ender

I found the maps at bahtbus.com to be great.. but the other day several were missing and now today I can not get into the section at all. This is also true of the 2nd section of the bar guide. Anyone know what's up... I was looking forward towards printing out a complete map (with bar names) and using that to tour through Pattaya when I arrive in a week. Anyone know of another good (updated) resource withe the bars locations on it.? ENDER

Indeed.. it is a great deal to buy CD's and DVD's in Thailand. Software or Movies... CD's will work anywhere... DVD's can be encoded with different regions and in different formats. If you are using a DVD in a computer... no worries... However.. if you are looking to get DVD movies to play on your DVD player... you may want to look for: 1) Region Free Encoding (Worldwide) and if you are in the US or Canada NTSC formatted disks. For Eruope look for PAL. 2) Purchase a worldwide DVD player (I got one for $80). ENDER

You'd be far better off in Hong Kong.. but if you must buy it in Bangkok. Siam Center for the watches.. and IGK World Plaza for the DVD's. Pay no more than $2-3 for the DVD's and no more than $40 for a top of the line automatic replica. However, most of the watches you find in BKK are not of the same quality that you can find in Hong Kong or Tokyo.

Go south about 50 miles past Rayong and hug the coastline.. look for turn-offs to Ban Phe. This is where you get the ferry to take you to the island. You get to the village of Na Dan and you can take it from there. There are busses from Pattaya that travel there, that would be the most cost effective method of travel. Or you can taxi it.. Expect to pay about (possibly a little less) than a taxi fare from Bangkok. Once on the island the main area with the most bungalos and activity is About a half-mile away from the ferry.. it's called Hat Sai Kaeo.. anywhere else on the island might not have enough activities for you.. the farther south on the island you go.. the fewer people, bars and restaurants there are. The island's only 4 miles long... so you could hoof it on foot. Weekends are busy... it's best to go during the week. Ender

I've been lurking on this forum for years now and it seems to be one of the best sources of information, certainly for Pattaya. After reading through the posts.. I have some questions that I hope some of you can assist with. I would like to know your opinions on lodging given the following information: 1) I'm in town for business (Bangkok that is) and will only have a limited (5 days) time to stay in Pattaya. Because of this fact, I've got to make my time count.. also because of this my price range in terms of hotel is open. So be it 600 or 1500 per night... it makes little difference. 2) During the days I plan to relax... usually wake up late (noon).. and enjoy a good lounge by a pool getting some sun. So.. I guess in this fact a pool and/or the facilities of a place are important to me. 3) I'm a tall guy (6'5").. and have to have a Queen sized bed at bare minimum. 4) Usually noise does not bother me... although I do prefer quiet rooms to ones with noise. 5) I like to be close to the action.. but I guess it's 50/50 when it come to a trade-off with the quietness of a room. 6) I usually don't get to sleep till 4am Also... what is the best way to get from BKK to Pattaya. remember.. I'm not that frugal in this particular case.. and I prefer the comfort of an Air Conditioned bus or taxi... to a large non-AC bus even if it is 1/6 the price. What are the current LT/ST rates..?? Beer Bars cheaper than the Gogo's.?? Anyone want to give me their "Must See" in Pattaya list.? Thanks for the help, Ender P.S. If any of you make it to Cartagena or Medellin... I'll return the favor.