Firepole

Lilwilly, You might want to consider having someone build you a plywood ramp that is small enough to keep with you in your Pattaya travels yet sturdy enough support the weight of your chair. I've got a feeling you're going to need it to get over the curbs in a lot of places. Trust me, you don't want to spend ANY time in the street looking for access to the sidewalk. Tie a rope to it so, when you're alone, you can pull it up to you once you're over the curb.

Lilwilly, Yeah, like I suggested, I was over thinking it. Sorry, occupational hazard on my part. Always plan for the worst and hope for the best is my motto. A good bet would be to try to hook up with someone, via a board members suggestion, to give you the assistance you might need before you get there. If you don't get that, with that right amount of Baht and time you can get whatever you need when you get there.. I'm not sure what you mean by a power chair but, at the very least, you'll need a "travel wheelchair" in Pattaya. Keep in mind that the streets(and curbs) in Pattaya are NOT handicapped friendly. Fortuneatly, you WILL be able to find a companion to assist you.

Lilwilly, I certainly don't mean to pry but it might be a little more helpful to give an indication of what the degree of your difficulties are. My first concern was seizures but you said you were being seen by physiotherapists. MS, CP, Quad, TBI? TBI w/grand mal w/wo paralysis? If you know what I'm talking about you might need more assistance than indicated. If not, less to worry about. More frequent flare-ups lately if it's any of the previous? Things like this could make a difference in that, I'm sure you'll agree, you'd be better off setting something up with someone with a little medical background. At least this way if, God forbid, you needed acute care you'd have someone with a background who could communicate with the Thai "doctors" due to a language or other barrier. Yeah, maybe I'm overthinking it and you might not need anything more than assistance getting back into your chair but knowing a little more might help someone point you in the right direction for whatever your exact needs are. I'm sure you'll find what you need. Get a cellphone to use like "Lemons" suggested. While I'm somewhat familiar with Pattaya I'm afraid it's not enough to help you other than the suggestion above. Good luck.

If you do your research on this board and elsewhere you'll have a pretty good picture of Pattaya. The forums at www.thaivisa.com? and www.nanaplaza.com will help with BKK. Learn to use the search features and read the hotel reviews sections. If you're "self-educated" you won't need a package tour. You'll always be able to find a helpful "westerner" or "falang" to point you in the right direction once you get there. I would recommend that you spend your first 2 nights after arrival and the night before departure in BKK. The rest of the time would best be spent in Pattaya. Pattaya is a little more "newbie friendly" than Bangkok is. Don't get me wrong, Bangkok is great but can be a little overwhelming for a first timer. Of course, this would be if your primary interest is drinking and women. If you're going for the cultural aspect, i.e.. temples, etc... then you might want to consider spending the majority of your time in BKK. But, I'd bet that you'll lose all sight of any need for cultural fulfillment once you get a taste for satisfying other needs such as food and drink. Oh, by the way, there might be other needs you'll be satisfying that will make you forget the temples. Again, do a LOT of research and reading here and you'll have few worries.

There was a Levi's shop at Big C in Feb. I don't know if it's still there. I checked the sizes and it appeared they were geared toward Thai and Jap body sizes. Prices were high.

Consider Nana Tours in the lobby of the Nana Hotel. At least two trips to Pattaya a day. One is a minivan which transfers to an air/con bus at a private terminal in Bangkok and then transfers at the bus terminal in Pattaya back to a minivan which will drop you directly at your hotel. Cost is somewhere around Bt300+/-. Takes a little longer but it'll save you a few Baht. Book it the day before and get a receipt.

I don't know why I need to share this but I feel that I must. I've passed it around work and few could get through it without gagging. I've never laughed so hard and gagged at the same time. If you've got a weak stomach you might want to pass. For those that get through it without gagging I will offer you a pint if we ever meet up. CLICK HERE

I've used it a few times. You kind of have to expect your food to be a little bit below the quality of eating it at the restaurant. It's almost like it continues to "steam cook" inside the styrofoam containers during the delivery. For example, french fries(chips) will always arrive a little soggy. I also think that the restaurant preparing the food cares even less than they normally do(is this even possible???) because it's going out the door. Delivery time was decent(30-45mins) and is, I would guess, dependent upon what you order, location, traffic, etc. Would I use it again? Yes. It's very convienient. I normally just pick up a copy of the menu book and, after using it as a guide to figure out what I'm in the mood for, go directly to the restaurant. Link to website: Door2Door

The subject is somewhat of a novelty on this board so, of course, it sparks a lot of interest/controversy. The idea that it, deny it if you will, has caused many members who, at one time, would've said, "A ladyboy? No way!" to now say, "Damn, she is kinda hot. I wonder if I..." Me, I only read them because I find Tabmule's openness in his posts interesting and replies to those amusing. And, "Damn, is kinda hot."

Oops. Misread it. I was talking about the Lodge.

