Samsonite

That should be soon, shouldn't it? Isn't the test flight period for the 777-200LR just about 2-3 week from completion? O & D? Thanks.

Just FYI, from a story dated 16 October: "Thai Airways International will reduce US service as it is not happy with the performance on these routes. On Dec 1st it will reduce the frequency on its Bangkok to New York route from 6 to 4 flights a week while cutting Bangkok to Los Angeles from 4 to 3 flights a week however that flight will go nonstop instead of via Japan. Thai will also revise its Bangkok-Auckland-Sydney route on the same date into a daily Bangkok-Auckland and daily Bangkok-Sydney service."

Just spent over a week at the Bella Villa Prima on Soi 4 and found it far superior to the last Pattaya hotel I used, the Sandy Spring. Stayed on an upper floor, facing west, and had no noise problems. Found it provided all the basic amenities I expect from a hotel but are not provided by the Sandy Spring. However, I do have to admit I much prefer the Soi 13 location to the Soi 4 location. I found little at fault with the Bella Villa Prima. There are very girlfriend friendly, but they do take an un-necessary interest in your "love life." I was talking to the maid one afternoon as she was cleaning my room and she made a comment about my bringing two girls back to my room a couple of nights before and she wasn't on duty the morning after the event so the staff must gossip excessively among themselves. Didn't use the WIFI, but did use the computers in the lobby and found them to be very slow, plus your 60 Baht an hour purchase expires by the next day whether you use it all or not. Took a look at the "breakfast" one morning and passed. They didn't ask for a deposit when I made the reservation, but when I checked in they asked I pay for the entire stay in advance. I refused and gave them a cash deposit. Nothing else was said about it. Noticed the Sunshine Vista Apartments on Soi 3 and the Bella Villa Prima butt up to each other. I would stay there again, but would like to find something of that quality and that girlfriend friendly closer to Soi 13.

There are at least 3 Bella Villa hotels in Pattaya, which one are you asking about? Prima, Cabana, or ???

Gentlemen, Thank you for your positive comments. Greatly appreciated. BTW, is it necessary to book as a "double" to avoid any "joiner" charges? Thanks, again.

I was just reading the reviews on The Bella Villa Prima and while they are not exactly current there were a couple of very negative comments including money being stolen out of a in room safe. Has anyone stayed there recently, and if so, your opinion please. Thank you.

Goes to show one cannot believe everything they read on the Internet. My apologies. If I can find the web site where I found that information I'll post the link.

I've been trying to make reservations for October and so far the Sunshine Vista tells me they have only one "regular" room available. The Areca Lodge has one "standard" room with twin beds available. The Sandy Spring only has "suites" available. Is it always so busy in Pattaya in October??????

PM Toxin is going to fly in so they save "face" by saying it was used on "opening day." It will still be MANY months if not a year down the road before the airport actually opens for regular commercial service. BTW, Dong Muang was built by, and use by, the U.S. as a military airbase. All but one, now two, airfields in Thailand were built by the U.S. military.

Why would you do that? Just curious. You said you are flying from San Diego? Why not just take a shuttle to LAX and fly out of there? Do you have to use UAL for some reason? Mileage? Miles vs 36 hour travel time for a 20 hour trip? I would say screw the miles and use some other airline.

Yes, it was/is The Sandy Spring. For 2,500 THB in BKK I would NOT expect much, BUT this is Pattaya and for that I do not think the "suite" is acceptable. Actually, until the recent round of prices increases in BKK you could get better, much better for less than 2,500 THB. A year ago July I had a large REAL suite at the Royal President, Soi 15, for just under 2,000 THB. While I appreciate some of your comments some of you must really have low expectations. OTOH, in thailand that is often the best attitude to have so if you find something better than you expected, you are pleasantly surprised.

This was a quick trip so there was some confusion about reservations. Sent e-mail, but received no reply by the time I left for the airport. Tried to call, but no one answered the main number. Got to Taipei, checked e-mail and they say they have a "Deluxe Sea View" room for two days only. I sent back, OK, I'll take it. Arrived Pattaya, they don't know anything about it. Say I can have "Suite" for 2,500 THB and they will change rooms tomorrow. I say, OK, thinking I'll find another hotel. This is still the low season, but when I get to The Sunshine Vista Apartments, they say they are booked solid. Something about some corporate guy and his company. I go to the Sabai Lodge where I've stayed before, but what they showed me isn't any better than what I have for about the same money and no view. I'm exhausted from the flights, so I decide to take the "Deluxe Sea View" room today. The "Suite," btw, is just two of their regular rooms put together. Change around 3 or 4 pieces of furniture and you would have two regular rooms. The "Deluxe Sea View" room they just moved me to has mosquitoes and the caulking around the tube is covered in mould. Cheap furniture. Looks good, but those drawers you think you can put your clothes in are not draws. Facades. Ditto the night tables, no drawers. If I don't find something else that fits my requirements, I'll stick it out for a few days, but I'll never stay here again. As soon as this places starts showing wear it will be just another dump with a view like the AA next door.

