teelack

If you have a look at my recent trip reports on Cambodia and Siem Reap I have given some for and against responses but for the record I suggest that you plan ahead because you will get cheaper airfares assuming you fly Airasia and you will also also be obliged to do it. Its so easy to get to Pattaya and say Phuket!

TO XZONE NEV Hi there Nev. I dont often back down but I do realise that my recent tirade was a bit rude and I also committed the sin of key-boarding whilst under the influence! Sorry about the tone if not all the content. Can I make the following suggestion? It seems to me that the real issue here and the one that caused so much angst is that people just dont know what their X Zone experience will be like in terms of Forum Membership. Most of the responses are people puzzled by what they are allowed and what they are not and at what price and between what hours. This I believe is also an issue with your staff. Can I simply suggest that you sit down and write a definative bullet pointed statement and put it on the sites that are of interest to you. Its reasonable to suggest that after some time that you should now be chrystal clear about the deal. You can then simply refer any more confused people to that statement and that will be an end to it. You might even think to have it translated into Thai and given to the staff as well. I think that it is demeaning to customers having to 'bargain' for their rights. I know that personally I would rather not ask for a discount (and I note that others see it this way as well)rather then get into a protracted discussion with the staff over the rights and wrongs of the policy that we both think is in place. Best wishes and over to you and once again sorry if I was a bit stroppy!

I have to say Nev that trying to run a bar in Pattaya from Kuala Lumpur is a disaster waiting to happen. After all the money and effort invested could you have not got a Euro or at the least a well respected Thai Manager in while things were in their formative stages. Sorry to harp on but this is a management problem and the buck stops fair and square with you as you should have anticipated this. You have to recall that from the outset there has never been a time where things went to plan (read back through the posts) and to be brutally honest and were you my manager, I would have fired you by now. Harsh? Yes, but I have managed enough larger organisations to know when I was being short changed in terms of supposed expertise and effort. You set this place up long distance, tried to manage it long distance when I think that we are all aware that a new Thai business needs micro management at the formative stages. Sure, some clubs/bars have trusted staff who handle delegation but this takes time and trust, neither of which you have had with your team. Finally, as I said 200 posts ago, I want this place to succeed but you are going to have to get to grips with the Thai way of doing (or not doing) things and apply some hands on management.

This whole saga is so sad. After hundreds of postings on a number of threads and boards the owners seem once again to have lost the plot. As Bazle makes clear this is 100% a management issue and a little attention to customer service could have eliminated all these negative posts and a feeling that things will never get better. As I say, its all so sad after the money, effort and combined efforts of so many to make things work to the benefit of both parties.

Well said Dontcha.This is one of the great reasons for taking time out on a trip to walk around and look at whats on offer. There is one very will situated hotel that I fancied. Rooms were fine but there was no cover at the pool area. I would have burned to death. Another place had wonderful grounds and great location but the rooms were so basic I didnt bother. Yet another had villas for 200/300 baht a night extra but for me they were worse than the rooms. The maps and stated locations of Pattaya can also trip you up. Pattaya Beach can be a long way from the hotel. I had a look round a well situated hotel last time and beside the room being small I think there was space for only one chair on the so called balcony! I am not sure what the bottom line is. Ideally you will only take carry on luggage, book somewhere and have a walkabout and see whats on offer. Its easy to book for a couple of nights and then move espescially if you have little luggage to take with you. Stayed in the best location in town. Great place, great grounds and pool. 1000 baht joiner fee! I realise that this is not really about negotiating but it is a reason to consider rocking up to the reception and asking for a deal at a hotel that you have inspected and this is sometime better than a good monetary deal.

Good point and thanks for reminding me not to be a mean bastard!

