teelack

Changing money hasnt a one line answer. Here IMHO is why. If you feel that your local currency is having a short term revival then buy overseas currecies as an insurance. If you are travelling around the area its sometime good to buy US dollars before you come here. This locks in the value and these are the currency of choice in Cambodia and Laos. If you are the sort that likes cash its enforced savings to buy some currency at home if you see a good rate and lock it in the safe or put under the mattress. If you come from a smaller and less stable country whos currency has large fluctuations then its a great insurance to have some dollars, pounds or baht in the bottom drawer. Ok Ok I hear you say that you are losing interest by purchasing currency before ypour trip as well as taking the chance of yours strengthining but like I say, its all part of the holiday planning and peace of mind.

As a grandfather that lives with "Special" children on a daily basis I have to commend the poster and suggest that this is a great example of what is going on in our community of which we know so little about.

If you missed Alcatraz, IMHO you saved wasting your time. Again IMHO the most boring go go in Pattaya.

If this place is of interest you might be better to use Sawadi or Agoda or some other agency. There are some good prices for this place at the moment and its location is second to none in town. The comments that I have had of late is that the place is getting tired. My suggestion is to book in somewhere else for a couple of days and have a look befoore you book.

Hi there Spud. I will be there in 2 weeks. I like that end of town as well so have decided on the Sabai Resort. Near enough to the area but far enough away from the construction.

No sure where you got that info. All the bars between 2/3 are totally intact as are the bars over the road from the Honeypot as well as those half way down 3. Its only the bars nearer town around soi 5 that have gone.

Thanks for the info. I have seen so many interesting signs in Thailand that I took it for genuine. Why not, in terms of some of the strange shit thats around?

I am doing this in exactly the opposite direction. My thinking is as follows. It appears that there is no issue getting out via a land crossing but the problem is getting in when you are stuffed about (apparently) by experts. I have an on line visa and have been in touch with a Snooky travel agent as I want to do the lot in a day. I also will report back in a few weeks.

Just wondering where this is. I presume that the writing is Thai? I was sent this and thought that it might be an interesting place to visit!

I will be doing the Pataya to Snooky trip in 4 weeks time and here is my solution. Pattaya to Swampy Bell Bus Swampy to PP Air Asia PP Bus to Snooky Mekong Snooky bus and mini bus to Pattaya.Use a local travel agent. Total cost under $100.00 US There is a reasonable amount of info re these trips on "Outside Of Pattaya"

I have just used the credit card system to top up my phone so thanks to the originator of this thread. I like to have a home made card made with my name and phone number and for the first time ever will be able to print the whole thing off before I leave home. I found the system took a bit of work but one into it no real problem. One again, thanks.

Sorry I too have no answer but I know this; when I look to book a place in Thailand I work on the basis that the bigger and beter that the hotel is the more my chance of having to pay a joiner fee. Mind you to settle the question you could send them an email!

Hi there. Due to the amount of construction in Soi 2 I am a bit wary of booking there. Can anyone update me as to how things are going in the area?

Hi there. I was wondering if anyone had taken a taxi to or from Ban Chang and if so what companies and at what price please?

Hi all. Just in case your interested I got the following back from the Sabai. We're please to offer promotion rate for all room type, room rate and room type as below : (Promotion rate from July 01-Oct.31,2011) Room type Room rate Superior 1,050.- Deluxe B 1,250.- Deluxe A 1,450.- Ruenthai Paradise 1,850.- Ruenthai Villa 1,850.- Sunset Villa 1,650.- Villa B 1,250.- Villa A 1,450.- Deluxe Villa 1,850.- Sabai Hip B 1,250.- Sabai Hip A 1,450.- I have no idea what a Sabai Hip A or B is so perhaps someone out there knows?

Thanks guys. I have almost made my mind up to give it a go. At 1060 baht low season internet rate this seems a good buy to me.

With the work going on in Soi 2 I was wondering if anyone has stayed of recent date at the Sabai Resort. This is the one on Second Road next to the Alcazar. I am aware that it is run in similar fashion to the places in Soi 2 (girl friendly) but have not read any reviews. Your comments appreciated.

Sorry that I cant make it Adam but please pass my best wishes onto Boon for me.

Just one point about the Sabai accommodation. Whilst its a fact that one of the pools is down the accommodation attached to those pools is also demolished so there should be less guests anyway so no change. The issue of using pools is an interesting one as quite often when you add the cost that is required by the hotel to whatever your paying in a guest house it would be about the same. For instance I think that the Areca charges 200b per day.

You are correct and I was a bit hasty here having not noticed the 4 year old review. Must admit I wondered about the mall being finished but who knows. Anyone got an update on the sun umbrella question?

Thanks for the review. The killer for me is the lack of beach umbrellas. I often spend 5 hours a day around the pool reading eating and having the odd drink. I would be a crisp in one day here so I will go elsewhere. Thanks again.

I am thinking of changing my accommodation for the next trip and the deals in low season at these two places look quite good. Has anyone got an opinion as to which is the better hotel and why? Also are there rooms in either place that are not up to standard?

I would be interested to hear more about your stay there. I have never stayed there but its a great position and away from the construction in the area. I used to stay at the Sunshine but I am staying away until the constuction is over and then I bet they raise their rates!

There is a lot of questions here so a couple of points. I heve never been advised that the booking will lapse if I am late however I always estimate my ETA and add an hour to it. I was a day late last time but sent an email advising them and there was no penalty. I have stayed in dozens of places and the rules have always been the same. As for paying in advance. Well if you choose to use say Sawadee or Agoda there is no option and I have used both of these and there was no issues with either. I am ewell aware that a number of guest houses and hotels ask for credit card details so that they can charge you for a no show but its possibly easier than paying the whole lot up front with the travel agencies and having to battle to get it back if it all falls over. One other point about rooms. Either you want a swimming pool or you dont. For me this is a great part of the trip and is non negotiable. Generally speaking its always going to cost less if you dont. Finally, there is always construction going on in Pattaya. Holels will neither tell you or even advise that their pool is closed in most cases so you need to do some homework if this is not to become an issue.