BigDUSA

Thai has fares around $1080 from JFK-BKK non stop for your time frame. I've flown this flight and it a couple of cuts above UA & NWA. UA is OK to fly as I use them as my primary carrier. Cathay Pacific is another carrier I've flown and they are good.

I have flown NW from Philly to S'pore a few years ago when they offered R/T for $388USD including taxes. NW and UA get in late and you have to overnight at the airport to catch an early flight. I stayed at the airport hotel. Reasonable rates. It was OK to do but it eats up a lot of time. I like S'pore as a destination and have been there a few times. If I were to do this again, I'd go to Bintin Island, Indonesia for a few days. I heard it's a fun place to go.

I use the airport car service and it's no waiting for a driver to show or not. I'm out of the airport in less then 15 minutes as the cars are parked right at the exit. This cost 2K and you can book one as soon as you leave customs they are on the left about 10 meters down. When you are at the luggage carousel ask if anyone is going to Pattaya. Easy way to share a ride and split the cost. If you have an accident your travel insurance will cover you because it's a licensed car service. The other guys are not licensed nor legal to carry paying passengers.

I'm a premier executive with United, I pay for two and the third one is free. I get 100% mileage bonus and free access to the various clubs with Star Alliance when I fly international. I find it worthwhile to fly with UA as the prices are very similar with the various airlines that fly out of Philly. If I wanted to travel to Newark or NYC, I could get a cheaper ticket. On some airlines S'pore air in particular the cheapest tickets don't qualify for frequent flyer miles.

I have never paid an arrival or departure tax at Narita. There is a 500 baht departure tax at the BKK airport .

August is prime vacation time and this looks like a good price. If it was me, I'd book it now.

Hotels are willing to wheel and deal on rates during low season. I've seen pay for 10 stay 14 nights on soi 8.

I stayed at the Yensabai Condo around the corner and the neighborhood is just fine including late at night. There are a few gay bars around but I've never seen a guy pulled into the bars. They will say hello and invite you in but a POLITE no thank you works real well.

jogsuk, I'm in town from 3 May thru the 23rd. I'll be at the FLB on 9 May. Stop by, I'm shouting a few rounds.

Thanks for the embassy "heads up". I currently don't use the VA for my medical care but I'm eligible as a disabled vet. Something to check into.

I've eaten at Don Joe's last trip and throughly enjoyed the food. Better then I thought it would be. Now if we could just get a hoagie and Philly cheesesteak shop in Pattaya..........

I'm looking for the same except I want to pay 6K per month. I'm in town from 3 May. I know, I'm a cheap Charley but I'll take care of your property. Good care.

Let's not forget the SEVERE WATER SHORTAGE that Pattaya endures every year and it's getting worse. How will the water company supply what they don't have to all the new condos going up? My advice, rent don't buy.

Sorry about the delay in responding. Just saw your post. NWA was booked right after 9/11. Travel sites I like are travelzoo.com and flyertalk.com for mistake fares. I find the cheapest fares are 15 January thru 15 May and again after 15 September thru 1 December. I'm afraid the days of cheap airfares are over as the price of gas goes thru the roof.

Stay 15 days in one and 15 in the other and let us know what you think.

You forgot hotel. In my own mind very hansom and incredibly sexy. FWIW, I go with older BG 30+ and I had a liv in that I paid 6k per month with no bar fine. BTW 6-10K per month is what the average expat pays his liv in. Some guys pay more others pay less. Living on 1K per day is doable but TIGHT.

I agree with whitespider, we all have our own comfort level as far as living expenses go. I spent one month in Pattaya living on 1000 baht per day including hotel. It was certainly doable, I had a good time but I wouldn't want to live that tight month in month out.

I'm in the market for a long term rental condo for 5K per month. Be sure to keep me in mind when you find a rental property.

I carry a commercial driver license here in Pennsylvania. I'm licensed to drive a tractor trailer with air brake endorsement. I wonder if I can get a similar license in LOS.

July is low season. Many hotel deals around. Pay for 10 stay 14 at the Flippers and other mid range hotels. Book a hotel for 2 days and look around. I would suggest at least 150K baht for the month. Enjoy your stay.

Quality of the food in the restaurant is a slight cut above mediocre and expensive. I've had some good times in their club. Club is well worth a visit.

I concur and as soon as you finish that. Go to your embassy and get a passport for your kid. Two years ago, I helped a Thai women get US Social Security benefits for her son whose American father had died. With a copy of his passport it was easy for me to get his dads death certificate from Mississippi and hook him up with monthly benefits till he turns 18 or 22 if he goes on to college.

I agree with Hub on this. You have to deal with the manager as he has the authority to offer discounts. BTW great website, Hub listed.

If one uses a bit of common sense and looks both ways many times crossing 2nd Road is not all that bad. Certainly not as bad as the above comments make it out to be.

This is a part of Thailand. They are not exactly the most efficient people on the planet. Get used to it.