casper_uk

Yes, we travelled there last month. Flew into Siem Reap out of Bangkok (6000 baht), then went to Sihanoukville on the bus via Phnom Penh (1200 baht). We were planning on taking a 'speed boat' from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, but apparently the water was too low ...... might have been good though. Coming back from Snooky, we caught to the 'fast boat' into Koh Kong, then caught a minibus back to Pattaya. All in all a worthwhile 'one off' journey ....... but no incentive to do it again. Edit: We also found out that you can fly from Siem Reap direct to the small airport at Sih

I booked a month at the LK Metropole for a pretty good rate, via this forum, on the internet. I then tried the 'walk-in' approach with around 20 mid to high level hotels around at the start of november. With this being the developing 'high season' they all basically laughed in my face. Result was a spent the next two weeks in 3 different 'guesthouses' until I could get something more suitable. I'm not a fan of the 'walk in' approach anymore .......... off season though, it may be do-able.

35.328 on my 3rd attempt ........ i'm stopping now while i'm ahead

Would they know that I was coming? or would they think I was just some weird guy?

Website design and hosting for me, with customers in Europe / USA. Also, I run a number of personal finance websites (loans / mortgages etc) and property marketing sites for Estate Agents. Good thing is, I can basically work from any phoneline ....... Bad thing is, I actually still have to work

yes, full time 'live-in' .... she was a bargirl. Well the original 'never go with farang' Cashier anyway, which I believe seeing as though I seem to be the only guy in town that has a taste for the 'heavier' lady So far there has only been a few periods of 'sulks' and 'not speaking' ..... from me anyway, she's been great to live with.

You could always take a Scuba Instructors Course here at Mermaids. My brother is talking about spending 6 months here taking a full course, costs around 4.5k sterling including kit & accomodation. I've seen a few jobs advertised around Thailand, but not sure how easy they'd be to get for someone 'newly qualified'.

ah that could explain why I didn't get an account at the branch I visited ...... I was starting to take it personally

Does Siam Commercial have Red or Blue 'signage'? The Siam 'something' bank I went to first on 2nd road had Red Signs, so not sure if this was the same bank or not. Anyway, i'm with Bangkok Bank now and have my first complaint! Drunk or not, I'm sure I put the right 'pin number' in when trying to withdraw cash one night ...... but it took my card after the 3rd attempt. Sad thing is I couldn't even remember which machine i'd been trying. A return visit to my joining branch was made where a new card was quickly made up for me ...... for a charge of 300 baht though. Good ne

In Tukcom I've been quoted 23k baht & 25k baht for 60gig PS3's. In BigC today I notice they have them for 44k!! Big Difference!

Yep, just sorted out my Thai Bank acount today. First choice was the Siam 'something' Bank, who said I needed a work permit to have an account. The girl did recommend the Bangkok Bank though. Perfectly positioned across from the top of Soi 6 is my closest Bangkok Bank, I went in and saw numerous signs saying that you needed a passport and a letter from Immigration in order to get an account. I decided to wait and speak with someone anyway ....... glad I did, they copied my Passport and I provided my address together with 300 baht. In return I had an ATM card, Passbook and a free 'b

I'd have to say that there is probably more chance of Tony's standing by a 'life time' membership, than there is the 'average' Joiner actually staying here in Pattaya long enough to go 'full term' on the purchase. Then again, a few could die on the exercise machines I guess

Damn, Damn, Damn ....... Yes, I did miss that section of post. Then again, I don't think he put it quite as simply as I did. With the references to Lawyers and Police, rather than the basic "I cannot say that I am selling sex" ..... er ....... not that he is of course.

I've seen this debate come up quite a few times, and it seems like nobody is stating the obvious ....... and that is, that prostitution is illegal in Thailand (isn't it?). In this case, no bar or club owner could possible state on a forum or anywhere that they made a living from, or were at all involved in such activities. "Selling the dream" is a good enough reason for me ......... it's then up to us to put the 2 + 2 together to make 4.

