Tahoe_Bill

Ting Tong as usual has posted very good advice. I’m less than 2 months away from my 7th trip and I am always learning something from my fellow board members. I would recommend a stop at the FLB any night (between 7:30 and 10:00). Speak with Ben or any of the members that are present. There are some good “blokes†who will be glad to answer questions or lend advice. I haven’t had any problems in any of the Pattaya bars/clubs. If you keep you wit, and use common sense, you should be fine, Take care, looking forward to seeing your future posts in the members section of the board. Above all else, have a great trip! Bill

“Thai Visa†post was damn funny. Still lmao. I was wondering if the following statement has the same meaning across the pond? It is okay to prick your finger, but it is not okay to finger your prick. (sorry childhood humor) Fo shiz (?), Bill PS, are you sure the House of Windsor couldn’t reconsider and take Utah as well?

Tom Thanks, good info. Hopefully UA will tweak their schedule a little so that a connection from Indy is possible (via IAD about 10 additional minutes is needed).

I booked my February trip today. I probably overpaid @ $1100.00 from Indianapolis. By far the most that I’ve paid but I wanted to be sure I got the bulkhead and exit row seats that I wanted. For what it is worth, from past experience I have purchase my February 03 and February 04 tickets in early January of each year. I paid less than $800.00 for each of the trips. With current the insane fuel costs, who knows what will happen in the next couple of months. Good luck on your flight search and hopefully our paths will cross in February. Choc Dee Bill

WTF? The Rideher Cup; a friendly competition? This has gotten a bit out of hand. I believe that some of the (racist) humor is inappropriate. If this thread were posted to “Off Topic and General Chat†it could be more interesting. If it were moved I think you may see a post that says “You can’t FART when you are being FITA.†That said my golf game is very lacking. May the best team win, and let everyone enjoy a friendly outing amongst their fellow duffers and mongers. Hell I may be wrong (there is a 1st [or 2nd] time for everything).

Shaun, Thanks for the info. You have pretty much confirmed most of their website claims. I will feel more at ease booking and flying with them. It looks like I can book Nok Plus (business class) from BKK to Phuket for about 3470 baht/passanger round trip in November (about 1000 baht less for economy). This may be an internet only fair, I’m not sure. I’ll post a review after flying with Nok Air either in November or February. Thanks again. Bill 4 weeks and counting!

Nok Air: Bangkok to Phuket Has any one flown on this airline? They seem to have good fares and schedule. Any info is appreciated. Bill

For Live Rock: The Blues Factory after midnight (most nights). Lam Morrison and his band are a must see. Lam can flat out play the hell out of a guitar. The other band members are talented as well. Good musicianship and vocally sound. I can’t imagine a trip to Pattaya without seeing a Lam Morrison show at least once. For Recorded Rock: As mentioned earlier the FLB plays current and classic rock videos as well as featuring the live performances of “The Ugly Brothers†band. TQ 1 and TQ 2 (a)gogo bars play classic rock music. When the B-man is at the helm of the Seven Seas 2 Bar they have been know to jam some serious rock tunes.

My results were the “same same†as Emil’s. UA/Star Alliance FF flights in 2003 and 2004 to BKK were at 60K miles each (I booked via phone with UA for both trips).

Guido, FYI the latest, although a little old. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/21/business...tner=ALTAVISTA1 PS thanks for the HepB info I got shot # 1 last week and will have # 2 before my Nov trip. Bill

For what it’s worth they "may to be on the right track": http://www.united.com/press/detail/0,6862,52246,00.html Additionally, I’ve flown to LOS twice in the last two years using FF miles @60,000/trip. On the down side recently they seem to be a somewhat higher priced on most of their routes.

There were phones in the studio and both of the 1 bedroom apt. that I’ve stayed in. The one call I made out was routed through the switchboard. I think the call cost me 5 baht when I checked out.

SoCalGuy, There is an outdoor currency exchange booth next to the steps leading into SabaiLand on the corner of 2nd Road and Soi 3 (it also has an ATM). There is another exchange outdoor booth a couple of blocks away. In the Mall (Festival Center) there is a bank (although I’ve never used it) and a couple of ATMs by the 1st floor Big C store entrance. I’m sure there are others in the area although I haven’t really looked. Bill

I’m also a UA premier executive. I’ve cashed in 60,000 for each of my last 2 high season (Jun 03 and Jun 04) trips with little problem. One thing to keep in mind is that the NRT-BKK flight is usually full so if you request to go UA to KIX (Osaka) via ORD or SFO and Thai from KIX to BKK there are usually some open seats. 101 days and counting...

