Pieman

Derek, Thanks for that bit of info. A question for you........ You say that the noise is to be heard right down soi 13...... I've just booked the "Sandy" for the first time and not being a reg visitor to soi 13 ;D I've no idea of the proximity of the Dynasty to the Sandy Spring. I'd really appreciate ur advice. I've arranged for an upper floor which may help but I'm buggered if I want the windows rattling at 0800 (or worse), a couple of hours after I've gone to kip !! I shall switch if u recommend so. Cheers Pie

doggie, U can count one more for the Europeans - I'm in. Two trips to the range haven't left me totally incapacitated (thoroughly demoralised - but that was to be expected :) ) so I'm up for it. Now I've just got to work out how I can get 48 balls in my bag (nothing less will do) without paying excess baggage ! Cheers Pie

doggie, If I make it then as I'm a brit it shud be the Europeans. However, as another European victory is of far greater import than any personal preference u cud always sling me on the USA side if they are short - that should cost them !! Will let u know in a week or two (stopped playing about 5 months ago 'cos of a recurring neck problem that the doc said needed rest - I'm going to go to the range a couple times in the next week or so and that will tell me whether or not the problem has gone away - hence the lack of committment at this stage. I don't want to fuck ur numbers up by withdrawing later). Cheers Pie

I'm hoping to play in this year's event too - will know in a couple of weeks time if I can or not. I have to admit that despite the tangible extras built into the price I can see why some thought it seemed a trifle expensive. The extra grand or thereabouts is peanuts I accept but as Jimmy pointed out, it's more the principle. Fair enough the extra 20 grand went into getting the girls pissed and creating one helluva an atmosphere for the party but, let's face it, that's approx 50 bottles of tequila (at cost - and I presume it was accounted for thus) and whilst those FLB girls can drink.......... From the sound of things there are likely to be more players this year and thus, one presumes, a larger excess (unless it is eaten up in other ways e.g. bigger/better prizes). That could make it impossible for the girls to drink the available booze (100 bottles ? - not impossible ::) ) I'm not having a go at Ben (or anyone else) but I do think that this area needs a little thought so that the decent thing is seen to be done then everyone feels comfortable. One could already argue that the golfers are subsidising the non-golfers who attend the party ! On a cheerier note - I think one or two of the fun ideas mentioned above are excellent as they help to create a more "carnival" atmosphere on what is, after all, a day where the golf isn't meant to be taken too seriously. I'll give it a bit of thought and see if I can come up with a couple of suggestions. Finally, I'm in full agreement with the idea of a few girls winging around the course with a beer-laden cool box on the back of a buggy. I didn't play last year but it sounds like it could be a long round !! Cheers Pie

I've come into this thread very late (rarely visit this section as it has no relevance given where I live) but I'll add my two bahts worth now I'm here. In my experience there is simply no comparison between Thai (admittedly I haven't flown them for about 4 years now) economy and the equivalent of SIA and Cathay. By whatever standard u choose to compare/judge them Thai come up sadly lacking. However, they DO have the virtue of flying direct from LHR to BKK so for the Brits that is a huge advantage and were it not for a personal disinclination to fly Thai again then I'd take the lower level of service for the convenience of not having to change planes (and a further 2hrs or so in the air) and an unnecessary stopover - even if it meant paying more, which largely, it will not. If you are American and reading this then I strongly suggest u fly just about any other Asian carrier than Thai btw. A while ago Crackot mentioned (and I'm not having a go at u china :) ).......... Its also worth looking at passengers-per-mile carried. Thai consistently carried more passengers than Malaysian. That in itself says a lot Well there is another reason for that and that is why I refuse to give the bastards another cent of my "hard earned". They cancel flights without any regard to their customers, thus it is no surprise that their load factors are good on some sectors. (I know they are not alone in doing what I am about to describe but few reputable airlines are as willy-nilly about it as the Thais as I now understand that my experience is far from unique) About 4 years ago I checked into BKK for my flight back to LHR on Thai (business) only to find it had been cancelled for "operational reasons" - I was shunted onto the Stockholm flight, which wud then carry on to LHR. This was not what I had in mind when I paid them a lliving fortune for my ticket and NEEDED to be on the ground at Heathrow at the time originally agreed to. That the plane was further delayed at Stockholm (for 3.5 hours due to fog) did little to help things. Through contacts I was able to confirm that they had indeed simply merged two flights as the passenger levels of the two flights enabled them to do so. I wrote to them and they intially told me to fuck off (or thereabouts). I persisted and eventually got compensation but without the evidence that I was able to present would have been given short shrift. I have not flown on an international Thai flight since and would rather swim than do so - purely on principle. Cheers Pie

For those interested, the website appears to be back to normal and they are answering e-mails although I had to send it twice as no reply to first one after 4 days. They replied to the 2nd one the next day. Cheers Pie

