packhike

The davisbangkok hotel but a bit of a walk as its in BKK

China Air sucks IMHO. Flew them once from SFO-BKK. There were 2 other farangs on the plane and they put us all in the same row. No entertainment system (this was about 10 yrs ago), their idea of a beverage was gving you some coke in a dixie cup. A total joke. Never flown them again...

My point is valid to ME....As to living where I do I chose to live there. My wife actually wanted to live in Chiang Mai. I like the country, slow life, and rural area that I live in.. The city of Kampaengphet is only about 30 minutes away and if I need an airport Phitsanulok is 1 1/2 hours away. To me it is ideal and I love it. Again if I wanted to live with farangs I would of stayed in America. My opinion and my choice. I have a couple of farang friends who live in Bangkoka and a couple in Chiang Mai and thats it. I have no desire to live in an expat area/housing community or to stay in a city that has lots of expats or farang tourists. My choice and thats the way I want it...

Well the back porch was done for FREE by the builder(along with other things) so who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth.I LIKE IT and thats all that matters. If it rains be careful when walking on it. Shit you can't protect yourself from every thing in life..

Eva is the only ariline I fly from SFO-BKK. Great depature times as well as arrival times in BKK. Great service and nice planes. Agree with getting the frequent flyer club as miles add up quick and like the fact that you can book your upgrade online.

Don't know where your'e flying out of but make sure your taking a 777 plane. The 747 business class kind of sucks. No entertainment system and such although I did find the seats a little bit wider on the 747. Still much better on the 777.

Premium Laurel is good escpecially if you use points to upgrade. Love the lounge with the self serve bar in SFO and TPE. If you go in that class make sure you pre order your meal on line. They have quite a variety of meals including lobster and such.....

Thanks for the replies. Was hoping it was going to be early 2010. Guess I won't be using my points for a free stay.

Have read that in early 2010 Hilton Hotel will open at Central Festival Pattaya Beach complex. Anyone have an idea what month it will open?

Flying from SFO-BKK on the old 747 which they still use the stewardess will bring the tv out for the emergency row seats, as well as for the row that has no seats in front of it (i think row 21 or 22) in Economy Deluxe class.

I know on Eva Air the stewardess will bring the tv to your seat. It just plops into a hole in the right arm rest and then gets plugged in. They will take them away 20-30 minutes before the plane lands..

Has anybody stayed recently at this hotel in Pattaya? The last review was from 2004. Leellawadee Resort Link

Hey Jacko thanks for the great post You said exactly what I meant to say about why I live there. Sometimes the brain gives out a great big fart especially when I am writing and nothing sensible comes out

Some of the reasons whe live where we live and in the style of house we live. Small house cause who the hell wants to keep cleaning a big house. I got a wife and 2 kids each have their own bedroom don't need more....and I don't spend 24 hours a day in my house.. I spend most of the time outside... I actually like her family and find them to be some great people so don't mind living close to them. The times we are gone if the parents want to use the house fine with me I don't give a shit. IT'S ONLY A HOUSE. I do that buddhist thing you know don't get so attached to THINGS....... I enjoy living in the country and the farming lifestyle. I am not a city person. But the number one reason to live in the country I LIKE THAI PEOPLE AND ENJOY THEIR COMPANY. Just because you live in the country doesn't mean you will live like a hermit You know if people took the time to learn the language and interact with others they might have a good time. But I know that takes time..... Oh yes the other reason to live in the country. TO GET AWAY FROM FARANGS..................If I want a western way to live I will stay in America...... I didn't move 9,000 miles away to a foreign country to go hide in a community with a bunch of other farangs...........Fuck me that would be hell IMHO What can I say I have gone Native................

he did not die from heart attack he died from food poisoning he ate 12 yr old nuts

Also much cooler in CM. Nothing better then being there in the winter time and feeling a bit of a chill late at nite.

Can I join the "I was there when Pete first opened his bar and I helped him start this forum" club. I've been there since the beginning so what the hell does that prove? Anybody remember the early days of TSM and when they were talking about having their own little pvt corner in FLB.. Dr K, Ackbar, Bangok Knight, the good old days when people actually helped other people but then again all this yelling and "debating" can be fun as well..

Right now I think thats the cheapest flight for people flying from the west coast. If this keeps up I'm going to be looking at the same price I paid for my first flight back in 98 $550 total on Thai air SFO-BKK.. Even Eva air has dropped their prices for Elite/deluxe by about $200.00 I am liking what I see..

Ok got quoted for SFO-BKK Oct24th-Nov 14th Ticket $198 Taxes $481 Total $679 Econo Class Pretty good deal especially for Singapore Airlines.. Singapore Airlines is running a pretty good deal for Flights from USA to SEA Travel July 1-Nov 30 pruchase by june 28th http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/cont...ional_value.jsp

Thanks for everyones reply and advice. I have talked to a few friends who are there and they are basically saying Pattaya is like a ghost town right now... On one hand I hate to see what that does to the bar owners but on the other hand I think good more fun for me..

AMEN Brother

The funny thing is I really never have too, now anytime there is money to be spent my wife keeps me well informed and constantly asks if I have any thoughts about it. I am lucky in that my wife can make 1 baht into 100 she'll stretch it so long Anytime we lose money and she thinks it's her fault the guilt she feels goes way up. To me it was only 2500 baht and lesson learned. Mai Bpen Rai

I wish might have lasted longer. Lawn cost us 2500 baht and over half of it has died. Of course didn't help that they just laid it on top of the rock hard clay dirt instead of breaking it up and tilling it. TIT This farang is not a farmer so opinion did not carry much weight. But in the long run has benefited me as now all I have to do is mention the grass to my wife and she will listen to this farangs thoughts and ideas.

We originally wanted to go with a classic northern style house on stilts all wood but the cost was to prohibitive. We would have had to import wood from outside the country and such. Most of the houses in my wifes village are being built the same style as ours brick or concrete and western style looking. My wife wanted to keep building cost down as well as utility bills down.