I read what the "Fonz" said but I stayed in the new wing and found the beds to be too hard for my liking. Maybe the beds were different in the new wing but I can't be sure. I saw thin(2 1/2inch) foam mattresses(w/piss stains) in the housekeepers supply room(not office) and asked to use one. No problem once they understood the problem. It was single bed size but it helped until I was able to get a room elsewhere.

Open a second(hopefully free) account at a different bank at home so you'll have two ATM cards. One to use at the ATM's and one to keep locked up with your passport in case you lose the first. A couple/few hundred in travelers checks is a good idea too. Click here for a currency converter

Just a suggestion if you haven't thought of it yet. If there does end up being a problem with clearance you might ask them to just pop the pins out of the hinges and set the door alongside or under the bed. I don't know if they'll do it and it won't afford you much privacy but it could be an option. I have to wonder if you'll be able to swing the door closed with the chair in the bathroom anyhow. I've stayed at Sabai but can't remember if they have walk-in(roll-in) showers or regular bathtubs. A walk-in shower might solve that problem once you get through the doorway. Also, for some reason, I'm thinking, depending on what section in the Sabai your room is in, there might, repeat might, be a problem with stairs. If I were going to be there I'd be glad to help you out but don't know if I'll make it this year. Good luck wherever you stay. It just dawned on me that the room I stayed in at Sabai(new wing) had a walk-in shower with a glass partition. Clearance to get into the shower is another question.

vger, I guess maybe they do have king-size. That's news to me. If you do stay there please post with a confirmation of the bed size availibility. The Dynasty is a decent mid-priced hotel with a helpful staff. Not fancy but clean. Keep in mind that you can enter and exit by walking through the small car parking area thereby avoiding the front desk altogether. Maybe you can avoid the Bt300 3rd person fee. A buffet breakfast can be had directly across the Soi(100ft) at the Lek Hotel for next to nothing.

If you're talking about the Dynasty Inn on Soi 13 I've stayed in a few different rooms there and the beds were not king-size. I'm not even sure I would classify them as queen-size. Do they have rooms there with king-size beds that I don't know about? Do you mean the Dynasty Resort in Pattaya? I've never stayed there so I don't know what size beds they have.

I've stayed at the Nana on 3 separate occasions. I remember my first visit very well. I too had read the reports, good and bad, but needed to check it out for myself. After all, the Nana is whore monger central and I don't think you can say that you've "done" Bangkok unless you've stayed at the Nana. Anyhow, on my first visit I got out of the cab and one of the bellhops had already grabbed my bag from the trunk and proceeded to lead me through the automatic doors. My first impression of the Nana was the overwhelming smell of chemical bug killer that hit me in the face. My first reaction was, "Sh*t, what did I get myself into?". Now, I hate bugs so I made it a point to keep my eye out for any. By the way, that first visit was the only time I smelled bug killer. I guess I got "lucky" on my first visit. In that climate even the very best hotels have to spray for pests. They're probably just a little more subtle when they do it. The lobby is a little dated but still fairly well kept for the high volume of traffic that goes through this hotel. It's the kind of place where they will politely ask you to not put your foot on the coffee tables in the lobby if you're sitting next to one. That tells me that they do try their best(remember, ThisIsThailand). On my first visit I was in one of the older rooms. Yeah, it needed to be renovated but it was clean and everything worked. I'm happy to say that I didn't see a single bug, other than a mosquito or two, during that, or subsequent stays. You won't run screaming from the Nana because of any strange creatures in your room other than the very tall "girl" you picked up the night before while in a drunken haze. Don't be concerned. While there are nicer places you won't regret staying there at least once. I caution you though that if you'd consider trying to get your money back because of things like a bug or two than maybe Bangkok(or Pattaya) might not be for you. You'll have to deal with sights and smells that you may not be used to. If you're open-minded and adaptable to different situations you'll have a great time. The Thai's give money back?? Where? Go. Stay at the Nana. You'll have a great time. It's f*cking Bangkok baby!!!

Start working on the passport A.S.A.P. Some airlines won't let you book a ticket without a passport number. The forms they hand out on the plane are simple. "Where are you staying, where are you coming from, return dates and flight number", etc...

No, you won't. First trip, eh? Bangkok is electric. You'll be so wired you won't even think about sleep. BRING EARPLUGS. The drone of the aircraft exhausts you physically. They help immensely. Buy a travelers pillow(that horseshoe shaped thing that goes around your neck). Two days before your flight try to adjust your sleep time to coincide with the time you'll want to sleep on the plane. Bring a book to read in order to make you sleepy. Watch all the movies you can while you're awake. It makes the time go by quicker. Get up and walk around the galley every couple of hours when the stews aren't busy with food or drink service. Buy some nicotine gum at the pharmacy to avoid a "nic fit" on the plane. Get enough for the return trip. If you go through Taipei, they have smoking areas inside the airport. But, at 25 hours, you're probably flying through somewhere else. EVA airlines LAX-Taipei=14hrs, 2-3hr layover in TPE, TPE-BKK=4hrs. Evergreen Deluxe Class/Elite Class(highly recommended) on EVA is running around $1000 incl. tax&fees for Feb. 06' and has flights that get into BKK around noon. Food for thought. Don't drink alcohol on the plane. It'll dehydrate you even more and you'll feel like crap. It'll also make you want a cigarette. Drink lots of water. Unless it has changed recently, at LAX, you have to get the bags you're checking scanned before you go to the ticket counter. The security lines can be VERY long. Plan accordingly. I may be in BKK and then on to Pattaya and back to BKK in Jan. and/or Feb. Maybe we can grab a beer. I don't consider myself a "vet" yet so I don't know if I can help you with that initiation you want with a ladyboy. Wait, did I read that correctly? This is the "Open Forum". Join the Members Area for more in-depth and "intimate" discussions that aren't permitted here. A wealth of knowledge in there.

