statman208

MM - I was in Patts the last two years on June 4 and never experienced a bar closure. Does "Big Buddha Day" change year to year? Thanks..

MM - I've had my kindle a couple years and I love it. No more carrying books around, or shopping for them at a boodstore. I can adjust the size of the letters also, depending on the light. Good luck with it.

The Limo Pattaya is my favorite....their website is the same name.

I have found that the TMB in Royal Garden Mall (outside the door of their branch towards the front) will spit out 20K every time. I've had trouble will all others in that area.

On my recent trip, I noticed the same thing as frosty... several times I got a 5 baht coins instead of a 10, usually at the Family Mart and 7/11.

I like pom pui man.

When I first saw the ping pong ball thing, I thought it was demeaning too. However, I now agree with BigD...this is harmless fun compared to 'going to hotel'. Just ask them. Also, for the girls that don't get barfined much, ping pong balls are much needed income. I think your last line is spot on. I know several girls that count on ping pong balls, tips and salary to make it each month, and only 'go with customer' if the price and situation is very good for them.

I understand your issue with the shot drinks. Along those same lines, I don't particularly like when they order juice. However, I think it is a bit controlling to offer a girl a LD and then tell her what she has to order.

Last trip, I had the late flight that landed at 11pm. Since I didn't want to miss the bar closings on WS due to a long immigration line, I reserved the Fast Track Service for 1200B. I was in the LimoPattaya taxi around 11:30p (I carried on my bag) and at my hotel at 1am. I thought it was well worth it. However, as mentioned above, had I not been arriving so close to closing time, I might just as well rough it in line.

I understand the frustration of investing in a girl with drinks, and then being knocked back. Been there done that and I used to have the same view as the OP. However, I have a TG friend who is show girl at one of the big "Happy Group" agogos on WS who has convinced me otherwise. She contends that the lady drinks are for her company in the bar, period. The issue of whether she would go with the customer or not is separate. As MM pointed out above, she has no idea whether the punter is interested in BFing her or not. I've concluded that the best way to resolve this is after one drink, ask the TG if she goes with customers. I might get a "no" right then and I can cut my losses. I might get a smile and a "yes", and I'll know I'm in. If responds with something non-commital, then I have to think about what I want to do... invest further or cut and run. I've made both choices, depending on the desirability of the girl. I know that some of show girls (and non-show girls for that matter) are picky. Most are free to go with customers. However, with their salary and tips (and sponsor income), many don't need to deal with people they are uncomfortable with.

Try Expedia for the time you are planning on going. I've found the cheapest from LAX varies from time to time. EVA wasn't mentioned above, but they have been cheapest on a few of my trips.

I don't think it's Louisiana. I grew up there and none of that looks familiar. I'm guessing Alabama.

Irish, Your budget is exactly what I go with, but I only go two weeks at a time. I'd probably go with a lower budget if I went longer because I could take a day or two off. Frosty is right, you'll have enough for both a daytime ST, LT at night at gogo prices, plus enuogh to eat well and buy a good number of lady drinks. I will say, however, that you can even blow that budget if you go crazy with ping pong balls, bar fine two and three girls at a time, buy LDs for groups of girls, etc.

Alias - You can arrive at BKK at mid-day from the US if you fly out at midnight from LAX. EVA does that, and I think Thai air also has a flight along those lines.

Great pics! I always enjoy your bar when I visit (almost too much). Thanks for posting.

You guys have too much time on your hands if you are worried about the immigration guy smiling. All I care about is that they are efficient as hell so that I can get through. If they are chatting up each falang, that long wait would be a LOT longer.

I have in the past, but not every time.

I never have a problem anymore... this is what I've evolved to do: - Leave ~40-50 baht everyday on the bed. - Have the 'do not disturb' sign up all the time I am in the room, period. - Take the 'do not disturb' sign down when I go to breakfast, no matter what time it is. - On my way to breakfast, I walk the floor and find the maid. I smile and tell her she can clean when ready (they are easy to find, because the cart is outside the room where they are working). - If I'm in the room when she gets there, I leave. She doesn't take all that long. PS - I also request 4 towels and 2 shower caps on the first day, and that happens without fail after also.

I've never stayed at Fraser, but I think that the location is outstanding.

I agree with Stevo... seems all BS to me.

2k will likely be a bargain anytime. I wouldn't surprise me if their normal rate is double that.

Nice place and at a great price... nice going. I've stayed at both of these places many times, and I don't see the snobbery at all. In fact, they have treated me just fine, and I get smiles when I bring my latest over. Also, there is a bunch of mongering going on at the 'malliott', as I've seen the stack of ladies IDs kept at the security elevator at least an inch thick or more.

My degree is Mechanical Engineer, but actually I've been in management positons with a "big oil" company for many years.

I also belong to this program. The process was pretty simple... fill out an on-line form, send in your $100, and then go for short interview at the airport..done.

MM - The Thai discos on 3rd are affected too. I thought it was unusual that Tam Nam Chun (sp) shut down at 3am on Thursday. I saw a police truck outside, and I wondered what that was about since there didn't seem to be any trouble in the area. Then last night, I took a few girls out to a Thai BBQ place in that area, and everything was closed before 4am.