The Nana restaurant is OK. The new pool looks nice. The rooms? I was given a tour of the hotel in September of '04 and they couldn't pay me enough to stay there. Total flophouse aka skidrow hotel. I've had more than one NEP a-go-go girl tell me, "if you stay Nana, I no stay with you." The place is a pit! Each to his own.

After taking a close look at the aerial photographs of the new airport it would apear to me that it has, approximately, the same number of gates as the current airport. It has two runways, the current airport has two runways. How is any of this an improvement?

I'm looking for a Pattaya hotel with NO Walk of Shame. Any suggestions? The Sunshine Vista Apartments looks like a quality hotel, but do you have to walk through the lobby to get to your room? Oh, and, yes, I ran a "search" and didn't find much information other than the parking lot approach at the Sabai Lodge, the back alleyway at the Dynasty, and BigD's opinion (thank you for your concern). ;-) Regardless, I would really prefer a hotel with a private entrance. Thanks.

For your viewing pleasure, 360 degree video "tours" of a China Air Boeing 747-400, all cabins, including the cockpit: http://www.navigon.net/ca747_tour/747VR4/index.html The China Air 747 e-brochure (Boeing must of had something to do with this, you think? ): http://www.navigon.net/CA747e-brochure/

In the past I've said that TPE had to be one of the worst international airports in the world. However, in January of this year China Air started using the new Terminal Two. Night and Day difference from Terminal One. If you are coming from the U.S., and a few other countries, your plane will park at Terminal Two. The China Air gates are not far from a small train that connects the terminals and drops you off not far from their gates in Terminal One. MUCH better than the old system of walking from one end to the other of Terminal One to make your connecting flight. If there is public internet service available, I've never found it. It is available in some airline lounges.

http://www.smarttravelasia.com/airlinepoll.htm Cathay Pacific beats out Singapore Air for the second year in a row.

Generally, I would agree. However, it seems to vary from hotel to hotel, e.g., I was onced quoted by The Sandy Spring Hotel 1,300, for a "Deluxe Sea View" room, but an agent, scani????? quoted 1,250, which include a "free" bottle of Tiger Beer each day. Pay your money, take your chances.

Bazzap, Thanks for the pictures. Greatly appreciated!! Emil, Thanks for the name. I guess my memory must be going in my old age. I could have sworn that as I was eating breakfast each morning at The Haven, I was looking out at the new wing of the Golden Crab directly across the street and Ma Maison was off to the left. Oh, well........ Thx, again. Edit in: Bazzap, After looking at the first picture, again, it would appear they are building it, in my mind, ass backwards. Does anyone see what I'm talking about? It looks like the hallway on each floor will be on the west side of the building and the windows will be facing east, i.e., away from the ocean. Personally, I would prefer a view of the Bay. Doesn't make much sense to me, but, hell, what do I know about thai construction methods.

There is a building on Soi 13 with half-moon shaped windows. What would appear to be the main building is across the street from the west end of The Sandy Spring and the new addition, currently under contruction, is directly across from The Haven. Does anyone know if this is a Hotel or Apartment Building? If it is a Hotel, what is the name, and does anyone know anything about it? Thank you very much.

No, not unless it is **very** recent. In their "coffee shop" which is just a few tables set up on the west side of the lobby, they have 3 computers. You go to the front desk and buy 30 or 60 minutes of time at 2 Baht a minute and they give you a little piece of paper with a "user name" and password. When your time runs out you have to buy another block of time. Most of the Internet Shops close by charge 1 Baht a minute. I know 2 Baht, 5 cents US, doesn't sound like much but it runs up rather quickly. IF the Sandy Spring had in room safes I would stay there again, but as they don't, I am looking for another hotel in the immediate area. Also, they don't have a kitchen. When you order food it comes from The Haven Restaurant and Hotel next door, to the west. The Haven has some small rooms in the back, around a pool, that do have lock boxes in each room.

Around $600.00-$850.00, has been the "normal" price range from SFO to BKK on China Air or EVA for the last 3 years. The exceptions have been during the SARS problem when China Air got down to $400.00, plus $50.00, if you flew on a weekend. During the June to mid-Sept. period the fares jump up a bit and then start coming right back down in late Sept. There is also a price bump during the December-January period.

Usually, but not always, when you see these "low" fares from Travelocity.com it involves a 10-12 hour layover somewhere along the journey.

Dated 27 July 2005: "Boeing, EVA Air Celebrate Delivery of Airline's First 777-300ER" Story can be found at: http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q2/nr_050727g.html