Shooter

hey guys, I'm wondering if the "high season" is as high as normal. I've got a reservation at my normal place, but might look around a bit when I get there. Is the town hopping or a bit off as far as hotel occupancy?

Rex, The Pattaya travel concept is a simple one. Provided you stay between 2nd Road and Beach road, you can get anywhere in short order. Beach road goes south, 2nd road north. If you wish to go further north in Pattaya, you walk to Second road (minutes), jump in the first baht bus that stops for you (takes all of 1 minute on average) and hit the buzzer when you get where you are going. Pay (big argument on this, but your first trip just give the guy 10 baht - a whole US quarter). Going south? Down to Beach road jump in a baht bus. Truly, anywhere between 2nd Road and Beach road is accessable quickly. And always close to SOME action, massage, food, etc. That is the beauty of Pattaya. ;D Stay where you like provided you stay between 2nd Road and Beach Road.

Emil, I confess I am pretty flush with money, but still happy to save when I can. ;D I am not aware of the "minibus" service. If this means waiting around over and hour, then taking another hour longer to get there (what with stops, etc), I think I'll pay the fare. But, I am curious. How does this work? Sorry you have so long to go. I know how it feels.

OK folks. Less than a week to go. Any takers? Anyone else flying on on the EVA 11:05 flight? Mai pen rai. I'll be SO HAPPY to be there nothing else matters. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Crola, I still have room. So far just me planning to get a Benz with Thai limo (1500 plus tolls) for the ride to Pattaya. Slight change in plans - I am checking luggage. Just can't quite fit it all in the dang carry on case. I am happy to share if you are willing to wait. My flight arrives at 11:05 with EVA. They have been good at being on time. I am an expert at going through BKK airport (and have a Visa in my passport already). My guess is I will be at the Thai limo desk at 12 Noon or better depending on luggage delivery. To be honest, I expect you would have to wait about 1.5-2 hours. I won't be insulted if you decide against after a long flight. Happy to share if you are willing to wait.

WWAX, I have had good luck with Canali tailors in Jomtien Beach. Everything they made for me is still nice and fits right. It is on the left side of Beach Road in Jomtien. In general, you should not expect a good suit for the silly prices they postt in the windows of any tailor shop. That price is for shitty fabric and no lining. You want to select a good fabric and have it fully lined. Good luck.

Don, Average during the week is about 800 baht golf, 200 baht caddie, 500 baht cart. Rough guestimate. Yhe premium courses can be higher. I play with a regular group and they get us discounted rates, and there are always special sports days at some courses. Don't forget you'll need transport to the course also.

I think its a tie. Either the Hard Rock (really awesome layout) or Dusit. neither is cheap to stay at.

pacificsea, Not sure who you think paid too much. EVA Evergreen Deluxe is not the same as Cathay coach.

RayW, Yeah, Bangkok has a selection but they are expensive. But if you buy in Pattaya, I would hazard you have a better than 50% chance of buying copies versus originals. And the copies look so good I can't tell them apart. I think it better to bring your own clubs. You know what you have then. Actually, clubs and most golf stuff is cheaper in the states than Thailand. I don't know about the UK. Hey Torreyloon, A +4 lost 6 balls in a round? Must have been a very bad day. +4 is near pro-tour caliber golf. I play to a 5 handicap, not +5, a 5, and I can not remember losing more than 2 balls in a day over the last 100 rounds of golf. On average, I lose or wear out one ball per 18 holes. But I was making a joke. I know the average golfer needs more than 20 balls for 20 rounds.

Hey, Butterfly, I said 20 balls for 20 ROUNDS. ;D ;D Better not hear to many "plunks".

I'm trying to deal with Pinewood Condotel. I stayed there last time (and they still have my clubs and luggage in storage). I like it. But, they have prices listed and I said "yeah, but I stay 6 months out of the year". So they sent me their 6 mointh stay list which is a pitiful discount rate. Hell, I'd probably stay at their regular rate, but I gotta try. It's just human nature. Funniest thing is - they want a CC number to hold the reservation? No chance. I will never ever give my CC info to ANY hotel in Thailand. They feel free to screw you with room type of availability, but if you show up and decide it is crap they still plan on charging you. Nope, cash for me.

