Sa-teef

I think you are right, Saddic. I got the name wrong tho. The foot path that passes infront of Blues Factory is Soi Lucky Star. Soi 16 is farther south and meets Soi Lucky Star (or the vehicular path anyway) infront of the Marine Plaza. They do seem to have more than their fair share of dust-ups in the neighborhood. When you see all those normally friendly thai guys pulling out the sticks and bats it's time to walk the other way....... I've never understood the thai inclination to just climb into whatever baht bus the drivers point at. I far prefer to walk out there and catch one

" i found a small little lizard in the bathroom one night manage to chase him out of the room." Hey come on sommy! The geckos have to eat too ya know! If you leave your patio door or window open anytime in the late afternoon or evening the rascals will sneak in on ya. Even in the best of neighborhoods. But take heart! They only eat bugs! What spooks me is if one sneaks in and it is the first thing I see when I open my eyes in the morning scampering across the ceiling! Pratumnak Rd is not QUITE in the boonies yet! It's my favorite way to get out of Walking Street actually.

I usually wait until February to book my April/May trip. Usually pay between $700-900 on UA out of Minneapolis but it's at $1150 right now! With both UA and NW cutting routes to fill-up their planes and the crazy fuel prices, I might have to consider another option this spring. Chicago is 300 mles away and my son lives in Minneapolis now so it makes it AWFULLY EASY flying out of there. I think the days of the $600 tickets at the height of the SARS scare are well past. I'll wait until late winter and see what develops. ~Sa-teef

Well SpongBob, you might have a problem there. Is there ANYTHING north of Cozy Beach (not convenient to town) And south of the Dusit (not low priced) Actually "on the beach"? Lido Beach Hotel is across the street from the beach and about 1k/night. Nova Lodge, Markland or Beach View might have a laundry room for around the same. A few of the Beer bars along Beach Road have rooms above that might have a vacancy, but it would be hit or miss. The biggest problem might be finding something with a vacancy. Dec 11th is a Saturday so you're gonna have a tough time with that. Good luc

"...you shouldn't be traveling out of your city." Be nice now, Emil! I've only spent about 6-7 months there in the last three years, and I've had some near misses crossing at Kiss Food in the morning! If those damn motos wouldn't travel against the traffic, it wouldn't be such an issue! It's the worst between about Soi 11 and the "13's". South of Pattaya Tai and north of Soi 6 it doesn't seem to be such a problem. If you find a hotel that you like with the right price, it shouldn't matter where it is within reason. I might even get wild and crazy and rent a hotel for the first

Still a lot of dust and noise in the immediate area of the Whitehouse Conditel building site this am 2 November. They were dropping shit off the third floor into a truck below that made a nice resounding BANG! as I walked by on the way to breakfast: You could tell that guy in the truck had some faith. Wasn't even looking half the time as the bags of debris and chunks of concrete were landing just a few feet away. ~Sa-teef

Update as of 18 October: They have a fence around the construction site (I'm right across the street on the second floor) and there is little activity going on. But the news is they have a big sign talking five star condominium and a website: The website: www.nirvanaplacecondo.com Looks like it's gonna be a swanky place! We shall see...... ~Sa-teef

Just so you know what's happenning at the moment. Whitehouse Condotel seems to be progressing and they have the sixth floor started now. Not too much noise but there is general racket and dust about. For those unfamiliar, it's going up next to the Dynasty and just east of Sandy Springs. The vacant lot next to the Ma Maison has more fill sand in it than when I was in town in June and a couple guys dinking around in their trying to look busy: The noise level isn't too bad from either site that I noticed and I often make it past there. Just

It's a major engineering project Babe, no matter where it is. I live in a small community of 4,000 and ten years ago this month we had a nearly first ever flood. The town straddles a major river, but we have dams above and below the city so we can usually regulate the flow. But a combination of heavy rains up stream with torrential local rains overwelmed the dam engineers. Re-working the storm sewer system was a multi-million dollar effort. With the hills and valleys around Pattaya it will be a technically challenging effort. Take a ride down Thappraya Rd during a heavy rain and yo

You're not questioning my parentage are you Chirs? Buy 'em a brew for me and save me a pooying or two. ~Sa-teef

"you guys are all on the Piss or what" Yes, we were joking. That's what the funnies are for...? Remember the P & W string we drove into the ground back here a week ago? You probably don't recall, but I posted a pic of it so let's hope I know where it is? Planning breakfast with a couple English ingrates there infact..... Sa-teef

"the flipper house on soi 8" Yup, just up the road from P & W on Soi 8!! At least a couple ATM's around TOPS and another one just north of Soi 6 if you're up for a bit of a walk. Closer than Big C if you can't bring yourself to part with that ten baht! Seems most of them accept Plus System cards IMO. ~Sa-teef 16 days 13 hours to wheels up.....