If you have 'spare' money ...... it's a great game to play. I dabbled a little and initially had relative success, however, it started taking over my life! I was constantly reading strategy books, buying new software and staring at the screen whilst the markets where open. Pretty soon though, I was at the stage where making 'small money' wasn't enough, I wanted more. Apparently this is a very, very common situation. That's when things start going bad, and you lose a few and begin to play 'catch-up' ...... which you find you never really can. Another common situation. Honestly i

Again, for those interested ........ there's another one in Cats Bar on the left of Central Road heading towards Beach Road. She's easily spotted by the pigtails and the 'rabbit in the headlights' expression Maybe we should have a new thread called 'Virgin Watch', they sure must be a rarity in town. Probably don't survive long either!

Not sure i'd agree with KFC regarding 'you know what your getting'! I was dragged by a girl here once and the chicken was way, way to spicy for me ..... but not even a tasty. Don't know what the chickens like in US, but in the UK not even a 'Spicy Zinger' comes close that whats considered the 'standard' here.

Well in my case, seeing as though the mail wasn't too important (christmas cards, without money enclosed!) I just gave the name of the condo and picked up the mail from reception. For anything important, i'd use DHL or another 'trackable' carrier. Whilst having a PO Box here is a pretty secure destination, a lot can happen before it actually gets there.

When I first came here, I wasn't sure if i'd be making the semi-permanent move I have, so only booked into the LK Metropole for 1 month. Maybe this isn't the Marriott, but price of a 1 bed suite is 4850baht per night walk in price. I booked for the month and the price was 48k special FLB rate, which I was more than happy to pay. But yes, people still called me crazy. Since then i've stayed in two places for 750baht per night, one was good and one was bad .... no names mentioned! Now i'm staying in a 'condotel' of sorts and paying 18k inc utilities, which i'm extremely happy wit

Well I had something posted to me from the UK to here. My address is Soi A.R., but the rest was pretty similar to what you've put, no mention of Pattaya. It took a while to get here but made it never the less

Terrenove posted this on another thread. All I can say is, none of the guys on my bus had any problems. Also, i'm sure the above by terranova is excellent information, but you could try calling or contacting 1st Class Visa Runs, I guess they'd be completely up to date with the info too.

yes, wrong terminology there really ......... All I needed was a passport photo, the exit card and my passport. All the necessary documentation for the Cambodian and 'new' Thai visa were completed by them on my behalf. Even now i'm making things more complicated than it really was or needs to be! Just to go a little deeper too, the voucher book you receive contains many, many discount vouchers such as 'two for one' drink offers at many bars around Soi LK Metro / Soi Buakhao. They have to be used inside one month but, could come in useful on a 'night out'. They also offer specia

Thanks for the clarifications guys :) Yes, price 2400 baht, which when the stamp on the Cambodian visa says it costs 20USD, then take into account the two meals ......... sounds like a bargain to me. I too have seen others at slightly cheaper but as I mentioned, I went with these because I was told they spoke perfect english, and they certainly did. Thanks for the 'tip' about making my visa last 15 months ...... seems like a good plan :)

Having come to Thailand on a "Non Imm 'O' Multiple Entry" Visa I am able to stay for maximum of 90 Days before either, arranging an extension or crossing over the border and therefore gaining another duration of 90 Days. I chose the 'border crossing' option. However, i'd never done this before and was a little confused by the whole process to say the least! Asking around I was informed by a hardened 'ex pat' that there was nothing to worry about and to just call into Witherspoons Pub & Restaurant on Soi Buakhao, thats the home of 1st Class Visa Runs, they'd arrange everything for m

Yep, Rugby for me too. Even though I was brought up in Wales (where soccer doesn't exist) and was fortunate enough to play Union to a fairly decent standard, my time in the North West of England (Wigan, St Helens, etc, etc) has taught me that League players really are the toughest ......... and i've still got the scars to prove it! That said, there used to be some pretty 'nasty' Union players around South Africa!