Zeus

So what would you say is the best option to return late to Jomtien? I suspect you do it a lot. Thanks to all for their input........

well I found the perfect fit for me. I used up the last of my frequent flyer miles to get a first class RT ticket in Feb on Delta. I have to stop in NRT, but flying first is worth it. For 120,000 miles,+ $86 (tax) I got a flight that priced out at $5700 if I paid for it. I guess the nonstop will have to wait till next trip. Zeus

I was wondering how late the baht busses run from Pattaya (2nd rd & south pattaya rd) to Jomtien. I know they run regularly during the daytime, but I was wondering if that service continued in the evening (and how late). That is the 10 B regular service. Or would I need to "rent them" as a taxi, and what the rate would be. I am just asking as I am considering a Jomtien condo rental for a month and wonder how it wold impact andy late night drinking & BFs. While I think that I will rent the condo in any case, if I have to get a taxi every time I need to return, I may have to more strategicly plan the trips and trips to/from Pattaya. I'd prefer to avoid the motorbike taxis too. Thanks in advance for any advice from experienced BMs, Zeus

Well I waited to see if the prices would drop a bit on the Thai nonstop, and they did - by about $50. Not really that much. But I have decided to postpone my trip. There is just too much going on now with the flooding and all. I don't expect the water to reach the airport or Pattaya. But for my first return trip in over 3 years, I would rather this hassel be over. And I would like to visit BKK as part of the trip. So I am looking at going in the spring (Mar?). Note: the LAX-BKK nonstop on Thai is over $1600 then, so I will be flying some other carrier unless it falls to current pricing. EVA is a better option at $977. I'll pay a couple of hundred for the convenience of a nonstop, but not $600. That buys a lot of ST! Zeus

Yeah, I would think some are cancelling or rescheduling. I have yet to book, so I will probably wait a week to see if anything changes. Best case I get better deal. Worst case the country is all f*&%*ed up and I wait till spring. I don't think Pattaya would have any water that wouldn't drain in a day, but I'd rather not be in-country during a national emergency. I was there when the airport closed in 2008 - that was enough for me. I am in the same school of thought that a couple of hundred $ beats a long layover and a flight change. I also prefer the flight arrival times. It beats getting in around midnight. If you have flown this flight before, what is your experience on the customs turn time in LAX on return. Zeus

I've noticed the same difference in the Thai website vs the travelocity/expedias price online. I am probably traveling around the same time as you, my dates are Nov 15 - Dec 8. I still need to book the flight, but the nonstop should be worth the extra hundred or two over the cheapest discount fare with a stop. This would be my first time on the nonstop. Does this flight earn United FF miles as Thai is in the Star alliance? Looking forward to getting there - I hope all this flooding in Bangkok is over by then, I might want to get to the capital for a few days. Zeus

A better Trailer.... http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810187722/info Damn this looks like it could be a lot better than the first (which was a riot!) Zeus

I too always took the Delta 5:30 am flight, and always follow the same process. Pack early, party all evening, catch the taxi at 2 am to Swampy, get there at 3:30am, check in and get to the gate with time to spare. By the time the plane is taking off I am crashed out, usually for the duration of the flight to NRT. Immigration line are very small then (2-3 people). I think the fact that the flight is so early, lets me get the most out of Patts before I have to leave. Zeus

I used to stay there all the time, and in 2000-2006 I could always get a room for 600-650 baht for a walkin rate. I probably stayed there 14 times - They have a great pool, great location, and the rooms are big(but a bit worn). But in recent years, prices are a bit up, and there are nicer places for the same money. If you stay for a month or more, a condo rental gets you a great place for the money. Zeus

Right... the taxes jack it up to $1452 I like the nonstop......But I can find better ways to spend my money. Singapore air @ $966 is looking better.

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No Argument there.... I'd go for that too. The LA nonstop is still the best flight. So Bigus, where did you get the price of $1149 ?? The best I could find was $1381. If I could get $1149 I would take it too.

I thought I would pass this on to all the BMs - I found a great LAX-SIN-BKK flight. The only real downside is there is a 9 hr layover in Singapore on the return. This is the lowest I have seen a LAX-BKK RT $326 RT (Wow! - amazing for these times of higher fares) And even though they add $640 tax and fee (Ouch!) for a total of $966, it is still a really great buy. And you get to try out the Airbus A380 on the LAX-SIN / SIN-LAX legs. I hear those Singapore Flight Attendants put the US FA to shame. If you are going to fly 20+ hours - you might as well have something that is easy on the eyes to look at (it will remind you of things to come!). Very tempting. Singapore girl...... fly me away! I am ready to leave! Zeus

Porkys!

