exwannabe

I was traveling near London last summer while England played France in the Euro '04 tounament (tough loss). Quite a site watching the local pub crowd, but I never understood why it was England (as opposed to the UK) playing. I asked a few locals and never got a good answer. Last I checked, there's no Wales in the UN, and Scotland doesn't go off and fight wars, and only one team goes to the Olympics. Yet in football tournaments, it's everybody for themselves. Is this just because football is bigger than politics over there?

Stayed twice and I'll add my thumbs up also. It was sold out on my mid Nov. trip, you might want to go ahead and make your reservations soon. Only negative (for some people) is lack of a room safe.

I am at the Sabai Wing (new building of Sabai Lodge) right now, quite nice (kind of like the quality of Sandy Spring with the atmosphere of the Sabai). It has rooms left, but vey expensive, around 1900b.

Disagree with Leo here. The 1900 band is N America only, the 900 is what you are using internationally. Most GSM uses either 900/1800, while N America uses 850 and 1900. What does this mean? To use your phone in Thailand, you need to use AIS as the network, as they are the only one that runs at 900. So, you might want to check the AIS website for what service options they have. Once you get here, you just buy the sim and you'r good to go.

And booked 2 tickets yesterday, $801 (449 BP) +tax, LAXBKK EVA Delux early Nov. I never understand airline prices. LA is about 50% further from Bangkok than London is, but the prices are almost always cheaper. And from airline pricing, I would assume the Atlantic is bigger than the Pacific.

I believe the Big C has a bank on the second floor. No clue what the rates are though.

Stayed at Mike Beach Resort for a few days early July. Generally fine, but the bathrooms were somewhat worn (maybe that was just mine). Otherwise, rooms were good, clean, reasonably large, well lit. Girl friendly. Location is quiet. You also could consider Bella Villa Prima just up the soy. It's somewhat newer (but was besieged by Korean tourist groups when I was in town). Emil: I must be totally blind, where was the new hotel they are building? I saw the place across the road (just beach side of BellaVillaPrima) but didn't think anything was open. There's so much construction going on, I just ignore anything that doesn't cause me loss of sleep.

Stayed there early July on 5th floor towards beach (construction) side and didn't get bothered by any noise, but who knows what the future holds. I agree with JFG, just book 2 nights and decide then. The location is fine. Sandy Spring , Lek are the comparable hotels nearby.

UK, here's some quick overview for you: Pattaya is flat (but HOT), easy to walk all around Central Pattaya (N. Pattaya to S. Pattay between Beach and 2nd), or 10baht to catch a ride on the always present baht busses (which are pickup trucks with bench seats and a cover thrown over the back). It is absolutely impossible to be far from the bar action . Walking Street is certainly one of the areas you will want to spend time at night, bars, shops, restaurants, Thai fighting, discos, and of course all the best gogos. But there are numerous other pockets of heavy action. Check out the Soy7 (between 7/8 near beach) and Soy 2 (on 2nd) bars. If you like "sleazy" action, it's on Soy 6 and Soy Post Office (don't get lost in boys town If you have never been to a soapy, you must go to one of the SabaiDee/Sabai-land massage palors (on 2nd and soy 2, across from the Big 'C'). Hotels: The Soy 7/8 hotels (Eastiny, Flipper) fail your "not to noisy" request. They're right smack in the bar scene. The nicer hotels around Soy 13 (Sandy Spring, Dynasty, Lek) are good, but may be outside your budget (always negotiate). It just depends. You can stay across Soy 2, crossing isn't that bad (as long as you don't mind standing between two lanes of traffic , with bikes going diagonally and backwards). I like the Areca, but it may not go as low as 800B. On the north side, Sabai Lodge (or 2nd choice Sabai Inn) is fine and 800 will definetly get you in (they have various assorted rooms, so look carefully). Bella Vista looked nice to me (new), 800 may or may not get you in. Mike's Beach Resort has old bathrooms, but rest is OK and is closer to beach than the rest. Do not believe the published rates, ask for a quote and make an offer. "but not looking to get laid every night " That's easy to say now, but wait 'till a cutie has her hand down your shorts .