"BigD and Roland have kissed and made up and are partners in the 'taxi' and 'hotel' business." Yeah, when pigs fly. Kind of enjoy the harmless bantor but I wouldn't get your expectations TOO HIGH here....... ~Sa-teef

Thanks Roland. Good to hear a new review of the Lek. Seems all the reviews posted were from years ago and it's nice to hear about the new wing. I always enjoy the Lek breakfast and the location is hard to beat. And you can always sneak out on three different streets if you're avoiding a pooying! I'll check it out again within the month! ~Sa-teef

Very helpful stuff guys. If you're looking for a hotel, watch for the DD telephone they speak of. I suppose it's do-able with a switchboard system, but why bother going thought the headache? There are so many good newer and renovated hotels with DD that if it's important to you to have in-the-room access it's not that hard to find. One of the best things about Pattaya (after the beautiful ladies!) is the wealth of newer hotels at reasonable prices. ~Sa-teef 31 days and 11 hours to wheels up

I have not stayed at the SS but several members have noted they do not give weekly or monthly discounts. Might be able to eek out something but Scandibar.com doesn't list any. Rates 2004/2005 Sandy Springs Std room 990 Deluxe seaview 1190 Suite floor 3-6 1990 Suite 7-8 2500 InnHouse Room Per night Per week Per month Standard Summer 600.- 4,200.- 12,900.- Standard 650.- 4,200.- 12,900.- Deluxe / Sea view 900.-

"I will leave it to others to judge who is the intolerant one around here." Took the words right out of my mouth! "In the UK, it is required that there is a balance in news reporting." Now that sounds a bit ominous to me, frankly! Big Brother decides what news you will hear? Freedom means I have a right to listen and decide for myself. I kind of like it that way, thank you. There are sources from all sides that have a right to be heard IMO. Doesn't mean I have to believe them, support them or agree with them. There is much on radio and television that I don't agree

You didn't answer my question, Bazle dear. You can't change the channel ? On some cable networks in the US and Canada you can find Christian and Muslim channels on THE SAME TELEVISION ! Does that upset you, my intolerant friend? Are you so insecure that you can not tolerate contrary views to be heard? ~Sa-teef

"Limited English language channels (which regrettably included the extreme right wing Fox News Network). " Bazle, WTF? I like the Inn House inspite of the fact that you've spent some time there...... I've never stayed at the SS and probably won't as long as I can negoiate a two room suite at the Inn House for 850 baht. That's when I agree to rent by the week and it's all inclusive. The maids are good and a smile and a small tip gets me all the towels, pillows or anything else I want. I LIKE having the tv in the second room. If the ladies want to watch the tube they can do s

Yeah, a cab off the street is cheaper than a cab at the door most times. Seems the cab mafia on hotel grounds always are getting a piece of the action. I'm smoking (this month) myself but I'd be careful on the mini-bus. Most of 'em aren't all that happy about us smokers. Hopefully I'll quit (again!) before I get back to LOS but either way have a good trip.

Actually Chris, I used the mini-van service once and service was good I thought. It was last August when I stayed overnight at the Nana on my first night in LOS before I headed for Pattaya and had heard about it on this forum. Since I was there, I thought I would check it out. But I'll make sure to stay out of your parking lot. BigAl, I think they take all comers actually. I was staying there the one time I used it. If you got the baht, etc etc.... But you might want to send them an e-mail on that. I'm sure others on the board have probably used it more than I.

Hehehe, glad to hear from you Chris, even if it's to tell me to knock it off!! Gotten to be a bit of knee jerk reaction for me, I must admit. Kinda like slamming the septics, you know? "whats this cheap mini bus goes to your pattaya hotel" Actually, you can arrange it at the little desk by the door. 200-250 baht as I recall? They dropped me off at my hotel in Pattaya. Couple times a day or more. I think it left about 1100 the one time I used it? Ask them about it when you check-in. See ya in Patty, ~Sa-teef 40 days and change....

"I love the Nana hotel, it is not a 3 or 4 star hotel by any means but it kind of hooks you once you stay there." Kinda like a rash crawling up your leg? Well, kinda looks like riceboy is back me thinks? Even tho this is about transportation and not Nana Hotel worship, we all have a right to our opinions. Vox and Daveuk have given good explanations of the options available. If you can't find your way after that, you need a guide dog..... ~Sa-teef

I can take a pic in total darkness with my Sony Cybershot. It has IR emitters which allow you to "see" in the dark, all be it in that eerie green color. I'll try to take a few to show you when I'm in Pattaya in October. The only ones I've tried are the inside of my garage at night! Unfortunately, no TG's in there..... ~Sa-teef 46 days and change before wheels up.

"tour waterfalls, Historic Catholic churches in metro Manila, small cultural show followed by a traditional Filipino dinner and then it'll be bedtime. " Hey, what happened to the eggnog and jigsaw puzzle contest? I had my heart set on it! :crying :crying Next thing you know we'll be skipping the botanical garden and have to go out after dark! ~Sa-teef