TabMule

Going from the Walking Street arch before you get to FLB on the right hand side there is a bar that opens out onto the street. More of a disco than a bar or go-go bar. There were lots of tasty Russian / Latvian / Lithuanian / Georgian (I'm sorry I don't know which) girls there. I found the bar to be very expensive though and a little impersonal. Girls were well fit!

LOL

My opinion is I'm halfway between SlipSlopSlap and Crackpot/Dave. Pattaya is built upon and is there because of the sex industry. To a lot of Western moral's this means a bad place. If you see it from the Thai point of view it hasn't the same gravity of revulsion that is generated in the West. If you allow your children to experience all parts of life and encourage them to think, ask questions and make up their own mind then there is no problem with Pattaya. If, on the other hand, you prefer to wait a little time and let your children have a slower introduction to what Pattaya has to offer then I would suggest Pattaya is a place to avoid. What about a few days in Pattaya for the crocodile farm, Big Buddha etc and then on to Koh Samui or Phuket where the sex industry in less "in your face"? It is a decision only you, as a parent, can make because only you know how you want your children to be brought up, how much you want them to experience and at what age. You know your children and it is ultimately your decision how you nurture and teach them. Whichever way you choose, have a great time!

Welcome Changster!

Welcome Eric, I hope you enjoy your time here and glean as much information as I have.

I may be wrong but doesn't health insurance exclude pre-existing conditions? I can understand someone going to Thailand, finding an excellent hospital to have a procedure done if, as in the UK, there is a long waiting list and private treatment is too expensive. If the cost in Thailand is reasonable then why not have the hernia dealt with? Good luck!

Voxvader, I don't think PayPal has a branch anywhere. It is an internet based money exchange bureau.

Reading the IKOBO deal it seems like a good thing for those of us who may want to send money to LoS. The rate is 4% and you get a discount with your first transaction. Seems to beat Western Union hands down. I'll consider it next time I want to send money to LoS. I run a Thai dating website which I'm currently re-vamping. I will be sending money to LoS for translation and lubricating fees and it seems IKOBO is a good deal.

I agree, across the road is the Dynasty which I highly recommend. I read another board member who said it was better to get a Dynasty room at the back and sure enough he was right. Clean room and free transportation to Pattaya if you stay 3 nights at the Dynasty Resort. I have also read read good things here about the Dynasty breakfast. I went across the road to the Nana and had a wonderful breakfast last time in Bangkok. I'll give the Dynasty breakfast a go next time if I'm up in time, which is doubtful. And NP is only a stumble away.

Which works out well less than a tenner for a short time ............. Bargain!

Stiffler, just a little enthusiastic. Off to watch "I'm a celebrity etc" ..... Mr Rotten has to win!

Blimey Stiffler, whilst I agree with you completely, please calm down!

Just wondering what the barfine is for one of the custom cuties. Think I should ask?

"The reason you can get seats on Turkish airlines when everyone else has sold out is because they are crap. Not aeroflot crap but crap none the less. " I don't know what crap means when referring to an airline. The journey to LoS from the UK is about 11 hours. With Turkish, the journey is broken up nicely with a 2/3 hour stopover in Istanbul. Not an excessive wait but enough time to stretch the legs and have a couple of beers. The food on the aircraft isn't excellent but is edible and the aircraft and seat configuration is the same as many other airlines. I have never flown Singapore Airlines but understand they offer outstanding service. I know Turkish are not in this class but to describe them as crap I find hard to understand. We have all had uncomfortable or annoying experiences with airlines. At the time this can seem to be the final straw but these problems often take place for a short period in a flight of only 11 hours. I know I can put up with almost anything on the flight to Bkk because I know I'll forget about it the moment that lady examines my passport and I go through and get my bag off the carousel. Yes, I do think the glass is always half-full!!!

Backdoor, are you talking about the same shop? The one I have been to has the software, DVD's etc in a room at the back of the shop. You can search for what you need and get it almost immediately. If you can't find it, write the title down and the rather tasty girls will come back with your chosen title in minutes.

Try http://www.gazelletravel.co.uk who have got me good deals in the past. Call them on 0191 261 8616 for up to the minute prices. I find them very helpful and I know a lot of the members here have used them. Good luck!