I just booked my November flight on UA . $750 SMF (Sacramento) - BKK. I was beginning to wonder if the fares would ever drop. Discounted fares available now until Aug 13 or until allotted seats sell out. The offer includes a stay 3 nights / pay for 2 nights at Marriott Hotels. I’m not sure if this includes the BKK JW Marriott, but I’ll do some checking. Bill

Eric, Last month Indianapolis to Bangkok with layovers in Chicago and Osaka was 28 hours (and well worth it). 1 hour for immigration customs and currency exchange. Add an additional 3 hours after leaving the airport which included a bizarre taxi ride and traffic ticket (the driver was totally lost going to my TG’s house) going through Bangkok and on to Pattaya. Total hours: 32 hours. Damn I miss the LOS! Bill

rafaelrod, Please repost this in the Newbie’s Corner on the Members Only page, and I’m sure you will get requested info. Sorry I can’t respond with more info now with more info now, but due a family "emergency†I have to get going. Bill

potterces, I’ve stayed there the last 2 trips. I think it is a great value. I agree with BigD; Rudi or Andy at Pattayarentaroom.com should be able get you a studio with large refrigerator, microwave, hotplate, electronic safe and TV with VCD player for about 600 baht / night. The 1 bedroom apts. should run about 900 – 1000 baht / night. A few words about the neighborhood and transportation. I’ve found that if you walk straight out the gate past the first Soi and turn left on the second Soi it is a very short walk of about 3 to 5 minutes to the Hollywood nightclub (hopefully fully restored after a fire I read about as while back). From Hollywood it is about another ½ block to Pattaya South road and the baht bus. This route bypasses the area bars mentioned above. Motorbike taxis are available at the front gate, I usually take them to and from walking street. The charge was 20 baht in February. Cons: Weekly maid service although you can request additional service at a nominal fee (I think 150 baht but I’m not sure). Sometimes the water pressure is on the low side. One thing to remember is that these are condos and you will have to go to one of the local markets to buy drinking water (very inexpensive) toilet paper and dish soap if you plan on cooking. Bill

PenName, I haven’t flown Korean Air for a while, when I did I didn’t have any problems. SkyTrax rates them as a 4 star airline which is higher than any of the "major" North American airlines. http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/KE.htm Seat pitch in economy is 34 inches which looks to be one of the highest for non-premier seating. (stats by UK-Air.net) http://www.uk-air.net/seatpitch.htm Hope this helps. Bill

Guys, I paid about the same last November. Cheers Bill

The one and only “Pattaya City Song†produced by a bar that is near and dear to our hearts. The lyrics of this "classic song" bounce through my gray matter on a daily basis. Thanks to Pete for this song, as well as the awesome video. The other song that comes to mind is the 1st song off of the Hysteria album by Def leppard; "Women" Cheers Bill

Guys, great thread I laughed my ass off. Just to play devils advocate; If we have a fat surcharge shouldn't there be an option for a thin person (say under 145 lbs. or 60 Kg) to qualify for a discounted fare if they volunteer to sit next to a passenger that is overweight? As far as sitting next to fragrently challenged passengers, maybe the SARS masks weren't such a bad thing. Just a couple of thoughts. PS Crackpot the movie you are referring to is one of my all-time favorite movies "A few Good Men". Cheers Guys

Stephan, I haven’t stayed there but the reviews at the FLB hotel review (URL) may help. http://www.pattayapages.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=71&sort=7&cat=4&page=5. If you stay here please post a review as I have thought about a long term stay when I retire. Best of luck on your upcoming trip, there is a good chance our paths may cross in the LOS as I plan to be there for a portion of your stay. If so the first round is on me. Bill

Not sure this will help much but, Asiana Airline has a site for foreigners living in the ROK. They run discounted fares that can only be purchased online no earlier than 30 days before you travel. They are offering ICN – BKK for $535 + tax for Feb 2004 flights. There is no PUS – BKK offering for Feb and I don’t know if they will offer it in the future. There appear to be a limited number of seats at the discounted price. They are a Star Alliance member but I’m not sure if you can accrue miles on these flights. URL: http://flyasiana.com/english/fares_fr_3.asp

Narita showers for $3.00. I’ve made 3 trips to LOS (6 stops at NRT) and have showered 5 times (I only had 30 minutes between flights on my trip from NRT to BKK in February). I would gladly pay $10.00 for the shower because it makes the remainder of the trip much more bearable. I only had 45 minutes between flights in November so I rushed through the shower and made my flight to BKK with a few minutes to spare. I would recommend that you turn on the fan to max. as soon as you enter the shower room because it tends to get a little warm if you don’t. After the shower there is a nice bar between gates 26 and 27 that has draft beer (Kirin), coffee and you can get food as well.