TURBO

I would probably avoid the Sandy Spring as the pile driver was VERY LOUD & unless it has double glazing you would hear it . The Lek hotel should be avoided too as it is opposite the site . I also noticed a lot of construction on Soi 3 yesterday so it should be avoided too . Derek

I'm staying in room A7 now & it is really huge . There are 2 in room safes , 1 electronic , 1 padlocked (bring your own lock ) , a huge bed , a 3-piece suite & a 4 person jacuzzi in the corner of the bedroom as well as a bathroom with a large shower . So if you like to party this is the place to stay . This seems to be the biggest room & the best furnished . The only gripe I have is the noise from 2nd road but I'll get used to it - they also have rooms at the back away from the road . I can't understand why the place is empty - I think I'm the only guest on my floor . At only 750 b

At the moment they're constructing a new building next door & they're pile driving the foundations . The noise can be heard all along soi 13 so any hotel in that area (especially the Dynasty ) should be avoided currently unless you're a sound sleeper or an early riser . Derek

I'll be staying in one of Tim's rooms from Sunday . I have been in contact about the room by e-mail and I have always got a prompt , polite , well written reply . If it is an enquiry related to accommodation I would suggest that you type 'Reservation Enquiry' as the subject of your e-mail - it has always worked for me . Also , as someone else has said , you are better using your ISP e-mail address rather than a hotmail/yahoo type one . Derek

Many thanks Tom . Derek

A while ago someone put a uk phone number up in a post for checking your seat reservation with China Air . I can't seem to find the post , can whoever it was please post the number again . Cheers , Derek

I booked China Air next month through Gazelle Travel & instead of your normal airline ticket I recieved 4 boarding cards , 1 for each leg of the journey but without any seat nos on them . Is this normal ? Do I get a normal boarding card with a seat number when I check in ? Do I have to confirm my flight b4 I leave UK & again b4 I leave Thailand ? Cheers , Derek

I'll probably be staying in that area in a few weeks . I'll check it out & let you know what it's like . Derek

Arriving in airport at 6.50 am . Anyone interested in sharing a taxi to Pattaya ? Derek

I'm flying out with China Air 13/9 Dublin - Ams - Bkk , returning on 29/9 . I booked with Gordon in Gazelle Travel - thanks to Highlander for the heads up on Gazelle . The flight cost £449 + £20 for flying from a regional airport , all inc taxes 8) ! The next cheapest fare I could get was £579 from Belfast with Quatar . Every place I called told me the same thing - September booking was unusually heavy so all the cheapies had gone & remaining seats were limited . I tried Ours travel & as usual I got the lady with limited English ability . I enquired about travel from Belfast to Bkk

You should try the Majestic Suites , just around the corner from Nana Plaza . See my review in hotels section . Here is their website http://www.majesticsuites.com/main.html Print the thai address off the website & give it to the taxi driver . If you book through this website you get a good discount - http://www.asiahotels.com/ You would need to book as they are full most weekends - a good sign . Derek

I forgot to say that I was talking about the Areca Lodge :-[ . Derek

I stayed there in January with my then TG & they never asked for her ID but I checked in with her . One night I saw a guy with 2 ladyboys having an argument with the receptionist because they wouldn't allow him up with 2 'girls' . So orgies are not allowed ! Derek

Thanks so far guys , keep em cumming . I'm not worried about a pool but I would like a balcony with a couple of chairs & a good view would be a bonus . Derek

I usually stay at The Haven on soi 13 as I like its central location near RGP & Mikes Mall . But for a change I might try the soi 7/8/9 areas as I plan to mostly prowl the beer bars . How much - The Haven is 950 b per night so anything less than that I would consider . I will be staying approx 10 nights in Pattaya . Derek

This is an appeal for anyone in Pattaya now or going in the next few weeks . Please keep us updated on any current hotel deals you see ( eg 7 night for the price of 5 ) . I am in Pattaya in September but I'm on a tighter budget than usual due to buying a new car last week and I want to leave enough money for partying after paying for the hotel . Cheers , Derek

Has anybody stayed in the Walkabout or the Paris hotels in Phnom Penh ? I've stated in the Paris before & it is a bit run down but reasonable value for $15 per night . The rooms in the Walkabout are similiar in price but look in better shape on their website . Are these pics accurate ? Derek

I called Gazelle travel & I got a good price from them on China Air , Dublin - Ams - Bkk . I called a few other consolidators & I mentioned to one that I had got a good price with China Air via Amsterdam . He said that they are normally cheap but that is because you need a visa , costing £80 , when travelling with them . Is this true or is this guy talking BS ? Also Gazelle said that China don't connect from Belfast , only Dublin yet on the Ours Travel website Belfast is listed as 1 of the departure points for China Air . I prefer Belfast to Dublin for departure as the parking is a

Cheers Leadbelly , I'll have to pay that place a visit next trip . It would be a nice place to spend an afternoon with a TG , Me with a rod in 1 hand & a beer in the other , her with a rod in each hand . Derek

That sounds good Griffo . Can you give us any more details ie name , location , how to get there , etc ? Derek

Thanks guys . Tom - great info as always . I'll do some phoning & let you know how I get on . I have heard that the return leg with Eva now gets back into LHR early enough now to catch the last plane to Belfast , saving an overnight stop in a shitty airport hotel . I might go with them if the price is right . Derek

I don't know where you're from but if you're from the UK or western Europe this place is the cheapest I've found anywhere for digital memory media . http://www.7dayshop.com They have a current offer of 3 128 Mb compactflash cards for £51.99 . I looked in Thailand & the cheapest I could find was around £30 for a 64 Mb card ! I've been using 7dayshop cards for a while & I've never had a problem with them . They've also just launched a 1 gigabyte card costing £180 . I've no connection with this website , I've just been shopping with them for a while . The only disadvantage with them is

Has anyone seen any good offers yet UK to Bangkok for September ? I've searched the usual sites but the only cheap deals seem to be from mainland airports . As soon as you do a search for Belfast - Bkk they always come up with mad prices . Do you think the prices will come down next month or would I be better booking now - opinions please ? Cheers , Derek

Good luck CB , I'll call next time I'm in Pattaya (if you're still open ;D ) . Just remember , hands off the staff , it's just not worth the hassle . The location will mean you'll be competing with Joops favorite bar , Highway Star [smiley=AR15firing.gif] . Derek

Where do you book these fishing trips ? I've been intending to go on one every time I'm in Pattaya but I never know where to look . I'll probably be in Pattaya around the end of Sept. if anyone wants to join up & book a boat . Derek