teelack

You make a good point about the "Let them pick me" as its what you have to do when you get a bit older or are less financial. I have worked on the basis that if they are not happy with white hair why push it as there will be plenty that are.

Yup, as the man says this is a bit of a downer. I did note in September that there was a lot less buses but at least there are a few and this makes it better than most soi's. If its light rain I stand under cover at the Sabai Inn and there will always be one that will stop for me.

Is there any sign of construction starting in the big area at the top of Soi 2 where the beer bars were?

Thanks for the info. Its a bargain.

Not really an answer to the question however like the man said, two unlocked phones are easy peasy. I discourage anyone from ringing me in LOS and tell them that it might be at least 24 hours before I can respond. I could just as easliy be in Cambodea or Laos and outside coverage. I simply put my home sim in a crap phone, lock it in the safe and check it once a day-if I can remember.

Just a comment on Asia Air. I have used them a few times now and have never had a bad experience. They have a good booking system and they also appear to run on time. There are some smaller lines that I avoid like the plague but this is not one of them.

Joe, I am like a lot of people and really dont pay attention as much as I should to the passport. There is also the issue in my area that the length of time that passports are issued for has dramatically reduced. Have pity on us older guys as we are not quite as quick as you whippersnappers!

I agree with you on this one. I have not been on the Poi Pet road from SR to Thailand but I believe that it is now in good shape now. There is one other option possible that you might like to consider assuming that you only want to go say for three days or so. Just go to almost any travel agent in Pattaya and book a trip through them. They will arrange for travel, accommodation and tours of Angkor Wat etc. Beware however that as far as I know if you want to go via an agency to Snooky you will end up spending the night on the way there in Koh Kong as your too late to make any of the standard connections. Its OK coming back however as you will see in my reports this can be done in one day.

Just as a side issue I applied for a visa for Cambodia on-line. I was refused because there was only 5 months left on my passport rather than the six required. I just wonder if anyone has been turned away at the border because of this?

Well recommended by Dennis of the BigDusa fame. He used to mention this place a lot and always if glowing terms however this was for breakfast as he always stayed across the road!

Reading into your response I take it that you are looking after your dollars? If this is the case then taking internal or a direct flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap is out. If this is the case then I definately would say that 1 week would be a killer assuming that you want to see some of Phnom Pehn. I suggest that you do this in two halves. Fly into PP each time and spend 2/3 days there and then onto either Snooky or Siem Reap for the rest of the time. You need at least 3 days to do Siem Reap just as much because that temple hopping can be tiring especially if you do the dawn thing. Also, like me, you might end up loving the night life in SR as well! Here are some timings for you if you use the bus. PP to SR from hotel pick up to arrival at hotel, 8 hours. Same formula PP to Snooky, 7 hours. I actually enjoyed the road trip ONE WAY but it would be even easier if you had a mate with you. $28 from PP and $23 from Snooky. Remembering that there are four costs when flying. Hotel to airport, departure tax ($25), Bangkok to Pattaya cab and of course airfare. By the way the 1600 baht airfare from Bangkok to PP includes the 700 baht departure tax!

Christmas is a state of mind. I have not lived in the UK for over 50 years and still the tree is up, the fake snow is there as are the cards and I have fruit cakes to burn. Its a wonderful excuse to spoil my kid and her kids. I know that a lot of people see Christmas as a downer but it is what you make it. Looking at it from a Thai point of view I would comment as follows. If I lived in Thailand and had Thai lady or familly I believe that I would fully join in with their Buddha festivals because I have always respected other religeons and beliefs and as sure as hell I would expect them to respect mine.

Nev. Me again. Suggest that you publish a list of what is on and what isnt a review it in say 2 months time. You will never please everyone but the fact that your trying gives you some brownie points.

You think that I am hanging about to see size, colour and check if its friendly! Ha F***ing ha!

I have a principal that says " Whatever the advertised brand, just taste, like, dislike and act accordingly". I feel sure that many places will sell whats available at the time and if dated stock becomes available at a special price it will be swooped on.

Last year I saw a snake on the road in Soi 3-100 meters from the Beach. Still shitting myself.

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.