I believe that is economy (as I can quote an econ ticket for exactly that amount), the EDelux is pricing out at $869US ($959 with tax) BTW: Just (2 minuets ago) quoted an econ ticket from EVA LAX->BKK->LAX leaving Sep 29 for $580 Just go to the web site and keep trying, you get a different quote almost every try .

Taking some TCs for peace of mind is fine, but debit cards at ATMs are definitely the easiest way to go. You get top exchange rates, and much less hastle than cashing TCs. As to using a card other than at an ATM or bank, you take your chances. I would never use a debit card to pay a hotel bill, but don't mind using my Amex. card [At least in the US, the protection laws in case of fraud are quite different]. In all, it's just as easy as traveling through Europe pre-euro, and probably easier than the US. If you want to take cash and change it, bringing new bills can't hurt. And finaly (from your other thread), if you havn't been to the islands (Koy Samui, Phuket,..) they really are great for a honymoon. Certainly worth at least a side trip if you can make it (they are more expensive though, a hotel room will run you well over 30 Euro

I have thought this one throuh myself (even though I'm a few years away). The best bet is to find a western company doing some business in Asia that needs field engineering support, but can't afford an office. Companies are spending a small fortune on travel sending people from America or Europe to China and other places in Asia. Getting good local talent is a nightmare for many reasons. The economics work out well. Your travel would be far less expensive, and since you are living on a Baht economy, you could undercut the salary structure of a western engineer while still making more than any Thai based business will pay you. Could be wrong, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Good luck.

On Eva I have been flying "backwards" BKK->LAX->BKK and have no problems getting quotes at 34000 Baht + Tax for Evergreen Delux or 66000 baht for Business Delux. My latest ticket is "leaving" to LAX Sep., "returning" again for BKK Dec 26. Besides a slight price break for flying backwards, it seams much easier to get the cheaper quotes. Booking the normal way, the prices can be twice as high when the cheap seats are gone. Also, Aug. is an "embargoed" month for outbound flights, so no cheapsets. But I was able to change my existing Oct return flight to Aug. no problem (waitlisted for Biz upgrade though). Only problem is, if I screw up I'm stuck in LOS

See www.evaair.com -> AboutEva -> CorporateProfile -> FleetFacts for seat configs. For 747's with Evergreen Delux up front on lower deck, the good seats are in order: 24 D/G, 26 D/G, 27 C/H : Aisle/Nothing in front of you 27 D/H : Aisle/Nothing in front of you (but middles must climb over you somewhat) 20 C/H : Aisle/Bulhead in front, some extra legroom 20 A/K : Window/Bulkhead some extra legroom (egress easier than other windows) 27 A/K : ??? Windor/door sticks out into your legroom, might be annoying, don't know Other than that, take (in order) 21,22,23,25,24 C/H as they are aisles with more aisle room (no 4x middle seats, less crowding by people walking by, quiter).

At 6-2 and 220lbs I can fly comfortably in these seats LAXTPE (while economy would be a nightmare). They are definitely not as nice as intercontinental biz, more like typical domestic first class. Definetly a little wider than econ. I treat it as: . econ = no way . delux = fine . biz = very nice, but not worth spending cash on Note that despite the extra pitch, the aisle (and middle) passengers can not get in/out w/o disturbing the aisle passenger (due to the fact the seats recline more than std econ.). BUT, there are 10 seats with noboby in front of you, and these are real good if available (though the 2 aisle seats behind the foward doors have somewhat restricted legroom). Short answer, it's a very good deal.

Thank you both, and good hunting :)

Was in town last week for the first time, and was looking for a good massage place. The only place I found was a slightly run-doun joint (sorry, forget the name) around soi 3. Small tubs, poor air, old bed (but otherwise I was quite happy :) ). Having come from Phukett, with my all time favorite Christine's, this was a bit of a step doun facility wise. So, to make a short question painfully long, where should I try when a go back in a couple months?

Just got back last weekend from staying at the Areca, definitely a positive rec. They have opened the new pool (the first pool is shaded by the hotel, but still quite nice). The price went up slightly (about 1050b) when they opened the second pool. No charge for visitors (but one night attendand did try unsuccesfully to get an ID). Whoever made the comment about about the bed being to hard must be on drugs or something (though this is definitely a "to each his own" area). Staff was quite nice, and I will probably stay there in a few months. :)