Is that a short notice booking or a long time in advance? This Derby Ram is looking to return in the next month or so. Is Yates's still rockin'?

Thanks for your advice guys. I'll try Pantip Plaza on my way to Pattaya.

Pattaya is Pattaya at any time of the year. I've never been bothered by a little rain and there is always a bar to pass the time in if it does rain.

I've flown with Turkish a couple of times to Bangkok. I can honestly say I've had no problems with them at all. I flew economy from Heathrow via Istanbul to Bangkok. I found the food and service to be ok but not outstanding. Food was just the normal fare but edible. I enjoy a good drink on long haul, partly because I'm a little nervous, partly because I am going on my holidays! and partly because ...... well ....... I like a good drink. It was a little difficult getting a drink in my seat but the cabin crew were willing to give drink out if you went to collect it from the kitchen area. After the main meal the lights were dimmed and everyone was expected to sleep (overnight flight) in a rather regimented way. About a couple of hours out of Bangkok I cracked open my window blind to have a look outside at the sunrise and within a couple of minutes a steward raced over and slammed shut the blind. I suppose he was doing the right thing if people were sleeping but I think a smile and a "please" would have been nice. Otherwise, apart from these minor grumbles, I found Turkish to be ok.

I got a silk and cashmere suit from New Style World on Soi Pattayaland 2. Excellent service from the guys there. The suit isn't worn much, I have to admit, but it fits just perfect and I've had no problems at all with it.

Hi, Just wodering if anyone out there can help me. I use a computer software shop on 2nd Road each time I go to Pattaya. I have lost the email address for the shop and I hope someone out there knows it. The location of the shop is on the right hand side of 2nd Road if you take a left into 2nd Road coming from the direction of Walking Street. The software is kept in a room at the back. I think the email address has nidnoy in it and it is a Hotmail email. I'd be eternally grateful if anyone out there can help me. Only another month or so to go! Thanks guys

I've travelled a couple of times with Turkish and they are fine. A summary of my trips with them is below; If you are collecting your ticket at LHR (Although you are going from Manchester) be careful not to go to the airport ticket/enquiries counter close by to pick up your tickets because it's the wrong one. On the corner of the Turkish check-in counter is where you collect your ticket. The seats are very much the same as any other economy class unless you are travelling business or 1st class (I did neither). The entertainment is on screens in the cabins. The usual miles travelled, miles to go, maps and ETA are displayed along with a film or two. A few music channels can be accessed on the seat armrests. The food is good and edible. It is normally a stew type meal with rice or couscous. The cabin crew aren't super efficient but will get you drinks etc if you require them during the long hop between Istanbul and Bkk. They also patrol the cabin with soft drinks throughout the night (if the schedule is from LHR, I don't know the times from Manchester) Istanbul airport is modern, clean and has plenty of shopping. I used the bar for the outbound and inbound trip. I can't remember seeing an ATM machine so it may be an idea to change some Turkish lira before you leave the UK. Beware though that I found working out prices was difficult due to some of the smallest denomination notes being 250,000 lira. A little confusing after a few large ones! Also, be careful when leaving the bar to transfer to your flight. Each time when trying to pay my bill I had to wait an age and then there was a queue going through security. The first time I flew from LHR to Istanbul with Turkish I was somewhat alarmed when a passenger in the centre bank of seats was chatting away on his mobile while the plane was taxiing. The cabin crew didn't seem at all concerned. I will fly with Turkish again if the price is competitive. Hope the above helps. Regards

I will be bringing my laptop to Pattaya in the New Year and was wondering about two things. Does anyone have any recommendations/ideas about what to do with the laptop if the hotel safe isn't large enough. There are various laptop security cables available. Are they any good? Getting broadband access in Pattaya, I have heard and read here, is very hit and miss. Could anyone point me in the right direction. Would a laptop connection at an internet cafe be advisable? For a long term stay, are there any wireless points in Pattaya or ISP's who provide ADSL in Pattaya or its' surrounds. Any help and advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi, reading the posts above about Eva, does anyone have details of a good travel agency in the UK who are able to give a good deal on Eva? Thanks in advance and regards Peter