Yes, bring your clubs. There are so many copies here you will never know what you are getting. And, they are no cheaper. Shoes - cheap, but cheaply made. Bring em or buy em no big difference. Balls - same as home. (For me in USA). Gloves - well, I am between large and XL for gloves in the US. In LOS I sometimes have trouble finding gloves that fit me. Frankly, if you expect to play less than 20 rounds of golf, bring what you would use. A good glove, HAT, shoes, clubs, and about 20 balls right? ;D If you're moving here, different story.

I'm in process of negotiating with my fav hotel/condo. And they don't seem all that anxious to negotiate. Hmmm. I arrive in September for 2 months. Correct me if I'm wrong, but, isn't this low season? And, again correct me if need be, isn't Pattaya fairly dead this year in general? I am wondering if any of you have had better luck with room rates showing up and asking at the desk. Maybe negotiations via internet are a waste of time. But they want a credit card to reserve my room. Not too likely that.

Well, let me also suggest a restuarant. Between Pattaya and Jomtien on the main road, across from View Talay Towers, is a place called Pan Pan. It is an Italian food joint. Really good food. Plus, home make baked deserts and home mad icecream. usually about 10 flavors of icecream. Cool stop for dinner or afternoon.

Just an update. I exchanged email with Cookie_Man and he already lined up a ride :-[. No problems Cookie_Man. See ya at FLB and have a drink. The jist of the update is, I still have room. Ride space open. But remember - September 20 :)

Cookieman, If you are arriving the same day on the same flight - thats the whole idea. Save money on the ride to Pattaya. I don't mind if it is your first trip. I've been there a few times and can probably assist finding your hotel if that is a problem.

Intrader, The schedules work except wrong month. I come in September. I doubt you want to hang around Don Muang for a month waiting. LOLs

Rhoel, I don;t know the answers to your questions. Well, maybe some. But, first I would suggest NOT renting a car unless you really need to. If you only need to travel once or twice, it might be cheaper to rent car and driver for those trips. If you only need it to get to the golf courses there are alternatives. Just trying to figure it out. It certainly doesn't make sense to rent one for around town unless you are physically limited. I am against it if one can avoid it becasue of the insanity on their roads. And if you hit or get hit by a thai you WILL probably pay something. It is too likely the way they drive. If you do have to rent, one option in Budget rent-a-car. I think it is next to Diana Inn on Second road. Set back a ways in the walking mall there. Same side as Diana Inn.

Pardon me but isn't the P&W on soi 7? ???

OK. I'm giving lots of advance notice. I arrive in BKK airport around 11:05 EVA flight. Since I will travel no checkin luggage I expect to get through immigration and to the Thai desk by 11:30 or thereabouts. If someone else wants to split the cost to Pattaya, let me know. I admit up front - I'll be damn tired and not in the mood to meet someone downtown or wait and hour or whatever. If this works for you let me know. But please don't ask me to add time to my trip. I'll already be 26-28 hours on the road and dead on my feet. Thanks

Steveoh pretty much has it nailed. The EVA awards program lags compared to some other programs. The only real benefit to EVA is if you are flying from the US, you don't have to pay the real high price for business. Their Evergreen Deluxe is acceptable for the long haul and MUCH cheaper than any business. Figure around $950 RT in their better class compared to $2000 in business from the best competitors price I could find. The Deluxe isn't quite business class comfort, but close enough for me (at 6' 200 lbs). The trade-off is your awards cheques aren't worth as much. Gotta figure out what works best for you.

dad, Try here for some details. They also have a page that describes upgrades. http://www.evaair.com/html/global/english/...0,1715,,00.html Basically, if you're coming from the states it is 20 award cheques round trip coach. 40 for first class.

Redwood, According to my travel agent you got a pretty good rate. I am traveling in September return November. My fare required leaving on a week day NOT a weekend. It would go up to $968 for a weekend departure. I was also told these routes cost more in December so I think you got a deal. Sorry to hear about the Paradise Bar. Can't honestly say I've ever been there but probably a nice place.

OK, I just bought my ticket for my next visit. I am flying EVA in t heir Evergreen class. Including taxes and transposrt from Phoenix to LA, my ticket price is $914.50. I'm happy with this rate. Wish there was a non-stop from the US though. This trip is killing me.