teelack

Have to say that this is a strange question. It pre supposes that we have stayed at all three and can make an objective comparison between them and that our stay has been recent and therefore out comments up to date. I think its fine to ask for a review on accommodation but there is no way I could give you a reasonable answer to this question. The other thing is that you also need to give us a heads up on budget, location, girl friendly etc. Its all relevant when asking advice on accommodation.

...and June?

I appreciate that there are hundreds of posts on opening an account and the actual number of posts and mass of information actually made getting into this subject more difficult but I felt that a summary was worth while. As a matter of interest my transfer fee is approx $US 15 equivalent.

Like others here my introduction to Phuket was the Mai Tai bar and it was a great place to chill and meet people. Whilst it was a simple beer bar amongst a lot of others it served its purpose well.I hope for the sake of people going to Phuket for the first time that something similar opens.

I realise that every country has its own rules, costs and methods but I was supprised by the following. Last time in Pattaya I opened a bank account and it worked well. I had bought a reasonable amount of my own currency with me and put this all in the account. Providing that I used the same banks ATM there was no 150 baht cost per withdrawal. When I got home I did some homework with my bank and find that it is very cost effective to simply transfer money into that account direct from my home account. I have a fixed one off charge and the money that I transfer is at that days exchange rate and there is only the one transfer fee and no cost for changing into Thai baht. Add to this the fact that you are not taking money in your pockets and its a great system. To summarise. Yes there is a one off cost to open an account. Yes there is an annual fee and yes there is a charge to remit funds but all of these beat carting wads of cash or paying fees to exchange money into baht at home before I travel and still carry wads of cash. I just wish I had done it years ago as it also gives me the ability to carry my ATM card with me in case of emergencies.

I wont make it but content myself with the thought that Pattaya ia a year-round street party whatever street you are in.

Thanks Woops that was interesting. I guess that people who live in air conditioned rooms on a normal/regular basis know the rules but I had no idea.

Hi Pat. I usually stay at the Sabia Inn which is all part of the same chain. They have never asked me for card on booking in but the manager does pop up about half way during my stay and say something like "Accountants ask you pay something as you have big account" and as it all goes on the credit card I have no problems with splitting the account into two halves. Re thge baht buses going down Soi 2. If they get to Soi 2 and are empty there really is no value for them to go up to the roundabout and coming back down Beach Road so they take the shortcut down Soi 2. This was another good reason to stay in the Soiu but it seems that this does not work in the high season as they all want to be taxis.

Greg, re the baht buses in Soi 2. As I pointed out there are heaps of them but the issue is, do they stop and as I made clear only one did in a month while I was there. I would assume that as the season changes it will be easier to get them to act as a bus and not a taxi.

I dont each a great deal of sea food but have a second hand recommendation. I have been to this place but not eaten there however a Thai/Farang couple I know thought it the best value in Pattaya. The place is a vast buffet restaurant and it is two street to the Naklua side of Big C in Second Road. Walk down a hundred meters and its on the right. Early on there are a lot of tour buses here but I believe its an eat all you can for about 180 baht per person. I am sure that there will be some that know the place and have thoughts on the place.

This IMHO is the best progamme that I have come across but make no mistake you have to work at it on a daily basis. No pain-no gain!

Not sure if Monkeyman reads this forum but thanks. Sad to hear that the Barron has finally shut the doors but I am sure that we all believe in reincarnation when it comes to gogo bars.

Have to say it but if I knew little of this trip I would go to a travel agents and bookt through them on a dor to door basis. They can fix you up for a 2/3/4 night or more stay and the hotel that they select will be in line with your budget. I do not suggest that you go Pattaya Snooky for as pointed out you have to spned a night just inside Cambodia. I have usually got to PP by Air Asia, bus to Siem Reep and than the reverse but have also got the bus from PP to Snooky and then on to Pattaya. There are as many options as you can imagine and price structures to suit most pockets but all in all a package deal from your local TA for you first trip is my suggestion.

I would suggest that Bryson is the most influential American writer for thoser who are not Americn. His books on the language and on the wonders of the American wilds are superb. He has also writen one of the best selling books of the last few years " A short history of almost everything". Google, read and you will find that this man is a marvel for using language as it is meant to be used. I have read every book that he has ever written and pant for more. What he brings to the discussion is scholarship and an ability to understand that US and English English is not always the same and to explain it sucinctly.

I absoloutly agree that I DID use the wrong spelling which is whay I acknowledged such but quoting Bill Bryson to back up the point.

MM. Sorry but you are losing your grip on this one. This is what Bill Bryson wrote: Bait, Bate"Robins exploits were listened to with baited breath' (Mail on Sunday). Unless Robin's listeners were hoping to catch fish, their breath was bated. The word is a cousin of abated. This is what I wrote: Actually if you re-read Mr Byson again he does not say that baited is a cousin of abated be says that bated is a cousin and in this he is correct.

Hi there Losgrad. Good to bump into you a few times earlier this month. Perhaps its only us people that go to Ban Chang! Dont forget to try MUCLEAR-its worth a go and I have got over the worst of it better than most times. It is only effective for bronchitis by the way.

Actually if you re-read Mr Byson again he does not say that baited is a cousin of abated be says that bated is a cousin and in this he is correct.

Ikkrang has a sense of humour and will appreciate the diversion while he shags his brains out.

Whats your budget and what do you want as a minimum? Facilities, location and singlee rooms or share?

Well he is an American after all.

See! These are the wonderous things that we find on this board and only underline its importance to some of us who are willing to keep on learning at any age. As for Americans being able to handle the language I will quote my all time favorite, Bill Bryson who states: Bait, Bate"Robins exploits were listened to with baited breath' (Mail on Sunday). Unless Robin's listeners were hoping to catch fish, their breath was bated. The word is a cousin of abated. Its those pesky British rags that are getting me off track!

Reading this thread shows that there are many many reasons to live and love Pattaya. I do not live there but I am staying there three months a year so I have some thoughts about the place but I can boil them down to a couple. Whenever I am in Pattaya I get a sense of freedom to be what I am and not what people at home perceive me to be. I can be the inner man without fear of recrimination and just love the fact that I am not being judged. When I am at home I am the Rotary type of guy, always getting involved in community projects and a father and grandfather who adores his kids. When I am in Pattaya the inner man who loves late night, lovely ladies, waking up with a hottie and drinking till I dont want to. I also love the loud music but dont get the chance at home. So there you have it in one word; freedom. One other thing that I think that Pattaya is brilliant for is allowing a tourist like me to have either a night that costs an arm and a leg or quality one that is cheap as chips. I am learning to enjoy a couple of beers for 100 baht at the local bar and I actually prefer draft beer if its good so I can be in and out of most gogos on the cheap. As for food, well its a snip, a bargain be it the 100 baht breakfast or the monster meals for under 100 in one of those Thai places like the Hole in the Wall.. I admit to liking a few hours for totally free each day around a pool in my hotel that would cost three times as much at home per night. In three words this time; value for money.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooossssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question. If you call someone "a loser' or "a cretin" and that person in in fact a loser and/or a cretin is this an insult or is it telling the truth?