Bob Belzy

Its not a long journey and private hires are available pretty cheaply. Can be booked on line. I wouldn't be waiting around for up to two hours to be crammed on a mini-bus, especially with their safety record. I've used one outfit many times, they don't list a price for that trip, but easy to message them and ask. http://www.pattaya4leisure.com

Flew in one from Chiang Mai to BKK a couple of weeks ago. Compared to the B787 (Dreamliner) there seemed to be a little bit more room, although both aircraft are stated to be 32" seat pitch. Biggest plus was that unlike the Boeing, the video screen tilted to compensate for eye height and seat recline.

Over the past three or so years I've used Thai that has been the case. Cheapest tickets only get to pick from the rear of the economy section. Its also my perception (not saying its a fact) that the forward economy sets get a little (and I mean a very little) better service with things like pre-dinner drinks.

Also factor in the crossing of the international date line. Depending on direction of travel, you can gain or lose a day's holiday.

"Finally, beach vendors have complained to City Hall that beggars are harassing tourists and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Pots and kettles?" Presumably, the beggars were wearing brown uniforms?

I'm with Andrew. At the Pattaya level all we are seeing is ridiculous cosmetic campaigns, which either inconvenience foreigners or get the locals off side. On a national scale its even worse. Whether its down to corruption or just plain incompetence, they are getting nowhere fast.

Pattaya villagers have been complaining to City Hall that they don’t have any water. I thought it was Ctiy Hall now.....

Showing your lack of current knowledge there. Majority of the UK-OZ traffic goes via the Middle East these days. Mainly the 'quality tourists' from India and such places that stage through BKK and other Asian stops.

We all know that Thai pirates retired and now drive cabs in Bangkok.

I'll be watching with interest the implementation of the Perth-London direct QF B787 flights starting in a few months. Although they claim to be generous in legroom, they have only increased the economy spacing to the same as the Thai B787 spacing. After 6 hours I have a sore backside from the skimpy seat cushions and really had enough, but 17 hours or more? No doubt novelty will affect the patronage for a while, but will people want to repeat the experience?

Yes Nelson was closed, I thought for renovation, but perhaps not. It didn't seem to be doing much on my past trips.

Dubai is still a shit hole. Stairs, elevators and bloody trains. Their Duty Free has been a rip off for the past twenty years or more. Emirates have gone down the tubes too.

How about the Queen Vic and the Nelson. Still serving booze?

If you'd like a good safe bet, in the middle of the action, then I'd suggest the Queen Victoria on Soi 6. That way a pom can still get beer from the UK and food they will recognise. Rates are from about 850Baht for the smaller rooms. One of the rooms at the back would be the quietest. Discrete rear entrance and very guest friendly.

The only ones that get close to aggressive on Soi 6 are the katoey (ladyboys), as for the real girls, unless you try to rip them off or (try to) run off without paying your bar bill no ploblems. Everything is available at the right price, so don't be shy of trying the pretty ones. If you see a girl you like and you're ready to play, pounce now. If you come back later she may have gone. But same time don't grab the first one you see. Best not to get plastered and chase pussy at the same time, because you'll more likely end up blowing your wallet rather than your wad. The final rule is the 'three day' rule. Avoid going with the same girl for more than three days or risk getting involved far deeper than you probably want to. Unfortunately I almost always break this rule.

As a former circus clown, I object to your comparison of our elite performing group with the Pattaya BiB.

There last night with a TGF and food seemed OK. Very very quiet.

Police harassment is more likely if you ride a motorbike past the Beach Road police station than in a agogo.

Uber is often a convenient option, but from my research the only people that make real incomes are the Uber company itself.

So arsonist squirrels eh? What next, blaming the recurring holes on Beach Road footpath on the "wascally wabbits"?

If you're flexible, wait until you get there to book a trip. I got a full day trip with sole use of a boat, heaps of food, a driver and tour guide from Hanoi, all for around $120 for the two of us, although that was a few years ago. Don't spend a fortune on those western chain big hotels either. Plenty of good places around for near peanuts right in the centre of old Hanoi.

Still the biggest risk has to be the pitifully poorly screened and low paid airport workers that have access to baggage and aircraft. Not every terrorist wants to go down with his or her own bomb.

Smoke haze starting already?

Can't get the idea out of my mind now for new lines to go with Edelweiss 5555 Analvice, Analvice Every morning you greet me Small and white, clean and bright You look happy to meet me

I'll strongly second this comment. I'd go further and suggest that buying a condo at all is not a sound idea. Renting is cheap and it costs nothing to move if you decide you want to live elsewhere due to noisy neighbours, illegal AirBnB, lack of parking or excessive management fees. A bad condo is a living hell.