torrenova

Sunny, You reallly pay Bt2600 per month for 5152/256 ? I ask as I'm getting a condo soon and am interested in this. In the UK I pay GBP 30 for 1024/512 which equates to about Bt2100. It seems really expensive at Bt2600. Whats the story about getting it through cable in Pattaya ? Anyone got any ideas ?

Seems a hell of a long way out in the sticks. I'll admist that the rooms look good but I don't think their rates, either daily or monthly, accurately reflect the distance it is from the action.

Baht buses (yes, pick up trucks http://www.bahtbus.com/photogallery/displa...album=1&pos=34) run from the RG all night. You shouldn't have to wait more than a minute or so. Coming back late on, you can walk up to 2nd road and get on one heading to Jomtien (Bt10) or just charter an empty one for Bt40-80, depending upon your negotiating skills. They will start asking you for Bt100 and they cannot even read the map on the back of the RG card. you have to tell them its a little way up on the road to Jomtien, just after the flyover.

Just a thought but all you guys chopping and changing from one airline to another all the time are missing out on the frequent flyer miles. If you get a free trip after say 5 paid ones then that's the equivalent of 20% off. You may alos get bumped up now and again. Just a thought.

Yes, it is Phuket Air from Gatwick. The ticket has a validity of one month (so no good for me !). Also, whilst direct there (from LGW), it stops on the way back (don't know why, probably to pick up cheap fuel). Old planes, Boeing 747-200's which came into service in 1971 and were discontinued in 1991 ( http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family..._back.html#200)

Don't know about hotels but Explorer on South Pattaya Road, between 2nd Road and Beach Road / Walking Street is good. i use their facilities for Bt500 for 500 minutes but you can use laptops for Bt2 per minute, perhaps available on the same deal, I don't know. Speed is ADSL 512

But the Aussies get 90 days on arrival now so not many will need a visa.

http://www.sawadee.com/pattaya/greenpark/ http://www.gothailand.com/hotels/pattaya/f...en-park-resort/ http://www.asiatravel.com/thailand/greenpark/

How about The Diana group's properties ( http://www.dianapattaya.co.th/index.html ). they have some rooms from Bt300 or so per day so all 4 could sleep in 2 rooms. Here's their tarrif sheet: http://www.dianapattaya.co.th/sheet.htm Otherwise, some rooms advertised on 2nd road around Bt250/300 for fan room per night.

Didn't reckon on those Mike. Twins is massively overpriced but haven't been in the Palace yet. Just emailed them for rates. Thanks

This was all I could find on it: http://www.thebunkerboys.com/GenInfo.htm Don't know about any accommodation but it does say they moved location last July on another website.

So what's the big secret ? Where are they ? C'mon, spill the beans.

As your heading into peak season, I'd have to say book in advance which goes against the normal rhetoric of getting a better price just walking in. You're going for nearly a month so perhaps consider somewhere which rents by the month. Even though you're a few days short, it may still work out cheaper. Let us know your budget and ideal location and maybe we can throw a few ideas your way.

The cigarettes you buy in Thailand are not the same quality as you buy in the UK, even when the same brand is available. As for heathrow duty free, their prices may be lower for some things but not others as they increase the list price substancially. Take chocolates. I was asked to buy some Cadbury's Milk Tray. GBP 3.5 in the supermarket, GBP 6.0 in the airport duty free. Same same with some cosmetics. You really need to know the high street price before deciding whether the duty free price is actually cheaper, and remember the size as well.

SWIFT the money to their account and you will get wholesale rates for any amount over and above around Bt250,000.

I sent a substancial amount of money from HSBC in the UK to Bangkok Bank in Pattaya and the fees were set. I sent it using SWIFT and paid GBP 20 or so a couple of months ago. HSBC's agent bank in Thailand is HSBC in Bangkok so you can get hold of them if it gets delayed. If the bank you send the money from does not have a branch in Thailand you should find out who their correspondent bank is. Took a couple of days for cleared funds and I could select the value date.

Hi guys, This may seem a strange request coming from one who lives in Pattaya but here goes. I want to rent a condo with a pool as near to the gates to Walking Street as I can. I know about Yensabai Condo and Centre Condo but wonder if I have overlooked anything else. A final alternative is an hotel. Currently I pay Bt10k all in for an hotel without a pool but with aircon, daily maid, towels, sheets etc. Any help much appreciated. Thanks.

I reckon that with rates starting at Bt1000 with no pool and likely noisy all night, its a tad overpriced.

I suppose it depends upon what you do during the day, what your priorities are and whether you want an apartment or an hotel. For me, if I was spending my time near Walking Street I would wnat to be somewhere near there to make a shower and change easy etc. If i spent my time near Soi 2 I would probably choose an hotel near there etc. I just can't make an argument for Jomtien unless you want to spend the day on the beach and cruise some of their bars at night.

They used to have a 4 for 3 deal through the Bangkoktonight forum. I don't know whether that is still applicable though.

You don't have to deposit a girl's ID, it is purely up to you. Remember that in the better hotels, they are beholding to you rather than the other way around.

Hi guys, I've had a couple of mates on about trying to get out to Pattaya for about a month over Christmas and New Year. Unfortunately, the prices seem high at around GBP900 or so direct so I wonder if any of you have gotton any good deals for this time of year recently. Any help most appreciated. Regards

I understand that the Residence Gardens has 2 bedroomed units in their adjoining Residence Suites. I do not know their rates but I'm sure Ib would do something for FLB members as he does for the regulas rooms http://www.theresidencesuites.com/suite.htm

It really depends upon your budget. The Marriott is great but it will knock you back Bt3/4000 or so. The Residence Garden is good but the food sucks and the location gets to be irritating. Also, where do you prowl ? No good having an hotel in Soi 2 if you spend all your time in Walking Street. A suite at the Hard Rock is nice but the daily Bt6000++ is not !!! Many seen to stay in the Flippers or Eastity regularly at around Bt750 or so.

The easiest and best (?) is to get a taxi from the airport. When the touts ask just ask what car. You'll get a Toyota Camry for Bt1650 including tolls. For the return journey, I use Paul Pat just inside the gates to Walking Street. I pay Bt1200 for a big car (usually Volvo) including tolls or you can pay Bt800 for a regular taxi not including tolls.