Bazle

Sadly, if you buy the cheapest deals available (with Netflights etc.), you don't qualify for miles.

Ditto

Like you, I like the top end of Pattaya and have stayed at Sabai Inn for the last 5 or 6 visits. They give a really good rate during the low season with a 10% discount for a stay of 7 days or more - but I'm sure they'd discount it more than that for a longer stay - http://www.sabaiinn.com/index.html On the reception desk at Sabai Inn are cards for the Seaside Guesthouse in Soi 3. When I asked about why, I was told that Sabai are managing the guesthouse. The rates look very good - http://www.seaside-guesthouse.com/index.html However, if it were me, I'd get bored staying in a hotel for 12 weeks. I think you either want a place that can feel more like home than a hotel does or you need to consider, say, 3 different hotels. Perhaps you could spend part of the time in Jomtien?

Went in there last evening with rentafriend. Well laid out with clean toilets. Surprise, surprise - music so loud could not have a conversation. If I recall correctly, small daiquiri was 155 Baht. Friend and I had one each. Ordered a second but it took so long to produce we gave up and left. We were the only people drinking daiquiries - most people on beer. Not so many customers but probably good considering location. One of the owners (? Kelly) said they had made money on every day they had been open - but I didn't ask how he was measuring that. Girls OK but nothing special. The best looking ones were two freelancers who left after we had been there about 20 minutes.

I'm curious why Scotty has now deleted his original post! Back to the subject though, I like to have breakfast at the Sportsman (or is it the Sportsbar?) in Soi 13 when I'm in Patts. There are often Brits in there who, from their conversations, are operating as self employed tradesmen to local expats. Perhaps it is not entirely legal, but it is certainly going on.

I wish I had your confidence that the GBP is going to strengthen against the Baht.

Just a couple of problems with it. On both the out and return jouneys I made in September, the system froze (just on my unit) after a short while and that was the end of it for me. The apparatus for the IFE is contained in boxes under the aisle seats. I like to have an aisle seat but my legroom is uncomfortably restricted by these boxes.

On a serious note, would we REALLY want all the government databases linked up? I think not.

The building must be constructed in a way to minimise noise - not be another PBR.

You will need to give a price range, whether you want a pool, location etc. preferences to get any useful answers. My personal favourite is Sabai Inn http://www.sabaiinn.com/

ST possibly?

The OP refers to Areca being sold out so I am guessing he is looking for a room in high season. I will be surprised if those Sabai deals carry through into high season (and rather annoyed if they do as it means I will be paying too much!!).

You might be able to get a refund - see http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nic/vc3-important.htm (PS This post is an attempt to be helpful, as was my post above which appears not to have been taken that way.)

Thanks. Shame set top aerial doesn't work.

Many thanks.

I've been going to Patts for years but have not thought about this before. Is all TV in Patts pushed out through cable or satellite, or is it possible to get TV reception through an aerial? The question has arisen as I was just speaking to a girl who has moved rooms. She had TV in her old room but not in the new one. Is fixing it a simple matter of buying a TV or does the room have to be cabled?

Inner-City Bangkok Seven condominium projects with 1,185 units complete in H1/09, leaving 44 projects with 11,890 units in various stages of development 69% of new completed supply were transferred to date with an average price fetching THB94,737/ sq.m in H1/09 Off-Plan prices rose 4% to THB125,910/ sq.m, but with a dramatic fall in sales volumes to just 430 units in H1/09 New launches reduced to just 447 units in H1/09, with 36.5% of these units reported sold by developers to date Pattaya Tourism numbers to Pattaya fell 16% in 2008, affecting property demand in a market where 50% of purchases are holiday homes Prices of sold units reduced for first time in H1/09 to THB93,744/ sq.m, in response to switching demand from beachfront to more affordable urban properties 152 units complete in H1/09, as opposed to 6,000 units still under development. We anticipate most developers not being able to meet targeted completion dates In H1/09, resale properties in Central Pattaya with rent paying tenants are selling at a yield of 5-7% Thais led the Pattaya market, with a switch to younger buyers seeking holiday homes and solid investment returns

This picture is worthy of a caption competition!

DELETED (in light of Sailfast's post - thanks!)

The UK consul is completely different from the Thai tax authority!! You don't say but my guess is that the purpose of the letter is to enable interest to be paid to you gross (i.e. without deduction of UK tax). If that is the case, it is likely that the letter is to provide evidence that you are tax resident in Thailand. Going to the Thai tax authority asking for such a letter could be opening Pandora's box.

Wow! She is gorgeous. Should I know who she is?

Congratulations! I'm sure your bank account and liver are greatly relieved!

This and Formula 1 are the only things I know of where you pay to watch the practice session.

Yes, Pattaya Beer Garden does good Thai and Western food at a reasonable price. The service is a little slow but you rarely notice it as it is a great place to sit and chill out. The other place I like is Molly Malone's. A bit pricey perhaps but does some great Western food (particularly fish and chips!!).

There are vastly different prices coming up for different dates. What dates gave you that price, please?