Sa-teef

"some friends of mine call Soi Buakhao "Cheap Charlie Avenue". " Please tell me biggs we're not gonna start down that cheap charlie st bullshit in this string again? Leave the lady some kind of tip between 20-50 baht per hour (based on service) and she will WELCOME you back the next time she sees you in the place. But like anywhere else in Patters, the TG's will tell you whatever they think is in their best interests. --------------------------------------------------------------------- "In the states, waitresses get nearly nil as an hourly wage. They depend primarily on tips. By federal law they are required to report an income in tips of 15% of food sales. I think the restaurant actually reports the figure but I'm not sure. If you don't tip anything at all, money is actually taken away from them." That's not true. Beyond the Federal minimum wage and certain work rules related to government contracts, most labor law in the USA is state specific and varies from state to state. Here in Wisconsin, employers are allowed to pay no less than 40% of the minimum wage as long as tips reported make up the difference. If tips do not equal that 60%, the employer is required to pay the difference. IRS will step-in under some circumstances if the employees in a resort or casino are grossly under-reporting tips and set a minimum based on historical numbers. But it varies from case to case. There is no hard and fast percentage in Federal law. But they are sometimes imposed on the employer when the employees routinely abuse the facts. And as many would tell you incase you haven't heard it before, what happens back home bears little resemblence to what happens in LOS. So comparisons can be deceiving.... ~Sa-teef

Yes, I locked in my last two trips of the year with them. I'm coming from MSP, but it's still under $1,100 with the connecting flight to ORD. That will be only three legs for me those last two trips. Always better than the usual 4. The closest thing with NWA or UA is ...not even close! $1,400 -1,600 depending on the date and day. ~Sa-teef

Jez, Dave! Just giving you a little shit! Leave your sense of humor at work? ~Sa-teef

"Only 101 days till I'm back. " Oh my Buddha! I think me and You-know-who fall in love and get married before then Dave! At the very least, she'll be whispering MY NAME in your ear the next time you see her! ~Sa-teef

Not trying to rain on your parade, but my experience there was very, VERY different. I guess NOT being from the US has a positive effect on Louis. Attitude from both him and to a lesser extent his son was the exact opposite. Glad you had a good experience there. I planned to stay there for a month in '05. Paid for the first two weeks. Left after 7 days. 'Nough said. ~Sa-teef

"Once his fleshy asscheeks were withing reach, I grabbed a big handful of each and said, "Wow, the quality IS top-notch"" Remind me not to turn my back on you Dave........ ~Sa-teef

There's a brand new one (as of this winter) up on Soi Buakhao called Thompson House in that price range. I looked at in April for my June trip. I was quoted 9,500 baht for the month including electric and water. Thompson House Pattaya It was either cleaning daily and clean linen twice a week....or the other way around! They have contact information on the website. While it was still under construction in November 2005: ~Sa-teef

Two that I am aware of. And have visited both. Champagne Ago-go: And Memories: For the first timer or someone who prefers ago-go's, there is nowhere quite like Walking Street. But speaking for myself I get a little burned-out after a few nights of the flash and glitz, so one of the smaller, quieter (and CHEAPER...) bars in the Soi Buakow area is the order of the day. I stayed at Jasmine Mansion in April which is less than two years old. I'll be staying in the same area at a VERY NICE PLACE of approximately the same vintage for what will work out to be about 600 baht per day. I did a fair amount of shopping in April and found some very clean and decent places at less than half that price (on a monthly basis). I'll post pics of the place in July when I get back and let you be the judge if it was a good value or not. But you might be hard pressed to find anything comparable for the price inside the loop. A case can be made that there might be more and better ladies to be found in the Walking Street or Soi 7/8 area, but if you're happy with what you go home with at night, who's to say you didn't make a good choice? I'll keep my eyes open and walk safely on Soi Buakow. I was amazed the few times I walked along Beach Rd this April. I forgot how UNPLEASANT it can be with all the beggers, hawkers, tailors and katoeys! During the day (and some evenings) I enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere between 2nd Rd and 3rd Rd personally. But it's always up to you. ~Sa-teef

"anywhere good in the soi chaiyapoon area for breakfast ? " Lots of options. Diana Dragon serves a good buffet, but cuts off at 1100 hour for 89 baht. Crazy Daves has a one plate breakfast for 65 baht right on Soi Chaiyapoon. The thai place right on the intersection of Soi Chaiyapoon/Soi Xzyte serves good food and your teelack will like their offerings as well. The Bakery farther down on Soi Xzyte has a great selection of cooked to order food and you can eat inside or out. ~Sa-teef "I am here but here I can only read it " Thank goodness! This power stuff goes to his head you know....