I have been in town several times during CG, and like many have said there is only a minor effect on the town. I think the biggest thing is that you see more military types in town. They will be on the street and in the gogos, but rarely do they BF the girls out from all the regular visitors. Most usually return to their ship etc at the end of the day, and are just in town for a bit of R&R. To be honest most of the men in uniform are MUCH better behaved than the average tourist/punter. If you take the time to talk to them you will find that they are a great group of guys. Take the opportunity when you are in a bar to buy a round for the service men at the table next to you. They appreciate it, and if you are like me it will make you feel great. If for some reason, you don't like the military, as others have said - they can be avoided. But for me, I'd rather thank them for their service ( and have a good party at the same time) Zeus

There should have been an option for "I will do moto-bike/TG taxis, but never rent one myself" I avoid moto-bikes in favor of baht busses if I can, and never rent a bike for myself. But there is the occaisional trip with a TG that I picked up. The risk is still there, but diminished a bit as they are familiar with the local traffic etc. Zeus

First - I agree that every country has their share of assholes and people who will just stir up trouble (particularly when drinking). And you regularly hear that Thailand tends to get a good portion of the low-lifes of the world. I think that these people in America for the most part stay in the US, while other portions of the world -Brits/European, and recently Indian/Arabian, see Thaland as a real alternative to living in their home countries. I think a greater portion of the Americans that fall into this class (we call them hicks, trailer trash etc..) just stay here in the US. So when you go to Thailand, the Americans you see are the more worldy travelers/expats, along with the military. All of these folks are for the most part very well behaved. The really bad Americans are still staying home. There are exceptions of course. Zeus

Delta Sux for getting international FF awards. They are not too bad for domestic. I was a NW FF member and flights were tough to get then, but if you looked hard you could find them. Now that NW is Delta I can't find economy LAX-BKK under 120K (medium level). I used to get a business class seat on NW for that - now that was a great value. I have about 160K that I need to expend on Delta, then I am defecting to United for FF miles. In general, FF programs aren't what they used to be. We just need to make the best of it...... Zeus

For me most trips were on NW (before the Delta merger), So they had their own facilities in Terminal #2 ( instead of the intl. terminal). I am sure that and the fact that there were no competing flights when we arrived, led to the processing going smoothly. With regards to the searches. It always happened when I was traveling with carry on luggage only. So I would be one of the few that went through customs while everyone else was waiting for their luggage. I think the inspectors needed to start their work and I was the first one through. Of the 3 searches I had in 15 trips, only one was more than a cursory view of my bag(s) unzipped. That one time they did go through everything - took about 15 min. for the search. Zeus

I live in LA and have done the LA flight from BKK (through NRT) 15 times. I can only remember customs taking more than 1 hour once, and that was because our morning flight was early and the customs staff hadn't arrived yet(which wouldn't be a problem for catching an ongoing flight). Typically you make it through immigration before the bags are arriving on the baggage carousel. If you can get by with just a carry-on, then you breeze to the front while everyone else waits for their bags. I've had my bags searched on 3 of those trips and it really doesnt delay you too much. On the other trips they just waived me on through, after taking my paperwork. Zeus

Are these two sisters???...... Great smiles! They warm the heart of some one halfway around the world! Exactly what I need until I return. Keep the beer cold and the women Hot! Zeus

Are you SURE ???? It looks VERY much like the Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel in Cappadocia Turkey http://www.yunak.com/cappadociahotelrooms.php Check the room photos that are on the website to the ones you posted I actually stayed there when I went to see the total solar eclipse in 2006. My pics: My pics are not as good as those on the web site, but I really enjoyed the stay there. The Eclipse was cool too: Zeus

Good to hear its working out. I look forward to seeing the PBG when I next make it in the LOS. Zeus

Pete, So how did the promotion go? Enquiring minds want to know........ Zeus

I was looking at the VT6 and was looking at the dancewatchers site for a potential rental. One question - do you have any view from the balcony? ie is the 17th floor high enough not to be looking directly at the side of the mall. I'd like to think so, but the lack of any balcony photo on the dancewatcher site for the Nakula facing units has me thinking the view does not exist(or is very poor). BTW another site for VT6 is www.condo6.com But the rentals there seem to be more long term, and without the personal touches that DW seems to have. Zeus