Eric_Olthwaite

Especially to the older guys among us, what are your memories of that first time in Pattaya, and how has it all changed since then? As a callow youth on a cheap package tour back in 1987, I spent 19.1/2 miserable hours on Phillippine Airlines via Frankfurt & Karachi, about 4 more in a packed car to Pattaya, and stayed at the old Royal Garden Hotel, about where the Marriott is now. In those more conservative (?) & pre-internet days information was largely gleaned by word-of-mouth, and I had absolutely no conception of the sheer scale of it all. The other big surprise was how light-hearted and fun it all was. To any first-timers now I'd say savour every single moment, because whilst Pattaya will stay in your soul for ever, you'll never quite capture the magic again.

Hi. JML. If you want to do something "different" you might like to visit the Pattaya Orphanage- http://www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk/site/news.html It will cost you about 60 Baht (less than a quid) each way for a taxi. All very informal, and both the staff and the kids are very welcoming and friendly. Take some sweets and toys (lots of small ones, so no one gets left out) and I promise you it will be a very worthwhile, moving experience. Please feel free to PM me if you want any more info. Have a great trip.

Keep thinking of the money you're saving, and all the fun you're going to have spending it in Pattaya.

Anyone remember seeing a TV documentary called "The Good Woman of Bangkok"? About how an Australian journalist (Dennis O'Rourke, I think) fell for a bargirl called Aoi. I first saw it around the time I took that magical first trip to LOS back in the Eighties, and as such the accompanying music really stuck in my mind as a kind of symbol of the whole thing. Took me ages to find out it was Mozart KV583 "Vado ma Dove?" (Ooh, there's posh...) and even longer to find a recording. Searched high and low, and just as I'd about given up I saw it in a shop in Phuket. Funny old world sometimes, innit?

Sounds like a hot deal (Sorry, but someone had to say it) I believe they're based in the Ukraine, and also known as Aerosvit- http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/aerosvit.htm Best wishes.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. My teerak got her passport last week and we're definitely going to try for the tourist visa, but I'm still rather confused about exactly how to provide evidence of my financial status; can I submit it directly to the embassy? Apart from the obvious dangers in giving out too many details, I'm worried that she'll think I'm stinking rich (far from it, at least by Western standards) and get unrealistic expectations about the kind of life I can offer her here, if we decide to settle down. Anyway, thanks again for all the help fellas. Much appreciated.

I'm looking to bring my teerak (not a bargirl, if it makes any difference) to Blighty for a couple of weeks. Read some past threads here & in other places, been on the FCO website etc, but I'm still a bit unclear about how to prove I can support her during her stay; surely I'm not expected to send all my bank details, etc? Maybe I should just buy her a one-way air ticket and get her to practice saying "Asylum" ? Any advice very gratefully received.

I remember years ago seeing a huge drill sergeant type of guy standing on the Beach Road with about half a dozen pale, nerdy looking lads, who he'd obviously been detailed to look after and make sure they didn't miss the opportunity of seeing Pattaya. "HEY! GUYS!" he said; "LET'S HAVE US A REAL GOOD TIME! YEAH? HOOWEE! YO!", at which they all shuffled their feet and looked like they'd just as soon go back to the ship and finish their book or something.

Just seen this on Ebay UK. Might suit someone, assuming it's genuine. At a guess, it's Turkish airlines, going by the times. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...ssPageName=WDVW

What about, I SAY WHAT ABOUT FRED ELLIOT'S NEW LADY FRIEND? I give her a week before she's standing in t'door of t'Rovers calling "Hello, hansum man! Welcome inside please!" to passers-by.

I have a friend who wants to fly from Humberside (UK) to BKK in December. Used China Airlines and KLM from Amsterdam before, but now he's looking for any alternatives, like EVA perhaps. Can anyone help with info or advice please? Thanks in advance.

Monkeyman, "Nok 3 times" sounds about right, and with any luck I'd still get "Nok On Wood." But, hell, "68 Guns" would be too much for any man...

PS, Best of luck for the 22nd too!

Congratulations!!! Thanks for the detailed info too. Might just be following in your footsteps one day (gulp!) All the best mate.

Just thought of Sailor and "Glass of Champagne" "I got the money, I got the place. You got the figure, you got the face. Let's get together, the two of us over a glass of champagne."

