The_Fat_Controller

The back pool at the Areca Lodge is much nicer than any beach in Pattaya. You also avoid the hassle of beach vendors, noisy and possibly rabid dogs, and a 10 minute walk in the blazing sun.

Korean BBQ, OK but nothing special, pain in the arse with the food getting stuck to the cooking surface, and it's only the sauces that make it tasty. MK, the boil in the pot items are mainly pork, fish and vegetables, and once again it is the excellent sauce that spices things up. There are plenty of side dishes that you can order, and the duck with green noodles is very tasty. MK restaurants are very well run and popular, it is not unusual to have to wait for a table, and in Bangkok they even take your order on a little electronic organiser. Personally, I much prefer MK to Korean, as does my TG.

My main e-mail address is with AOL, and the Areca have had many problems over the last 18 months with mail to AOL addresses being rejected. I have just made a booking with them, and used my yahoo.co.uk address with no problems.

Just booked BKK-SIN-BKK with Tiger Airways. Price was 140 Singapore Dollars return = 3360 Baht. Travelling 21st - 25th October. They were cheaper than AirAsia, Valuair or JetStarAsia.

"As for safety, you cannot fault them" Except for that time they ran off the end of the runway, in BANGKOK !!!!!!!!! The aircraft was repaired, but it cost a fortune to do so. I have used them a couple of times, aircraft are OK, but cabin service was mediocre.

If you are buying a condo in YOUR name, the money has to be transferred in STERLING to a THAI Bank Account in YOUR name, in order that you can get the TT3 form from that bank for the condo to be registered in your name. On my recent holiday in June I was looking for a condo, and found a beauty, although I was not planning to buy at that time. However I was caught in a Catch 22 situation that stumped me completely. I was in Thailand, so I COULD open a bank account (did that with Bangkok Bank), but I had to be in the UK to be able to send the money to myself. On my return I could send the money to my own Bangkok Bank account, but needed to be in Thailand to be able to get the relevant forms in person from the bank. I do not think that bringing Sterling in cash is an option, as the TT3 is only issued for funds "remitted from abroad". Also, the rate for cash and Telex Transfer is different, so you will get more by sending the money by SWIFT transfer. It is about 1 Baht at the moment, have a look here http://www.bbl.co.th/Bangkok+Bank/Web+Serv...es/FX+Rates.htm

As has been said, the lounge is run by KLM, and is very near the China Airlines usual gate in Pier F. Heineken, Tortilla Chips, Guacamole and Salsa !!!!!!!! That's the way to go, but do not eat too much, because you get an enormous meal not that long after departure. I did the same as you last year, and asked nicely on the way back, the reply at check-in was "only if you would like to pay", I declined politely. However, the same girl came along to do gate duties, and the first thing she did was to call me to the desk, and gave me a Dynastly Class seat. Just ask nicely, make sure you have your Dynasty Flyer card, and you never know your luck.

I opened a savings account at Bangkok Bank's head office on Silom Road in June 2005 with my passport and a 30 day entry stamp with NO problems at all. I have an ATM card which doubles as a Visa debit card and can be used worldwide. I even got a free bag for opening the account.

Try my regular agents, in Soi Pattayaland 1. http://www.npkpattaya.com/about_us.htm I have used them for tickets for my girlfriend, and have recommended them to others, and have had good feedback.

Used AirAsia last year for flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Booked online from the UK. Checked in using the printed online confirmation with no problems. Baggage allowance is small, check the website, but even though we were slightly over, did not get charged extra as many people were travelling with hand luggage only. The aircraft are Boeing 737-300s, nice cabins with black leather seats. Refreshments can be purchased onboard at a reasonable price. Flights were on time both ways. You should have no problems as they are quite well established now.

So, according to your figures, you get 1 to 2" more legroom on the 777, but 0.67" less seat width. Luckily my backside is not that wide, so that is why I did not notice the difference between the 2 aircraft. From SeatGuru, the BA 777 seat pitch is only 31", and a mere 0.18" wider, so the extra 2-3 inches of seat pitch on Emirates would be more comfortable.

Seat SIZE and PITCH on Emirates are the same on the B777 and A330, and they both have a decent entertainment system. The configuration on the Airbus is 2-4-2 in Economy. The Boeing 777 is WIDER, so the seating is 3-4-3, the same as in a 747, so it's unfair to call it a charter configuartion, as it's nowhere near as cramped as the likes of Britannia and Monarch etc. A lot of Emirates flight are now only 2 classes, Business and Economy, so a 777 with a small Business cabin and lots of Economy seats LOOKS crowded, but is in fact no worse that the A330 as regards the seat you sit in.

The best curry I had on my last trip in June 2005 was at Little India, located in the shopping arcade opposite Mike shopping mall. It is at the far end on the right hand side when entering from second road. Do not be misled by the fact that it is quiet at times, the food was very good, and the owner is a very nice man, from Bangladesh I believe. I have tried Ali Baba, Sher-e-Punjab and another on main road just before Jomtien beach, all were passable but not exceptional. NeeRoys is OK, but the curry dishes are all VERY similar in taste, and rather too sweet for my liking.

YES. Have a search and read the reviews !

Areca Lodge often has many golfers staying, and I believe discounts are available for Pattaya Sports Club members. The reviews for this hotel are all valid despite their age. I was there in February and will be back in June.

http://www.npktour.com/flights.htm Good service from them over 2 years. Updated link 25th August 2007, should be OK now.

http://www.arecalodge.com/accommodation.html This will answer as to what you get for the Superior room as compared to the Deluxe. I have stayed there 3 times a year since it has opened, and IMHO the Deluxe rooms are the ones to have. It is an excellent hotel, and very good value for money.

Emirates have some good deals, search for them on http://www.kelkoo.co.uk and also try their own website. You have the option of a cheap flight to Glasgow with FlyBe or Easyjet and then on to Dubai and Bangkok. Emirates arrives/leaves Glasgow around midday, so connections to/from NI should be easy.

Also, set this in Internet Explorer if you use it, (after adding Thai language support in Windows) View > Encoding > Autoselect Make sure Autoselect is ticked I found this out when my TG was here and couldn't view Thai websites correctly even thought Thai language support was enabled.

I use a Flexaccount and have just checked the rates on my Nationwide statements against the Krung Thai Bank archived rates, for a couple of transactions over a weekend when the rate did not change. Nationwide conversion rate was 72.649 KTB cash rate was 71.78 KTB telex transfer rate was 72.71875 It looks like Nationwide rates are unbeatable, especially as there are NO charges whatsoever.

The most difficult thing to find will be a SOFT bed !!!

Thai Air Asia use Boeing 737-300 aircraft. Used them last year up to Chiang Rai, booked on the net from the UK well ahead of travel, and the return fare was 1170 Baht (400 each way plus 370 tax). Flight was on time, nice aircraft with black leather seats and they sell reasonably priced refreshments. The crew and check-in staff were very pleasant and helpful.

Lastminute.com have some exclusive special fares with Emirates Airlines on this route. Booked online yesterday (12th March) for £483.50

Try Air Asia http://www.airasia.com/general.php?p=pmain&l=en I used them last year to Chiang Rai and they were very good, book online in an internet cafe and print your confirmation, if you find a flight at the right price.

Holiday Mansion is where you want to be, just posted a review of it today ! http://www.pattayapages.com/reviewpost/sho...=7&cat=9&page=2 I booked through this company http://www.thailand-hotels.voyagenow.com/t...gkok-hotel.html My girlfriend got her 2 year visitor visa a month ago, and we had breakfast in the hotel before going across the road and joining the queue.