teelack

I have been to Nong Nooch and had photos with the apes. I loved the result and hated the experience, if that makes sense. Like many of the posters I hate the practice and as a newbie thought it was great but I am cured now and will not do it again. If indeed they are sedated (and I believe that to be the case) then there is a good reason to stay well clear of the practice and perhaps this thread is a good place to start.

Thanks. Gave you a tick for this site. Have never seen it before but its a good place to browse.

Like me he keeps on looking for the best CURRENT deal within a certain geograhical area. Thats my way as well but I repeat, I will not now stay at a place until I have had a look first. Oh dear the difference between perception and reality!

Well IMHO the answer is to book a 1000 baht taxi with T or Toom and if he/she is not there go to the cab rank. Nothing to lose and 500 baht to gain.I have had so few issues with T or Toom and others that I believe it is worth the time, and when I say time I mean one minute!

Appreciated. I have been wanting to do the trip to Nong Kai but never had the courage. Also had the desire to do the one to KL or a side trip to Lankawi. I will read and learn.

Thanks for the comments guys. There is a bit of jargon here that has gone over my head but all in all it looks reasonably safe and worth taking a laptop rather than using an internet cafe. One more question. If I log onto a site, say my bank, is the site at risk only as long as I have the site open? In other words, if I log on, check, adjust or whatever and log off in the quickest possible time does this reduce my chances or being hacked even more?

Interesting comments Simon. I have had the same issues and in fact it has lead to rolling around on the floor with security sorting it out. The sad thing for me is that I am in a place where legally there is no smoking. I simply ask for a change of position of ash tray and I am attacked. This has not just happened one and I see it as a similar situation to the famous Oscar Wide saying. It was about fox hunting but went, "The unspeakable chasing the uneatable." Smoking will in the end go the same way as fox hunting but not without smokers defending their patch till the bitter end. In some ways I dont blame them (being an ex smoker) but by being a bit more considerate they will put the day off and threads like this will have much less venom.

I would add one more point to this thread. When I am in Pattaya I usually go and look at two or three places that I have read about or that others have recommended. Its always interesting to note the difference between your ideas about whats good and other reviewers ideas. Also, photos on the web can look so good and I am sure that some places use a higher priced room photo to sell a lower priced one. Its all a case of touch and feel. One more small point but for my next trip I have actually specified the room number that I want. I know that the light is good, its quiet and other reasons. This again is all part of the learning experience.

I was just wondering about this issue and really dont have the technical nous. How safe is it to use free wi fi in hotels and where have you? Am at any greater or lesser risk of security breaches say than using an Internet cafe? If there is an issue are there any remedies? The reason that I ask is that in a recent hotel stay all that was required for free wi fi was to put you hotel room in followed by the name and this information was handed out at reception on pieces of paper.

I tried it and I see what the OP is on about. This is not uncommon in that in some instance you use 'paste' but in this instance I had to use Cont.V. I have never understood why some work one way and some the other. Why can I not make links nor copy and paste? On other forums it's not an issue at all. thanx.

No problem with that but if I recall correctly they have ni in room safes so anyone with a lot of cash or a lap top might not think it so good. Like I have already stated its what the traveller wants that is important, and we really are shooting in the dark a bit.

One thing that I have learned is as follows. Check out the best deals on say Agoda and Sawadee for hotels that interest you. Then Google the top hotels on your list to see if the place has web site. Contact them direct and bargain. I have done this and it rarely seems to fail. The other thing about this method is that you usually only pay when your there rather than in advance. The problem with ashing for advice is that unless your precise (Location and facilities required) you will get a lot of bum steers. I for instance will only stay at places with a pool now because thats part of my holiday.

I started this thread with a level of curiosity but sadly it has not been fulfilled. I have always had the greatest of respect for those people that have very little that have a strong faith. I was in India 50 years ago and saw the immense poverty that was counter balanced with an unshakable faith. I actually love the ability of the Thai people that I have met and who take great comfort in their faith despite a crap (in the main) existence. I only seek to learn more because we who have so much appear to care so little.

Mmmmmmmmm. Nam! Delicious. I hope that no one objects to the following photo gallery. I also hope that thes bring back memories for some of the boardies here.

Actually its cakes!

May room Sabai Inn is 855 baht. This includes use of swimming pools, afternoon tea and a FULLY manned reception 24/7. Go figure!

For 24 hour reception, guest friendly and good clean rooms at well under 1000 baht have a look at the Sabai Inn website.

Errrrrrrrrrrrrr. Parrot or Tequila?

If you go to search you will find a thread from earlier this year with buffet restarants discussed.

Like I originally stated Bells plus cab would be about 500 and I guess that this is possibly less than half the cab fare and is almost door to door as its a quick change over from bus to cab at Swampy.

Does anyone know if. A. There is a shuttle from Swampy to DM? B.What the actual cab fare is from Swampy to DM? C. What the cab fare Patts to DM is?

I recall that in my earlier trips to Asia I would always allocate a certain amount of money each day to give to deserving cases or the local monks that came calling.I almost felt bad should I ever miss a day. Over that time things have changed a bit and I have become hardened to all those pathetic mums with babies and a paper cup begging for baht. The 'each day' became every other day and even then became less important to me. I admit that I really know little about the Buddhist system of gaining merit but essentially I guess that I give some of what I have to someone with less and I guess I am doing a good thing.I am all in favour of offering a helping hand but wonder if other boardies have any rules, give a set amount or just ignore the whole thing? I am also interested to know how the local Thais see their less fortunate fellow citizens as I rarely see them give money to street beggars.Perhaps they do it in private to gain merit but I just wouldnt know.

Only guessing but perhaps the best bet would be to get a Bells bus to Swampy and a cab from there. I doubt that this would be more than say 500 baht all up?

And I thought it was me! I really dont know the ins and outs of Mex food but the one time I tried this place I was underwhealmed. Where and what is this Blue Parrot place?

The other night I just could not sleep so I turned the Kindle on in bed. I just down loaded a couple of boof reviews and some soft core porn and before i know it the times past 3.00 AM. It serves it propose well and whilst I also prefer books I am now of the opinion that I will take it on my next travels and I will never be without something to read. Its almost perfect for airport lounges, long bus trips and sleepless nights.