"Managed to get this info from a " jungle bunny " fresh from Buri on her second night in her new job.When the village monthly piss up occurs the hireachy fancy a bit of fresh with their hooch.All the unmarried girls have to line up outside their mud huts as fresh as the day they were born.The virgins must make a V sign so the chief can have a tight one if it is his wish to do so ( depends on the moon ? ). Hench the V created,the chin is just a handy resting place for the V. " And her english skills were that good? Several parts of that story are so unlikely that it defies logic. 1) It would be very unthai-like to publicly participate in an extramarital trist. In the next village or down the road quietly, most certainly, but not in view where the wife would lose face and sharpen her knives! 2) Virginity is given a very high rating in the marriage mix, so having the whole village know of this would create some very angry thai moms! 3) Ever been to Buriram? How long do you think a mud hut would last in the rainy season? 4) There IS NO "V" or v sound in the Thai alphabet! Sorry but Nahhhhhhh! ~Sa-teef

I have a picture of the place, but I've never been inside. Across from Crazy Dave's more or less, on the west end of Soi Chaiyapoon. ~Sa-teef And another pic:

Pinewood Residence off Second Rd/Soi 6 has a three bedroom suite as I recall. It was a few k, but not silly money. ~Sa-teef

And you are correct, deadman. It's the Metropole. I do like the location, being right between Soi Honey Inn and the dog leg of Soi Lk Metro. Lots of new stuff in the area. I was pleasantly surprised to see they put two new currency exchanges/ATM's within a block of Soi Buekow/Soi Dianna Inn since my November visit. Give the one infront of Siam Sawadee a little competition. Good hunting gentlemen, ~Sa-teef

Well, I guess I can understand now after reading the above post how some of Kevin's policies have evolved! The hotel expects payment in advance (on the day you check-in) along with a 1k deposit. The only water in the frig in April was glass bottles and the price list is plainly attached to the front of it. The hotel has a total of 22 rooms with a variety of sizes, and prices in low season ranging from 500?- 800 baht per day. The front of the hotel: And the lobby area: Most rooms have fullsize beds with a queensize in my 4th floor suite. All have aircon, electronic safe, 60 channel tv and daily maid service. The pooying and I were awakenned one day at 6 pm by a call from the front desk asking if I wanted maid service that day! When I said no, they sent up clean towels anyway. My 800 baht suite (room 404): The only bathroom pic I can post in a public area: My suite was on the back of the building facing the ocean but all you could see were other buildings and construction: As you can see in the last pic, the location is great IMO right on Soi Baukaow by Soi Honey Inn. Guest friendly and they take the id's unless you tell them otherwise. Kevin and his wife are both very gracious hosts and I enjoyed staying there. The daytime desk clerk is a cutie and has a noticable accent to her english! I did have some problems with the aircon in my room making noises but I think that is related to the size of the unit. It took a long time for it to cool down my room if I was out all night ( the electric and aircon shutoff with the key removed) but with a smaller room I expect that wouldn't be such an issue. I also had low water pressure on the 4th floor which Kevin admitted and said it was something they had to work on. I tried to sample their cooking one morning but got a "can not; cook not come to work" response! There is no lift, so if that is an issue for you personally be forewarned. The hallways are very wide and well lit, and the general cleanliness was top grade IMO. If I stayed there again I think I would opt for a lower floor and smaller room. ~Sa-teef

"....especially about the banker sending money " But aren't all those Brits b(w)ankers? Seriously, good stuff my primate buddy. Always enjoy your contributions. ~Sa-teef

I'm stuck in a hotel in Mpls for the night since United screwed up in Chicago again and got me to town 2 hours late so I missed my shuttle bus. I hate us carriers!!!! The first two legs on CX were a pleasure of course. Got lots of pics of the place and I'll post it here and in the hotel review section in the next 48. ~Sa-teef

"Is the Roth up to 5K next year?" Yes it is. I better qualify that. For you young bucks, it's still 4k annually. For us senior citizens, it 5k for 2006! ---------------------------- I never follow anyone's recommendation. It's either old news by then, or feathering someone else's bed. I stick with what I know. I buy companies which produce superior products or deliver the best services. Taught to me by an older gentleman now passed on who worked on a loading dock, but made more money with his portfolio than he ever did working for a living. Works to a fashion. ~Sa-teef

You COULD follow the signs off Third Rd.... ...to the infamous Purple Monster, Siam Sawadee on Soi Buekow. I think plahgat was being too kind about the place. Definitely a place of last resort. You can do MUCH BETTER! Dump your bag at a friendly bar where you are known and walk the area. With a budget of 10k for the month, you will find GREAT accomodations in June! Enjoy, ~Sa-teef

