Julio

Thanks for the website link - I'll check it out

Are there any expats in the Korat area. I'll be in Korat for a month in November. Anyone wanting to meet up for a beer let me know.

Flown with Qatar once in February this year. Flights OK (comparable with Emirates) but stopping in Doha makes it a long journey. Previous replies highlighted the problem that is Doha airport i.e too hot, too crowded, queues for the bog, limited refreshments and poor information boards. They are right.

I stayed at Sabai Resort in Feb and thought it was good value. 1250 Bt per night (no breakfast). Aircon is same as sabai lodge/Inn with low/medium or high setting. 2 pools it is a very relaxing place to stay and location is superb. Big C is next door. I checked out 5 or 6 places close by and most were a little more expensive.

Hi Ken; I am planning to do similar to what you have done. I have bought a property just south of Korat and currently spend a few weks a year there. I will retire in 4 or 5 years time and spend my travelling around or relaxing at home. You are right when you say that modern amenities are reaching all parts now. In Korat everything is available; there are plenty of good restaurants; and it's easy to get to and from.

Thanks for the tip. I've booked 3 tickets for February at £439 each

I was in Pattaya last week and stayed at the Sabai Inn. A superior room there cost 850 Bt. I used to like the Weekender so popped in to take a look. The old junoir suites have been refurbished. The living room now has a desk and some chairs and looks much better. They have removed the door to the bedroom so the new aircon has to serve both rooms. The bathroom has been completely refitted. However the layout and windows are as before. They asked me for 1550 Bt for the room - later reduced to 1450. I looked at the smaller 1 bedroom rooms and they were very similar to Sabai Inn but 400 Bt per day

Check out www.danishbaker.dk Used it myself and stayed at the recommended hotel. No complaints of Hotel and useful for organising trip to Laos.

I stayed there at Xmas and it was pretty good value. However I stayed in a refurbished room overlooking the 2nd pool and had a problem locking my door. They did fix it for me mind. Only other problem I had was 2 or 3 times they would knock on my door to deliver food which I hadn't ordered. I prefer Sabai Inn. The breakfast is the worst in Pattaya.

I have stayed at both hotels: Sabai Inn is friendlier and quieter than Sabai Lodge and rooms are slightly better. Sabai Lodge does have the swimming pools but guests at Sabai Inn have free access anyway. Have experienced aircon problems at Sabai Inn but it was soon fixed. They are both good value - you just need to decide wheteher you want a big busy hotel with all the amenities or a quiet friendly hotel wuth amenites just across the road.

Consider Sabai Lodge on Soi 2. About your price range and close to Big C shops. It is further from Walking street than Soi 8 but you would get the Bahy bus anyway. It is also a bit quieter up there.

I usually stay at thr KR star hotel near the night market. Various rooms 500 - 1000 Bt. Comfortable, friendly and central. If you want to be near the big shopping mall (confusingly named The Mall) try the KS Pavilion Hotel.

I have never been stopped before and have passed thru' dozens of times. Indeed it is rare even to see anyone on duty. I normally use the right hand exit but on this occasion was stopped almost as soon as the offending suitcase was put on the trolley. I suspect that a sniffer dog had detected the aroma of garlic and spices and the suitcase was set aside while the customs officers were alerted. They ignored the vegetables (aubergines, chillis and tamarind) and enquired as to the bags of white powder (potato flour or something - I'm glad she was with me). I read in the paper at the weekend some

Just returned from Thailand and landed in Teesside airport after the usual 20 hour trip. I was travelling with Thai wife and son and as usual one suitcase was reserved for Thai produce. This suitcase appeared 10 minutes after all the others and I was not surprised to be pulled over by Customs officers. I was a bit worried about my pirated DVD's some of which were of an adult nature but no these were OK. However be warned don't try to bring in any sausages as they will be conficated and you will receive an official warning. When they let me go my taxi had pissed off!

I was at Sabai Lodge last week and building noise is minimal. The construction work on Sabai Lodge is not too close to Sabai Inn anyway. I stayed in Sabai Inn 2 years ago and it's a comfortable place especially when moving there from the Welkom Inn. They quoted me 800 Bt recently for their standard rooms.

I have flown to BKK with KLM, China, Emirates and Thai and rate China as the best deal. Amsterdam is a better place to change planes than Heathrow. Also the frequent flyer programme gives me an upgrade for flying 15,000 miles which means that the return flight is now nearly always in the economy deluxe section. KLM is probably the worst of the above 4 as seats are more cramped.

I am currently in Korat and am staying at the Korat Hotel. Nice room aircon big bed only 500 Bt. Near the Night market. Have also stayed at the Chomsurang Hotel nearby but this is now very jaded. Evidently there is a new bar street in Korat. I will check it out tonight and report later if anyone is interested.

I spent a few days in Nong Khai last year checking it out as a retirement spot. The advantages are that it is cheap; the climate is good; crime rate is low; it is close to Laos for a visa run (there and back in 2 hours) and has some prospects as a pretty town on the Mekhong close to where the annual Naga fireball phenomenon takes place. However by Pattaya standards it is dull and a long way from Bangkok.

What date are you going in Feb Mr Fat Controller ? I have also booked with China thru Gazelle travel and fly out 4th Feb

I stayed at Weekender in July. Suite room plus buffet style breakfast was 700 Bt. Rooms need refurbishing and rumoured to be on the agenda. I'll be back in LOS in February and contacted Sabai Inn, Sabai Lodge, Sandy Spring and Weekender. All replied promptly except Weekender which is now Chinese owned. Looks like Sabai Lodge this time for me

I like the weekender. It is nice and quiet with 2 good sized pools. You should be able to get a suite for 800Bt which will give you a bedoom and a sitting room (no aircon in sitting room). The rate includes a buffet style breakfast. TV is rather small. Guest friendly. Last visit I checked out of Flipper House and went to the Weekender - it was much friendlier.