BigDUSA

"Lame dupe overpayer".

UA has started to charge for exit row seats if your not a Premier member of their frequent flyer program.

Yensabai Condo has huge shower area. Checkout www.pattayarentaroom.com

I 'lub' the aroma of a Galloise in the morning.

Cheap Charley says buy the cheapest major brand you can. This way if it get's stolen your not out a lot of money.

I always save my boarding pass until UA credits my account with frequent flyer miles.

BERLIN -- Are you ready to fly the smoky skies? Here's an airline where you won't have to worry about tampering with the lavatory smoke detector. Because not only are you free to light up -- you can even puff away on a Cuban cigar. A German businessman with a pack-and-a-half-a-day habit is behind Smoker's International Airways. He hopes to start flying in March between Dusseldorf, Germany, and Tokyo, using a trio of 747s. Not one will have a no-smoking section. Along with creating a smoker's haven, the plan is to also bring back the golden age of air travel. To that end, flight attendants in designer uniforms will be serving up caviar. But in a nod to the modern age, there will also be TVs, phones and Internet access. But non-smokers should not worry, according to the company. On its Web site the founder said the airline will have an air filtration system that would provide fresher air than on other non-smoking planes. "Non-smokers will find the cabin air more refreshing than on any other flight with any other airline, as SMINTAIR adds fresh outside air to the conditioning system! This is more expensive, as it burns more fuel, but it is seen as an additional service to our guests," the site said.

I carry my passport with me. Immigration agents don't have to accept a photo copy. I'd rather run the risk of carrying my passport then the possibility of going to immigration jail. I have a travel wallet that my belt goes thru. I do leave a copy of my passport and visa back in my in room safe.

I stayed at the Yensabai Condo www.pattayarentaroom.com and liked it. Huge studio room with kitchenette, AC, 25"TV, fridge, in room safe. Condo has a nice pool. Twelve minute walk to Walking Street. Only thing I didn't like was the walk in the sun up to 2nd Road. I paid 500 per night.

A fair # of expat's had used her service and assured me she was good to go for 20K. I have no idea if there's a new expedited visa service run out of the new immigration office in Jomtiem but with this being LOS. I wouldn't be surprised.

It's been a couple of years but I seem to remember 20K would have a retirement visa in my hands within two days. The wife of the now retired head of Pattaya Immigration ran a expedited visa service.

One thing to remember when your dealing with Immigration or almost any other Thai government agency. Money talks and bullshit walks. It's down right amazing what a envelope filled with baht can do for ones application.

From what I've been told by expat's who live here and I've not done the research myself that there are many good quality condo's/houses available within your price range. One thing I've noticed by looking in the Pattaya Mail the local farang real estate agents are asking silly money for rentals. I'm starting to get close to making the move. Looks like I'll have to start doing my own hunt for a suitable place to live at a reasonable price of course.

I've been looking over the options of renting in LOS versus buying a condo and for me renting seems the way to go. If I buy a condo and end up having shitty neighbors or the maintenance levels seem to be declining, I'm hard pressed to find a buyer add in the current political situation which could turn nasty fairly quickly how do I get my money out of the investment? With a rental any of the above happens, I walk away and at the most I lose my personal possessions if the political situation turns nasty and I have to head for the airport. I turn 60 in a few days and at best I figure I have 20-25 good years left, why bother with the hassle of ownership?

I've stayed there twice and I liked it except for the hard bed, I wish my dick would get that hard. Great location, in room safe and they have an elevator to haul my fat ass up to my room. BTW good pub grub.

For the other cheap Charlie's on this forum, I've flown Thai from JFK-BKK non stop in the cheap seats and I was more then happy with the service and seat. The seat goes back a bit more then UA economy and the food was a couple of cuts above what UA serves.

UA is using the new Thai club room. Receptionist told me it's much nicer then the dump they used to use at the old airport.

Yes but your not in town your in the suburbs. If you can start your rental during low season and tell them your a long stay, year or more. Bargains are available but you have to look.

S'pore comes to mind as a safe place to live. I feel safe in Pattaya then again, I'm comfortable with it and I try and not put myself in a position to get hurt.

If you know of any houses that are similar for 15-18K let me know.

From the PI expat's I've talked to they ail mentioned the lack of security as the main reason for moving to LOS. I've only stopped at the Manila airport on my way to Vietnam and haven't a clue if what they told me was true. For and old geezer like myself security is very high on my list of must haves.

Check out Yensabai Condo, five minute walk to the VC Hotel. I've stayed there a couple of time and liked it. Huge studio room, large bathroom, in room safe, 25"TV, fridge and kitchen facility. Condo has a pool. www.pattayarentaroom.com

Cheap Charley paid $1500USD PHL-BKK for my last trip. It was well worth it.

Check out Yensabai condo, www.pattayarentaroom.com

I'm seeing $850 return all in from Philly to BKK, October/November availability.