Oo's a borin little tit? Just cos me dad used to pretend to be French. Nowt borin about precipitation, shovels and black puddin. Aye...

Only just found this thread. Have you tied the knot yet? Let us know how you get on mate, cos your experience could be invaluable to a lot of people. All the best.

Anyone stayed at this newish place off Soi Bukhaow? Found it for the first time a few weeks ago and it looked quite interesting, with bungalows and more traditional (?) wooden Thai affairs on stilts to provide a kind of sitting area underneath. Might make a nice change from the usual same-same hotel rooms, and the price seemed reasonable at about a thousand baht; guest friendly too, I believe. Any info very welcome.

If you had to choose one song that summed up your experience of Pattaya, what would it be? The old Andy Williams number "Butterfly" comes to mind, and I seem to hear The Eagles' "Desperado" everywhere I go, but for me it would have to be The Shirelles' "Will you love me tomorrow?" You know the one- "Tonight you're mine completely/You give your love so sweetly/Tonight the light of love is in your eyes/But will you love me tomorrow?"

Over the years I must have seen literally thousands of US servicemen in Pattaya and Phuket, and I can only remember one being really drunk and troublesome; that's a pretty good average. As others have said, there will be plenty of ladies to go around, and one girl told me they actually prefer "regular" punters. Not only do they tend to be freer with the dosh, but if things happen to turn nasty (always a calculated risk for the girl) then the hotel & police would know all his details; a serviceman on the other hand, would probably get whisked back to the ship by his mates and never be seen again. So don't worry, it will be fine.

Bit o/t maybe, but I saw this in the Phuket Gazette recently- BARGIRL EQUIPMENT Due to recent windfall and subsequent semi-retirement from the trade, the following items are for sale. -12 inch high silver moonboots. -Vinyl jumpsuit with accessory pocket. -Mobile phone with flashing lights and extra-loud ringtone. -Lifetime membership at Daeng's Beauty Shop. -Phonelist of 384 longstay punters for guaranteed cash on slow nights. -Fully-furnished 3.6m x4m room wit saquat toilet an wat-bum hode; new seening fan; an 2 mun pre-paid ren (by boyfen fum Sawiterlan) -Woeful "Request for funds" letters in 63 tragic scenarios and 4 languages. -Honda Wave motorbye (now dive the Benz) Note; all items for lease with option to buy pending outcome of recent venture (maybe Sawiterlan too cole an boyfen not take care me good) Email;buffalosick.senmemoney@hotmail.com

Thanks all for some interesting replies. Never heard of Thais avoiding beef, but now I come to think of it, didn't Buddhism originate as a branch of Hinduism (?) and of course cows are held as sacred in India. As for Lamb, I wonder if it's an aversion to killing and eating something when it's so young, or as Jaffa suggests just too expensive for everyday consumption? Nidnoyham, I'm with you on the veal question; no problem with beef, but as soon as I hear the word "Veal" I remember a TV documentary about how it's produced and my stomach turns.

I agree with Soi 7, partly because there are so many things to distract you, and partly because I love the freedom of being able to do whatever matches my mood at the time. I'd set aside a couple of days at the start for all the touristy stuff in Bangkok, then down to Pattaya. Get a room at somewhere like one of the Flippers, take a big breath, step outside and just let it happen. Heck, I'd give my right arm to be able to take that first trip all over again. Have a fantastic time, and let us know how you get on.

Done this loads of times, as I hate wandering around Don Muang for hours waiting for a flight. The Nana is usually pretty good for that, or if not the Ra-Jah a little further down the road will do it for about 600 Baht; bit run-down, but somewhere to get a shower and a rest. Failing that, there's the Comfort Suites about 10 minutes from the airport by taxi (free shuttlebus back) who will ask about 1,000 Baht for 4 or 5 hours. Don't bother enquiring about the Amari right beside the airport, unless you fancy paying 8,000 Baht even for just a few hours.

Just occurred to me that whilst Thai dishes include all kinds of seafood, pork, beef (or "Beep" as I saw on a menu recently) frogs, insects, etc, I don't think I've ever seen one with Lamb/Mutton. Anyone know why? Maybe a cultural or religious thing, or maybe just not to Thai taste? And while I'm at it, how does the average Thai reconcile meat-eating with the Buddhist belief in rebirth? Just curious.