next day. Location is handy for getting everywhere. Soi buakhow is good for cheaper accom.

I went to Top Chaloen near Tim Beer Bar on 2nd Road. Test, Flex frame, Graduated bifocal lenses, 36 hour turnaround for 4200baht. Nice looking optician too.

We never thought it would happen...we are getting older. Look on the bright side... just because we grow older doesn't mean we have to grow up!

Let's see, 6000/month vs. 15,000+ for a condo...hmmm, If I'm unconscious 8/24 why pay more? That's 18STs or 9LTs more each month. Don't need to have an MBA to see where the intrinsic value is. Good research, soi7 and Emil!

Looks very good for 500+/- a day.

Bear, I have found they are not a whole lot better or worse than any other major carrier. I prefer private carriers such as Eva. As airports go I think CDG is crappy. Poor and very expensive food selections, crappy shopping (was better some years ago). Bottom line, its shite compared to Schipol. I think you will be pretty bagged by the time you hit BKK as 8 hours is a long layover and you are going against the clock (jet lag is much worse going west to east).

And of course the old standby, Welkom Inn with entrance on soi 2. Has a real nice bar frequented by lots of office girls, secretaries, dental assistants, nurses etc.

koh chang 5 hours by mini bus and ferry book at koh chang travel soi 11 (aka soi honey inn) for hotel pick up. BYOBG, many K9s there.

Collect the roaches, cut off the paper and roll 'em up again.

No Alan, the idea is immersion. They must learn to listen as well. You can't learn to speak properly if you never hear the language as she is spoke. At the level most Thais are at, explaining is not on. Technique is to present new language in a context and start by asking simple questions designed to let students "discover" the new stuff. The learning doesn't take place from explanations, it's from acting and interacting using the new language. Modeling and repetition are key. The golden rule is avoid TTT "Too Much Teacher Talk". Explaining puts the focus on the teacher who reall

King Kong installed a cappucino machine last year, if that's any help.

In the ESL world Thailand is well-known for: 1) Paying crap wages 2) Not discriminating between drunk backpackers and properly qualified & experienced teachers. He's white and can stand up is often enough for them (see #1). 4) Large unruly classes eg. 40-50 students all with the attention span of a gnat 3) Extremely poor attitude toward learning (skills & education don't get you a good job, daddy does) Pattaya jobs might pay 30,000 at the upper end. Not enough to enjoy the delights of funtown. If he wants to experience Asia and earn decent money I recommend Taiwan. Taiwan

if you really want to watch your budget, keeping it for essentials , you can get a month at V&M Terrace for 6700 +utils =7500/month. Lots of value around if you go a little of the well-worn track. Remember, there's always parking at the mall if you're willing to walk 200 feet while the yokels drive around in circles.

magpie, I can't agree with your first point. I like Pete the owner of Skytop but I'm not impressed at 450 a night, frankly. Apex is better as it has a pool and brighter rooms for the same price. V&M Terrace on soi Buakhow at 400 is better as rooms are bigger, brighter and there's a pool and nicer outside bar and brekkie. Intown Holiday at 500/night if you stay 2 weeks is way, way better for an extra $1.50/80p a night.

Apex hotel brekkie also 95 baht, samesame as Lek samasame owners. Thumbs Up is pretty good, 95 for full English and sweets nearby for a nice digestive.

It's one of BiGD's fave nosheries, he just falls out of Skytop and he's there.

wombat, i tried this but the smilies weren't the rude ones. theywere far too polite, cutesy-wootsy stuff. thanks for the tip in any case.

Apex is 450, about as cheap as it gets for anything above a shithole. Rooms basic but ok, pool is in the shade just beyond the dining area so diners can enjoy your sleek-as-a-trout body as you flop poolside. Front desk has displayed faulty math skills on numerous occasions when settling bills. Said faulty skills never seeming to be in favour of the punter. 95 baht brekkie buffet is not bad and can set you all day, pretty samesame as Lek Hotel buffet (same owners). Excellent location, walk to Mike Mall in 2 minutes then through the a/c to Beach Road. Hop a bahtbus to soi 7/8,

I really like the smilies here, does anybody know how I can D/L them to use elsewhere?

I wouldn't try a steak at Tequila Reef, not after the tasteless slop I got that was pretending to be ribs & chicken. BTW BiGD, I notice the esteemed Pukky cropping up in some of your recent posts. Miss her?

Pay my airfare and I'll pack it for you. Even for a long stay you don't need to bring much. You can buy pretty well anything you need and cheaper than at home. If you are a really big guy (220lbs+) then you probably should bring shirts and T-shirts as even Thai XXL is not that big.

Exactly. Why the hell should they have to do the running around, standing in line for you?

yes there is its downstairs on the main floor can't remember what it costs but its not much

Emil, do they have a sign outside advertising the free BF for extended stay? great marketing ploy!

My experience is they will cut 10-15% in the blink of an eye. Some places encourage longer stays at a discount (western thinking) while others won't budge from the daily price (LoS thinking) and will lose a potential 3-week occupant. Just ask and if they don't want to discount then go next door, lots of hotels and in the end what do you really do there? I have found the level of service and amenities samesame at 500-550 as at 750-800 a night. Do the math and its a free ST every 2nd day.