Some more Non PC stuff. Sorry about the caps. MY LADY FRIEND HAD A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE ON SUNDAY. SILLY COW THOUGHT SHE COULD DO THE VACUUMING WHILST THE FOOTBALL WAS ON. JUST BOUGHT THE GIRLFRIEND SOME CROTCH-LESS KNICKERS FOR HALLOWEEN. NOTHING SEXUAL. JUST GIVES HER A BETTER GRIP ON HER BROOMSTICK. MY MATE ALWAYS CRIES AFTER SEX. MIND YOU HE IS IN PRISON TREATED THE WIFE TO ONE OF THOSE FISH PEDICURES THE OTHER DAY. I MUST SAY I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS. THOSE PIRANHAS DON'T BUGGER ABOUT EH!!> HUMPED MY BEST MATE’S WIFE LAST NIGHT AND TODAY I FEEL AWFUL. SHE MUST HAVE HAD THE FLU OR SOMETHING.> AT THE 2012 OLYMPICS THE 100m FINAL WILL BE LIKE ANY OTHER FRIDAY NIGHT IN LONDON. YOU WILL HEAR A GUN SHOT FOLLOWED BY EIGHT BLACKS LEGGING IT. COPS STOP AN ASIAN IN A TRANSIT VAN ON THE MOTORWAY. COP SAYS YOU DO KNOW THE LIMIT IS 70 DON’T YOU. DRIVER LOOKS IN THE BACK AND SHOUTS "HEAR THAT. TWO OF YOU WILL HAVE TO GET OUT!! BOOTS REPORTED THAT AFTER THE RIOTS AND LOOTING IN LONDON THE ONLY THING LEFT ON THE SHELVES WAS FAKE TAN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS REACTED TO WORLDWIDE RIOTING BY SENDING RESCUE VEHICLES TO EVACUATE THE BRITISH CITIZENS. THEY SENT 3 SHIPS TO LIBYA, 2 PLANES TO SYRIA AND A MINI CAB TO TOTTENHAM.

Yup, all great quality stuff here.

Bugger! I have just paid for my fare. I would have fancied a side trip to Chaing Mai or Phuket if it had been for free.

Just got the following in my mailbox. I TREATED THE WIFE TO ONE OF THOSE FISH PEDICURES THE OTHER DAY. I MUST SAY I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS. THOSE PIRANHAS DON'T BUGGER ABOUT EH!!

Whilst this started as an average topic I now feel so much better because I am not the only one that thought this a dreadful experience. Bugger the passer-byes-it was the massage girls that I didnt want to look weak to but sure as hell I did. Thanks all!!

Yes there was but as far as I am aware it was in certain countries but Thailand was not one of them.

I try only to use Thai and I believe it to be quite good. Direct flights, good food, all the drink that you care to ask for and a choice of God knows how much personal in-flight entertainment. Always worth paying a bit extra for however if your on enough flight alerts you are sure to hit a special at some stage. Having said that, NEVER intra Asia. The prices ex Bangkok are extortionate.

It was one of the most horrible feelings that I have ever had. I hated every moment of it and only stayed because a friend and myself did a double and he found it total fun. There you go. We are all so bloody different!

No apology needed. All I was trying to say was that getting upset is a bit redundant as the stuff appears to available at almost every pharmacy in town. In addition to these there is someone selling it ever 30 metres down Sukhumwit Road in Bangkok.

Ease up a bit! I wasnt aware that there was a pharmacy in Pattaya that DIDNT sell Kamagra. Seriously. Its not (IMHO) who sells it, simply at what price. The other thing is that this thread pops up on about a monthly basis and we are share intelligenge as to the best buy at the moment. If you dont believe me try the search function.

Thanks. I have had a look at this and it seems reasonable. I will give it a bit of study. I have been fortunate enought for a couple of members (Thanks guys) offering to assist me. I am covered in the short term so thanks again guys.

I have to say that I am a fairly passionate member of Lions in my home country. I realise that this the worlds largest service club and have seen signs in Payttaya. Do we have any members here? I really dont want to turn up on my own and am always willing to do a speakers role in return for my dinner!

Nev. Any chance of downloading a membership card? I dont think that this should be an issue. We are not talking about pricing, just about conditions and I am sure we all accept that these can change as time goes on.

I have used on-line credit card in the past to pay for my I -2 -Call time and there has been no issues. With a couple of days left before card expires it just wont work for me. I have the web site(it was provided by their customer service) but every time I try to get a one time code it says that this is not available and to try again later. There is a pop up stating that there had been some hacking and perhaps this is the issue and its suspended its on line payment system. I would appreciate if someone can try this for me and see what response they get. With thanks.

Hi there Mick. Just a suggestion. Drop into the Sabai Inn and look at the rooms there. High season 1215 B and low season 999 B baht for a superior room ( there are standard at lower) and I find this a better deal that the Lodge or Resort in Hight Season. Dont forget that you have full access to the pools across the road for this price.

I got an email two days ago confirming that the place was open and going well. I have a friendly lady there and as I understand it she is happier with the current management than with the old so well done Nev.

Excellent stuff and thanks for the memories. Has anyone got any suggestions of places to go or places to avoid in the NP?

Good post and excellent information.

It takes 2 minutes to sign up and when you have done so they will always send you a confirmation when you book. Real easy.