"HSBC in Thailand sucks." Well, that's great news since I just got an ATM card with them after opening an on-line savings account with them for : 1) the good rate and, 2) the fact that they had a Thailand presence! Guess I'll find out what their service charge is in about a week.... ~Sa-teef

I would dare to say there is FAR MORE TRAFFIC on either Second Rd or Beach Rd but I don't hear anyone warning of that noise level? My apartment in November was right on Soi Bhuekow with large glass doors facing the street and neither the TG's or I had a problem sleeping from my recollection. Yes, Soi Bhuekow is narrow and you have to keep your wits about you, but can't that be said for any of the lesser roads in Pattaya? And if you're falling down drunk you shouldn't be out wandering ANY streets alone. BTW EDP, there was a string back a few months ago which discussed the "correct spelling" of Soi Bhuekow and considering the half dozen different spellings I've seen in print, both on maps and publications of businesses in the area, I wouldn't be so foolish as to correct anyone's spelling of the street. You're right on JohnnyK. A reasonably quick 10 baht ride to Walking St most nights if you wish to go there. I'm not a betting man, but I would venture to guess if I got on a bahtbus at Soi Bhuekow/Soi Dianna Inn and you hopped on a bahtbus at Beach Rd/Soi 12 I could nearly beat you there. ~Sa-teef

"The area to goto if you're on a budget or a tightarse " That's what I love about you Dave: never judgemental! Just so happens I'm staying on Soi Bhuekow my first trip of the year! In the suite room of a new hotel. But I'll have (at least) two dancers escorting me that first night in town...maybe more; one never knows! So am I on a budget or just a tightarse? --------------------------------------------------------------- To answer your question deadman: Soi Bhuekow is an older and a little less glamorous part of Pattaya, but has much to offer IMO. It's a bit more "thai" than Walking St and you will see some inexpensive apartments, shops and bars which aren't as flashy as some parts of town but offer good value I think. Many, many bars along Soi Bhuekow and the streets off of it, particularly Soi Lengkee, Soi Chaiyapoon and Soi Diana. the Tuesday/Friday market is there as well as the Night Market a few blocks farther along toward Pattaya Klang. Some good inexpensive thai food restaurants there as well as some places in the area that offer good value in falang food. Yes, there is cheap housing in the area as well which is popular with the locals, but a lot of newer, good value apartments as well, particularly if you are staying for a month or more. If it's a first trip don't cheat yourself by missing Walking St and the Pattayaland venues. But once you've seen the bright lights it can be fun to explore the other parts of Pattaya as well. ------------------------------------------------------ BTW Dave! Stop by the Climax Rock Bar if you're out and about the end of April and I'd be glad to buy you a drink! ~Sa-teef

"Ask if the ticket price include the extra fuel charge and taxes" Yes, it's getting to be quite a little scam with many of the asian airlines it seems. My April & June trip are with Cathay Pacific out of LAX and the prices were quoted as $734 US but with the tax and fuel surcharge it rolls in at a total of $908! Still a good price for CX, but $174 includes over $100 going to the airline, not security charges. Replying to the original posters question: I locked in a RT out of MSP with Korean Air for Sept and Nov at $1060. Certainly a fair bit more than recent years, but with UA and NWA asking $1450+ I'll opt for anything else. Two stops: at ORD and Seoul. Korean Air isn't my favorite, but better than any American airline sad to say. ~Sa-teef

I'll reserve any judgement of the place until I have seen it on the ground. But part of the e-mail I received reads as follows: "Any customer of the hotel is more than welcome to bring a visitor back to their room with no additional charge. We do ask a visitor to leave their ID card at our reception for the safety of our customers. As you will appreciate a customer is responsible for any loss or damage that may be caused by their visitor. Unless you actually register with another person then no-one will be permitted access to your room without your prior consent. Should a customer wish to bring more than one visitor to their room a charge of B200 is levied as room occupancy is for maximum of 2 persons (excluding families with children)." I've left other hotels for that reason, but I'm willing to give this place a try because it's new and it sounds good. There will be pics and a review of the place in the hotel review section first week of May. ~Sa-teef

After I made the reservation he also includes a little ditty about a 200 baht joiner fee for the second guest (not the first) so I will find out and report back. Thanks for posting the pics mlay. I know right where it's at now. Just across from Stereo Bar. ~Sa-teef

I'll post a review of the place the first week of May. Jasmine Mansion that is. ~Sa-teef