Tks Gabor and Valentino, I reply (yet) again just so u both don't think I am entirely mad. The link has been coming up with site not found (and a reference to global2001.com or something such like) for the past 72hrs - seemingly longer according to Gammon and my money is on him being right. But, on doing EXACTLY the same click on the link that I did about 4hrs ago (prior to responding to Gabor's post) it now comes up as found - albeit with an entirely diff homepage to the previous one. My simple mind guesses (FWIW) that they have been updating the site and didn't deem it worthy of a "this page is being updated - check back soon" notice - nothing new there then - 'tis a hotel in Thailand after all !! Cheers Pie

Gammon, I've mailed them today - will let u know of the outcome. Gabor, That's the address I had and it worked previously but unless there is something very strange going on it's down now. I checked again just this second after reading ur post in case it had come back in the last 24 hrs but still nothing. Did u test the link before u posted it ? If so, then ??? ??? Cheers Pie

upena, I found that web-site too but the original homepage for the Sandy Spring appears to be down. Anyway, the e-mail address was the main thing - thanks very much for that. Cheers Pie

It seems the site is down (temporarily or otherwise) - can anyone help me with the e-mail address ? Cheers Pie

FBF, She is still making a living fortune though. I've got to know her quite well and trust me ::), she has one of the best businesses in Pattaya. So much so that on my last trip she was only bothering to open 4-5 nights a week - presumably too busy shopping for hi-fi's etc. What was even more galling, was that on the odd occasion (due to golf the next the day) that I bimbled home early i.e. around 0130, she had always just sold the last one as I passed by - inconsiderate bitch. :) But they are the business without doubt - so much so that despite numerous seriously good reasons to change from my habitual haunt on Soi 8 to another hotel next time, I find myself thinking that maybe it's not so clever as "those kebabs" won't be on my doorstep. Anyone want a definition of a pathetic SOB ? U just got it !! Cheers Pie

Floyd, U cud be right with the makeover comment as it was about 3yrs ago when a friend of mine stayed there and HIS room was certainly "faded and jaded". However, apart from the makeover possibility he may have been unlucky, valentino may have been lucky or it's simply a question of differing values/standards/opinions as the contadictory reviews u mention illustrate. Cheers Pie

The Green Park is about a 2 minute walk from the Dolphin Circle. It's OK but a bit faded and jaded. U can do better for the money. I always stay at the Eastiny but if u stay there and are not a late night merchant u need to ask for a room on an upper floor near the back of the hotel otherwise the noise from Soi 8 will piss u off. The Sunbeam is ok but I think that either of the Eastinys or Flippers are better options if u want to stay around the Soi 8 area. To my way of thinking Soi 7/8 is the best area to stay. U have action on ur doorstep and it's neither too far to Soi 2 nor to walking street. Plus there's always that nightcap to be had as u wend ur way home. I just like the convenience of my bed being 20 seconds from my last drink - I hate a long (i.e 5 minute !!) bus ride home - kills the mood sometimes, although I'm prob on my own with that one. Happy hunting. Cheers Pie

Hi, Which track is racing any particular weekend isn't important as they are both fairly central. All you really need to do is decide to go and pick up a Sunday paper which will carry the runners and thus the track they are racing at that weekend. Grab a taxi and u r off ! Note, however, that unless you can blag your way into the members area the facilities leave a LOT to be desired. Having said that I had fun the one time I went. Would be interested to hear of your experiences if you make it there. Cheers Pie

It's now called "Kittens" as Pussycat was deemed offensive by the men in brown. Location is Naklua and, yes, it's a top go-go but then I am biased as a gd friend of mine runs the place !!! I'm told a new all-singing, all dancing web-site will be appearing soon ! But all bias apart, it is one of the best go-go's around as the girls seem to be less "hardcore" than is the norm and thus the atmosphere tends to be more relaxed for those, like me, who get pissed off with the "where u from, how long u stay" routine. It is a bit of a trek though as no other bar worth visiting is nearby but for the sake of a 5min bus ride I'd give it a try if I were u. If u do, then ask for Robert (he's in every night from about 10.30) and he will not only make u welcome but give u an honest opinion of the girls. Happy hunting Cheers Pie

If you are staying for a few weeks then a discount on the standard (already discounted from rack rate) hotel price is available most places. I can't advise on the best (deepest discounts) available as much would depend on ur expectations comfort wise. As for flights, that is much easier. It is almost without doubt that to book a single and then a subsequent flight back would cost u considerably more. Best is to just make ur mind up in advance and go for 3/4/5 weeks or whatever. If u are convinced that a touch of flexibility is required then rather than an open return (the price will horrify u) then the best way is to book a return with an airline that permits changes with minimal penalties. A phone call to two or three reputable agencies shud ascertain the best options in that regard. Cheers Pie