Just an idea. I plan on bringing a DVD player to LOS that I'm going to purchase here in the States. It's $36 at Walmart and a little bigger than a school textbook. It's a good way to check to make sure that DVD's purchased in Thailand will work in the US. The only problem I can foresee is US DVD player compatibility with a Thai television. They might have differant signals/receivers. The DVD's I've purchased, so far, in Thailand have worked fine in my US player at home.

For the past month I've been checking sched/fares on the EVA website for flights departing out of LAX(to BKK) in the month of Jan. 06'. Originally, I was able to get prices for the entire month but as of a week ago it will only give me fares for departures up to and including Jan. 4th, 06'. It won't give fares for ANY departures on or after Jan. 5th even when differant return dates are used. It works fine for SFO-BKK but I can't use that route. Anybody have any idea what happened? SEEMS TO WORK OKAY NOW.

I can't compare with the Sunshine as I'm not familiar with it and I haven't stayed at the Lek but I've eaten the breakfast buffet there on many occasions. Usually while half in the bag(pissed) but still digging under the ever present fly landings to get "unflyed" food. Isn't it funny how you'll eat almost anything when you're drunk and hungry at 8 o'clock in the morning? I'm disgusted with myself but can't wait to do it again. Anyhow, I am a fan of the Dynasty Inn on Soi 13. I don't know how recent a review you're looking for but room dynamics really don't change. My last stay was Jan. 05 when the rate was 990Bt. I think it has gone up to something like 1200Bt+. The rooms were clean, service was very good, 24 hour room service with good, clean food, and you can discreetly enter through the carpark although I recommend leaving her ID at the desk. Rooms are good but some think that because of the darker wood decor it is rather drab. Me, I like wood. To each his own. The bathrooms have a walk in shower that is the same size as the area required for a normal size bathtub. There is a wall to hang on to or push against if you know what I mean. I don't have photos but I myself plan on going back there in Jan/Feb 06' if the construction noise has settled down. Jan. 05' was pretty bad during the day. Consider looking into this if you're a day sleeper. In short, Soi 13 is the perfect location and the Dynasty has decent rooms to start with. Book your entire trip here, without pre-payment, and look elsewhere after you get there if not completely happy. Rooms will open up at Sandy Springs and/or the Lek, AA, etc.. if you're not happy and decide to move on. These hotels are so close to each other that you'll laugh at yourself for worrying about the distance between them. I did. As in any hotel in Thailand never pre-pay. Pay for your room one day at a time with Baht as you go.

Go to your local bank, open a new and separate savings account with $100 in it, have them issue you an ATM card that is linked to Visa, and make sure to tell them to limit the total spending amount(credit limit) on the card to $100. It should only take a few days to get the card in the mail. Close the account as soon as you get back home or the bank might charge you a monthly fee because of a below minimum balance. Don't just think that withdrawing all the money out will automatically close the account. I learned this the hard way when Bank of America contacted me about monthly fees on a $0 balance account. The bank might also charge you for closing it in less than a certain number of months. Each bank is differant. Make a few phone calls and ask about their fees. Just don't tell them you're going to cash out in a month(or whenever). Giving your card info, especially the 3 or 4(Amex) number security code on the back, is an invitation for a lot of hassle unless it's got a low credit limit like i suggested above and you don't care about it. After you check in at the hotel go to an ATM and withdraw $75 worth of Baht leaving $25 for someone to steal or take care of any bank fees. When you get home and close the account you'll no longer be liable for the $100 credit limit on the Visa portion of the card(if it's set up that way). NEVER use any high limit card for anything except withdrawing Baht at an ATM. P.S. The highest type of internet security encryption is useless if someone AT a hotel decides to use your info to rip you off.

If it bothers you that much, and it really shouldn't, you can always tell them to come to your room in 30 minutes so you can "clean loom" before they get there. Tell them to stop at the front desk to drop off their ID card and have staff call up to room. When they call ask the staff to take her ID card and call you before giving it back upon her departure. Deleted Member is right. Sit in the lobby yourself and, shortly, you yourself will be bored and won't care, or notice, who or what walks by. While waiting for friends I've watched the parade myself and, after a few minutes, I found myself looking for something to read. Unless they charge a joiner fee the staff couldn't care less.

It was posted here a few days ago. Here's the link: 773(777) Seat Plan Post

For dramatic effect, amongst other reasons.