CheshireTom

LOL. That's because you know as much about that as you do most things. Zero. And you returned. But too scared to make the move you wanted to. As is Chumphon, Satun, Phuket, Trang, Krabi etc. What happened to the gory details?

Well, why don't you post the gory details of incidents in Songkhla over the last year - whatever they may be. Weren't you going to move down here last year until you chickened out? BTW, how many shooting and bomb incidents have there been in Pattaya in, say, the last week? You be careful going through Bangkok on your way out now. And don't forget to close the door!

Good call, Emil. I think you'd be hard pushed to find anywhere else that offers a 101 sq m studio apartment for around 1.5k Baht a night.

Oops! EVERETT, Wash.—Boeing Co. is again pausing deliveries of large sections of its new 787 Dreamliner to its Everett plant, this time because Alenia of Italy is having trouble delivering the plane's horizontal stabilizer. The Seattle Times reported that suppliers of other major airplane sections have been told to hold up deliveries while Alenia catches up. The report said Alenia has found manufacturing errors in the smaller wings on the aircraft's tail. Boeing spokeswoman Lori Gunter said the pause will last about two weeks, but won't affect Boeing's schedule for delivering the first 787 to All Nippon Airways early next year. This is the third time this year that Boeing has suspended shipments of major 787 parts to Everett because of problems with components.

Hopefully he'll do a bit better than the three (?) guys who went to City during Thaksin's reign. Thailand goalkeeper Kawin Thamasatchan has been given a trial at Manchester United on the recommendation of Old Trafford legend Bryan Robson. The 20-year-old won the Thai Premier League last year with Muang Thong United and has since been awarded seven caps for Thailand. Former Manchester United captain Robson is the current coach of the Thai national team and has been impressed by Thamasatchan. According to the Daily Mail, Robson has recommended him to Sir Alex Ferguson who has taken him on trial.

We're just approaching the full moon (and high tides), so they'll likely get worse before they get better.

That's the whole point, Vic. The prices aren't less expensive, and no matter how many times you claim otherwise, it isn't going to change the reality. As a quick example, The Sabai Inn, with full hotel facilities, can be had for 720 Baht a night. The Seaside Guesthouse is from 550 Baht a night. There must be scores of other examples. Skytop Seaside Skytop Seaside Skytop Seaside Skytop Seaside

Friends in the hotel business that I've spoken to in the last couple of months reckon that they've now split the year into 5 "seasons", whereas previously they had just three (peak, high and low). Basically, Mar/Apr and Oct/Nov are, by their calculations, shoulder seasons and they have adjusted their pricing structure to fit that.

The Alcohol Control Act only refers to four specific Buddhist holidays, namely; Magha Puja Day, Visakha Puja Day, Asalha Puja Day, and Buddhist Lent Day when alcohol sales are restricted. The remainder, including Pavarana this weekend, are not affected.

As if running a bar or internet chat forum has anything to do with licensed taxis. I'm sure that they'll all step forward to contradict me. Not. Licensed and insured.

I could have repeated the "P4P element of FLB" description but didn't want to go down the plagiarism route. I think that paraphrasing it as "the antics of a Pattaya bar" is much better. I'm sure that you'd agree that the FLB amounts to a bit more than just P4P. Well, at least I hope so.

It's one of several successful Thai-orientated forums that don't include P4P discussion topics. None of them rely on the antics of a Pattaya bar to keep the numbers up. No. If she's insured to operate a taxi service it can't be.

Just like Thai Visa? You didn't say work in a bar - you said own a bar - no work permit required.

I provided the review that seemed to upset the owner and, yes, I have been there. I also took the time and effort to compare it directly to a similar priced property in the same area. The review (and comparison), IMHO, was fair and balanced. Most of the major criticisms of the place centred on a haphazard approach to guest safety and highlighted the shortcomings in relation to their lack of fire/smoke detectors, extinguishers, emergency lighting and dodgy electrics (overloaded circuits and uninsulated electric showers cut outs in the bathroom). The owner and website designer say these items are all in place and the rooms are now non-smoking, and that may well be the case, but it is not evident from any of your photos (which, BTW, are very good). It does appear that the toaster, microwave, kettle, fridge etc are all sharing the same extension lead (shown on the top of the cabinet thing) which, presumably, connects to the same 13 amp circuit as the TV and DVD player. Likewise, the provision of the large green ashtray is somewhat at odds with the no-smoking claims. At the time of my review one of the vocal advocates of the place responded that the fire hazard was negligible because the building was of a concrete construction and there was precious little that could actually burn. The inclusion of a tailors shop on the ground floor would appear, to me, to negate that argument somewhat. Anyway, kudos to you, Vic, for providing some photos of the place - other folk seemed somewhat reluctant to do so in the past.

A semi-decent bicycle (Merida or similar) will set you back at least 10k, a decent one nearer 20k.

If you're going to comment on what I wrote, at least try and stick to what I actually wrote,rather than what the voices in your head tell you I might have been thinking. I made no mention of the girl at all, let alone, "call her attempt at making a living illegitimate". You'd also be pissing on a guy (and his family) who was trying to make a living legitimately. I'd much sooner support the legit, one-man operator guys in the green and yellow taxis who are paying their registration, tax and insurance. Includes elements of, but not limited to, P4P. The board is a marketing tool for a bar - nothing more, nothing less. There's no legal requirement to have a visa of any description to (part)-own a bar. Nor is there a requirement to have "work papers". However, the taxi situation has been done to death previously on the board with the Mr Dream character - the bottom line is that if she isn't licensed and the vehicle isn't registered as a public taxi, then she isn't insured to pick up fare-paying passengers. If that amuses you, so be it.

Since when was operating a bar in Thailand a technically illegal activity?

You'd also be pissing on a guy (and his family) who was trying to make a living legitimately. I'd much sooner support the legit, one-man operator guys in the green and yellow taxis who are paying their registration, tax and insurance.

A non-stop would put a hefty APD increase onto the price of tickets compared to going via AMS (or even the middle east).

I agree. Probably the worst advice ever posted on this forum.

There is loads of 4* properties that are guest friendly. What they'll likely be charging during Xmas week could make it a pretty expensive holiday though.

They're still the owners - the problem being that they owe RBS a shitload of cash that they don't have. As part of their agreement with RBS to extend the timeframe for repayment of that loan until this coming Friday, the company had to make efforts to find a buyer for Kop Holdings. It's the owners' attempts to try and renege on that agreement with RBS that was being decided at the High Court. Their argument that the club is worth more is pretty irrelevant if nobody was willing to match their valuation. I'm not sure the Red Sox guy is the right answer to capitalise of the club's global brand - the Singaporean guy, Lim, probably has a much better feel for the global potential of the club (he's the same guy that's behind the Man U bar/restaurant on Suk Soi 11 in BKK).

What make/model are they and do you have a monthly rate (presumably not 30*100)?

It's 75 quid if seats are available in the same restricted booking class. If not, it's 75 quid plus the difference in price of a less restricted ticket.

Yes, I thought the Azzuri asshole was appropriate. Once again? You can't quote or link to any original. It's all down to the voices in your head.