wbill

Nice... Wish I could have made it this year for my first RIDEHER Cup. Hope to be there next year. Bill

Lemons, Thanks, for the additional information. Ya, looking at a Standard or Junior Deluxe....good to know the ferry fare is inclusive. If anything else comes to mind...let us know. Take Care, Bill

Mmmmm.... Good info. here! I'm planning another trip to Ko Samet myself this Oct....the Lima Coco sounds nice...thanks lemons and Sanchez. Really didn't care to spend the cash to stay at the Ao Prao Resort....the south end of the island is really beautiful...warmer and clearer water. I'll also note that the sunset view from these southern end resorts is the best...as the resorts on the east side of the island do not have the sunset view...but they do have a wonderful sunrise view as per the picture in my TR. Thanks...Take Care, Bill

Foto, I stayed at a quiet resort on the southeast end of the island. I give lots of details concerning price / activities / room amenitites / travel arrangements / pictures in my trip report located on Page 7 of the Trip Reports section of the Members area. Has a date of late May sometime. Don't know if I can include a link as this is the public area. Look for my name: "wbill" ...and... "Part 1 of 3" The resort's name is "Sametville." Is is quiet, very quiet. The Deluxe Rooms have AC...quiet scenic beach. Little cabanas where you can lay / sit w/ drink and look out over the water. Food is good, but only served during certain hours...only downside I thought was the firmness of the bed (thai style). Other couples were there...some like to chat...others just wanted peace and quiet. If you don't mind spending about $100 + US a night for a room...the beautiful "Ao Prao Resort" (think I spelled it right) on the South end of the island is really neat...if you do the Jimmy Smile boat trip, you will stop at that resort for a beach visit. Very nice...but you don't need to spend that much to get a very nice room on Samet. If you have any questions feel free to post here for the benefit of others or PM me. Take Care, Bill

Skip BKK...go to Pattaya...10 days would be better. There are many tourist and sporting activities in Pattaya, but your time is limited. I would encourage you to spend a day or two seeing a few of the major attractions...Maybe take one day to go see big buddha, temple on the hill, temple outside of town, alligator show or elephant show. During the evening...relax...have a nice dinner...go with the flow.

Why would you do that? Just curious. You said you are flying from San Diego? Why not just take a shuttle to LAX and fly out of there? Do you have to use UAL for some reason? Mileage? Miles vs 36 hour travel time for a 20 hour trip? I would say screw the miles and use some other airline. The reason I prefer UAL is that I'm on the verge of obtaining Premier Executive status (50K miles) with UAL ...200% miles for all travel (300% miles w/ double promotion code, nearly a free ticket for a trip to Asia), free trips come quicker, Red Carpet Club on Intl. travel, bump up to business if flight oversold. Also, do some cross country business travel and the UAL Economy Plus seating is sure nice for those trips. UAL's FF program has many other partners to earn miles on / cash miles in on like Thai and Singapore, so stick with it. When it comes time to cash in UAL miles will try to make the travel on Singapore or Thai as other BMs do. Have never paid for a UAL Asia ticket, just cash in 40,000 credit card points when it's time to travel overseas. Anyway, called UAL today, and found there are flights from San Diego to Bangkok at the 40,000 credit card point level...may be a go. Take Care, Bill

Thanks, for the post...UAL prices have come down, especially in the midwest. Ya, looking to plan my first spur of the moment trip to LOS...cheapest UAL flights out of San Diego have connections through Chicago...36 hrs. + travel...nuts...but dates that I want... Seen UAL has a $5K booking bonus posted on the Mileage Plus site. Anyone know of a current UAL "Double Mileage Code" promotion? Bill

eddydb, As for short course golfing, I would do ad Hilly stated. Asia Hotel sounds good. However, I would encourage you to get out on a long course as they are numerous and nice in Pattaya. I prefer short golfing myself, but in recent years I've have taken to 18 holes. By playing long courses, you will have the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and see new courses / places. Bring your own clubs. Apologize for getting off the point of your question, but encourage you to go on a long course and think you will enjoy it once you meet new people, see how affordable it is, ect... I'll play with you when I'm in Pattaya...should be in town late October early November. Here's places that you may choose to meet-up for golf: Mulligan's Bar SP1, sign-up on board for Sun, Tues, Thurs, nice European guys and Bruce seems to do alot of the planning there...they play regularly. Lewinskies SP1, generally Americans who golf on Wed, Fri. Alamo Bar, Soi 8, speak w/ Gary, the owner. Queen Victoria Inn, Soi 6. Sugar Shack SP2, Brian, Mon, Wed, Fri. All the best, Bill

Soi 7, Thanks a lot...appreciate the help! Will download Firefox. Take Care, Bill

I've completed my trip report in Word and identified where I want my photos to go. I've downloaded all trip report photos to my personal library on Pattaya Images. In the frequently asked questions, Pattaya Pete says that you are able to right click on the photo to get the URL; however, when I right click on my photo in Pattaya Images...a message says it is "Copyright by Pattaya Images." How can I get the URL of my photo in Pattaya Images so that I may create my trip report? Thank You, Bill

Oooops.... Just found "Photo Posting Policy" in the "Frequently asked Questions Forum." Answered most of my questions...

Cowboy, Emil Thanks again, for the Double Miles info. What a great resource this board is. Just booked a MAR 31 - APR 20 trip as a Premier Member (25% mileage bonus) using code MPD 425 to receive double miles. Will be at Premier Executive level after this trip...double miles all the time...nice. Will buy you guys a Heineken some day. Take Care, Bill

Thanks Cowboy, Appreciate your United info...your past posts and this one. Keep 'em coming. Just became a premier member myself...the miles do build up fast. Have a good one. Bill

SoCalGuy, For my September trip, I purchased travel insurance through Travel Insured: www.travelinsured.com (800) 243-2440 If you visit the www.insuremytrip.com site mentioned above, enter your personal data and desired coverage, the cheapest price to display will likely be "Travel Insured - Worldwide Trip Protector." My cost was $55 for 17 days, and included the following coverage: Trip Cancel: To Cost, up to $20,000 per person Trip Interupt: 150% trip cancellation limit Travel Delay: $150 day...$500 after 6 hours Missed Connection: $300 Lost Baggage: $1,000 Baggage Delay $200 Emergency Medical/Dental: $50,000 Emergency Medical Transport: $250,000 24 hour accidental Death/Dismemberment: $10,000 24 hour assistance: Included Did not have to file a claim. Worked perfect for me as I was inbetween health insurance plans for those 17 days. As previous posters have mentioned, similar coverage may be provided for in the purchase of your airline ticket and by holding personal medical insurance. But, it is nice to have certain reimbursement for an airline ticket, travel/baggage delay...and an international medical insurer who will likely better assist you, and facilitate your claim, if you end up in a Pattaya hospital. Have a good trip, Bill

Yes, I also stayed at Sabai Lodge in September, in a Deluxe Cottage Room. Friendly staff, clean, ect... A little racket from the new 6 story wing during the day...not bad though... and it didn't appear to be close to complete. Gonzo, if the Superior rooms aren't to your liking, you may want to look at a Deluxe Cottage Room or a Ruenthai Room. Bottom line: There are lots of room choices depending on your budget, and the Sabai lodge is just a nice place to stay. Have a nice trip, Bill